2010 Hyundai Santa FE

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Power train is the leading concern among 259 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 259

Of the 2010 reports, 8 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 7 people were injured and 1 person died.

Primary concernPower train109 reports · 42% of complaints
Owner complaints259Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train109
  2. Engine37
  3. Electrical system28
  4. Other or unspecified23
  5. Vehicle speed control21
  6. Suspension14
  7. Service brakes11
  8. Structure11

Recalls and investigations

  1. Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 13V113000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. EquipmentOct 6, 2011

    CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 55538, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO THE CONVERTER MODULE AND DEFEAT THE MODULE'S INTERNAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION.

    WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

    CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MANUFACTURING AT 1-715 831-8713.

    Campaign 11E040000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Power train, driveline, driveshaftApr 28, 2011

    HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SANTA FE 2WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 15, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 5, 2010. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY SUFFER FROM NOISE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR. CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION LEADS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WHIRRING/WHINING NOISE AND CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

    DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 11V261000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: power train

109 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Power train, Vehicle speed control, Apr 28, 2014

    SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN 2011, VEHICLE HAS STALLED, LOSING POWER WITHOUT WARNING IN 6 SEPARATE INCIDENTS. ROAD SURFACES WERE LEVEL AND SPEEDS RANGED FROM 0-50 MPH. DURING EACH MALFUNCTION, SPEED DECREASED TO 0 MPH OR DID NOT ACCELERATE IF ALREADY AT 0 MPH. LOSS OF SPEED IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRESENCE OF ENGINE, BATTERY, AND OIL INDICATOR LIGHTS. I AM ABLE TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK MODE, COMPLETELY TURN OFF ENGINE, AND RESTART IGNITION. VEHICLE APPEARS TO OPERATE NORMALLY AFTER EACH INCIDENT UNTIL NEXT ONE OCCURS. ALL BUT TWO INCIDENTS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY MONTHS APART ON METROPOLITAN INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. TWO MOST RECENT INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON SAME DAY WITHIN MINUTES OF EACH OTHER. EVERY TIME VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR EVALUATION, TYPICALLY WITHIN HOUR OF INCIDENT, TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM OR DIAGNOSE MALFUNCTION. CONSEQUENTLY, VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. ACCORDING TO 4 AUTHORIZED DEALERS AND HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS, TROUBLE CODE IS NECESSARY TO REPAIR MALFUNCTION. TWO AUTHORIZED DEALERS HAVE EVALUATED VEHICLE WITHOUT DIAGNOSING MALFUNCTION. NEITHER HAS BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM OR FIND TROUBLE CODE, DESPITE MAINTAINING POSSESSION OF VEHICLE FOR DAYS. BASED ON MY HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME SAFETY CONCERN, HOWEVER, TECHLINE ADVISED AUTHORIZED DEALER TO REPLACE ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL MOTOR: PROCEDURE DONE IN OCTOBER 2013, YET STALLING/LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED AGAIN--TWICE--IN APRIL 2014. SPORADICALLY RECURRING MALFUNCTION REMAINS UNRESOLVED. I HAVE TWO SEPARATE CASES FILED WITH HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS. VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY, UP-TO-DATE ON MAINTENANCE, AND HAS ACCUMULATED RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE TO DATE AT APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILES.**4/16/2014**STALLED/LOST POWER TWICE, 2-3 MINUTES BETWEEN INCIDENTS. TOWED TO AUTHORIZED DEALER; CURRENTLY AWAITING INSTRUCTIONS FROM TECHLINE. *JS

  2. Power train, Oct 2, 2013

    WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE DURING COLDER TEMPERATURES AFTER START UP THE TRANSMISSION "STICKS" IN A LOW GEAR AND ULTIMATELY RELEASES AND THRUSTS FORWARD WITH A LOUD BANG. THIS HAPPENS CONSTANTLY AND I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHO HAS STATED THERE IS NO PROBLEM. THIS IS A HAZARD AND MAY CAUSE POTENTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR

  3. Power train, Sep 16, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED WITH THE GEAR IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO REVERSE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO REVERSE WITHOUT FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL SOUND WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHEN BEING DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS THREE TIMES HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. *TR

  4. Power train, Mar 4, 2012

    THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS (GOES INTO NEUTRAL) WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. THE ENGINE RPMS RAISE DURING THE SLIP AND THE TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO SECOND GEAR. *TR

  5. Power train, Nov 28, 2011

    THE CAR WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL GEAR ALL ON ITS OWN AND THEN SLIP BACK INTO GEAR LUNGING THE CAR FORWARD. OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR WILL GET A WHIPLASH EFFECT. THE CAR IS USUALLY IN 2ND OR THIRD GEAR WHEN IT NO LONGER HAS POWER. THIS CAN BE VERY VERY DANGEROUS IN A MERGING TYPE OF DRIVING SITUATION. THE DRIVER IS COUNTING ON THE CAR TO BRING THEM INTO TRAFFIC, MAINTAINING A CERTAIN SPEED AND CONTROL. ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT RESPONDING. IT IS A VERY FRIGHTENING SITUATION. FOLLOWED BY THE LURCHING OF THE CAR. IT FEELS AS IF THE CAR HAS JUST BEEN HIT IN REAR. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH, FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE ON MANY MANY WEB SITES. EVERYONE SAYS THE SAME THING. THEY BRING IT TO THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER USUALLY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IN SOME CASES THE DEALER HAS TEST DRIVEN THE CAR AND HAS FELT THE PROBLEM AND HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, ONLY TO HAVE THE NEW TRANSMISSION DO THE SAME THING. USUALLY THOUGH, THE DEALER AND OR HYUNDAI GET AROUND THIS PROBLEM BY SAYING THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE HEARD OF THIS AS BEING AN ISSUE, THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL THE DEALER EXPERIENCES THE PROBLEM OR SEES THAT THE COMPUTER REGISTERS IT IN THE CARS COMPUTER SYSTEM. BUT THAT IS PART OF THE PROBLEM. NO CHECK LIGHT COMES ON, NOTHING REGISTERS. SO, ALL OF THESE UNSAFE CARS ARE OUT THERE. A SITUATION WAITING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WE HAD A FRIEND'S CAR BEHIND US WHEN WE LOST POWER, AND THEY SAID THEY ALMOST ENDED UP REAR ENDING US. IT'S NOT A SAFE CAR. HYUNDAI SAID "THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING FOR US EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THERE IS AN ISSUE. THAT MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO COMPLAIN". THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL. IT IS MY HOPE THAT YOU ALL CAN TAKE SOME ACTION. I DO NOT WANT TO SELL THIS CAR OR TRADE IT IN, IT WOULD BE PUTTING SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE ON THE LINE. HYUNDAI IS BRUSHING US ALL OFF. *KB

  6. Power train, Oct 9, 2011

    THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED IN 01/2010, SHORTLY AFTER WE NOTICED SHUTTERING IN THE TRANSMISSION AND HARD SHIFTS FROM 2-3 3RD GEAR, AT 7800 MILE WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THERE DEALER WHO STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO RECREATE. THEY CHANGED THE SHIFT SETTINGS OF THE ECU AND WAS TOLD NOTHING TO BE DONE, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH MULTIPLE VISITS TO THE DEALER, 2 WEEKS AGO THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REMANAFACTURED UNIT, LASTNIGHT THE NEW TRANSMISSION EXPLODED AND IT FELT LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF UNDER THE HOOD THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID EVERYWHERE AND THE AND HORRIBLE GRINDING SOUND WAS NOTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND WE ARE STILL AWAITING WORD. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR

  7. Power train, Sep 1, 2011

    TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR, ALSO SLIPS INTO GEAR AND SOMETIMES MOVES WHEN IN PARK. *TR

  8. Power train, Aug 28, 2011

    I JUST PURCHASED A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TODAY AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD BETWEEN GEARS. *TT

