2010 HYUNDAI SONATA

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    door latch and hinge

    88 unsafe, 61 broken, 1 annoyance

    150
    incidents
    Typical range: 49,500–89,000 mi

    Median 68,000 mi, based on 161 reports (15% had no usable mileage)

    • "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…"~13,000 mi, complaint #1205856
    • "WHEN OPENING THE PASSENGER DOOR, THE DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF IN MY HAND. SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. HYUNDAI REPLACED IT UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT WHAT HAPPENS THEN? IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, EMERGENCY PERSONNEL MAY HAVE TO EVACUATE SOMEONE FROM…"~46,000 mi, complaint #1079102
    • "THE SECOND EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF. *TR"~65,000 mi, complaint #1010393
    • "ONE BY ONE ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF. IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS DOORS ARE UNSECURED."~89,000 mi, complaint #1441743
    • "DOOR HANDLES ARE BREAKING OFF ON THE BACK DOORS AND THE FRONT HANDLES ARE ON THE WAY OUT. *TR"~950,000 mi, complaint #1065141
  2. #2

    airbag system

    17 unsafe

    17
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 76,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AN HOUR AT THE TIME AND THE AMOUNT OFF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT EN…"~6,870 mi, complaint #813291
    • "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 KN…"~15,000 mi, complaint #854094
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD FRACTURED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL CAUSING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG TO BE EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…"~76,537 mi, complaint #1235165
    • "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…"~100,338 mi, complaint #1572748
    • "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…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1605824
  3. #3

    brake pads and rotors

    12 unsafe, 2 broken

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=15, median 64,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE PADS ON MY 2010 SONATA AT 16,794 MILES ON BOTH SIDES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR PADS AND ROTORS ON BOTH SIDES AT 23,156 MILES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LINE, PAD, ROTOR AND CALIPER AT 25,854 MILES. THERE HAS BEEN…"~16,794 mi, complaint #1001355
    • "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 READ…"~52,000 mi, complaint #968548
    • "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…"~64,000 mi, complaint #998482
    • "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 CALIPE…"~73,500 mi, complaint #1121562
    • "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"~87,357 mi, complaint #1155818
  4. #4

    stability and traction control

    13 unsafe

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=20, median 72,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. 9 MONTHS OLD, HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE CENTER 5 DIFFERENT TIMES. 2 TIMES FOR SENSOR REPLACEMENT. THE LAST 3 TIMES, DRIVING AT A NORMAL ACCELERATE PACE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND VEHICLE LOSES POWER. ON ONE OF…"~22,000 mi, complaint #826105
    • "THE ESC TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT NORMAL SPEED. I CANNOT TURN IT ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT BACK ON THEN I CAN WORK THE SWITCH FOR ESC TO TURN ON AND OFF, BUT AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN A MILE, ESC WILL AUTOMATICALLY TURN OF…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1219275
    • "IHAD MY 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA FOR A RECALL,BRAKE SENSOR RECALL. THE DAY IT WAS DONE THE ESC WENT ON 3 TIMES, WHICH EFFECTS BRAKES AND ESC. ON BRAKES INENUMEROUS ATTEMPTES AT HYUNDAI HAE PRODUCED NOTHING GOOD. DID THEY INSTALL A BAD BRAKE SENSOR? THEY DIDNT CHE…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1251541
    • "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."~120,000 mi, complaint #1657939
    • "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…"~1,300,000 mi, complaint #1555687
  5. #5

    engine internal

    3 stranded, 5 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEED IMMEDIATELY DECREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND CALLED THE DEALER'S HOTLINE FOR A TOW TRUCK. WHILE…"~34,795 mi, complaint #1263737
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED RANDOMLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE RANDOMLY…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1255462
    • "CAR HAS ONLY 77,000 MILES AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED. ON AUGUST 27, I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR LATE AFTERNOON, PARKED. LATER AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS WHEN I WENT TO START IT, IT WOULD NOT START, JUMP START DID NOT WORK. MECHANIC REPLACED THE STARTER AND STILL WOULD NOT…"~77,000 mi, complaint #1689760
    • "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."~110,000 mi, complaint #1529734
    • "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…"~163,500 mi, complaint #1590354
  6. #6

