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2010 Hyundai Santa FEProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 260 owner complaints about the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE, most often about the power train. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

2010 Hyundai Santa FE
58
CarFlaw IndexSolid year26% below the Santa FE median · #17 of 24 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints26020 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage11kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 16, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE has problems

260 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train1091
Engine373
Electrical system286
Vehicle speed control213
Suspension140
Structure120
Fuel/propulsion system101
Engine and engine cooling91
Air bags92
18 other systems608

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2010 Hyundai Santa FE recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Brake lights: switch

Recall 13V-113 · Apr 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 vehicles

Risk. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Driveline: driveshaft

Recall 11V-261 · Apr 28, 2011 · 5,876 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

11kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 94 power train complaints. 85% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
57under 30k miles80under 100k miles14100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2010 vs. every other Santa FE year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Santa FE median. How we score

'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2010 Hyundai Santa FE safety ratings

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2010 Hyundai Santa FE frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2010 Hyundai Santa FE side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 4 stars (16.9% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Throttle control system vulnerabilitiesDP21003 · closed Jun 20, 2023
    No recall
  2. Loss of Motive PowerDP22003 · closed Dec 12, 2023
    No recall
  3. Transmission Intermediate DriveshaftPE11010 · closed May 10, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-258
In owners' words

What Santa FE owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The vehicle’s transmission slips while driving on the highway at approximately 65–75 mph. The slipping occurs at highway speeds and appears to affect the vehicle’s ability to maintain consistent power and acceleration. Problem The vehicle’s transmission slips while driving on the highway at…
Complaint 11757175 · Aug 15, 2026
The battery warning light illuminated. The alternator was not holding power. I was on the freeway and the vehicle lost total power. After seeing a certified mechanic I was made aware of a oil leak from the valve gasket that was leaking on to the alternator wires and caused it to loose power. There…
Complaint 11642620 · Feb 13, 2025
Transmission will not shift out of 1st. Gear.50000 miles this is second time in less than 2 months. Dealer replaced cable in top of transmission worked for 600 miles.
Complaint 11608666 · Aug 15, 2024

Own a 2010 Santa FE?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.