The Lemon Index2010 Hyundai Sonata.
The 2010 Hyundai Sonata is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 80 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 37, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about body structure, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 22 to 25 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Sonata year is 2004.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 345 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Sonata year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 39K to 89K miles on the car (279 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 52K–89K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 34K–101K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 41K–87K miles
Recalls 2
- suspension 2013
Road salt and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion o.
- lights 2013
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…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 53 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information provided regarding installation of inhibitor switch bracket to prevent shock
- Ecm and tcm update
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
- ClosedRear control arm failure2013
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2550–2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The passenger front door handle broke off. See multiple problems with this on line with this Model and year.
2010 Hyundai Sonata owner · NHTSA complaint 10552195
More owner reports
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.
NHTSA complaint 10557864
Both door handles on the drivers side of my 2010 are broken. Went to open door and latches gave away.
NHTSA complaint 10535504
Quick answers
Is the 2010 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.7× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 37; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2010 Hyundai Sonata problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (28%), transmission & drivetrain (14%) and brakes (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Hyundai Sonata have?
2 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Hyundai Sonata get?
22 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Hyundai Sonata problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 39,000 and 89,600 miles. The middle report was at 65,000 miles, from 279 complaints.
Does the 2010 Hyundai Sonata have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Hyundai Sonata cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Hyundai Sonata have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works