2010 Hyundai Sonata Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2010 Hyundai Sonata. Part of Generation 5 (NF) — 2006–2010.

20092011
Complaints
415
per 10K Sold
21.1
US Sales
196,623
Crashes
23
Fires
5
Injuries
20
Fatalities
2
Recalls
2

Worst 2010 Hyundai Sonata Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1135 complaints

Body Structure

Avg mileage:79,650 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#229 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:71,041 mi
Fires:2
#328 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:63,200 mi
Crash-related:3
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2010 Hyundai Sonata.

Body Structure
135
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
79,650
Engine Problems
29
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
71,041
Brakes
28
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
63,200
Structure:Body:Door
28
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
116,484
Airbags
18
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
Avg Miles
64,484
Transmission / Drivetrain
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
72,334
Electrical Faults
16
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
55,285
Steering Defects
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
66,515
Electronic Stability Control
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
239,439
Fuel System
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
90,400
Unintended Acceleration
11
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
56,554
Headlight/Taillight Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
16,868
Suspension Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
73,333
Latches / Locks
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
71,226
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
72,845
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Air
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Child Seat
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2010 Hyundai Sonata. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2010 Hyundai Sonata

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,076,838 vehicles.

13V354000Suspension:rear
~364,502 affected

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.

13V113000Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
~1,712,336 affected

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.

Other Hyundai Sonata Years

2010 Hyundai Sonata — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2010 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2010 Hyundai Sonata has 415 NHTSA complaints, 23 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Body Structure with 135 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2010 Hyundai Sonata?
Top reported problems: Body Structure (135 complaints, avg 79,650 mi); Engine Problems (29 complaints, avg 71,041 mi); Brakes (28 complaints, avg 63,200 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2010 Hyundai Sonata?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 81,257 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2010 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA complaints for the 2010 Hyundai Sonata include 23 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 20 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2010 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,076,838 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2010 Hyundai Sonata?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Hyundai Sonata reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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