10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,278 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Hyundai Sonata drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2010 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments

problem #18

Apr 262023

Sonata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am contacting the NHTSA regarding a manufacturer's failure to comply with a NHTSA recall campaign. The campaign in question is #13V113000 for a 2010 Hyundai Sonata. The certified Hyundai service center claimed, verbally and on the customer invoice, to have replaced the stop lamp switch with a new OEM part, number 93810-4DR0A-QQH, per the recall's order. After supposedly replacing the defective part, the vehicle is still able to be shifted out of Park without first depressing the brake pedal. This happens with the key in the 'ON' position, 'Accessory' position, and even without the key in the ignition at all. No depression of the brake pedal is currently required to shift the vehicle, in any form, violating the recall's correction order. After contacting Hyundai Motor Company, they informed me via phone and email that because the car is "so old" and "out of warranty", I would remain financially liable for diagnosing and repair of any problems related to NHTSA Campaign #13V113000. Based on the fact my vehicle's current and ongoing issue is EXPLICITLY clarified in the details of Campaign #13V113000, I believe it remains Hyundai's responsibility to ensure the vehicle is safe to operate. Furthermore, Hyundai has seemingly, knowingly and willfully threatened my safety, safety of passengers, and that of the general public by refusing to thoroughly comply with a NHTSA Campaign. This subsequently places the person(s) listed above at risk of injury or even death due to Hyundai Motor Company's negligence. I hope that by reaching out to the NHTSA about this ongoing issue, the problem can be resolved respectfully, as the next course of action and final recourse, with regards to Hyundai Motor Company, may result in legal escalation. Thank you.

- Corning, NY, USA

problem #17

Jun 152021

Sonata

  • miles
Rough jerking downshift transmission when stopping or slow down.

- New Rochelle, NY, USA

problem #16

Jan 022021

Sonata

  • miles
Suspension and transmission faulty.

- Peoria, AZ, USA

problem #15

Jan 012020

Sonata

  • 135,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When the transmission is cold, while driving and slowing down to 20 mhp the card jerks, hard downshift from 3rd to 2nd, and RPM increase by several hundred rps. Once the transmission warms up, issue mostly goes away. Issue started this year. Second issue is the white paint easily comes off all over the car, even just from hosing the car with water. Issue has been going on for several years. Its happening all over the car payment. Dealership said they have not seen the issue before, however I see alot of owners with white color have this issue. Suspension seems to be very hard while going over any bumps. Feels like there are no suspensions mechanisms at all.

- Norcross, GA, USA

problem #14

Apr 092020

Sonata

  • 120,000 miles
ESC off light comes on, and check engine light comes on sometimes when driving. Sometimes, the car loses its power when that happens in the middle of driving. Acting as if the car was turned off. It has happened multiple times.

- Houston, TX, USA

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problem #13

Jul 022017

Sonata

  • 175,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Sonata. While driving and depressing the brake pedal to slow down, the vehicle jerked forward. The contact stated that the failure had been ongoing for the past four years and had gotten worse. The vehicle was taken to priority Hyundai in chesapeake, Virginia three times for diagnostic testing. The dealer reset the computer control values and stated that the vehicle may need a new transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 10419964. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #12

Feb 092015

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 87,357 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had to replace the brake pads three times. Replaced rotors front and rear. Replaced calipers on rear and repaired the fronts. 87000 highway miles. Transmission hard shift from new. Dealer states that they have never heard of any trouble like this.

- Tell City, IN, USA

problem #11

Nov 182012

Sonata

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 22 mph, the vehicle jerked heavily. The failure occurred on a daily basis. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 65,000.

- Timonium, MD, USA

problem #10

Apr 112012

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 132,451 miles
Some times I have a hard down shift sometimes I don't the transmission was suppose to been replace but two years later its doing the same thing.

- Monticello, MS, USA

problem #9

May 012013

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
Delays in acceleration linked to a computer program that controls the transmission, shifting from 1st to 2nd gear automatic transmission, there may be a 2 to 3 second lag in acceleration due to the transmission control module programming or transmission.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #8

Feb 032014

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 88,203 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When vehicle is cold and I decelerate down thru 20 mph, the transmission down shifts abruptly causing a jerking motion. I have been told by an auto mechanic who researched it that there was an actual recall by Hyundai for this issue. He said the problem was that Hyundai installed computer control equipment from an older model in their 2010 Sonatas and this resulted in a failure in proper communication between the computer and the automatic transmission's solenoid, causing the abrupt down shifting at 20 mph when car is cold. One last note: When this first started occurring, it would cause the "fix engine" light to come on, but this has not happened for about the last three weeks. The abrupt down shifting when cold still occurs consistently, always right around 20 mph.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #7

Feb 072012

Sonata

  • 16,500 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the check engine warning lamp was illuminated and the vehicle had exhibited stalling failures. The transmission also failed to shift gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. However, the technician was unable to diagnose and duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 16,500.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #6

Nov 012012

Sonata

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while attempting to shift into gear, she had to engage the shift release in order for the shifter to operate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but no cause for the failure was determined. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 88,000.

- Capitol Heights, MD, USA

problem #5

Jul 202012

Sonata

  • 90,640 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while entering a parking space, the vehicle would not shift into park. The vehicle was able to be shifted into neutral but the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact was able to turn the vehicle off and restart it. The contact then took the cover off of the shift lock button and depressed it using a pin. The contact was able to put the vehicle in park but the failure recurred numerous times. The contact stated she would be in contact with the dealer and the manufacturer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 90,640.

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #4

Jan 302012

Sonata

  • 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai elantra. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, he attempted to accelerate further, but the vehicle would not accelerate beyond 50 mph. The vehicle then stalled. The dealer advised the contact to replace the transmission. The manufacturer had not been notified. No repairs were performed. The failure and current mileages were 28,000.

- Patterson, NY, USA

problem #3

Jun 082010

Sonata

  • 8,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the clutch pedal would go to floor and become stuck, causing the vehicle to become resistant when changing gears. The contact stated that the dealer was scheduled to replace the master cylinder for the fourth time of the vehicle. The dealer had not given the contact a reason for the consistent failure. The failure mileage was 8,000 and the current mileage was 67,000.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #2

May 152011

Sonata 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while attempting to shift from park, to reverse, the vehicle began to shake violently and the gauges on the instrument panel would not display readings. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on four occasions where updates were performed on the transmission. The failure continued after the updates. The vehicle was not taken back for additional repairs. The contact also stated that it would take several attempts to start the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 08/22/11 updated 3/08/2012

- Columbia , MD, USA

problem #1

Feb 092010

Sonata

  • 859 miles
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.

- Peekskill, NY, USA

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