Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints
8,019 consumer complaints on file.
- #10291600November 10, 2009FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING OUR 2008 HYUNDAI SANTE FE LIMITED WE BEGAN HAVING A PROBLEM WHICH STILL EXIST TO THIS DAY. AFTER FILLING WITH GAS, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY LIT. THE FIRST SEVERAL TIMES OF THIS EVENT, I WAS TRULY CONCERNED THAT I HAD AN ENGINE PROBLEM AND RETURNED TO THE DEALER ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE GAS CAP NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED FURTHER. I HAVE TIGHTENED THE CAP AT TIMES SO MUCH SO THAT I VERY NEARLY WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE IT.*TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10291635November 10, 2009TIRES, TIRES:MARKINGS
KUMHO SOLUS KR-21 TIRES ARE MISSING DATE OF MANUFACTURE ON THE DOT LINE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10291677November 10, 2009ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ONE DAY IN 2003 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, MY 2003 SANTA FE DIED AND THEN IMMEDIATELY STARTED AGAIN, ALL BY ITSELF. IT WOULD HAPPEN ABOUT ONCE A MONTH, SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING. NOW IT OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT ALSO HAS OCCURRED AT SLOWER SPEEDS. ONCE AT A STOPLIGHT, IT DIED BUT DID NOT START AGAIN. EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN, EVEN STEERING. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN NOT FIX IT WITHOUT SEEING IT HAPPEN. OF COURSE, IT NEVER OCCURS FOR THEM. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10291679November 10, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, AIR BAGS
ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS NOT GONE OFF SINCE. I WONDERED IF THIS MEANT I HAD NO AIRBAG FUNCTION, BUT NOW AFTER READING THESE COMPLAINTS I KNOW IT IS NOT WORKING. THIS PROBLEM COMBINED WITH THE ENGINE THAT MYSTERIOUSLY AND SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IS NOT A GOOD COMBINATION. I SMELL TROUBLE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10291680November 10, 2009VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
ABOUT A YEAR AGO, MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WOULD ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY. THEN, THE BACK WINDOWS FOLLOWED SUIT. THEN, THEY ALL STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY EXCEPT THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL WOULD STILL WORK.. THEN IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. NOTHING WORKED AT ALL. MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE WHOLE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL PANEL AND THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. NOW, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW IS WORKING ONLY WHEN IT WANTS TO AGAIN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10291178November 5, 2009SUSPENSION:REAR
MY 2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE CONTROL ARM RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE WHEEL TO COME OFF. I UNDERSTAND THIS WAS A RECALL WHICH I WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT. BECAUSE OF THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR. NOT ONLY DID THE CONTROL ARM RUST , WE HAD TO CHANGE TO HUB, BEARING,AND THE AXLE AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AT MY EXPENSE. I AM ASKING HYUNDAI TO PAY FOR THE LABOR AND PARTS TO REPAIR MY CAR. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY DRIVING SINCE THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR POSSIBLY A FATALITY. I NOW HAVE TO BRING THE AUTO TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PARTS AND CAR INSPECTED AND THEN WAIT 6 TO 8 WEEKS FOR THEM TO DECIDE ON HOW I WILL BE REIMBURSED. FAILURE TO NOTIFY ME ASWELL AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THIS REDTAPE ON SOMETHING THEY ARE TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE AND LIABLE FOR. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10290855November 3, 2009EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE WHICH CAUSED RECALL OF ALL 2006 HYUNDAI MODELS EXCEPT SANTE FE WHICH WAS RECALLED IN 2007 FOR THAT SAME ISSUE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10289865October 26, 2009STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY 2004 SANTA FE HAS SERIOUS RUSTING ON THE UNDER FRAME. RUST IS ON THE WELD POINTS AND THE FUEL AND ENGINE COVERS ARE COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST AND HAVE CHUNKS MISSING. A RECALL OF 2001 THROUGH 2003 SANTE FE VEHICLES DOES NOT INCLUDE OURS. WE HAVE 64,000 MILES ON IT AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND WE OUR VERY CONCERNED THAT FURTHER RUSTING WILL CAUSE IMPORTANT PARTS TO GIVE WAY. I WAS TOLD BY HYUNDAI THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BUT I COULD WRITE A LETTER OF COMPLAINT TO HYUNDAI OF AMERICA. THIS I DID AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY RESPONSE AS OF 10/26/2009. MY VEHICLE '!@#$%. I AM SURE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED VEHICLE AND PROBABLY PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE THERE IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE LIKE OUR CAR, IT LOOKS GREAT UNTIL YOU PUT IT ON A HOIST. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10289206October 21, 2009STEERING
I HAD FAILURE OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM ON MY 2001 SANTA FE. ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN. I HAVE YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL BY THE HYUNDAI CORPORATION. WHY? THIS RECALL IS 6 MONTHS OLD AND THIS IS THE FIRST I HEAR ABOUT IT. HOW MANY OTHERS DON'T KNOW? THIS COMPANY HAS BEEN SLOW TO RESPOND. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10289004October 19, 2009AIR BAGS
IN MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT INTERMITTENTLY WORKS WHEN MY DAUGHTER AND I (115 & 120 LBS) SIT IN THE SEAT. I CAN SIT PERFECTLY STILL AND IT WILL BE ENGAGED, AND THEN IT WILL DISENGAGE, AND THEN ENGAGE, AGAIN OR VISA VERSA. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED 4 TIMES, BUT THEY SAY THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE. THEY JUST HOOK IT UP TO A COMPUTER AND SAY IT WORKS AS DESIGNED. HUMBLE HYUNDAI SERVICE MANAGER EVEN TOLD ME TO SIT IN THE BACK SEAT (I'M 51 YEARS OLD). I AM AFRAID IF WE ARE IN AN ACCIDENT THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE NOTIFIED HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND HYUNDAI PR AS WELL. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT FOR NHTSA AND HYUNDAI TO ISSUE A RECALL? I HAVE BEEN GIVEN WEIGHTS OF 30, 80, 150, 115 AND 120 LBS TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG SENSOR BY HUMBLE HYUNDAI. ALSO GIVEN 35, 45, 150, 130, 135, 145, 40, 100 & 105 LBS BY SERVICE DEPARTMENTS OF OTHER DEALERSHIPS. ALSO TALKED TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT THIS, WHY CAN'T HYUNDAI TELL ANYONE WHAT THE ACTUAL WEIGHT TO ACTIVATE IS? THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED FOR SONATAS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM WHY CAN'T ONE BE ISSUED FOR SANTA FES. THERE ARE 48 COMPLAINTS LISTED ON HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2008/HYUNDAI/SANTA+FE AND THEY ALL SAY THEY WERE FILED WITH NHTSA. THE INITIAL PROBLEM BEGAN ON 8/21/08 WITH 300 MILES ON ODOMETER AND CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM UNTIL TODAY 10/19/09 WITH ALMOST 18000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE SPEED I AM DRIVING IS NOT A FUNCTION OF THE PROBLEM AS IT HAPPENS AT VARYING SPEEDS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10288572October 15, 2009SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHEN THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHE HEARD A THUMP AND MOMENTS LATER THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70000. UPDATED 11/06/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. SHE STATED SHE HAD NO BRAKES AND WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. UPDATED 11/09/09
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10286704October 7, 2009SUSPENSION:FRONT, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, STEERING, CHILD SEAT:BASE
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM CAR MART LESS THAN A YEAR AGO.FIRST MY STEERING WAS VERY SHAKY. IT GOT RAPIDLY WORSE. I WENT THROUGH 3 SETS OF NEW TIRES IN ONE YEAR PLUS 2 ALIGNMENTS. I RECENTLY HAD TROUBLE AGAIN AND MY CAR IS IN THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN FAYETTEVILLE. FIRST THE BEARINGS WERE RUSTED IN. BOTH BALL JOINTS WERE NEARLY OUT. THE CONTROL ARM IS GOING OUT. THE STEERING LINKAGE AND THE CRADLE ABOVE THE DRIVELINE IS RUSTED AND FALLING APART LITERALLY. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM THE CADILLAC CONVERTER IS RUSTED APART FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER WAS RUSTED CLOSED AND HAD TO BE BROKE OFF TO GET MY SPARE OUT. ALSO THE REAR SEAT BELT JUST STOPPED WORKING . TALK ABOUT A BAD DAY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10286335October 5, 2009AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL WHEN THE SEAT WAS RECLINED. THE ERROR CODE HAS BEEN RESET OVER 15 TIMES. ALSO THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AND AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HORN. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10285918October 1, 2009AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE AIR BAG SENSOR DOES NOT DETECT AN ADULT OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED AND RE-CALIBRATED THE SEAT MODULE. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9100. UPDATED 11/17/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED IT WOULD DETECT HEAVIER ADULTS. UPDATED 11/1/8/09
