10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,130 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #42

Dec 102018

Santa Fe

  • 95,000 miles
I have a 2010 Hyundai sante fe util. I believe I am having an issue with my "all wheel drive coupler". my wife uses this vehicle. Currently we are experiencing loud bangs that feel like we are being hit from behind while the car is moving. It is in the back of the vehicle. When I investigated this online I see many other people with the same issue. I am wondering why this is not considered a recall. I feel my wife and child are in danger while riding in this vehicle. Please investigate and protect the public by calling for a recall with this issue.

- North Andover, MA, USA

problem #41

Nov 152018

Santa Fe

  • 87,200 miles
Car would not go out of neutral. Snow. ESC and AWD lights on.

- Morris Plains, NJ, USA

problem #40

Oct 312018

Santa Fe

  • 123,000 miles
Driving Santa Fe at 55mph and it slowed to a stop. Transmision was out of gear and would not re-engage. Can not drive vehicle now as it will not go into gear

- Wellman, IA, USA

problem #39

Sep 282018

Santa Fe

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to pride Hyundai auto sales & service Inc (680 hwy 6 w, batesville, ms 38606, 662-563-5464) for diagnostic testing and repairs. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 11V261000 (power train) in 2011, but it failed to provide a permanent remedy. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Batesville, MS, USA

problem #38

Sep 052018

Santa Fe

  • 94,235 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.

- Tiverton, RI, USA

problem #37

May 302012

Santa Fe

  • 20,000 miles
Vehicle hesitates and has no forward motion for perhaps 2-3 seconds. This happens when driving after slowing down and then accelarating, then backing off again. This has happened at least a dozen times over the years I have owned the vehicle. The risk is that you can not move to get out of the way of traffic. City driving, on and off the throttle most of the time during a slow speed left turn. Transmission appears to go into natural because it does not know what gear to go into, suspect it is a software issue/ driving style as wife does not have the same problem. Local dealer was provided information on several occasions, they could not duplicate the problem. Issue still exists. Comments on invoices: 100371 / 101673 / hycs414425

- Wixom, MI, USA

problem #36

Apr 042018

Santa Fe

  • 50,000 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. There were four possible causes, one which had been corrected, the end links, the lower control rod, the connection mounts between the frame and the body, and the front and rear engine mounts. Upon inspecting the engine mounts I found the front engine mounts bolt, a 12mm X 5 inch bolt, missing. Apparently when the car was engineered the bolt wasn't secured with a locking nut or cotter pin so when the nut loosened and vibrated off the bolt, the bolt also vibrated out of the mount. I actually remember when this occurred, at around 50,000 miles. I remember a loud bang under the car and in the rear view mirror I saw a bolt tumbling down the highway. I thought I had run over it with a wheel. I took the car into the Hyundai dealer at 56,652 miles for an oil change and "12-point inspection" and "multi-point inspection" and the mechanic didn't discover the missing front engine mount bolt. (I found it myself when I took the car to a local car shop for the strut and shock replacement.) I then went to the Hyundai dealer and told them what I discovered. The part number for the bolt is 21920-2B000, and the part number for the nut is 13396-12007K. There was no description as to the size of the bolt, the thread of the bolt and nut, nor whether the nut was a locking nut. I had the local mechanic make the repair with a 12mm X 5" galvanized bolt with washers, lock washer and a 12mm nylon locking nut. I consider this a safety issue.

- Kalama, WA, USA

problem #35

Jan 222018

Santa Fe

  • 152,801 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. While reversing out of the driveway, a grinding noise was heard. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to engage. The vehicle was shifted to park, but continued to roll backward. The emergency parking brake was applied to stop the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic came to the contact's home and diagnosed that the driveshaft failed to place the transmission in the correct gear. The contact was informed that the output gear or transmission needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and found NHTSA campaign number: 11V261000 (power train). The contact called colonial Hyundai (2200 walthall center dr, chester, va 23836, (804) 414-2020) and was informed that the vehicle was inspected for the recall in 2011. The contact also called pearson Hyundai (9530 midlothian turnpike richmond, va 23235, (804) 276-03600) and was informed that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 11V261000 (power train). The contact called a third dealer (West broad Hyundai, 8903 w broad St, richmond, va 23294, (804) 755-7777) and was informed that there were no recalls. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 152,801.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #34

Jan 112011

Santa Fe

  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 20 mph and attempting to merge into traffic, the vehicle hesitated and made a loud noise. The contact stated that the automatic transmission appeared to fail to shift gears. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred ever since the vehicle was purchased in 2010. The vehicle was taken to hudson Hyundai (977 communipaw ave, jersey city, NJ 07304, (866) 710-6765), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact continued to drive the vehicle as the failure progressed over the years. While driving to the dealer, the failure occurred at least six times. The contact stated that diagnostic testing could not find an error. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was still under warranty and no failure could be found. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

- Bayonne, NJ, USA

problem #33

Jul 152017

Santa Fe

  • 55,000 miles
It looks like the Santa Fe 2010 had a recall for their transmissions for some of the vins. Perhaps they should expand the recall to other vins as my car has 55,000 miles on it and there are signs that the transmission is having trouble. It has been used lightly and never used to tow anything. I am the second owner, so the 10 year/100,000 is not valid anymore. I don' T think the transmission should fail at 55,000 miles for gentle driving. I think the recall should expand to some of the other vins.

- River Edge, NJ, USA

problem #32

May 202017

Santa Fe

  • 89,897 miles
When accelerating lightly after a full stop (at a stoplight ex.), the car acts as if the gas pedal has been fully depressed or "punched" hard. This causes the tires to spin out or burn rubber.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #31

Sep 082016

Santa Fe

  • 71,000 miles
In 2011, 1000 miles had to replace transmission through dealer same problem as listed below. Now 2016 having to replace another transmission. Loud clunking noise when you let up on gas or when you would initially put in reverse. When in park it constantly would be stuck in park and could not shift had to call towing twice for that problem. Which never could be found. Now again replacing transmission.. car came to dead stop while driving down street when the transmission locked up sounded like bottom dropped out of car and metal dragging on metal car stopped sharply and would not move.

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

problem #30

Jul 022016

Santa Fe

  • 78,000 miles
Only 80000 orig miles. Have to finance & pay for a new transmission. Put it in drive it bangs now starting to do it when putting it in reverse. Cost $3000 to fix dealership said there is no recall on it. I know if others are experiencing this same problem. Heard now they are offering $2000 to owners now because of a stalling problem something with the alternator being overheated lose everything even if your driving on the interstate at 65-70 mph. Really !!!. feel like we are driving a death trap very frustrating to spend so much on a used vehicle that we thought we could trust. Wish someone would help to get this resolved.

- Altoona, PA, USA

problem #29

Aug 072016

Santa Fe

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. While slowing down to a stop from 25 mph, a knocking sound emitted from the engine. In addition, the gear shifter failed to go into the drive and reverse position and the engine felt as if it had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the axle, transmission strip, power train, and drive shaft failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V261000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- Covington, LA, USA

problem #28

Jul 282016

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,999 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. When the vehicle was shifted from park to drive, there was a hesitation and the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics to be diagnosed. The mechanics were unable to duplicate the failure or produce a fault code for the failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V261000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,999. Updated 09/23/16

- Altoona, PA, USA

problem #27

Jul 182016

Santa Fe

  • 77,883 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 25 mph, the front passenger side of the vehicle vibrated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. The part was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V261000 (power train). The failure mileage was 77,883.

- Pickerington, OH, USA

problem #26

Feb 292016

Santa Fe

  • 200 miles
Purchased new a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe, SE. The problem that occurs randomly every few days is when accelerating slowly at around 20-30 mph and the transmission slips out of 2nd gear effectively putting the transmission in neutral for about 1 second, and then will hard shift into 3rd gear making a loud bang noise. It can feel as though I was rear ended. This problem has been occurring since new and has been taken to the dealer multiple times where there the problem could not be replicated. This is the same complaint as with about 10% of the 140 or so complaints on the NHTSA site for this year and model. There are at least 2 and possibly more tsb's that appear to address this problem (tsb-10-at-006, 12-at-012, 12-at-009-2). I will attempt to address the problem again with the dealer asking him to review these specific tsb's. after so many complaints about a very specific problem to a vital drivetrain component, it is time for Hyundai to take ownership of this problem and fix it! the consumer should not have to go through so much hassle for a widely known issue. How many more people have this problem and don't take the time to report it?

- Los Alamos, NM, USA

problem #25

Jan 102011

Santa Fe

  • miles
Purchased vehicle brand new: Transmission shifts violently when cold also misses gears when up/down shifting. I brought the vehicle back to the dealer multiple times starting when it only had 3,000 miles. I was told there was nothing wrong with vehicle. Took the vehicle to a different dealership, they indicated a software update need to be done to address the shifting problem. Update was completed, results were the same. Transmission still shifts violently. Don't know what else to do "?"

- Brick, NJ, USA

problem #24

Sep 302015

Santa Fe

  • 145,000 miles
Drive axle broke, causing loss of power to front wheels. I had come to a stop at a rural highway junction, and the vehicle would not move. The vehicle will roll away in park if emergency brake is not applied.

- Elsberry, MO, USA

problem #23

Aug 102015

Santa Fe

  • 52,300 miles
Purchased 2010 Santa Fe, 52,200 miles for wife. After a couple of days, she said car was rough on occasion on way to work. I drove car to find out what she meant. Turning left out of driveway car jumped while shifting, good no car was coming from other direction. I noted that during first 5 miles or so when first run from cold start, shifting between 1st, 2nd, 3rd gears that there were occasional rough shifts. There seems to be hesitation and then abrubt shift. This happens when up and downshifting between gears. On a few occaions, it is extremely hard and feels like car has been rear ended. We brought the car to Hyundai and service department confirmed the problem. They charged us almost $150 for 2 software updates. Then after paying for this service, Hyundai told us that it did not fix the problem. It would cost us another aproximately $2,800 since the transmission would have to be replaced. Just a few months out of 5/60 warranty, inside 100,000 mile 7 year, but first owner only, warranty. I cannot imagine the nerve to charge someone for a software update on a known transmission problem and say sorry you have to pay us more to realy fix our design problem. Unfortunately I did not join a Hyundai forum that this common problem is talked about till after the purchase. And to think Hyundai advertises their great and worthless warranty.

- New City, NY, USA

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