Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#10279001July 31, 2009
AIR BAGS
SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AND PULLED IT OFF THE LOT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOES NOT REGISTER ME. I AM 5'3" 105 LBS. RARELY DOES IT EVER WORK AND IF IT DOES ITS ONLY FOR A MINUTE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. LADY STATED SHE HAS HEARD COMPLAINT NUMEROUS TIME AND HYUNDAI WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY TELL YOU TO RESTART THE CAR AND SIT WITH PERFECT POSTURE. THIS STILL DOES NOT WORK AND EVEN IF IT DOES MOVE AN INCH AND IT TURNS BACK OFF. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FROM OTHER CONSUMERS. ITS LIKE HYUNDAI IS WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE THEY DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278550July 28, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIRBAG SYSTEM (PASSENGER SIDE) DOESN'T ALWAYS "SENSE" THE OCCUPANT ACCURATELY, IN A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE VEHICLE'S FRONT-PASSENGER "AIRBAG OFF" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHENEVER A SMALL ADULT WAS IN THE SEAT, OR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY TURN OFF DEPENDING ON THE PERSON'S SITTING POSITION. THIS AFFECTS MY 125 POUND WIFE WHO BY HYUNDAI'S TEST IS CONSIDERED A PERSON OF "SMALLER STATURE." I WAS TOLD 130 LBS IS THE MINIMUM WEIGHT TO ENABLE THE AIRBAG BUT AGAIN DEPENDING ON HER SITTING POSITION, THE LIGHT WILL GO ON AND OFF. THE SAME SYSTEM WORKS FINE IN A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA IN WHICH SHE WOULD BE PROTECTED. WHY IS THERE A DIFFERENCE? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278554July 28, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 01 HYUNDAI SANTA FE DOWNSHIFTS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A LOUD POP AND DECELERATES THE VEHICLE SUBSTANTIALLY CAUSING A TRAFFIC/SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS CORRECTED MOMENTARILY WHEN I STOP AND RESTART THE ENGINE AS IF IT RESETS SOMETHING, THEN OF COURSE WHEN I GET BACK ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES IT ALL OVER AGAIN. OTHER 01 SANTA FE OWNERS SUFFER THE SAME DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES. WHY NOT RECALL THE VEHICLE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE? THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278420July 27, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH OR LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277988July 22, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GLS. WHEN MODERATELY BRAKING TO SLOW DOWN TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE THE CAR RAPIDLY DECELERATED AND VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. PULLED OVER AND COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO GO OVER 20 MPH. MY INITIAL IMPRESSION WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THIS HAPPENED RANDOMLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE 2ND TIME IT OCCURRED I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALER. DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I DROVE THE CAR BACK WITHOUT INCIDENT AND DROPPED IT OFF AT THE HYUNDAI DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE CAR. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THEY COULD REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM MASTER CYLINDER AND PROPORTIONING VALVE. COST OF THE REPAIR WAS OVER $500. I INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM AT VARIOUS HYUNDAI FORUMS ON THE INTERNET AND LEARNED THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED ON OTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLES (INCLUDING MY GENERATION OF SANTA FE). I FEEL THAT ANY BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277442July 20, 2009
SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I JUST HAD TO HAVE MY REAR BRAKES COMPLETELY DONE AT A COST OF 500 DOLLARS. I HEARD NO NOISE, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES EXCEPT THE FACT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON. I DRIVE 95% HIGHWAY AND CONSEQUENTLY VERY RARELY USE MY BRAKES. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE A FRONT END ALIGNMENT DONE AND NOW MY REAR ALIGNMENT IS OUT OF WHACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277456July 20, 2009
POWER TRAIN, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
