2010 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 345 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 19 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 19 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, rearAug 12, 2013
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 2010 originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion of the crossmember steel. This may lead to detachment of one of the rear control arms.
Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 113.
Campaign 13V354000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Campaign 13V113000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
164 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, May 26, 2014
APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO MY PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE JUST BROKE OFF I CALLED DEALER TO SEEIF THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE ON THAT AND THERE WAS NONE , NOW ON 5/24/2014 MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF I NOW I AM NOT THE ONLY GOING THREW THIS ISSUE PLEASE HELP US THIS IS WRONG AND NEED TO BE CORRECTED. THANKS *TR
Structure, May 15, 2014
DOOR HANDLES ARE BREAKING OFF ON THE BACK DOORS AND THE FRONT HANDLES ARE ON THE WAY OUT. *TR
Structure, May 6, 2014
THE ABOVE INCIDENT THAT I'M REPORTING IS THE SECOND DOOR HANDLE TO BREAK ON THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS THE DRIVER DOOR HANDLE WHICH BROKE SOMETIME IN 2012. THE OUTER HANDLES JUST BREAK AND CANNOT BE USED TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DOOR CAN BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. JUST YESTERDAY, 5-5-2014, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE ALSO BROKE IN THE SAME MANNER. THE FIRST TWO WERE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY, WHICH I'M TOLD EXPIRED AT 60,000 MILES. MY CAR HAS 68,000 MILES NOW. SO A TOTAL OF THREE DOOR HANDLES HAS BROKEN, ONE TO GO. IT IS REPAIRABLE, BUT THERE IS A 3 TO 4 WEEK WAIT, FOR THE PARTS, FOR IT TO GET PAINTED THAN GET INSTALLED. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET, THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED AND METAL DOOR HANDLES BE INSTALLED. *TR
Structure, May 5, 2014
MY DOOR HANDLE ON PASSENGER WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE I HAVE TO GET IN ON DRIVERS SIDE AND OPEN FROM INSIDE. MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK I HAD TO OPEN MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FROM BACK SEAT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN I MASHED THE DOOR OPENER ON REMOTE. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 11, 2014
CPSC:I1430249A. 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER STATED THE INTERNALS OF THE DOOR HANDLES ON THE CAR ARE MADE OF A BRITTLE, INFERIOR PLASTIC INSTEAD OF METAL. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR HANDLES COULD EASILY BREAK OFF, LEAVING THE OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE TRAPPED, IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. TWO OF THE DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF IN ONE DAY, ON THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. *JB
Structure, Mar 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR AND THE HANDLE DISCONNECTED FROM THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR AND THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Structure, Feb 22, 2014
MY DOOR HANDLES, RIGHT FRONT, LEFT AND RIGHT REAR HAS BROKEN OFF IN A 3 MONTHS TIME. THERE WAS NO PULLING HARD, OR HANDLING THE DOOR HANDLES ROUGH. I HAVE ONE DOOR HANDLE WORKING PROPERLY AND THAT IS THE DRIVER SIDE, IF THAT ONE BREAKS, I HAVE NO WAY TO GET IN MY CAR, I WENT TO THE DEALER NEAR ME AND THEY WANT $460.00 TO REPAIR, PLACE AND PAINT. AM I UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE ANSWER WAS NO, MY CAR HAS 68,000. MILES. HOW CAN YOU NOT RECALL, OR COVER A DEFECT IN A 2010 VEHICLE. I'M SO AFRAID MY DRIVER HANDLE IS GOING TO BREAK, I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE HANDLES MYSELF IF HYUNDAI DOES NOT COME UP WITH A RECALL. *TR
Structure, Feb 22, 2014
DRIVER DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. NO ONE DRIVING , NO TRAUMA, PLASTIC BROKEN . WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY. *TR
Structure, Feb 17, 2014
AFTER PARKING I REACHED TO OPEN THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOOR TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE BACK SEAT AND THE HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. *TR
Structure, Feb 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE OPENED THE DRIVER'S DOOR, THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000. *TR
Structure, Feb 13, 2014
REAR DOOR HANDLE WAS PULLED TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR, DOOR OPENED BUT THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE WHERE IT CONNECTS INSIDE THE DOOR AND NOW IT WILL NOT WORK. DOOR CAN STILL BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. *TR
Structure, Feb 10, 2014
I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN MY UNLOCKED LEFT REAR DOOR AND THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. NOW I CANNOT OPEN THIS DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. - ON 02/10/2014 AT 1200 PM - APPROXIMATELY 30 DEGREES F - NO FORCE OF ANY KIND USED, THE PULL HANDLE JUST BROKE OFF FROM THE LINKAGE WHICH LOCKS MY REAR DOOR PLEASE GIVE ME A CONFIRMATION NUMBER. THANK YOU *TR
Structure, Feb 3, 2014
UPON ATTEMPTING TO ENTER VEHICLE AT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF IN HAND AND DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED BY NORMAL MEANS. *TR
Structure, Feb 3, 2014
