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.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 16, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THREE VEHICLES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO COME TO A STOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 12, 2014
THE ESC LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON AND OF AND THE ESC BUTTON DOES NOT DO ANYTHING. *TR
Structure, Dec 10, 2014
I HAVE HAD 3 SEPARATE OCCURRENCES WHERE THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES HAVE COME OFF WHILE OPENING THE DOORS. I FIXED TWO OF THEM AT MY OWN COST AND NOW HAVE TO REPAIR A 3RD. I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI ABOUT A RECALL AND THEY SAY THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ENOUGH INCIDENCES OF THIS TO RECALL IT. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB AND HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS. I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI AGAIN AND THEY SENT ME A FORM LETTER RESPONSE THAT THEY ARE NOT AT FAULT. I AM AMAZED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE DOOR HANDLES. IF YOU SEARCH YOUR DATA BASE OF COMPLAINTS, I AM SURE YOU WILL AGREE. THERE RESPONSE: DEAR [XXX]: THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA. WE ARE SORRY TO LEARN OF YOUR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE HANDLES ON YOUR 2010 SONATA. YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR PRIORITY AND WE APPRECIATE THAT YOU TOOK THE TIME TO SHARE YOUR COMMENTS WITH US. WE TRY TO DESIGN AND EQUIP ALL OF OUR MODELS WITH MATERIALS AND FEATURES THAT WILL APPEAL TO OUR CURRENT AND POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS. SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT ARE EVALUATED DURING VEHICLE DESIGN AND PRODUCTIONS INCLUDE DEMAND, SAFETY, DURABILITY, EFFICIENCY, COMFORT, CONVENIENCE AND AESTHETICS. WE ARE SOMETIMES UNABLE TO PRODUCE AN AUTOMOBILE WITH THE FEATURES AND MATERIAL THAT WILL SATISFY OR APPEAL TO ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS MY RESPONSE BACK YOUR COMMENTS ARE HOLLOW AND WITHOUT ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO THE QUALITY OF YOUR PARTS. "WE ARE SOMETIMES UNABLE TO PRODUCE AN AUTOMOBILE WITH THE FEATURES AND MATERIAL THAT WILL SATISFY OR APPEAL TO ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS" I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THE DOOR HANDLES FALLING OFF OF A CAR IS A "FEATURE". IS THAT A STANDARD FEATURE OR AN UPGRADE? I AM SORRY BUT I WILL BE FORCED TO COMMUNICATE MY DISSATISFACTION TO ALL THAT WILL LISTEN. YOU OFFER NO VALUE WITH YOUR WORDS AND NO HELP WITH THE COST OF REPAIR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Dec 4, 2014
IN NOVEMBER 2012, HYUNDAI OF AUBURN REPLACED MY DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR HANDLE AFTER IT HAD COME OFF. IN NOVEMBER 2014, CAPITOL HYUNDAI (MONTGOMERY) REPLACED MY PASSENGER'S FRONT SIDE DOOR HANDLE AFTER IT HAD COME OFF. IN EACH INSTANCE, THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE ME WITH PAPERWORK DOCUMENTING THAT THE WORK HAD BEEN DONE. *TR
Structure, Dec 2, 2014
THE DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR. *JS
Power train, Nov 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 22 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED HEAVILY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Structure, Nov 19, 2014
DOOR HANDLE (EXTERIOR-FRONT PASSENGER) BROKEN LINKAGE; WON'T OPEN DOOR. THIS IS THE SECOND HANDLE THAT HAS FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE LINKAGE. *TR
Structure, Nov 18, 2014
REAR DRIVE SIDE DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF. THE DOOR WAS NOT BEING OPENED, IT JUST FELL OFF ON TO GARAGE FLOOR. WE HAVE NO KIDS AND THIS DOOR GETS USED ONLY OCCASIONALLY. THE FAILURE IS IN THE AREA OF THE PART THAT HAS AN EXTENDED HOOK WHICH PULLS THE INTERNAL DOOR LATCH TO RELEASE THE DOOR LOCK. THE POINT OF FAILURE IS A CLEAN SHEARED SURFACE APPROXIMATELY HALF WAY ALONG THIS EXTENDED HOOD FEATURE. MICROSCOPIC EXAM OF THE FAILURE INTERFACE INDICATES APPROXIMATELY 50% WELD/KNIT LINES OBSERVED OVER THE CROSS-SECTION. STRONG POSSIBILITY THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT RELATED TO INJECTION MOLDING. DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE WITHOUT USING SOME TOOL WORK AROUND AND DEPENDING ON THE CONDITIONS THIS CAN RESULT IN A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Structure, Nov 18, 2014
WENT TO OPEN DOOR AND HANDLE CAME OFF IN MY HAND. I DIDN'T EVEN PULL VERY HARD AND DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING CRACK OR BREAK. *TR
Structure, Nov 4, 2014
DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF UPON OPENING IT....DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER FELL OFF 3 WEEKS AGO AND THAT DOOR GETS OPENED MAYBE ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK.. *TR
Structure, Nov 3, 2014
I AM THE ONLY DRIVER OF A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. I RARELY USE ANY OF THE DOORS EXCEPT THE DRIVER DOOR. I RECENTLY WENT TO OPEN THE BACK DOOR, DRIVER SIDE AND THE DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF IN MY HAND. IT SEEMS THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. *TR
Structure, Oct 31, 2014
I WENT TO OPEN MY LEFT REAR DOOR AND THE HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. I DO NOT EVEN USE THIS DOOR ON A REGULAR BASIS AND I CAN BARELY LIFT A 10 POUND WEIGHT SO I KNOW I WAS NOT EXERTING EXTREME FORCE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF SOMEONE WAS TRAPPED INSIDE OF THE CAR SOMEONE ON THE OUTSIDE COULD NOT HELP THEM OUT. IT IS $150+ TO HAVE EACH DOOR HANDLE REPLACED. MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH MULTIPLE DOOR HANDLES BREAKING SO NOW I'M JUST SITTING HERE WAITING FOR ANOTHER ONE TO BREAK. *TR
Air bags, Oct 28, 2014
PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR ON DASHBOARD REMAINS "OFF" (AIR BAG DEACTIVATED) EVEN DURING DRIVING. THEREFORE, AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. *TR
Structure, Oct 28, 2014
EACH DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN OFF AT LEAST ONCE, AND TWO HAVE BROKEN OFF TWICE. ONCE IT OCCURED AT A SHOPPING MALL WHERE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT A MAN LURKING NEARBY MY CAR AND COULDN'T GET INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO PROTECT MYSELF. *TR
Structure, Oct 20, 2014
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES OF CONTINUALLY BROKEN DOOR HANDLES FOR MY 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THREE OF THE FOUR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN SINCE 2012 AND ONE HAS BROKEN TWICE. *TR TO DATE I HAVE VISITED TWO DEALERSHIPS AT 8 TIMES IN TOTAL FOR THESE HANDLES BREAKING. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS THAT THERE IS A PLASTIC PIECE INSIDE THE HANDLE AS WELL AS END CAP THAT KEEPS BREAKING. INVOICES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
Service brakes, Oct 18, 2014
CALIPER LOCKED UP ON DRIVER SIDE REAR CAUSING ROTOR AND PADS TO EXPERIENCE SEVERE DAMAGE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. PREVIOUS INCIDENT WAS REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES IN MARCH 2013 IN WHICH ALL REAR BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND THAT CALIPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS INCIDENT ALSO CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR ON FRONT BRAKES AND THOSE NEEDED REPLACEMENT MONTHS LATER. DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY MILEAGE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES BECAME FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,526.
Structure, Oct 2, 2014
THE DRIVER SIDE FROM DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 19, 2014
WHEN SPEEDING UP OR SLOWING DOWN THE ESC LIGHT CAN COME ON. CAR APPEARS TO HAVE TROUBLE CHANGING GEARS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. WHEN THE ISSUE OCCURS AFTER STOPPING OR YIELDING THEN THE CAR CAN GO INTO A JOLTING BACK AND FORTH MOTION FOR A FEW SECONDS UP UNTO ABOUT 30 SECONDS BEFORE IT SMOOTHS OUT. ALSO, SOME TIMES, THE CAR IS UNRESPONSIVE FOR A FEW SECONDS UP UNTO 30 SECONDS BEFORE IT WILL RESPOND TO THE GAS PEDAL BEING PUSHED. STOPPING THE CAR AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE APPEARS TO CLEAR THE ESC LIGHT, BUT IT CAN COME BACK ON RANDOMLY AT ANOTHER SPEEDING UP OR SLOWING DOWN. DEALER APPEARS TO HAVE NO ANSWER AFTER 5 DAYS IN THEIR SERVICE SHOP. *TR
Structure, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 18, 2014
I HAVE HAD MY 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA SINCE 2011. WHEN I HAD 60 THOUSAND MILES ON THE CAR IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY SO I HAD 2 DOOR HANDLES THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THEM BRAKING OFF IN THE SAME AREA. THEY REPLACED THEM FREE FOR ME BUT NOW I HAVE ANOTHER HANDLE THAT IS BROKEN OFF. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THEM BREAKING IF SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY I WAS NEVER SENT ANY INFORMATION ON THAT. WHEN I TALK WITH THE PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP ONE DEALER TELLS ME THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE 2010 SONATA DOOR HANDLES, BUT ANOTHER DEALERS SAYS THAT THEY HAVEN'T. WHAT IS THE TRUTH. THEY BREAK OFF IN THE SAME AREA AND THIS TIME I AM NOT UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $310.00 TO REPLACE THE HANDLE. THAT IS SO OUTRAGEOUS. ALSO THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER'S INSIDE POP AND YOU HAVE TO ROLL DOWN WINDOW AND OUT FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE DECIDED THAT I WILL BE SELLING THIS CAR AND WILL NOT BUY A HYUNDAI AGAIN AND WILL NOT ADVISE ANYONE ELSE TOO. TO ME THESE ARE EASY FIXES THAT THE DEALERS ARE CHARGING YOU OUTRAGEOUS PRICES FOR. *TR
