2010 Hyundai Santa Fe: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Feb 2, 2026 · Engine · MO

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.

Filed Feb 16, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · SC

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

Filed Nov 15, 2023 · Steering, Suspension · AL

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. All mechanics have said that they don't see anything wrong with it but there's obviously something wrong with it and I am scared to drive it. It has got to be a manufacturers defect on those components of the vehicle. Please remedy this or replace my vehicle with one of the same or lesser valued cars . This truck is going to end up killing me or someone else or both ... Thanks

Filed Jul 13, 2023 · Airbags, Seat belts · CO

I am the original owner of a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. It currently has less than 100,000 miles on it as I drive it infrequently. On June 12, 2023, my airbag light lit on the display and has since remained. I immediately contacted the local Hyundai dealership and made the next available appointment. I was concerned because I had recently completed the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) service campaign on 4/3/2023. Initially, I took my vehicle to an auto repair facility where a diagnostic test determined my SUV had a B1620 error code and was advised to take it to a Hyundai dealership. My Hyundai appointment was on 6/23/2023. I shared the information about the error code with the technicians. The dealership confirmed I had a B1620 error code where the Supplemental Restraint System Control Module (SRSCM) shorted out. I also showed the dealership employees an Extended Warranty Notification letter I received from Hyundai about faulty clock springs, but the dealer stated the module was completely separate and not part of the recall. The repair estimate was quite costly at around $2,600. From my understanding, the SRSCM controls all safety features. The dealership informed me the air bag light/error code means my entire safety system is completely disabled. This is not a mechanical issue but rather a safety red flag.

Filed Jul 7, 2023 · Transmission · 170,000 miles · RI

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.

Filed May 17, 2023 · Transmission · 11,000 miles · MO

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.

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 Apr 3, 2019 · Engine · 115,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Nov 30, 2018 · Engine · 70,000 miles · NC

Engine stopped and rod knocking started while I was driving on a highway

Filed Aug 11, 2016 · Suspension, Transmission · 180,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 hyundai santa fe. While slowing down to a stop from 25 MPH, a knocking sound emitted from the engine. In addition, the gear shifter failed to go into the drive and reverse position and the engine felt as if it had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the axle, transmission strip, power train, and drive shaft failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v261000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Jul 26, 2010 · Transmission · 6,000 miles · IL

2010 santa fe. I get a loud knock (which jerks the vehicle) every so often when I start the vehicle. The dealer cannot find anything with it. I also get a pause at times going from 2nd to 3rd gear in my automatic transmission. Dealer refilled transmission fluid which seems to have helped that a little, but it still jerks at times while shifting gears. The knock has not stopped however. Just happened again yesterday which is at least the 15th time it has happened since we bought it in march. I have talked with others who have a 2010 santa fe and they say they have experienced the same problem. All of it seems to be a transmission issue to me, but the dealer says they cannot find anything. Not normal, and definitely should not happen with a new vehicle. I really like the vehicle outside of that.