26 complaints reported

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
26
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Feb 2026

I hadn't used the car in a few weeks (rarely leave the house because I work from home). I went to visit a friend on December 26th or 27th (don't remember exact date). On the way there the engine started having a knocking noise. On the way home after eating a meal with the friend, the knocking got louder, and the car was losing power. As I drove up a hill, the engine was providing almost no power, and then I heard a very loud bang, and a blue-ish, white smoke cloud came out from under the car, and it died completely. As a secondary issue, since this was right after Christmas, I couldn't find an open shop to have it towed to, so it was left on the side of the road overnight. The next day when I drove back to meet a tow-truck driver at the car, we found it had been broken into overnight, and my wife's childhood Christmas decorations were stolen. Nothing else of value was taken. I did have police come out and make a report at the time. I only just discovered that the engine was under a recall for "Campaign 966" for this exact issue.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2025
Mar 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2024
Sep 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was initially taken to the dealer to have a manufacturer recall performed for P966. The contact then stated that on multiple occasions after the recall was performed while driving approximately 20-30 MPH, she heard a loud knocking noise at the hood of the vehicle before the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that she was able to restart the vehicle however, the failure recurred. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The manufacture was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 207,628

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2022
Jul 2022

My engine blew. No warning lights were on. The acceleration started sounding weird and so I slowed it down. It started running at high rpms and then it started clanking and parts flew out from behind my car from then engine while in interstate and now my engine is blown. There wasn't much warning and no warning lights at all except my tire light which is always on even though tires are filled and don't lose air

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2022
Feb 2022

On April 22,2021 I took my Hyundai Santa Fe to McGrath Hyundai Serv Ctr for routine oil change. I paid for this oil chge and was given a MultiPoint Inspection rpt detailing my car was in good condition needing only routine maintenance updates. Mileage was documented 46,008 mi. My car was in excellent condition, regularly maintained at Hyundai service centers. 9 days later my engine failed without any warning. I had only driven about 30 mi after service.This is a safety issue as the failure could've occurred while I was driving. I towed the car back to the serv ctr where I was told I would need a new engine. There was no reason ever given for the sudden failure other than that this was a bad engine. I called Hyundai Corp Care to ask for help. I was told my 100,000/10yr warranty had expired 6 mos. earlier and there was NO recall. I later found this not to be true as NHTSA had done an investigation earlier causing Hyundai to recall 1000's of Santa Fe's for the EXACT reason that my engine failed. My VIN is not included in this recall but the problem was exactly the same. I read in the NHTSA report this recall applied to engines manufactured before 2011. After many phone calls/emails, Hyundai Corp agreed to a "good will" offer to replace the engine for 80%. I was told they would remove the bad engine and drop in a new one. However, there was faulty communication between Hyundai Corp and Hyundai service center. My hands were tied. 175 days later I was returned my car with a remanufactured short block. Approximately 2 mos later my oil light began to flicker. I returned to serv ctr where I was told I now need to manually check my oil regularly. The service engine light no longer works as it should. The warning light no longer works for other safety issues also. Hyundai was not truthful in owning up to the existence of the engine safety issue. They should have owned my problem and repaired as part of the recall. I no longer feel safe driving my car.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2021
Oct 2021

DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT JUST SHUT OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO A SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME ENGINE HAD A HOLE IN THE BLOCK FROM A CONNECTING ROD. THAT CAME OFF THE CRANKSHAFT .VEHICLE ONLY HAS 104358 MILES ON IT AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED WITH FREQUENT OIL CHANGES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2020
Jul 2021 Fire

The contact owned a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact was calling from an insurance company and stated that while the driver was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to lose motive power and decelerated inadvertently. There was smoke coming from the air vents and flames were seen coming from the front wheel wells. After exiting the vehicle, flames engulfed the vehicle and the vehicle was destroyed. The fire department was called to the scene and a report was taken before the vehicle was towed away. No injuries were reported. The cause of the failure was not determined. Later the insurance company concluded that the fire was caused by a faulty engine. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2021
Jul 2020

ENGINE SEIZED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2018
Jan 2020

ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR I EXPERIENCE A LURCHING. AT TIME IT JUST WON'T ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENS ON SEVERAL OCCASION THIS YEAR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2020
May 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION, THE VEHICLE RATTLED AND MADE ABNORMAL NOISES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIDWEST SUPERSTORE (LOCATED AT 1100 E 30TH AVE, HUTCHINSON, KS 67502, (620) 662-6631), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,194.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2018
Apr 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SPORADICALLY REVVED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN STARTED, THE ENGINE WOULD REV TO 40 MPH. ALSO, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEIGH VALLEY HYUNDAI (675 STATE AVE, EMMAUS, PA 18049, (610) 967-6500), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,868.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2017
Mar 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR STARTED KNOCKING AND SPUTTERING, AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. BOB KING HYUNDAI (1601 SILAS CREEK PKWY, WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27127, (336) 724-2861) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2019
Nov 2018

ENGINE STOPPED AND ROD KNOCKING STARTED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2016
Sep 2017

ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY - THE TEMPERATURE OUTDOORS HAS TO BE COOL AND DAMP. SAFETY RISK FOR KIDS AND MYSELF TO HAVE ENGINE STALL. LIGHTS GO OUT AND CRUISE IF ON KICKS OFF. ENGINE WILL RESTART ITSELF, BUT AFTER IT HAPPENS - ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON UNLESS I ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE STALLING HAS HAPPENED FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS, BUT NO ONE CAN FIND THE ISSUE

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2017
Aug 2017

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2017
Jul 2017

ORIGINAL NHTSA REPORT #10621330. ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURNS. SEVERAL OCCURRENCES IN 2010, SEP 2014, JAN 2015, SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL IN MAY 2015. ANOTHER OCCURRENCE IN JUNE 2015. NOW TODAY, MARCH 7, 2017 IT SHUT DOWN AGAIN WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURN. PUT CAR IN PARK AND ENGINE RESTARTED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2017
Jun 2017

THE ENGINE WAS GONE ON MY CAR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2017
Nov 2016

(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 ?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2016
Oct 2016

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2016
May 2016

THE ENGINE THREW A ROD AND IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THEY HAVE IN THEIR 2.4L ENGINE THAT WAS RECALLED. 470,000 OF THEM. NOW THEY WON'T FIX MY ENGINE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2016
Dec 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH NO WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO NEITHER REPLICATE NOR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,800. UPDATED 08/11/14*LJ THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/19/14

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Nov 2014
Jul 2014

I HAVE HAD THE ENGINE STALLMENT ISSUE WITH MY 2010 SANTA FE LIMITED SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2010. MY LAST 4 INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE NOR FIND ANY CODES FOR IT. THEY HAVE PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING FIXES ON MY CAR IN 4 SEPARATE ATTEMPTS WITH NO LUCK: - REPLACE THROTTLE BODY (2013) - REPLACE MAIN POWER CABLE - REPLACE COMPUTER'S MAIN BOARD - UPDATE SOFTWARE THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE. LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A DOWNHILL RAMP TO ENTER THE FREEWAY WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. I CAN STILL HEAR THE CONCRETE TRUCK'S BRAKE SOUND IN MY EARS WHEN IT DESPERATELY MANAGED TO STOP AND AVOID COLLISION. I DON'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR ANYMORE. I HAVE ALSO LOST MY CONFIDENCE IN THE DEALER'S ABILITY TO PERMANENTLY FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2014
Jun 2014

WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN AND HIGH HUMIDITY, GOING SOUTH ON ROUTE 95, A/C COOLING STOPPED WORKING AND ONLY WARM AIR WAS BLOWING THROUGH THE VENTS. STOPPED WORKING FOR OVER AN HOUR, UNTIL I STOPPED FOR GAS IN FT. PIECE. WHEN I RESTARTED, IT BEGAN TO WORK AND WORKED FOR ANOTHER 20 MINUTES BEFORE IT STOPPED. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER ON JUNE 3. DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND WOULD DO NOTHING. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON JUNE 13 WHILE DRIVING. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND HE AGAIN SAID HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE IT AND WOULD DO NOTHING. I REPORTED IT HYUNDAI WOULD SAID IT COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED AND WOULD DO NOTHING. I FOUND NUMEROUS INSTANCES, ON THE INTERNET, OF PEOPLE REPORTING THIS PROBLEM, BUT WAS TOLD UNLESS I COULD REPRODUCE ON MY VEHICLE, NOTHING WOULD BE DONE. I HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND HOPE THE CAR DEALER IS OPEN. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2013
Dec 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ASSISTING THE CONTACT WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,650.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2011
Dec 2011

THE AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM IN MY 2010 SANTA FE LIMITED WOULD OCCASIONALLY STOP RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR, USUALLY DURING HEAVY RAIN OR HUMID CONDITIONS. EVEN WITH THE A/C SWITCH AND INDICATOR LIGHT ON, THE COMPRESSOR WOULD STILL NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS CYCLED. THIS CAUSED THE INTERIOR WINDOWS TO FOG UP HEAVILY AND NOT CLEAR, LEADING TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH ONE INSTANCE MY OUTWARD VISIBILITY BEING REDUCED TO ALMOST ZERO AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH AS I HAD NOWHERE TO PULL OVER. EVENTUALLY I WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE CONDITION TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE IN THE DASH. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RESURFACED SINCE. *KB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Nov 2010

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe has 26 Engine complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.