2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.

Hyundai Santa Fe
Pictured: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Luxury AWD in Hampton Grey, front left, 2024-06-30. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD/Limited, 4dr SUV FWD 2.4 Gl, 4dr SUV FWD 3.5 Gl/3.5 Gl Sport
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 21 city / 28 hwy
Length
184.3 in
Curb weight
3,686–4,118 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 37 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 184 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,118 lb (4dr SUV AWD/Limited).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), 11% better than the 2010 SUV - average of 20.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 136 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2010

  • Engines added: 2.4L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl
  • Engines dropped: 2.7L 6-cyl and 3.3L 6-cyl
  • Best combined MPG up from 20 to 23

Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 Santa Fe →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD/Limited184.3 in74.4 in70.9 in106.3 in63.8 / 63.8 in4,118 lb57/43
4dr SUV FWD 2.4 Gl184.3 in74.4 in70.9 in106.3 in63.8 / 63.8 in3,686 lb57/43
4dr SUV FWD 3.5 Gl/3.5 Gl Sport184.3 in74.4 in70.9 in106.3 in63.8 / 63.8 in3,900 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Santa Fe 2WD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23+11%$2,900386
Santa Fe 2WD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 23+11%$2,900386
Santa Fe 4WD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive21 / 27 / 23+26%$2,900386
Santa Fe 2WD2.4L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22+6%$3,050404
Santa Fe 4WD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22+20%$3,050404
Spend $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.7 MPG2010 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2010 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2010 Hyundai Santa Fe (this car)23 MPGNot rated2
2010 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated6
2010 Toyota RAV424 MPGNot rated14
2010 Honda CR-V24 MPGNot rated15
2010 Toyota 4Runner20 MPGNot rated12
2010 Subaru Forester22 MPGNot rated17
2010 Toyota Highlander26 MPGNot rated11

Recalls (2)

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch · Apr 1, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V113000 · 1,712,336 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Apr 28, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V261000 · 5,876 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

136Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
5Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
89,897 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train46
Engine31
Unknown Or Other21
Electrical System13
Suspension10
Structure › Body9
Steering7
Air Bags6
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/08: 122/01: 122/02: 122/05: 122/07: 122/09: 122/10: 123/05: 323/06: 123/07: 223/10: 123/11: 224/01: 124/07: 124/08: 125/02: 325/05: 126/01: 126/02: 126/03: 126/04: 126/08: 226/09: 126/10: 121/0822/0522/1023/0724/0125/0226/0226/08max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Power Train — 46 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Engine — 31 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 13 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 89,897 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Santa Fe years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Santa Fe36–Not rated00
2026 Santa Fe36190.2 inNot rated458
2025 Santa Fe36190.2 in★★★★★5240
2024 Santa Fe36190.2 in★★★★★7191
2023 Santa Fe34188.6 in★★★★★2291
2022 Santa Fe34188.6 in★★★★★8265
2021 Santa Fe34188.6 in★★★★★8187
2020 Santa Fe25187.8 in★★★★★2218
2019 Santa Fe25187.8 in★★★★★3229
2018 Santa Fe24184.6 in★★★★★5432
2017 Santa Fe24184.6 inNot rated71,327
2016 Santa Fe23184.6 inNot rated3306

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Hyundai. How we calculate this →