The 2010 draws 2.78 complaints per run and the 2011 1.37, a 2.0-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age, so 53.4% land after the 5-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Steering, with 49 complaints, typically at 6.9 years.
Hyundai Elantra Touring years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 | 11 | yes | |
| 2012 | 18 | 12 | yes | |
| 2011 | 26 | 19 | yes | |
| 2010 | 64 | 23 | yes | |
| 2009 | 31 | 12 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2010 Elantra Touring asks a median $2,995, against $4,900 for a 2011, the next model year: about 39% less, so sellers do price some of the trouble in.
Among the 4 Hyundai Elantra Touring years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2010, 2009, 2012; the three worth hunting are 2011, 2012, 2009.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 8.8% | covered | |
| 1 year | 17.6% | covered | |
| 2 years | 28.4% | covered | |
| 3 years | 35.1% | covered | |
| 4 years | 46.6% | covered | |
| 5 years | 56.8% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 64.2% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 72.3% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 77% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 83.8% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 87.2% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 91.2% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 96.6% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 99.3% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 5 years / 60,000 miles. Only 46.6% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 53.4% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (10 years / 100,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 7% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Hyundai Elantra Touring, the early trouble is Tires and Power Train — reported at around 2.5 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Steering at 6.9 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 6.9 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Air Bags | 5.2 yrs | 7 | — | |
| Electrical System | 5.6 yrs | — | 2 | |
| Suspension | 4.8 yrs | — | — | |
| Service Brakes | 6.3 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Tires | 2.5 yrs | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5.4 yrs | 2 | — | |
| Power Train | 4 yrs | — | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the Elantra Touring's vehicle class. Per production run, the Kia Soul draws 11.34, the Subaru Impreza 1.61 and the Honda Fit 3.24, against 1.97 for the Elantra Touring.
| Same class as the Elantra Touring | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Soul | 39 | 2010–2026 | |
| Subaru Impreza | 183 | 1993–2026 | |
| Honda Fit | 94 | 2007–2020 | |
| Honda HR-V | 37 | 2016–2026 | |
| Buick Envista | 5 | 2024–2026 | |
| Kia Niro | 29 | 2017–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Hyundai Elantra Touring reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.97 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
Which Elantra Touring years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2010, 2009, 2012. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2011, 2012, 2009. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Elantra Touring problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age. The most reported system is Steering, typically at 6.9 years, followed by Air Bags.
Will the warranty cover Elantra Touring problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 5 years / 60,000 miles, and only 46.6% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 7% of the complaints here.
Is the Elantra Touring more reliable than the Kia Soul?
Yes: 1.97 complaints per production run for the Elantra Touring against 11.34 for the Kia Soul.
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