2010 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls and problems

The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe has 2 safety recalls and 260 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

260

Crashes / fires

8 / 6

Injuries / deaths

7 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls

Recall 13V-113: Exterior Lighting

Reported Apr 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor Company

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 11V-261: Power Train

Reported Apr 28, 2011 · 5,876 vehicles affected · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

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.

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Power Train	111
Engine	37
Electrical System	28
Unknown or Other	23
Vehicle Speed Control	21
Suspension	14
Structure	12
Air Bags	10
Fuel/Propulsion System	10
Engine and Engine Cooling	9
Visibility	8
Steering	8

Most reported parts

Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 44
Structure › Body — 9
Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems — 3
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System — 2
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 2
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft — 1
Electrical System › Starter Assembly — 1
Air Bags › Side/Window — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 42,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Structure · reported Oct 16, 2026

The vehicle is a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe with about 157,000 miles. Hyundai issued Service Campaign 947 (TSB 17-01-005) for underbody corrosion on 2007â2010 Santa Fe models, but the campaign was never performed on this vehicle. When the vehicle was taken to an authorized Hyundai dealer, the dealer inspected it and found the frame rusted out in multiple places, with extensive holes. The dealer also told me that some of the main parts listed in the campaign bulletin need to be replaced. A separate independent inspection found a hole in the unibody and noted it would fail a state safety…

Unknown or Other · reported Sep 25, 2026

The Radiator fan remains on when the vehicle is turned off and requires the fan to be unplugged to disengage. If it is not unplugged it will continue to run until the battery is dead. If not caught at the time exiting the vehicle then I am left stranded until I can get the vehicle jumped but even with a dead battery if you plug up the fan again will continue running nonstop. The vehicle does not run hot. There are no known issues that present before this happens and no error codes when hooked up to diagnostics.

Power Train · reported Aug 15, 2026

The vehicleâs transmission slips while driving on the highway at approximately 65â75 mph. The slipping occurs at highway speeds and appears to affect the vehicleâs ability to maintain consistent power and acceleration. Problem The vehicleâs transmission slips while driving on the highway at approximately 65â75 mph. The slipping occurs at highway speeds and appears to affect the vehicleâs ability to maintain consistent power and acceleration. Safety Concerns This creates a safety concern because unexpected transmission slipping at highway speeds could result in a sudden loss or…

Engine · at 145,000 miles · reported Mar 25, 2026

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to immediately start, but started after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the starter, oil filter, and engine filter, and changed the oil. On a hot day, there was a loud sound coming from the vehicle, and it was noticed that the unoccupied vehicle was attempting to start independently. The contact unlocked the vehicle and opened the vehicle door, put the keys in the…

Engine · reported Feb 2, 2026

I hadn't used the car in a few weeks (rarely leave the house because I work from home). I went to visit a friend on December 26th or 27th (don't remember exact date). On the way there the engine started having a knocking noise. On the way home after eating a meal with the friend, the knocking got louder, and the car was losing power. As I drove up a hill, the engine was providing almost no power, and then I heard a very loud bang, and a blue-ish, white smoke cloud came out from under the car, and it died completely. As a secondary issue, since this was right after Christmas, I couldn't find an…

Other Hyundai Santa Fe years

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Compare all Hyundai Santa Fe years · All Hyundai models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe: 13V-113 (exterior lighting), 11V-261 (power train). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Owners report power train problems most often (111 reports), followed by engine (37). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 42,000 miles.

Are Hyundai recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Hyundai dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.