Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#10638854September 25, 2014
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARMS FRACTURED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE TRAILING ARM, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,736.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10638991September 25, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
WHEN EVER THE UNDER ENGINE GETS WET THE CAR TURNS OFF AND THE BRAKE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHTS COME ON. WHEN IT STOPS I CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL AND IT LOCKS UP. I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE IN THE RAIN AND THE CAR STARTED JOLTING THAT THE CAR WAS OFF THEN ON THEN OFF THEN ON AGAIN. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR IN THE TORRENTIAL RAIN GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR. WHENEVER IT RAINS OR IF I GO THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE AUTO DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM, I WAS TOLD THAT NORMALLY THERE IS AN ENGINE UNDERCOVER BUT THERE IS NOT ONE ON MY CAR NOR WAS THERE EVER ONE PUT ON BY THE MANUFACTURER. HAVING NO ENGINE UNDERCOVER CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL OUT WHENEVER WATER IS SPLASHED UP ONTO THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSES THE BELT TO AJAR AND THAT STOPS ELECTRICAL FROM FLOWING TO THE CAR AND THEREFORE IT STALLS OUT AT VERY DANGEROUS TIMES; LIKE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC OR DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. NO ENGINE UNDERCOVER IS AVAILABLE AND THEREFORE THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FIXED. WHAT DO I DO ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10639089September 25, 2014
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CONCERN. THE CONTACT HAD NO EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10638669September 24, 2014
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE
WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN JUNE OF 2014 WITH 62,450 MILES ON IT. THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR WERE IN GREAT SHAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A HYUNDAI DEALER IN JULY FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE REAR SUSPENSION PER A RECALL. AT THAT TIME A COMPLETE INSPECTION WAS DONE, WITH ONLY A SMALL OIL LEAK FOUND ON ONE AXLE SHAFT. TWO MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL FOR A BROKEN SPRING. AT THIS TIME A SECOND INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED. THIS TIME SEVERAL ISSUES WERE FOUND FROM CORROSION INCLUDING LEAKING TRANSMISSION LINES, LEAKING ENGINE OIL PAN, LEAKING BOOTS AT THE FRONT DRIVE AXLES REQUIRING THEM BOTH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE HYUNDAI DEALER STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE WITH THIS LEVEL OF CORROSION. ALL COMPONENTS UNDER THE VEHICLE HAVE EXTENSIVE CORROSION WITH APPARENTLY A RAPID RATE OF DETERIORATION. THE VEHICLE IS USED ONLY ON-ROAD BEING DRIVEN BY OUR SON TO AND FROM COLLEGE. THE DEALER HAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE RAPID DETERIORATION. ALL UNDER BODY COMPONENTS APPEAR TO BE VULNERABLE TO THIS HIGH LEVEL OF DETERIORATION. THE DEALER IS WILLING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT THE DEALER STATED THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL WHAT OR WHEN OTHER COMPONENTS COULD POSSIBLY FAIL, SUCH AS THE BRAKE LINES ETC. HYUNDAI WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE CONCERN BUT STATED THERE WAS NO ACTION THEY WOULD TAKE AT THIS TIME. THEY DID RELUCTANTLY AGREE TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE WITH THEM ABOUT THE EXTENT OF THE CORROSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10638837September 24, 2014
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
2007 SANTA FE LIMITED 6 CYL 3.3L. OIL IS LEAKING FROM VALVE COVER GASKET KILLING THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AND THE MOTOR. LIGHTS FLASH ON DASH SEAT BELT LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, ESC , TPMS. REPLACED BATTERY IN THE DARK AT FIRST. I SAW THE SAME ISSUES WITH A NEW BATTERY. THEN RESEARCHED AND SAW SIMILAR ISSUES POINTING TO VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKING OIL ONTO ALTERNATOR. I CHECKED THE VALVE COVER IN THE LIGHT AND SAW THE LEAK IMMEDIATELY AND THE ALTERNATOR COVERED IN OIL. IF THE 2007 VERA CRUZ IS GETTING A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE AS OF AUG 1ST 2014, THEN THE 2007 SANTA FE SHOULD AS WELL AS OTHER YEARS OF SANTA FE'S. DEALERSHIP WANTS $900 PLUS TAX TO FIX THIS. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT -THAT WAS $700 IN JAN OF 2013 AND THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT ONE TOO. I STILL SMELL GAS WHEN I FILL THE TANK FULL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON DUE TO THIS. I CAN AND HAVE PROVEN IT USING A OBD CODE READER TO RESET THE CODE, FILL THE TANK AND BINGO CODE IS BACK LIKE THE FUEL CAP IS LOOSE BUT IT IS NOT AND THE INTERIOR SMELLS OF GASOLINE TILL THE FUEL LEVEL IS REDUCED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10638313September 23, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
EVERY TIME I FILL THE GAS TANK IT TAKES 15 MINS TO FILL IT KEEPS COMING OUT THE FILLER TUBE ALL OVER THE CAR I HAVE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10638391September 23, 2014
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
2 THINGS ARE CONCERNING. ONE, WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL CRACKS, BUMPS IN ROADWAY THE SUSPENSION MAKES A NOISE THAT MAKES ME THINK IT IS UNSTABLE. IT IS ALSO A LOUDER THAN AVERAGE NOISE, COMPARED TO PAST VEHICLES THAT I HAVE OWNED. SECOND, DRIVING AT SPEEDS BELOW 60 MPH, EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. ONCE SPEEDS ABOVE 60 ARE REACHED, THE STEERING COLUMN SHAKES AND VIBRATES. THE NOISE DESCRIBED EARLIER IN PARAGRAPH ONE IS HEARD. ALIGNMENT AND BALANCING ARE NORMAL. TIRE TREAD IS ALSO NORMAL. NEITHER OF THESE TWO ARE ACCEPTABLE AND IN MY OPINION IS A RISK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10638407September 23, 2014
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE SWAYED TO THE RIGHT AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED AND EXPOSED, CAUSING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE LOUD NOISE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE REMEDY WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10638068September 22, 2014
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
RECEIVED A NOTICE OF RECALL FOR FRONT COIL SPRING ISSUE IN MAIL, MY FRONT COIL SPRIG IS CURRENTLY BROKEN. CALLED DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND TOLD THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT OR A REMEDY FOR ME TO HAVE A DRIVABLE CAR UNTIL IT CAN BE FIXED. NO TIME FRAME CAN BE GIVEN WHEN THEY CAN FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10638079September 22, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTING IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THAT APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 11/06/14*LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637929September 21, 2014
ENGINE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MY 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE STALLED, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING, WHEEL CONTROL, AND BRAKES. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A MALL PARKING LOT. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE DOWN A ROW OF PARKING SPOTS, MY CAR STALLED AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, BRAKE OR GUIDE THE VEHICLE. ON THE SECOND OCCASION, I WAS TURNING LEFT DOWN THE STREET TO MY HOME. AGAIN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR STALLED, VARIOUS LIGHT ELIMINATED ON THE DASH, AND I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD NO ADVANCED WARNING AND THE CAR OTHERWISE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING NORMALLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637711September 20, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL INDICATOR ON OUR SANTA FE IS ONLY ACCURATE FOR THE FIRST 1/4 OF A TANK, AFTER THAT IT INDICATES THE TANK IS EMPTY AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT APPEARS. WE HAVE TO KEEP TRACK OF OUR MILEAGE IN ORDER TO KNOW WHEN WE ARE LOW ON FUEL. VERY ANNOYING TO HAVE TO DO THIS. WHAT IF THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT IS ON FOR ANOTHER REASON? HOW WILL WE KNOW? THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI,WHO HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE ISSUE, AND IT WILL COST $300-$700 TO REPAIR! WE ARE THINKING OF SELLING OUR SANTA FE BUT WE KNOW WE CAN'T SELL IT WITH A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON! HYUNDAI SHOULD OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM AND RECALL THEIR VEHICLES. WE HAVE OWNED 5 HYUNDAI'S IN THE PAST 15 YEARS AND THIS WILL MAKE US RECONSIDER EVER BUYING ANOTHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637457September 19, 2014
STEERING
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF AROUND 65+ MPH, THE VEHICLE REQUIRES CONSTANT, BUT VERY SLIGHT, STEERING CORRECTIONS WHERE THE SLIGHTEST LAPSE IN ATTENTION MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE LEAVING ITS LANE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A CRASH. ODDLY, THIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE ON SMOOTH, STRAIGHT, LEVEL HIGHWAYS WITHOUT WIND OR OTHER VEHICLES NEARBY THAT COULD AFFECT THE TRACKING OF THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE (NEG. OR 0 DEG TOE) OR AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM ISSUE (TORQUE SENSOR TOO COARSE, DRIVE MOTOR TOO AGGRESSIVE, OR IMPROPER GAIN (I.E. SYSTEM RESPONDS TOO LATE TO INPUT, THEN OVER RESPONDS WHEN IT DOES RESPOND))...THOUGH THESE ARE EDUCATED GUESSES. MY FIRST DEALERS REFUSED TO CHECK THE ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THEY "HAVE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO CONFIRM THE ISSUE," AND "THEY ARE NOT ALLOW TO DRIVE OVER 65 MPH." EVEN IF THEY WERE ABLE TO DRIVE ABOVE 65 MPH, THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO IT ON THE RIGHT TYPE OF HIGHWAY AND UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS FOR THE ISSUE TO SHOW ITSELF, AND I DOUBT MANY DEALERS WILL GO THROUGH SUCH AN EFFORT. THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THE 2013 MODELS AND, TO A LESSER DEGREE, WITH THE 2014 MODELS. PLEASE SEE: HTTP://WWW.HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM/DM-2013-SANTA-FE/152283-2013-SANTA-FE-SPORT-STEERING-ISSUES-33.HTML NOTE THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH AN ALIGNMENT (POINTING TO THE EPS HAVING AN ISSUE). THE SAME COMPLAINTS ALSO APPEAR WITH THE HYUNDAI SONATA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637474September 19, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. DJR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637531September 19, 2014
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL FIRMLY IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637547September 19, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
GAS GAUGE FLUCTUATES, AND READS EMPTY EVEN WHEN TANK IS NEARLY FULL. APPEARS TO BE THE COMMON FUEL SENSOR FAILURE THAT IS WELL-DOCUMENTED ON THESE VEHICLES. ONE FORUM SUGGESTED THAT EVERYONE SHOULD REPORT FAILURES TO NHTSA TO APPLY PRESSURE FOR A HYUNDAI RECALL, SO ADD ME TO THE LIST OF FRUSTRATED OWNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637649September 19, 2014
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT MOVED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO PUSH THE SEAT BACK INTO POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637664September 19, 2014
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, CHEST, AND BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10637265September 18, 2014
POWER TRAIN, STEERING
WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 10-20 MPH, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY WILL SHIFT AND ACCELERATE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. THEN THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLICKER AND THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF, LOSING POWER STEERING AND POWER TRAIN CAPABILITIES. THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY OR ELECTRICAL PANEL OR THE TRANSMISSION. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, ALWAYS WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10636933September 17, 2014
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I'VE HAD A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GLS FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS (PURCHASED NEW ON 3/3/14). SEVERAL WEEKS AGO AROUND 8/22/14), WHEN I TRIED TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE ON TO THE INTERSTATE FROM THE ON RAMP, THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO 8-9K RPM BUT IT FELT LIKE THE CLUTCH/TRANSMISSION NEVER ENGAGED AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. AFTER LETTING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND RETRYING, THE CAR 'BUCKED' AND EVENTUALLY, I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE AT A SLOWER RATE. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE NEXT WEEK. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE PROBLEM TO THE MECHANIC. I WAS INITIALLY TOLD IT WAS THE HIGH RESISTANCE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED BUT AS SOON AS I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AND TESTED THE CAR, THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK AND A WEEK LATER, THEY'VE TOLD ME IT IS THE LOW-RESISTANCE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL LINE. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THEY KEEP REPLACING PARTS WITHOUT ANY IMPROVEMENT IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NOT MADE ANY CHANGES TO THE WAY I DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THIS WAS DEFINITELY NOT HAPPENING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS THAT WE OWNED THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Hyundai Santa Fe