2010 Hyundai Santa FE Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

36Engine complaints

14.1%Of all 256 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN65 · 25.4%

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION44 · 17.2%

ENGINE36 · 14.1%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM26 · 10.2%

Unspecified / other22 · 8.6%

Share of the 256 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE overview page.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN AND HIGH HUMIDITY, GOING SOUTH ON ROUTE 95, A/C COOLING STOPPED WORKING AND ONLY WARM AIR WAS BLOWING THROUGH THE VENTS…”NHTSA complaint 10604953 — filed 06/21/2014

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH NO WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD…”NHTSA complaint 10597887 — filed 06/12/2014

“FROM STOP,MAKING LEFT TURN, LOST ALL POWER MOMENTARILY, RPM DROPPED TO IDLE. PRESSING ACCELERATOR DID NOTHING, FINALLY ENGINE CAME BACK AND ACCELERATED WILDLY. VERY DANGEROUS.”NHTSA complaint 10500116 — filed 02/26/2013

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE have engine problems?

Engine is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE: 36 of 256 complaints on file (14.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2010 Hyundai Santa FE have in total?

256 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 8 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, 7 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.