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.
Of the 2010 reports, 8 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 7 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
Power train, Dec 25, 2010
I BOUGHT A PRE-OWNED 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ON 12/13/10 WITH ~14K MILES I WAS DRIVING TO PHOENIX TODAY 12/25/10 AND WHEN LEAVING A STOP LIGHT THERE WAS A CLUNK AND THEN MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. AFTER DOING RESEARCH TODAY I HAVE FOUND THAT 2010 SANTA FE'S HAVE ISSUE WITH THEIR TRANSMISSION BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. ME AND MY 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ARE NOW STRANDED IN PHOENIX UNTIL WE CAN GET IT REPAIRED. PLEASE PUSH FOR A RECALL SO THIS STOPS HAPPENING TO PEOPLE AND HYUNDAI CORRECTS THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. *TR
Power train, Dec 17, 2010
BOUGHT OUR 2010 SANTA FE WITH 2700 MILES (THE OWNERS WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING IT) ON NOVEMBER 11TH. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED THAT IT BANGED LOUDLY AND LURCHED SOMEWHAT UPON GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. IT DOES IT AT ANY TIME OF DAY SO IT'S NOT LIMITED TO COLD STARTS. BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TESTED AND RESET THE COMPUTER. MY SERVICE MANAGER SEEMED TO BE AWARE OF THE OBVIOUS PROBLEMS THE TRANSMISSION IS HAVING. THEN WAS TOLD IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION AND THEY ORDERED A REPLACEMENT. I ASKED IF IT WOULD BE NEW OR REBUILT, THEY SAID NEW. THEN I WAS TOLD IT WAS POLICY TO PUT IN REBUILT. IT ONLY HAS 5000 MILES ON IT! AFTER SOME CONVERSATION, THEY AGREED TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN IT. THEY STILL HAVE MY VEHICLE-OVER A WEEK NOW AND I MIGHT NOT GET IT BACK FOR ANOTHER WEEK. STILL DON'T HAVE THE PART.....SO WE'LL SEE WHEN WE GET IT BACK. *TR
Power train, Dec 15, 2010
I HAVE A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND I GET A HARD SHIFT WITH A LOUD BANG WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND OR 2ND TO 3RD. IT SEEMS TO DO THIS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS COLD BUT IT DOES IT EVEN WHEN WARM. I HAD MINE IN 3 TIMES FOR REPAIR WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION ON THE LAST REPAIR. THE NEW TRANSMISSION IS THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL ONE. HYUNDAI KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND THEY KNEW ABOUT WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED WHEN I WAS BUYING THE CAR - NOT FINDING OUT AFTER THE FACT. THE DEALER GIVES ME THE DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS LOOK WHEN I COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS LIKE THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD ABOUT IT BEFORE. *TR
Power train, Dec 14, 2010
SAFETY: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ENGINE SEEMS TO RACE AT SLOW SPEEDS/COASTING, THEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION "SKIPS" THEN "SLAMS" BACK INTO GEAR. BROUGHT BACK INTO DEALERSHIP TWICE, FIRST WAS TOLD THEY HAD HEARD OF A SIMILAR ISSUE BUT THAT IT WAS "WITHIN TOLERANCE" SO IT WAS NOT FIXED, WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND BEFORE STARTING A LONG TRIP I TOOK IT BACK AND HAD THEIR SENIOR TECH DRIVE IT HOME (TO SEE IF COLD STARTING COULD BE A CONTRIBUTOR) THEY "REPROGRAMMED" THE TRANSMISSION AND TOLD US IT WOULD BE IN "LEARNING MODE" FOR THE NEXT FEW THOUSAND MILES. PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TWICE MORE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WANT TO TAKE IT BACK FOR REPAIR BUT NEED SOME HELP IN TELLING THEM WHAT (AND OBVIOUSLY FROM THE ONLINE FORUMS) HOW WIDESPREAD THIS ISSUE IS. *TR
Power train, Dec 6, 2010
WE PURCHASED 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ALMOST FROM THE START WE NOTICE AN OCCASION SHE WOULD BANG INTO GEAR WHILE DRIVING IN 30 - 40 MPH TRAFFIC AND STOPS. AFTER NUMEROUS TRIPS TO DEALER THEIR ANSWER WAS THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE. THE LAST 2 TRIPS TO THE DEALER I EXPLAINED IF YOU DRIVE IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC MOVING ABOUT 30-40 MPH YOU WILL FEEL THE BANG LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. I WAS TOLD THE CANNOT TEST FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME THEY REFLASH THE COMPUTER. THEN LISTED IT AS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND SET UP N APPOINTMENT WITH A FACTORY REP. FOR DECEMBER 15,2010 @10:30AM. MY WIFE WILL NOT CURRENTLY TAKE HER PARENTS FOR TREATMENTS AT THE MEDICAL CENTER BECAUSE THE BANG STARTLES HERE PARENTS AND SHE FEARS A BREAKDOWN. UNACCEPTABLE FOR A CAR LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD. *TR
Power train, Dec 3, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD THROW ITSELF INTO GEAR WITH A HARD BANG AS IF IT WERE HIT FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO RESET THE COMPUTER; THE BANGING STOPPED FOR A WHILE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 10,000. UPDATED 01/18/11 *BF UPDATED 01/31/11
Power train, Nov 15, 2010
ON A LARGE NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, THE TRANSMISSION OF MY 2010 HYUNDAI SANTAFE AWD WOULD SLIP INTO NEUTRAL AS IT WENT THROUGH THE GEARS. THAT IS WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL RELATIVELY COOL AS IN THE MORNING, IT WOULD START OFF IN FIRST, SHIFT TO SECOND AND THEN ON SOME OCCASIONS SLIP INTO NEUTRAL. WITH A LITTLE ON AND OFF ON THE ACCELERATOR IT WOULD THEN GO INTO THIRD AND THEN SHIFT NORMALLY. THE ONLY TIMES THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN WAS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION OIL WAS STILL COLD. HYUNDAI CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER PER A SERVICE BULLETIN. WHEN THE CONDITION REAPPEARED IT THEN OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN ITS ENTIRETY. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM. MY CONCERN WOULD BE THAT IF IT DID HAPPEN WHEN ONE ENTERED A LINE OF TRAFFIC. THIS CERTAINLY COULD HAVE CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION. TILL THE SITUATION WAS RESOLVED, IT HAPPENED ON A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. HYUNDAI WAS RESPONSIVE TO THE PROBLEM, AND SEEMS TO HAVE TRIED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES AT THIS TIME. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL AND THE PROBLEM BEGAN IN JUNE. THAT AT LEAST IS WHEN WE FIRST OBSERVED IT. *TR
Power train, Nov 10, 2010
I WAS ACCELERATING WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC FROM A SIDE STREET AND THE COMPUTER FOR THE TRANSMISSION PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. I LOST POWER AS THE ENGINE RPM SPIKED UP. THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL IN DRIVE AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE AGAIN UNTIL I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THEN REAPPLIED IT. ASIDE FROM THIS PROBLEM BEING A VEHICLE DEFECT, THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE END OF JULY. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE DEFECT BUT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE DEFECT THE SECOND TIME. UNFORTUNATELY THIS TYPE OF FAILURE DOES NOT SHOW UP IN THE CARS COMPUTER. EACH TIME THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED AND THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AS A RELEARNING EXERCISE. OBVIOUSLY THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND WITHOUT A FAILURE CODE IN THE COMPUTER TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIP IS UNSURE WHICH COMPUTER OR COMPONENT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. WITH THIS DEFECT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Power train, Oct 21, 2010
PROBLEMS WITH MY 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH 11,000 MILES. LIKE HUNDREDS OF OTHERS MY CAR BANGS WHEN STARTING AND BANGS SO BAD WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT GEARS WHEN COLD THAT I THOUGHT I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. WHEN DRIVING SLOW THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS SO HARD THAT MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS NEW VEH. AFTER READING ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS OTHERS ARE HAVING ON EDMONDS.COM I THOUGHT I WOULD E-MAIL YOU PEOPLE. THE WAY, REPS AT THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT SAY THAT THIS IS NORMAL, I HAVE TO LAUGH. *TR
Power train, Oct 20, 2010
2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. "LURCHES" FROM 2ND GEAR TO 3RD GEAR. LOUD CLANKING SOUND WHEN STARTING (NOT ON ALL STARTS, ABOUT EVERY 7-10 STARTS). SLOW SPEED SPUTTERS. SLIPS AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN ACCELERATING THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR VERY ROUGHLY. *TR
