Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#10072268June 14, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AXLE SNAPPED AND OIL LEAK ONTO THE ALTERNATOR. *AK *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074848June 5, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO REVIEW THIS LETTER. MARCH OF THIS YEAR I PURCHASED A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. I WAS MOTIVATED TO DO THIS BASED ON MY PRIOR EXPERIENCE, AS A FORMER OWNER, ALONG WITH THE COUPLED KNOWLEDGE OF HYUNDAIS IMPROVED WARRANTEES. IN THE PAST I HAD NO REASON TO BRING A HYUNDAI INTO THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS, OTHER THAN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE PROBLEM IM HAVING WITH MY CURRENT VEHICLE IS FOCUSED IN THE DRIVE TRAIN, SPECIFICALLY THE TRANSMISSION. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 5000 MILES. INITIALLY I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF BREAKING THE CAR IN, AFTER WHICH POINT THINGS WOULD START TO WORK SMOOTHLY. THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM IS AS FOLLOWS: WHEN THE VEHICLE GETS WARMED UP THE SHIFTING, ON OCCASION BECOMES JERKY. ALSO WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRANSITIONED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE INITIAL TAKEOFF STUTTERS, AS IF THE CAR IS INTERMITTENTLY LOSING POWER. AFTER THE VEHICLE IS UP AND RUNNING IN DRIVE, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. IT ONLY OCCURS FOR THE FIRST 20 YARDS OF INITIAL TAKEOFFS. THE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED ABOVE ARE INTERMITTENT. KNOWING THAT THE VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER HYUNDAIS WARRANTEE, I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. PRIOR TO THIS, I SPOKE WITH ONE OF THE SHOPS MANAGERS AND DESCRIBED MY PROBLEM. HE INDICATED TO ME THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER. I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND HIS REPLY WAS YES. AFTER THE MECHANIC ROAD-TESTED MY VEHICLE THEY CAME TO ME AND SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I SAID, AFTER I LEAVE HERE ITS GOING TO CONTINUE TO EXHIBIT THE SAME PROBLEMS, REQUIRING A RETURN VISIT. HE REPLIED, YES. I ASKED IF THEY COULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER BOARD. THEY REPLIED THAT THEY COULD NOT JUST THROW PARTS AT MY CAR IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE IT RIGHT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074599June 1, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
I PURCHASED MY NEW CAR ON 02/09/04 AT BRONX HYUNDAI. IT IS A 4-WHEEL DRIVE 3.5 LTR ENGINE HYUNDAI SANTA FE. UPON DRIVING I FELT A HARD KNOCKING-VIBRATING SOUND WHEN I DRIVE ON LOCAL (DRY) STREETS AND THEN A FEELING THAT THE CAR JUMPS (LUNGE FORWARDS)AFTER I STOP. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I THOUGHT SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN ONLY WHEN I DRIVE LOCALLY. THE CAR HAS NEVER DONE THIS ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH IS PART OF MY DAILY COMMUTE. I WASN'T SURE WHY AT FIRST, THE CAR DID THAT AND I THOUGHT IT WAS PART OF THE TRACKING CONTROL SYSTEM(4-WHEEL DRIVE EVEN THOUGH THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. IN EVERY INCIDENT, THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS NOT GOING TO STOP, BUT IT DOES. I AM AFRAID BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR JUMPS AND IF I GET TOO CLOSE TO SOMEONE IT CAN HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, OR EVEN A PERSON CROSSING. SO, I WAS HAPPY RECEIVE MY RECALL NOTICE STATING THE EXACT PROBLEM I WAS GOING THROUGH I THEN CALLED AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I HOPED THE PROGRAMMING WOULD WORK SINCE MY PROBLEM WAS SIMILAR TO THE RECALL SYMPTOMS. THAT IS WHEN THIS NIGHTMARE BEGAN AND IT WAS ON APRIL 9, 2004. SINCE THEN, THE DEALER HAS BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE BUT THEY SEEM AT A LOSS ALSO. MY CAR WAS PROGRAMMED TWICE AND THEN THE ABS SENSOR REPLACED AND A CHIP ALSO(THIS WAS DONE LAST MONDAY). I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR 5 TIMES AS OF TODAY. MY CAR CONTINUES TO DO THE KNOCKING/GRINDING SOUND AND ON 2 OCCASIONS THE LAST BEING ON MAY 29; THE ABS, TCS AND THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE LIGHTS ON THE INTERIOR CONTROL PANEL HAVE FLICKERED AND STAYED ON AS WELL. (WHEN THIS HAPPENED MY CAR DID THE KNOCKING/VIBRATING NOISE AS WELL.) IT HAS BECOME A DAILY OCCURANCE SO NOW I AM DOCUMENTING ALL OF MY INCIDENTS AND I AM GETTING AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. SO TODAY I GAVE MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL CONTACT THE MAIN OFFICE AT HYUNDAI. ALL PARTS AND SERVICE WERE NOT CHARGED AND REPLACED WITH NEW HYUNDAI PARTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074086May 24, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND IDLED. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE 5 TIMES AND REPLACED IGNITION COIL, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, AND 2 OTHER COMPONENTS. BUT THE FAILURE STILL RECURRED. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS SERVICED 3 TIMES FOR BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED TWICE. BUT GRINDING CONTINUED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074011May 20, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
