VehicleVerdict

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe sits mid-pack among Santa Fe years: 331 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 296, with 3 recalls and 3 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 110 reports (33% of the total).

331

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

12

Fires reported

13

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Santa Fe years?

Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted1,231 complaints2001: 293 complaints2002: 219 complaints2003: 390 complaints2004: 386 complaints2005: 300 complaints2006: 143 complaints2007: 981 complaints2008: 718 complaints2009: 506 complaints2010: 331 complaints2011: 268 complaints2012: 474 complaints2013: 806 complaints2014: 679 complaints2015: 331 complaints2016: 288 complaints2017: 1,231 complaints2018: 143 complaints2019: 268 complaints2020: 270 complaints2021: 236 complaints2022: 292 complaints2023: 307 complaints2024: 186 complaints2025: 170 complaints2026: 39 complaints
Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Fe years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission11033%
Engine4514%
Electrical System309%
Other247%
Speed Control216%
Fuel System196%
Suspension144%
Brakes124%
Visibility & Wipers113%
Body & Structure113%
Airbags103%
Steering82%
Lighting72%
Tires & Wheels41%
Latches & Locks21%
Seat Belts10%
Seats10%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13V113000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

11E040000OtherOctober 6, 2011 · 2,254 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

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.

11V261000TransmissionApril 28, 2011 · 5,876 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I HAVE A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTAFE WITH 6900 MILES. THREE TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT AND THEN IT WOULD SLAM INTO GEAR MAKING A BANGING SOUND AND WOULD SURGE FORWARD. IT WAS LIKE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. EACH INCIDENT OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 20-25MPH WHILE ACCELERATING. I AM VERY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 28, 2010

“VEHICLE STOPPED ON INCLINE OF A HILL, THEN REVERSED (GEAR SHIFT IN DRIVE) BACK DOWN 600 FEET THE HILL AND CRASHED AGAINST A CONCRETE WALL CORNER. HAVE 2 WITNESSES THAT SWITCHED OFF THE ENGINE, INSPECTED WRECK, FOUND NO FAULT CODES WITH A LAUNCH 431-READER BUT FIGURED THAT BATTERY WAS DRAINED AFTER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 2, 2010 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 27, 2012 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING MY 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, THE BLINKER SWITCH STARTED FRANTICALLY CLICKING, I THAN HEARD ELECTRICAL SPARKS FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THAN SMOKE STARTING COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHERE THE BLINKER SHAFT WAS LOCATED. HYUNDAI HAS HAD MY VEHICLE FOR 2 WEEKS, LEAVING ME AND MY 8…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 26, 2015 · fire

“ON 6/17/2018 @ APPROXIMATELY 5:00PM WHILE DRIVING MY SANTA FE, I BEGAN TO HAVE SURGING POWER. I ATTEMPTED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT COULD NOT. I WOULD SLOW DOWN ONLY TO SPEED RIGHT BACK UP AS IF I HAD PUSHED THE RESUME BUTTON, I HAD NOT. I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL HOWEVER MY GEER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 17, 2018 · crash

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe — common questions

Is the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

It is close to typical for the Santa Fe: 331 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2010 Santa Fe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (110 complaints), engine (45 complaints), electrical system (30 complaints).

Does the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Santa Fe years to avoid are 2017, 2007, 2013, 2008, 2014, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018. The cleanest record among Santa Fe years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.