Structure, Sep 11, 2014
THE DOOR HANDLES ON MY VEHICLE HAVE BROKEN WITHOUT BEING EXCESSIVELY USED. MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHILE MY MOTHER WAS GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. 3 MONTHS AGO I OPENED THE BACK DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO PUT IN GROCERIES AND THE HANDLE BROKE. I AM THE SOLE USER OF THE VEHICLE AND I RARELY HAVE PASSENGERS IN MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES $200 TO REPAIR IT EACH TIME. I HAVE RESEARCHED OTHER FORUMS AND OTHERS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE TO GO AROUND TO THE OTHER SIDE OF MY CAR TO PUT STUFF IN OR TAKE STUFF OUT AND IN MANY CASES I AM IN PARKING LOTS WHERE THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS. SOMEONE COULD EASILY PUSH ME OUT AND/OR IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAVE PASSENGERS, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET OUT THROUGH THAT DOOR SINCE IT WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE NOR THE INSIDE. THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS. *TR
Structure, Service brakes, Sep 7, 2014
SOMETIME W/IN THE PAST 2 YEARS, I CHECKED YOUR WEBSITE FOR "ANY" MECHANICAL COMPLAINTS THAT HAD BEEN FILED ABOUT THE 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS. THERE WERE 44 (FILED NATIONALLY) FOR BROKEN DOOR HANDLES AND STICKING BRAKE CALIPERS. WELL, YESTERDAY (9-6-2014) AS I WAS ENTERING MY VEHICLE IN THE AFTERNOON, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE "BROKE COMPLETELY OFF." I'M RETIRED, SINGLE AND VERY RARELY HAVE PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE, THEREBY LITTLE USE OF THE OTHER DOOR HANDLES......JUST 4 YEARS OF USING MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. I'M ELDERLY, NOT AGGRESSIVE OR ROUGH ON EQUIPMENT, NOR IN A HURRY. IT WAS JUST A NORMAL PULL ON MY DOOR HANDLE AND IT SNAPPED COMPLETELY OFF. I'VE EVEN BEEN MORE CAUTIOUS ABOUT OPENING MY DOOR SINCE I READ ABOUT PRIOR COMPLAINTS IN THE PAST ON YOUR WEBSITE. WELL, I JUST THOUGHT I'D ADD MY "TWO CENTS" SINCE DOORS HANDLES SEEM TO BE ONE OF TWO COMMON PROBLEMS W/ MY MODEL. OVERALL, WHEN I LAST CHECKED YOUR WEBSITE AND SAW ONLY 44 COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2010 MODEL, I WAS IMPRESSED......BUT NEVER EXPECTED IT TO EVER HAPPEN TO ME. BAD LUCK I GUESS. HOPE THE DEALERSHIP HONORS THE WARRANTY WHEN I CALL THEM TOMORROW. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND REALLY LIKE IT. IT HAS PERFORMED WELL AND I'M VERY PROACTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO MAINTENANCE. *TR
Structure, Sep 5, 2014
ON VACATION, MY HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND THE HANDLE FELL OFF IN HIS HAND. I TOOK THE PLASTIC HANDLE AND INSIDE PLASTIC PARTS TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR. WAS TOLD THAT THE HANDLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY AND THE COST TO REPLACE WAS $238.00. READING THE OTHER INCIDENTS REPORTED TO NHTSA, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY HYUNDAI. I HAVE HAD MANY CARS WITH PLASTIC HANDLES, NONE OF WHICH HAVE FALLEN OFF IN MY HAND IN 45 YEARS OF DRIVING! I AM CONCERNED THAT HAVING HYUNDAI REPLACE THE HANDLE WITH THE SAME PARTS WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED ONLY TO BREAK AGAIN...OR OTHER HANDLES WILL COME OFF. THIS IS NOT ONLY AN EXTREME INCONVENIENCE BUT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SAFETY HAZARD AS ANYONE STUCK IN A HYUNDAI SONATA IS NOT ACCESSIBLE WITH THAT DOOR IN CASE OF ACCIDENT, FIRE ETC.
Structure, Sep 2, 2014
DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF IN HAND. IN AUGUST 2014, PASSENGER FRONT DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF. NO EXCESSIVE FORCE USED IN EITHER INCIDENT. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 21, 2014
ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF. MY CAR WONT SPEED UP ON THE FREEWAY WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING AND HAS ALMOST PUT US IN 2 ACCIDENTS. MY ESC OFF LIGHT TURNS ON BY ITSELF AND CAUSES THE CAR TO SLOW WHILE IM DRIVING OR EVEN PEEL OUT IN PARKING LOTS. I FOLLOW POSTED SPEED SIGNS, BUT THIS SWITCH TURNING ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN WITH MY TWO VERY YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS AND EVEN MORE SCARY. *TR