NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
11 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Dec 20, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire
Subject: Non-Collision Engine Compartment Fire - 2010 Hyundai Sonata (VIN: [XXX] ) "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 pat…
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Subject: Non-Collision Engine Compartment Fire - 2010 Hyundai Sonata (VIN: [XXX] ) "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) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11706241
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2024
Fuel/propulsion System
Fuel pump failure, causing car to stop immediately on highway.
NHTSA ODI #11591412
91,000 miles · Dec 24, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
CARS FUEL TANK HAS RUSTED THRU CAUSING EMISSIONS FAILURES. REMEDY IS TO REPLACE FUEL TANK! $800-1200.00
NHTSA ODI #11291088
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemStructure
DOOR HANDLES EASILY SNAPPED OFF AND SENSOR WENT OUT FUEL TANK. THIS HAPPENING ON ALL CARS I HAVE 5 CO WORKERS SAME VEHICLES ALL HAVE SAME PROMBLEM THIS SHOULD BE FIXED WE CANT ENTER IN REAR OF CAR WITHOUT GETTING IN FRONT TO OPEN BOTH BACK DOORS
NHTSA ODI #11287158
89,000 miles · Apr 20, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemStructure
I HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER & PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES. HAD TO GET SWITCH TO OPEN GAS TANK REPAIRED. WHEN FUELING CAR, PUMP CONTINUESLY STOPS WHEN TANK IS NOT FULL.
NHTSA ODI #11202685
55,200 miles · Mar 5, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
ENGINE FAILED WOULD NOT START IN LESS THAN 55200 MILES
NHTSA ODI #11076413
50,000 miles · May 20, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
THE GAS PUMP NOZZLE ALWAYS SWITCHES OFF WHEN I TRY TO GET GASOLINE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE SOMETIMES TO GET THE NUMBER OF GALLONS I NEED, REQUIRING A GUESS WHEN THE TANK WILL BE FULL BECAUSE THE TRIGGER WON'T STAY IN PLACE. OUR 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS PURCHASED IN 2012 AND HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE, AND I SEE IT IS A COMM…
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THE GAS PUMP NOZZLE ALWAYS SWITCHES OFF WHEN I TRY TO GET GASOLINE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE SOMETIMES TO GET THE NUMBER OF GALLONS I NEED, REQUIRING A GUESS WHEN THE TANK WILL BE FULL BECAUSE THE TRIGGER WON'T STAY IN PLACE. OUR 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS PURCHASED IN 2012 AND HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE, AND I SEE IT IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET AMONG SONATA OWNERS. WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN TWO DIFFERENT STATES: NEITHER WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. AT ONE POINT, WE COULD NOT PUT ANY GAS IN AND HAD TO DRIVE IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED A CARBINE CYLINDER IN THE GAS TANK THAT COST $700. JUST SO WE CAN PUT GAS IN THE CAR, AN REQUIREMENT OF ITS FUNCTION. THERE WAS ONE PUMP AT A GAS STATION HALFWAY ACROSS TOWN THAT I FOUND TO WORK FLAWLESSLY. SO I WOULD DRIVE THERE WEEKLY ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN. TWICE, I WAS APPROACHED BY STRANGE MEN LOOKING FOR MONEY OR A RIDE TO THE CASINO. THEN ON THIS LAST TIME IT TOOK 15 OR SO SMALL PUMPS TO RAISE THE NEEDLE JUST A THIRD OF A TANK. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS AN OVERFULL TANK COULD SPILL TOXIC PETROL ON US WHILE WE ARE PUMPING GAS, OR LEAVE US WITH TOO LITTLE GAS AND NO WAY FOR THE PUMP TO WORK, AND GET STRANDED IN A BAD PART OF TOWN OR A HIGHWAYS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR MONTHS, SOMETIMES SEEMING TO BE RELATED TO THE GAS CAP. YET THE DEALERSHIPS CAN'T HELP US AND THERE IS NOWHERE TO BUY GAS THAT ISN'T A FRUSTRATING ORDEAL. UNACCEPTABLE. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS? HTTPS://WWW.HYUNDAIFORUM.COM/FORUM/HYUNDAI-ELANTRA-17/PROBLEM-FILLING-GAS-TANK-3298/ "IF NHTSA RECEIVES SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, IT MAY OPEN AN INVESTIGATION, AND IF IT FINDS THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISST IN A GROUP OF VEHICLES, IT MAY ORDER A RECALL AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN." -- 2010 SONATA OWNERS MANUAL, CH. 8, P. 16
NHTSA ODI #10990715
148,000 miles · Aug 10, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
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 H…
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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
70,000 miles · Jun 10, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
WHENEVER FILLING GAS, I WOULD USE A AUTOMATIC CUT-OFF IN FUEL DISPENSER LOCK. BUT THE LOCK IS ALWAYS RELEASED AFTER THE POINT OF RELEASE ALLOWING GAS TO OVERFILL AND WOULD CAUSE GAS TO SPREAD ON SIDE OF VEHICLE AS WELL AS ON THE FLOOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED REGARDLESS OF THE GAS STATION PUMP.
NHTSA ODI #10873564
90,000 miles · Mar 14, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemStructure
WHEN I PUMP GAS EVEN WHEN ON A EMPTY TANK , THE GAS WILL SPLASH BACK ALL OVER THE PLACE ALMOST LIKE ITS FULL BUT WHEN IT'S REALLY EMPTY , ALSO THE ESC WILL TURN OFF AND ON BY ITS SELF FROM TIME TO TIME , HAD TOO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AT 90,000 MILES , NOW I'M GETTING A CODE PO449 EVEN WITH NEW GAS CAP .. LAST BUT NOT LEAST MY PA…
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WHEN I PUMP GAS EVEN WHEN ON A EMPTY TANK , THE GAS WILL SPLASH BACK ALL OVER THE PLACE ALMOST LIKE ITS FULL BUT WHEN IT'S REALLY EMPTY , ALSO THE ESC WILL TURN OFF AND ON BY ITS SELF FROM TIME TO TIME , HAD TOO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AT 90,000 MILES , NOW I'M GETTING A CODE PO449 EVEN WITH NEW GAS CAP .. LAST BUT NOT LEAST MY PAINT IS PEELING OFF MY CAR , ESPECIALLY THE HOOD AND ROOF . NOTICED HYUNDAI SHEDS THERE PAINT ,
NHTSA ODI #10846470
Official recalls
2Aug 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.
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
3DP22003 · 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.