3 recalls and 258 owner complaints on record for this model year.
This page describes the model. To see how one particular car is equipped, and whether its identifier is valid, decode its VIN.
Decode a VINAlmost all of this describes the model year, not the individual car. Nothing here can tell you about this vehicle’s mileage, accidents or ownership — no identifier encodes those.
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SANTA FE 2WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 15, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 5, 2010. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY SUFFER FROM NOISE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR. CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION LEADS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WHIRRING/WHINING NOISE AND CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 55538, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO THE CONVERTER MODULE AND DEFEAT THE MODULE'S INTERNAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION.
Remedy: CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MANUFACTURING AT 1-715 831-8713.
Published by model year, not by VIN — may not apply to this vehicle, or may already have been done. Confirm with a dealer.
A short circuit can occur in the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) unit. This increase the risk of the vehicle catching fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Vehicles may develop an electrical short in the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
The wiring harness mounted under the bench seat can be damaged by being pinched by the seat hinge when it is folded down. This can lead the curtain airbag not to work, increasing the risk of injuries in the event of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Matched on brand and model name — Safety Gate publishes no VIN. Check the production dates, and quote the recall code to a dealer.
VEHICLE STOPPED ON INCLINE OF A HILL, THEN REVERSED (GEAR SHIFT IN DRIVE) BACK DOWN 600 FEET THE HILL AND CRASHED AGAINST A CONCRETE WALL CORNER. HAVE 2 WITNESSES THAT SWITCHED OFF THE ENGINE, INSPECTED WRECK, FOUND NO FAULT CODES WITH A LAUNCH 431-READER BUT FIGURED THAT BATTERY WAS DRAINED AFTER 2 MONTHS. SURVIVING DAUGHTER SUFFERS FROM MEMORY LOSS BUT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT CLAIMS THE BRAKES FAILED.
ON 6/17/2018 @ APPROXIMATELY 5:00PM WHILE DRIVING MY SANTA FE, I BEGAN TO HAVE SURGING POWER. I ATTEMPTED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT COULD NOT. I WOULD SLOW DOWN ONLY TO SPEED RIGHT BACK UP AS IF I HAD PUSHED THE RESUME BUTTON, I HAD NOT. I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL HOWEVER MY GEER SHIFTER WAS LOCKED INTO DRIVE & I COULDN'T GET THE SHIFTER OUT OF DRIVE. AT TIMES THE CAR WOULD START TO SLOW DOWN AFTER PU MPING THE BREAKS ONLY TO HAVE A SURGE OF POWER AGAIN. AS I WAS DRIVING, I CAME UP TO A SHARP CURVE & WASN'T ABLE TO SLOW DOWN THEREFORE I ENDED UP ROLLING THE SUV & FURTHER SLAMMING TO A LARGE HILL. I WAS INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT DUE TO ROLLING MY CAR! THIS HAPPENED BC I BELIEVE THE CRUISE CONTROL GOT STUCK & LOCKED UP MY TRANSMISSION!!! I ALSO COULDN'T TURN THE KEY OFF SINCE THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS STANDING WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPEN AND HEARD A THUMP SOUND. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE CONTACT WAS STRUCK BY THE DOOR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO AS SHE WAS DRAGGED BY THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO STOP ONCE IT CROSSED A MAIN ROAD AND COLLIDED WITH A CURB. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER ENTIRE BODY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
PURCHASED VEHICLE BRAND NEW, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND I WAS REAR ENDED @ 65 MPH. VEHICLE SUFFERED $14,000 IN DAMAGE WITH A BENT FRAME. THE VALUE OF MY VEHICLE IS NOW DIMINISHED DRASTICALLY AND IT IS REPORTED IN CAR FAX REPORT. APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS LATER VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR FAULTY BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE BRAKE SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. I SHOULD NOT SUFFER FINANCIAL LOSS DUE TO NEGLIGENT PARTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED AND INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FACE AND HEAD INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN IT BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS OPEN WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT RAN TO CATCH THE VEHICLE AS IT INDEPENDENTLY REACHED A STOP. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR STRUCK THE CONTACT RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURIES. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR TREATMENT TREATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. A THIRD PARTY INVESTIGATOR WAS SENT BY THE MANUFACTURER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE INVESTIGATOR FOUND NO FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,200.
