VehicleVerdict

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission problems

The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe has 110 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 33% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

110

Transmission complaints

33%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Santa Fe transmission complaints by model year150 complaints2001: 24 complaints2002: 14 complaints2003: 36 complaints2004: 21 complaints2005: 11 complaints2006: 5 complaints2007: 31 complaints2008: 24 complaints2009: 24 complaints2010: 110 complaints2011: 21 complaints2012: 24 complaints2013: 52 complaints2014: 36 complaints2015: 22 complaints2016: 20 complaints2017: 150 complaints2018: 10 complaints2019: 29 complaints2020: 22 complaints2021: 50 complaints2022: 53 complaints2023: 41 complaints2024: 36 complaints2025: 15 complaints2026: 2 complaints
Santa Fe transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe have?

NHTSA has 110 complaints about the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission — 33% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 11V261000.

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.