Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#11434667September 28, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car would not start; battery was too low to activate lights or locks, let alone starter. An attempted jumper cable connection to an older car was insufficient to make the motor turn, even after just running the assist car while connected for 20+ minutes. A subsequent jump from the AAA 2000 Ah jump pack did work although their ‘test’ indicated battery state-of-charge and state-of-health to be less than 30%. Their obvious recommendation was battery replacement and, with the vehicle now running, a drive to the dealership was attempted. At the first intersection a full vehicle stop engaged the engine Stop-Start function, but without sufficient battery for the ‘Start’ part. Not only would the vehicle not restart but there was insufficient battery power to put the transmission into PARK nor engage the emergency brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling into busy cross-traffic; only the service brake worked. Fortunately, a nearby motorist recognized the emergency and placed rocks under the tires to prevent the vehicle from rolling forward. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where the battery was replaced without significant comment on the total failure of nearly all systems in the event of battery failure. The outcome of this major battery failure could have been catastrophic as the ONLY system even marginally functional was the non-power-assisted service brake.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434662September 28, 2021
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Smart Cruise Control relies on the inconsistent and consequently unreliable performance of the of the front-mounted radar. Otherwise-reasonable operation of the Cruise Control would abruptly terminate 1/3 to 1/2 of the intended use-time, illuminating the master warning light (the amber triangle with internal ‘!’) that was accompanied by either a ‘1’ or ‘2’ encircled by red and may or may not have included the Collision-Avoidance warning light. Subsequent examination of the rectangular shield in the center of the grill very rarely revealed more than 2 bug remnants. When the Smart Cruise Control was in operation it would abruptly apply the brakes when approaching or passing a truck in the lane to taffiche right. There appeared to be no similar conditions to the size or shape of the truck or trailer when these events would occur. None of these events applied to congested tr conditions, just otherwise open road. The ’21 Hyundai Santa Fe does not appear to accommodate any mechanism to revert to conventional cruise control, omitting the influence of the erratic front radar system. Trips to two dealerships have yielded no redress to this malfunction.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434503September 27, 2021
ENGINE
Engine died, luckily at light at a stop, and not on a freeway. Would not start after. No warning lights before or after. Dealership states seized engine. Facebook group posts suggests multiple of these happening on years 2013-2017. Dealership servicing vehicle is Hertrich Hyundai of New Castle, Delaware.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434505September 27, 2021
ENGINE
This is a Santa Fe Ultimate AWD with the 3.3 l engine. We were driving home and in our neighborhood when the car suddenly stopped with no warning. We had it towed to a local shop and were told the engine had completely seized and needs to be replaced. It was not low on oil and has been regularly maintained. Only 60,000 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434527September 27, 2021
ENGINE
Driving Hyundai Santa Fe down I-95 in moderate/heavy traffic with speeds 35-50 MPH when started to hear ticking/knocking noise coming from engine. Turned off radio & AC to better hear/monitor sound. Noise continued to increase with corresponding decrease in drivability (decreased acceleration & vibrations from engine). Managed to get to closest exit (about 2-2.5 miles) exited highway and parked vehicle. Had vehicle towed to Hyundai Dealer for inspection. Dealer has advised that engine has premature engine wear as a result of rod knock and damaged rings causing engine failure. Vehicle had no check engine light, no oil pressure or low oil warning lights and had no OBDII error codes. No prior indication of imminent engine failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434581September 27, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle lost complete control of steering, as it felt "loose" during a left turn at an intersection. Vehicle could not be controlled by steering wheel causing me to drive into oncoming traffic lanes until vehicle slowed to a stop.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434603September 27, 2021
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The Turbo failed and is not functional. I took the car in and found out that it needed to be replaced. They stated they would replace it but it would take a while since the turbo is currently on back order. I called every dealer in town to find out that the all had cars needed this part and that it would be a while before they get the part. One dealership advice me that he had a car since January. I think an investigation in regards to this matter is warranted. We felt something weird when we took it for an oil change. Weeks later when we went over the 100,000 mile mark, the check engine light turned on. We took it in right away.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434327September 25, 2021
