Structure. Review the 164 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports3 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

345 reports

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2016

Unknown Or Other

ALL OF MY DOOR HANDLES ARE DEFECTED NOW THE OTHER 2 IN THE BACK DOOR CAME OFF BROKEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR

NHTSA ODI #10906257

110,000 miles · Sep 13, 2016

Structure

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BODY HAS RUSTED THRU ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS ON MY CAR. BOTH REAR DOORS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BOTH FRONT DOORS RUSTED THRU AND WERE REPAIRED. NOW RUST HOLE DEVELOPED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN AREA OF HOOD HINGE. THIS IS A STRUCTURALLY REINFORCED AREA OF THE CAR BUT ONLY A PATCH WAS PUT OVER RUST HOLE TO MAKE REPAIR. THIS WORK WAS ALL DONE UNDER WARRANTY. I CONTEND THAT THE LAST REPAIR WAS NOT PROPERLY DONE, AND THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE. HYUNDAI DENIES MY CLAIM. THE CAR WAS LOOKED AT BY THE DEALERS OWN BODY SHOP AND THEY CLAIM THAT THE AREA UNDER THE DASHBOARD IS ALL RUSTED AND WILL COST NEARLY $10000 TO REPAIR. HYUNDAI CLAIMS THE CAR IS NOT DEFECTIVE, EVEN THOUGHT THERE ARE INTERNAL SPOTS WHERE NO COATINGS WERE APPLIED TO THE STEEL. I CONTEST THAT THE COMPANY IS ONLY PROTECTING THEMSELVES AND HAVE FULL KNOWLEDGE THAT THE CAR IS DEFECTIVE. THE WARRANTY WILL EXPIRE SHORTLY AND THEN , THEY WILL BE OFF THE HOOK FOR ANY FUTURE REPAIRS CAUSED BY THEIR NEGLIGENCE WHILE ASSEMBLING THEIR VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AT COASTAL HYUNDAI, WHICH ALSO OWNS COCOA HYUNDAI.

NHTSA ODI #10906158

25,000 miles · Sep 11, 2016

StructureUnknown Or Other

EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN 6 TIMES ON SEVERAL DOORS. HHTSA MAY FEEL THIS IS COSMETIC BUT EMERGENCY PERSONAL MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY MAKING ENTRY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, HE SEES THIS IN MORE 2010 HYUNDAI'S THAN ANY OTHER VEHICLE. SIMPLE WEB SEARCH FOUND 100S OF OTHER COMPLAINTS. AT ONE POINT, 3 …

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NHTSA ODI #10905615

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2016

Steering

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I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE LOWER STEERING COUPLER BUSHING ON MY 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND I SEE THAT MY YEAR MODEL CAR IS NOT HE ONLY CAR MADE BY HUNDAI(KIA ARE ALSO BEING REPORTED TO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM). IT APPEARS THIS PART IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC, AND THE REPLACEMENT PART HAS GONE THROUGH SEVERAL REVISIONS DUE TO IT NOT HOLDING UP TO THE RIGORS OF IT'S JOB. THIS PLASTIC PART COSTS UNDER <$10, BUT THE LABOR COST OF REPLACING THIS IS IN EXCESS OF $200. YOU WOULD THINK THAT ANY CRITICAL PART OF THE STEERING MECHANISM WOULD BE MADE OF A MATERIAL THAT WOULD LAST LONGER. DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THIS PLASTIC PIECE, A THUDDING NOISE CAN BE HEARD WHEN MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE CAR IS NOT ON. I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER POSSIBLE PROBLEMS MAY OCCUR IF THIS ITEM WERE TO FAIL WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING.

NHTSA ODI #10899459

80,000 miles · Aug 20, 2016

Unknown Or Other

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MY 2010 HYUNDAI SONOTA'S DOOR HANDLES BROKE AND WERE REPLACED ON THE PASSENGERS FRONT AND REAR SIDE BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER A FEW DAYS BEFORE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD US THEY WERE GIVEN A VOUCHER FROM HYUNDAI TO REPLACE THE HANDLES AND THIS WAS DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE A THIRD DOOR HANDLE BROKE ON THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE. THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS FOR THE THIRD HANDLE. WHILE TRYING TO RESOLVE THE THIRD HANDLE BREAKAGE, A FOURTH HANDLE BROKE ON THE PASSENGERS FRONT DOOR. NOTE THAT THIS PASSENGERS FRONT DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED 5 MONTHS AGO AT THE DEALER. I WOULD LIKE THESE HANDLES LOOKED INTO AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WOULD LIKE A RECALL TO FIX THESE HAZARDOUS DOOR HANDLES. I HAVE A SMALL CHILD IN A CAR SEAT AND NEED TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO GET THEM OUT.