    engine stall or no start

    5 stranded, 4 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=18, median 55,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HAD EXHIBITED STALLING FAILURES. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE TE…"~16,500 mi, complaint #1022679
    • "AS I WAS DRIVING TO MAKE A TURN THE CAR SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. IT HAS HAPPENED TWO OTHER TIMES SINE THIS FIRST INCIDENT. CAR SHUT DOWN AS I WAS GOING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CRANKING OF THE IGNITION IS ALSO A PROBLEM. I FIRST REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER I…"~27,000 mi, complaint #1054228
    • "DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND CAR STALL ON FREEWAY DOING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC CAR DIED COULD NOT MOVE GEAR SELECTOR FONDLING WITH KEY BEFORE IT STARTED WAS FOLLOWED BY A POLICE UNTIL OUT OF DANGER, HAD IT TESTED AT FIRESTONE AUTO REPAIR NO ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND"~32,000 mi, complaint #1372952
    • "ENGINE FAILED WOULD NOT START IN LESS THAN 55200 MILES"~55,200 mi, complaint #1452366
    • "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 W…"~126,454 mi, complaint #1679668
  7. #7

    transmission automatic

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 88,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "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 CHA…"~500 mi, complaint #877071
    • "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…"~30,000 mi, complaint #867119
    • "WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD AND I DECELERATE DOWN THRU 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS ABRUPTLY CAUSING A JERKING MOTION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY AN AUTO MECHANIC WHO RESEARCHED IT THAT THERE WAS AN ACTUAL RECALL BY HYUNDAI FOR THIS ISSUE. HE SAID THE PROBLEM WAS…"~88,203 mi, complaint #1047515
    • "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 CONTA…"~90,640 mi, complaint #929313
    • "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…"~135,000 mi, complaint #1684321
  8. #8

    brake hydraulics

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "MY CAR HAS ACCELERATED AT LEAST 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR BOLTS FORWARD AND KEEP GOING. IT IS A INTERMIT PROBLEM AND LAST TIME I ALMOST GOT SERIOUSLY HURT. THE CAR WON'T STOP WHEN YOU HIT THE BRAKES. IT HAPPENS DR…"~19,000 mi, complaint #1357883
    • "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"~60,000 mi, complaint #966613
    • "THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE BURNED UP THREE TIMES NOW HAD THE CALIPERS CHANGED TWO TIMES ON RIGHT SIDE ONCE ON LEFT SIDE IN 90000 MILES THERE MUST BE A PROBLEM IN SYSTEM THAT'S INTERMENT I HAVE A NON CONTACT INFRARED THERMOMETER IN MY CAR THAT I CK TEMPS OF BRAKES W…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1413636
    • "WHEN MY CAR IS BEING SITTING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME LIKE MORE THAN TWO HOURS AND WHEN I START DRIVING AND I HAVE TO BREAK OR REDUCE SPEED FEELS KIND OF ROUGH OR HARD TO BREAK BUT AFTER A WHILE DRIVING START BRAKING LIKE NORMAL I THINK IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAU…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1243966
    • "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"~105,000 mi, complaint #912442
  9. #9

    starter

    7 stranded, 1 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "CAME OUT TO WORK PARKING LOT. CAR WOULD NOT START. BATTERY WAS FAILING, NOT DEAD. REPLACED BATTERY [WITH DURALAST BATTERY (AUTOZONE - 09/19/2013) - $115]; DID NOT RESOLVE ISSUE. STARTER WAS TESTED AND HAD FAILED. REPLACED THE STARTER [WITH DURALAST STARTER (AU…"~55,122 mi, complaint #1011311
    • "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 S…"~68,000 mi, complaint #978436
    • "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 PLASTI…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1199470
    • "I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AFTER A JUMP WOULDN'T WORK. I BOUGHT THE CAR A YEAR AND A HALF AGO AND WHEN THE DRIVER TESTED THE BATTERY, IT WASN'T DEAD BUT IT WASN'T GREAT. I REPLACED THE BATTERY ($95 AT WALMART) A…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1022073
    • "WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY OVER EVERYTHING COMES ON AND EVERYTHING WORKS EXCEPT THE STARTER. I HAVE REPLACED 3 STARTERS AND THE CAR DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 103,000 MILES ON IT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF OUTSIDE OF THE STORE. I CAME BACK OUT TURNED THE KEY AND NOTHING. I WAS S…"~103,000 mi, complaint #1332812
  10. #10

