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.
Power train, Mar 19, 2014
WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD AND I DECELERATE DOWN THRU 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS ABRUPTLY CAUSING A JERKING MOTION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY AN AUTO MECHANIC WHO RESEARCHED IT THAT THERE WAS AN ACTUAL RECALL BY HYUNDAI FOR THIS ISSUE. HE SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THAT HYUNDAI INSTALLED COMPUTER CONTROL EQUIPMENT FROM AN OLDER MODEL IN THEIR 2010 SONATAS AND THIS RESULTED IN A FAILURE IN PROPER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE COMPUTER AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION'S SOLENOID, CAUSING THE ABRUPT DOWN SHIFTING AT 20 MPH WHEN CAR IS COLD. ONE LAST NOTE: WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED OCCURRING, IT WOULD CAUSE THE "FIX ENGINE" LIGHT TO COME ON, BUT THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED FOR ABOUT THE LAST THREE WEEKS. THE ABRUPT DOWN SHIFTING WHEN COLD STILL OCCURS CONSISTENTLY, ALWAYS RIGHT AROUND 20 MPH. *TR
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.
Engine, Feb 25, 2014
THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM WARRANTY WORK WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON UNLESS I AGREED TO PAY A FEE OF APPROXIMATELY $125 IF THE DEALER DECIDED THAT THE WORK WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. *TR
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.
Service brakes, Jan 7, 2014
DEFECTIVE REAR BRAKES. ONE REAR BRAKE PAD WAS DOWN TO METAL. GRINDING AND SMOKING. PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED BY HYUNDAI DEALER. NOW AT 38,000 MILES CAR IS IN LOCAL SHOP FOR SAME WORK. ONE OF THREE PADS ARE DOWN TO METAL. DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE BRAKE CALIPER. CLAIM WILL BE MADE TO HYUNDAI BUT MANY OTHERS HAVE BEEN DENIED PER INTERNET AND N.Y. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THIS IS CONSIDERED TO BE A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
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
Service brakes, Dec 30, 2013
THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. TOOK TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAY THE CALIPER IS WORKING UNEVEN AND CAUSING THE PAD TO BRAKE DOWN FASTER THAN NORMAL, IT WAS ON BARE MEDAL. COULD THIS BE THE CROSSBAR RECALL CAUSING THIS TO GET UNEVEN OR AN UNRELATED ITEM? THE OTHER SIDE STILL HAD 40% PAD ON IT. THIS SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM TO ME. *TR
Service brakes, Dec 23, 2013
WE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE PADS IN AUGUST 2013 AND NOW IN DECEMBER 2013 HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PAD STICKING. AFTER HEARING THE GRINDING NOISE AGAIN I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THEY ARE REPLACING THE ROTOR, PADS AND CALIPERS FOR FAILURE TO FUNCTION AT A COST OF $400. THE FRONT PADS WERE STILL IN GOOD CONDITION. THESE ARE HYUNDAI OEM BRAKES. I HAVE BEEN READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT REAR BRAKE ISSUES ON OTHER 2010 HYUNDAI VEHICLES. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE IN NEW YORK OVER THIS SAME ISSUE. I WANTED TO MAKE A REPORT AND POSSIBLY FIND OUT IF THERE ARE ANY PLANS FOR AN INVESTIGATION. HYUNDAI DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE ANY PLANS TO RECALL SINCE THE ISSUE SEEMS TO HAVE EXISTED ALONG TIME. THIS IS FAR FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND AT THE COST OF THE PURPOSED (BY HYUNDAI SERVICE) PERIODIC REMOVAL, CLEANING, AND LUBING OF THE BRAKE PADS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL ON ANY OTHER CAR AND I CANNOT SEE THIS A NON ISSUE. THAT IS NOT TO MENTION THE DANGER OF POSSIBLE BRAKE FAILURE. IS HYUNDAI WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE FIRST? *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
Suspension, Wheels, Dec 16, 2013
SONATA PULLING TO THE LEFT UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. PERFORMED WHEEL ALIGNMENTS 7 MONTHS AGO, CAR RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. ONLINE RESEARCH INDICATES THIS MODEL HAS A FACTORY ALIGNMENT ISSUE. *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
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 10, 2013
I WAS SENT A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM HYUNDAI STATING THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONS. THIS HAPPENS TO ME CONTINUOUSLY. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP WHEN I WAS VACATIONING IN CHICAGO, AS I THOUGHT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR, AND THAT I MIGHT BE IN A DANGEROUS ROAD SITUATION. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND COULD FIND NOTHING, BUT I STILL HAD TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. I HAVE ASKED HYUNDAI TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THIS SINCE IT TURNS OUT TO BE A MALFUNCTION, THAT CAUSED ME TO SPEND MONEY TO TRY TO DIAGNOSE. THEY REFUSE TO REIMBURSE ME, EVEN THOUGH THEY ADMIT IT IS A MALFUNCTION ON THEIR PART...BUT I WASN'T NOTIFIED OF THIS UNTIL 4 MONTHS AFTER BEING CHARGED TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. *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