2010 Hyundai Sonata: common problems

Owners of the 2010 Hyundai Sonata filed 345 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 345
involving a crash: 19

What fails most often

1 Structure 48% of all complaints
2 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
3 Engine 8% of all complaints
4 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
5 Air bags 6% of all complaints
6 Electrical system 5% of all complaints
7 Steering 4% of all complaints
8 Electronic stability control 4% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Structure: 164 complaints (48% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Service brakes: 30 complaints (9% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engine: 29 complaints (8% of all).
Powertrain: 21 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Air bags: 20 complaints (6% of all), 10 of them with a crash reported by the owner.

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
automatic, 5-speed
manual, 5-speednamed in 2 complaints

Drive: FWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 345 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

door locks, latches, handles170 · 49%
warning lights, check engine22 · 6%
windows, sunroof12 · 3%
won't start11 · 3%
jerking, harsh shifts10 · 3%
knocking, grinding or other noise10 · 3%
smoke, burning smell, fire10 · 3%
stalls while driving10 · 3%
airbags did not deploy7 · 2%
steering or power steering problems5 · 1%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Structure	164	1
Service brakes	30	4
Engine	29	0
Powertrain	21	1
Air bags	20	10
Electrical system	16	0
Steering	15	0
Electronic stability control	13	0
Fuel/propulsion system	11	0
Latches, locks, linkages	11	0
Vehicle speed control	11	5
Exterior lighting	10	0
Suspension	8	0
Tires	5	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

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).
Air bags · crash · 2019-02-13 · NHTSA complaint #11179917
The front driver side air bag failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the legs, knees, lower back, and shoulders that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 39,000.
Service brakes · crash · 2015-11-04 · NHTSA complaint #10788391
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.
Vehicle speed control · crash · 2014-12-16 · NHTSA complaint #10664604
The contact stated that while driving 5 mph and exiting an alleyway, another vehicle crashed into the front driver's side and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained neck, head and wrist injuries. Also, the contact mentioned that the other driver sustained unknown injuries.
Air bags · crash · 2014-03-26 · NHTSA complaint #10574978
I then looked at the traffic around me and had to fix my seat belt which tightened too much, taking my eyes off the road a moment. When I looked up the car in front of me was at a dead stop, and I was still traveling at 47mph!
Vehicle speed control · crash · 2013-10-08 · NHTSA complaint #10547233
The contact crashed into a building and the air bags did not deploy. The contact was not taken to the hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the failure was unable to be replicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed.
Air bags · crash · 2013-08-08 · NHTSA complaint #10534281
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 warranty. What does high mileage have to do with door handles.
Structure · crash · 2013-06-05 · NHTSA complaint #10515386
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 traffic signal, I was able to immediately turn left.
Vehicle speed control · crash · 2010-08-25 · NHTSA complaint #10351647

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

201019
201110
20124
201347
201466
201545
201643
201727
201823
201924
202016
20214
20224
20235
20243
20255

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 1,170 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 3% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Sonata has 403 complaints (40 years in the data). This year has 345, about average.

What to check before buying

Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Hyundai Sonata?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, service brakes, engine. Total complaints: 345. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: door locks, latches, handles (49%), warning lights, check engine (6%), windows, sunroof (3%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2010 Hyundai Sonata?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2010 Hyundai Sonata from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2010 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.