HyundaiSanta Fe2010Overview/hyundai/santa-fe/2010/base/

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 Santa Fe.

Body SUV

The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe is a Hyundai SUV, with its engine specified to use 5.0 quarts of oil in either 5W-20 or 5W-30 API viscosity grades. Owner-reported data places this model year at 256 complaints—with the power train emerging as the leading problem area—alongside three recalls issued against the vehicle. Set against the model's broader reliability history from 2001 through 2026, where annual complaints have ranged from a 2017 peak of 941 down to a 2026 low of 28, the 2010 Santa Fe registers a moderate count well below the platform's later trouble spots, providing researchers with a useful baseline for tracking how the powertrain concerns already evident in this model year would unfold over the following years.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192010

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.3 in
Overall width74.4 in
Overall height70.9 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight4118 lb
Track (front / rear)63.8 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Santa Fe of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2010 Limited 3.5L V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2010Limited 3.5L V67.10 sec15.40 sec276 hpAWD
2011Limited 3.5L V67.40 sec15.70 sec276 hpFWD
2011GLS 2.4L I-410.60 sec17.70 sec175 hpAWD
2008Limited 3.3L V68.40 sec16.50 sec242 hpAWD
2007Limited 3.3L V68.00 sec16.40 sec242 hpAWD
2007Limited 3.3L V68.30 sec16.40 sec242 hpAWD
2007Limited 3.3L V69.40 sec17.30 sec242 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 26.0-32.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-IV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5
Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-IV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts87-94 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36-40 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29-33 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0-32.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0-32.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub145-188 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub145-188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.56-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Timing8, Not adjutstable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.29-1.40 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.73-5.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number124R

Service checks

Pressure Test12-16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief12-16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature179 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)50.0-51.0 psi
Engine Compression184

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.00001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.001 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.433 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M6 Bolts8–9 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 88-9213–16 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1tighten bolts in sequence 2, 1, 4, 3, 6, 5, 8, 72.9–4.3 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 23 ft. lbs., Step 3: 12511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 25,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 25,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Radiator (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 25,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Disc Brake Caliper (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 37,500 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 40,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 52,500 miElectronic Throttle Control System (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe sits in the middle of the second generation (2007–2012), a period that began with a sharp spike in complaints (681 in 2007) and recalls (9 in 2007) following the redesign. By 2010, complaints had dropped significantly to 256 and recalls held steady at 3, suggesting early quality issues were being resolved, yet the year saw a notable jump in Technical Service Bulletins (119) and the start of a rising trend in investigations (3, up from 1 in 2009). The top complaint area for 2010 is the power train (94 complaints), which aligns with the generation’s later focus: investigations climbed to 5 in 2011 and 6 in 2012, while complaints resurged to 352 in 2012, indicating that underlying power train concerns persisted. The data does not specify root causes, but the combination of high TSBs and growing investigations implies that 2010 models may have required frequent dealer-level fixes for issues that were not yet subject to a full recall. Overall, the 2010 Santa Fe represents a moderate point in the generation’s quality arc—better than the troubled 2007–2008 models but still with signs of emerging power train issues—so a pre-purchase inspection focused on power train service history and TSB completion is strongly advised.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
119
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
256
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 6 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 256 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train94
Engine24
Unknown Or Other13
Electrical System10
Vehicle Speed Control10
Suspension8
Structure7
Air Bags6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11E040000EquipmentReported 06/10/2011

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… 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…

13V113000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 01/04/2013

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 119 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
26-01-033H TSB2026-03-26EngineThis TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based…
26-01-033H DN2026-03-26EngineThis TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based…
25-BD-012H TSB2025-11-05Exterior LightingThis bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Santa Fe. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2010 Santa Fe take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2010 Santa Fe have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.