2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring Problems & Complaints

Avoid2.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Elantra Touring at the same age

Owners have filed 75 complaints about the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 2.3× as many as a typical Elantra Touring model year at the same age, which makes the 2010 one of the Elantra Touring years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the steering (38 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles). 4 recalls cover this model year.

75complaints
4recalls
4crashes
4fires
5injuries
0deaths

Most common 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring problems

  • Steering~70,000 miles
    3851%
  • Electrical system~12,000 miles
    1013%
  • Stability & traction control~57,000 miles
    912%
  • Wheels & tires~36,000 miles
    68%
  • Air bags~88,000 miles
    68%
  • Brakes~88,000 miles
    57%
  • Suspension~0 miles
    45%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~49,000 miles
    45%
  • Speed control & acceleration~88,000 miles
    34%
  • Engine & cooling~39,000 miles
    34%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~39,000 miles
    23%
  • Body & structure~74,000 miles
    23%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~22,000 miles
    11%
  • Lights~88,000 miles
    11%
  • Other / not specified~73,000 miles
    11%
  • Driver assistance
    11%

Share of the 75 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Hyundai Elantra Touring complaints by model year

200920102011201220133275292216
Owner complaints per model year, Hyundai Elantra Touring. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Elantra Touring years: 2013, 2009. Years to avoid: 2010. Compare all years →

2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring recalls (4)

Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

NHTSA recall 20V-061 · Feb 4, 2020 · 476,111 vehicles

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.

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.

Steering › Electric power assist system

NHTSA recall 15V-100 · Feb 23, 2015 · 204,768 vehicles

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.

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.

Structure › Frame and members

NHTSA recall 14V-310 · Jun 10, 2014 · 35,000 vehicles

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured December 15, 2009, through May 7, 2012. The affected vehicles have a support bracket attached to the headliner that may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151.

Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch

NHTSA recall 13V-113 · Apr 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 vehicles

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.

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.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring:

Headliner Bracket Detachment

NHTSA investigation RQ13004 · opened Dec 4, 2013 · closed Jun 24, 2014 · led to recall 14V-310

Hyundai is conducting a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support bracket to the headliner assembly in approximately 35,000 model year (MY) 2010-2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring vehicles built from December 15, 2009 through May 7, 2012 (see NHTSA recall 14V-310 for more information).These Elantra Touring vehicles have a common headliner bracket design while the earlier MY 2009-2010 Elantra Touring…

What 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring owners say

Steering all 38 →

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Engine Control Unit (ECU) warning light illuminated, and the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the power steering assist functionality returned. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering). The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and was initially informed that the VIN was under recall; however, later the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

136,000 miles · Jul 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to steer. The Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and electronic control unit (ECU) warning lights illuminated. The contact researched the issue and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. A dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

136,000 miles · Aug 2026

Electrical system

I bought this vehicle used, just three years ago. It had a little over 100k miles on it. Since purchase date, the car has died at least eight times and I've had to take it in for inspection four times. It has had three different batteries. The service techs have not been able to find anything technically wring with the car: alternator fine, engine fine, batteries fine, no reported power draws... yet I am still continuously finding myself stuck with a dead car. There was a bluetooth system in the vehicle when I bought it, but the second time it died, the service tech removed it in case that was what was drawing out power. However, it had died six times since.

Feb 2022

I own a 2010 Hyundai Elantra that has experienced a sudden loss of power steering assist on multiple occasions. When this happens, the steering wheel becomes very difficult to turn, especially when maneuvering at low speeds or parking. The EPS light comes on and stays illuminated. This creates a serious safety hazard, particularly when driving with children or in traffic. I am aware of Hyundai Recall 127 (NHTSA Campaign 15V100000), which addresses the same issue, but my VIN is not included. I am requesting that Hyundai investigate and provide the same repair remedy for vehicles outside the initial recall VIN range that are experiencing identical failures.

Apr 2025

Stability & traction control

This is a second issue same problem. The first time was December 29,2014 went out started the car no power steering had just drove the car the day before over hundred miles seemed fine well the next morning the problem arose wife went to go to work no power steering she took my vehicle I missed work to take into the dealership. That afternoon they reset the computer and the car drove fine. Fast forward to March 22,2015 a Sunday morning got into the car started it up an no power steering shut it off restarted it ran fine. Called the dealership up the next morning got an appointment to have it checked over. Again the same issue thankfully we were not driving the car when these issues have happened. We have seen the article in the paper on the recall but at this date Hyundai has not notified owners of the recall so I guess we wait and hope we do not crash the car in the mean time. …

70,000 miles · Dec 2014

While driving the car became difficult to steer almost resulting in my going off the road, when I go to a place that was safe to stop, I noticed that the EPS light was illuminated red, and the ESC off light was illuminated yellow. I shut off the car and it the lights went off and remained off during my communte home. When I drove the care yesterday the lights came on at start up and stayed on my commute home. This vehicle is extremely difficult to steer to steer when the lights are illuminated, and unsafe when the power steering cuts off unexpectedly while driving. There are many reports of this problem on the internet, and a recall number #127 has been assigned, but no official recall to date for my VIN #.

116,000 miles · Oct 2019

2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manualFWD23 / 31 / 26
2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automaticFWD23 / 30 / 26

EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring a good car?

Based on 75 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Elantra Touring rates avoid: 2.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Elantra Touring at the same age. It is one of the Elantra Touring years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring?

The steering — 38 complaints, 51% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (10) and stability & traction control (9).

How many recalls does the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring have?

There are 4 recalls for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring, the most recent from February 4, 2020 (control unit/module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Elantra Touring?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2010. See the full Hyundai Elantra Touring years comparison.

At what mileage do 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 54,000 miles; 48% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.