Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Whenever i hit a bump on the side of the road, the truck jerks really badly and if im not grasping the steering wheel with all my strength, it will jerk me off the highway from the bump making the entire car go off the road. Also, each bump i hit, i hear a very very loud metal on metal knocking sound from the right passenger side of the tire area. Not sure if it is a strut assembly or engine mount that wasn't correctly bolted down during manufacturing. Also, when i press the gas pedal, it sounds as if theres some type of cable thats being stripped or something. And whenever i am holding the steering wheel straight and firmly, the truck automatically has a mind of its on at times and will jerk the car to the right or to the left while im holding the wheel still. …
The vehicle's transmission slips while driving on the highway at approximately 65-75 mph. The slipping occurs at highway speeds and appears to affect the vehicle's ability to maintain consistent power and acceleration. Problem The vehicle's transmission slips while driving on the highway at approximately 65-75 mph. The slipping occurs at highway speeds and appears to affect the vehicle's ability to maintain consistent power and acceleration. Safety Concerns This creates a safety concern because unexpected transmission slipping at highway speeds could result in a sudden loss or interruption of power. This may make it difficult to maintain speed, merge, pass, or respond safely to changing traffic conditions. The issue could increase the risk of an accident, particularly in heavy or fast-moving traffic.
The battery warning light illuminated. The alternator was not holding power. I was on the freeway and the vehicle lost total power. After seeing a certified mechanic I was made aware of a oil leak from the valve gasket that was leaking on to the alternator wires and caused it to loose power. There is a recall for the same vehicle with the exact same issues, however my vehicle is not on the list of vehicles affected by this recall.
On January 15 2015 while traveling through florida from texas. Driving a Hyundai Santa Fe 2010 owned for 3 years. Exiting from highway via service road. Stopped at stop sign. Proceeded to make a left hand turn across 4 lanes. Engine makes a whizzing noise and stops in middle of the first lane. Tried to switch gears into reverse, park or neutral. Hyundai would not move . Got out of car and pushed it back to stop sign. Tractor trailer came up behind us and stopped he could not get by. Driver offered assistance to push the auto aside. Sat in car for several hours until tow truck arrived. Brought to nearest Hyundai dealer. Auto has less than 84,00 miles , it is just shy 20,000 of the 60,000/ five year power train warranty. Discovered the car has three recalls ("campaigns") against it. …
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. …
Related recalls
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Transmission Intermediate Driveshaft
On April 25, 2011, Kia Motors Corporation submitted a defect notification letter to NHTSA regarding a transmission intermediate driveshaft condition in approximately 12,690 model year (MY) 2011 Kia Sorento 2-wheel drive vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines (NHTSA Recall No.
Transmission complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 109 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe, 42% of the model year's 260 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (44 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-261 (driveshaft, Apr 28, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 11,000 miles, and 60% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.