MYRModel Year Report

2010 Hyundai Sonata

◆ Worse than typical
2010 Hyundai Sonata
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
345
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2010

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Structure

48% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 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: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2010 345 2011: 3,377 complaints 2012: 1,557 complaints 2013: 1,912 complaints 2014: 746 complaints 2015: 1,148 complaints 2016: 726 complaints 2017: 764 complaints 2017 2018: 374 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 133 complaints 2022: 93 complaints 2022 2023: 87 complaints 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1990 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 26 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1996 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 1999 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 319 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2005 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2010 345 2011: 3,377 complaints 2012: 1,557 complaints 2013: 1,912 complaints 2014: 746 complaints 2014 2015: 1,148 complaints 2016: 726 complaints 2017: 764 complaints 2017 2018: 374 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2020 2021: 133 complaints 2022: 93 complaints 2023: 87 complaints 2023 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 26 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1995 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 1999 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2001 2002: 319 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2003 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2005 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2007 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2010 345 2011: 3,377 complaints 2012: 1,557 complaints 2013: 1,912 complaints 2013 2014: 746 complaints 2015: 1,148 complaints 2015 2016: 726 complaints 2017: 764 complaints 2017 2018: 374 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2019 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 133 complaints 2021 2022: 93 complaints 2023: 87 complaints 2023 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2025 2026: 3 complaints

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
20061,047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113,377
20121,557
20131,912
2014746
20151,148
2016726
2017764
2018374
2019162
2020178
2021133
202293
202387
202446
202517
20263

Known problem areas

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

Structure

48% · 166 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2013-06-05

Service brakes

9% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing air.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2018-08-27

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Engine

8% · 29 reports
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, 2025-12-20

Also filed under Electrical system and fuel/propulsion system

Power train

6% · 22 reports

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-02-21

Air bags

6% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
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, 2019-02-13

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, 2013-08-08

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2010Complaint volume 345 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2013-03-25Preliminary evaluationClosed 2013-08-20 Rear Control Arm Failure
  3. R
    2013-04-22Exterior lighting13V113000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2013-10-10Suspension13V354000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2021-11-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-06-20 Throttle control system vulnerabilities
  6. I
    2022-09-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-12-12 Loss of Motive Power

Buy-smart checklist

2010 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 166 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 30 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 29 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V113000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 13V354000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.