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: other or unspecified
36 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2025
I have had 3 door handles fall off in the last couple months I think this is safety concern i do not see any recalls.I do see that there is a lot of people complaining about this matter door handles should not be fallen off
Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 11, 2025
Car has had check engine light on for 3 + years. Have taken it to several mechanics including a Hyundai dealership and none of them can figure out what is wrong. Have replaced water pump, belts x2 in a year (same belt) and thermostat x 3 again (all within 2 years). Dash fuel gage and Dash heating/cooling gage are completely erratic. Cruise control does not work. Due to chronic check engine light and mechanics unable to pin point the problem, car has become hazardous to drive. With that in mind, today (9/10/2025) while exiting the high way, car stalled and behaved like it was in neutral. Steering wheel also locked up at this time. Luckily was able to stop. Had to restart car and then it occurred again while driving on a side street at 35mph. The codes that are still popping up are ones that I have spent thousands trying to fix and find the root cause of the problem. What could the issue be if no mechanic can seem to diagnose and fix the issue?
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 24, 2023
I purchased a 2010 Hyundai Sonata in February 2022 from the original owner. In July of this year, my engine failed due to the oil consumption defect found in many of Hyundai's engines produced at the Alabama factory. My oil and check engine light came on before it was time for my following oil change, despite making on-time synthetic oil changes during ownership. The vehicle hesitated and jerked on my commute to work, potentially causing harm to myself and other motorists. I went to take my vehicle to the mechanic on my lunch break. The car failed to turn over and has been inoperable ever since. I need my engine replaced at no charge. It's unconscionable that corporate would turn me away because the engine has 146k miles, which is nowhere near the industry standard 200k. Hyundai has inspected the vehicle and confirmed that an engine replacement is needed.
Other or unspecified, Oct 16, 2021
My car check engine light is on for a while.it’s yellow solid light seen on my car dashboard.I went repair center and he advice and changed my car vent valve and light goes out for some days and again appear. I change my car gas cap too but it didn’t work. I spent a lot of money to fix that.
Other or unspecified, Jun 23, 2021, crash
We were hit on the right front passenger side by a driver on a Suzuki motorcycle. The driver was ejected from the motorcycle, went thru the right passenger window, traveled across the passenger compartment. He came to rest head down on my lap. Accident was fatal for the motorcyclist who died at the site. My adult autistic son was seated in the rear seat behind the passenger seat. The side front passenger window was completely shattered and the rear right passenger window was shattered also. My son hit his head on the interior right side of the vehicle and had a TBI and serious cuts requiring surgery and ICU stay. No airbags in the car deployed including side airbags and no curtainwalls deployed on the right side or anywhere in the vehicle. Car was supposedly equipped with such. Police inspected vehicle, insurance people inspected vehicle; vehicle is available for inspection at salvage lot. Pictures have been taken by insurance company. Right side of vehicle was severely smashed. I had no previous warning of problems with safety features.
Other or unspecified, Dec 1, 2020
ALL BUT ONE DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN. THE DRIVER SIDE JUST BROKE AND ITS A SAFETY HAZARD.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 25, 2020
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY CAR WHICH WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL. THE CAR WENT FROM 60-50-40-30 WITHIN 30 SECONDS WHILE IT STILL SAID CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON AND THE GAS AND BRAKES DIDNT WORK. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ELECTRONICS STILL WORK BUT THE CAR NO LONGER WORK AND DID NOT TURN ON. IT SEIZED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO GAS LIGHT, ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING BEFORE THE CAR SEIZED.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 5, 2020
