Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints
8,019 consumer complaints on file.
- #10488611December 12, 2012AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MINOR INJURY TO HER BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE INDICATED THAT IT HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THEY ALSO ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE COULD POSSIBLY BE DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10488011December 11, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE ON INITIAL START ON MORNINGS WHERE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 50 DEGREES F. BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD, DID NOT MOVE TOWARD THE FLOOR MORE THAN 1/2", AND DID NOT ENGAGE BRAKES WITH FIRM STEADY PRESSURE. AFTER PUMPING BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, PRESSURE WAS FELT IN THE PEDAL, WHICH SLOWLY MOVED TOWARD THE FLOOR, AND BRAKES ENGAGED. EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED HARD AND STEADY, THE CAR DID NOT SLOW, AND ABS DID NOT ENGAGE. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM AFTER KEEPING THE CAR FOR 4 DAYS. TIRE STORE IDENTIFIED SOURCE AS FAULTY BRAKE BOOSTER, REPLACED PART, AND THE CAR HAS BEEN STOPPING AS EXPECTED SINCE REPAIR. I HAVE RETAINED THE FAULTY BOOSTER. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10487904December 10, 2012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT THEN ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A STUCK THROTTLE. THE THROTTLE, BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE ALL REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,606.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10487712December 7, 2012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE UPHILL, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. AS THE CONTACT APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10487336December 4, 2012SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ON AN OVERPASS AND TURNING TO THE LEFT, I HAD JUST APPLIED THE BRAKES AND WAS APPLYING THE GAS AS I HAD TO GET ONTO THE INTERSTATE. I NOTICED THE CAR DECELERATED, I HAD NO BRAKING POWER AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR SO I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY SEVERAL CARS BEHIND ME. ALL THE LIGHTS WERE ON THE CAR BUT IT SEEMED DEAD. I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. WHILE TALKING TO MY HUSBAND, I TURNED THE CAR ON AND IT STARTED AND OFF I DROVE OFF WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. WHAT'S WORSE IS THAT DAY I HAD MY TWO LITTLE GIRLS AND MY MOTHER IN THE CAR. I HAD TO CONTINUE TO DRIVING SINCE WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO AN IMPORTANT DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. I CAN'T IMAGINE IF I WERE ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MILES AN HOUR. WHEN I CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH HYUNDAI SERVICE THEY ACTED LIKE IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10487359December 4, 2012AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COULD HAVE NEEDED REPLACEMENT BUT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V354000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,900.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10487214December 3, 2012STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, SUSPENSION, STEERING
WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, THERE IS PULLING OF THE WHEEL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TURN SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT WEAR ON THE FRONT TIRES AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. THERE IS A SCREECHING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. AFTER HAVING THE TIMING BELT REPLACED, I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THERE WAS A RUST PROBLEM IN THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE TOWARD THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. HE TOLD ME THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE RUST ON THIS VEHICLE IS MORE LIKE RUST OF A VEHICLE THAT IS 50 YEARS OLD NOT TEN YEARS. HE ALSO SAID THE FRAME COULD BREAK AT ANY TIME TO CONTACT A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR MY VEHICLE. I CALLED HYUNDAI'S 800 NUMBER ONLY TO BE TOLD THE SAME THING. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10486720December 2, 2012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, ACCELERATOR SUDDENLY DID NO LONGER RESPOND AND "CHECK ENGINE" AND ESC WARNING LIT UP AND SPEED DECREASED. I WAS ABLE TO COAST AT 5-10 MPH TO THE NEAREST DEALER 8 MILES AWAY. THEY IMMEDIATELY DIAGNOSED IT TO THE TPS UNIT (THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR), WHICH WAS REPLACED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WITH THIS CAR. THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED IN OCTOBER 2007 JUST A WEEK AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR. WE HAD TO COAST DOWN A MOUNTAIN FROM 8000 FEET. AT THAT TIME THE TPS UNIT WAS ALSO REPLACED BUT UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. IT IS SCARY IF/WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE PASSING A VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY OR EVEN IN DENSE CITY TRAFFIC. I WILL ALERT HYUNDAI TO THIS PROBLEM MYSELF. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10486737December 2, 2012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED FLUCTUATION FROM 1/4 TANK TO EMPTY THEN BACK UP AGAIN. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER SOME TIME, AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF ONLY TO TURN BACK ON INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER HAVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM INVESTIGATED, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM AND IT WOULD BE SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPAIR. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10486417November 29, 2012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED WHENEVER THE FUEL VEHICLE WAS BEING FILLED WITH FUEL THE GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW THE FULL IT ONLY SHOWS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE TWO DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE COMPUTER THAT OPERATE THE FUEL GAUGE. THE DEALER STATED THE REPAIR COST WAS $800. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10486176November 27, 2012STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, SHE BEGAN TO TURN THE WHEEL AND NOTICED THAT SHE HAD TO CONSTANTLY STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT DID NOT COME UP WITH A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10486024November 26, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS STOPPED IN A LEFT TURN LANE AND I BELIEVE I WAS THE 8TH OR 9TH VEHICLE IN LINE. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR! I TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AS FAR AS I COULD, BUT I TAPPED THE BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND VERY MINOR DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, AND VERY MINOR DAMAGE TO MY FRONT BUMPER. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED. I CALLED THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THAT MY BRAKES HAD FAILED AND HAD CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS PROBABLY NOT THE BRAKES, BUT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (CARL GREGORY HYUNDAI, AT NORTHLAKE, COLUMBUS, GA) THIS MORNING I CALLED TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR 200 MILES AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I HAD ALREADY TOLD THEM THAT I WAS STOPPED IN A TURN LANE WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED!! I WAS TOLD THAT THE HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE TOLD THEM TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10485383November 21, 2012EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I RECENTLY BOUGHT MY WIFE A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT 2.0T. AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS I NOTICED THAT IT DID NOT HAVE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL AND IT SAID THAT SOME MODELS HAD THEM. THE CAR I BOUGHT WAS THE TOP OF THE LINE MODEL SO I FELT THAT THE CAR SHOULD HAVE THEM. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY CHECKED THEIR INVENTORY AND SAID THAT THIS MODEL DOES NOT HAVE THEM. I THOUGHT THAT ALL CARS HAD THEM. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR ## VIN FAILED
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10485411November 21, 2012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO GREATER SPEEDS. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AS THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10485450November 21, 2012ENGINE
WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME SINCE THE PURCHASE, AND PLEASE ADVISE ANY WAY TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. I JUST KNOW THAT THE DEALER WILL JUST SAY THAT THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT, AND THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FIX THIS. DO I HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THE VISITS TO THE DEALER AND BUILD A CASE FOR A LEMON? WHERE CAN I GET HELP? *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10485254November 20, 2012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESISTATED WHEN ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A BRIEF HESITATION THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES, BUT THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE THROTTLE, BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE IT WITHOUT DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10485080November 18, 2012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I TOOK MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TO THE DEALER ON 4/6/12 BECAUSE THE GAS GAUGE WAS FLUCTUATING CONSTANTLY. I COULD NOT TELL HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN THE TANK AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THEY REPLACED THE GAS FLOAT DURING THAT VISIT. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE DEALER, THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH STRONG GAS FUMES. ALL OF THE TECHNICIANS AND SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES WERE GONE WHEN I ARRIVED SO I DID NOT HAVE ANYONE TO TALK TO ABOUT IT. I FIGURED THE SMELL WOULD GO AWAY BUT THE PROBLEM SURFACED EVERY TIME I FILLED MY GAS TANK MORE THAN HALF FULL. THE SMELL LESSENS DURING THE DAY AS THE CAR AIRS OUT WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN BUT AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT OR ALL DAY WITH THE DOORS AND WINDOWS CLOSED, THE FUMES BUILD UP AGAIN. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER ON 6/27/12 AND COMPLAINED OF THE OVERPOWERING GAS FUMES EVERY TIME I PUT GAS IN MY CAR. I EXPLAINED THAT I NOTICED A PATTERN OF THE FUMES BECOMING WORSE IF THE TANK WAS MORE THAN HALF FULL AND I COULD NO LONGER FILL UP MY GAS TANK IN ORDER TO AVOID THE FUMES. THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO ME AND SAID THEY COULD NOT SMELL ANY FUMES NOR COULD THEY FIND A POSSIBLE CAUSE. EVERYTHING WAS SAID TO BE FINE WITH THE CAR. AFTER PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR ON 11/16/2012, THE CAR BECAME SO OVERWHELMINGLY FULL OF INTENSE GAS FUMES THAT I INSTANTLY DEVELOPED A HEADACHE AS SOON AS I GOT IN IT. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING BECAUSE I AM NO LONGER CONFIDENT THE CAR IS SAFE. I DO NOT WANT TO CONTINUE BREATHING GAS FUMES AND GETTING HEADACHES WHEN I GET IN THE CAR. ONCE AGAIN THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH NO REPORT OF A PROBLEM. THEY HAD THE WINDOWS AND VENTS OPEN SO I AM NOT SURPRISED THEY DID NOT SMELL GAS. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE I WAS TOPPING OFF THE GAS TANK TOO MUCH OR SPILLING GAS AROUND THE GAS CAP. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE COULD NOT BE A LEAK IN THE SEALS BECAUSE IF THERE WAS, THE SENSOR WOULD GO OFF. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10484519November 13, 2012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
A DAY AFTER FILLING MY TANK THE GAUGE READ EMPTY. I TRIED FILLING IT UP AGAIN AND IT NEED ONLY ABOUT TWO GALLONS BEFORE OVERFLOWING. A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I DID EXPLAIN THAT THE TANK RELEASE AND THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING (I BELIEVE THAT WHEN I VISITED THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT THEY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY RESET THE LIGHT BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THIS HAPPENED PRIOR TO THE 5 YEARS WARRANT EXPIRATION). IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND WHEN I WENT IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO FUEL SENDERS @ A COST OF $ABOUT $450.00 INCLUSIVE. THE GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING PRIOR TO THE 5 YEAR EXPIRATION AND THE DEALER SAID THAT AND THE TANK RELEASE WERE FINE. THE AUTOMOBILE HAS A PROBLEM JUST ABOUT EVERYONE WHO OWNS A 2007 SANTA FEE HAS A FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AND PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10483613November 7, 2012VISIBILITY/WIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROST SYSTEM WOULD ONLY DEFOG THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10483044November 5, 2012AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS OF AIRBAG RECALL.*SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THEY RECTIFIED THE RECALL ISSUE, BUT THEY MENTIONED THAT ALTHOUGH THEY RESET THE AIR BAG LIGHT/SENSOR, THE PROBLEM IDENTIFIED FOR THE FRONT SENSOR SHORT, TO THE BATTERY,WAS TRACKED TO THE UNDER HOOD JUNCTION BOX, WHICH WAS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE RECALL WAS FOR.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0