2010 Hyundai Sonata Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 6%of 345 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Hyundai Sonata, 6% of the 345 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10573371, filed 2014-03, 88,203 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10320829, filed 2010-03, 2,504 miles“I was backing up slowly when the car suddenly accelerated without me touching the gas. I was about to put it into forward gear when it suddenly lurched backward.”
NHTSA complaint #10312473, filed 2010-02, 859 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11320718, filed 2020-04, 120,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10682322, filed 2015-02, 87,357 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10196546May 21, 2021Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the vehicleâÂÂs ownerâÂÂs manual. ï· Use of other ATF may result in improper shift quality or…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10160098Apr 15, 2019This bulletin provides the procedure to write the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) during the replacement of the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Powertrain Control Module…
- 10082725Sep 2, 2016This bulletin provides information on components, attributes, and precautions of the 7-speed dry-type dual clutch transmission (dct).
- 10082455Aug 9, 2016"the pcm or tcm contains logic to adjust solenoid duty and line pressure as needed to compensate for normal clutch wear over the life of the transaxle. This bulletin provides the…
- 10081115Apr 18, 2016The following vehicles are equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The atf level must be checked by the following procedure.
- 10052143Mar 1, 2013Hyundai: due to an error in the internal control module read only memory, information is provided regarding the replacing of the pcm and a possible warranty claim. Models…
- 10046200Aug 1, 2012Hyundai: information provided regarding installation of inhibitor switch bracket to prevent shock when shifting vehicle to drive or reverse. Models 2010-11 tucson and 2009-10…
- 10037957Feb 1, 2011Hyundai: the procedure to update software on 2009-2010 sonata. Improves acceleration from a stop and deceleration on a cold engine.
- 10034491Jun 1, 2010Hyundai: automatic transaxle ecm and tcm update. Provides a procedure to update the ecm and tcm software to the most recent versions to revise-acceleration feel from a stop or…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 18% |
| 2024 | 6 | 13% |
| 2023 | 17 | 19% |
| 2022 | 24 | 25% |
| 2021 | 25 | 19% |
| 2020 | 24 | 13% |
| 2019 | 8 | 5% |
| 2018 | 40 | 11% |
| 2017 | 56 | 7% |
| 2016 | 59 | 8% |
| 2015 | 135 | 12% |
| 2014 | 55 | 7% |
| 2013 | 94 | 5% |
| 2012 | 97 | 6% |
| 2011 | 173 | 5% |
| 2010 | 21 | 6% |
| 2009 | 41 | 9% |
| 2008 | 14 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 1% |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 10 | 5% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 11 | 3% |
| 2001 | 18 | 9% |
| 2000 | 19 | 7% |
| 1999 | 14 | 11% |
| 1998 | 12 | 24% |
| 1997 | 9 | 18% |
| 1996 | 5 | 22% |
| 1995 | 15 | 23% |
| 1993 | 9 | 35% |
| 1992 | 5 | 23% |
| 1991 | 7 | 24% |
| 1990 | 7 | 44% |
| 1989 | 2 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2010 Hyundai Sonata
164 complaintsOther or unknown
37 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsEngine
29 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsElectronic stability control
13 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology