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: structure
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Tires, May 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the contact self-inspected the vehicle and noticed and excessive amount of corrosion on the subframe. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Structure, May 10, 2022
The back driver side child safety lock is stuck between on and off and the door will not open. I am an Uber driver. If there was an accident a passenger might get trapped inside.
Power train, Structure, Jul 21, 2020
WHEN TRAVELING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND UPON ACCELERATION THERE'S LOSS OF POWER FOR A SPLIT SECOND, AND THEN IT'S BUMPING REAL HARD. IT CAN BE DESCRIBED AS A BUMPING NOISE, CLUNKING NOISE OR THUMPING NOISE. MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN BETWEEN 50-70 MPH. ALSO, THE PASSENGER BACK DOOR LOCK HAS BEEN WORKING OFF AND ON. IT FINALLY HAS STOPPED OPENING THE DOOR ENTIRELY. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE YET TO DIAGNOSE AN ISSUE AFTER TWO INSPECTIONS. AS OF 7/21/20 THE VEHICLE IS STILL HAVING THESE ISSUES.
Structure, Jun 12, 2019
THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR WORKS OFF AND ON. SOME DAYS IT OPENS AND SOME DAYS IT DOESN'T AND THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE DOOR HANDLE OR THE DOOR ITSELF. FOR THE PAST MONTH IS HAS TOTALLY GAVE UP ON OPENING AT ALL AND THERE IS STILL NO DAMAGE TO THE HANDLE OR THE DOOR.
Structure, Oct 16, 2018
IN 2013 THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR ACTUATOR MECHANISM WAS REPLACED (WARRANTY). IN OCTOBER 2018, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ACTUATOR MECHANISM WAS REPLACED, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR ACTUATOR MECHANISM WAS REPLACED. COULD NOT OPEN DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.
Structure, Jun 23, 2018
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK WHEN SHUTTING THE DOOR THERE FOR YOU CAN NOT OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR WITH THE OUTSIDE HANDLE. YOU NEED TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE AND LOCK THE DOOR BEFORE YOU SHUT IT OR IT WILL NOT STAY SHUT.
Structure, Dec 13, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ONE MORNING, SUDDENLY THE PASSENGER DOOR JUST OPENED ON ITS OWN. WE COULD NOT GET IT TO LATCH AT ALL. I HAD TO RIDE HOLDING THE DOOR CLOSED UNTIL WE COULD GET HOME TO GET BUNGEE CORDS TO HOLD IT CLOSED. THIS HAPPENED ON A BUSY CITY STREET JUST GOING STRAIGHT. AND AGAIN WHEN WE TURNED, BUT WE ANTICIPATED IT AND HELD THE DOOR SHUT. SO L TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING (MONDAY), AND THEY SAID IT WAS A DOOR ACTUATOR AND LATCH ASSEMBLY. NO VEHICLE SHOULD EVER HAVE A DOOR THAT CANNOT LATCH! THIS IS A TERRIFYING INCIDENT. WHEN THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART, I TOLD THEM TO FIX THE DOOR WHERE IT WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK THE NEXT DAY. DIDN'T WORK. GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WITH THE DOOR FLOPPING BACK AND FORTH--ENOUGH TO ALLOW FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE DOME LIGHT TO REMAIN ON IS NOT SAFE!!! AFTER EXITING THE INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, I GRABBED THE BUNGEE CORD THAT WAS INSIDE AND HELD THE DOOR CLOSED WHILE I DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME ABOUT 35 MPH. I WILL HAVE THREE MORE TRIPS ON THIS INTERSTATE-HOME TONIGHT, TO AND FROM THE DEALER/WORK TOMORROW, AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE REPAIRED. THEY SAY TWO OTHER DOORS ALSO NEED ACTUATORS. (TO THE TUNE OF $400 EACH!) THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN ON A MODERN DAY CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, May 10, 2016
I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 40K MILES ON IT AND IT NOW HAS 63K MILES. SINCE I HAVE HAD IT, I HAVE REPLACED THE RADIO DISPLAY, SPEAKER, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CONTROLS, STARTER AND A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS. THE CLEAR COAT IS ALSO COMING OFF ALL THE DOOR HANDLES AND IT IS FADING THE PAINT. I NOTIFIED HYUNDAI AND THEY DID NOT ADDRESS ANY ISSUE.
Structure, Jan 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER A MANUFACTURERS RECALL WHERE THE DEALER REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER HOSES AND THE CLAMPS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN, AN ABNORMAL THUMPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPRING PROTECTOR AND THE ELASTIC SEALANT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,390.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 21, 2015
THE VEHICLE HAS A HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN DRIVEN 10 MPH IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HYUNDAI AND BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED THERE WAS NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION. I WAS TOLD IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON 3/21/15. *TR
Structure, Feb 22, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED SCRATCHES ON HER VEHICLE WHICH SUDDENLY TURNED INTO RUST WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND THAT IT WAS JUST PAINT DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AS WELL AND ADVISED HER TO CALL HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000.