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.
Service brakes, Jul 31, 2013
BACK REAR BRAKE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GRINDING AND BRAKE PEDAL VERY SOFT. TOOK FOR REPAIR WHILE OUT OF STATE. THEY REPLACE ALL 4 BREAK PADS AND ROTORS. NEXT DAY I WENT BACK AND COMPLAINED THAT I SMELLED A BURNING SMELL AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS NORMAL. ON JULY 8 HEARD GRINDING SOUND WHICH WAS SEVERE ON RIGHT REAR BRAKE. REPAIR SHOP OWNER SAID THE CALIPER RIGHT REAR SEIZED AND DESTROYED BRAKES. ALL ROTORS AND PADS ON REAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR SHOP SHOWED ME THE PAD AND ROTOR FROM THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE AND I SAW THAT THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT OF A PAD AND COULD PLAINLY SEE HOW THE MEAL ON BOTH THE PAD AND ROTOR WERE GROUND. I BELIEVE THAT I PREVIOUSLY HAD THE BRAKES REPAIRED BUT CAN'T REMEMBER THE SPECIFICS. *TR
Structure, Jul 2, 2013
I HAVE HAD TWO OTHER DOOR HANDLES SERVICED PRIOR TO THIS ONE. THE DRIVERS DOOR IS THE ONE BROKEN THIS TIME. THE OTHER TWO WERE THE BACK DOOR HANDLES. THIS HAS ALL BEEN WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I COULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD ONE. BUT THREE! THE DEALERSHIP HERE IN ST AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA TOLD ME THAT SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, NO RECALLS AND IT HAD BEEN A RENTAL CAR THROUGH THE ENTERPRISE CORP. ALSO, I HAD NOT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO BE SERVICED AT A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP... THAT I WAS GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE. I HAVE READ THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I HAD A CAR FAX REPORT DONE AT THE TIME I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED. WE ONLY SAW A FEW MINOR SERVICES. THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE CAR FAX REPORT TO INDICATE A RENTAL CAR OR ABUSIVE ACTIONS OF THOSE LEASING OR RENTING THE VEHICLE. HE SAYS PEOPLE CAN BE ROUGH ON DOOR HANDLES. I SAID I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL USED CARS AND TRUCKS. I HAVE NEVER HAD THE DOOR HANDLES COME OFF EVEN AFTER 12-14 YEARS OF DRIVING THEM. I THINK THEY SHOULD FIX THERE VEHICLES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Jun 5, 2013, crash, fire
I BOUGHT THE CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2009. THE CAR IS A 2010 SONATA. SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. THE DEALER COVERED THE FIRST ON BUT I HAD TO PAY THE OTHER 2. BECAUSE I DRIVE LONG DISTANCES AND MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WHAT DOES HIGH MILEAGE HAVE TO DO WITH DOOR HANDLES. *TR
Electrical system, May 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STARTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE STARTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,500.
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ON BOTH FRONT DOORS AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED. THE DOORS COULD ONLY BE OPENED WITH THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Service brakes, Apr 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE. TEH CONTACT APPLIED EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD BEFORE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CALIPERS AND BRAKES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Power train, Apr 3, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO GEAR, SHE HAD TO ENGAGE THE SHIFT RELEASE IN ORDER FOR THE SHIFTER TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT NO CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Service brakes, Mar 15, 2013
CALIPER RIGHT REAR SEIZED AND DESTROYED BRAKES. ALL ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, FRONT AND REAR DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. ALL TIRES WORN AS WELL AND NEED REPLACEMENT. MECHANIC SAID CALIPER SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS AT THIS MILEAGE. COMMON ISSUE READING ONLINE REPORTS AND A CLASS ACTION SUIT IN NY HAS BEEN FILED. SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Mar 10, 2013
SINCE AUGUST 2010, I HAVE HAD THREE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BRAKE OFF. THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFAULT. ONE BREAKING IS BELIEVABLE. BUT, THREE IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
Service brakes, Mar 5, 2013
THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR BRAKES ARE BURNING THROUGH BRAKE PADS. THE CALIPERS ARE WORKING SMOOTHLY BUT FOR UNKNOWN REASON THEY ARE STICKING. THE FRONT BAKES ARE FINE BUT THE REAR SET HAS GONE THROUGH 2 SETS OF BRAKE PADS IN LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. *TR
Tires, Feb 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H426 TIRES, SIZE P215/55R-17 DOT (5MBLELH4008). THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD LOW PRESSURE AND THE SIDEWALLS WERE SPLIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BY THE OWNER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. UPDATED 3/20/13 *CN
Service brakes, Jan 16, 2013
WE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE PADS IN JUNE 2012 AND NOW IN JANUARY 2013 HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE REAR DIVER SIDE PAD STICKING. THE FRONT PADS WERE STILL IN GOOD CONDITION. THESE ARE HYUNDAI OEM BRAKES. I HAVE BEEN READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT REAR BRAKE ISSUES ON 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 SINCE 2006. 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 I CANNOT SEE THIS A NON ISSUE. THAT IS NOT TO MENTION THE DANGER OF POSSIBLE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
Power train, Jul 20, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE COVER OFF OF THE SHIFT LOCK BUTTON AND DEPRESSED IT USING A PIN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WOULD BE IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,640.
