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
345 reports, newest first.
Structure, Aug 15, 2014
THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN OFF BY JUST PULLING THE HANDLE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2014
DRIVER SIDE - OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE JUST FELL OFF IN HAND. THIS IS THE 3RD HANDLE THAT HAS FALLEN OFF IN LESS THAN 4 YEARS - WHEN IT DOES THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. YOU ASK WHY IT IS A SAFETY HAZZARD - WHEN THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON AND YOU GO SOME WHERE IN THE CAR - THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN GET IN IS TO OPEN ANOTHER DOOR AND RELEASE THE BROKEN HANDLE DOOR BY THE INSIDE AND THEN WALK AROUND AND GET IN - THIS IS NOT SAFE IN PARKING LOTS AT THIS DAY AND TIME - BY THAT TIME SOME ONE ELSE CAN SLIDE INTO THE CAR WITH YOU - PLEASE LOOK AT HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS - MOST OF US HAVE HAD MORE THAT ONE BREAK - THIS IS WAY TO MANY AND THE CAR MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND GET THIS STRAIGHT - A DOOR HANDLE THAT YOU USE TO GET IN AND OUT OF EVERYDAY (THE HINGE) BEING MADE OUT OF PLASTIC - TO ME IF FEEL LIKE THEY DESIGNED IT TO BREAK
Structure, Aug 9, 2014
PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR HANDLE WAS BROKEN (TEAR OFF) WHEN MY 11 YEAR OLD KID OPENED THE DOOR WHILE IT IS IN MY GARAGE. LOOKS LIKE TO ME DOOR HANDLES MADE WITH INFERIOR MATERIAL. I WOULD LIKE TO BRING THIS ISSUE TO YOUR NOTICE. HYUNDAI SHOULD REPLACE THE PARTS AND LABOR AT FREE OF COST. I HAVE PRESERVED THE BROKEN DOOR HANDLE PART. *TR
Structure, Aug 7, 2014
DOOR HANDLES ON MY 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA HAVE FALLEN OFF. THE DOOR HANDLES ARE THE DRIVER DOOR AND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THERE WAS NO EXCESSIVE USE OR FORCE ON THEM. THE JUST BREAK OFF. THIS IS UNSAFE IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AS IT WILL MAKE IT TOUGH TO GET PEOPLE OUT IN AN EMERGENCY. *TR
Structure, Aug 6, 2014
MY BACK PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE ON THE OUTSIDE HAS COME OFF. AS I'M READING ONLINE IM SEEING THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE SO I'M TRYING TO COMPREHEND WHY NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS. PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY $200 EVERY OTHER MONTH TO FIX THIS ISSUE!! *TR
Structure, Aug 6, 2014
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE JUST POPPED OFF FOR NO REASON!!!! *TR
Steering, Jul 21, 2014
GOING THROUGH A 2-3 INCH PUDDLE OF WATER VEHICLE STEERING LOCKED UP AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. NOW WHEN THERE IS ANY HEAVY RAIN THE CAR STEERING LOCKS UP. *TR
Structure, Jul 14, 2014
THE OUTSIDE REAR DOOR HANDLES BROKE. ONE CAME OFF COMPLETELY, THE OTHER IS STILL ATTACHED BUT DOES NOT WORK. IT WILL NOT OPEN DOOR. *TR
Structure, Jul 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY LEAVE THE WINDOW DOWN IN ORDER TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 08/28/14*LJ UPDATED 08/29/2014 *JS
Structure, Jun 29, 2014
THIS ACTUALLY IS THE SECOND TIME WITHIN 2 MONTHS THAT AN OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF IN OUR HANDS. THIS TIME IT WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND THE FIRST TIME IT WAS THE DRIVER REAR DOOR.. WE VERY SELDOM USE THIS CAR EXCEPT WITH A DRIVER, SO IT IS DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT THIS FAILURE. WE ARE NOW HOLDING OUR BREATH FOR THE OTHER HANDLES TO COME OFF. THE DEALERSHIP ISN'T OFFERING TO ACCEPT OWNERSHIP FOR REPAIRING THIS. WE HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR SAME. WILL NOT RECOMMEND THIS MODEL TO OTHERS SINCE HYUNDAI ISN'T BEING HONEST THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR AUTOS! *TR
Structure, Jun 24, 2014
WHEN OPENING THE PASSENGER DOOR, THE DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF IN MY HAND. SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. HYUNDAI REPLACED IT UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT WHAT HAPPENS THEN? IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, EMERGENCY PERSONNEL MAY HAVE TO EVACUATE SOMEONE FROM THE CAR. THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN ANY DOOR. *TR
Structure, Jun 20, 2014
THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WHILE OPENING THE DOOR IN THE MORNING OF 6/20/14 AT AROUND 6:40 AM WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARKING AND THE ENGINE WASN'T STARTED. THE DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, BUT OPENS FROM THE INSIDE. *TR
Power train, Jun 17, 2014
SOME TIMES I HAVE A HARD DOWN SHIFT SOMETIMES I DON'T THE TRANSMISSION WAS SUPPOSE TO BEEN REPLACE BUT TWO YEARS LATER ITS DOING THE SAME THING. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jun 1, 2014
WHILE TRAVELING 55+MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN A CURVE THAT IS CURVING RIGHT. THE CAR STARTS TO ROCK/SWAY SIDE TO SIDE. SIMILAR TO A GUST OF WIND BLOWING AGAINST THE CAR FROM THE SIDE. PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN OVER 55MPH AND DRIVING THROUGH A CURVE ON A HIGHWAY. CAR SEEMS NORMAL WHEN GOING STRAIGHT OR ON INSIDE ROADS AT LOWER SPEEDS. ALIGNMENT WAS GOOD, AND INSPECTION BY SEARS FOUND NO ISSUES. NOTHING LOOSE ETC. NO RECALL FROM HYUNDAI. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON ICY ROADS. THIS PROBLEM MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT/CRASH. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, May 27, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
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
Latches/locks/linkages, May 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO OF THE DOOR HANDLES DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Electrical system, May 19, 2014
WINDOWS STOPPED GOING UP AND DOWN..CAN;T GET MY WINDOWS UP AND DOWN AT ALL.THEY ARE PRESENTLY IN THE UP POSITION BUT WILL NOT MOVE ..ICAN HERE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN IPUSH THE BUTTON TO GO UP AND DOWN BUT THE WINDOW WILL NOT MOVE,NOT ANY WINDOW. SAFETY HAZARD. *JS
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
Power train, Engine, May 5, 2014
DELAYS IN ACCELERATION LINKED TO A COMPUTER PROGRAM THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION, SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THERE MAY BE A 2 TO 3 SECOND LAG IN ACCELERATION DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING OR TRANSMISSION. *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
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 7, 2014
AS I WAS DRIVING TO MAKE A TURN THE CAR SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. IT HAS HAPPENED TWO OTHER TIMES SINE THIS FIRST INCIDENT. CAR SHUT DOWN AS I WAS GOING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CRANKING OF THE IGNITION IS ALSO A PROBLEM. I FIRST REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER IN 2011. IT CRANKS AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO DIE THEN IT HAS EVENTUALLY CAUGHT AND TURNED ON. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. SINCE IT DOESN'T SHOW A CODE OR ACT UP WHEN I AM IN FOR SERVICE THEY DO NOTHING FOR ME. *TR
Air bags, Mar 26, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND EXITING AN ALLEYWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, HEAD AND WRIST INJURIES. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,817. UPDATED 05/28/14*LJ UPDATED 05/30/2014 *JS