2010 Hyundai Santa Fe: check engine light

Filed Aug 1, 2026 · Engine · NM

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 They had to see that my recall warrenty ends in September and they figured they'd stall until the warrenty was no longer valid.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)

Filed May 23, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · CO

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.

Filed Oct 24, 2022 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Sep 16, 2022 · Engine · 207,628 miles · OK

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

Filed Feb 28, 2022 · Engine · IL

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 the federal safety agency 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 federal safety agency 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.

Filed Sep 28, 2020 · Transmission · 153,796 miles · PA

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.

Filed Feb 9, 2017 · Engine · 150 miles · WI

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

Filed Oct 26, 2016 · Fuel system · 54,000 miles · VA

Check engine light came on and took to dealer, they check codes and said that vcm unit is going bad. Car has 54,000 miles we are original owners. Tech said that code light could be reset but if unit fails car would automatically slow from what ever speed you were doing right down to about 5-10 MPH

Filed May 4, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 78,000 miles · VA

1. Starter gear had to be replaced and the dealer ship and was told many of these cars are having the same issue. 2. When raining and driving down city streets, or highway my car will try to stall out and the check engine light comes on then it will lose steering, rpms will fluctuate. When checked it said it was the absolute pressure sensor.

Filed Feb 20, 2016 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · TN

Fuel sensor / gauge not working I have taken this to our hyundai , they are aware of these issues and stated no recall has been issued. The fuel usually shows empty or 1/2 tank. Also check engine light on, masks any other issues we may have. I have also take this to other mechanics who know of this issue also. Dealer said this will cost over $500

Filed Dec 2, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 60,570 miles · VA

Yesterday while decelerating at about 30 MPH and coming to a stop sign, the car completely shut off. The check engine light illuminated. The car was restarted and continued to operate normally. The car check engine light did not illuminate again. I took to my dealer today (next am) due to my concern. I contacted hyundai and asked to extend my warranty and mentioned my car had similar problem description mentioned in the online 929 hyundai campaign. The dealer said no code history or code is showing and nothing can be done but to wait and see if problem reappears. I am concerned that this car if again completely shuts off while in operation could become more of a fatal result. Would like hyundai to extend the online 929 campaign to my vehicle which is same year and model or some other way to check this problem thanks

Filed Sep 19, 2011 · Acceleration, Electrical · 20,800 miles · NY

When slowing down for traffic lights, turns or merging into traffic lanes, when the brake is released and the accelerator is pushed, at random times the car hesitates and all power is lost momentarily. The vehicle seems as if it has or is in the process of stalling out. At first, it feels as if all power has been lost and that the vehicle should be steered to the side of the road. However, then the engine suddenly re-engages and the vehicle lunges forward. The engine warning light does not come on, and the engine apparently does not "die," since there is no requirement for an ignition re-start. The problem happens sporadically (about once or twice a week--but sometimes once or more in the same day). The vehicle starts well, idles well and otherwise performs in an okay fashion. The dealer cannot find anything wrong. The car did not do this for the first 20,000 or so miles. On at least two occasions, this "stalling out" has almost created an accident situation.