How common are engine problems in the 2010 Hyundai Sonata?

NHTSA lists 40 engine complaints for the 2010 Sonata, which is 12% of the 345 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for the 2010 Hyundai Sonata engine?

No. NHTSA data shows no related recalls tied to the engine complaints for the 2010 Sonata.

At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?

The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2010 Sonata is 59,870 miles.

Have engine issues in the 2010 Sonata led to crashes or fires?

NHTSA records tied to this engine complaint area show 5 crashes, 2 fires, and 4 injuries for the 2010 Sonata.

How does the 2010 Sonata compare to other years for engine complaints?

The 2010 Sonata's engine complaints made up 12% of that year's total, a smaller share than later years like 2016 at 65% and 2018 at 62%.

2010 Hyundai Sonata Engine Problems

Engine complaints make up 40 of 345 total complaints (12%) for the 2010 Hyundai Sonata, with a median failure mileage of 59,870 miles. NHTSA lists no related recalls for this engine issue, and records include 5 crashes, 2 fires, and 4 injuries.

Engine complaints: 40; 12% of 345
Crashes reported: 5
Fires reported: 2
Injuries reported: 4
Median mileage: 59,870 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Owners report sudden, unintended acceleration while backing up or driving at low speed, sometimes resulting in a crash into a building or nearby objects.
Some drivers describe the engine surging past the set cruise-control speed, including one case where speed climbed from 70 mph to 80 mph going downhill.
Several owners report the vehicle failed to stop despite pressing the brake pedal, leading to multi-vehicle collisions.
Others describe the check engine light coming on at highway speed followed by a sudden loss of power, with one case followed by smoke from the engine compartment.
A recent complaint describes a non-collision fire that started in the engine compartment with no crash involved.
A few owners report starting failures traced to a failed starter after ruling out the battery.

When 2010 Hyundai Sonata engine complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 13, 2010, latest Dec 20, 2025.

40 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2010 to Dec 2025; peak Aug 2010 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2010 Hyundai Sonata

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Sonata model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201040 (12%)
20111,078 (32%)
2012638 (41%)
2013831 (44%)
2014331 (44%)
2015666 (58%)
2016472 (65%)
2017409 (54%)
2018233 (62%)
201994 (58%)
202037 (21%)
202136 (27%)
202231 (33%)
202332 (37%)
20248 (17%)
20254 (25%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2010 Hyundai Sonata?: NHTSA lists 40 engine complaints for the 2010 Sonata, which is 12% of the 345 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2010 Hyundai Sonata engine?: No. NHTSA data shows no related recalls tied to the engine complaints for the 2010 Sonata.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?: The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2010 Sonata is 59,870 miles.
Have engine issues in the 2010 Sonata led to crashes or fires?: NHTSA records tied to this engine complaint area show 5 crashes, 2 fires, and 4 injuries for the 2010 Sonata.
How does the 2010 Sonata compare to other years for engine complaints?: The 2010 Sonata's engine complaints made up 12% of that year's total, a smaller share than later years like 2016 at 65% and 2018 at 62%.