YearToAvoid

2010 Hyundai Elantra Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 51 brake-related complaints for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra, 13% of all 379 complaints filed for the year. Owners report brake pedal loss of stopping power, sudden acceleration while braking, and engine-bay fires, with a median failure mileage of 67,054. A related recall (20V061000) covers brake hydraulic/electrical fire risk on 2007-2010 Elantra models.

Brakes complaints
51
13% of 379
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
6
Median mileage
67,055 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe the brake pedal depressing and locking, leaving the vehicle unable to stop, sometimes ending in a crash into a guardrail or gate.
  • Several reports describe the car accelerating unexpectedly while the brakes were applied, causing the vehicle to strike another car or object even with space to stop.
  • Multiple owners report engine-bay or under-hood fires starting while the vehicle was parked or shortly after driving, with some vehicles catching fire despite no dashboard warning lights.
  • One owner stated they never received notice of the NHTSA brake recall (20V061000) even though the VIN was covered, before the vehicle caught fire in a parking lot.
  • A separate account describes the ABS, EPS, and TPS warning lights all activating together before a loss of power and a subsequent under-hood fire.

When 2010 Hyundai Elantra brake complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 27, 2010, latest Aug 5, 2026.

2010 Hyundai Elantra brakes complaints: complaints filed per month4Dec 2010May 2013Jun 2015Jun 2016Dec 2018Oct 2020Nov 2022Dec 2024
51 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2010 to Aug 2026; peak Apr 2020 (4).

Brakes recalls for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra

  1. NHTSA 20V061000Feb 4, 2020Brakes476,111 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

    Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.

Brakes complaints by Elantra model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201051 (13%)
  2. 201175 (17%)
  3. 2012131 (20%)
  4. 2013315 (24%)
  5. 201498 (26%)
  6. 201555 (21%)
  7. 201619 (7%)
  8. 201753 (7%)
  9. 201815 (5%)
  10. 20196 (2%)
  11. 202015 (6%)
  12. 20218 (6%)
  13. 20228 (8%)
  14. 20239 (9%)
  15. 20243 (6%)
  16. 20252 (9%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2010 Hyundai Elantra have?
NHTSA lists 51 brake-related complaints for the 2010 Elantra, which is 13% of the 379 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra?
Yes. Recall campaign 20V061000 covers 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles for a brake system issue; Hyundai's remedy is installing a relay in the main junction box.
At what mileage do brake problems typically appear on the 2010 Elantra?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 67,054.5 miles at the time of the reported brake failure.
Do the 2010 Elantra's brake complaints involve fires or crashes?
Yes. Of the 51 brake complaints, NHTSA records show 11 crashes, 5 fires, and 6 injuries linked to this problem area.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.