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.
Power train, Feb 6, 2020
IN NOV 2012 AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED WITH 38,000 MILES, WE NOTICE THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SHORTLINE HYUNDAI IN AURORA, CO. TO HAVE THEM INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND TEST DRIVE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE DURING THEIR INSPECTION, NO CODES. WE STILL NOTICED THE ISSUE FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS. FAST FORWARD TO NOV. 2014 - WE DECIDED TO TRY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP IN CENTENNIAL, CO. ARAPAHOE HYUNDAI. THE VEHICLE HAD 52,000 AT THIS POINT. THEY CONFIRMED THE TRANSMISSION HAD A HARSH ENGAGEMENT IN HIGHER GEARS, STILL NO CODES. THEY STATED THE FLUID WAS LOW AND TOPPED OFF THE FLUID. THROUGH THE FOLLOWING YEARS THE ISSUE WAS STILL PRESENT. FEB 2018 THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRES AND THE ISSUE AT THIS POINT IS VERY NOTICEABLE. 5TH GEAR WOULD HESITATE UP SIFTING TO 6TH GEAR, ALONG WITH A DELAYED REACTION ON A DOWNSHIFT FROM 5TH TO 4TH. ONCE THE DOWNSHIFT ENGAGED THERE WAS A HARD BAND INTO 4TH.JUNE 2018, 79,850 MILES - FEELING BRUSHED OFF BY THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERS, WE DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS IN NEED OF CHANGE, SO WE CHANGED THE FLUID. THE FLUID CHANGE EASED THE HARSH SHIFTING SLIGHTLY. AS OF TODAY FEB. 2020, 91,150 MILES - THE TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE DRIVE FINE UNTIL IT HITS 5TH GEAR. THE DOWNSHIFT IS NOW VERY HESITANT WITH AN EXTREME BANG ONCE IT ENGAGES 4TH. THERE HAS BEEN AN KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERN. HYUNDAI HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, OTHER THAN PUTTING A BAND-AID ON THE ISSUE.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 30, 2020
FOR NO REASON THE CAR WILL STALL AND ALL STEERING AND BRAKE FUNCTIONS ARE DISABLED. HAPPENS WHEN STOPPED OR WHILE DRIVING. CAR HAS TO BE PUT IN PARK AND RESTARTED. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Oct 31, 2019
REAR TAIL LIGHTS RETAIN MOISTURE AND WATER, CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION AND SHORT OUT WHEN BULBS ARE REPLACED. THIS ISSUE IS VISIBLE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED ME TO BE PULLED OVER BY POLICE OFFICERS AS WELL AS IT CAN CAUSE UNSAFE BRAKING CONDITIONS DUE TO NO BRAKE LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE. BRAKE LIGHT BULB WILL BE REPLACED BUT AS SOON AS IT RAINS OR ANY CONDENSATION COLLECTS IN THE HOUSING, IT CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHT TO NOT ILLUMINATE UPON PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Power train, Oct 20, 2019
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND THEN VIOLENTLY KICKS INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN STARTING OUT. IT WILL ALSO SLIP WHILE DRIVING ALONG AND THEN KICK BACK INTO GEAR WITH A BANG SOUND. THESE SLIPS SEEM TO OCCUR WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD( JUST STARTED AND TEMPERATURE GAGE READS AT OR NEAR C). I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES OVER THE YEARS AND THEY TELL ME THEY FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE PROBLEM RECURS AT LEAST WEEKLY.
Power train, Oct 15, 2019
DEALER REFLASHED (UPGRADED?) THE COMPUTER DURING AN UNRELATED DOOR LOCK REPAIR. AFTERWARDS, THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES AT LOW SPEED/COASTING, THEN REENGAGES VIOLENTLY. WHEN REQUESTED TO RESTORE THE COMPUTER TO THE ORIGINAL FACTORY PROGRAM, THE DEALER SAID IT CANNOT BE DONE. THERE HAVE BEEN SUBSEQUENT REFLASHES INSTALLED TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION, BUT TO NO AVAIL. DEALER SAYS "THE COMPUTER JUST HAS TO LEARN MY DRIVING HABITS". IT'S A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN YOU'RE NOT AWARE OF THE DISENGAGEMENT, THE ENGINE RPM INCREASES, THEN A SUDDEN ENGAGEMENT OCCURS.
Power train, Oct 14, 2019
WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 7 MONTHS AGO WITH JUST OVER 62K MILES. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO FASTER THAN 30 ON THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND TOLD US WE NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND CD AXLE. AFTER RESEARCH THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL'S TRANSMISSION. OURS WAS BUILT 3 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL BUT IS DOING THE SAME THING. SAFETY ISSUE AND A QUALITY HYUNDAI SHOULD STAND BEHIND AND REPAIR. WE HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP.
Power train, Oct 1, 2019
VEHICLE HAS 107K MI AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (SYMPTOMS: UPSHIFTING LAG AND "THUNK" WHEN DOWNSHIFTING AT 15-25MPH). ACCORDING TO DEALER, IT CAN NOT BE RE-BUILT DUE TO DESIGN AND MUST BE REPLACED. CAR HAS BEEN VERY WELL-CARED FOR AND DRIVEN LESS THAN 10,000/MI/YR FOR THE LAST 8+ YEARS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME 2010 SANTA FE TRANSMISSIONS BUT DEALER SAYS OURS WAS NOT IMPACTED. WE FEEL THAT A TRANSMISSION THAT FAILS AFTER 107K GENTLE MILES MUST HAVE A DESIGN FLAW.
