Recall 11V261 affects 5,876 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles for intermediate-shaft wear that damages the transmission. Repair is free at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
Hyundai is recalling 5,876 2010 Santa Fe vehicles with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines because an intermediate shaft alignment problem can cause noise, excessive wear, and automatic transmission damage. If the transmission is damaged, the vehicle can lose motive power, increasing crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Hyundai makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The intermediate shaft in the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe is part of the driveline, the set of parts that carries engine power through the automatic transmission to the wheels. It has to stay lined up with the right-side output gear so the gears mesh cleanly as the vehicle accelerates and cruises.
On affected Santa Fe vehicles, that shaft is misaligned with the right-side output gear. The mismatch creates noise and excessive wear inside the driveline. If the vehicle keeps being driven in that condition, the wear progresses and damages the automatic transmission.
There is no warning sign before failure. Once the problem has progressed, an owner can hear a whirring or whining noise from the powertrain, especially while driving, and that noise means the shaft and transmission parts are already wearing abnormally.
Who's affected?
| 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe | driveline |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 5,876 |
Not every 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Transmission damage can cut power to the wheels. Losing motive power in traffic increases the risk of a crash because the vehicle stops responding to acceleration. Drive cautiously and contact a Hyundai dealer with your VIN. Repair will be free at any franchised Hyundai dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe is included in this recall.
- Contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151 to confirm whether the dealer repair is open for your VIN.
- Ask a franchised Hyundai dealer about the free right-side output-gear and intermediate-shaft replacement that addresses the whining noise, shaft wear, and transmission damage risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Hyundai mailed one. If not, reference recall number 11V261 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Stop driving and call the dealer if the Santa Fe develops a whirring or whining noise or loses power.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer repair is available, a Hyundai technician will replace the right side output gear and the intermediate shaft at no charge. Those parts sit in the automatic transmission driveline. The repair targets the misalignment that lets the intermediate shaft wear against the output gear and create a whirring or whining noise. Parts and labor will be covered under the recall.
Timeline
| April 28, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 30, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V261?
Recall 11V261 covers 5,876 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe 2WD vehicles with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines. A misaligned intermediate shaft can wear against the right side output gear, damage the transmission, and cause loss of motive power, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Santa Fe is included in recall 11V261. If it is, contact a franchised Hyundai dealer to schedule replacement of the right side output gear and intermediate shaft. Reference recall number 11V261 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Hyundai's remedy says dealers will replace the right side output gear and intermediate shaft free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Hyundai dealer.
What warning signs should I watch for?
A whirring or whining noise is the warning sign named in Hyundai's recall filing. That noise points to wear in the intermediate shaft area. If you hear it, call a Hyundai dealer and ask how to bring the vehicle in for the free recall repair.
What if I bought my Hyundai Santa Fe used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2010 Santa Fe is included, then call a franchised Hyundai dealer with recall number 11V261.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V261000 |
|---|---|
| Hyundai customer service | 1-800-633-5151 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V261 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V261000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →