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 16, 2020
DRIVER'S EXTERIOR DOOR LATCH BROKE INTO TWO WHEN DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN DOOR WITH HAND TO ENTER THE CAR. THE DOOR HAD BEEN UNLOCKED VIA REMOTE CONTROL.
Suspension, Power train, Structure, Aug 13, 2020
WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS COLD, WHILE DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN TO 20 MHP THE CARD JERKS, HARD DOWNSHIFT FROM 3RD TO 2ND, AND RPM INCREASE BY SEVERAL HUNDRED RPS. ONCE THE TRANSMISSION WARMS UP, ISSUE MOSTLY GOES AWAY. ISSUE STARTED THIS YEAR. SECOND ISSUE IS THE WHITE PAINT EASILY COMES OFF ALL OVER THE CAR, EVEN JUST FROM HOSING THE CAR WITH WATER. ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS. ITS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE CAR PAYMENT. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE NOT SEEN THE ISSUE BEFORE, HOWEVER I SEE ALOT OF OWNERS WITH WHITE COLOR HAVE THIS ISSUE. SUSPENSION SEEMS TO BE VERY HARD WHILE GOING OVER ANY BUMPS. FEELS LIKE THERE ARE NO SUSPENSIONS MECHANISMS AT ALL.
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, Jul 11, 2020
REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE (EXTERIOR) BROKEN - FEBRUARY 2020. ALL 4 DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN ON THIS CAR BETWEEN 2015-2020! HYUNDAI PAID FOR THE FIRST 1 BUT FOR THE 2ND AND 3RD TOLD ME, ESSENTIALLY, "TOO BAD, DOOR HANDLES BREAK." APPARENTLY THEY DO ON 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA'S AS THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND ALL 4 DOOR HANDLES BROKE ON MY CAR. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. I EXPECT HYUNDAI TO COVER THIS ONE. THE CAR HAS 66K MILES ON IT. IT DOES NOT GET HEAVY USE. THE FIRST 5 YEARS, I TOOK PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO WORK, THEN STARTED WORKING FROM HOME. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE HANDLES TO BREAK. THE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE GOT NORMAL USE; NOTHING EXCESSIVE OR UNUSUAL.
Structure, Jun 25, 2020
I PURCHASED THE CAR IN FEBRUARY 2016 AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY 1 DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF, SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD 1 MORE TO COME OFF AND 1 IS JUST HANGING ON SO I DO NOT TOUCH IT. UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. I AM CONSTANTLY CLIMBING OVER MY SEATS OR ATTEMPTING TO OPEN FROM ANOTHER DOOR JUST TO GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND ESPECIALLY FRUSTRATING WHEN I HAVE MY GRANDCHILDREN CAR SEATS IN THE BACK. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING DOOR HANDLES AND THE ONLY ONES AVAILABLE DO NOT MATCH CAR COLOR. AFTER SEARCHING I SEE THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM BEFORE I PURCHASED MY CAR. I CAN NOT HONESTLY RECOMMEND THIS VEHICLE TO ANYONE FOR THE FACT THAT YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET INSIDE JUST TO TEST DRIVE AND THE DOOR HANDLE MIGHT POSSIBLY COME OFF. THE CAR RUNS FINE BUT I WOULD LIKE IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENTS FOR DOOR HANDLES SO THAT I CAN GET INSIDE THE CAR CORRECTLY AND WITHOUT HAVING TO CLIMB OVER OTHER SEATS ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN. *TR
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
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 9, 2020
ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING. SOMETIMES, THE CAR LOSES ITS POWER WHEN THAT HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. ACTING AS IF THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.
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
Engine, Feb 14, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR, IT SUDDENLY STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A SIDE STREET. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE ENGINE IS RUINED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS HAD ALL OF ITS MAINTENANCE/OIL CHANGES. IT HAS HAD NO ACCIDENTS. IT HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT.