NHTSA ODI #10897347

75,000 miles · Aug 15, 2016

Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO SLOW IT DOWN BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILUR…

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NHTSA ODI #10896090

148,000 miles · Aug 10, 2016

Fuel/propulsion System

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THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT ABOUT MY FUEL PUMP. WHICH WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR. AGAIN ON 8/2/16 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 495 SOUTH TOWARD RICHMOND VA . I WAS DRIVING 60MPH. WHEN MY CAR SHUT DOWN. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED TRYING TO MOVE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE POHANIKA HYUNDA DEALERSHIP IN CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MD. THE SAME PLACE I HAD MY FUEL PUMP REPLACED LAST YEAR. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT HAPPEN TO ANOTHER CAR. I SUSPECT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. AFTER I COMPLAIN, THE DEALERSHIP STATES THEY WILL REPLACE THE PART AND NOT CHARGE ME, BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $375.00 FOR THE LABOR. I COMPLAIN TO MANAGEMENT AND THEY SAY THEY WOULD PAY FOR HALF THE LABOR. THE REASON I'M WRITING THIS LETTER, BECAUSE IF THERE IS A DEFECTIVE PART, I DON'T WANT SOMEONE TO BE HURT OR KILL BEHIND THE WHEEL, BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE PART. I HAD FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOUR AGENCY LAST YEAR WITH NO RESPONSE. I ALSO CONTACT HYUNDAI COSTUMER SERVICE AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU.

NHTSA ODI #10894835

65,000 miles · Aug 9, 2016

SteeringSuspension

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I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY ALIGNMENT AND MY TIRES HAVE BEEN WEARING INCREDIBLY UNEVENLY. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I WAS ADVISED TO REALIGN AGAIN SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND MY TIRES CONTINUE TO BE DESTROYED AND MY CAR CONTRIBUTES TO SHAKE. TODAY WHEN MY POWER STEERING WAS BEING REPLACED FOR AN OPEN RECALL I WAS ADVISED UPON PICK UP THAT MY STEERING COUPLER HAS GONE BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE (NEVER MIND THAT I WAS INFORMED OF THIS ISSUE AFTER MY STEERING COLUMN WAS REASSEMBLED SO I HAVE TO PAY LABOR FOR THEM TO PULL THE ENTIRE UNIT AGAIN!). I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO THIS ONLINE REGARDING BAD COUPLERS AND SHAKING CARS RUINING TIRES. I WAS ADVISED THAT IF IT BREAKS FURTHER MY CAR WILL LIKELY SWERVE INTO ANOTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC AND BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER.

NHTSA ODI #10894444

140,000 miles · Jul 5, 2016

Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE DOOR HANDLES WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER IN…

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NHTSA ODI #10882519

90,000 miles · Jul 1, 2016

Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE OTHER DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WA…

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NHTSA ODI #10882155

Official recalls

13V354000 · Suspension:rear

Aug 12, 2013

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 2010 originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion of the crossmember steel. This may lead to detachment of one of the rear control arms.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 113.

13V113000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 1, 2013

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. 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, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

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. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.

PE13007 · Rear Control Arm Failure

Opened Mar 25, 2013 · Closed Aug 20, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:rear

In a letter dated August 9, 2013, Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center, Inc. (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that Hyundaiis conducting a safety recall (13V-354) involving approximately 239,000 vehicles involving model year (MY) 2006 through 2010 Hyundai Sonata vehicles (approximately 215,000)produced beginning on March 1, 2005 through January 21, 2010 and model year (MY) 2006 through 2011 Hyundai Azera vehicles (approximately 24,000) produced beginning on September 27, 2005 through November 22, 2010 that are registered in and operated or originally sold in the following 20 salt belt states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.Hyundai will also inform dealers to inspect/repair vehicles that were previously registered in salt belt states but are currently registered elsewhere. Hyundai is conducting the recall to remedy a defect involving internal corrosion of the rear sub frame that may lead to separation of the rear upper/lower control arm(s) at their respective mounting points and/or separation of the axle from the transaxle where they meet.This could result in a loss of vehicle control and/or vehicle disablement which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.In response to NHTSA?s Information Request (IR) letter, Hyundai stated the Azera vehicles utilizes the identical cross member and upper/lower rear control arm components as the subject (Sonata) vehicles.In analysis of both Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and consumer complaint data submitted to Hyundai, ODI identified 19 non-duplicative reports alleging excessive corrosion of the rear sub frame. All of the complaint vehicles were either originally sold or registered at the time of the incident in one of the salt belt states.Of these 19 reports, 9 alleged either a suspension component separation or a fracture of the vehicle's rear cross member assembly.Similarly, ODI identified 8 warranty claims of rear sub frame replacement in data submitted by Hyundai due to excessive corrosion, all of which involved vehicles originally sold or operated in a salt belt state. Based on Hyundai's decision to conduct a safety recall, (13V-354) this investigation is closed.The VOQs cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10535115, 10534110, 10525976, 10524726, 10521520, 10508368, 10505463, 10490073, 10486752, 10486435, 1048354, 10473922, and 10437887.