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Hyundai Santa Fe

EPA MPG: 22 mpg

RECALL ALERT:
There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability

Overall Reliability

The 2010 Santa Fe is less reliable than other cars from the same model year.

The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe has been recalled 3 times by NHTSA. View Recalls
Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
Common Trouble Spot

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

What Owners Say

CV joint

"The 4wheel drive coupler had to be replaced"

Anonymous, CO (2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 3.5-L V6)

"apparently part of the axle problem and had to be replaced"

Anonymous A., FL (2010 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Driveshaft or axle

"needed to be replaces"

Anonymous A., FL (2010 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Brakes

Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

What Owners Say

Premature brake wear

"Biannual mandatory vehicle inspection finds rotors rusted due to road salt... replace again."

Anonymous, NB (2010 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 3.5-L V6)

"This vehicle seems to wear out brakes frequently"

Anonymous, ON (2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 3.5-L V6)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

What Owners Say

Other/unsure

"$2000 front end repair"

Anonymous, KY (2010 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"When performing an oil change the mechanic tightened the oil filter too tight which cause a crack in the plastic that holds the filter. I had the spark plugs changed during the repair and had the neutral switch replaced as it was acting up intermittently."

Anonymous, CO (2010 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 3.5-L V6)

Transmission Minor

Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

What Owners Say

Rough shifting

"When shifting an automatic transmission it like the engine purrs but the car Jerks when the gear catches"

Anonymous, KY (2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Unsure 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"Sometimes the transmission clunks when you shift between neutral and reverse or neutral and forward. It doesn't happen all the time and service centers can't find the problem unless it happens all the time."

Anonymous, WI (2010 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 3.5-L V6)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

What Owners Say

Oil leaks

"oil pan and seals leaking. Front drive shaft boot leaking grease from around CV joint"

Anonymous, TX (2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Suspension/Steering

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Tie rods

"second time replacing tie rods. the car swayed too much"

Anonymous, (2010 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 3.5-L V6)

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Rust

"paint peeling off hood and top and subsequent rust showing"

Anonymous, TX (2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Noises/Leaks

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"When the front springs broke and were replaced this vehicle was never the same . Rough ride replace front springs 3 times . I should have sold this vehicle after that because everything started to fail after that ."

Anonymous, ON (2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 3.5-L V6)

Electrical Accessories

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

What Owners Say

Tire pressure monitor

"Cost for fixing the tire pressure gauge seems excessive for a simple issue with constant warning light even if the tire pressure is fine"

Anonymous, ME (2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Unsure 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

In-car Electronics

Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

Engine Electrical

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

Climate System

AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

Fuel System/Emissions

Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

Body Hardware

Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

2010 SUVs Reliability

This Car
vs. Similar Cars

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

Reliability History
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Overall Reliability Verdict
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Powertrain
Engine Major
Engine Minor
Engine Cooling
Engine Electrical
Transmission Major
Transmission Minor
Drive System
Fuel System/Emissions
Exhaust
Suspension/Steering
Brakes
Climate System
Build Quality
Electrical Accessories
Body Hardware
Paint/Trim
Noises/Leaks
In-car Electronics
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for about 380,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2025 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes, to power equipment and the electrical accessories.
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Apr 01, 2013
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.
Summary:
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.
What should you do:
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.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 13V113000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 1712336
EQUIPMENT
Oct 06, 2011
WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Summary:
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.
What should you do:
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.
For more information:
THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO OWNERS THAT PURCHASED A CURT MFG TOWING PACKAGE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT.OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CURT MFG AND NOT THEIR VEHICLE DEALER TO OBTAIN THE REPLACEMENT WIRING HARNESS.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11E040000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 2254
POWER TRAIN
Apr 28, 2011
DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Summary:
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.
What should you do:
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.
For more information:
HYUNDAI'S SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 102.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V261000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 5876
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