Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#10470941August 9, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
INCIDENT 1: (10-20-2010) DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHT WAS FOGGING UP CONSTANTLY. DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD LIGHT UNDER WARRANTY. INCIDENT 2: (02-22-2011) UPON FILL-UP OF THE GAS TANK, JUST BEFORE IT WAS TOPPED OFF, THERE WAS A SERIES OF CLUNKING NOISES. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE GAS TANK WAS REPLACED. INCIDENT 3: (05-01-2011 APPROX.) UPON REMOVAL OF THE CABIN AIR FILTER COVER, THE LITTLE PLASTIC PARTS THAT ARE SQUEEZED TO REMOVE THE COVER BROKE, WHICH WOULDN'T ALLOW THE COVER TO GO BACK ON. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART AND I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THE FILTER YET. INCIDENT 4: (11-12-2011) DRIVING 60 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AS I WAS PULLING OVER TO CHECK OUT THE SITUATION, THE CAR LOST POWER STEERING AND AIR CONDITIONING! MY SERPENTINE BELT BROKE! AFTER IT WAS TOWED, THE DEALER REPLACED IT, ALONG WITH BELT TENSIONER AND IDLER PULLEY! INCIDENT 5: (07-30-2012) I WAS COMING UP TO A STOP LIGHT AND UPON DECELERATION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE RPM GAGE SHOWED 1100 RPM AND IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WANTED TO MOVE AS IF I WAS PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. WHEN I DID TRY TO ACCELERATE, THERE WAS NO POWER TO ACCELERATE ( THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, ETC, BUT WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, I COULD ONLY MOVE A FEW MILES PER HOUR.) I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON, AND I GAINED ACCELERATION POWER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DETERMINED I HAD A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AS WELL AS BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND BOTH WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. [CURRENT MILEAGE ON VEHICLE AFTER ALL INCIDENTS: 48,897]
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10469689August 8, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE BELT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE OWNERS MANUAL STATED THAT THE BELT SHOULD LAST FOR 67,000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 09/12/12 *BF UPDATED 09/18/2012 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10469577August 7, 2012
ENGINE
THE VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED RANDOMLY DURING DRIVING, TOTAL 4 TIMES, ALMOST CAUSING 4 ACCIDENTS. THE DEALER MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEREFORE WAS UNABLE TO FIX IT, LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN A STATUS WITH TREMENDOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10469339August 6, 2012
AIR BAGS
WE HAVE A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AND HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW, BUT THE DEALER WAS NEVER ABLE TO FIX IT. OUR DEALER (PHIL LONG HYUNDAI, COLORADO SPRINGS) NOW SAYS THAT THE VIN FOR OUR CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG RECALL. IS THERE ANY WAY TO EXPAND THE CARS AFFECTED SO OURS CAN BE FIXED - OR "ENCOURAGE" THEM TO FIX OUR CAR? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10469434August 6, 2012
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
WE OWN A 2005 SANTA FE BY HYUNDAI. WE HAVE BEEN READING BLOGS ABOUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED AS A RESULT OF THE SEAT BELT SENSOR GOING BAD ON THESE VEHICLES AND NOT DEPLOYING IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. OURS IS NOW DEMONSTRATING THIS. THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT WILL REMAIN ILLUMINATED AND THE ISSUE AFTER BEING RUN THROUGH A DIAGNOSTIC AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS AS EXPECTED TIED TO A SEAT BELT SENSOR ISSUE. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MORE OF THESE ISSUES AND SOME HAVE ACTUALLY WON CASES DEALING ON AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL WITH HYUNDAI OF AMERICA WHICH IS WHAT WE INTEND TO DO, BUT IF THIS IS SUCH A RAMPANT ISSUE, THERE SHOULD BE A FURTHER INVESTIGATION DONE AND A VOLUNTARY RECALL ON THEIR PART TO ASSURE THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYABLE AT ALL TIMES AND NOT JUST WHILE THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468973August 2, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING IT WILL STALL AND THEN TAKE OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468754August 1, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, AIR BAGS
MY MOTHER DIED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. HER SANTA FE WENT THROUGH A "T" INTERSECTION WITHOUT STOPPING CROSSING HIGHWAY, WENT AIRBORNE OVER HILLSIDE AND STRUCK A TREE. SEVERED SPINE, CHEST TRAUMA AND SHATTERED ANKLE. THERE ARE NO SKIDS MARKS AT THE SCENE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOY BUT WHEN? STEERING COLUMN IS CRUSHED IN AND STEERING WHEEL WAS BENT INWARD. THE ROAD SHE WAS ON IS A RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET. THERE IS A 100 FEET DOWNGRADE BUT STRAIGHT AS YOU APPROACH THE STOP SIGN. THE "T" INTERSECTION IS A TWO LANE NOT WELL TRAVELED ROAD. SHE DROVE THIS ROAD MANY TIMES BEFORE. WHAT MAKES A VEHICLE TRAVEL AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED IN A 100 FEET STRAIGHT AWAY, GO THROUGH A STOP SIGN GET AIRBORNE AFTER CROSSING HIGHWAY? ACCELERATION STICKING? WHY IS THERE SO MUCH DAMAGE TO STEERING COLUMN IF AIRBAG WENT OFF? COULD THE ACCELERATOR GET STUCK AND MY MOTHER PANIC AND TRIED TO STOP CAR BY STEPPING ON BRAKES MAKING A PANIC DECISION, NOT KNOWING TO TAKE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR OR TURNING VEHICLE OFF? WAS THERE ENOUGH TIME. I LOST MY MOTHER AND AFTER READING ALL THE PROBLEMS, I THINK THESE AND ALL HYUNDAI VEHICLES SHOULD BE LOOKED AT! *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#10468803August 1, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN A HEAVY PERSON WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST FOUR TO FIVE TIMES AND AFTER RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468404July 31, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
ALL DOOR LOCK ACUTUATORS ON MY VEHICLE ARE DEFECTIVE CAUSING FAULTY DOOR LOCKS. A REVIEW OF OWNERS FORUMS REVEALS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS CREATES A SAFTY CONCERN IF PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN NEED TO BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY. A POTENTIALLY FATAL EXAMPLE WOULD BE A FIRE INSIDE THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468413July 31, 2012
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD NOT RETRACT WHEN PRESSING THE POWER SEAT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468500July 31, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY HAD TO RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V354000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468268July 30, 2012
STEERING, SUSPENSION, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I NOTICED THE VEHICLE MADE A CLINKING SOUND WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS; THE DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS A CD IN THE SIDE POCKET OF THE CAR. SECOND VISIT THEY CLAIMED TO INSPECT SUSPENSION AND FIND NOTHING WRONG. THIRD VISIT THEY REINSPECTED SUSPENSION AND REPLACED ONE PIECE OF DRIVER SIDE SUSPENSION, FOURTH VISIT THEY INSPECTED AND REPLACED ANOTHER PIECE OF DRIVER SIDE SUSPENSION, FIFTH VISIT THEY REALIGNED AND DID A WHEEL BALANCE (WHICH SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH REPAIRS 3 AND 4). SIXTH VISIT THEY CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT HEAR THE CLUNK ANYMORE, I AM GOING INTO THE SEVENTH VISIT WITH THE CAR STILL CLUNKING AND NOW THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY IN EVERYDAY TRAFFIC UNDER DRY CONDITIONS AT 20 MPH. EACH VISIT THEY TELL ME THEY WILL REPAIR ANY DAMAGES THAT MAY BE CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF A PART - YEAH RIGHT! IN A POOR ECONOMY THEY WOULD RATHER I SMASH MY CAR THAN HAVE IT FOR YEARS (I ONLY HAVE 58000 MILES ON A 2007 VEHICLE). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468284July 30, 2012
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR FELL DOWN IN FRONT OF HER OBSTRUCTING HER VIEW. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FELL DOWN IN FRONT OF ME OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW. NEITHER VISOR COULD BE FIXED AS THE PLASTIC ON THE TIP WAS CRACKED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467962July 27, 2012
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
AFTER LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PUSHED ON THE PEDAL AND THE CAR DID NOT MOVE FOR SECONDS. CAR HESITATES ALL THE TIME. AFRAID TO MAKE LEFT TURN FROM A STOPPED POSITION BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE. VEHICLE ALSO HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS SLOW MOVING VEHICLES. REPORTED ISSUE TO DEALER AND DEALER WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. READ AND HEARD OF OTHER SANTA FE ACCELERATION ISSUES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468038July 27, 2012
SUSPENSION, STEERING, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
THE RIGHT FRONT ROCKER ARM RUSTED OUT CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO NO LONGER BE PROPERLY SUPPORTED. THE LOWER SUPPORT ARM IS NO LONGER FASTENED TO THE FRONT SUPPORT FRAME. THIS CAUSED THE ALIGNMENT TO BE OFF, IMPROPER AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR (REPLACED TIRES WELL BEFORE THE WARRANTY WAS UP). HYUNDAI HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER MODELS (FRONT SUB-FRAME) BUT NOT ON SANTA FE'S (ONLY REAR TRAILING ARM WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL). WHEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES IN MULTIPLE VEHICLES FOR THE SAME REASON, BUT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, ALL LOCATIONS SHOULD BE CHECKED AND NOT ONLY THE ONLY THAT IS PROMINENT. A 5 MINUTE ADDITIONAL INSPECTION VS. THE ULTIMATE WORSE CASE SCENARIO OF A DEATH, SEEMS LIKE A NO BRAINER. HYUNDAI KNEW THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO ADDRESS IT. THIS HAS NOW COST US ALMOST $3000 IN REPAIRS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. THE MECHANIC THAT FOUND THE PROBLEM WILL NOT LET THE VEHICLE BE DRIVEN FROM HIS SHOP, AS IT IS TOO DANGEROUS. THE WORST PART IS IF THAT IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING OVER THE HIGHWAY, IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SEVERE CRASH, WHICH AS YOU KNOW COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. HYUNDAI WAS NOT INTERESTED IN HEARING ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHEN WE CONTACTED THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467753July 26, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, IN FRONT OF A BAKERY, AND STOPPED TO ALLOW A CAR TO LEAVE A PARKING SPOT. I THEN PROCEEDED TO PULL INTO THE VACANT PARKING SPOT AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ACTUALLY GUNNING INTO A HIGHER GEAR, AND AS I WAS PUSHING HARDER DOWN ON THE BRAKE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE BAKERY. I PROCEEDED TO APPLY BOTH MY FEET TO THE BRAKES IN HOPES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP, AND IT DID. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED BEFORE ENTERING THE BAKERY WINDOW. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND ARRANGED FOR THEM TO TOW IT TO THEIR MECHANICS DEPARTMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467813July 26, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED THAT THE LENS OF THE HEADLIGHTS WAS CLOUDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 88,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS HAD SEVERELY OXIDIZED INSIDE THE PLASTIC LENS TO THE POINT WHERE THEY HAD LOST ILLUMINATION. UPDATED 08/09/12 UPDATED 8/31/12 *CN UPDATED 09/10/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467231July 24, 2012
SUSPENSION
DRIVING DOWN THE ROADWAY AT 45 MPH AND VEHICLE THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND MAKING THUMPING SOUNDS. THE STEERING WAS PULLING THE VEHICLE ALL OVER THE ROADWAY. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE GARAGE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CAR CAN NOT BE FIXED DUE TO THE CONTROL ARM RUSTING AWAY FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467118July 23, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSORS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT MAY NOT FUNCTION IN THE EVENT OF CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467125July 23, 2012
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, SUSPENSION
I WAS GOING TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED & ALIGNMENT ON A 2002 SANTE FE. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS RUST/ROTTED OUT FRAME WAS WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNTS UP TO THE RIGHT TIRE AREA. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THIS SINCE I HAD A PRE-INSPECTION DONE & ALL CAME BACK OK. IT IS IN AN AREA WHERE IF THE TIRES ARE NOT OFF OF IT, IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE. I SUSPECT IT IS RUSTED DUE TO THE SALTY LOCATION OF ILLINOIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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