NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
379 reportsMileage unknown · Mar 31, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury
ONE CAR ROLLOVER CRASH. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AN ESTIMATED SEVEN TIMES. THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS DEMOLISHED AND THE SIDES AND MOST OF THE REAR END WAS DAMAGED AS WELL. NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR WAS WEARING THE SEAT BELT BIT SUFFERS FROM SEVERE WHIPLASH. LACERATIONS AND BROKEN LEFT WRIST. THIS WAS A RENTAL …
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ONE CAR ROLLOVER CRASH. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AN ESTIMATED SEVEN TIMES. THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS DEMOLISHED AND THE SIDES AND MOST OF THE REAR END WAS DAMAGED AS WELL. NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR WAS WEARING THE SEAT BELT BIT SUFFERS FROM SEVERE WHIPLASH. LACERATIONS AND BROKEN LEFT WRIST. THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR. THE SENSORS WERE DAMAGED AS WELL. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10453680
6,000 miles · Feb 17, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A PORT-A-POTTY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A PORT-A-POTTY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
NHTSA ODI #10448296
6,000 miles · Feb 16, 2012
Air BagsSeat BeltsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
I WAS STOPPING MY 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA ON GRAVEL ROAD-MY RIGHT FOOT ON BRAKES THEY LOCKED AND CAR JUMPED TO ACCELERATION AND LANDED IN BUSHES KNOW DOWN PORTO POTTY WITH THE TOWN GOV.'T. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10448260
10,500 miles · Jan 26, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
HAD BEEN LOSING MPG FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS (WENT DOWN FROM AVERAGE 28 TO 21) AND DEALER SAID COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. FINALLY, ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND BROUGHT CAR BACK TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED A FAULTY OXYGEN SENSOR. DEALER ORDERED PART AND REPLACED SENSOR COUPLE DAYS AGO. ENGINE LIGHT IS OFF BUT IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL MONT…
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HAD BEEN LOSING MPG FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS (WENT DOWN FROM AVERAGE 28 TO 21) AND DEALER SAID COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. FINALLY, ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND BROUGHT CAR BACK TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED A FAULTY OXYGEN SENSOR. DEALER ORDERED PART AND REPLACED SENSOR COUPLE DAYS AGO. ENGINE LIGHT IS OFF BUT IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS TO CHECK THE MPG. IMPROVEMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10445449
12,436 miles · Dec 19, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE EPS WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AS THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING MOTOR …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE EPS WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AS THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING MOTOR WAS NOT CALIBRATED. HE THEN RE-CALIBRATED THE EPS MOTOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,436 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,587. UPDATED 02/01/12 *BF UPDATED 03/26/12
NHTSA ODI #10440405
5,461 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE INCHING INTO MY GARAGE WITH MY FOOT NOT ON THE GAS, MY 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND RAN INTO MY GARAGES BACK WALL BEFORE I COULD BREAK. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10414039
14,700 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Steering
23 MAY 2011, I OWN A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 14,??? MI ON IT. AS I WAS ENTERING A CURVE ON PAVED ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL USING EXTREME EFFORT AVOIDING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I PULLED OVER TO THE NEXT SAFEST AREA TO CALM DOWN AND REGAIN MY COMPOSURE. THE EPS LIG…
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23 MAY 2011, I OWN A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 14,??? MI ON IT. AS I WAS ENTERING A CURVE ON PAVED ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL USING EXTREME EFFORT AVOIDING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I PULLED OVER TO THE NEXT SAFEST AREA TO CALM DOWN AND REGAIN MY COMPOSURE. THE EPS LIGHT WAS ON AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD FOR ANY SIGN OF CAUSE OF FAILURE AND FOUND NOTHING. DROVE THE CAR STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGERS RESPONSE WHEN HE TRIED TO TURN THE WHEEL WAS "OH MY". THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A LOANER CAR TO DRIVE SINCE THE ELANTRA WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON 13 JUNE AND THEY SAID THEY REPLACED A SENSOR AND THAT DIDN'T FIX IT AND THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. 20 JUNE 11, STILL WAITING ON REPAIR OF CAR. I RETURNED THE LOANER BECAUSE I NO LONGER TRUST ELECTRIC POWER STEERING NO MATTER WHAT ANYBODY TELLS ME. YES THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY AND THE PARTS CAN BE REPLACED. BUT, I AM THE SOLE PROVIDER FOR MY FAMILY, I DON'T HAVE A WARRANTY NOR ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS AND IT COST A WHOLE LOT MORE TO FIX ANY DAMAGES TO ME THAN IT DOES THAT CAR. NOT TO MENTION THE PERSON I MET IN THAT CURVE OR THEIR FAMILY. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10407460
18,208 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 18,000 MILES, NO WARNINGS, FIRST SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING THEN NOTICED ENGINE COVERED WITH OIL AND OIL DRIPPING TO THE GROUND, DID NOT OVERHEAT. THE GASKET WAS REPLACED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE GASKET WAS POROUS IN AN AREA (ON THE CORNER) AND THIS IS WHERE THE OIL WAS COMING OUT. *…
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BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 18,000 MILES, NO WARNINGS, FIRST SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING THEN NOTICED ENGINE COVERED WITH OIL AND OIL DRIPPING TO THE GROUND, DID NOT OVERHEAT. THE GASKET WAS REPLACED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE GASKET WAS POROUS IN AN AREA (ON THE CORNER) AND THIS IS WHERE THE OIL WAS COMING OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405402
13,400 miles · Apr 27, 2011
SteeringSuspension
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER CAR. I WAS TRAVELLING ABOUT 50MPH, I PROCEEDED TO BRAKE (DID NOT REQUIRE HARD BRAKING, BECAUSE ME SPEED WAS NOT HIGH) AND STEER TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR THAT CUT ME OFF. MY CAR OVER COMPENSATED AND PROCEEDED TO SWERVE. IT TOOK A LOT TO …
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER CAR. I WAS TRAVELLING ABOUT 50MPH, I PROCEEDED TO BRAKE (DID NOT REQUIRE HARD BRAKING, BECAUSE ME SPEED WAS NOT HIGH) AND STEER TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR THAT CUT ME OFF. MY CAR OVER COMPENSATED AND PROCEEDED TO SWERVE. IT TOOK A LOT TO REGAIN CONTROL. MY INITIAL STEER TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT WAS NOT SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE OUT OF CONTROL. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS WITH OTHER VEHICLES THAT I HAVE DRIVEN AND THIS EXPERIENCE WAS RATHER FRIGHTENING.
NHTSA ODI #10398932
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2011
SteeringStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD GET SHOCKED WHENEVER HE WOULD OPEN THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT DECIDED TO PERFORMED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD GET SHOCKED WHENEVER HE WOULD OPEN THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT DECIDED TO PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT TO TEMPORARILY REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
NHTSA ODI #10397423
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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