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ProblemsByVinFile / 2010-HYUNDAI-SONATANHTSA data synced 11 hours ago
Hyundai
2010 Hyundai Sonata problems
The 2010 Hyundai Sonata has 345 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2010 Hyundai Sonata has 345 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is body at 160 complaints (~$1,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2010 Sonata?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2010 Hyundai Sonata? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
body — 160 owner reports
· ~$1,500 to fix
brakes — 20 owner reports
· ~$450 to fix
airbags — 19 owner reports
· ~$1,100 to fix
engine — 19 owner reports
· ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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Back rear brakes have needed constant replacing since the first replacement in 2013 at 41,658 miles---rear pads and rotars. Eight mos. Later at 48,900, replaced the rear rotars and pads again. Two weeks later at 49,247, replaced rear left flex brake hose and caliper, and…
The rear driver side brake was making a grinding noise. Took to the shop and they say the caliper is working uneven and causing the pad to brake down faster than normal, it was on bare medal. Could this be the crossbar recall causing this to get uneven or an unrelated item?…
Rear driver door handle just fell off the car when trying to open door. Had to replace entire handle assembly. Never had this ever happen in any car I have ever owned, and I have owned quite a few older cars. *tr
Had a problem with your 2010 Hyundai Sonata?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 number is 110.
Common questions
Is the 2010 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 345 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Hyundai Sonata has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2010 Hyundai Sonata?
The 2010 Hyundai Sonata is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2010 Hyundai Sonata?
Inspect the body first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 160 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2010 Hyundai Sonata a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 345 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is body. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2010 Hyundai Sonata?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 160 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Hyundai Sonata has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Hyundai Sonata?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 345 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 11 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Hyundai/Sonata.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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