Power train, Oct 11, 2010
I HAVE A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT SHIFTING. IT WILL SHIFT REALLY HARD AND SOMETIMES WHEN I GO TO GIVE IT THE GAS IT WILL REV TO 4RPMS BEFORE IT GOES THEN IT BANGS IN TO GEAR. I HAVE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP A FEW TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS BEING TO BE REALLY FRUSTRATING. I HAVE HAD MUCH PATIENCE WITH THE DEALERSHIP, BUT WHEN THE SAY THEY PUT IT ONTO THE COMPUTER AND CAN NOT GET A CODE AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I AM GETTING AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. I DON'T KNOW WHAT MORE TO DO. IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAS HAD IT FIXED SO I CAN TELL THE DEALERSHIP? *TR
Power train, Sep 29, 2010
MY PROBLEM IS WITH A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, 4 CYL. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES HESITATES TO MOVE FORWARD, AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AS IN TRAFFIC. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY MOVE FORWARD, AND THEN IT SUDDENLY MOVES FORWARD VERY QUICKLY. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM THREE TIMES TO MY DEALER. THEY HAD A " FACTORY" SERVICE MGR RIDE WITH ME FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR. THE PROBLEM DID NOT HAPPEN. IT HAS HAPPENED UNEXPECTEDLY MANY TIMES SINCE THEN. I WAS ALMOST IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT FROM THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER PUT THE CAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND FINDS NO PROBLEM. TODAY A FRIEND OF MINE WHO HAS A GAS STATION IN ASHEVILLE, NC HAD A CUSTOMER ASK HIM ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE IDENTICAL VEHICLE. I SPOKE WITH THE INDIVIDUAL AND HIS PROBLEM IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS MINE ! THAT IS WHY I AM WRITING TO YOUR OFFICE. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI [XXX] BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I WILL BE HAPPY TO LET THE GOV TEST MY VEHICLE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. MY DAUGHTER HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE AND SAID SHE WOULD NOT DRIVE IT ANY MORE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Sep 29, 2010
MY HUSBAND AND I WERE TRAVELING NORTH FROM PALM COAST, FL TO SLATINGTON, PA. TRAVELING NORTH ON RTE I-95, MY HUSBAND DROVE ABOUT 300 MILES AND THAN I DROVE ANOTHER 300 MILES, STOPPING TO EAT AND AT VARIOUS REST AREAS. JUST BEFORE THE VIRGINIA BORDER, WE STOPPED AT A REST AREA AND MY HUSBAND TOOK OVER DRIVING. HE SAID WE SHOULD STOP FOR GAS AND A BIT TO EAT. WE WENT OVER THE STATE LINE AND GOT OFF AT EXIT 4, WE EXIT, STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN, TURNED RIGHT TO GO INTO THE STATION AND WE HEARD A LOUD SNAP. AT THIS POINT, THE ONLY WAY HE COULD STOP THE CAR WAS TO PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE THERE WAS NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WE WERE TOLD THAT POSSIBLY THE DRIVESHAFT SNAPPED AND THE TRANSMISSION ALSO WENT. THE MECHANIC THERE SAID THAT THIS IS THE THIRD ONE HE HAD SEEN LIKE THAT. THE NEXT DAY WE WERE TOLD THAT IN FACT THAT IS WHAT HAD HAPPENED. LUCKILY, WE HAD GOTTEN OFF WHEN WE DID, OR ELSE WE MAY HAVE BEEN IN A MAJOR CRASH ON BUSY RTE I-95 OR MAY EVEN HAD BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS IS 2010 CAR WITH ONLY 17,700 MILES ON IT. TODAY, WE FOUND OUT THAT HYUNDAI KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT THE DEALERS HAVE RECEIVED A BULLETIN ABOUT THIS. WE WERE NOT TOLD OF THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT AND NOW DO NOT KNOW IF THIS HAS BEEN CORRECTED PROPERLY. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO PICK UP THE CAR IN VIRGINIA BY THE END OF THE WEEK. WE DO HAVE A MAJOR CONCERN ABOUT THIS CAR. *TR
Power train, Sep 27, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO GRAB OR DROP. WHEN HE REVERSED AND THEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, HE NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. HE NOTICED THE FAILURE EVERYDAY WHEN HE FIRST DROVE FOR THAT DAY. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THE FAILURE WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000.
