2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Hyundai Santa Fe 2010

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2010 Hyundai Santa Fe repairs by problem area

Engine (26%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (13%)

Brakes and Traction Control (7%)

Suspension and Steering (20%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (17%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (11%)

Other (4%)

Chart based on 178 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe.

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (4%)

$500 - $999 (7%)

$100 - $499 (7%)

< $100 (82%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 45 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

Engine not specified

7000 mi Crank seal leaking 

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2010 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

276-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

5000 mi Car stalled at low speed in city driving. Towed to dealer where no fault codes or history were found. Car was driven home and problem has not resurfaced. 
Radiator sprung leak at top right corner, occasionally spurting coolant onto engine cover. Radiator is not losing excessive amounts of coolant, however. Part ordered; covered under warranty. 
8000 mi Radiator was replaced, stopping the leak. 
3000 mi known problem with harsh/abrupt shifting with 6 speed auto tran. TSB' have not fixed the problem, as of yet. fix(TSB}does not solve the problem ( only temporary). 
99200 mi

C $200
Check engine light diagnosed as exhaust leak. Smoke test revealed valve on gas cap not re-seating. Replaced with new gas cap. 
94860 mi

C $1500
Check engine light illuminated for large EVAP leak. Replaced cracked fuel pump housing 
130200 mi

C $1100
Replaced flex (exhaust) pipe. 
23000 mi 3rd time for same problem—jerky movement in lower gears, under 25 felt like someone hitting car from behind. No mechanical problem found, but after "lots of test driving" they replicated. Software update seems to have fixed problem, for now at least. 
15872 mi The common radiator pinhole/seam leak on the Santa Fe radiator, noticed small coolant loss at overflow tank, slight green stain on radiator. Radiator replaced under warrantee 
56420 mi

C $610
oil pressure sender - oil leak ($10 for part $350 for labour),  
4960 mi car overheated. something needed tightening or replacing to radiator 
13020 mi noticed radiator fluid leaking into ground when car parked 
29760 mi loose heat shield, rubbing noise when coasting 
17000 mi My Santa Fe was in the shop for one day to adjust the transmission which was shifting in to high gear to fast causing the vehicle to buck. 
18000 mi Engine would stall for 3 to 4 seconds when starting from a complete stop. 
20000 mi The stalling problem never was resolved...the problem seemed to be that it did not do it on a constant basis and they claimed they could never get it to do it. 

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2010 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

276-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

76260 mi

C $280
Turn key engine cranks, catches, stalls Ongoing problem with engine immobilizer system Dealer will claim "could not duplicate" Keys have been replaced, problem persists... Owner of vehicle checked oil level one day after repair. found engine cover missing. returned to dealer, told cover is missing and will be ordered. Suspect cover was damaged and customer was not told. Intermittent, Turn key, engine turns over but does not start. Ongoing engine immobilizer malfunction. Dealer will not repair problem. 
98000 mi

US $100
Short block had to be rebuilt and installed, piston rings and other issues to the Pistons caused engine to sieze. 
15160 mi

C $52
Noise coming from engine belt tensioner (Noisy bearing). 
6000 mi

US $45
VERY loud tapping noise at startup. Goes away after 3 seconds. This will re-occur after being off after 3 hours. Either rod bearing noise or lifter noise as oil apparently drains down. Dealer changed oil & filter, could not replicate. 
6200 mi Loud tapping in engine with cold startup. Factory rep to listen in October. Noise very minimal in colder weather. Will take back next year in warm weather 
16000 mi

US $38
TSB stated that 1-2 and 2-3 shift points erratic when cold 
8266 mi Replace transmission 
22200 mi Replace electric cooling fan. Expected time 1 hr.Real time 2 hrs. 
6820 mi updated the transition software 
17360 mi transmission software update 
14260 mi Problem with transmission not catching when changing gears going from gear down to gear up. Feels like it is slipping and then catches and "clunks" when it goes into gear. 
15500 mi Vehicle had intermittant no start problems. Disconnected command start - 2 1/2 weeks without problem. Did a transmission update for slipping and after 2 1/2 weeks no problems. 
5580 mi Transmission surges, throttle issues and extreme thuds when shifting in slow situations. Software update (TSB). Some improvement, but not completely rectified 
15500 mi Recurring problem with transmission clanging into 2nd gear during slow acceleration. Diagnostics done, repair not succesful. 
34100 mi Replaced timing chain cover 
50840 mi Vehicle would not start on all occasions. When ignition would not catch, it would take multiple attempts, but it always started. Waiting for situation to happen again at which time I will return to dealer. 
52700 mi Starting issue as previously reported. Dealer thinks it is a faulty immobilizer antennae and ordered part. Awaiting installation. 
52700 mi Installed new antennae, didn't work. Ordered a wiring harness to see if it might do the trick. I decided to cut my losses and got rid of the car. 
62480 mi Hard to start on occasion but getting worse.The antenna circut was changed for the immobilizer. Starting 100% better.But to get this appointment done,phoned Hyundai Canada.They talked to dealer and had me in at dealer within 2 days. 
74880 mi Check Engine light on,diagnosed as intake gaskets leaking.Parts ordered,parts in 2 weeks later. Appointment made and 1 day to fix. 
50840 mi Oil leak from weep hole at engine/tranny interface. Dealer reported leak from oil pressure switch. 
97340 mi

C $804
Oil pressure sensor leak; replaced oil pressure sensor for the second time. 
20460 mi Vehicle motor would turn over but would not start until third try.This happened irregularly. Same issue after they replaced immobilizer system. 
36740 mi Idler belt adjuster 

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2010 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

175-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

97000 mi For the last several years this vehicle doesn't always start when in park. It is either something with the ignition switch or the transmission shift lever - dealer couldn't find the problem but it is still a problem and has been for a while 
4340 mi

C $70
Vehicle accelerated after came to a stop. This occurred in -40C temps. The service personnel in two dealership service shops have not been able to recreate the incident inspite of extended attempts to do the same. Hyunda Can involved. 
30500 mi The car would not start and was towed to the dealership. The dealer replaced a starter switch. 

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2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.