NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
379 reports51,300 miles · Aug 1, 2014
Power Train
A FAILING TRANSMISSION IN A LOW MILEAGE CAR IS AN ISSUE. AT JUST OVER 51,000 MILES MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN JERKING INTO GEAR BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD. AFTER HAVING IT DIAGNOSED I WAS TOLD THEY WERE ABLE TO "SORT-OF FEEL WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT" AND INITIALLY RECOMMENDED A FLUID CHANGE. WHEN I ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, SUDD…
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A FAILING TRANSMISSION IN A LOW MILEAGE CAR IS AN ISSUE. AT JUST OVER 51,000 MILES MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN JERKING INTO GEAR BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD. AFTER HAVING IT DIAGNOSED I WAS TOLD THEY WERE ABLE TO "SORT-OF FEEL WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT" AND INITIALLY RECOMMENDED A FLUID CHANGE. WHEN I ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, SUDDENLY I WAS TOLD IT WAS IN INTERNAL FAILURE AND I NEEDED THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THAT EVENING THE SLIPPING GOT WORSE AND THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED GOING INTO REVERSE AND HAD A BIG PROBLEM SHIFTING UP HILLS. WITH A TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING NORMALLY AND POWER BEING AFFECTED BECAUSE OF THAT, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPED QUICKLY AND DID NOT PRESENT ITSELF AS ONE MIGHT EXPECT A FAILING TRANSMISSION TO DO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10618294
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2014
StructureInjury
THE METALLIC COVERING ON BOTH FRONT INNER DOOR HANDLES HAS RIPPLED AND STARTED PEELING. THE METALLIC SHEET COVERING BOTH HANDLES IS VERY SHARP AND HAS CAUSED ME TO SLICE MY HANDS/FINGERS MULTIPLE TIMES AS I ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE DOOR. IT'S STURDY ENOUGH THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO JUST PEEL OFF, SO I AM CONSTANTLY BEING CUT BY MY HAND…
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THE METALLIC COVERING ON BOTH FRONT INNER DOOR HANDLES HAS RIPPLED AND STARTED PEELING. THE METALLIC SHEET COVERING BOTH HANDLES IS VERY SHARP AND HAS CAUSED ME TO SLICE MY HANDS/FINGERS MULTIPLE TIMES AS I ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE DOOR. IT'S STURDY ENOUGH THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO JUST PEEL OFF, SO I AM CONSTANTLY BEING CUT BY MY HANDLES AND AM WORRIED THIS MAY SOON HAPPEN TO MY PASSENGER(S) AND/OR CHILDREN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10618120
43,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
THE REAR PASSENGER AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK HAS STOPPED WORKING. IT HAS TO MANUALLY UNLOCKED AND LOCKEDFROM INSIDE THE CAR! I WONDER WHAT THIS WILL COST??? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595791
36,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Service BrakesWheels
AT 36,000 MILES I NEEDED ALL NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS AND THE 2 FRONT TIRES WERE COMPLETELY WORN TO EXTREME UNSAFE CONDITION. SPENT OVER $680 TO REPAIR IT ALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595790
29,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Power Train
VEHICLE SHAKES AND RATTLES INSIDE AT 35-40 MPH,ALSO DECREASED ACCELERATION! NOISY, UNCOMFORTABLE AND EMBARRASSING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595789
58,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ACCELERATING. ALSO WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS PUT INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE SUDDENLY MOVING BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BUT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE DEFECT AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED. THIS IS START…
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WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ACCELERATING. ALSO WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS PUT INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE SUDDENLY MOVING BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BUT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE DEFECT AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED. THIS IS STARTING TO HAPPEN DAILY. I HAVE NOTICED THAT MANY PEOPLE ON THIS SITE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE IT BECOMES A BIGGER PROBLEM. IT CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND ENTER HIGHWAYS IT'S A PROBLEM. THE CAR HESITATES AND REVS BEFORE ACCELERATING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595527
72,500 miles · May 28, 2014
Steering