DOOR HANDLES FALL OFF. THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED 8 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. I HAVE NOW LOST TWO MORE HANDLES WHICH AT 58$ A PIECE, I AM BECOMING FRUSTRATED THAT I CANNOT GET IN MY CAR QUICKLY GOD FORBID SOMETHING HAPPENS, NOR GET TO MY BABY IN THE BACK SEAT QUICKLY AS I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS, RUN AROUND THE VEHICLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. I HAVE SEEN 2011 HYUNDAI SONATAS RECALL THE HANDLES, HOWEVER MINE IS A 2010 AND THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY HYUNDAI AS IT HAS BECOME A NUISANCE. *TR
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Feb 29, 2020
ON FRIDAY MORNING FEBRUARY 21, 2020 WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON I75 THE GLASS SUNROOF ON MY 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA FLEW OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT AROUND 65 MILES PER HOUR. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE AND FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY WIFE'S 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, VIN [XXX]. I WILL FILE A SEPARATE VEHICLE SAFETY REPORT ON THE SANTA FE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2020
THE DOOR HANDLES ARE BREAKING
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2020
THE DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF THE CAR DURING THE WINTER
Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2019
TWO BROKEN DOOR HANDLE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND WAS GOING TO OPEN THE DOOR AND THE HANDLES FALL OFF FRONT AND BACK DOORS HOW TO YOU THINK I CAN GET INTO THE CAR TO GET MY CHILDREN OUT. I AM 58 YEARS OLD AND NEVER HAD A DOOR HANDLE FALL OFF
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2019
DASHBOARD ABOVE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEVELOPED (2) VERTICAL CRACKS WITHIN (24) HOURS WITHOUT INCIDENT. THERE HAS BEEN NO CONTACT OR INCIDENT OF THE VEHICLE OR DASH AREA AT ISSUE. NOT SURE IF AIRBAG IS TRYING TO DEPLOY, OR HAS DEPLOYED INTERNALLY. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE SAID DAMAGE OCCURRED.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 7, 2019
TAKATA RECALL . MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE DRIVING WHEN WE WERE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT WHEN MY ESC LIGHT CAME ON AT 15 MPH AND MY CAR 'STALLED' THEN SHUT OFF HOWEVER MY CAR WAS TURNED ON. I WAS IN STILL IN 'DRIVE'AND HAD FOUR CARS BEHIND ME. I PROCEEDED TO PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON TO LET THE OTHER DRIVERS PASS BY, PUT MY CAR IN PARK, THEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF. AFTER TEN MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON, PROCEEDED TO START TO DRIVE HOWEVER THE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I INSTANTLY NOTICED MY CAR WAS SLOWER THAN BEFORE I COULDN'T PROPERLY ACCELERATE AND THE PERFORMANCE OVERALL WAS JUST LOW. I AM NOW AFRAID TO GO ANYWHERE FAR WITH THE CAR DUE TO THIS EXPERIENCE LUCKILY WE WERE NOT IN AN ACCIDENT THIS TIME. IT'S HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES SINCE THEN. THIS WAS TWO WEEKS AGO.
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2018
MY AIR CONDITIONER CEASED TO FUNCTION. A MONTH AND A HALF LATER THE CAR CEASED TO START. I HAD TO CALL FOR A TOW. THE AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR FROZE THE ENGINE SO THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T START.
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2018
PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF.3 MONTHS LATER OTHER PASSENGER HANDLE FELL OFF OPENING DOOR.
Other or unspecified, Mar 13, 2018
I HAVE HAD INTERIOR LOCKS BREAK. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 DOOR HANDLES IN A YEAR AN A HALF. THEY FALL RIGHT OFF WHEN PULLING AND BREAK. NOT EXCESSIVELY USING THEM. OTHER SONATAS HAVE SAME PROBLEM. HYUNDAI WILL NOT DO A THING. VERY UNSAFE AND $250 EACH TIME TO FIX. CHEAP AND FAULTY PARTS. SAFETY ISDUE FOR MY 5 YEAR OLD.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 5, 2018
ENGINE FAILED WOULD NOT START IN LESS THAN 55200 MILES
Other or unspecified, Dec 10, 2017
THE THIRD DOOR HANDLE IN A YEAR HAS BROKEN. EARLIER THIS YEAR, MY DRIVERS REAR AND PASSENGER FRONT DOOR HANDLES BOTH BROKE IN A WEEKS TIME. I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD WAS BECAUSE HYUNDAI DIDNY RECOGNIZE IT AS A SAFETY RECALL. I CONTACTED CORPORATE, WHO AGREED TO REPLACE THE TWO. LAST WEEK MY DRIVERS FRONT DOOR HANDLE BROKEN. LUCKILY I AM PHYSICALLY ABLE TO CRAWL ACROSS THE PASSENGER SEAT AS I WASN'T AT HOME AND NEEDED TO GET INTO MY CAR. I ONCE AGAIN CONTACTED CORPORATE WHO TOLD ME THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT AS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NORMAL WEAR AND YEAR, AND THEY ALREADY GAVE ME TWO "GOOD WILL" FIXES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. A 7 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH 105K MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE 3 BROKEN DOOR HANDLES. RESEARCHING ONLINE, MANY OTHERS HAVE FACED THIS ISSUE. THE FACT THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED IT WAS AN ISSUE AS WELL LET'S ME KNOW I'M NOT ALONE. THE COST FOR A HANDLE AND TO GET IT PAINTED WILL BE OVER $200. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL. IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY, I WOULD BE TRAPPED IN MY SEAT SINCE A RESCUER COULD NOT OPEN MY DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE
Other or unspecified, Dec 9, 2017
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DIED. I RESTARTED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR JERKED A BIT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF BUT THE ESC LIGHT OFF STAYED ON. AFTER SHUTTING OFF I STARTED IT THE NEXT DAY AND THE LIGHTS WERE OFF THEN AFTER A WHILE CAME BACK ON. IT IS EXPENSIVE TO TAKE TO DEALER TO TRY SOMETHING TO SEE IF IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. BRAKES JERKY WHEN APPLIED.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 8, 2017
I'VE DRIVEN THIS CAR SINCE 2011 AND HAVE NOT HAD AN ISSUE LIKE THIS BEFORE. LAST WEEK, (OCTOBER, 1, 2017). WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN OFF-RAMP AT ~35 MPH, MY 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA'S ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF ; AT THE SAME TIME MY CRUISE CONTROL HAS STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, THE ESC OFF LIGHT IS OFF, BUT WITHIN 5-7 MINUTES OF DRIVING IT COMES BACK ON AGAIN AND STAYS ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK NOW REGARDLESS OF IF THE ESC OFF LIGHT IS ON OR NOT. THIS OCCURS NOW EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. AT FIRST THE ESC OFF LIGHT IS OFF, AND EVERY TIME AFTER THE FIRST 5-7 MINUTES OF DRIVING IT LIGHTS UP. (AND PUSHING THE ESC OFF BUTTON DOES NOT AFFECT IT.) THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS OF WHERE I AM DRIVING OR HOW (ON ON A TWO-LANE, ON THE HIGHWAY, IN MY DRIVEWAY, TURNING, STOPPING, ACCELERATING ETC. THE ESC OFF LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I PUSH THE CC BUTTON, BUT WHEN I TRY TO PUSH THE BUTTON TO ENGAGE THE SPEED SET, NOTHING HAPPENS, IT WILL NOT ENGAGE.) I TOOK IT TO THE ONLY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WITHIN 100 MILES OF WHERE I LIVE, AND I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $120.00 JUST TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE CSR THAT SET UP MY APPOINTMENT SAID HE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE BREAK LIGHT SWITCH. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE MYSELF, AND APPARENTLY THERE HAS BEEN A MASSIVE RECALL OF VARIOUS 2007-2011 HYUNDAI'S (SONATA'S INCLUDED) THAT HAD FAULTY BREAK LIGHT SWITCHES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THIS RECALL/DEFECT. NOW, AFTER 7 YEARS AND 133,000 MILES (I'M WAY OVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD) AND HAVE TO PAY $ THAT I DO NOT HAVE JUST TO GET IT "DIAGNOSED" NOT TO MENTION HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM. DOES THE RECALL STILL COVER MY VEHICLE? AND IF NOT, IS THERE A WAY I CAN ORDER THE PART MYSELF AND REPLACE IT TO SEE IF THAT CORRECTS THE ISSUE? -DESPERATE IN TN-
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2017
DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. THE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. CAR WAS IN DRIVEWAY, UNDER NORMAL USE. THIS IS MY 5TH OR 6TH ONE. OUT OF WARRANTY - HYUNDAI WILL NOT COVER. DENIES THERE IS AN ISSUE, DESPITE SO MANY CASES FILE. COSTS $175 + PAINT TO HAVE FIXED. THERE IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN, AND THESE DOOR HANDLES ON SONATA AND MANY OTHER MODELS AND YEARS SHOULD BE FIXED AND RECALLED.
Other or unspecified, Apr 29, 2017
3 OUT OF 4 OF MY DOOR HANDLES ALL BROKE WITHIN A YEAR'S TIME. THE CAR RUNS GREAT IF ONLY YOU COULD GET INTO IT!
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Feb 22, 2017
MY CAR HAS ACCELERATED AT LEAST 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR BOLTS FORWARD AND KEEP GOING. IT IS A INTERMIT PROBLEM AND LAST TIME I ALMOST GOT SERIOUSLY HURT. THE CAR WON'T STOP WHEN YOU HIT THE BRAKES. IT HAPPENS DRIVING AND PARKING.
Other or unspecified, Feb 13, 2017
BROKEN DOOR HANDLES. THIS IS THE THIRD ONE. FIRST WAS FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. 2 MONTHS LATER THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR. NOW 3 MONTHS LATER THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE JUST DROPPED OFF IN MY HAND YESTERDAY MORNING