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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2015
THE CAR IS EQUIP WITH CHILD SAFETY LOCK, I STOP TO LET OUT A PASSENGER ON THE DRIVER SIDE,AND THE DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF IN MY HAND, WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $400.00 TO HAVE IT REPLACE, LOOK ON LINE AND THE DIRECT FIT HANDLE COST IS ONLY $34.00 THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THE HANDLE IS JUST A PEACE OF POORLY MADE PLASTIC, THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPEN NOW.
Structure, Jul 26, 2015
2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE REAR PASSENGER DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE JUST SNAPPED OFF. I WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR IN A NORMAL FASHION AND THE HANDLE STAYED IN THE OPEN POSITION SO I HAD TO PUSH IT BACK IN TO THE CLOSED POSITION. WHEN I PULLED ON THE HANDLE AGAIN THE HANDLE FELL OFF IN MY HAND. THE REAR DOOR NEVER DID OPEN, NOW I NEED TO REACH THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR FROM THE INSIDE.
Electrical system, Jul 16, 2015
MY CAR WON'T START. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT TRIES TO START THEN ALL YOU HEAR IS THE STARTER SPINNING. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT THE STARTER LEVER ARM NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE PLASTIC PART IS KNOWN TO BE FAULTY, AND HYUNDAI REFUSES TO PERFORM A RECALL TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC PART WITH A METAL PART. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE-THE STARTER LEVER ARM COST ABOUT $8.15 TO REPLACE HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP INSIST ON CHARGING $400 TO REPLACE THE BROKEN PLASTIC LEVER ARM. I AM A SECOND OWNER, AND HAVE 75K MILES ON MY VEHICLE; THEREFORE I DO NOT HAVE A WARRANTY ON THE PART.
Service brakes, Jul 6, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A HILL AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Structure, Jun 5, 2015
HAVE HAD ALL 4 OUTER DOOR HANDLES BREAK OFF OF VEHICLE.
Service brakes, May 11, 2015
REAR CALIPER FROZEN/STICKING
Structure, Apr 25, 2015
TWO DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF MY 2010 SONATA WHILE JUST ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THEM. ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AS THEY CLAIM IT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I COULD SEE IF IT WAS JUST ONE DOOR HANDLE BUT FOR TWO TO COME OFF DAYS OF EACH OTHER I FIND IT MORE OF A DEFECT THAN WEAR AND TEAR. READING SOME HYUNDAI OWNER FORUMS I HAVE FOUND THIS APPEARS TO BE A NORMAL OCCURRENCE WITH THEIR PRODUCT AND FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I TRAVEL WITH KIDS ON A DAILY BASIS AND GOD FORBID THEY WOULD BE LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR DUE TO THE HANDLE BEING IN MY HAND INSTEAD OF THE DOOR. *TR
Structure, Mar 25, 2015
DRIVER SIDE DOOR EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN DOOR. HANDLE PARTS ARE PLASTIC! CANNOT OPEN DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE NOW. BOUGHT NEW, NOW UNDER 38K MILES, AND LESS THAN 5 YEARS IN USE. CONTACTED HYUNDAI NATIONAL, HAVE NOT HEARD BACK YET. DEALERS INDICATE THAT THIS MAY NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Structure, Mar 25, 2015
THE DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF THIS MORNING WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, AND THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THIS BREAKAGE HAS OCCURRED, ALBEIT ON THREE DIFFERENT DOORS. ALTHOUGH THE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH STILL WORKS, THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR RESCUE SERVICES TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. BASED ON POSTINGS I HAVE COME ACROSS ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI SONATAS AND SHOULD IN MY MIND QUALIFY AS A RECALL. *TR
Structure, Mar 19, 2015
DRIVER BACK DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT BUT THE DEALER WON'T FIX THE HANDLE. THE BACKDOOR IS NOT EVEN USED MUCH. *TR
Structure, Mar 13, 2015
THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH WAS SENT TO HYUNDAI TO REQUEST THEY FIX THIS DEFECT. THEY RESPONDED WITH A WORDY BUT POLITE "WE'RE SORRY, BUT YOUR VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY". WE HAVE A 2010 SONATA. ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF WHILE OPENING THE DOOR. WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE COST WAS ABOUT $70. THREE WEEKS AGO (APPROX. 1/15/2015), THE DRIVER SIDE REAR HANDLE FELL OFF. TEN DAYS AGO (APPROX 1/27/2015) THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF. THE DEALER WANTS $150 EACH TO REPAIR THEM. I CAN UNDERSTAND ONE HANDLE BREAKING, BUT NOT (ON A CAR LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD) THREE OF THE FOUR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN. I CONSIDER THIS A DEFECT. I HAVE RESEARCHED YOUR SITE AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY MATCHING COMPLAINTS. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS, BUT NORMAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE - ALL OF WHICH WE HAVE REPAIRED AT OUR OWN EXPENSE WITHOUT COMPLAINT. HOWEVER, THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE IS SO EGREGIOUS THAT WE FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR
Structure, Mar 11, 2015
ON FEBRUARY 26TH 2015, I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR TO FIND THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAD FALLEN OFF. THIS IS THE SECOND DOOR HANDLE THAT HAS FALLEN OFF ON MY 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE FIRST TIME WAS THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE ON OR AROUND 12/23/2011 AT 30,125 MILES. ALTHOUGH THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND A PROBLEM THAT CAN BE FOUND THROUGH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS, HYUNDAI HAS NOT RECALLED THEIR DOOR HANDLES. THIS PRESENTS OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS AND DESPITE NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS, HYUNDAI CLAIMS THAT IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL NOT BE COVERED. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE HANDLES FALLING OFF OF CARS FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND HYUNDAI SHOULD RECTIFY THIS SITUATION IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Structure, Mar 3, 2015
AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE STATED ONLINE, THE DOOR HANDLES FALLING OFF ARE A COMMON OCCURRENCE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO HANDLES ON MY CAR ALREADY, FIRST MY REAR DRIVERS SIDE AND NOW THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE COMMONALITY OF THIS PROBLEM CLEARLY INDICATES A MAJOR ENGINEERING ISSUE ON THE BEHALF OF THE MANUFACTURER AND CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS FOR A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. EACH HANDLE HAS COST ME JUST UNDER $65 TO REPLACE. *TR
Structure, Mar 1, 2015
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THREE (3) BROKEN OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE BREAKING THE SAME WAY FROM STRESS FRACTURE WHERE THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE CONTACTS THE METAL LATCH. IT APPEARS THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE IS TOO BRITTLE FOR INTENDED USE. THE BROKEN DOOR HANDLES WERE REPLACED AS FOLLOWS: -REAR RIGHT SIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED JAN 16, 2012 -REAR LEFT SIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED DEC 21, 2013 -DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE REPLACED DEC 1, 2014 I CONTACTED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY DO NOT APPEAR TO BE CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND ARE TREATING THIS AS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. A BROKEN DOOR HANDLE FAILS HAWAII STATE SAFETY INSPECTION AS THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. HAWAII IS NOT SUBJECT TO EXTREME TEMPERATURE CHANGES. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AS I EXPERIENCED DOOR HANDLE FAILURE AS SOON AS 2 YEARS OF USE WITH THE LEAST USED DOOR HANDLES, REAR PASSENGER DOORS BREAKING BEFORE THE MOST USED DRIVER?S DOOR HANDLE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS SAME FAILURES REPORTED ON THE INTERNET. MY HYUNDAI DEALER NOW HAS THESE DOOR HANDLES IN STOCK (USED TO HAVE TO ORDER THEM IN) AND TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE OF MY MODEL SONATA AND TO REPORT MY CONCERNS TO HYUNDAI USA, WHICH I DID TO NO AVAIL. MAYBE THEY WILL LISTEN TO THE NHTSA. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. *TR
Structure, Feb 24, 2015