  9. Power train, Equipment, Aug 22, 2011

    MY 2010 AT SANTA FE STARTED WITH OCCASIONAL LURCHING FORWARD WHEN STARTED, THEN PROGRESSED TO HARSH SHIFTING, BUMPING AND BANGING NOISES FROM THE AT. THIS WAS EPISODIC, WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD. (SEE MY INITIAL COMPLAINT #10379504) SINCE MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT, THE DEALER PUT IN A "DATA RECORDER" TO TRY TO CAPTURE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. DESPITE 2-3 EPISODES OF THIS HAPPENING WHILE THE RECORDER WAS ON, THEY WERE NOT CAPTURED ON THE UNIT. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, YET IT CONTINUED TO GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. AT ABOUT 9000 MILES, IT HAPPENED AGAIN- THE WORST EPISODE YET. AT THAT POINT I WAS AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY. I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND THEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER THE DEALER DID FURTHER TESTING ON THE AT, THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS IN FACT SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE AT, AND THEY PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION. WITHIN 1000- 2000 MILES ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION, IN STARTED BUMPING AGAIN WHEN COLD, SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT OF COURSE THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID IT HAD A FAST IDLE AND ADJUSTED IT. THEY ALSO SAID I SHOULD WARM THE CAR UP 5-7 MINUTES PRIOR TO DRIVING IT EACH TIME, SINCE I REPORT THIS ONLY OCCURS WHILE IT IS COLD. THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR, JUST AS THEY TOLD ME EARLIER, PRIOR TO FINDING OUT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AT. WHEN I LEFT THE DEALER AFTER TELLING ME THIS, IT BUMPED TWICE BEFORE I GOT OUT OF THEIR PARKING LOT, AND CONTINUES TO DO SO, ONCE EVEN WHILE IT WAS WARM. I CALLED HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS, THEY PARROT BACK TO ME EVERYTHING THE DEALER TELLS ME, AND OFFER NO NEW SUGGESTIONS OTHER THAN TO CONSULT MY OWNERS MANUAL ON CONFLICT RESOLUTION. *TR

  10. Power train, Jul 12, 2011

    THIS IS A LOW-MILEAGE HYUNDAI AWD SANTA FE LIMITED WITH 19" ALLOW RIMS. AT ABOUT 11,500 MILES I NOTICED GREASE ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT-LEFT WHEEL. IT WAS THICK AND GREEN IN COLOR, THE GREASE USED TO LUBRICATE THE AXLE JOINT. THE CENTRIFUGAL FORCE FROM THE AXLE SPRAYED THE GREASE ALONG THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL. I CHECKED THE CV BOOT AND AXLE AND IT APPEARED THE GREASE WAS LEAKING FROM THE SEAL BETWEEN THE BOOT AND THE AXLE HUB. THERE WAS A VERY SLIGHT LEAKAGE COMING FROM THE RIGHT WHEEL AXLE AS WELL. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH A VEHICLE ONLY A YEAR OLD. I TOOK IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THE LEAKAGE ON BOTH WHEELS AND ORDERED TWO AXLE SEAL KITS, WHICH WILL INCLUDE REPLACEMENT OF THE JOINT. THERE WAS NO CHARGE FOR THE INSPECTION AND THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE FOR THE REPAIR. IF THIS WENT UNNOTICED IT COULD CAUSE AN AXLE TO OVERHEAT AND FAIL. AT HIGH SPEEDS THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

  11. Power train, Jun 23, 2011

    2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL RELATED TO DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL, WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER IT SUDDENLY STOPPED ON A SIX LANE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN DESTROYED AND DAMAGED THE AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. *JB

  12. Power train, Jun 10, 2011

    THE WEEKEND WE PURCHASED OUR 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED, V6, WHILE DRIVING IN AREA WITH MODERATE GRADES VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND GEARS, 2ND & 3RD GEARS. WE THOUGHT IT COULD BE THE AREA WE WERE DRIVING IN, SO WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT TO SEE IF THAT WAS IT. IT WAS NOT. HARD SHIFTING HAS CONTINUED FOR THE COMPLETE EXTENT OF OUR OWNERSHIP COMMENCING AT THE START. ON 12/7/2010, TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO BE CHECKED, CAUSE: FOUND TRANSMISSION JERKING. MODULE ASSY-AUTO TRANS CONTROL RE, RESET ADAPTIVE TRANS VALUES. RECALL, P0111, ECM UPDATE, PERFORMED CAMP TC7. BRING BACK IF CONTINUES AFTER A COUPLE WEEKS. IT DID CONTINUE, BUT I AM A BUSY PERSON. ON 4/21/2011, RETURNED AGAIN STATING THAT VEHICLE WAS CONTINUING TO SHIFT HARD, JERKING. DEALER SVC STATES COULD NOT DUPLICATE. VEHICLE DUPLICATED FOR ME ON WAY HOME FROM SVC APPT. ON 6/10/11, RETURNED AGAIN FOR SAME PROBLEM WITH HARD SHIFTING AT LOW SPEEDS, JERKING. CAUSE: TCM UPGRADE, RE-RESET ADAPTIVE TRANS VALUES, AFTER WHICH SVC DEPT SAID COULD NOT DUPLICATE AGAIN. SVC MGR STATES THAT A NEW REFLASH HAD BEEN ISSUED SINCE THEY UPGRADED IT LAST ON 12/7/2010. THRU RESEARCH I FIND NO NEW UPGRADE HAS BEEN RELEASED ON SVC MESSAGES/NOTIFICATIONS. I BELIEVE I'VE BEEN MISLEAD. I AM POSITIVE THAT THE VEHICLE WILL DO THIS AGAIN. ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY WHEN ONLY CRANKING THE VEHICLE AND BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN GEAR IT WILL IMMEDIATELY HAVE A FEELING OF A LARGE "BANG OR SLAM" AND THEN LUNGE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH STILL IN PARK. THE VEHICLE ALSO MAKES "POPPING" SOUNDS WHEN IN PARK KIND OF LIKE SMALL "BACKFIRES". I HAVE ALSO ASKED THEM TO INVESTIGATE THIS AND DID NOT GET A SATISFACTORY RESPONSE. THEY STATE THAT ALL OF THESE SYMPTOMS ARE CONNECTED TO THE "NEW REFLASH" THAT HAS COME OUT SINCE THE 12/7/2010 SVC APPT. IT "SHOULD" FIX IT. I SAY RECALL IT.

  13. Power train, Jun 1, 2011

    STARTED CAR TO BACK UP OUT OF DRIVEWAY. CAR JUMPED A LITTLE. CONTINUED ON ROAD AND FELT LITTLE JUMPING AT RANDOM. WENT SLOW AND TRIED TO BRAKE AND ACCELORATE TO UNDERSTAND TRIGGER. TURNED AROUND AFTER 1.5 MILE TO HEAD BACK HOME. A FEW YARDS IN THE CAR MADE LOUD DROPPING SOUND AND GRINDING AND SCRAPING AND WOULD NOT ACCELARATE. SO LOUD I THOUGHT THE BOTTOM CAME OUT. PEOPLE PUSHED IT INTO PARKING LOT FOR ME. AAA TOWED IT TO DEALER. 24 HOURS LATER TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. 24 HOURS AFTER THAT TOLD THEY ARE REPLACING WITH NEW TRANSMISSION. ASKED IF THIS WOULD TRIGGER ANY FUTURE PROBLEMS AND THEY CLAIM NO. *TR

  14. Power train, May 16, 2011

    THE VEHICLE STOPS OR STALLS ON SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IT HAS JUST DIED MERGING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP SIGN AND I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO ROLL TO THE SHOULDER. IT WILL NOT ALWAYS PULL UP AN INCLINE FROM A STOP SUCH AS A STEEPER DRIVEWAY. I HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL TO "FIX' THIS BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK IN GEAR. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN THE HYUNDAI FORUMS ON LINE. *TR

