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2010 Hyundai Santa Fe SE Auto FWD

The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe SE Auto FWD is a 276-hp V6 with a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $25,995 MSRP and is rated at 23 mpg combined.

It makes 276 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (23 mpg combined).

The Santa Fe measures 184.1 inches long on a 106.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,902 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$25,995 ($38,736 *)
MSRP with Destination$26,790 ($39,921 *)
Destination Charge$795
Engine
Engine TypeLambda II G6DC 3.5L DOHC V6, MPI, Dual-CVVT, naturally aspirated
Horsepower276 hp
Torque248 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC 24-valve with Dual-CVVT
Bore and Stroke92 x 87
Injection TypeMulti-point fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission6-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City20 MPG
Highway26 MPG
Combined23 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Suspension
Front SuspensionMacPherson strut with coil springs
Rear SuspensionIndependent multi-link with trailing arms, coil springs, and gas-filled hydraulic shock absorbers
Turning Diameter35.8 ft
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front18 in
Wheels Rear18 in
Tires Front235/60R18
Tires Rear235/60R18
Dimensions & Weight
Length184.1 in
Width74.4 in
Height67.9 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Front Track63.6 in
Rear Track63.8 in
Ground Clearance8.1 in
Cargo Volume34.2 ft³
Curb Weight3,902 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front40.2 in
Headroom Rear39.6 in
Legroom Front42.6 in
Legroom Rear36.8 in
Shoulder Room Front59.5 in
Shoulder Room Rear58.6 in
Hip Room Front55.8 in
Hip Room Rear55 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (16.9 % risk)
Tested variant: 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe 4-DR w/SAB

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2010 Hyundai SANTA FE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Apr 1, 2013 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign 13V113000

Oct 6, 2011 · EQUIPMENT

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.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

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.

NHTSA campaign 11E040000

Apr 28, 2011 · POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

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.

Consequence: DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

NHTSA campaign 11V261000

260 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2010 Hyundai SANTA FE

Owner Complaints

260 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Hyundai SANTA FE (8 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 6 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Power Train109
Engine37
Electrical System28
Unknown Or Other23
Vehicle Speed Control21
Suspension14
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 16, 2026 · Structure
“The vehicle is a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe with about 157,000 miles. Hyundai issued Service Campaign 947 (TSB 17-01-005) for underbody corrosion on 2007–2010 Santa Fe models, but the campaign was never…”
Sep 25, 2026 · Unknown Or Other
“The Radiator fan remains on when the vehicle is turned off and requires the fan to be unplugged to disengage. If it is not unplugged it will continue to run until the battery is dead. If not caught at…”
Aug 15, 2026 · Power Train
“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…”
Aug 1, 2026 · Engine
“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…”
Apr 1, 2026 · Engine Fire
“Engine fire”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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