Problems · NHTSA complaints
2010 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Owners filed 260 complaints about the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe with NHTSA between Apr 2010 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (109).
Complaints
260
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train109
- Engine37
- Electrical system28
- Vehicle speed control21
- Suspension14
- Structure12
- Fuel/propulsion system10
- Air bags9
- Engine and engine cooling9
- Steering8
- Visibility8
- Service brakes7
- Exterior lighting7
- Fuel system, gasoline6
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
44
42
8
12
18
10
27
13
17
16
12
11
6
9
3
4
8
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 44 |
| 2011 | 42 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 27 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
109 reports1 related recall
“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 approximately 65–75 mph. The slipping occurs at highway speeds and appears to affect the vehicle’s 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 interruption of power. This may make it difficult to maintain speed, merge, pass, or respond safely to changing traffic conditions. The issue could increase the risk of an accident, particularly in heavy or fast-moving traffic.”
Engine
37 reports3 fires
“On XXX I was waiting at a light and the check engine light was blinking. When I started up, the car was very sluggish. It continued to be sluggish on my trip home - 5 miles. I brought it to Meineke [XXX] [XXX]. They ascertained that the engine was shot. They flushed out the oil in the engine and there was lots of metal in the oil. They instructed me to go to Hyundai immediately. There was a engine recall and their research showed that I was included under the recall warrenty. I've included their assessment. Both the drives to the Meineke from my house and to Hyundai from Meineke were scary. I didn't feel safe in the car. I went directly to [XXX], manager of Larry Miller Hyundai at [XXX], Phone [XXX]. He said that he needed to clear the recall with Hyundai. He called me back in a few days and told me that all the test diagnostics were made and that a censor malfunction was the cause of the problem and the front breaks needed work. I gave him the go-head. The cost was $1,319. I wasn't convince that was the primary problem. I use my car for short trips. I was driving to the gym on XXX - having driven less than 50 mile since the recent repair - once again I stopped…”
Electrical system
28 reports2 crashes4 fires
“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 ignition, and continued to crank for approximately four minutes. The accelerator pedal was pumped, and the vehicle stopped. There was smoke coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle eventually stopped. There were flames coming from the vehicle. The contact called 911, an independent mechanic, her father, and the fire department. The Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire and disconnect the battery. The mechanic determined that the engine cover was burned. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.…”
Vehicle speed control
21 reports2 crashes
“Driving approximately 70-75mph on highway with cruise control set. Car starts to make rattling sound & engine warning light goes on, car struggles to accelerate and hovers around 60mph. Upon inspection of engine oil in car, fresh oil has been burned up quickly! Added 1 quart. Drove 45mins at 70-75mph. Notice Engine light on again. Check engine oil. Had quickly burned through 1qt! Add new quart of oil. Let car rest overnight. Driving 70mph without use of cruise control. Then use cruise control. After a bit car engine sounds of rattling & struggling to accelerate. RPM gauge seen going up & down. Through rear view mirror I see lots of bluish smoke. Pull over to let engine rest. Check oil = still 3/4. Use engine dectection device. Indicates that cylinders 3 &4 misfiring. Reset car warning indicator with my detection device. Finish drive going 60mph to arrive at destination without car engine warning going back on.”
Suspension
14 reports
“At any speed period, if i hit a pothole or those little ripple things on side of the country county roads, any of them causes my vehicle to jerk and makes a a sound like the entire right front end is going to fall apart at any moment and it either jerks my vehicle off the road on the right side or it either jerks the vehicle into the opposite lane towards on coming traffic. My truck has caused me to go completely off of the highway into the grass to avoid a collision...and anytime I hit the most tiniest of bumps it sounds Like the entire right side suspension is going to fall completely off and at high speeds it shakes uncontrollably...”
Structure
12 reports
“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 2007–2010 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 inspection. I am concerned that corrosion this severe in the frame and unibody could compromise the vehicle’s structural integrity and the safety of its occupants and others on the road. I do not know whether other vehicles are similarly affected, but the campaign covers a large population of this model. The problem has been confirmed by an authorized dealer and by an independent shop, and both have photos. The vehicle is at the dealer now and is available for inspection. The dealer is submitting its findings to Hyundai Motor America for review, and I have a case open with Hyundai…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.