    other

    3 unsafe, 1 broken, 3 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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 WARR…"~15,000 mi, complaint #984229
    • "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"~95,000 mi, complaint #1166986
  11. #11

    lighting exterior

    4 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "MY 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS A LOW BEAM DEFECT THAT IS A DANGER TO DRIVE AT NIGHT , ESPECIALLY ON HILLY COUNTRY ROADS. THERE IS A BLACK BAND THAT ERASES THE FIELD OF VIEW FOR OBJECTS ON OR ALONGSIDE THE ROAD. BY THE TIME THE CAR HAD 5K MILES ON HER - SHE H…"~1,500 mi, complaint #824411
    • "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 FAILU…"~5,900 mi, complaint #884863
    • "I WAS SENT A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM HYUNDAI STATING THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONS. THIS HAPPENS TO ME CONTINUOUSLY. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP WHEN I WAS VACATIONING IN CHICAGO, AS I THOUGHT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR, AND THAT…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1026163
  12. #12

    alignment and pull

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY ALIGNMENT AND MY TIRES HAVE BEEN WEARING INCREDIBLY UNEVENLY. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I WAS ADVISED TO REALIGN AGAIN SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND MY TIRES CONTINUE TO BE DESTROYED AND MY CAR…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1306676
    • "The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was constantly pulling to the right. The contact had to steer to the left to keep the vehicle centered. The failure persisted even after wheel adjust…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1974852
  13. #13

    fuel pump

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "WHEN I PUMP GAS EVEN WHEN ON A EMPTY TANK , THE GAS WILL SPLASH BACK ALL OVER THE PLACE ALMOST LIKE ITS FULL BUT WHEN IT'S REALLY EMPTY , ALSO THE ESC WILL TURN OFF AND ON BY ITS SELF FROM TIME TO TIME , HAD TOO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AT 90,000 MILES , NOW I'M…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1267747
    • "I WAS TRAVELING ON THE BELTWAY DOING 65 MPH, I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL. I FELT I WAS LOSING SPEED. I NOTICE THE SPEEDOMETER DECELERATING DOWN TO 40MPH WHILE I WAS PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. I PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS CONCER…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1219970
    • "THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT ABOUT MY FUEL PUMP. WHICH WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR. AGAIN ON 8/2/16 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 495 SOUTH TOWARD RICHMOND VA . I WAS DRIVING 60MPH. WHEN MY CAR SHUT DOWN. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED TRYING TO MOVE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROA…"~148,000 mi, complaint #1307010
  14. #14

    power windows and locks

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE ON AN INCLINE. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF THE KEY WAS REMOVED WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER IN THE DRIVE POSITION. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED…"~3,500 mi, complaint #778030
    • "WINDOWS STOPPED GOING UP AND DOWN..CAN;T GET MY WINDOWS UP AND DOWN AT ALL.THEY ARE PRESENTLY IN THE UP POSITION BUT WILL NOT MOVE ..ICAN HERE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN IPUSH THE BUTTON TO GO UP AND DOWN BUT THE WINDOW WILL NOT MOVE,NOT ANY WINDOW. SAFETY HAZARD.…"~5,800 mi, complaint #1066372
    • "THE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM IS ERRATIC. IN ADDITION THE WINDOW UP AND DOWN MECHANISM WORKS INCONSISTENTLY. "~86,000 mi, complaint #1611544
  15. #15

    unintended acceleration

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 39,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS BACKING UP SLOWLY WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE GAS. I WAS ABOUT TO PUT IT INTO FORWARD GEAR WHEN IT SUDDENLY LURCHED BACKWARD. *TR"~859 mi, complaint #765034
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IT STARTED ACCELERATING WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE DRIVER SAID THE RPMS INCREASE TO ITS MAXIMUM CAPACITY EXCESSIVELY. HE SHIFTED THE…"~3,000 mi, complaint #806497
    • "AS I BACKED THE CAR FROM A PARKING SPACE AND STARTED FORWARD AND I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I WAS LUCKY THAT THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND I WAS ABLE TO REACH THE PARKING LOT EXIT SAFELY. I TURNED LEFT FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED YARDS AND REACHED A…"~7,000 mi, complaint #809413
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BUILDING AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLO…"~59,870 mi, complaint #1000354
  16. #16

    corrosion and rust

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE ORIGINAL BLACK STEEL WHEELS ON MY VEHICLE HAVE RUSTED. I AM SURPRISED THAT A VEHICLE WILL SUFFER RUST ON ITS WHEELS AFTER SO SHORT A PERIOD OF TIME. NO I DO NOT DRIVE ONTO OR NEAR A BEACH. MY CAR DID NOT SUFFER SEA WATER DAMAGE AS A…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1004381
    • "BODY HAS RUSTED THRU ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS ON MY CAR. BOTH REAR DOORS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BOTH FRONT DOORS RUSTED THRU AND WERE REPAIRED. NOW RUST HOLE DEVELOPED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN AREA OF HOOD HINGE. THIS IS A STRUCTURA…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1317044
  17. #17

    cruise control conventional

    2 unsafe, 1 broken

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN YOU SET THE CRUISE CONTROL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BEYOND THE NORMAL SPEED WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL AT 70 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH. THE DEALER STA…"~1,490 mi, complaint #816156
    • "CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH FAILED AT 4500 MILES DUE TO OPEN/SHORT IN SWITCH. PART WAS ORDERED AND INSTALLED. COVERED UNDER HYUNDAI'S WARRANTY. *TR"~4,500 mi, complaint #809453
    • "I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 47MPH, I WAS APPROACHING THE ROAD TO TURN RIGHT AND I TAPPED THE BRAKE TO KICK OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL AS I HAVE DONE BEFORE. I THEN LOOKED AT THE TRAFFIC AROUND ME AND HAD TO FIX MY SEAT BELT WHICH TIGHTENED TOO MUCH, TAKING MY…"~25,072 mi, complaint #1014542
  18. #18

    fuel tank and lines

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE GAS PUMP NOZZLE ALWAYS SWITCHES OFF WHEN I TRY TO GET GASOLINE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE SOMETIMES TO GET THE NUMBER OF GALLONS I NEED, REQUIRING A GUESS WHEN THE TANK WILL BE FULL BECAUSE THE TRIGGER WON'T STAY IN PLACE. OUR 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS PURCHASED…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1379282
    • "WHENEVER FILLING GAS, I WOULD USE A AUTOMATIC CUT-OFF IN FUEL DISPENSER LOCK. BUT THE LOCK IS ALWAYS RELEASED AFTER THE POINT OF RELEASE ALLOWING GAS TO OVERFILL AND WOULD CAUSE GAS TO SPREAD ON SIDE OF VEHICLE AS WELL AS ON THE FLOOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED REGARD…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1288792
    • "CARS FUEL TANK HAS RUSTED THRU CAUSING EMISSIONS FAILURES. REMEDY IS TO REPLACE FUEL TANK! $800-1200.00"~91,000 mi, complaint #1631527
  19. #19

    steering electric assist

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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 REC…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1561141
    • "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 WAN…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1568349
    • "GOING THROUGH A 2-3 INCH PUDDLE OF WATER VEHICLE STEERING LOCKED UP AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. NOW WHEN THERE IS ANY HEAVY RAIN THE CAR STEERING LOCKS UP. *TR"~88,000 mi, complaint #1088834
  20. #20