  15. Power train, Apr 18, 2011

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE CONTACT TOOK HER FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND WAS COASTING. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE RPMS INCREASED AND THERE WAS A HARD BUMP AND A SHUTTER FELT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION ADAPTER WAS RESET, THE KEEP ALIVE MEMORY AND ADAPTIVE VALUES WERE CLEARED, AND AN ECU UPDATE WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT WAS TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER A FORTH TIME FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,889. UPDATED 5/9/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A HARSH SHIFT BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE. UPDATED 08/17/11.*JB

  16. Power train, Apr 8, 2011

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE AND DECREASE WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER MADE FOUR ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SINCE THE COMPUTER DID NOT DISPLAY ANY ERROR CODES THEN THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

  17. Power train, Mar 17, 2011

    OCT 2010 FIRST INCIDENT- WITH A COLD ENGINE IN THE MORNING WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 20-40 MPH MY 2010 6 CYL HYUNDAI SANTA FE LURCHED FORWARD WITH A LOUD BANG AS IF WE WERE HIT FROM BEHIND. WE HAD 6230 MILES ON VEHICLE. OVER THE NEXT 2 DAYS THE SAME THING HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES NOT AS SEVERE AS THE FIRST INCIDENT. AFTER CHECKING THE INTERNET FOUND MANY REPORTS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS. BROUGHT TO DEALER WHO DENIED HEARING OF THIS PROBLEM, KEPT OVERNIGHT, COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM AND RESET ADAPTIVE LEARNING AND RESET DRIVING HISTORY. PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN MARCH 2011 ON MARCH 8, 2011 BROUGHT TO DEALER KEPT OVERNIGHT, COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM FOUND TRANSMISSION FLUID LOW, RESET TRANSMISSION, DID AN UPDATE THEY SAID WAS RELATED TO A COMPUTER MODULE THAT WAS RELATED TO THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAD 10,000 MILES. CALLED HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND HAD A CASE OPENED TO DOCUMENT PROBLEM AS I MAY HAVE TO GO THROUGH NEW YORK LEMON LAW IF THEY DON'T FIX PROBLEM. MARCH 15, 2011 TRAMSMISSION PROBLEM BACK AGAIN CALLED HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND HAD THEM REOPEN CASE AND ANOTHER APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED WITH DEALER ON MARCH 23, 2011 TO TEST DRIVE WITH TECH AND SERVICE MANAGER. THIS WILL BE THIRD ATTEMPT TO FIX TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *TR

  18. Power train, Feb 27, 2011

    MY 2010 HYUNDAI SANTE FE GLS TRANSMISSION PERIODICALLY SLIPS AND THEN CLUNKS INTO THE NEXT HIGHEST GEAR WITH A FORCE THAT SHAKES THE CAR. THIS FORCE TRANSLATES INTO A BANGING SOUND. EACH INCIDENT HAPPENED AT SPEEDS OF 20-25 MPH AND SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR SINCE I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL FINALLY FAIL COMPLETELY. I BELIEVE THE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD.

  19. Power train, Feb 1, 2011

    ON SATURDAY, JAN. 15TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE V6 (4 1/2 MONTHS OLD, < 2000 MILES) WHEN I TURNED A CORNER ONTO A BUSY STREET, AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AS IF SOMEONE HAD TURNED OF THE IGNITION. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN WE LOST POWER STEERING AND ENGINE POWER OR WHEN WE SAT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC SINCE THE CAR WOULD NOT RE-START. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS UNABLE TO SEND ANYONE FOR ALMOST 40 MINUTES, SO WE HAD TO HAVE THE POLICE PUSH US TO SAFETY. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER FOR SERVICE, THE CAR JUST STARTED UP AGAIN. WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM SINCE NO ERROR CODE WAS SEEN. THE TECHNICIANS UPDATED THE ECM TO VERSION CMAN S2 AB8F SINCE IT WAS A RECOMMENDED GENERAL SERVICE. NO ONE KNEW IF IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIANS ALSO MENTIONED THAT ANOTHER CUSTOMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THE WEEK BEFORE. HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS WAS NOT HELPFUL, BUT DID OPEN A CASE NUMBER. PROBLEM HAS NOT RE-OCCURED YET ALTHOUGH TRANSMISSION OFTEN POPS. *LN