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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 11E040000 (Equipment). The insurance company referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
My 2010 Hyundai Sante Fe caught fire on 9/27/23 while I was operating the vehicle and this fire ultimately caused my electrical systems to overheat and the wiring to melt. There was no indication that my alternator was about to fail (no battery light on my dash, no issues with starting my car) and I regularly maintenance my car with oil changes, tire rotations, and I redid my whole brake system in August 2023. My safety, the safety of my passenger, as well as the safety of ALL the patrons in the building that sat above the parking garage I was located in when the fire was burning were put at risk by this incident. My passenger acted quickly enough to put out the fire before anything more serious occurred, however according to my insurance we didn't let the fire burn long enough for there to be damage... even though my electrical harness is melted from it overheating due to the fire... The dealership/insurance have inspected my vehicle and say that the fire occurred because the alternator shorted out/failed however I believe this is false and Hyundai is covering their butts. When alternators fail the car doesn't just burst into flames, typically the car just fails to turn on since the alternator is no longer charging the battery... at least that's what I've read and heard from friends that are mechanics. Hyundai and Kia have been plagued by fire problems since 2015. The Center for Auto Safety successfully petitioned U.S. regulators to seek recalls in 2018 and says that the automakers have recalled more than 9.2 million vehicles for fires and engine problems. More than two dozen of the recalls involved over 20 models from the 2006 through 2021 model years and ALL are for fire risk. This is a KNOWN issue with Hyundai cars in general. My thought is that the same issues that are listed in the most recent Hyundai recall for the Sante Fe's from 2011-2015 is what occurred in my vehicle but Hyundai is refusing to take ownership of the issue.
The contact owned a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact was calling from an insurance company and stated that while the driver was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to lose motive power and decelerated inadvertently. There was smoke coming from the air vents and flames were seen coming from the front wheel wells. After exiting the vehicle, flames engulfed the vehicle and the vehicle was destroyed. The fire department was called to the scene and a report was taken before the vehicle was towed away. No injuries were reported. The cause of the failure was not determined. Later the insurance company concluded that the fire was caused by a faulty engine. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
I WAS DRIVING MY 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, THE BLINKER SWITCH STARTED FRANTICALLY CLICKING, I THAN HEARD ELECTRICAL SPARKS FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THAN SMOKE STARTING COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHERE THE BLINKER SHAFT WAS LOCATED. HYUNDAI HAS HAD MY VEHICLE FOR 2 WEEKS, LEAVING ME AND MY 8 MONTH OLD CARLESS. THE DEALERSHIP AND COOPERATE HAS SAID THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE, AND HAS NOT GIVEN ME A COURTESY CALL OR VEHICLE UPDATES. I LOOKED ON THIS WEBSITE, SAFECAR.ORG AND INDEED, I FOUND SOMEONE WHO HAS ENCOUNTERED THE SAME ISSUE (PLEASE SEE NHTSA ID NUMBER 10629458). I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY WITH THE OTHER RECALLS IN PLACE.
SANTA FE BLINKER SWITCH ON STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING. I HAVE A VIDEO AS EVIDENCE OF THE SMOKE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. HYUNDAI REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO COST EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER TO ME AND MY FAMILY. BLINKERS STARTED STAYING ON AT ALL TIMES WHEN IGNITION WAS ON. BLINKERS WOULD GO LEFT AND GO RIGHT, BUT WHEN IN THE CENTER POSITION THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL STAYED ON OR THE AUDIBLE PART OF THE BLINKERS COULD BE HEARD WITH NO SIGNAL LIGHT. SMOKE CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE VEHICLE SMELLED AND STILL SMELLS OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I TOOK A VIDEO THAT CLEARLY SHOWS SMOKE COMING FROM THE BLINKER SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN. PLEASE ASK IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY OF THE VIDEO. I CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TOLD THEM AND I ALSO ASKED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO TAKE CARE OF IT. BOTH REFUSED AND SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 4,755 MILES AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING EVEN THOUGH MY FAMILY WAS IN CLEAR DANGER. THEY CHARGED ME $179 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN THEIR PARTS AND IS A DANGER IN BOTH BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT FROM FAULTY SIGNALS AND INTENTIONS BEING SENT TO OTHER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
WARNING: WHILE TURNING LEFT INTO MY DRIVEWAY (IN MOTION), MY 2010 SANTA FE STEERING SUDDENLY LOCKED UP AND I DROVE ONTO MY LAWN. VERY SCARY AND THIS WAS WITHOUT WARNING! SIMPLY MEANING, IF THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS THE ISSUE, THERE WOULD BE NOISE AND A GRADUAL FAILURE; HOWEVER, THIS WAS VERY SUDDEN. AS OF THIS WRITING, THE STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THANK GOD I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND NOW IT IS IN THE SHOP FOR DIAGNOSES. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!!!