I STARTED MY CAR AND THE EPS AND ESC OFF LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED, AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAD HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE USED IN 2011. THE FIRST TIME, SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING FIXED THE PROBLEM. I ALSO TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AT THE TIME, AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THE …
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I STARTED MY CAR AND THE EPS AND ESC OFF LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED, AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAD HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE USED IN 2011. THE FIRST TIME, SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING FIXED THE PROBLEM. I ALSO TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AT THE TIME, AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THE FIX WAS AN UPDATE TO THE COMPUTER. THE ISSUE DIDN'T APPEAR AGAIN UNTIL MAY 2014, AND THIS TIME THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO WORK EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE RESTARTS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE STEERING COLUMN HAS FAILED AN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AND WILL COST $2100. NOT ONLY DOES THIS DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN THAT I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE CITATIONS OF IN THIS DATABASE PRESENT A POTENTIALLY LARGE EXPENSE TO HYUNDAI OWNERS OUTSIDE OF THEIR WARRANTY, BUT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF THE STEERING FAILS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, AS I HAVE SEEN IN OTHER CASES. I WAS LUCKY IT WAS JUST IN MY DRIVEWAY. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI DIRECTLY ABOUT THIS, AND THEY COULDN'T CARE LESS, AND MOST CERTAINLY WOULDN'T COVER IT AS A DEFECTIVE PART, AS I AM 12K MILES OUT OF MY WARRANTY. THEY ARE CLEARLY IGNORING THE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY CONCERNS OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. BUYER BEWARE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10594610
77,000 miles · May 19, 2014
Steering
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND VEERED OFF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAI…
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TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND VEERED OFF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT ALL OF THE ELECTRONICS AND THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA ODI #10592557
80,600 miles · May 16, 2014
Tires
I BOUGHT 4 MICHELIN TIRES ON 11/02/2012. A 90,000 MILE TIRE. < 40,000 MILES 2 OF THE 4 TIRES HAVE UNEXPLAINED WEARING AND 1 TIRE HAS A BUBBLE. MICHELIN DEFENDER XT 195/65R15 (GREEN X)90,000 MILE WEAR. THE CAR AND TIRES ARE SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588816
50,668 miles · Apr 22, 2014
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
I WAS APPROACHING HIGHWAY FROM CITY ROADS AND I HAD TO ACCELERATE TO GET IN THE FLOW. SUDDENLY, I FELT THAT EVEN THOUGH I WAS ACCELERATING, CAR DID NOT GAIN SPEED. I CHECKED RPMS AND IT WAS QUITE HIGH FOR THE SPEED THAT CAR WAS MOVING. IT LOOKED TO ME AS IF CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL GEAR BUT IT WAS NOT. THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT MY …
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I WAS APPROACHING HIGHWAY FROM CITY ROADS AND I HAD TO ACCELERATE TO GET IN THE FLOW. SUDDENLY, I FELT THAT EVEN THOUGH I WAS ACCELERATING, CAR DID NOT GAIN SPEED. I CHECKED RPMS AND IT WAS QUITE HIGH FOR THE SPEED THAT CAR WAS MOVING. IT LOOKED TO ME AS IF CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL GEAR BUT IT WAS NOT. THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT MY CAR BECAUSE THE DRIVER WAS EXPECTING MY CAR TO MOVE FASTER. I HAD TO STOP ON SHOULDER TO CHECK WHAT IS HAPPENING. I HAD THIS KIND OF EXPERIENCE BEFORE TOO BUT NOT LIKE THIS ONE. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS BACK IN CITY TRAFFIC. WHAT MY OBSERVATION IS, THAT WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GOES FROM 2ND GEAR TO 3RD, THERE IS A PROBLEM. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, EVEN THEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SMOOTH BUT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM LIKE THE ONE I MENTIONED EARLIER. BUT AS THE MILEAGE IS INCREASING, THE PROBLEM IS GETTING BIGGER TOO. I DO REGULAR OIL CHANGE AS I HAVE PURCHASED SERVICE PLAN WHEN BUYING THE CAR. I HAD COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT IT(TRANSMISSION HAVING PROBLEM) COUPLE OF TIMES BUT THEY SAID THEY DID NOT FEEL IT. I THINK THEY WERE NEGLECTING THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE IS PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION AND THAT COSTS A BIG AMOUNT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT AN EXPERT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10584207
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.
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