WHILE PLACING THE SEAT BELT ON IT BROKE. CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE SEAT BELT BROKE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068491May 8, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON JUNE 12TH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO RATTLE AND PROCEEDED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BUT INSTEAD DECELERATED ON 695 TOWARDS TOWSON. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIFTING AT 25 MPH. I THEN PROCEEDED TO THE NEAREST EXIT WHICH WAS BEL AIR ROAD. I PROCEEDED ONTO THIS EXIT WHEN MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF LOSING ALL POWER. AT THIS TIME MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE ON. I HAD NO POWER BUT MY VEHICLE WAS STILL IN GEAR AND I SAFELY STOPPED MY VEHICLE IN A SHOPPING PLAZA. ENGINE FAILURE NEW ENGINE PLACED INTO MY VEHICLE. *AK JULY 5TH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THOMPSON HYUNDAI BY MY FATHER. THE MILEAGE OUT WAS 25,593. THOMPSON HYUNDAI FORGOT TO SCREW DOWN THE ENGINE PROPERLY RESULTING IN LOUD NOISES FROM THE ENGINE. I PLACED ANOTHER CALL TO THOMPSON ASKING FOR DOCUMENTATION OF THE SERVICE RENDERED. I THEN NOTICED ANOTHER SCREW WHICH WAS NOT SECURE ON THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, I WOULD BE BRINGING THE VEHICLE BACK TO GET THE DOCUMENTATION AND TO GET THE STEERING CHECKED. THOMPSON NEVER WROTE UP A SERVICE SLIP FOR THE SCREWS. JULY 8TH THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED INTO THOMPSON AGAIN. I PLACED A CALL TO THOMPSON AND SPOKE WITH GARY WELCH. GARY STATES THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. WE CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH YOU VEHICLE. HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE PAID MY VEHICLE PAYMENT FOR THE MONTH MY CAR WAS IN SERVICE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068495May 8, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON JUNE 12TH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO RATTLE AND PROCEEDED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BUT INSTEAD DECELERATED ON 695 TOWARDS TOWSON. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIFTING AT 25 MPH. I THEN PROCEEDED TO THE NEAREST EXIT WHICH WAS BEL AIR ROAD. I PROCEEDED ONTO THIS EXIT WHEN MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF LOSING ALL POWER. AT THIS TIME MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE ON. I HAD NO POWER BUT MY VEHICLE WAS STILL IN GEAR AND I SAFELY STOPPED MY VEHICLE IN A SHOPPING PLAZA. ENGINE FAILURE NEW ENGINE PLACED INTO MY VEHICLE JULY 5TH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THOMPSON HYUNDAI BY MY FATHER. THE MILEAGE OUT WAS 25,593. THOMPSON HYUNDAI FORGOT TO SCREW DOWN THE ENGINE PROPERLY RESULTING IN LOUD NOISES FROM THE ENGINE. I PLACED ANOTHER CALL TO THOMPSON ASKING FOR DOCUMENTATION OF THE SERVICE RENDERED. I THEN NOTICED ANOTHER SCREW WHICH WAS NOT SECURE ON THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, I WOULD BE BRINGING THE VEHICLE BACK TO GET THE DOCUMENTATION AND TO GET THE STEERING CHECKED. THOMPSON NEVER WROTE UP A SERVICE SLIP FOR THE SCREWS. JULY 8TH THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED INTO THOMPSON AGAIN. I PLACED A CALL TO THOMPSON AND SPOKE WITH GARY WELCH. GARY STATES THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. WE CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH YOU VEHICLE. HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE PAID MY VEHICLE PAYMENT FOR THE MONTH MY CAR WAS IN SERVICE. APRIL 1, 2004 THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN AFTER STOPPING ON 695 TOWARD ESSEX 2 MILES BEFORE THE 95 NORTH EXIT TO NEW YORK IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND PROCEEDED TO SLOW AT A RAPID SPEED. WARRANTY CLAIM SUBMITTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10067662April 22, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