I HAD JUST PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY OF A HOUSE I OWN THAT I RENT; I WAS THERE TO MEET MY TENANTS TO DISCUSS A COUPLE OF REPAIRS THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE IN THE HOUSE. I WAS SLOWING THE CAR WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AS I APPROACHED THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY BY THE SIDE DOOR OF THE HOUSE. THEN I HEARD A SUDDEN, EXTREMELY LOUD ENGINE NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE REVVING VERY FAST AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I WAS PROPELLED FORWARD ABOUT 50 FEET INTO THE BACK YARD AND CRASHED INTO SOME LILAC BUSHES DIRECTLY AHEAD OF ME AND INTO THE STEEP DIRT BANK BEHIND THE BUSHES, WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. THERE IS NO GARAGE AND THE DRIVEWAY ENDS WHERE THE LAWN BEGINS. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS QUITE DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTLY IN THE DEALER'S REPAIR GARAGE. ON THE INTERNET, MY SON FOUND MANY REPORTS OF INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION FOR THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE FOR MY MODEL YEAR AND FOR OTHER RECENT YEARS AND HE SUGGESTED I FILE THIS REPORT WITH THE NHTSA. *TR
A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END IMPACT . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. IN THE NORMAL COURSE OF REPAIRS, THE SHOP REPLACED THE COMPONENTS OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND SENT THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO CHECK FOR ERROR CODES AND TO RESET THE SYSTEM. ONE OF THE ERROR CODES WOULD NOT CLEAR. THE DEALER, IN WASHINGTON STATE ADVISED THE REPAIR SHOP AND US THAT PURSUANT TO A TSB,01-90-013, HYUNDAI RECOMMENDS THAT THE WIRING HARNESS ALSO MUST BE REPLACED IN ADDITION TO THE STANDARD PARTS OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, WHEN THE AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO DIRECT DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HARNESS AND THIS APPEARS TO BE SOME UNIQUE REQUIREMENT DESIGNED INTO THE HARNESS BY HYUNDAI. IT IS UNCLEAR WHY THIS IS REQUIRED OR WHAT UNIQUE FEATURE WAS BUILT INTO THE HARNESS THAT DEMANDS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE HARNESS. THIS ADDED REQUIREMENT ADDS AN ADDITIONAL $6,767.75 TO THE REPAIR COST OVER AND ABOVE THE REGULAR COLLISION RELATED COST. WHEREAS THIS REQUIREMENT IS UNIQUE TO THE NEW 2010 SANTA FE MODEL AND IS NOT FUNCTION REQUIRED DURING THE STANDARD REPLACEMENT OF AIR BAGS IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT WE ARE AWARE OF, WE MUST ASK IS THIS A DEFECT, IS THIS SIMPLY A DESIGN FEATURE TO ENHANCE PROFIT FROM REPAIRS OR IS THERE SOME UNIQUE FEATURE TO THE WIRE HARNESS DESIGN THAT SERVES SOME OTHER PURPOSE OR FUNCTION? ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR
The vehicle’s transmission slips while driving on the highway at approximately 65–75 mph. The slipping occurs at highway speeds and appears to affect the vehicle’s ability to maintain consistent power and acceleration. Problem The vehicle’s transmission slips while driving on the highway at approximately 65–75 mph. The slipping occurs at highway speeds and appears to affect the vehicle’s ability to maintain consistent power and acceleration. Safety Concerns This creates a safety concern because unexpected transmission slipping at highway speeds could result in a sudden loss or interruption of power. This may make it difficult to maintain speed, merge, pass, or respond safely to changing traffic conditions. The issue could increase the risk of an accident, particularly in heavy or fast-moving traffic.
Filed by owners of this model year and unverified by NHTSA — one person’s account, not an established fact.