ENGINE
Even though my check engine light wasn’t on my vehicle began to stall while I was merging on a major highway. A mile later the car began to smoke from behind made a weird noise and it completely stopped. Me and my 7 yr old stayed stranded on the shoulder of a highway while semis whizzed by at 80 mph. Called roadside assistance but no longer covered so couldn’t be helped while me and my families life was in danger. Case manager at the national office rude unsympathetic and hung up on me. My car is still with the dealer even though it is under warranty and has been with the dealer since September 8,2021 every time I call they give me the run around as I pay $1200 for a rental because they refuse to provide me with one.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434273September 24, 2021
ENGINE
We have (had) a 2011 Hyundai Sante Fe. On 9/21/21, driving to Bozeman, just west of Livingston MT, on I-90, the car had a sudden stalling, loss of power (check engine light, oil light came on), then knocking sound that increased in volume and frequency. Smoke began pouring from under the hood as we pulled to the side of the highway, then very quickly accompanied by flames. We exited the vehicle. I opened the hood, the flames shot into the air. We moved away from the car. 911 had been called and the local fire department arrived within 10-15 minutes. Fire extinguished after about 20-30 minutes, but engulfed (destroyed) the entire engine compartment. Flames did not spread to passenger area of the vehicle. No one injured from the fire (although possible smoke inhalation before and as we exited vehicle). Car totaled, towed from highway. 1. Component: engine, all components in engine compartment (available for inspection, see photos uploaded); 2. Safety threat: smoke, fire quickly engulfed engine compartment, threat of spread to passenger area of vehicle; 3. Not yet confirmed by dealer or independent service center; 4. Inspection: by police/fire department that responded to the incident indicating mechanical malfunction, without further detail; 5. Warnings: check engine light and oil light occurred prior to or at time of incident and before severe knocking sounds began, but at same time as stalling/power loss.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434283September 24, 2021
ENGINE
My vehicle engine has an oil consumption problem that was diagnosed in July of 2021. The car was making a bad vibrating rattling noise, and the red oil light came on which prompted immediate diagnostics July 6th, 2021. When they assessed they stated to drive it and check the oil level and on August 2nd I brought the vehicle back and they recommended starting the Hyundai protocol for diagnosing burn of oil due to smoke The Hyundai dealership I have had my car serviced at went through the 1000 mile burn test to diagnose the problem and this was confirmed to be the issued September 10th, 2021. Hyundai states that engine is under warranty but will only repair (or replace) the engine if the engine undergoes a catastrophic failure involving the bearings. This seems highly dangerous and illegal. If the engine burns too much oil the engine will seize. When the engine seizes, this could cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle causing harm to the driver, passengers, or others on the public roadway. I have contacted Hyundai corporate headquarters about this, though links provided on their website are broken and make it difficult to get clear answers. I have done the required maintenance and have records to prove this. However I am VERY FRUSTRATED AND SCARED. My engine has not seized or failed yet, but if this issue is not resolved, it WILL fail. When the manufacturer knows this issue exists, and when the consumer proactively maintains their vehicle, brings it into the dealership to be told “to drive it and let it catastrophically fail” for Hyundai to acknowledge their warranty is unethical and if not illegal, it should be. Reading online, there are many others who are having similar problems. These are the cases related to this issue: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation, No. 8:17-cv-00838-JLS-JDE (C.D. Cal.) Flaherty v. Hyundai Motor Company, et al., No. 18-cv-02223 (C.D. Cal.) PLEASE look into this. Thank you, Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434003September 23, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle loss power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they confirmed the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434053September 23, 2021
POWER TRAIN
I own a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe,. Back in May of 2021, my children and I were driving home from the beach. The engine in the car began making a strange knocking sound halfway through the trip, but the engine light did not illuminate. We thankfully made it home safely. I had my local mechanic take a look at the car and he said that the knocking sound is considered the death knell of any engine. I was shocked. How could a well-maintained 5 year old car's engine need to be replaced? I called Hyundai and they advised me to bring the car to a dealership for a service manager to diagnose and call them after three days to submit a claim. For our own safety I had the car towed to the local dealership, they serviced and diagnosed as a knocking sound coming from the bearings. The engine failed during