2010 Hyundai Santa Fe: engine stalls while driving

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 They had to see that my recall warrenty ends in September and they figured they'd stall until the warrenty was no longer valid.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 Mar 25, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 145,000 miles · CA · 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.

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 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 May 9, 2021 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · VA

This car has stalled at least six times in the past six months, usually as we are deaccelerating and in a downhill position (ie: driving slowly down a mountain, coming to a stoplight going down a hill, etc.). It has a new engine as of summer 2020. We took it to a local hyundai dealership and they ran a general diagnostics check-up with no results. We have searched this problem online for a solution and see many others reporting similar stalling concerns, but when we put our VIN into the recall system, there are no recalls affiliated with this car. The car drives great otherwise, but the stalling is very concerning.

Filed Oct 1, 2020 · Engine · NJ

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

Filed Sep 17, 2020 · Transmission · 154,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated when shifting gears from drive to reverse, she heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer inver grove hyundai located at 1290 50th st e, inver grove heights, mn 55077, (888) 706-5928, and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v261000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.

Filed Jan 30, 2020 · Brakes, Engine · 145 miles · CO

For no reason the car will stall and all steering and brake functions are disabled. Happens when stopped or while driving. Car has to be put in park and restarted. Very dangerous situation for my 17 year old daughter

Filed Oct 3, 2018 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to pride hyundai auto sales & service inc (680 hwy 6 w, batesville, ms 38606, 662‑563‑5464) for diagnostic testing and repairs. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v261000 (power train) in 2011, but it failed to provide a permanent remedy. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed May 28, 2018 · Fuel system · 170,000 miles · TN

Car randomly stalls and slows down to a crawl under acceleration. Sometimes it happens when going uphill, merging into traffic. Sometimes it's just normal driving. It is very unpredictable and extremely dangerous. It has happened off and on for the last 2-3 years. Dealer is clueless.

Filed Jun 8, 2017 · Engine · 98,543 miles · TN

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.

Filed Apr 15, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 150,000 miles · TX

Engine stall during stationary cranking and driving on city streets after shaking noise heard. Related to recall 49.