2002 & 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TRANSMISSION CASE DEFECT: WE LIKED THE FIRST SO MUCH, WE BOUGHT A SECOND.... NO INDICATION OF MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNERS MANUAL. REGARDING TRANSFER CASE ATTENTION OR MAINTENANCE WHICH VIOLENTLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DANGEROUSLY, ABRUPTLY STOP - RESULTING IN A DANGEROUS HIGHWAY SAFETY SITUATION AND PERSONAL INJURY. WE HAVE THE OLD TRANSFER CASE - WHICH LOOKS INSIDE, LIKE A TOSSED SALAD. WE PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT BY WESTERN AUTO - A MATTER THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. REPORTED IN GREAT DETAIL TO HYUNDAI USA, THEY DENY RESPONSIBILITY OR WARRANTY COVERAGE IN EFFECT AT THE TIME PROBLEM WAS NOTICED. FURTHERMORE, THE VEHICLES WERE PURCHASED AS 'DEALER DEMOS,' WITH LOW MILEAGE AND FULL MANUFACTURERS 100,00 MILE, 10 YEAR WARRANTY - UNFORTUNATELY FROM A DEALER MISREPRESENTING THEMSELVES AS AN AUTHORIZED HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. 2002 VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHEN PROBLEM REALIZED, - DURING WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT REPORTED NO PROBLEM. WE LATER DISCOVERED A REPAIR / MODIFICATION KIT WAS ISSUED BY HYUNDAI TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM - PURCHASED AT WESTERN AUTO - HYUNDAI SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE ITEM UNTIL WE SHOWED IT TO HIM IN A BRAND NEW UNOPENED BOX. HYUNDAI DID INSTALL THE MODIFICATION / REPAIR KIT TO THE SECOND 2004 SANTA FE AFTER WE BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION. ALL DOCUMENTED BY HIDDEN CAMERA VIDEO RECORDING. DANGEROUS AND COSTLY SITUATION. PLEASE ADVISE. WE SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR AND TOWING COSTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. *TR HAROLD BAYUK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10277105July 17, 2009
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,391 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 08/04/09. *LJ UPDATED 08/06/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276478July 13, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON STATING AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT. I BROUGHT BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIM THEY NEVER SAW THIS HAPPEN BEFORE ON A SANTA FE BUT IT DID ON THE TUCSON. THEY PUT ON A MACHINE AND CLAIMED IT WAS FINE AND OF COURSE WOULD NOT HAPPEN WHEN IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO MAKE SOME CALLS AND I MIGHT NEED THE SEAT REPLACED BECAUSE THE SENSOR MAY BE BAD AND I WOULD HEAR FROM THEM IN A COUPLE DAYS. THAT WAS JUNE 24, 2009 AND IT IS NOW JULY 13, 2009 AND I HAVE NOT HEARD A THING. IT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I WENT OUT AND I TOOK PICTURES AND VIDEO OF IT TO SHOW ME SITTING IN SEAT AND THE LIGHT ON AND WITHOUT REVEALING MY WEIGHT, BELIEVE ME I AM HEAVY ENOUGH TO MAKE THE LIGHT STAY OFF. I AM GOING TO CALL THEM AGAIN TOMORROW AND HOPE FOR SOME RESULTS. THIS COULD BE A FATAL DEFECT AND I DEMAND IT TO BE REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276397July 11, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MY HUSBAND AND I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CAR IS GREAT EXCEPT FOR ONE THING: THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR DOES NOT DETECT ME AS AN ADULT AND TOGGLES ON AND OFF AT WILL. IT IS REALLY FRIGHTENING TO BE BARRELING DOWN THE ROAD AND REALIZE THAT I HAVE NO AIRBAG. I HAVE READ THAT THE SENSOR IS SET AT ABOUT 120LBS AND I WEIGH 115LBS. THE ARROGANT SERVICE PERSON AT HYUNDAI RECOMMENDED THAT I BE THE DRIVER OR SIT IN THE REAR SEAT! I COULDN'T BELIEVE THEY WOULD JUST TELL A 48 YEAR OLD WOMAN TO SIT IN THE BACK! (THAT SHOULD BE INTERESTING GOING ON DATES WITH THE HUBBY OR HELPING MY 15 YEAR OLD LEARN TO DRIVE.) THE SERVICE PERSON ALSO ASKED ME IF I WAS SITTING SQUARELY ON THE SEAT WITH MY LEGS EXTENDED. WHAT? YES, I WAS SITTING SQUARELY ON THE SEAT WITH LEGS EXTENDED!! SO, IF I SHIFT MY BUTT SLIGHTLY ON A 4 HOUR DRIVE - ARE THEY SAYING I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING? WHAT RIDICULOUSNESS. I WAS APPALLED. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT MANY PETITE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SANTA FE AND THE SONATA. THIS IS NOT AN UNKNOWN OR RARE PROBLEM. I AM TAKING IT IN TO HYUNDAI SERVICE ON MONDAY, BUT QUITE FRANKLY, I WAS NOT ENCOURAGED BY THE QUESTIONS THE SERVICE PEOPLE ASKED. IF IT CAN'T BE FIXED TO BE ARMED AT ALL TIMES, I WILL RETURN THE CAR - AND THAT WOULD BE A SHAME BECAUSE WE LIKED EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275823July 6, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO BEND. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT NUMBER 3632527. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 108,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275866July 6, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PROBLEM WITH CALIPERS ON VEHICLE STICKING AND NOT RELEASING THE BRAKES FROM THE ROTOR, CAUSING THE ROTOR AND TIRE RIM TO REACH TEMPERATURES OVER 300 DEGREES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275880July 6, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE PARKING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES SEIZED UP AND BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY PRIOR ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED AND THERE WAS RUST BUILD UP ON THE ROTORS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,282 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275597July 2, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SINCE BUYING MY CAR USED IN 2006, MY 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AND VIOLENTLY JERKS. ON THE HIGHWAY IT SCARES ONE HALF TO DEATH. AND I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM ALONG WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPING ALTOGETHER. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS SO INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT AN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT, THAT I KNEW A DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. NOW THE VEHICLE WON'T SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275210June 29, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKES SEIZED UP DUE TO RUST BUILD UP ON ROTORS. THIS CAUSED THE ROTORS TO GET VERY HOT. WE FEEL THAT THIS WAS DUE TO FAULTY METAL USED FOR THE ROTORS> HYUNDAI SAID IT WAS A ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE. WE FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HYUNDAI REPORTS A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275236June 29, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A FOUL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE. HE ALSO NOTICED A SEVERE HEAT WAVE FROM THE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE ITSELF WAS EXTREMELY HOT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE PADS WERE RUBBING UP AGAINST THE ROTORS. THE DEALER CLEANED AND GREASED THE CALIPERS, WHICH CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME FAILURE HE WAS EXPERIENCING. HE BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARED TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 11,700. UPDATED 07/17/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ODOR FROM THE OVERHEATING PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS ONLY NOTICED AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO THE PADS FREEING UP AGAINST THE ROTORS DUE TO CORROSION AT THE PLACE WHERE THE PADS SET IN THE BRAKE CALIPER. UPDATED 07/17/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274999June 25, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT
SAFETY DEFECT WITH HORN ACTIVATION IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. EXCESSIVE PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL HORN PAD IS NEED TO ACTIVATE THE HORN. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN A POTENTIAL COLLISION /CLOSE CALL SITUATION OCCURRED. THE CENTRAL AREA OF THE STEERING WHEEL CONTAINS THE DRIVER AIR BAG INTEGRATED WITH THE HORN ACTIVATION SUBSYSTEM. THE MANUAL PRESSURE NEEDED TO ACTIVATE THE HORN IS WHAT I BELIEVE IS EXCESSIVE AND APPEARS TO BE GREATER AS YOU MOVE AWAY FROM THE CENTER OF THE HORN-PAD TO THE EDGE OF THE PAD. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT FIXING THIS BUT HE CLAIMS THIS IN NOT POSSIBLE. THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT AVAILABLE ON THIS EQUIPMENT. I'VE COMPARED THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE NEEDED ON MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE TO MY 1999 LEXUS RX 300 AND THE SANTA FE REQUIRES MUCH MORE PRESSURE THAN THE RX300. BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAVE REQUESTED THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGERS TO DO SOMETHING TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE BUT THEY HAVE RESPONDED W/ THE COMMENT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274659June 22, 2009
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A NEW AIR BAG WAS NEEDED BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND SCAN TEST AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $900. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,098.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274535June 21, 2009
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE BRAKING NORMAL TO LIGHT PRESSURE FROM 25-5MPH ON DRY PAVED ROAD, ABS SYSTEM WILL TURN ON AND GREATLY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE. THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN ONE INSTANCE THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP BEFORE A STOP LIGHT OR STOPPED TRAFFIC. THERE ARE NO ABS CODES OR ABS IDIOT LIGHTS ON IN THE DASH WHICH INDICATE THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG. SAFETY IS A LARGE CONCERN. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER AND NO ISSUE WAS FOUND, WITHOUT BEING REQUESTED TO PAY $1500+ FOR AN ENTIRE NEW ABS. THIS WAS AFTER THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND SOURCE TO THE PROBLEM. I SEE THIS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MANY FORUMS AND THERE IS A RECALL ON 2003-2005 SANTA FE'S FOR A SAME/SIMILAR ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273961June 16, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE CHROME PLATE ON THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS CRACKED AND SPLIT. EVERYTIME I OPEN THE DOOR TO LEAVE THE CAR THE HANDLE SLICES MY HAND. IT'S AS SHARP AS A RAZOR BLADE. I HAVE PUT TAPE AROUND IT BUT THIS IS JUST A TEMPORARY FIX. MY WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT OPTIONS I MAY HAVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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