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
259 reports, newest first.
Engine, Jul 24, 2022
My engine blew. No warning lights were on. The acceleration started sounding weird and so I slowed it down. It started running at high rpms and then it started clanking and parts flew out from behind my car from then engine while in interstate and now my engine is blown. There wasn't much warning and no warning lights at all except my tire light which is always on even though tires are filled and don't lose air
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.
Engine, Feb 28, 2022
On April 22,2021 I took my Hyundai Santa Fe to McGrath Hyundai Serv Ctr for routine oil change. I paid for this oil chge and was given a MultiPoint Inspection rpt detailing my car was in good condition needing only routine maintenance updates. Mileage was documented 46,008 mi. My car was in excellent condition, regularly maintained at Hyundai service centers. 9 days later my engine failed without any warning. I had only driven about 30 mi after service.This is a safety issue as the failure could've occurred while I was driving. I towed the car back to the serv ctr where I was told I would need a new engine. There was no reason ever given for the sudden failure other than that this was a bad engine. I called Hyundai Corp Care to ask for help. I was told my 100,000/10yr warranty had expired 6 mos. earlier and there was NO recall. I later found this not to be true as NHTSA had done an investigation earlier causing Hyundai to recall 1000's of Santa Fe's for the EXACT reason that my engine failed. My VIN is not included in this recall but the problem was exactly the same. I read in the NHTSA report this recall applied to engines manufactured before 2011. After many phone calls/emails, Hyundai Corp agreed to a "good will" offer to replace the engine for 80%. I was told they would remove the bad engine and drop in a new one. However, there was faulty communication between Hyundai Corp and Hyundai service center. My hands were tied. 175 days later I was returned my car with a remanufactured short block. Approximately 2 mos later my oil light began to flicker. I returned to serv ctr where I was told I now need to manually check my oil regularly. The service engine light no longer works as it should. The warning light no longer works for other safety issues also. Hyundai was not truthful in owning up to the existence of the engine safety issue. They should have owned my problem and repaired as part of the recall. I no longer feel safe driving my car.
Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2022
My paint is peeling on my SUV . The hood and side by my windshield along with the top by the sun roof
Exterior lighting, Aug 18, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the driver’s side front wheel felt wobbling. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V113000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
Engine, Jul 27, 2021, fire
The contact owned a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact was calling from an insurance company and stated that while the driver was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to lose motive power and decelerated inadvertently. There was smoke coming from the air vents and flames were seen coming from the front wheel wells. After exiting the vehicle, flames engulfed the vehicle and the vehicle was destroyed. The fire department was called to the scene and a report was taken before the vehicle was towed away. No injuries were reported. The cause of the failure was not determined. Later the insurance company concluded that the fire was caused by a faulty engine. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Air bags, Jul 12, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2021
The problem is that the vehicle sometimes hesitates to move forward, and then suddenly accelerates quickly and roughly. It happens when the vehicle is stopped as in traffic. It sometimes makes a clunking noice, it feels like someone hit me from behind. I have taken it to the dealership before a couple years ago, when this happened and they re-programmed it. It was fine for awhile then it happened again, so I took it to the dealership again, they did an inspection….they are saying now it needs a $1300 part, it will cost over $1600.
Power train, Jun 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact mentioned NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V261000 (Power Train) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Engine, May 10, 2021
DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT JUST SHUT OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO A SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME ENGINE HAD A HOLE IN THE BLOCK FROM A CONNECTING ROD. THAT CAME OFF THE CRANKSHAFT .VEHICLE ONLY HAS 104358 MILES ON IT AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED WITH FREQUENT OIL CHANGES.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 9, 2021
THIS CAR HAS STALLED AT LEAST SIX TIMES IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS, USUALLY AS WE ARE DEACCELERATING AND IN A DOWNHILL POSITION (IE: DRIVING SLOWLY DOWN A MOUNTAIN, COMING TO A STOPLIGHT GOING DOWN A HILL, ETC.). IT HAS A NEW ENGINE AS OF SUMMER 2020. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY RAN A GENERAL DIAGNOSTICS CHECK-UP WITH NO RESULTS. WE HAVE SEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE FOR A SOLUTION AND SEE MANY OTHERS REPORTING SIMILAR STALLING CONCERNS, BUT WHEN WE PUT OUR VIN INTO THE RECALL SYSTEM, THERE ARE NO RECALLS AFFILIATED WITH THIS CAR. THE CAR DRIVES GREAT OTHERWISE, BUT THE STALLING IS VERY CONCERNING.
Visibility/wiper, May 3, 2021
WAS JUST WASHING THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND AS I SPRAYED THE WINDSHIELD TO FIRST RINSE THE POLLEN OFF, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM BOTTOM TO TOP. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY CHIPS OR CRACKS PRIOR TO THAT.
Power train, Feb 12, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.
Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2021
THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT MEET WITH THE FOLLOWING US FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS (FMVSS) AND REGULATIONS [DOT] I NEED TO REGISTER AND TAG MY VEHICLE HERE IN ORLANDO FLORIDA I GOT HYUNDAI AUTO CANADA CERTIFIES THAT THE ABOVE NOTED VEHICLE, 2010 SANTA FE GT 2.4 LITRE DOHC, WAS MANUFACTURED FOR RETAIL SALE IN CANADA AND COMPLIED WITH ALL CANADIAN MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS (CMVSS) AND CANADIAN EMISSIONS STANDARDS APPLICABLE AS OF THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT MEET WITH THE FOLLOWING US FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS (FMVSS) AND REGULATIONS: I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ON THIS OR RECOMMEND ME TO SOMEONE WHO CAN PLEASE, THANK YOU [XXX] MY EMAIL IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 5, 2021
102,734 MILES AND THE CAR STARTED TO JUMP WHILE DRIVING. FELT LIKE RPM WOULD NOT SHIFT. AFTER MULTIPLE MECHANICS LOOKED AT IT, CONFIRMED THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. DUE TO BEING A SECOND OWNER, ONLY BY 1500 MILES HYUNDAI WOULD NOT COVER. THE 2WD WERE RECALLED, BUT NOT THE AWD. CLEARLY THERE ARE ISSUES WITH ALL MAKES. THEN AFTER FIXING THAT THE PURGE VALVE SOLENOID NEEDED REPLACED AND THEN THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT THESE RECALLS WERE NOT ACTIVE FOR THE AWD. THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE DRIVING ON ANY ROAD AND WE ARE LUCKY THE CAR DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THIS STARTED 9/18/2020 AND WORK COMPLETE 01/05/2021
Power train, Dec 14, 2020
THE CAR MAKES A JERKING SOUND WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHEN IT'S HOT. IT ALSO JERKS LIKE IT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR TO GO INTO WHILE DRIVING ON OCCASIONS.
Engine, Dec 7, 2020
ENGINE SEIZED.
Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2020
WHENEVER I LOOK UP THE RECALLS MY ENGINE TYPE HAS RECALLS BUT EVERY SYSTEM SAYS NONE FOR MY VIN. I THINK IT'S BECAUSE I HAVE AWD/4WD. HOWEVER, EVERYTHING ELSE IS THE SAME. I HAD TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE DEALER SAID AT THE TIME THEY WERE REPLACING THEM FOR 2WD. NOT MINE $2000. NOW THERE ARE TRANSMISSION ISSUES THAT WILL BE COVERED FOR 2WD WITH THE SAME ENGINE TYPE I HAVE BUT NOT MINE. BECAUSE I HAVE 4WD THIS IS NOT RIGHT I'M HAVING ALL THE SAME ISSUES. CAN YOUR AGENCY GET THEN TO ADD MY VIN# OR 4WD TO THE LIST? WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MY CAR WOULD JERK WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. MOST OF THE TIME IT WOULDN'T SPEED UP IT WOULD JUST JERK. WITH THE TRANSMISSION I STOPPED GOING UP THE FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP ON I10 HEADED EAST. THE CAR WAS SLUGGISH BARELY MOVING. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE, HALF MY CAR OUT IN THE WAY. IT HAS NOT MOVED SINCE. IT WON'T DRIVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THE TOW MAN ONLY NEUTRAL WORKS. HE PUSHED IT INTO A PARKING SPOT AFTER IT WAS TOWED. I HAD A MECHANIC COME TO LOOK AT IT. HE SAID TRANSMISSION ISSUES. ALSO, THE ELECTRIC IS CRAZY THE KEY CLICKER AND THE DOOR LOCKS, WORK WHEN IT WANTS TO.
Engine, Oct 1, 2020
ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR I EXPERIENCE A LURCHING. AT TIME IT JUST WON'T ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENS ON SEVERAL OCCASION THIS YEAR
Power train, Sep 28, 2020
WHEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD BANGING NOISE LOSING POWER FOR A MOMENT AND THEN VIOLENTLY SNAPPING BACK INTO GEAR. IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE SOMEBODY IS HITTING YOU FROM BEHIND. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE ACCELATION/DECELERATION IS TIGHTENING UP RIGHT BEFORE IT HAPPENS. FEELS VERY SCARY SOMETIMES AND I'M WORRIED TO DESTROY THE TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT WITH 153K MILES ON IT AND IT HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. ACCORDING TO DEALER ITS A SMALL EMISSION LEAK.
Power train, Sep 27, 2020
I HAVE A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AND SINCE I BOUGHT IT 2 YEARS AGO WHEN I START IT AND LET IT WARM UP THEN I PUT IN REVERSE IT JERKS VIOLENTLY THEN I WOULD PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT WAS IN NEUTRAL THEN ANOTHER VIOLENT JERK TO DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING IT WILL CHANGE GEARS VERY ROUGH LIKE SOME HIT ME . I KNOW HYUNDAI KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND DOESN'T EXPAND THE RECALL . I CHECKED MY VIN # AND NO RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION JUST A HAND FULL .
Power train, Sep 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHIFTING GEARS FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER INVER GROVE HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 1290 50TH ST E, INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN 55077, (888) 706-5928, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V261000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000.
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.
Air bags, Jun 25, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SIDE-CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT. THE PRESSURE FROM THE AIRBAG RIPPED THE SEAMS OF THE PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SEATS. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED WINN HYUNDAI OF SANTA MARIA AT: (805)349-8500 AND WAS REFERRED TO THE CORPORATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS OFFICE. THE OFFICE SENT FORMS FOR THE CONTACT TO COMPLETE AND RETURN, ALONG WITH ANY PICTURES. THE DEALER ALSO REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN IN TO BE DIAGNOSED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Other or unspecified, Feb 29, 2020
IN APRIL 2019 THE SUNROOF OF MY 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE FLEW OFF. REPLACED AFTER $500 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE. ON FEBRUARY 21, 2020 WHILE TRAVELING AT AROUND 65 MILES AN HOUR ON I75 NORTH, THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED ON OUR 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. TODAY I SUBMITTED A SEPARATE COMPLAINT FOR THE SONATA. COMPLAINT 11312271. I DECIDED TO FILE BOTH COMPLAINTS TODAY ON BOTH VEHICLES DUE TO THE FACT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ON THE HIGHWAY AND SOMEONE COULD GET SERIOUSLY HURT.