Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Hyundai Sonata owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Subject: Non-Collision Engine Compartment Fire - 2010 Hyundai Sonata (VIN: [redacted] ) "On dec 19 2025, my 2010 Hyundai Sonata suffered a sudden, non-collision fire that originated in the engine compartment. While there are currently no 'open' recalls on this VIN, I am formally reporting this incident as it matches the failure patterns documented in NHTSA Defect Petition DP18-003 regarding non-crash fires in Hyundai/Kia vehicles. Preliminary inspection of the damage shows characteristic signs of a manufacturer defect, specifically potentially related to a connecting rod bearing failure leading to an engine block puncture and oil ignition, or an electrical short in the ABS module-both of which have been subjects of major Hyundai fire investigations and class-action settlements (e.g., Engine II settlement)
While driving 60-70 mph on [redacted] just north of Sylmar, I suddenly heard a loud, deep "pop" from the lower part of the car. Within seconds, the engine began steaming heavily and leaking oil everywhere. I immediately turned on my hazard lights and began maneuvering toward the right shoulder, crossing multiple lanes with semis and fast-moving traffic approaching behind me. I felt unsafe and feared the car could catch fire or explode, especially with smoke and oil present. After safely exiting the vehicle, a mechanic later told me the rod bearing blew and punched a hole through the bottom of the engine block, calling it a total engine failure. He said it would require a full replacement and matched known issues with this model. There was no warning before the failure. I'm having it inspected at Hyundai of Downtown Los Angeles on July 28. …
Car has had check engine light on for 3 + years. Have taken it to several mechanics including a Hyundai dealership and none of them can figure out what is wrong. Have replaced water pump, belts x2 in a year (same belt) and thermostat x 3 again (all within 2 years). Dash fuel gage and Dash heating/cooling gage are completely erratic. Cruise control does not work. Due to chronic check engine light and mechanics unable to pin point the problem, car has become hazardous to drive. With that in mind, today (9/10/2025) while exiting the high way, car stalled and behaved like it was in neutral. Steering wheel also locked up at this time. Luckily was able to stop. Had to restart car and then it occurred again while driving on a side street at 35mph. The codes that are still popping up are ones that I have spent thousands trying to fix and find the root cause of the problem. …
I purchased a 2010 Hyundai Sonata in February 2022 from the original owner. In July of this year, my engine failed due to the oil consumption defect found in many of Hyundai's engines produced at the Alabama factory. My oil and check engine light came on before it was time for my following oil change, despite making on-time synthetic oil changes during ownership. The vehicle hesitated and jerked on my commute to work, potentially causing harm to myself and other motorists. I went to take my vehicle to the mechanic on my lunch break. The car failed to turn over and has been inoperable ever since. I need my engine replaced at no charge. It's unconscionable that corporate would turn me away because the engine has 146k miles, which is nowhere near the industry standard 200k. Hyundai has inspected the vehicle and confirmed that an engine replacement is needed.
Recently at the Hyundai Dealership in Plantation,Florida I had them repair 2 RECALLS which were the LAMPLIGHT SWITCH & CROSSMEMBER. These RECALLS were not done correctly and caused my ESC Light to come on and my car shakes while driving. I never had these items before until they worked on my RECALLS. Now the Hyundai Dealer service is refusing to fix the damage they caused. I need help right away. The RECALL repair appointment was on June 12, 2022 and had them check the RECALLS again on August 29, 2022. My car is still at the Hyundai Service in Plantation, Florida.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 65 MPH, engine light illuminated and the speed immediately decreased to approximately 30 MPH. The contact pulled over to the shoulder and called the dealer's hotline for a tow truck. While the contact and his wife were seated in the vehicle waiting to hear from the dealer, the vehicle started smoking at the front end. The duo rushed out of the vehicle and called the fire department who immediately extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot where the insurance company took possession of the vehicle. The vehicle was written off by the insurance company. Per the advise of the insurance company, the contact notified the manufacturer of the failure since the vehicle was under warranty. The manufacturer started an investigation. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the engine threw a rod and the vehicle stalled without warning. Due to the failure, the contact pulled the vehicle off to the side of the roadway and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic confirmed that the engine threw a rod which LED to complete engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to towed the vehicle to an authorized dealer for assistance. The vehicle was then towed to Hyundai of greeley (4533 w 29th st, greeley, co 80634) and he was informed that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer offered any further assistance. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The engine blew and failure mileage was 116,000.
I have been having a problem with the engine light coming on for a while now and I have taken it to have it checked out, it has been put on the diagnostic machine to see what came up on the report. This has been done a number of times and whatever report shows up I have had it fixed but the engine light still would come on and it was suppose to be fixed, I would like some help in finding out why this problem continues this becoming costly and still not fixed could I please get some help with this. Would appreciate a response. Thanking you in advance [redacted] 2010 Hyundai Sonata. This problem has been going on for 1 year and 3 months without any kind of solution to the problem.
Car has only 77,000 miles and was well maintained. On August 27, I had driven the car late afternoon, parked. Later after a couple of hours when I went to start it, it would not start, jump start did not work. Mechanic replaced the starter and still would not start. He checked the engine and told me that the engine has seized. I took it to the Hyundai dealer who confirmed that engine has seized. I contacted Hyundai as the complaint is similar to other car engines that seized when driven between 60,000 and 90,000 miles. Hyundai motors is not willing to fix this major issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 65 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking noise coming from the engine compartment. The failure recurred randomly. The contact also stated that the gauges on the instrument panel became inoperable randomly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil measuring device failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021.
Engine complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2010 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2010 Hyundai Sonata, 8% of the model year's 345 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Hyundai Sonata engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2010 Hyundai Sonata, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Hyundai Sonata engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.