NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
379 reportsMileage unknown · Mar 18, 2017
Engine
ENGINE MOUNTS ARE COMPROMISED. TRANSMISSION ON VEHICLE, AFTER UNDERGOING A TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH, IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. TRANSMISSION IS ALSO SLIPPING GEARS. THE VEHICLE IS MAKING A CLEAR NOISE DURING ACCELERATION WHEN IN MOTION ON BOTH STREETS AND ON HIGHWAYS. WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, THE VEHICLE …
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ENGINE MOUNTS ARE COMPROMISED. TRANSMISSION ON VEHICLE, AFTER UNDERGOING A TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH, IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. TRANSMISSION IS ALSO SLIPPING GEARS. THE VEHICLE IS MAKING A CLEAR NOISE DURING ACCELERATION WHEN IN MOTION ON BOTH STREETS AND ON HIGHWAYS. WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, THE VEHICLE LURCHES VIOLENTLY AS IT SLIPS. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE WITH THE HOOD UP, THE ENGINE PHYSICALLY MOVES A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT WHEN STARTING.
NHTSA ODI #10966675
Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2017
Structure
THE CLEAR COAT BEGAN TO PEEL AWAY ON MY CAR AND THEN THE PAINT STARTED PEELING. IT LOOKS TERRIBLE AND WHEN I WENT TO TRADE IN FOR A NEW MODEL I WAS TOLD THE PAINT DRASTICALLY LOWERS THE VALUE AND PUTS THE CAR IN "POOR" CONDITION. THIS IS VERY EMBARRASSING HAVING TO EXPLAIN OVER AND OVER WHY THE CAR LOOKS SO BAD. AS YOU CAN SEE …
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THE CLEAR COAT BEGAN TO PEEL AWAY ON MY CAR AND THEN THE PAINT STARTED PEELING. IT LOOKS TERRIBLE AND WHEN I WENT TO TRADE IN FOR A NEW MODEL I WAS TOLD THE PAINT DRASTICALLY LOWERS THE VALUE AND PUTS THE CAR IN "POOR" CONDITION. THIS IS VERY EMBARRASSING HAVING TO EXPLAIN OVER AND OVER WHY THE CAR LOOKS SO BAD. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PICTURES IT IS ONLY THE HOOD AND GETTING WORSE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. THE REST OF THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN AFFECTED I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL PAINT SHOP WHO SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE IT APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE CLEAR COAT USED ON THE ORIGINAL PAINT JOB. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT BUT SAYS IT IS A "COMMON COMPLAINT". I JUST WANT THE HOOD FIXED, I USE THIS CAR FOR BUSINESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10946451
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V100000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE ADDITIONAL TIMES AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE. THE MA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V100000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE ADDITIONAL TIMES AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10937970
83,000 miles · Dec 7, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE, AIR BAG, AND ADDITIONAL UNSPECIFIED WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DEALER TO INSPECT AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE, AIR BAG, AND ADDITIONAL UNSPECIFIED WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DEALER TO INSPECT AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
NHTSA ODI #10933654
125,000 miles · Nov 29, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY STEERING ISSUES, BUT WAS AFRAID THAT HE WOULD. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #10928659
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2016
Steering
THE STEERING COLUMN CONTAINS A HARD PLASTIC "COUPLER" AS PART OF THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. THAT HARD PLASTIC DETERIORATES OVER THE COURSE OF 5 OR 6 YEARS AND, WHEN IT FAILS, THE DRIVER WILL LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR. ALTHOUGH THIS PART ON MY CAR HAS NOT YET FAILED, I CANNOT AFFORD THE $499 THAT THE DEALER WANTS TO CH…
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THE STEERING COLUMN CONTAINS A HARD PLASTIC "COUPLER" AS PART OF THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. THAT HARD PLASTIC DETERIORATES OVER THE COURSE OF 5 OR 6 YEARS AND, WHEN IT FAILS, THE DRIVER WILL LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR. ALTHOUGH THIS PART ON MY CAR HAS NOT YET FAILED, I CANNOT AFFORD THE $499 THAT THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE TO MAKE THIS REPAIR. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ITEM.