    tire failure

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "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…"~18,000 mi, complaint #872955
    • "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…"~23,000 mi, complaint #961331
    • "ON 12/30/2015, THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ON MY 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA WENT ON. I TOOK THE CAR ON 12/31/2015 TO DISCOUNT TIRE FOR THE TIRES TO BE CHECKED. THE TECH DISCOVERED THE SIDEWALLS ON ALL 4 TIRES WERE SEVERELY CRACKED. THE FRONT TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HA…"~33,000 mi, complaint #1252055
  21. #21

    evap system

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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 E…"complaint #1571273
    • "My car check engine light is on for a while.it’s yellow solid light seen on my car dashboard.I went repair center and he advice and changed my car vent valve and light goes out for some days and again appear. I change my car gas cap too but it didn’t work. I s…"complaint #1773790
  22. #22

    power steering hydraulic

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "MY 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON ME 2-TIMES IN LESS THAN 5-MINUTES TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING TODAY. I WAS ON MY WAY TO ENTER THE EXPRESSWAY. THE POWER STEERING AND EVERYTHING JUST SHUT DOWN. MY CAR JUST MADE A SUDDEN STOP. THANK GOD I HAD NOT ENT…"~53,215 mi, complaint #1022254
    • "DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN VEHICLE ENGINE DIED. RESTARTED VEHICLE AND IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I WAS NEAR HOME SO I WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME WHERE IT STAYED UNTIL I COULD GET IT TOWED TO A HYUNDAI DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED POWE…"~85,768 mi, complaint #1019127
  23. #23

    steering rack mechanical

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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 WITHO…"~6,800 mi, complaint #851889
  24. #24

    throttle and pedal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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…"~215,000 mi, complaint #1476995
  25. #25

    tpms

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE WE WERE SERVICING A CUSTOMER'S VEHICLE, THE TPMS SENSOR BROKE. AN AIR CHUCK WAS PLACED ON THE SENSOR AND IT BROKE. THIS RESULTED IN THE TIRE LOSING ALL AIR PRESSURE."~135,396 mi, complaint #1218120
  26. #26

    transmission manual clutch

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN MY 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS BEEN HAVING ABNORMAL ISSUES SINCE MY DATE OF PURCHASE. FIRST IT WAS JUST STALLING WHEN DISENGAGING THE CLUTCH FROM REVERSE AND FIRST GEAR; NOW IT IS PRIMARILY FROM FIRST GEAR. TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE FORWA…"~2,504 mi, complaint #775398
    • "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 CYLINDE…"~8,000 mi, complaint #901833
  27. #27

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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."~96,000 mi, complaint #1506758
  28. #28

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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 ISSU…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1133452
  29. #29

    battery and charging

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "the alternator failed and after being tested, had to be replaced."complaint #1900441
  30. #30

    engine oil consumption

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I purchased a 2010 Hyundai Sonata in February 2022 from the original owner. In July of this year, my engine failed due to the oil consumption defect found in many of Hyundai's engines produced at the Alabama factory. My oil and check engine light came on befo…"complaint #1921882
  31. #31

    fuel injector

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, SHE SMELLED A FUEL ODOR BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETECT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE ONE…"~3,500 mi, complaint #835163
  32. #32

    glass and windshield

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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…"complaint #857639
  33. #33

    paint and clearcoat

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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."~120,000 mi, complaint #1552847
  34. #34

    steering column

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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-[REDACTED ADDRESS], WAIPAHU, HI 96797, [REDACTED PHONE]) STATED THAT THE COUPLING N…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1542853
  35. #35

    sunroof

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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…"complaint #1650623
  36. #36

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHEN DRIVING OVER UNEVEN ROAD, POTHOLES, BUMPY ROADS, ETC., BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM, EMITS A RUMBLING, KNOCKING, LIKE A LOSE PART SOUND. ON THE HIGHWAY IT SOMETIMES CAR BECOMES UN-STABLE, AND LOSES CONTROL. CAR IS ONLY 21,000 MILES, SUSPENSION SEEMS LIKE…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1282560
  37. #37

    timing belt or chain

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…"~123,000 mi, complaint #1264343
  38. #38

    wiring harness

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Junction box failure. No functioning marker lights. "complaint #1827211

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for HYUNDAI SONATA directly.