UPON ATTEMPTING TO ENTER VEHICLE AT DRIVER'S DOOR, DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF IN HAND AND DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED BY NORMAL MEANS. *TR
Structure, Jan 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTERIOR PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES WERE DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Structure, Jan 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, THE HANDLE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Structure, Jan 5, 2014
TWO EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES, ONE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND ONE ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. THIS HAPPENED WITHIN A COUPLE OF HOURS OF EACH OTHER. *TR
Structure, Dec 30, 2013
REAR DRIVER DOOR HANDLE JUST FELL OFF THE CAR WHEN TRYING TO OPEN DOOR. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE HANDLE ASSEMBLY. NEVER HAD THIS EVER HAPPEN IN ANY CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED, AND I HAVE OWNED QUITE A FEW OLDER CARS. *TR
Structure, Dec 23, 2013
THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE; THE PLASTIC USED TO ATTACH THE HANDLE TO THE INTERIOR PORTION OF THE MECHANISM SIMPLY BROKE INSIDE THE DOOR -- NO DAMAGE HAD BEEN DONE PRIOR TO THE HANDLE AND IT WAS NOT USED HARSHLY. THE PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT DOOR HANDLE HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE AND THE PLASTIC ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR HANDLE APPEARS TO BE CRACKING. *TR
Structure, Dec 16, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND BOTH REAR DOOR HANDLES WERE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Structure, Dec 12, 2013
BOTH OF THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF OF THE DOORS WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF EACH OTHER, UNDER NORMAL USE. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, MY WIFE'S 2010 SONATA HAD JUST OVER 78,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, JUST OVER THE 75000 BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HANDLES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT MY BEST OPTION WOULD BE TO CONTACT HYUNDAI AMERICA TO SEEK A RESOLUTION. I DID THAT AND OPENED A CASE WITH THEM. AFTER PROVIDING INFORMATION ON THE VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE COMPONENTS AND NONE WAS BEING CONSIDERED. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE VEHICLE IF A RESCUE ATTEMPT HAD TO BE MADE. NOT TO MENTION THAT THIS IS A TERRIBLE INCONVENIENCE, SINCE WE HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND HAVE TO FIND OTHER WAYS OF ACCESSING THE PASSENGER SEATS OTHER THAN WITH THE DOORS. THE HANDLES ARE MADE OF PLASTIC, AND I BELIEVE WOULD BE PRONE TO YET ANOTHER BREAKAGE IF REPLACED WITH FACTORY PARTS. THIS IN MY OPINION, IF FAULTY ENGINEERING AND WORKMANSHIP ON THE PART OF HYUNDAI. *TR
Structure, Nov 30, 2013
I OWN A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE NEW. SINCE JULY 2013, I HAVE HAD 3 DOOR HANDLES BREAK OFF IN MY HAND. I AM A SINGLE PERSON, THAT DOES NOT HAVE CONTINUOUS USE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND REAR HANDLES OR THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR. AT THIS TIME, I HAVE ONE DOOR HANDLE LEFT ON MY CAR, WHICH IS THE DRIVER SIDE AND VERY WORRIED IF THIS FALLS OFF, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET INTO MY VEHICLE. AT THIS POINT, THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. IF I HAD ANYONE IN MY VEHICLE AND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, THE RESCUE ATTENDANT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST IN GETTING PEOPLE OUT. I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. AND THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE OF MILEAGE, I AM OUT OF WARRANTY AND HYUNDAI WILL NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DOOR HANDLES. BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE, BUT I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT OF THE DOOR HANDLES AND A SAFETY ISSUE, HYUNDAI SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
Structure, Nov 29, 2013
I HAVE A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH APPROXIMATELY 77,000 MILES ON IT. MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF TODAY, 11/29/13. THIS IS THE 2ND ONE IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS THAT HAS COME COMPLETELY OFF WHEN SOMEONE TRIED TO OPEN IT. THIS HAPPENED DURING NORMAL CONDITIONS AND USE. THE HANDLES ONLY HAVE PLASTIC CLIPS HOLDING THEM ON. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS AND RECALL AS IT SEEMS TO BE A HUGE PROBLEM THAT MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING. THE DEALER QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $250 TO REPLACE IT WITH ONE THAT WAS PAINTED TO MATCH MY CAR. *TR
Structure, Nov 27, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR AND THE HANDLE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ENTIRE HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Structure, Nov 27, 2013
RIGHT FRONT DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHILE STANDING STILL UNDER NORMAL USE WHEN MY 15-YEAR OLD SON OPENED IT. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AS 60K HAD PASSED AND DEALER WOULD NOT COVER. I HAD DEALER REPLACE HANDLE. FIVE MONTHS LATER, LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHEN MY 13-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OPENED IT WHILE GETTING IN CAR. BOTH EVENTS HAPPENED UNDER NORMAL USE BUT STANDING STILL. THIS COULD POSE A SAFETY HAZARD IF IT CAUSES THE DOOR TO OPEN WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. I CONTEND THAT THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THAT THE DOOR HANDLE IS NOT DESIGNED STURDY ENOUGH (IT IS PLASTIC), AND HYUNDAI SHOULD FIX AND RECALL. *TR