Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I am submitting this complaint regarding a possible airbag/SRS system failure involving a Hyundai vehicle. On May 26, 2026, the vehicle was involved in a severe front-end collision resulting in major structural damage to the front end, including the hood, bumper reinforcement, radiator support, and engine compartment. Despite the significant impact damage, none of the airbags deployed, including the driver or passenger frontal airbags. The collision was serious enough that the occupants could have suffered severe injury or death. Based on the extent of the damage, I believe the airbag system, crash sensors, or airbag control module may have malfunctioned or failed to operate properly. Photos documenting the damage are available. …
Sitting in traffic on 405 freeway near exit 52 going south to work when I was rear-ended by a 2013 Nissan. Back and front of car folded up, I was ejected from the seat belt (opened up and flew into passenger seat) and not one air bag opened. I could not move, my foot was fractured, stomach hurt, neck, back and arms in pain. Chp on the scene. Car that ran into the back of me pushed me into a large truck and pushed the truck into a car. 4-car accident. Car has been totaled and I am reporting the failure and defect with the seat belts and air bags. Ma 10/5 updated 11/06/2017
In February 2014 a friend tried to enter the car and the door handle pulled off in her hand. The door was not locked while she was trying to open it. The car had approx. 31,000 miles on it. This was a front door handle. On April 20, 2015 (the car has less than 45,000 miles on it) my daughter went to remove her child from the rear car seat. The door was not locked and the rear door handle pulled off in her hand. I have been watching the news were someone is pulling a passenger out of a burning car after an accident often. If the door handle would have pulled off during these incidents, the driver or passengers would have been burnt alive.
I experienced a crash with this vehicle when the steering failed (as indicated in the recall notice NHTSA code 15V100000). I communicated this failure to Hyundai at the time this occurred but they denied that there was any issue with the steering. Hyundai has subsequently acknowledged this problem with a formal recall notice. Their failure to address this when notified of this problem is an example of product negligence.
The hood latch is incredibly rusty and now is stuck in the open position. The hood is no longer properly latching closed which could cause it to fly open while driving. When closed it sounds like it has locked but upon closer examination it is not latching. I noticed this problem a while back but with some effort was able to engage the latch. Now I am no longer able to correct the error and I'll have to get it replaced.
My model,make and year have had recalls to rust under the carriage and underside. I had to replace my rotors due to rust. I se that you recalled in delaware and I'll. Due to salt. I live in the state of virginia and we have salt. I would appreciate if you would consider my rotors as included with this recall. I am enclosing pictures and am hoping maybe to recover some of the expense that I incurred.
When I purchased the car on the 23 of February the salesman assured me nothing was wrong with this car had only had one owner noticed that in the interior of the car there were water rings and a mold substance salesman assured it was not mold took it back 2 days later they replaced struts and again voiced my concern about mold was assured again it was not took it back on 13 of March the owner called and advised me to pick up car stated they had some one come out and inspect the car and they determined it was not mold when ask for a copy of document was told inspector refused to leave one. …
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.
The plastic chrome on the inside passenger door handle is "delaminated" and a razor sharp edge is exposed. When I reached across the seat (from the drivers side) to open to passenger door, the sharp edge deeply cut my finger which had to have pressure for about three hours before it would stop bleeding. This car only has 27K miles and rarely sees someone in the passenger seat so this is not due to extensive use as stated in previous recalls for this problem. If the problem was identified and recalled in 2009 then why is it still a problem in 2014? This car was in for service and a non-related warranty fix last month and nothing was said about this problem (and subsequently, the dealer was not inspecting for this problem).
Am the owner of a 2010 Elantra which was purchased new in the spring and have experienced my trunk open suddenly many times over the past 10 months - either while driving and/or in the garage. Once where it was parked for 4 days and resulted in the battery discharging fully because the trunk light was left on. The dealer claims that I must somehow be pressing the fob button to open the trunk, which has never been the case. The actual fob button requires a lot of pressure to open the trunk.
Body complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2010 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the body & structure of the 2010 Hyundai Elantra, 6% of the model year's 380 complaints. The component named most often is body (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Hyundai Elantra body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Hyundai Elantra body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.