On XXX I was waiting at a light and the check engine light was blinking. When I started up, the car was very sluggish. It continued to be sluggish on my trip home - 5 miles. I brought it to Meineke [XXX] [XXX]. They ascertained that the engine was shot. They flushed out the oil in the engine and there was lots of metal in the oil. They instructed me to go to Hyundai immediately. There was a engine recall and their research showed that I was included under the recall warrenty. I've included their assessment. Both the drives to the Meineke from my house and to Hyundai from Meineke were scary. I didn't feel safe in the car. I went directly to [XXX], manager of Larry Miller Hyundai at [XXX], Phone [XXX]. He said that he needed to clear the recall with Hyundai. He called me back in a few days and told me that all the test diagnostics were made and that a censor malfunction was the cause of the problem and the front breaks needed work. I gave him the go-head. The cost was $1,319. I wasn't convince that was the primary problem. I use my car for short trips. I was driving to the gym on XXX - having driven less than 50 mile since the recent repair - once again I stopped at a light and the check engine light lit up permanently - not flashing. The engine started to shake when it was idle and there was an unusual sound coming from it. I finished my drive to the gym although the drive just didn't feel normal or safe. Right now (XXX) I am having my car towed to Hyundai. It is not safe to drive. My belief is that corporate Hyundai refused to fix the engine repair part of a class action lawsuit which includes replacing the engine. They had to see that my recall warrenty ends in September and they figured they'd stall until the warrenty was no longer valid. This is just a guess, but a very educated guess. They had to know that the engine was no longer safe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2010 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems
46 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 74,194. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 46
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical mileage
- 74,194
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Stalling 37Check engine light 13Loss of power 12Knocking 11Engine failure 6
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Loss of Motive Power
the federal safety agency received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitionersâ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODIâs evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to the federal safety agency which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. Â There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in the federal safety agency's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, the federal safety agency does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing the federal safety agencyâs reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to the federal safety agency cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
DP22003
What 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Engine fire
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to immediately start, but started after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the starter, oil filter, and engine filter, and changed the oil. On a hot day, there was a loud sound coming from the vehicle, and it was noticed that the unoccupied vehicle was attempting to start independently. The contact unlocked the vehicle and opened the vehicle door, put the keys in the ignition, and continued to crank for approximately four minutes. The accelerator pedal was pumped, and the vehicle stopped. There was smoke coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle eventually stopped. There were flames coming from the vehicle. The contact called 911, an independent mechanic, her father, and the fire department. The Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire and disconnect the battery. The mechanic determined that the engine cover was burned. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact indicated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11E040000 (Equipment). The insurance company referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
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.
Driving approximately 70-75mph on highway with cruise control set. Car starts to make rattling sound & engine warning light goes on, car struggles to accelerate and hovers around 60mph. Upon inspection of engine oil in car, fresh oil has been burned up quickly! Added 1 quart. Drove 45mins at 70-75mph. Notice Engine light on again. Check engine oil. Had quickly burned through 1qt! Add new quart of oil. Let car rest overnight. Driving 70mph without use of cruise control. Then use cruise control. After a bit car engine sounds of rattling & struggling to accelerate. RPM gauge seen going up & down. Through rear view mirror I see lots of bluish smoke. Pull over to let engine rest. Check oil = still 3/4. Use engine dectection device. Indicates that cylinders 3 &4 misfiring. Reset car warning indicator with my detection device. Finish drive going 60mph to arrive at destination without car engine warning going back on.
The engine locked down due to the improper power train, driveline, driveshaft. Oil leaking and malfunction of power train, driveline, driveshaft caused motor to knock and lock down
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.
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 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
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
Questions about the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe engine
Does the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe have engine problems?
Owners have filed 46 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe, 18% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 74,194 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Hyundai Santa Fe have bad engine?
The Hyundai Santa Fe model years with the most engine complaints are 2017 (673 complaints), 2013 (279 complaints) and 2014 (277 complaints).
Other 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Transmission 109Electrical 28Acceleration 21Fuel system 19Suspension 14Body 12Brakes 12Visibility 11Airbags 9Steering 8Lights 7Driver assistance 3Tires 3Locks 2Seat belts 1Seats 1Wheels 1
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