Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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. …
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.
Tl* 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.
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.
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.
The manual transmission in my 2010 Hyundai Sonata has been having abnormal issues since my date of purchase. First it was just stalling when disengaging the clutch from reverse and first gear; now it is primarily from first gear. To get the car to move forward you must drag the clutch and push the accelerator causing an odd clacking noise in the front of the car, or sometimes it has a squealing or rubbing sound and the car does not move forward and there is a burning smell. Today, when shifting from first gear to second gear, the car lunged forward as though it was accelerating on it's own and I was barely touching the gas pedal. I have taken it to the dealer twice with complaints of the abnormal performance, the first time at 809 miles, and the second time at 1794 miles , and they said they have not been able to duplicate the complaint.
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.
Tl* 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.
Tl* 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
Tl* 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.
Transmission complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Hyundai Sonata, 6% of the model year's 345 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Hyundai Sonata transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.