2010 Hyundai Santa FE Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 14%of 260 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,300miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE, 14% of the 260 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,300 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“As I am driving my 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe down the highway at normal speed limit of 55 my engine stalls with no warning sign.. Very dangerous luckily I wasn't hit.. This is the third time this has happened the first time the car went to the shop and they said it was just the battery and nobody can figure out what's going on.. Snap the picture after everything happened then I get a light. Thank god me and my kids wasn't hit or killed.”
NHTSA complaint #10993919, filed 2017-06, 98,543 miles“(1)on 11/01/2016 my wife heading to work experienced the engine shutting off while driving down hill luckily she was able to pullover to a safe spot to restart engine. (2) 0n 11/12/2016 we were headed to the store stopped at light the engine shut off again while in drive that was second incident that happened. 11/14/2016 the car was at future hyundia concord ca for inspection, according to dealer nothing wrong with car. Is there any history concerning engine shutoff ?”
NHTSA complaint #10926313, filed 2016-11, 99,000 miles“Oil pump failure at 90,000 miles causing motor to be replaced. Hyundai dealership service manager told me there were no available motors to replace the one in my car.”
NHTSA complaint #10916226, filed 2016-10, 90,300 miles“On monday, july 14, 2014, my wife rode her Santa Fe on a straight road accelerating slightly uphill when the engine stalled. On thurs. Dec. 5, 2013, I had a similar experience, which I reported to you at the time. This is the second time this has happened with this car. Again nobody touched the ignition key which has nothing hanging on it except the alarm and door lock dongle. My wife also suddenly lost power steering and power brakes, and luckily there was no other traffic, which could have caused an accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10611285, filed 2014-07, 48,945 miles“Vehicle stalled at low speed or turning on numerous occasions .stalls and then will start back up. Most recent incident, 12-13-2014, it stalled 3 times within 25 minutes when slowing to a stop. I've taken to Hyundai in the past, they could not identify and issue, charged me $50.00 to adjust break light switch, which they stated should fix it. I checked on-line & located the 3.5 sante fe low speed engine RPM logic revision service campaign which they will reprogram the vehicles ECM in certain vehicles with 3.5 engines. …”
NHTSA complaint #10664155, filed 2014-12, 64,653 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11038458Oct 8, 2026Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure…
- 11038456Oct 7, 2026Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures…
- 11030331Mar 26, 2026This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H-2 (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing…
- 11030330Mar 26, 2026This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing…
- 11006829Aug 19, 2024Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs. If abnormal engine…
- 10165455Aug 12, 2019If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a ?Check Engine? light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid…
- 10054172Oct 1, 2013Hyundai: due to an improperly adjusted or improperly operating inhibitor switch (range switch), on some vehicles, resulted in range switch sensor circuit (p0705), open circuit…
- 10052144Apr 1, 2013Hyundai: the throttle control (etc) body, on some vehiicles, needs to be cleaned and procedural information is being provided, due to deposits found at valve-to-bore interface…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 14 | 10% |
| 2024 | 13 | 8% |
| 2023 | 35 | 16% |
| 2022 | 54 | 27% |
| 2021 | 37 | 22% |
| 2020 | 81 | 37% |
| 2019 | 73 | 36% |
| 2018 | 54 | 49% |
| 2017 | 650 | 67% |
| 2016 | 151 | 64% |
| 2015 | 161 | 63% |
| 2014 | 274 | 56% |
| 2013 | 273 | 45% |
| 2012 | 228 | 64% |
| 2011 | 64 | 35% |
| 2010 | 37 | 14% |
| 2009 | 60 | 17% |
| 2008 | 60 | 11% |
| 2007 | 54 | 8% |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% |
| 2005 | 11 | 5% |
| 2004 | 16 | 5% |
| 2003 | 8 | 3% |
| 2002 | 10 | 6% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE
109 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology