10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 60,130 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted and driven to the residence. The contact stated that the replacement of the knock sensor detection system (KSDS) was previously completed under an unknown recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
- Smithfield, RI, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the timing chain, the gaskets, and spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to a different independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the timing chain and the bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,550.
- Albuquerque, NM, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that there was a winding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle underneath the hood. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The knock sensor was replaced; however, the failure persisted and had gotten worse. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer who determined that the failure had caused the transmission to fail, and the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact was unable to have the vehicle repaired free of charge due to the warranty mileage being exceeded. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The appropriate failure mileage was 11,000.
- Florissant, MO, USA
The contact's mother owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that upon a cold start, the vehicle would make an abnormal, clunking sounds while shifting gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the transmission was replaced. Recently, the contact stated that the failure had recurred, and the check engine warning light briefly appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was diagnosed and showed low pressure in the transmission sensor. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the mechanic could not diagnose the failure. The dealer drained the transmission fluid and discovered metal shavings inside the transmission fluid. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer also stated that the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
- Covina, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact mentioned NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V261000 (Power Train) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
- Bloomfield, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop light, the vehicle suddenly would not drive forward. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 167,000.
- Baton Rouge, LA, USA
The car makes a jerking sound when switching from park to drive or reverse when it's hot. It also jerks like it doesn't know what gear to go into while driving on occasions.
- Palm Harbor, FL, USA
When shifting the transmission makes a loud banging noise losing power for a moment and then violently snapping back into gear. It almost feels like somebody is hitting you from behind. Sometimes it feels like the accelation/deceleration is tightening up right before it happens. Feels very scary sometimes and I'm worried to destroy the transmission. Vehicle was bought with 153K miles on it and it happened shortly after. Check engine light is on. According to dealer its a small emission leak.
- Mount Pleasant, PA, USA
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.
- Albuquerque, NM, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 10 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated when shifting gears from drive to reverse, she heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer inver grove Hyundai located at 1290 50th St E, inver grove heights, mn 55077, (888) 706-5928, and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 11V261000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.
- Woodbury, MN, USA
When traveling at different speeds and upon acceleration there's loss of power for a split second, and then it's bumping real hard. It can be described as a bumping noise, clunking noise or thumping noise. More likely to happen between 50-70 mph. Also, the passenger back door lock has been working off and on. It finally has stopped opening the door entirely. I've taken it to the dealer and they have yet to diagnose an issue after two inspections. As of 7/21/20 the vehicle is still having these issues.
- Adelanto, CA, USA
In Nov 2012 after purchasing the vehicle used with 38,000 miles, we notice the transmission was not shifting properly. Took the vehicle to shortline Hyundai in Aurora, co. To have them inspect the vehicle and test drive. They were unable to find any issues with the vehicle during their inspection, no codes. We still noticed the issue for the next few years. Fast forward to Nov. 2014 - we decided to try another dealership in centennial, co. Arapahoe Hyundai. The vehicle had 52,000 at this point. They confirmed the transmission had a harsh engagement in higher gears, still no codes. They stated the fluid was low and topped off the fluid. Through the following years the issue was still present. Feb 2018 the extended warranty expires and the issue at this point is very noticeable. 5th gear would hesitate up sifting to 6th gear, along with a delayed reaction on a downshift from 5th to 4th. Once the downshift engaged there was a hard band into 4th.June 2018, 79,850 miles - feeling brushed off by the local Hyundai dealers, we decided to take the vehicle to a local independent repair shop. The transmission fluid was in need of change, so we changed the fluid. The fluid change eased the harsh shifting slightly. As of today Feb. 2020, 91,150 miles - the transmission need to be replaced at our expense. The vehicle drive fine until it hits 5th gear. The downshift is now very hesitant with an extreme bang once it engages 4th. There has been an known issue with the transmission, which is a safety concern. Hyundai has known about this issue but refused to do anything about it, other than putting a band-aid on the issue.
- Parker, CO, USA
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.
- Mechanicsville, VA, USA
Dealer reflashed (upgraded?) the computer during an unrelated door lock repair. Afterwards, the transmission disengages at low speed/coasting, then reengages violently. When requested to restore the computer to the original factory program, the dealer said it cannot be done. There have been subsequent reflashes installed to improve the situation, but to no avail. Dealer says "the computer just has to learn my driving habits". it's a dangerous situation when you're not aware of the disengagement, the engine RPM increases, then a sudden engagement occurs.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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.
- Northglenn, CO, USA
Vehicle has 107K mi and automatic transmission needs to be replaced (symptoms: Upshifting lag and "thunk" when downshifting at 15-25mph). According to dealer, it can not be re-built due to design and must be replaced. Car has been very well-cared for and driven less than 10,000/mi/yr for the last 8+ years. There was a recall on some 2010 Santa Fe transmissions but dealer says ours was not impacted. We feel that a transmission that fails after 107K gentle miles must have a design flaw.
- Gorham, ME, USA
Mostly shifting into first gear or backing up, you get a very hard bang, as if you hit something. City street mostly turning.
- Manchester, NH, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 10 mph, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to wiesner Hyundai (located at 1645 interstate 45 N, conroe, tx 77304, (936) 523-6300) where it was diagnosed that the passenger side axel and driveshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred six months later. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 92,000.
- Magnolia, TX, USA
Since the day I purchased this car, the transmission bangs hard when shifting gears occasionally. I have had it into the shop 3 or 4 times but they keep telling me they tested it and it's fine. Now I'm almost out of my warranty and I'm afraid they transmission is going to go. I read that I'm not the only one complaining about this. What is being done about this?
- Bolingbrook, IL, USA
- Clayton, AL, USA