  20. Power train, Jan 29, 2011

    I HAVE A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED AND WITHIN A COUPLE WEEKS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE NOTICED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I WAS DOING, BUT THEN MY HUSBAND DROVE IT AND SAID THE SAME THING. BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 10-40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AND OCCASIONALLY BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AS IF IT GETS STUCK. IT DOES IT WHEN UPSHIFTING AND EVEN WHEN DOWNSHIFTING. IT HAPPENS CONSTANTLY, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD, WHEN IT'S WARM, EVERY DAY. I MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND OF COURSE THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL THEY CAN REPLICATE THE ISSUE. I GUESS I'LL JUST KEEP MENTIONING IT WHENEVER I TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE AND HOPE THAT EVENTUALLY THEY WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW. *LN

  21. Power train, Jan 28, 2011

    MY 2010 SANTA FE ON OCCASION WILL LURCH FORWARD WHEN STARTED, AND MAKES A THUD SOUND FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS STARTED WHEN THE CAR HAD ABOUT 1500 MILES ON IT. THEN AT ABOUT 5000 MILES, WHEN STARTING OUT IT SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND VERY HARD, ENOUGH TO NEARLY GET A WHIPLASH AND FEELS LIKE I HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. I TOLD THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER AND HE SAID HE WOULD DO THE RECALL WHICH HAD BEEN ORDERED FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM, AND MAYBE THAT WOULD HELP. IT DID NOT HELP. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN. *TR

  22. Power train, Jan 3, 2011

    I HAVE A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. SOMETIMES WHEN IT SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND IT FEELS LIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE HAS REAR-ENDED ME. IT HAPPENS A LOT WHEN THE SANTA FE IS COLD, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED AT OTHER TIMES ALSO. IT WILL ALSO HESITATE AS IT GOES FROM ONE GEAR TO THE NEXT. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE (ONCE I LEFT IT OVER NIGHT SO THEY WOULD HAVE IT WHEN IT WAS COLD) AND OF COURSE IT DIDN'T DO IT FOR THEM. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES THE TACHOMETER WILL GO BETWEEN 3000 AND 4000 RPM, AND THEN LURCH VIOLENTLY AS IT BECOMES "UNSTUCK." EVERY TIME I GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE OR ANY OTHER WORK, I MENTION THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME I WAS THERE THE TECHNICIAN SAID THEY CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND WAS TOLD THAT IS NORMAL. THAT IS NOT NORMAL. I RECEIVED A QUESTIONNAIRE FROM HYUNDAI ABOUT MY SANTA FE AND AGAIN MENTIONED THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I NEVER HEARD FROM THEM. I HAVE READ OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HYUNDAI WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. *TR

  23. Power train, Jan 2, 2011

    I HAVE A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTAFE WITH 6900 MILES. THREE TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT AND THEN IT WOULD SLAM INTO GEAR MAKING A BANGING SOUND AND WOULD SURGE FORWARD. IT WAS LIKE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. EACH INCIDENT OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 20-25MPH WHILE ACCELERATING. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *TR

  24. Power train, Dec 30, 2010

    I HAVE A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, GLS. WHILE DRIVING IT, THE TRANSMISSION BROKE. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER, AND PULL OVER. IT DID NOT MOVE AT ALL. IT JUST HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS OR PREVIOUS PROBLEMS, NOISES, ETC. IT HAS 21,082 MILES / 7MONTHS OF USE. *TR

  25. Power train, Dec 30, 2010

    ON MY 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, THE TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPS, THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD, AND FEELS LIKE YOU ARE BEING REAR-ENDED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING, HOWEVER HYUNDAI HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR SAME, AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. *TR