Service brakes, Air, Mar 31, 2012
DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE PADS WEARING PREMATURELY. PADS ARE STAYING AGAINST THE ROTOR. IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE CALIPER. THE CALIPER SLIDES WORK SMOOTHLY, PADS MOVE FREELY, NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG BUT THE CALIPER STICKS WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE. *JS
Power train, Feb 1, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FURTHER, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 28,000.
Power train, Jan 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL WOULD GO TO FLOOR AND BECOME STUCK, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME RESISTANT WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS SCHEDULED TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE FOURTH TIME OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAD NOT GIVEN THE CONTACT A REASON FOR THE CONSISTENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 12, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT THAT WAS LOCATED IN MIDDLE OF THE REAR WINDOW FAILED AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLACE THE BULB WITHOUT REMOVING THE REAR SEAT BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,00. UPDATED 11/03/11 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST A 4140 TO REPLACE THE BULB DUE TO ITS LOCATION. UPDATED 11/18/11
Power train, Aug 31, 2011
HYUNDAI SONATA 2010 V6 SEDAN ROLLS BACKWARDS ON INCLINE WHEN IN DRIVE. BASICALLY GOES INTO FREEFALL IN TIME IT TAKES TO PUT FOOT FROM BRAKE TO ACCELERATOR. ALSO STEERING IS VERY SWIMMY. TEND TO OVER OR UNDER STEER AND LOTS OF SWAY IN CHASIS WHEN TURNING OR CHANGING LANES AT HIGH SPEEDS ON FREEWAY. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND TOLD IT IS THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED. SOUNDS FLAWED TO ME. *TR
Tires, Aug 10, 2011
I BOUGHT A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH 10K MILES ON IT THE END OF MARCH 2011. THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE HANKOOK OPTIMO H 426. AFTER I HAD PUT LESS THAN 10K ADDITIONAL MILES ON THE VEHICLE, I HAD ONE OF THE TIRES BULGE AND IMPLODE FROM WITHIN. WITHIN THE MONTH FOLLOWING THIS 2 MORE TIRES BULGED ON THE SIDEWALL AND WERE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE ALL IN DIFFERENT SPOTS ON MY VEHICLE AND IT WAS THREE SEPARATE INCIDENTS. NEITHER THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP NOR HANKOOK TIRES WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT IN THE TIRES. *TR
Power train, Jul 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM PARK, TO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT DISPLAY READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS WHERE UPDATES WERE PERFORMED ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE UPDATES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/22/11*LJ UPDATED 3/08/2012 *LN
Exterior lighting, May 20, 2011
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON LOW BEAMS,THERE IS A BLACK LINE MID-WAY THE WINDSHIELD DISRUPTING MY VIEWING FIELD. IT SO DISTRACTING I HATE DRIVING THIS CAR AT NIGHT!! IT IS HAZARDOUS TO MY DRIVING! HAD IT TO THE DEALER SERVICE 2 OR 3 TIMES TO CHECK THE LIGHTS AND THEY ALSO DROVE IT AT NIGHT AND SAW THE SAME THING. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE WAY LIGHTS WERE DESIGNED AND THAT CANNOT DO ANYTHING FOR IT!! VERY ANNOYING!! I ALSO HAVE HEARD FROM PEOPLE THAT RIDE WITH ME AT NIGHT THAT" THOSE LIGHTS WOULD DRIVE THEM CRAZY DRIVING LIKE THAT"!! I MAY HAVE TO GET RID OF THIS CAR BECAUSE IT IS SO ANNOYING!! YOU NEED TO GET A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM SOON!! I AM ONE UNHAPPY CUSTOMER RIGHT NOW! THIS IS MY THIRD HYUNDAI AND I LIKE THEM.....BUT NOT THIS ONE!!! THIS IS A 2010 SONATA. HAVE ALSO HAD TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION AS IT SHIFTS TO THE NEXT GEAR. HAD IT TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES WITH THAT!!! NOT HAPPY AT ALL WITH THIS CAR!!!! THERE IS NO CERTAIN DATES ...JUST AN ONGOING THING. THE DATE BELOW IS WHEN THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING MORE ABOUT THE LIGHTS...IT IS THE WAY THEY WERE!! *TR
Air bags, May 2, 2011, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ENTERING AN INTERSECTION WHEN AN OPPOSING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT END. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MINOR INJURY TO THE KNEE AND CHEST AREA. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 06/16/11*LJ UPDATED 1/19/2012 *LN *TR
Steering, Apr 16, 2011
RECENTLY PURCHASED A ONE OWNER 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED FROM DEALERSHIP IN BISMARCK, ND THE CAR HAS 6800 ORIGINAL MILES. THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A RUBBING AND CRACKLING SOUND. THE WHEEL IS ALSO LOOSE AS I CAN ROCK THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE WITHOUT TURNING WHEEL AND IT IS DEFINITELY LOOSE. MAKES LOTS OF NOISE WHEN DRIVING CRACKLING AND POPPING SOUNDS. *TR
Service brakes, Air, Feb 5, 2011, crash
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Steering, Feb 4, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT TO THE LEFT. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAS IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND HE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000.