2010 Hyundai Elantra Steering Problems

195 owners have reported steering problems with the 2010 Hyundai Elantra to NHTSA — 51% of all 380 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 73,000 miles. That ranks #2 of 31 Elantra model years for steering complaints (a typical year has 16). One related recall has been issued.

195complaints
73ktypical miles
1related recalls
7crashes
1fires
6injuries

Which parts fail

  • Electric power assist system
    4
  • Column
    1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1913%
  • 25k–50k
    1913%
  • 50k–75k
    3424%
  • 75k–100k
    3223%
  • 100k–150k
    2417%
  • 150k+
    139%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH, the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving. However, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken the dealer on two occasions. The dealer updated the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) control unit. However, the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact they no longer had the part to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased used from the dealer and was aware of the issues from the start. …

40,000 miles · Sep 2013

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal sound, and the steering wheel was vibrating. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring more frequently. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the electronic steering motor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

109,000 miles · Nov 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and making a turn, there was an abnormally loud thumping sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the sound persisted over time. While the vehicle was parked, the contact turned the steering wheel and there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the steering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the coupler steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 63,500.

64,000 miles · Oct 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in direction with the ABS warning light illuminated. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally, but the failure reoccurred. Recently, the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was restarted, but failed to self-correct. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 85,000. The VIN was not available.

85,000 miles · Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the EPS warning light illuminated, and the power steering became disabled; causing the steering wheel to be difficult to turn in either direction. After restarting the vehicle, the power steering operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering column was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering) in 2015. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 160,000.

160,000 miles · Mar 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the power steering assist intermittently failed with an unknown warning light displayed on the instrument panel. The failure occurred at slower speeds at approximately 30 mph. The steering operated manually. The vehicle was pulled over and restarted and regained power steering functionality after several attempts. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 15V100000 (Steering) however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.

73,000 miles · Apr 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 5-10 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The Electronic Power Steering (EPS) warning light was illuminated. The contact parked and turned off the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle, the failure persisted. The contact's husband was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer by using physical strength to steer the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system needed to be replaced and the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

80,000 miles · Sep 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the steering wheel chanel needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000. The mechanic stated this is a factory recall and they should fix my car for free. When the consumer informed the company and repair dealer (Key Hyundai)about this the dealer stated they already fixed that recall previously. The contact stated the dealership fixed the vehicle.

63,000 miles · May 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he attempted to complete a turn and the vehicle became extremely difficult to steer. The EPS and ECU warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to a local dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000

100,000 miles · Apr 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the EPS warning light illuminated. The contact stated while making a left turn, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact was able to pull over safely and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the EPS and the entire steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering) and that the repair would be out of pocket. The failure mileage was 73,000.

73,000 miles · Sep 2022

Related recalls

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.

Steering complaints in other Elantra years

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2661212224161656334551331957588273282619721792052371
Steering complaints per model year, Hyundai Elantra.

Frequently asked questions

How common are steering problems on the 2010 Hyundai Elantra?

NHTSA has 195 complaints about the steering of the 2010 Hyundai Elantra, 51% of the model year's 380 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (4 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2010 Hyundai Elantra steering problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-100 (electric power assist system, Feb 23, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2010 Hyundai Elantra steering problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries and 1 death to steering 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.