RUSTING BRAKE ROTORS ON MY 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE CAUSING EXCESSIVE NOISE AND UNSAFE BRAKE FUNCTION. HYUNDAI WANTS TO REPROGRAM THE ABS ECU, RECALL 04V131000, INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE BRAKE COMPONENTS WITH PARTS THAT WILL NOT RUST. THE REPROGRAMING WILL PREVENT THE ABS SYSTEM FROM FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AT LOW SPEED AND IN MY OPINION COMPROMISES THE FUNCTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10066386April 17, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD APPEARED ONE DAY. NOTHING HAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS A SMALL ARC ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ABOUT 3" FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT SOMETHING HIT IT AND THE HEAT INSIDE THE CAR CAUSED IT TO CRACK. THE PLACE WHERE THEY SAID SOMETHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD ONLY THE POINT OF A PIN COULD FIT IN. I KNOW NOTHING HIT IT. ONE A FEW OCCASIONS I HAVE NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I ALSO HAVE HAD THE ABS ENGAGE WHEN THE BREAKS WERE NOT BEING APPLIED AND THE ROAD SURFACE DRY. THERE WASN'T A REASON FOR THEM TO ENGAGE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10067203April 15, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V131000 CONCERNING ABS BRAKE FAILURE. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS), IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 3 AND 12 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PAD FRICTION SURFACES ARE WET, A VIBRATION MAY OCCUR BETWEEN THE BRAKE DISCS AND PADS, CAUSING ABS SENSOR ELECTRONIC SIGNAL NOISE TO DEVELOP. AT SPEEDS BELOW 5 MPH, THE ABS SENSOR SIGNAL NOISE MAY CAUSE THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO ACTIVATE THE ABS, EXTENDING THE STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS RECALL FAILED, DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10067175April 14, 2004
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD COME FOR AN INSPECTION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10065884April 10, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
WINDOE WIPER BOLT BECOMES LOOSE ON MY 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064201March 30, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MY WIFE HAD ENTERED A SMALL PARKING LOT AND WAS COMMING UP TO A CURB ABOUT 6" HIGH. WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE JUMPED OVER THE CURB AND INTO A TREE. SHE IS SURE THAT SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE AND NOT THE ACCELERATOR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10063848March 25, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SLOWING DOWN ON A DECLINE THE CAR RAN OVER A ROUGH POPRTION OF ROAD, THE ABS ENGAGED (CLICKING SOUND) AND THE BAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR - CAR DID NOT STOP. DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS A BULLETIN ON THIS BUT NO FIX AS OF YET. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10063905March 25, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE IS NO DAMAGE FROM A ROCK OR ANYTHING ELSE. THE CRACK STARTS APPROXIMATELY 3 INCHES ABOVE THE BOTTOM CORNER OF THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD EDGE AND MAKES AN ARC TOWARD THE CENTER A FEW INCHES THEN UPWARDS ABOUT 12 INCHES. THE VIEW THROUGH ONE SIDE OF THE CRACK IS DISTORTED AS COMPARED TO THE VIEW ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CRACK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10063585March 22, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND LUNCHED FORWARD. VEHICLE ALMOST HIT A CONCRETE WALL AND PEDESTRIANS. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED 3 TIMES, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10060537March 5, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TIMING BELT REPLACED IN SEPT. 2003 UNDER WARRANTY. I PAID FOR 3 DAYS RENTAL VEHICLE DURING THIS SERVICE. TIMING BELT DISCOVERED TO BE DEFECTIVE IN FEBRUARY 2004, AND WAS REPLACED AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY, BUT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE 2 DAYS RENTAL CAR, CLAIMING THIS IS A WARRANTY ITEM AND (NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THEY REPLACE A DEFECTIVE PART), THEY WILL NOT COVERR A RENTAL.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10060169March 2, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE WILL DOWNSHIFT TO THIRD GEAR AT HIGH SPEEDS CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK AND SWERVE. DEALER CHECKED CPU AND SHOWED NO FAULTS. SENT BACK TO HUYNDI FOR CHECK UP. SAID THE PROBLEM WAS IN A SPEED SENSOR. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DAMAGE TO TRANSMISION AFTER THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED. WILL TRADE IN ASAP.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10061036March 1, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059893February 23, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN ALARMING GRINDING SOUND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. GRINDING SOUND OF THE BRAKES OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ON SNOW-COVERED ROADS. (NAR) *LA ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 30 MINUTES THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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