2010 Hyundai Santa FE Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 109about this part
- Share
- 42%of 260 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 109 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE, 42% of the 260 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The automatic transmission slips and then violently kicks into first gear when starting out. It will also slip while driving along and then kick back into gear with a bang sound. These slips seem to occur when the engine is cold( just started and temperature gage reads at or near c). I have taken it to the dealer 3 times over the years and they tell me they find nothing wrong. The problem recurs at least weekly.”
NHTSA complaint #11269733, filed 2019-10, 20,000 miles“I have a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe and since I bought it 2 years ago when I start it and let it warm up then I put in reverse it jerks violently then I would put it in drive and it was in neutral then another violent jerk to drive. While driving it will change gears very rough like some hit me . I know Hyundai knows of this problem and doesn't expand the recall . I checked my VIN # and no recall on the transmission just a hand full .”
NHTSA complaint #11361326, filed 2020-09, 99,000 miles“Transmission hard shifts down when trying to merge onto highway causing loss of power. I feel like I'm going to get killed by causing an accident. This happens multiple times a day. Constant slippage between gears while moving, causing loud hard banging noises.”
NHTSA complaint #11124608, filed 2018-09, 94,235 miles“We purchased the vehicle 7 months ago with just over 62k miles. The vehicle will not go faster than 30 on the road. Dealership did a diagnostic and told us we need to replace the transmission and cd axle. After research there was a recall on this model's transmission. Ours was built 3 months after the recall but is doing the same thing. Safety issue and a quality Hyundai should stand behind and repair. We have the diagnostic report from the dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #11268269, filed 2019-10, 72,000 miles“My 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe limited awd 3.5l, with approx. 60,000 miles, was making noise in the front end when I went over bumps or rough terrain. A local dealer told me it was most likely the end links going from the struts to the stabilizing bar. Two shocks were leaking so I had the struts (front) and shocks (rear) replaced along with the end links. On a test drive it was still making a clunking noise so I research the Hyundai forums for possible causes. …”
NHTSA complaint #11083588, filed 2018-04, 50,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V261000Apr 28, 2011Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2010 santa fe 2wd vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4l engines manufactured from october 15, 2009…Covers: Hyundai Santa FE 2010
Related service bulletins
- 10176194May 21, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 4. ï· Check Engine light on ï· DTC P0880/P088000 - TCM…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10174799Apr 9, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 10172227Feb 20, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 10170899Jan 2, 2020This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear).
- 10170511Dec 17, 2019If you are servicing a vehicle with a transmission slipping concern, follow the Service Procedure shown below and perform a stall test. This TSB provides a procedure to test each…
- 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…
- 10163279Jun 4, 2019This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear).
- 10160098Apr 15, 2019This bulletin provides the procedure to write the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) during the replacement of the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Powertrain Control Module…
- 10138235Apr 30, 2018The shift lever on some 6-speed vehicles may intermittently not shift out of Park. This bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to correct this condition.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 8% |
| 2025 | 22 | 16% |
| 2024 | 45 | 29% |
| 2023 | 45 | 21% |
| 2022 | 57 | 28% |
| 2021 | 51 | 30% |
| 2020 | 26 | 12% |
| 2019 | 37 | 18% |
| 2018 | 10 | 9% |
| 2017 | 166 | 17% |
| 2016 | 21 | 9% |
| 2015 | 22 | 9% |
| 2014 | 36 | 7% |
| 2013 | 52 | 9% |
| 2012 | 24 | 7% |
| 2011 | 21 | 12% |
| 2010 | 109 | 42% |
| 2009 | 24 | 7% |
| 2008 | 24 | 4% |
| 2007 | 31 | 5% |
| 2006 | 5 | 5% |
| 2005 | 11 | 5% |
| 2004 | 21 | 7% |
| 2003 | 35 | 11% |
| 2002 | 13 | 8% |
| 2001 | 23 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE
37 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 Nov 1, 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