MYRModel Year Report

2010 Hyundai Sonata

◆ Worse than typical
2010 Hyundai Sonata
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Hyundai Sonata Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2010 highlighted. 1987: 1 complaints 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1992 1993: 26 complaints 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 319 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2006: 1047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2007 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2010 2011: 3375 complaints 2012: 1556 complaints 2012 2013: 1904 complaints 2014: 743 complaints 2015: 1141 complaints 2016: 721 complaints 2017: 761 complaints 2017 2018: 369 complaints 2019: 159 complaints 2020: 174 complaints 2021: 129 complaints 2022: 91 complaints 2022 2023: 85 complaints 2024: 45 complaints 2025: 16 complaints 2026: 2 complaints 2026
2010: 345 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19871
19880
198911
199016
199129
199222
199326
19943
199568
199623
199749
199849
1999124
2000276
2001205
2002319
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113375
20121556
20131904
2014743
20151141
2016721
2017761
2018369
2019159
2020174
2021129
202291
202385
202445
202516
20262

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STRUCTURE 48%

48% of complaints: structure — 166 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and door.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130605

SERVICE BRAKES 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing air.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CAR HAD UNSOLICITED ACCELERATION WHEN BACKING UP. CAR WENT FLYING BACK IN FULL ACCELERATION. HIT RAILING/STAIRS.I PUT CAR IN PARK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180827

Also filed under VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ENGINE 8%

8% of complaints: engine — 29 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Subject: Non-Collision Engine Compartment Fire - 2010 Hyundai Sonata (VIN: [XXX] ) ​"On dec 19 2025, my 2010 Hyundai Sonata suffered a sudden, non-collision fire that originated in the engine compartment.

NHTSA ODI report, 20251220

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20100221

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE ON BLACK ICE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A PICK UP TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190213

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130808

Also filed under VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2010 — complaint volume: 345
I 20130325 — PE (closed 20130820)

Rear Control Arm Failure

R 20130422 — exterior lighting

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, 2008-2

Remedy: 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 13V113000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20131010 — suspension

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...

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

I 20211112 — DP (closed 20230620)

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

I 20220912 — DP (closed 20231212)

Loss of Motive Power

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2010 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (166 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (30 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13V113000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V354000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1998 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2011 ■ 2013 ■ 2012

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2010 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Hyundai Sonata is rated "worse than typical".

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

The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 48% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2010 Hyundai Sonata have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.