NHTSA ODI #10924982
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2016
Steering
AT 59,894 MILES THE STEERING COLUMN FELT VERY UNATTACHED. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT A PART HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $345.10 LABOR AND $10.47 FOR THE PART. MY HUSBAND LOOKED UP ON THE WEB AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE ITEM AND QUESTIONS WERE ASKED HYUNDAI CONSUMERS AFFAIRS ( CA…
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AT 59,894 MILES THE STEERING COLUMN FELT VERY UNATTACHED. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT A PART HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $345.10 LABOR AND $10.47 FOR THE PART. MY HUSBAND LOOKED UP ON THE WEB AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE ITEM AND QUESTIONS WERE ASKED HYUNDAI CONSUMERS AFFAIRS ( CASE # 9600787) TO NO AVAIL. MY HUSBAND ORDERED THE PART OFF EBAY AND FOUND THAT THE MATERIAL WAS NOT THE SAME THAT THEY REMOVED FROM MY CAR ( THEY GAVE ME THE OLD PART). THE NEW PART LOOKED THE SAME AS THE OLD ONE, EVEN HAD THE SAME NUMBER BUT IT WAS MUCH FIRMER AND MORE RIGID THAN THE ORIGINAL PART. I ASKED HYUNDAI CONSUMERS AFFAIRS SEVERAL TIMES IF THIS PART WERE NOT REPLACED COULD IT LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. NO REPLY. READING ON THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON 60,000 MILE PROBLEM ON THIS CAR AND SEVERAL OTHERS IN THE HYUNDAI/ KIA CORRAL. I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD NEVER BE A STEERING PROBLEM IN EVERY CAR PRODUCED BY MANUFACTURER FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR AND THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD COME TO A FIX THAT PROVIDES SAFE DRIVING ON ALL ITS CARS FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR WHICH SHOULD BE MORE THAN 60,000 MILES. IN MY 45 YEARS OF DRIVING I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH POOR QUALITY WHICH COULD HAVE DIRE CONSEQUENCES. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10916192
38,000 miles · Oct 14, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FUNCTIONED ABNORMALLY AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A FLEXIBLE COUPLER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FUNCTIONED ABNORMALLY AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A FLEXIBLE COUPLER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA ODI #10916029
60,000 miles · Oct 3, 2016
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
WHILE MY WIFE, LINDA, WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 1-2 MPH, TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE ENGINE STARTED RACING AND LEAPED FORWARD. HITTING THE BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT ON STOPPING THE VEHICLE. SHE DESPERATELY TURNED THE WHEEL TO MISS PARKED CARS, A STEEL POLE WAS HIT AND TORN OUT OF THE GROUND BY THE RUNAWAY VEHICLE.…
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WHILE MY WIFE, LINDA, WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 1-2 MPH, TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE ENGINE STARTED RACING AND LEAPED FORWARD. HITTING THE BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT ON STOPPING THE VEHICLE. SHE DESPERATELY TURNED THE WHEEL TO MISS PARKED CARS, A STEEL POLE WAS HIT AND TORN OUT OF THE GROUND BY THE RUNAWAY VEHICLE. FINALLY THE CAR CAME TO REST AFTER HITTING A LARGE CONCRETE LIGHT POLE, WHICH MUST HAVE STALLED OUT THE ENGINE. MY WIFE WAS IN A STATE OF SHOCK AND HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TESTS / XRAYS. EVEN WITH THE SEAT BELT ON, SHE RECEIVED MAJOR IMPACT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO HER CHEST.
NHTSA ODI #10911295
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2016
Air Bags
AIRBAG LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ON. CLOCK SPRING ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10910741
Official recalls
3Feb 4, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.
Feb 23, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Elantra vehicles manufactured June 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010, and 2009-2010 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured November 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010. The electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may sense a discrepancy in the steering input signals and, as a result, disable the steering power assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will verify the proper operation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and update the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 127.
Apr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.