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EnginePart report

2010 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
4%of 380 total for the year
Median mileage
91,250miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Hyundai Elantra, 4% of the 380 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,250 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While pulling into a parking space with my foot on the brake, I suddenly had a unintended and very rapid acceleration. With my foot mashing the brake pedal I was able to slow the car enough to complete the park (it did not completely stop). I immediately shifted the transmission into neutral and the engine really revved up. Once I was sure the car was not going anywhere, I checked to make sure I was stepping on the brake (and not on the gas pedal). I then touched the gas pedal (or shifted in park) and the engine went back to normal. I checked the floor mat and it was in normal position. …”

NHTSA complaint #10563530, filed 2014-02, 51,300 miles

“I have a 2010 Hyundai elantra. Two times in the last 3 months I was driving and for no reason at all my car would rev up and my speed would accelerate. In October this happened I was so scared that I quickly turned into a gas station and was hit by another vehicle. The next time it happened I was lucky on the road that wasn't busy and I was able to just take my foot off the gas until it returned to normal. After that I had no more issues until about 2 weeks ago. I was driving around 30 miles an hour when the engine just shuts down. But the power was still there. …”

NHTSA complaint #11498347, filed 2022-12

“The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the service engine, air bag, and additional unspecified warning indicators remained illuminated. The vehicle was scheduled for an appointment with a dealer to inspect and diagnose the failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10933654, filed 2016-12, 83,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. While driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel vibrated uncontrollably and the check engine and air bag warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v100000 (steering). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not provided. The failure mileage was 135,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11165111, filed 2019-01, 135,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to move to the shoulder where the vehicle was crashed into by a trailer. The vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10511758, filed 2013-05, 42,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025314%
2024814%
20232020%
20221111%
20211310%
202010943%
201913453%
201814250%
201729138%
201611138%
20159235%
201416643%
201323318%
201213921%
20119221%
2010154%
2009135%
2008248%
2007124%
200621%
200543%
200453%
200310%
200221%
200141%
200063%
199922%
199711%

Other parts of the 2010 Hyundai Elantra

Steering
195 complaints
Electrical system
48 complaints
Air bags
46 complaints
Brakes
39 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
32 complaints
Body and structure
22 complaints
Vehicle speed control
22 complaints
Other or unknown
19 complaints
Electronic stability control
12 complaints
Suspension
11 complaints
Seat belts
7 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology