Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#10033173August 20, 2003
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WE HAVE APPROX. 90,000 MILES ON OUR SANTA FE AND HAVE HAD A/C TROUBLE OFF AND ON THE PAST YEAR. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $2000.00 WHILE THE DEALERSHIP AND A PRIVATELY OWNED A/C SHOP REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS. I AM AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM HYUNDAI AS TO WHAT THEY WILL DO TO RESOLVE THIS SITUATION. WE HAVE ALSO HAD THE STRAP ON THE BACK SEAT BREAK, THE PAINT IS PEALING OFF AT THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE, THE LIGHTS/RADIO/AIR CONDITION ALL DIM WHEN VEHICLE STOPS OR HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10030755August 4, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
I PURCHASED A 2003 SANTA FE LX 4WD WITH THE 2.7L ENGINE. ALMOST FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, IT HAS BEEN SUFFERING FROM A SULFUR SMELL. THE DEALER MADE ONE REPAIR THAT SEEMED TO LAST FOR ABOUT A WEEK, UNFORTUNATELY, THE ODOUR IS BACK. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THIS CONCERN, HOWEVER, THEY ONLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE 2 OR 3 MILES WHEN I TAKE IT TO THEM TO BE SERVICED. FUNNY HOW EVERYONE EXCEPT THE DEALER CAN SMELL THIS FOUL DISGUSTING ODOR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10030762August 4, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
I PURCHASED A 2003 SANTA FE LX 4WD WITH APPROX. 250 MILES ON IT. LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE AND WITH ONLY 1,781 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THEY REPLACED A FAULTY VENT VALVE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10030764August 4, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY SANTA FE, I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR WATER A WATER LEAK. THEY STATED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE LEAK BY SEALING THE TAIL LIGHTS, HOWEVER, THERE WAS WATER ON THE CARGO COVER IN ADDITION TO THE CARPET. THIS REPAIR DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AS THE REAR CARGO AREA OF MY VEHICLE WAS WET AFTER IT RAINED YESTERDAY!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10030771August 4, 2003
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY AND DRIVER'S WINDOW BLEW IN.DEALER KNOWS OF NO SAFETY DEFECTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10029879July 22, 2003
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
THE REAR VIEW MIRROR OBSTRUCTS THE VIEW ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHICH CAUSES THE CONSUMER NOT TO SEE VEHICLES OR OBJECTS. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10025958July 12, 2003
EQUIPMENT
THE VIN ON MY NEW 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IS AN INVALID ONE. THE DMV DATABASE THAT MY INURANCE ACCESSES HAS NO RECORD OF THIS NUMBER. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHO WERE LESS THAN HELPFUL. AT THIS MOMENT, I HAVE 9 DAYS OF TEMPORARY INSURANCE FOR THE CAR, BUT MY AGENT INFORMS ME THAT UNLESS THE VIN NUMBER IS CORRECTED OR RESOLVED, THE CAR CANNOT BE REGISTERED, LICENSED OR INSURED IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023540June 22, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I TOOK POSSESSION OF A BRAND-NEW HYUNDAI SANTA FE (2003 - 25 MILES ON ODOMETER) ON FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2003. SATURDAY, JUNE 21,2003 I TOOK THE CAR OUT FOR A DRIVE. DRIVING AT 35 MILES MPH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED (BY IT SELF) OUT OF "DRIVE (D") INTO ...? (NEUTRAL, I'M GUESSING BY THE REVVING OF THE ENGINE). THE CAR ROLLED SLOWLY DUE TO ITS OWN FORWARD MOMENTUM, HOWEVER, PRESSING ON ACCELERATOR SUCCEEDING IN ONLY REVVING UP THE ENGINE - "DRIVE" REFUSED TO ENGAGE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE FUTILE. I SHUT THE CAR DOWN (AFTER LIMPING TO THE SIDE OF A 6-LANE ROAD IN TRAFFIC!). WAITED A FEW MOMENTS (PERHAPS A MINUTE OR TWO) AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE TRANSMISSION ONCE MORE WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO DRIVE. I SHUT THE CAR DOWN AGAIN AND WAITED A LITTLE LONGER (PERHAPS TWO -THREE MINUTES) AND STARTED IT AGAIN. THIS TIME THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED AND I DROVE IT HOME - VERY CAREFULLY! I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP (KEYES HYUNDAI IN VAN NUYS) AND HAD THE CAR FLATBED TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE. I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY, JUNE 23 AT 7:30A.M. (PST) FOR THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO OPEN. MEANTIME - I HAVE A BRAND NEW CAR THAT HAS SPENT ONE DAY IN MY PHYSICAL POSSESSION AND WILL HAVE SPENT OVER 72 HOURS SITTING IN THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE BAY! *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10022582June 6, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE "DIED" AND WOULD NOT RESTART. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE CAMSHAFT GEAR HAD BROKEN. *AK *SCC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10021858May 29, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF DUE TO DEFECTIVE TIMING BELT. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10020604May 27, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
GOOD MORNING, I AM WRITING TO YOU TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT MY DISSATISFACTION WITH HYUNDAI MOTORS. I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI MANY TIMES SEEKING SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION TO MY COMPLAINT ON MY 2001 SANTA FE. THE SANTA FE WAS SOLD TO ME ADVERTISING 181 HORSEPOWER. THIS HOWEVER, IS NOT TRUE, AND I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM. I HAVE OFFERED HYUNDAI MANY SOLUTIONS THAT I CONSIDER SATISFACTORY TO MYSELF, AND AT THE SAME TIME MAINTAINING MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE WAY HYUNDAI IS HANDLING THE VALID COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WHO, IN GOOD FAITH, PURCHASED A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT WHAT IT WAS ADVERTISED TO BE. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS MATTER IS BEING IGNORED. HYUNDAI DID HOWEVER, SET THEIR OWN DEADLINE OF SEPT 2003 FOR CLOSURE TO ALL AFFECTED BY THIS FALSE ADVERTISEMENT. THIS LEADS ME TO WONDER IF THEY ARE PURPOSELY DRAGGING THEIR FEET TO FORCE OWNERS OF THESE AFFECTED VEHICLES IN TO RESOLUTION THAT MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE BE ACCEPTABLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT WHAT I PAID FOR AND THE LACK OF CONCERN FROM HYUNDAI IS VERY UNSETTLING TO ME. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ALMOST 10 PERCENT LESS HP THAN ADVERTISED. THE AFFECT IT COULD HAVE ON THE SAFETY AND OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE IS SCARY. THE VEHICLE HAS A CERTAIN TOWING CAPACITY AND TORQUE. THIS ALSO HAS TO BE AFFECTED BY THIS. YOUR ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. HAVE A GREAT DAY. SINCERELY, STEVE COOPER 26MAY03 *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10020369May 21, 2003
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
NAR 05/21/2003 *MR WITH OUT NOTIFICATION THE CONSUMERS PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRANDED AS A LEMON. PROBLEMS OCCURRED WITH THE TRANSMISSION, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR, HEADLIGHT DIMMERS, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THEY'RE REQUESTING THE DEALERSHIP TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. *CB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10013938April 3, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
THROTTLE STUCK ON VEHICLE IN A FAST IDLE POSITION. CONTROL OF VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED BY USE OF FOOT BRAKE. VEHICLE HAD 23020 MILES AND IS A GLS WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, DATE OF MANUFACTURE WAS 13 JAN 01. NO INJURIES, NO PROPERTY DAMAGE. DEALER REPLACED CRUISE CONTROL CABLE AND STATED THAT THE CAUSE WAS THAT THE CABLE WAS MISROUTED. ACCORDING TO DEALER THE CABLE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ROUTED THROUGH A METAL CLIP AT RIGHT REAR OF SURGE TANK/INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS CLIP IS ADJACENT TO THE CLIP USED TO SECURE THE GAS PEDAL CABLE. THE REPLACEMENT CABLE APPEARS TO BE SHORTER THAN THE ORIGINAL CABLE AS IT IS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO BE PLACED IN THE METAL CLIP. THE REPLACEMENT CABLE USED WAS PART #96430-26110 AND HAS A YELLOW LABEL WITH "TO2" ON IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10015003April 2, 2003
STEERING:COLUMN
THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO LOCK ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10012454March 25, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID FROM THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE GROUND, UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER STATED THE AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10002180January 7, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER HAD EXTENED STOPPING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#769240November 3, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED TWICE WHILE DRIVING UP TO SPEEDS OF 60 MPH. THERE IS NO POWER, NO GAS, NOTHING. THE SECOND TIME IT STALLED I WAS IN THE CALDECOTT TUNNEL, HIGHWAY 24, BERKELEY CA. DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH. THERE IS NO PLACE TO PULL OVER FOR SAFETY. THANKFULLY THE TUNNEL IS ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE, AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST OUT OF THE TUNNEL AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TUNNEL IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PLACE FOR ENGINE FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE WAS ON A TWO LANE ROAD OUTSIDE OF ANTIOCH, CA. AT NIGHT DRIVING BY MYSELF. IT IS AN TERRIFYING FEELING TO BE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 55-60 MPH AND HAVE THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THERE IS NO WARNING. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR SERVICE, WHINING TIMING CHAIN, SEVERAL TIMES, AND EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NOW WITH THE ENGINE STALL PROBLEMS I AM VERY AFRAID THAT I OR OTHERS DRIVING WITH ME AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD MAY INJURED OR WORSE KILLED DUE TO THIS MAJOR DEFECT IN THIS CAR. I BABYSIT MY GRANDCHILDREN ON A REGULAR BASIS AND FEAR FOR THEIR SAFETY AS WELL. I TRIED CONTACTING HYUNDAI AT THEIR 1800 NUMBER AND THERE WAS NO EXTENSION AVAILABLE TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE IN ORDER TO FILE A CLAIM. ALSO AFTER WAITING 20 MINUTES TO GET THROUGH IT SENT ME TO VOICE MAIL. THE CAR IS NOW AT HYUNDAI IN CONCORD, CALIFORNIA WAITING FOR SERVICE. I WAS WITHOUT A CAR FOR ONE WEEK THE FIRST TIME IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED AFTER THE FIRST STALL. BESIDES BEING FEARFUL OF MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS I WILL NOW HAVE TO GO WITHOUT A VEHICLE AGAIN FOR A LENGTH OF TIME. DT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#768451October 14, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
VEHICLE DASH BRAKE AND ALTERNATOR LIGHTS COME ON WHEN VEHICLE SPLASHES THROUGH WATER PUDDLES. ON ALL OCCASIONS I ALSO LOSE POWER STEERING CONSTROL. THE DEALER'S RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM REPORTED IS SIMPLY NOT TO SPLASH WATER WHILE GOING OVER PUDDLES. THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO DURING THUNDER STORMS FOR WHICH TAMPA BAY IS WELL KNOWN. WATER IS OBVIOUSLY GETTING INTO THE ALTERNATOR AND WETTING THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. ON ONE OCCASION I LOST POWER STEERING AS I WAS NEGOTIATING A RIGHT TURN. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#766731September 5, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAR STALLED AFTER STARTING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. ENGINE CHECK BY DEALERSHIP REVEALED WATERLOGGED AIR FILTER AND NON-OIL LIQUID IN THE OIL RESEVOIR. DEALERSHIP CONCLUDES ENGINE FLOODED WITH WATER (IT WASN'T); OTHER (NON-DEALERSHIP) EXPERT MECHANICS SUSPECT CRACKED CYLINDER LINER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#766624September 3, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
HYUNDAI WILL NOT REPLACE ALTERNATOR WITH HIGHER OUTPUT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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