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, May 7, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WALLACE HYUNDAI (3801 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL) ALL 4 OF THE DOOR HANDLES WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON ALL FOUR EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. *BF *JB
Steering, Apr 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED STERLING MCCALL HYUNDAI (LOCATED AT 10505 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77074, (713) 981-4400) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Electrical system, Structure, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 20, 2019
I HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER & PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES. HAD TO GET SWITCH TO OPEN GAS TANK REPAIRED. WHEN FUELING CAR, PUMP CONTINUESLY STOPS WHEN TANK IS NOT FULL.
Structure, Apr 10, 2019
WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2010, A DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS. HYUNDAI REPLACED IT FREE OF CHARGE. FAST FORWARD TO 2019. CAR HAS ONLY 45,000 MILES AND IN THE SPAN OF 2 WEEKS, THE EXTERIOR REAR RIGHT PASSENGER AND THE DRIVER SIDE HANDLES CAME OFF. THIS OCCURRED WHEN OPENING THE DOORS. WHILE WE HAVE A 10 YEAR/100,000 WARRANTY, HYUNDAI WILL NOT HONOR REPLACING THE DEFECT. ESTIMATED REPAIRS ARE NEAR $500. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE INOPERABLE AND REQUIRING DRIVER TO CLIMB INTO CAR. WE SEE MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH HYUNDAI FOR NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR BECAUSE OF RELIABILITY AND TRUST AND WENT ON TO PURCHASE 2 MORE HYUNDAI VEHICLES. WE KEEP OUR CARS FOR A LONG TIME - UP TO 200,000 MILES AND HAVE NEVER HAD HANDLES FALL OFF.
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.
Structure, Mar 28, 2019
TAKATA RECALL...I HAVE A COMPLAINT ON THE PAINT ON MY CAR. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH PAINT ON A CAR LIKE THIS ONE. IT SEEMED TO BE SO CHEAP THAT EVEN A STICKING TAPE WILL RIP OFF THE PAINT.
Steering, Feb 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COUPLING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOOSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WHILE DRIVING. HYUNDAI WAIPIO (94-1299 KAUKA BLVD, WAIPAHU, HI 96797, (808) 679-3400) STATED THAT THE COUPLING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THEY CHARGED $600 IN LABOR FOR A $3 PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Air bags, Feb 13, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE ON BLACK ICE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A PICK UP TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CRASH WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V137000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
Structure, Feb 5, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL" SONATA DOOR HANDLES BREAK FOR NO REASON. IN AN EMERGENCY, FIRST RESPONDERS WOULD BE UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS TO EVACUATE PASSENGERS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO 3 OF MY 4 DOORS: CAR IS PARKED. I UNLOCK CAR WITH KEY IN DOOR. I PUSH UNLOCK BUTTON. DOORS UNLOCK. PASSENGER USES OUTSIDE HANDLE, BUT HANDLE DOES NOT RESPOND. DOOR HANDLE IS BROKEN INSIDE THE DOOR.CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN PARKED IN DRIVEWAY OR PARKING LOT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. NO ONE HAS JERKED THE HANDLE OR PULLED ON IT ROUGHLY WHEN IT BROKE. IN ALL THREE INSTANCES A SIMPLE LIFT ON THE HANDLE AND IT BROKE.
Engine, Jan 8, 2019
CAR WAS RUNNING WITH NO PROBLEMS. STARTED UP WENT DOWN THE STREET AND IT TURNED OFF ON ME ALL DASH LIGHTS WORK. MECHANIC SAID ENGINE IS SIEZED UP. CAR HAD OIL NO OVER HEATING OR SMOKING. NO WARNING OF ENGINE ISSUE.
Structure, Jan 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR DOOR HANDLES FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS BECOMING LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW HANDLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.*BF .. *TR *DT*JB
Structure, Oct 31, 2018
HYUNDAI SONATA 2010 - THE FRONT, DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE DETACHED FROM THE CAR, WITHOUT WARNING, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME THAT THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. A STANDARD AMOUNT OF DOOR OPENING FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE HANDLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DAMAGE APPEARS TO HAVE OCCURRED WITH A WEAKENED OR DEFECTIVE CLIP THAT CONNECTS THE DOOR HANDLE TO THE OPENING MECHANISM INSIDE OF THE DOOR. THIS IS THE SECOND DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT HAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING ONLY 2 FUNCTIONAL DOOR HANDLES ON THE VEHICLE.
Structure, Oct 31, 2018
HYUNDAI SONATA 2010 - THE REAR, DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE DETACHED FROM THE CAR, WITHOUT WARNING, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED IN FRONT OF A HOUSE WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. A STANDARD AMOUNT OF DOOR OPENING FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE HANDLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DAMAGE APPEARS TO HAVE OCCURRED WITH A WEAKENED OR DEFECTIVE CLIP THAT CONNECTS THE DOOR HANDLE TO THE OPENING MECHANISM INSIDE OF THE DOOR.
Structure, Oct 28, 2018
PLASTIC EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BREAK, COME LOOSE, AND THEN CAN NOT OPEN THE DOOR. 3 DOOR HANDLES NOW.