Structure, Feb 8, 2020
CAR PURCHASED JUNE 2016. 17,000 MI. THREE MONTHS LATER THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF. WITHIN SIX MONTHS THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE HANDLE FELL OFF THEN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. HYUNDAI WANTS $350.00 FOR EACH HANDLE. I CAN NO LONGER HAVE PASSENGERS IN MY CAR IT IS UNSAFE. MY FEAR IS MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE WILL FALL OFF. I AM 70 AND TOO OLD TO CLIMB THRU THE TRUNK. IF THIS ISN'T A RECALL IT SHOULD BE. I CAN FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB IF NECESSARY. THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN THE HANDLES FELL OFF.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 24, 2019
CARS FUEL TANK HAS RUSTED THRU CAUSING EMISSIONS FAILURES. REMEDY IS TO REPLACE FUEL TANK! $800-1200.00
Structure, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 5, 2019
DOOR HANDLES EASILY SNAPPED OFF AND SENSOR WENT OUT FUEL TANK. THIS HAPPENING ON ALL CARS I HAVE 5 CO WORKERS SAME VEHICLES ALL HAVE SAME PROMBLEM THIS SHOULD BE FIXED WE CANT ENTER IN REAR OF CAR WITHOUT GETTING IN FRONT TO OPEN BOTH BACK DOORS
Structure, Oct 12, 2019
THE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM IS ERRATIC. IN ADDITION THE WINDOW UP AND DOWN MECHANISM WORKS INCONSISTENTLY.
Structure, Oct 12, 2019
DOOR HANDLES CCS ME RIGHT OFF. HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THEM
Air bags, Sep 24, 2019
TWO VERTICAL CRACKS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS SHOWED UP THIS MORNING. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. DUE THESE CRACKS I AM AFRAID THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY WITHOUT CAUSE WHEN MY GRANDCHILDREN ARE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, OR DEPLOY WHILE I AM DRIVING. PLEASE ADVISE ON THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. CINDY L.
Engine, Aug 1, 2019
I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON FOR A WHILE NOW AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, IT HAS BEEN PUT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE TO SEE WHAT CAME UP ON THE REPORT. THIS HAS BEEN DONE A NUMBER OF TIMES AND WHATEVER REPORT SHOWS UP I HAVE HAD IT FIXED BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL WOULD COME ON AND IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE FIXED, I WOULD LIKE SOME HELP IN FINDING OUT WHY THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES THIS BECOMING COSTLY AND STILL NOT FIXED COULD I PLEASE GET SOME HELP WITH THIS. WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE [XXX] 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 1 YEAR AND 3 MONTHS WITHOUT ANY KIND OF SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Jun 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL WOBBLED AND SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2010 FOR A SIMILAR FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.
Structure, Jun 24, 2019
I HAVE HAD THREE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BRAKE OFF THE DOOR ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.. THE ENTIRE HANDLE BROKE OFF UPON GETTING TO GET INTO THE CAR. ONE HANDLE BROKE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, THE OTHER TWO BROKE ON MAY 5, 2019. AND JUNE 22, 2019.
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.
Engine, Jun 1, 2019
ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON TOOK CAR TO SHOP THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON CODE PO449 EVAP SYSTEM FAULT FAILURE IN VAPOR CANISTER HOUSING PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC AND PINPOINT TESTING FOUND SAID IT NEEDED CANISTER CLOSE VALVE AND CANISTER EASY THE WORK WAS DONE BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON.
Structure, May 23, 2019
I'VE HAD TO REPLACE 3 DOOR HANDLES, TRANSMISSION, LICK SEAT BELT, SUNROOF MOTOR, SINCE BUYING THIS CAR. IT IS 9 YEARS OLD AND THE SEALS ON THE DOORS ARE GOING BAD. AIR AND PESTS ARE GETTING IN THE CAR. AND THE NOISE LEVEL IS HORRIBLE. I WAS TOLD 2 WEEKS AGO THAT THE RATTLING I KEEP HEARING IS THE UNIVERSAL JOINTS AND FRAME AND WILL COST ABOUT $1000 TO FIX. CAR WAS OK UNTIL IT JUST HOT 100000 MILE MARK.
Steering, May 22, 2019
THE STEERING WILL RANDOMLY STICK. ITS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAS ME TERRIFIED OF CURVES. IT CAUSES OVER CORRECTING BECAUSE THE STEERING STICKS AND THEN TURNS LOOSE. I'VE SAW NUMEROUS OVER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE. IT MAKES THE CAR WANDER ALL OVER THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. IT MAKES TURNING AT LOWER SPEEDS VERY DIFFICULT. AND TURNING AT HIGHER SPEEDS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. THEY RECALLED THE LATER SONATAS, THE 2010 SONATAS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED AS WELL.