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2010 Hyundai Santa FE Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 260 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE, most often about the transmission (42% of complaints, typically around 10,500 miles). It is 10th of 26 Santa FE model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2010 Hyundai Santa FE problems
Transmission
109 complaints · 42%Half of these problems showed up before 10,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
Tl 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…
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…
Engine
46 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles.
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, ([phone])…
1. Starter gear had to be replaced and the dealer ship and was told many of these cars are having the same issue. 2. When raining and driving down city streets, or highway my car will try to stall out and the check engine light comes on then it will lose steering, rpms will fluctuate. When checked it said it was the…
Electrical
28 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 60,500 miles. Parts named most often: starter assembly, instrument panel.
Yesterday while decelerating at about 30 MPH and coming to a stop sign, the car completely shut off. The check engine light illuminated. The car was restarted and continued to operate normally. The car check engine light did not illuminate again. I took to my dealer today (next am) due to my concern. I contacted…
Passenger rear door (right rear) lock actuator mechanism failure. Door is locked and **cannot be unlocked or opened from inside or outside the *, whether by manual or key fob method. Manual door lock button (on right rear door) inside car difficult to actuate, door handle actuation (cable?) seems like it may be…
Other or unspecified
23 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles.
Pearl white paint flaking off. Originally thought this was caused by rock chips, however it is extremely apparent that the paint is simply flaking off. Most flaking is quite small at the moment, however today noticed a larger area over the windshield. No accidents.
Daytime running lights do not turn off... Hyundai say there is a sensor in rear view mirror........ But ... ....sensor is no longer available.. And ....rear view mirror is no longer available either.. Resulting in the lights being on all the time...........solutions needed......…
Speed control
21 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 22,500 miles.
When slowing down for traffic lights, turns or merging into traffic lanes, when the brake is released and the accelerator is pushed, at random times the car hesitates and all power is lost momentarily. The vehicle seems as if it has or is in the process of stalling out. At first, it feels as if all power has been lost…
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated that while driving from the complete stop the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floor and there was no response. After several attempts the vehicle accelerated forcefully with the sound of screeching tires. The brake was applied and the vehicle slowed…
Fuel system
19 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles.
When pushing the gas pedal to accelerate from stopped position there is a notable pause. (1-3 seconds??)this then causes you to push accelerator further ,thereby causing a much more sudden acceleration. I am used to it because it has happened intermittently since car was new, but someone could get in trouble. Hyundai…
From stop,making left turn, lost all power momentarily, RPM dropped to idle. Pressing accelerator did nothing, finally engine came back and accelerated wildly. Very dangerous.
Suspension
14 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would make a loud clanking noise from the rear end. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage…
I was driving over a set of well kept railroad tracks at a low speed when I heard a loud bang. I subsequently discovered my drivers front spring broke. This also destroyed my tire from the car basically collapsing onto it while I drove to a place I could safely park. Hyundai refused to see my car until the next week…
Brakes
12 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 18,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Brake pedal cannot hold pressure, creating dangerous situation in emergency braking. Brought car to dealer on november 29 for warranty repair. Dealer found master cylinder has internal leak. Replaced master cylinder and re-bled the system.
Purchased vehicle brand new, the rear brake lights failed and I was rear ended @ 65 MPH. Vehicle suffered $14,000 in damage with a bent frame. The value of my vehicle is now diminished drastically and it is reported in car fax report. Approximately 2 years later vehicle was recalled for faulty brake lights and the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2010 Hyundai Santa FE recalls
Lights: switch
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: Damage to the transmission may cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of motive power
Summary
The national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated july 13, 2022, petitioning the agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain hyundai motor america, inc. And kia america, inc. Vehicles spanning model years (my) 2005-2021. The petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) of the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated october 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (etc) system on certain kia vehicles resulting in the opening of dp21-003. Accordingly, model year (my) 2005-2016 kia optima/k5, my 2006-2015 kia sorento, my 2007-2016 hyundai elantra, my 2007-2016 hyundai santa fe, my 2006-2015 hyundai sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a vehicle owner questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (odi) number 11439675.on november 12, 2021, odi opened defec
Transmission intermediate driveshaft
Summary
On april 25, 2011, kia motors corporation submitted a defect notification letter to NHTSA regarding a transmission intermediate driveshaft condition in approximately 12,690 model year (my) 2011 kia sorento 2-wheel drive vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4l engines (NHTSA recall no. 11v-258).the recall addresses a defect with the external shape of the engine block which can prevent the intermediate shaft bearing bracket from mating evenly with the engine block.this can cause a misalignment of the intermediate shaft with the right side output gear.resulting damage could cause a loss of motive power.additionally, on april 27, 2011, hyundai motor company submitted a defect not
Questions about the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (109 complaints, typically around 10,500 miles); engine (46 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles); electrical (28 complaints, typically around 60,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 1, 2013 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2010 a bad year for the Hyundai Santa FE?
- It is 10th of 26 Santa FE model years by number of complaints, with 260 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.