Power train, Sep 26, 2010
2010 HYUNDAI SANT FE, SE V6 3.5 AWD. THERE IS A GEAR CLANGING NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED UP. THIS OCCURS ABOUT EVERY THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. VEHICLE IS ROCKED BY THE MOVEMENT. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM ' NOTHING DONE. *TR
Power train, Sep 20, 2010
WITH A COLD ENGINE IN THE MORNING, MY 2010 HYUNDAI SANTE FE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS WITH A LOUD "BANG" AROUND 10MPH. THIS IS SPORADIC. ALSO AT START UP, THE VEHICLE WHILE SITTING IN PARK, DOES THE SAME THING WHEN STARTED, THOUGH NOT AS FORCEFUL AT WHEN DRIVING. I NOW HAVE 4800 MILES, AND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY 2 OR 3 WEEKS MINIMUM. I USED TO THINK LITTLE OF IT UNTIL IT HAS BEGUN REPEATING EVEN AFTER THE DEALER "RESET" THE SOFTWARE. I ALSO NOTICE NOW THERE ARE SEVERAL AUTO WEBSITES VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. HERE IS ONE: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F127D3D/199. I AM SCHEDULED TO LEAVE THE CAR THIS WEEK, AND THEY ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING A PROBLEM UNLESS THEY CAN DUPLICATE IT. I FEEL THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IN, AND THAT IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. I WILL FILE A LEMON LAW CLAIM AFTER 2 MORE ATTEMPTS TO FIX THIS EXTREMELY OBVIOUS PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Sep 18, 2010
2010 HYUNDAI SANTE FE AWD TRANSMISSION ISSUE. IMMEDIATELY UPON STARTING, WHILE CAR IS IN PARK, CAR IDLES HIGH, WANTS TO LURCH BACKWARD, BUT IS "CAUGHT" BY THE FACT THAT IT IS STILL IN PARK. MAKES A LOUD BANG SOUND WHEN THIS HAPPENS - ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING IN THE FRAME OR ELSEWHERE IN CAR CATCHES IT. THEN, WHEN PUTTING IN GEAR, IT IDLES HIGH AND ACCELERATES VERY QUICKLY WITHOUT FOOT ON GAS. NEED TO KEEP FOOT SECURELY ON BRAKE FOR SAFETY. HYUNDAI DENIES A PROBLEM WHEN IT IS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE. OTHER HYUNDAI SANTA FE DRIVERS INDICATE PROBLEM IS WITH TRANSMISSION AND GETS WORSE OVER TIME, INCLUDING HAVING STALLS WHILE IN TRAFFIC,, UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION, CAR WON'T SHIFT IN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. PLEASE GET HYUNDAI TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 13, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN IT BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS OPEN WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT RAN TO CATCH THE VEHICLE AS IT INDEPENDENTLY REACHED A STOP. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR STRUCK THE CONTACT RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURIES. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR TREATMENT TREATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. A THIRD PARTY INVESTIGATOR WAS SENT BY THE MANUFACTURER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE INVESTIGATOR FOUND NO FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,200.