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10286003October 1, 2009VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST WITH CAUTION INTO A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE THROTTLE SENSOR ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,452.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10285797September 30, 2009STRUCTURE
PURCHASED 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV AUGUST 2009. HAVE FOUND THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND IT IS EASY TO GET THE WRONG PEDAL WHEN DRIVING. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10285606September 29, 2009ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STALLED, SHUT OFF AND IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT SINCE HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 03V030000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY), HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $350.00 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10285666September 29, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
STARTED MY CAR, IT DIDNT FEEL RIGHT, PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND STARTED TO DRIVE WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO STALL BUT DIDNT AND BETWEEN 1 ST AND 2 ND GEAR THE CAR WAS JERKING. I PULLED OVER SHUT CAR OFF AND TRY IT AGAIN, SAME THING. I DROVE FOR A FEW BLOCKS SEEM TO DRIVE BETTER AFTER 2ND GEAR. SO I DROVE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2002 SANTA FE REGARDING THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WHICH WOULD CAUSE A ENGINE STALL AND THE SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. BUT I WAS TOLD THAT MY 2002 SANTA FE DID NOT MAKE THE RECALL LIST. WHY WONT THEY FIX THE PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED ? BUT THEY WILL FIX IT IF I PAY FOR IT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10285506September 28, 2009EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
WE OWN A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON A FAULTY BRAKE LAMP SWITCH. WE HAD THAT REPLACED BY THE DEALER. OUR VEHICLE IS NOW ENCOUNTERING PROBLEMS WITH IT APPLYING BRAKES FOR NO REASON WHILE OPERATING IT ON THE ROADWAYS.WE HAVE YET TO HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE BRAKES AND SLOWS ON ITS OWN WITHOUT NOTICE AND FOR NO REASON. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE YAW SENSOR IS BAD. WE ARE LUCKY THAT NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED AS OF YET BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2005 HYUNDAI TUSCONS FOR THIS OR A SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE YAW SENSOR. IS THERE OR WILL THERE BE A RECALL ON THE SANTA FE'S NOW OR IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR THIS BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH IS UNSAFE? THE DEALER WANTS TO SELL US THE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS PART FOR $493.00 PLUS TAX AND BETWEEN $200.00 AND $300.00 LABOR TO INSTALL. YOU NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS DANGEROUS AND DEFECTIVE PART. THANKS, GREG JOHNSTON. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10284505September 18, 2009AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL, INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE IN A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS THE AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE IS CAUSED BY A WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION FAILURE. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. UPON CONTACT A REPRESENTATIVE ADVISED HER TO SIT IN THE REAR SEAT, BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS ARE SECONDARY SAFETY METHODS; SEAT BELTS ARE THE FIRST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000. BL UPDATED 10/13/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO WITHDRAW THE COMPLAINT. THE CONSUMER WANTS ALL INFORMATION DELETED. UPDATED 10/13/09
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0