examination. I have been submitting, resubmitting, and escalating claims since. The claims manager in corporate rejected my claim because the test they perform to diagnose the engine as defective requires that the engine be running. This is obviously a circular argument created to reject claims. I have since read court documents for the class actions suits describing the issues that Hyundai so far refuses to acknowledge and address (other than through updates and recalls that don't resolve the root of the problem) regarding their manufacturing and design defects that lead to premature engine wear and damage. The manufacturing process leaves metal debris (also known as swarf) in the engines and/or poorly machined engine components resulting in metal on metal contact in the rotating assembly of the engine leading to catastrophic engine failure. Hyundai is with full knowledge of the issues (all of these problems have been reported to the NHTSA for many years now) marketing, selling and distributing under false and fraudulent pretenses their cars to the general public. This is unjust, unsafe, unlawful and fraudulent. This is not right and can no longer go on. Something must be done.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434096September 23, 2021
ENGINE
Was driving down the freeway in cruise control when I heard a knocking noise. Soon after, the RPM jumped from 2 to 6 and smoke came out the exhaust. I pulled over immediately, and oil was all over the ground. Towed it back to service shop, and there are 2 holes in the engine. Had car inspected by state, and they said this was in relation to the recall 17V226000: bearing wear may result in engine seizure. No warning lights ever came on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433964September 22, 2021
STEERING
Vehicle had a steering coupler failure at 37766 miles. It is out of warranty, but other models with the same design have been granted an extended 100000 miles/10 year coverage for steering coupler replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433642September 20, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The problem with my purchased Hyundai is that it's not giving a warning message for the oil or over heating. The engine continues to gather a lot of gunk. Also, there is a recall on these specific models and I was notified by a class action law suit. HyundaiThetaEngineSettlement.com. The car has a chance of exploding. I did not agree with the terms of the class action suit. It was only offering compensation if I was already injured, or having to commit conspiracy with a crime of lemon law and consumer rights, and possible murder. These SUV's were built in 2016 and had enough time to be taken off the market. I purchased my vehicle last year 2020.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433639September 20, 2021
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V524000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available and would not be available for another three months. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433492September 19, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A car in front of me lost control and I braked to avoid an accident but the car turned and had no stability, forcing me to maneuver it to avoid crashing by leaning on my neck.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433503September 19, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The dealer has failed to remedy the defect in a reasonable time. Appointment for recall is not available for months with no accommodation. Engine light recently illuminated and not sure if unrelated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433015September 15, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that upon driving at 55 MPH, the contact stated that the vehicle shut off as the check engine and oil lights illuminated on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to her home. The contact was able to restart the vehicle the next day as the check engine and oil lights disappeared off the instrument panel. The contact had an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle; however, since the check engine light did not appear, the vehicle could not be diagnosed. The contact then received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine) and took the vehicle to a dealer where they informed her that her vehicle was fine and safe to be driven. A few months later, the contact received a second notice for the same recall and returned the vehicle back to the dealer. After a second inspection, the dealer informed her that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer for four months and upon return of the vehicle, the check engine warning light appeared twice on the instrument panel. The contact had informed the dealer of the failure and was informed not to worry about the check engine light unless the light started flashing. She was also informed that her vehicle could not be inspected for another two weeks. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433028September 15, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a knocking noise was present coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine bearings had failed, and metal particles were discovered in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V578000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 74,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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