Steering, Sep 19, 2019, crash
WARNING: WHILE TURNING LEFT INTO MY DRIVEWAY (IN MOTION), MY 2010 SANTA FE STEERING SUDDENLY LOCKED UP AND I DROVE ONTO MY LAWN. VERY SCARY AND THIS WAS WITHOUT WARNING! SIMPLY MEANING, IF THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS THE ISSUE, THERE WOULD BE NOISE AND A GRADUAL FAILURE; HOWEVER, THIS WAS VERY SUDDEN. AS OF THIS WRITING, THE STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THANK GOD I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND NOW IT IS IN THE SHOP FOR DIAGNOSES. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!!!
Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2019
I HAVE BOUGHT ALL MY PARTS NEW AND MY CAR KEEP SHUTTING OFF WHILE IM DRIVING.ON THE ROAD I CAN BE IN TRAFFIC AND IT SHUTS OFF OR AT THE LIGHT AND IT DO THE SAME THING OR I CAN DRIVE LIKE 10 SECONDS IT SHUTS OFF.
Power train, Jul 9, 2019
MOSTLY SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR OR BACKING UP , YOU GET A VERY HARD BANG , AS IF YOU HIT SOMETHING. CITY STREET MOSTLY TURNING.
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.
Engine, Jun 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION, THE VEHICLE RATTLED AND MADE ABNORMAL NOISES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIDWEST SUPERSTORE (LOCATED AT 1100 E 30TH AVE, HUTCHINSON, KS 67502, (620) 662-6631), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,194.
Power train, May 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WIESNER HYUNDAI (LOCATED AT 1645 INTERSTATE 45 N, CONROE, TX 77304, (936) 523-6300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AXEL AND DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Steering, May 20, 2019
WHILE DRIVING NEAR 40 MPH, STEERING PULLS TO THE LEFT DURING ACCELERATION.
Engine, Apr 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SPORADICALLY REVVED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN STARTED, THE ENGINE WOULD REV TO 40 MPH. ALSO, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEIGH VALLEY HYUNDAI (675 STATE AVE, EMMAUS, PA 18049, (610) 967-6500), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,868.
Engine, Apr 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR STARTED KNOCKING AND SPUTTERING, AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. BOB KING HYUNDAI (1601 SILAS CREEK PKWY, WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27127, (336) 724-2861) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Power train, Apr 2, 2019
SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THIS CAR, THE TRANSMISSION BANGS HARD WHEN SHIFTING GEARS OCCASIONALLY. I HAVE HAD IT INTO THE SHOP 3 OR 4 TIMES BUT THEY KEEP TELLING ME THEY TESTED IT AND IT'S FINE. NOW I'M ALMOST OUT OF MY WARRANTY AND I'M AFRAID THEY TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO GO. I READ THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS. WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS?
Suspension, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Mar 27, 2019
I'VE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED, ALIGNMENT DONE, ROTORS CHECKED, AND IT STILL SHAKES LIKE SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT, AND IT'S SCARING ME, I'M HANDICAP, AND I FEEL LIKE MY FRONT END IS GONNA COME APART OR MY CAR IS GONNA FLIP, WHEN I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT'S DOING JUST FINE BUT WHEN I GO TO PRESS ON MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN MY CAR IS SHAKING LIKE I'M GOING THROUGH AN EARTHQUAKE OR TORNADO, AND IT ALSO SEEMS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM LIKE WHEN YOU PUSH PUSH THE GAS TO GET SPEED SO YOU COULD JUMP ON THE HIGHWAY IT LIKE JERKS A LITTLE BETTER SHE IS A LITTLE HARD TO BE ABLE TO CATCH UP AND IT'S NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE
Steering, Suspension, Dec 29, 2018
TIE ROD AND FRONT SUSPENSION. WHEN TURNING IT MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND . I'VE HAD TO GET SUSPENSION AND TOE ROAD CHANGED 3 TIMES WITHIN 6 MONTHS
Power train, Dec 13, 2018
I HAVE A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTE FE UTIL. I BELIEVE I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY "ALL WHEEL DRIVE COUPLER". MY WIFE USES THIS VEHICLE. CURRENTLY WE ARE EXPERIENCING LOUD BANGS THAT FEEL LIKE WE ARE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. IT IS IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I INVESTIGATED THIS ONLINE I SEE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I AM WONDERING WHY THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A RECALL. I FEEL MY WIFE AND CHILD ARE IN DANGER WHILE RIDING IN THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND PROTECT THE PUBLIC BY CALLING FOR A RECALL WITH THIS ISSUE.
Engine, Nov 30, 2018
ENGINE STOPPED AND ROD KNOCKING STARTED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY
Power train, Nov 29, 2018
CAR WOULD NOT GO OUT OF NEUTRAL. SNOW. ESC AND AWD LIGHTS ON.
Power train, Nov 1, 2018
DRIVING SANTA FE AT 55MPH AND IT SLOWED TO A STOP. TRANSMISION WAS OUT OF GEAR AND WOULD NOT RE-ENGAGE. CAN NOT DRIVE VEHICLE NOW AS IT WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR
Electrical system, Oct 24, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STARTER FAILED PERIODICALLY. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH PAINT ON THE NEGATIVE CONNECTOR TO THE ENGINE FROM BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC RESOLVED THE FAILURE BY SANDING DOWN THE AREA BY THE CONNECTOR TO METAL ON METAL. THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
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.