CarComplaints.com Notes: There's an emerging trend of transmission problem with the 2010 Elantra at fairly early mileage.

So far owners report having the transmission replaced under warranty but that won't hold up for much longer. It may be a bit premature but for now we're putting the "CLUNKER" rating on the 2010 Elantra just to be safe.

Speaking of being safe, you might not be unless Hyundai can figure out why their airbags aren't deploying.

3.2

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,687 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Hyundai Elantra drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2010 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #30

Sep 282022

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

You did a recall for the power steering when I check to see if my vehicle is part of the recall the information said no. You need to change this because I've always had issues with my power steering locking up and being unable to turn. This has happened to me on more than one occasion. The EPS light is always on and the dealership is no help at all. I need this to be taken care of.

- North Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #29

Aug 012021

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 33,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to stop the vehicle, the engine continued to rev. The vehicle was shifted into neutral(N) and turned off. While driving at low speeds approaching a stop sign, the engine revved up. The contact shifted the vehicle to neutral(N) and turned the vehicle off and then shifted to park(P); however, the vehicle continued to move while the brake pedal was depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and informed of the failure and the contact was provided the cost to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Action Number: DP21003 (Vehicle Speed Control). The failure mileage was approximately 33,000. The consumer stated he had to get rid of the vehicle because the problem had gotten worse.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #28

Aug 042021

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles
December 4, 2021 while driving to San Diego, CA, interstate 8W, Hyundai started jerking and pulling very hesitant. I took the car to my mechanic on December 13th and he informed me that the transmission had a slippage problem! Shifting from 1st to 2nd and then again from 4th gear! Bottom line, I needed another Transmission! I called NHTSA at 888-327-4236 to report this issue, but only a written complaint was taken! We 2010 Hyundai Elantra owners need to file a Civil Lawsuit against Hyundai! There are numerous complaints that I've read regarding this same suspension Faulty! Please contact me [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Brawley, CA, USA

problem #27

Aug 082021

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a significant defect and safety issue with my 2010 Hyundai Elantra that should be recalled by Hyundai. There seems to be a problem with the automatic gear shifter. The first issue is intermittent where the car does not turn on or even make a clicking noise when I try to turn the key in the ignition. This might make you think the battery is dead, but that is not the case. After a while of turning the car on and off, the car will eventually start. The second issue is that the gear shifter gets stuck and will not shift from one position to another. After much difficulty in getting it unstuck and shifting, the third and most significant problem is that the indicator as to which gear the car is in is not reflecting the actual gear that the car is in. This presents a real safety issue as the indicator will say that the car is in Park, but the car will roll like it is in neutral so the only way to get this to stop is to put on the emergency break while parked. Shifting into a position that you think you-??re in, but not actually in, can result in hitting a pedestrian or another car. In rare instances, the car will actually shift into the correct position indicated by the gear shifter while it is in Park. You can find numerous results if you do a google search on the internet for the issues I-??ve described above in Hyundai cars. Since the gear shifter is not working properly and is getting stuck, I feel this presents a significant safety issue should I need to get out of the way quickly in either a Drive or Reverse position or if I am expecting to be in a Park position and the car keeps moving.

- Somers, NY, USA

problem #26

May 022021

Elantra

  • 70,000 miles
The transmission slips when trying to accelerate and on inclines - losing power to the wheels (feels like you are in neutral, and the RPM's go way up). A very scary and dangerous feeling when merging onto a highway for instance. The car has been well maintained and had the transmission fluid replaced per schedule. As seen from others, this is a common complaint for this vehicle. NHTSA should order a recall. Have also noticed a clunking noise when coming to a hard stop.

- Marlton, NJ, USA

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problem #25

Feb 202020

Elantra

  • 82,000 miles
Vehicle has 85,000 miles and the transmission slips in 2nd and 3rd gears. Does not matter if the weather is warm or cold or if engine is warm or cold. Reoccurring problem for several months.

- Wonder Lake, IL, USA

problem #24

Oct 202020

Elantra

  • 157,575 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2010 Hyundai Elantra hesitates and jerks when accelerating. This happened intermittently after a year or two after buying it brand new. At 160,000, it happens more frequently. This happens at about 30 to 40 miles an hour (sometimes higher while on highway). It happens on city street or highway. I have seen many complaints online about this and do not understand why it is not a recall.

- Norton, OH, USA

problem #23

Oct 192019

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the transmission hesitated to shift from second into third gear without warning. Also, when the vehicle made a hard stop, it made a clunking sound. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The contact spoke with parks Hyundai of gainesville (3111 N main St, gainesville, fl 32609, (352) 372-4251) and was informed that they could not assist since the vehicle was purchased as is. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 66,000.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #22

Dec 042017

Elantra

  • 62,000 miles
My transmission jerks when it changes gears and also when I put the car in reverse. I got the car from a Hyundai dealership and told them that there was a slight jerk in the transmission and the sales guy lied to me and said it was a cvt transmission and that they all do that. I went to a few transmission shops and the guys laughed at me because my car doesn't have a cvt transmission. They all did a tran scan and nothing came up on the scanner. The shops are trying to charge me hundreds of dollars just to open up the transmission to see what's wrong with it. It's so wack to be paying a car note on a car with a bad transmission. I looked online and found out that this is a common issue with this model of the Elantra and don't understand why there isnt a recall.