Structure, Oct 19, 2018
WENT TO OPEN OUTSIDE PASSENGER BACK DOOR - OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF. WENT TO OPEN OUTSIDE DRIVER'S DOOR - OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF.
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.
Structure, Sep 11, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. LESTER GLENN HYUNDAI (LOCATED AT 386 RTE 37 E, TOMS RIVER, NJ) CONFIRMED THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THE DOOR HANDLE BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER DOORS EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 27, 2018, crash
CAR HAD UNSOLICITED ACCELERATION WHEN BACKING UP. CAR WENT FLYING BACK IN FULL ACCELERATION. HIT RAILING/STAIRS.I PUT CAR IN PARK. THOUGHT I MUST HAVE HIT ACCELERATION BY MISTAKE SO I WENT TO PUT CAR IN DRIVE TO PULL INTO PARKING SPACE, WHEN I TOOK FOR OF BRAKE THE CAR CAREENED OUT OF CONTROL FULL ACCELERATION. I TRIED BRAKE FOOT PRESSING PEDAL DOWN CAR WOULDN'T STOP. I STEERED INTO LOW CEMENT PARKING SPACE BUMPER AND BUSHES TO STOP CAR. - 1024.00 TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY THAT HYUNDAI CHECKED OUT AND SAID IT WAS STICKING. HYUNDAI CHARGED ME FOR THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT - I AM WAITING ON ESTIMATE OF PROPERTY DAMAGE I DID WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE AT MY DOCTOR'S OFFICE.
Structure, Aug 16, 2018
HANDLES KEEP FALLING OFF IN MY HAND WHEN OPENING DOORS. THIS IS AT LEAST THE FOURTH TIME SINCE L HAVE THIS CAR. READ SOME OTHER COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE, SOUNDS LIKE DEFECTIVE PART ISSUE TO ME. LAST ,TIME DEALER CHARGED ME $90.00 TO REPAIR AND IT FELL OFF NEXT DAY. NOW REAR PASSENGER FELL OFF. I AM 75 YEARS OLD, NEED DOORS TO OPEN AND CLOSE, VERY SCARY. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK OF A $23,000 CAR?
Vehicle speed control, Jun 20, 2018
APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO I WAS DRIVING ON A SECONDARY ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WITH CRUISE CONTROL AT 45 MPH I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AS TRAFFIC SLOWED AHEAD OF ME AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE OR SLOW. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ASSIST THE BRAKES WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. THE THROTTLE CONTROL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. TWO DAYS AGO ON A HIGHWAY THE SITUATION REPEATED; I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE OR SLOW AND I HAD TO STOP WITH PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I AM SELLING THE CAR AT A LOSS FOR PARTS. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE
Engine, Jun 2, 2018
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE, IT COMPLETELY STALLS AND VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO START AGAIN FOR A FEW MINUTES. HAPPENS RANDOMLY WITHOUT NOTICE.
Air bags, May 30, 2018
MY SONATA'S AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS SAYING "OFF" THE CAR ONLY HAS 41,400 MILE, I ACQUIRED IT FROM MY MOTHER . THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS TO THE CARE, THUS, NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT HE COULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THE CODES WERE ALL OFF, IT NEEDS TO GO TO A DEALERSHIP. WHEN I CHECKED ON RECALLS, THE VIN DID NOT COME UP AS A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT NO CHARGE, BUT SINCE IT IS NOT A RECALL, I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE
Structure, May 10, 2018
FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHILE OPENING DOOR TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. WENT ON-LINE TO RESEARCH REPAIR. FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL 4 DOORS OF THIS VEHICLE. SUBSEQUENT FAILURES ON OTHER HANDLES TEND TO HAPPEN WITHIN MONTHS OF ONE-ANOTHER. DOORS THAT ARE INFREQUENTLY USED ALSO HAVE THE PROBLEM. THIS POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN REMOVING AN INFANT, SICK, OR INJURED PERSON FROM THE VEHICLE DURING AN EMERGENCY. THE HANDLES ARE MADE OF PLASTIC. THE INNER FRONT OF THE HANDLE HAS A PLASTIC PIVOT WHICH SNAPS OFF, CAUSING THE HANDLE TO FALL OFF IN THE HAND OF THE PERSON OPENING THE DOOR.
Structure, Apr 30, 2018
IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, I HAVE HAD ALL 4 OF THE DOOR HANDLES BREAK OFF IN SOMEONE'S HAND, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR. I HAVE HAD 2 OF THEM REPLACED ALREADY, COSTING ABOUT $150 - 200 EACH. AT THIS TIME, BOTH OF MY REAR DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN OFF.
Engine, Apr 21, 2018
STARTER FAILED. CAR WAS EXHIBITING NO PROBLEMS. PARKED AT A STORE. CAME OUT AND WOULDN'T START. BATTERY WAS NOT A PROBLEM. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED. NEEDED A NEW STARTER AT 75,621 MILES. KEFFER HYUNDAI SVC CTR STATED THEY HAVE HAD COMPLAINTS, EVEN ISSUED STATEMENT TO OTHER AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOPS OF WHAT TO LOOK FOR SHOULD CARS BE BROUGHT TO THEM FOR SERVICE (OURS WAS). KEFFER SVC CTR FURTHER STATED THEY "SHOULD PROBABLY ISSUE RECALL".