Power train, Sep 6, 2010
2010 HYUNDAI SANTE FE TRANSMISSIONS BANGS INTO GEAR BETWEEN 1-2 GIVING A FEELING AS IF SOMEONE HAS REAR ENDED YOUR CAR .IT ALSO HAS A ROCKING MOTION WHILE DRIVING. MOSTLY DOES THIS FIRST THING IN THE MORNING BUT WILL ALSO DO IT RANDOMLY. CALL HYUNDAI AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF A TREND ON TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH THE SANTE FE. I TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO LOOK AT AND LEFT IT OVERNIGHT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. AT MY SUGGESTION THEY REFLASHED THE COMPUTER AND IT HELPED FOR A WEEK AND NOW THE CAR DOES THE SAME THING BANGING/LEARCHING INTO 2 GEAR. *TR
Power train, Sep 3, 2010
AS THE ENGINE STARTS WITH THE GEAR SHIFT IN "PARK", THE 2010 SANTE FE LURCHES FORWARD AS IF THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT DISENGAGED. THE FORWARD LURCH RANGES FROM A SENSATION OF MOTION TO AN INCH OF TIRE ROTATION. FURTHERMORE, THIS HAPPENS AGAIN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN IDLING BETWEEN 1200-1500 RPM AND WHEN ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED AND PRESSED AGAIN AT AROUND 20 MPH TO 25 MPH. IT HAS HAPPENED AT SPEEDS AS HIGH AS 40 TO 45 MPH. IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE BUMPED INTO ME FROM BEHIND. IN ONE INSTANCE I QUICKLY APPLIED THE BRAKES ASSUMING I WAS REAR-ENDED. *TR
Power train, Sep 1, 2010
BRAND NEW 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED 6 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE SOMETIMES MAKES A LOUD BANG FROM TRANSMISSION AT START UP. VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD WHEN STARTED UP IN PARK. ALSO LOUD BAND WHEN ENGAGING REVERSE. HAS A PROBLEM SHIFTING SOMETIMES FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR,A SLIGHT HESITATION SOMETIMES. CAR HAS ALSO DIED ON ME FOR NO REASON WHEN PULLING OUT OF A JUNCTION. WILL BE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER ASAP. LOVE THE VEHICLE BUT SERIOUSLY WORRIED WITH THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES. MOST OF THE ISSUES ARE HAPPENING DAILY APART FROM THE STALLING ISSUE WHICH HAS ONLY OCCURRED ONCE. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Power train, Aug 26, 2010
REPORT DATE: 08/26/2010. PURCHASED HYUNDAI SANTA FE 08/14/2010. VEHICLE HAS 1190 MILES TO DATE. VEHICLE HAS MOMENTARILY STALLED 5 TIMES - 2 IN TRAFFIC SITUATION WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN CRASH. ALL STALLS HAVE OCCURRED AFTER SITTING AND IDLING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR TURNS ON BOTH LEVEL SURFACE AND INCLINES. WHEN BRAKE IS RELEASED AND ACCELERATOR PUSHED VEHICLE STARTS MOVING SLUGGISHLY AND THEN STALLS FLAT FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AND THEN ENGINE RE-ENGAGES. NO WARNING LIGHTS ACTIVATED. ENGINE DOES NOT DIE REQUIRING AN IGNITION RESTART. IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO DEALER AFTER STALLING ON INCLINE 3 TIMES AT 677 MILES ON 08/18/2010. SERVICE TECH RAN COMPLETE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC IN IDLE MODE IN SHOP AND FOUND ALL SYSTEMS WITHIN TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS. SUSPECT DRIVE-BY-WIRE / COMPUTER LINKAGE. VEHICLE RUNS SMOOTHLY, DOWNSHIFTS AND ACCELERATES ON DEMAND NORMALLY AT ALL OTHER SPEEDS LESS THAN 10 MPH. THIS CONDITION OCCURS AFTER A STOP AND AFTER BRAKE IS RELEASED AND ACCELERATOR ENGAGED (2 TIMES); WHEN MOVING SLOWLY AND HARD ACCELERATION DEMANDED (2 TIMES); OR WHEN TRANSMISSION INITIALLY ENGAGED IN DRIVE FROM PARK MODE (2 OCCASIONS). *TR
Power train, Aug 20, 2010
VEHICLE SOMETIMES MAKES A LOUD BANG AT STARTUP. HAVEN'T OBSERVED ANY SUDDEN JERKS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION BUT WONDERING IF THIS "BANGING" PROBLEM WILL LEAD TO A TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED 3.5 L V6 AWD. *TR
Power train, Aug 19, 2010
BRAND NEW 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE INTERMITTENTLY LURCHES FORWARD AND REVERSE WHEN STARTED UP IN PARK. APPEARS AS IF STARTING UP "IN GEAR" WHEN IN PARK. *TR
Power train, Aug 17, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE GAUGES BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. AS SHE RESUMED DRIVING AND REACHED 25 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CERTAIN IF THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION WOULD REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,700.