AS I WAS TRYING TO GET INTO MY CAR AT 7:20 AM ON 02/24/15 THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE JUST FELL OFF THE DOOR. THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW ZERO AND IT WAS A SURPRISE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN TO A 5 YEAR OLD CAR!!!! I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL OR PROBLEM THEY KNOW OF REGARDING THE DOOR BUT TURNED WITH NOTHING. THEN SEARCHED ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANYONE ELSE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND TO MY SURPRISE THEY ARE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAD SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN SEVERAL STATES AS WELL A YOUTUBE VIDEO OF AN INDIVIDUAL LOST 3 HANDLES IN CALIFORNIA FOR A NEWER MODEL SONATA!!!!!! CALLED THE HYUNDAI WARRANTY BUT HAD TO LEAVE A MESSAGE!!!!! *JS
Structure, Feb 18, 2015
OUTSIDE DRIVER DOOR HANDLE BROKE AND DETACHED. *TR
Structure, Feb 15, 2015
OPENED REAR LEFT DOOR AND HANDLE CAME OFF. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Feb 9, 2015
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS THREE TIMES. REPLACED ROTORS FRONT AND REAR. REPLACED CALIPERS ON REAR AND REPAIRED THE FRONTS. 87000 HIGHWAY MILES. TRANSMISSION HARD SHIFT FROM NEW. DEALER STATES THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANY TROUBLE LIKE THIS. *TR
Structure, Jan 20, 2015
OUTSIDE REAR DRIVER DOOR HANDLE COMES OFF FOR NO REASON IT JUST BROKE OFF AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE . THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. IN THE EVENT OFF AN ACCIDENT THIS COULD POSE GREAT DANGER TO ANYBODY TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. IF THE DOOR HANDLE BRAKES WITH CHILD LOOK DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED. *TR
Structure, Jan 13, 2015
THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF AS I OPENED THE DOOR. SINCE THEN, THREE OTHER HANDLES HAVE FALLEN OFF, THE RIGHT REAR AND THE LEFT REAR. *TR
Structure, Jan 8, 2015
ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. THERE WAS NO EXTREME USAGE OR FORCE AND NO REASON THAT THE HANDLE SHOULD HAVE BROKEN. YESTERDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK DOOR HANDLE. AGAIN THERE WAS NO EXTREME FORCE AND I RARELY EVEN CARRY PASSENGERS IN MY BACK SEAT. *TR
Structure, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Jan 5, 2015
THE DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED AND BROKE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN MY DOOR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS APPROX. 8 MONTHS AGO; WHEN THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE DID THE SAME THING. *TR
Structure, Jan 3, 2015
REAR PASSENGER EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF WHEN PASSENGER SHUT THE DOOR AFTER EXITING THE CAR. IT APPEARS THE LATCH (CLOSEST TO THE KEY AREA ) IS SEVERED. *TR
Structure, Jan 2, 2015
THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF IN MY HANDS. NO FORCE WAS USED AND NO NOISE WAS MADE (IE: CRACKING OR AND OTHER PIECES WERE SEEN THAT FELL OFF OTHER THEN THE HANDLE ITSELF). THIS DOOR AND THE REAR DOORS ARE VERY RARELY USED, I HAVE NO KIDS AND AM THE ONLY 1 THAT USES THIS CAR AND VERY RARELY HAVE ANY PASSENGERS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS THE ONE I OPEN REGULARLY. I CALLED HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHERE I GOT THE CAR AND THEY CLAIM THERE ARE NO RECALLS ARE ON THIS DESPITE KNOWING OF OTHER'S WHO HAD MULTIPLE DOORS BREAK IN A SIMILAR FASHION AND SEEING MANY OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS REPORTED ON NHTSA SITE. THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE EITHER OR RECORD THE INFORMATION OF THIS ISSUE. IN CHECKING HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP'S ARE CHARGING BETWEEN $200 TO $300 TO REPAIR THE DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF SOMEONE CANNOT GET INTO THE CAR TO RESCUE SOMEONE OR IF THEY ARE TRYING TO RETRIEVE A CHILD. IN READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I HOPE MY OTHER 3 DON'T BREAK NOW AND I'M ON THE HOOK TO REPAIR THOSE OUT-OF-POCKET TO. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY SHODDY WORKMANSHIP. IN ALL MY YEARS/MULTIPLE CARS I NEVER HAD A CAR DOOR HANDLE BREAK. ITS VERY CHEAP PLASTIC. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Dec 19, 2014
THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) TURNS OFF RANDOMLY BY ITS SELF WHILE THE CAR ENGINE IS ON. PRESSING THE ESC BUTTON TO TURN ESC BACK ON DOES NOT WORK. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND THEN TURNING IT BACK ON SOMETIMES TAKES CARE OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE ESC IS OFF, THE BREAKING SYSTEM IS SEVERELY AFFECTED WHERE EVEN WITH A RELATIVELY LIGHT PRESS ON THE BRAKES CAN RESULT IN THE LOCKING OF THE TIRES. *TR