What years should I avoid for the Hyundai Elantra Touring?

NHTSA data flags 2010 and 2011 as Avoid years. The 2010 has the highest complaint index (100) among all Elantra Touring years, and 2011 follows with an index of 80.

What is the best year for the Hyundai Elantra Touring?

2013 is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index (20) of the six model years covered and zero recalls. 2009 is rated Good with a complaint index of 40.

What are the most common problems with the Hyundai Elantra Touring?

Across all years, steering accounts for 54 of 175 total complaints (31%), followed by suspension, wheels & tires (33 complaints, 19%), engine (24 complaints, 14%), airbags (23 complaints, 13%), brakes (22 complaints, 13%), and electrical system (22 complaints, 13%).

Does the 2010 Elantra Touring have recalls?

Yes, the 2010 model year has four recall campaigns covering brakes, steering (electronic power steering control unit), and a structure/body headliner bracket issue.

Is the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring reliable?

The 2012 is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 60, one recall, and suspension, wheels & tires as its top problem area covering 22 total complaints for that year.

Hyundai Elantra Touring Best and Worst Years (2008–2013)

The 2010 and 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring years are rated Avoid, with 2010 posting the highest complaint index (100) among all model years, driven mainly by steering complaints. The 2013 is the Best year (complaint index 20) and 2009 is rated Good, while 2012 is Caution.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2010 Avoid 2011 Best 2013

Model years: 6; 2008–2013
NHTSA complaints: 175
Recall campaigns: 4
Crashes reported: 12
Fires reported: 6
Top problem area: Steering

Elantra Touring Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Hyundai Elantra Touring problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2008	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Visibility & Wipers	—	—
2009	Good	40	32	0	0	3	Steering	26	—
2010	Avoid	100	75	4	4	4	Steering	26	—
2011	Avoid	80	29	4	1	3	Engine	26	—
2012	Caution	60	22	2	1	1	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	26	—
2013	Best	20	16	2	0	0	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	—	—

Elantra Touring years to avoid: what went wrong

2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring Index 100 · 75 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2010 Elantra Touring has the highest complaint index (100) of any year in this model, with 75 total complaints, four recalls, four reported crashes, four fires, and five injuries. Steering problems dominate, accounting for 38 of 75 complaints (51%) at a median 69,493 miles. Owners also reported brake issues at a median 59,128 miles and electrical system failures at a median 12,000 miles, including cases where vehicles caught fire. NHTSA recalls cover brakes, steering (electronic power steering control unit), and a structure/body headliner bracket issue.

2010 steering problems →

2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring Index 80 · 29 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2011 Elantra Touring carries a complaint index of 80, with 29 total complaints, three recalls, four crashes, one fire, and three injuries. Engine problems lead the complaints, making up 11 of 29 (38%) at a median 80,878 miles. Brake complaints followed at a median 31,743 miles, and airbag complaints at a median 42,000 miles, including reports of airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Recalls address brakes, a headliner support bracket, and a stop lamp switch in the electrical system.

Most common Hyundai Elantra Touring problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Steering54 (31%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires33 (19%)
Engine24 (14%)
Airbags23 (13%)
Brakes22 (13%)
Electrical System22 (13%)
Other12 (7%)
Transmission & Powertrain11 (6%)
Structure & Body7 (4%)
Visibility & Wipers7 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years should I avoid for the Hyundai Elantra Touring?: NHTSA data flags 2010 and 2011 as Avoid years. The 2010 has the highest complaint index (100) among all Elantra Touring years, and 2011 follows with an index of 80.
What is the best year for the Hyundai Elantra Touring?: 2013 is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index (20) of the six model years covered and zero recalls. 2009 is rated Good with a complaint index of 40.
What are the most common problems with the Hyundai Elantra Touring?: Across all years, steering accounts for 54 of 175 total complaints (31%), followed by suspension, wheels & tires (33 complaints, 19%), engine (24 complaints, 14%), airbags (23 complaints, 13%), brakes (22 complaints, 13%), and electrical system (22 complaints, 13%).
Does the 2010 Elantra Touring have recalls?: Yes, the 2010 model year has four recall campaigns covering brakes, steering (electronic power steering control unit), and a structure/body headliner bracket issue.
Is the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring reliable?: The 2012 is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 60, one recall, and suspension, wheels & tires as its top problem area covering 22 total complaints for that year.