- Manvel, TX, USA

problem #21

Mar 172019

Elantra

  • 139,500 miles
Bought my car used to find out that the transmission is slipping. I've looked online to see that I am not the only person with the same problems. Going on to the highway I've noticed that my rpms go high up to 3rd and dont kick into gear until I'm on flat surface on the highway also with a rough slam into the right gear, barely feels like I'm getting the right power. Even driving in the city my car has a rough jerk when going into gears. I cant believe this is not on a recall!!!?.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #20

Nov 022018

Elantra

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission slips and jerks going to third gear and sometimes takes about 5 seconds to downshift if acceleration is needed as I'm entering a highway. My car had about 45,000 miles when this started to happen. A lot of people have the same problem according to online forums but the manufacture would not issue a recall on these defective transmissions.

- Hamtramck, MI, USA

problem #19

Oct 022018

Elantra

  • 56,800 miles
The transmission of the car will have hiccup when it shifts into different gears when driving around 30-40 mph.

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

problem #18

Jan 012017

Elantra

  • miles
My transmission slips. There are an alarming amount of online forums showing this is an all too common problem with this vehicle yet no recall has been issued. I am also having problems with 3 out of the 4 power windows. The issue seems to be amother default in this model car because there were also plenty of others with this same issue. All 3 went out at the same time. The mechanic tried replacing the motor and other internal parts but it still will not work. The mechanic was unable to fix the problem.

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #17

Jan 012016

Elantra

  • miles
Transmission fails every 35,000 to 45,000 miles. Replaced twice under 90,000 miles. Starts as the car hesitates to shift or does not shift for a few minutes. This happens on city streets and highways.

- Boulder Creek, CA, USA

problem #16

Apr 182016

Elantra

  • 57,245 miles
While leaving a parking lot in the city, in drive, car would not shift into next gear, unable to go above 25mph; with additional pressure to gas sending rpms high without altering speed or shifting gear. After finding a place to park, no cel. Upon restarting car, cel is illuminated, and car will not shift into park, reverse, or neutral, and upon putting into drive the car jerks forcibly. The shift indicator on the dash also fails to register P, R or N. only drive. Had car towed and left at autorepair shop and the next morning they were able to pull code U0101 from diagnostic testing, and after plugging the tcm back in after examining pins and connectors, the transmission returned to normal function.

- Laurel, FL, USA

problem #15

Mar 312016

Elantra

  • 41,840 miles
When putting the car in park on a incline the transmission fails to hold the car resulting in the car rolling away while unoccupied, I put my 2010 Elantra in park got out of it to get something from the back sseat, the car was on an incline at the time in my driveway. As I reached to open the rear driver side door I hear a loud bang and then I had about a second to look around and then the transmission made a repetitve banging and clicking sound as the car started rolling backwards. I had to open the front driver door and hop in the car while it was moving so I could hit the brake pedal to stop the car. After this I went to a local Hyundai dealer and talked to them about the issue the told me they have seen this before and had to replace transmissions in the cars affected. I bought mine from a used car lot about ten days ago I am taking it back and they are going to attempt to fix the car, however I would like a recall issed so I can take this car to get the problem fixed so I know for sure this is not going to happpen again.. as of right now I have to use the emergency brake to hold the car to be sure its not going to roll away when no one is there to stop it.. this is very unsafe and a google search will confirm that this is an issue with these cars years 2007 till 2010. I can go outside right now and garantee if and stress is created by parking on a slight incline the car will roll away in park.. I showed the dealer that I got the car from this yesterday and it did this 2 out of 3 times that I put the car in park on a slight hill..... thank you for your time

- Lewiston, ME, USA

problem #14

Mar 042016

Elantra

  • miles
Just starting getting a big problem with the steering making noise in steering wheels.. and it get worse.. seat belt keeps unclicking

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #13

Oct 012015

Elantra

  • miles
Noise when turn right and left. Also when is driving make a noise under the stering wheel colunm-dash

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #12

Apr 232015

Elantra

  • 36,257 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and drove abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,257.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #11

Jul 072015

Elantra

  • miles
For several months now my car feels as if it is slipping into neutral when I try to speed up on the highway. When I am doing city driving I can feel a jerking motion when accelerating from a stop position or slow movement. My car only has about 45,000 miles on it. Trying to get on the highway can become very nail biting when you try to speed up and your car slips into neutral. I find that I have to put the gas pedal to the floor, and get the rpms to 5, in order to get it into gear. I'm seeing far too many complaints regarding this and I'm not sure why it's not being recalled. Are they waiting for a fatality"??"

- Wilmington, MA, USA

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