Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#10273525June 11, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I BOUGHT MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE NEW IN FEBRUARY 2004. ALL OF THE BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 23000 MILES DUE TO RUSTED CALIPERS. HOWEVER, MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT SOMETHING MUCH MORE SERIOUS. THE COIL SPRINGS ON BOTH FRONT MCPHEARSON STRUTS BROKE AND PENETRATED THE TIRES. THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE IN FEBRUARY 2009 AT ABOUT 23000 MILES. THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE ON 6/9/09 AT APPROXIMATELY 24500 MILES. FORTUNATELY, THE SANTA FE WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE BOTH TIMES THE SPRINGS BROKE. HAD THE SPRINGS FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR ON THE THRUWAY, THERE'S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT I WOULD HAVE CRASHED OR ROLLED OVER. ALTHOUGH THE TOWS AND REPAIRS WERE MADE UNDER WARRANTY AT NO COST TO ME, I DON'T TRUST THE SANTA FE ANYMORE AND I DO NOT INTEND TO KEEP IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273181June 9, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE OPENING THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, THE CONTACT'S FINGER WAS GASHED BY THE HANDLE. HE FOUND A SPLIT IN THE CHROME PLATING OF THE DOOR HANDLE. THE DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF THIS DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND A PACKET AND CHECK BACK WITHIN 4 - 6 WEEKS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS COVERING UP THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT INSPECTED SIMILAR MODELS WITH THE SAME CONSTRUCTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10273268June 9, 2009
VISIBILITY
DRIVING ~10-15 MPH IN PUBLIC PARK, 2 KIDS IN CARSEATS IN BACK SEAT. WEATHER WAS RAINY. I HAD JUST TURNED ON THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER FOR DEFOG ABOUT 4-5 MINUTES PRIOR. SUDDEN LOUD "BOOM" AND REAR/BACK WINDOW EXPLODED, SENDING SHARDS OF GLASS INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO OTHER PEOPLE OR CARS AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND I HAD NOT RECENTLY OPENED THE REAR HATCH/DOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273054June 7, 2009
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER AIR BAG RANDOMLY DISABLES AND ENABLES WHILE PASSENGERS ARE SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272699June 2, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE FOUND RECALLS FOR THE 2002 AND 2004 MODELS, BUT NOT FOR THE 2003 MODEL, EVEN THOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272521June 1, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. AFTER STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING ACTION. WITHIN ONE TO TWO PUMPS THE BREAKING RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272386May 29, 2009
TIRES, TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAD A SLOW LEAK WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND I ALWAYS CARRIED A CAN OF FIX A FLAT.I THEN PROCEEDED TP A TIRE PLACE TO REPAIR THE TIRE BUT WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE I USED THE FIX A FLAT THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I HAVE WRITTEN TO FIX A FLAT TO EITHER CONFIRM OR DENY THIS STATEMENT BY THE TIRE COMPANY, BUT SO FAR I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY ANYONE FROM FIX A FLAT. CAN YOU PLEASE CONFIRM OR DENY THIS STATEMENT? THE TIRE PLACE TOLD ME THAT THE DOT HAS PUBLISHED A RULING TO THIS EFFECT, BUT I LOOKED ALL OVER AND CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270195May 28, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE CHROME PLATE ON THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS WORN DOWN AND CRACKED. EVERYTIME THE DOOR HANDLE IS USED THAT CRACK SERVES AS A RAZOR BLADE AND CUTS MY PASSENGER'S HANDS. THIS CRACK IS ON THE TOP OF THE DOOR HANDLE. AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE RECALL OF THE 2002-2003 SONATAS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS RECALL MAY NEED TO BE EXPANDED TO OTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLES THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268618May 13, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NOISE FROM DRIVERS SIDE REAR BRAKES IN LATE APRIL 2009. CHECKED BRAKES ROTORS EXTREMELY HOT-REAR ONLY. FRONT BRAKES FINE;HOWEVER, REAR WORN ALMOST TO METAL. MADE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER FOR MAY 13. CAR IS ONLY 17 MO OLD, 15,000 MILES (MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING). DEALER WILL REPLACE PADS BUT WILL CHARGE A REAR BRAKE SERVICE$150. I BELIEVE THERE IS A BRAKE DESIGN FLAW. DEALER WANTS $160/AXLE EVERY 15000 MILES TO "SERVICE" BRAKES- CLEAN CALIPERS. BRAKES SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 15,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268642May 13, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKES WERE WORN. THE CALIPER IS RUSTED SHUT AND THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE DESTROYED. HE MUST PURCHASE NEW CALIPERS, RODS, AND ROTORS AT THE COST OF $405. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,127. UPDATED 06/25/09 *BF UPDATED 06/26/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268681May 13, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GLS AWD ON 4/13/2009. ON FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2009 AT APPROX 5:20 PM I WAS DRIVING TO MY SISTERS WHO LIVES 5 MINUTES AWAY WITH MY SON IN THE CAR. I HAD JUST TURNED ONTO THE STREET AND A RED LIGHT WAS 1 BLOCK AWAY. I WAS SLOWING DOWN, WHEN I WAS ABOUT TWO CAR LENGTHS FROM THE NEXT VEHICLE I APPLIED THE BRAKE IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. I PUMPED THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO RESPONSE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE WHEEL TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO GO IN A DITCH WHEN THE BRAKE FINALLY ENGAGED AND I STOPPED. I SLOWLY DROVE INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. TESTED THE BRAKES AND CONTINUED TO MY SISTERS. FOUR HOURS LATER WE WERE DRIVING HOME. STILL CAUTIOUS AND LEAVING ROOM BETWEEN ME AND OTHER CARS. I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE BRAKE LET GO AND MY CAR SHOT FORWARD. LUCKILY I HIT THE BRAKE AGAIN AND IT CAUGHT. MY SON AND I BOTH WERE PULLED BACK AND HIT THE SEATS BY THE SEAT BELTS. I DROVE THE FEW BLOCKS HOME AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK THE NEXT MORNING. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE. THEY ARE INSISTING THAT I PICK UP THE VEHICLE TOMORROW EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE NOT FOUND THE CAUSE. THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING A VEHICLE JUST WAITING FOR THE NEXT BRAKE FAILURE. I MAY NOT BE LUCKY NEXT TIME AND MAY FINE MYSELF IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE MYSELF AND OTHERS COULD BE INJURED. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPORTS FROM OTHERS ONLINE WITH THE SAME ISSUES. THERE MUST BE SOME DEFECT ON THE BRAKES IN THIS VEHICLE AND I HOPE SOMEONE WILL MAKE HYUNDAI BE RESPONSIBLE AND FIX THEIR VEHICLES AND BACK THEIR PRODUCT BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268460May 12, 2009
STEERING, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE SIMILAR TO LIQUID TOUCHING A HOT SURFACE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS LEAKING ONTO THE PIPES, THE RACK AND PINION, AND THE FUEL TANK COVER, WHICH HAS ALSO CAUSED THEM TO RUST. THE CONTACT HAS AN EXTENDED FIVE YEAR WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY MAKE REPAIRS WHEN THE STEERING FAILS COMPLETELY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. SHE INFORMED THE DEALER THAT A MECHANIC CHANGED THE FLUIDS AND STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT COULD HAVE SEIZED DUE TO THE RUST AND CAUSED A LOSS IN STEERING CONTROL. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECKS PER THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENTS. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, SERPENTINE BELT, TIMING BELT, AIR CONDITIONER BELT, AND POWER STEERING FLUID WERE REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2009. IN MARCH OF 2009, THE VEHICLE UNDERWENT FREQUENT OIL CHANGES AND TIRE REPLACEMENTS AT THE DEALER. AT THAT TIME, SHE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RUST BEING PRESENT. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE RUST OCCURRED OVER TIME. THE INVOICES FOR ALL REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE WORK IS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER TO SPEAK WITH THE MECHANIC FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE MAGNUSEN-MOFACT 1975 TITLE 15, CHAPTER 50 , SECTIONS 2301 -2312 OF THE U.S. FEDERAL CODE, WHICH AUTHORIZES HER TO HAVE REPAIRS PERFORMED BY A REPAIR FACILITY OTHER THAN THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268500May 12, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MY HUSBAND WAS IN A FRONTAL CRASH WITH THE SIDE OF A SCHOOL BUS AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED ON OUR 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO HYUNDAI AND THEY SENT AN INDEPENDENT COMPANY OUT TO INVESTIGATE. A FEW WEEKS LATER WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HYUNDAI TELLING US THE AIRBAGS WERE OPERATIONAL AND MY HUSBAND NEEDED TO USE HIS BREAKS IN ORDER FOR THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THIS IS RIDICULOUS WHAT ARE AIR BAGS GOOD FOR WHEN YOU GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY TIME TO REACT. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME OUR HYUNDAI VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IN 2001, I WAS IN A 65 MPH FRONTAL CRASH WITH A GUARD RAIL ON THE INTERSTATE IN MY 2000 HYUNDAI TIBURON. WHEN I CALLED HYUNDAI THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD HIT THE GUARD RAIL AT A CERTAIN ANGLE. WHAT ANGLE OTHER THAN STRAIGHT ON WILL DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS? I DID NOT PURSUE THE MATTER, WHICH I REGRET NOT DOING BUT KNOWING THAT ANOTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLE WE OWN HAS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ISSUES I AM AFRAID AS I OWN ANOTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLE. I ASKED HYUNDAI TO INSPECT THE SAFETY OF MY 2006 SONATA BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10268413May 11, 2009
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 60-65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY WHEN ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY PERFORMED A FOUR WHEEL BALANCING ON THE VEHICLE THREE SEPARATE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO MORE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED BY THE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267828May 6, 2009
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE ROUGHLY AT 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER ROTATED THE TIRES AND STATED THAT THEY HAD TO ORDER A NEW TIRE. A NEW TIRE WAS INSTALLED ON MARCH 15, 2009, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL SHAKING WHEN IN MOTION. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS PUT IN TOUCH WITH A DISTRICT MANAGER AND GIVEN A CASE NUMBER, BUT THE DISTRICT MANAGER DID NOT ASSIST. BRIDGESTONE REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A STORE IN SYRACUSE, NY AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT. IT WOULD COST $194.36 TO BALANCE THE WHEELS. BOTH REAR WHEELS WERE OUT OF BALANCE. ON MARCH 28, 2009, THE CONTACT ADDED UNDERCOATING, WHICH THE DEALER STATED MAY HAVE CAUSED HARMONIC VIBRATIONS. THE TIRE INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267857May 6, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTE FE WAS EXPERIENCING BRAKE OVERHEATING FROM DRIVERS SIDE REAR BRAKE AND MILD HEATING WITH PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKES. AT 28K MILES I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR THIS SITUATION. THE BRAKES HAD FAILED VERY PREMATURELY DUE TO THIS CONDITION. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE ROTORS AND CLEANED AND LUBED THE BRAKE SLIDES, AND REPLACED THE OVERHEATED DAMAGED PADS TO THE TUNE OF $389. I WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE 3YR 36K MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AS THERE WAS AN EXCEPTION TO THIS FOR THE BRAKES, THEY WERE ONLY 1 YR 12K FOR THE WARRANTY AS I AM IN A "SEVERE" OPERATING ZONE IN UPSTATE NY. I HAVE CHECKED MANY OTHER FORUMS ON THIS SUBJECT AND HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS TO BE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PREMATURE FAILURE WITH THE BRAKES AND ALMOST ALWAYS IT IS THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR CALIPER THAT FAILS. I FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM AND A SEVERE SAFETY PROBLEM AS THE BRAKES ALMOST CAUSED A FIRE WITH MY VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE A WHILE AND HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY HYUNDAI AMERICA. I PLACED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM AND WAS TOLD THAT BASICALLY THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PARTS AS THEY SAID THEY DISPOSED OF THEM PRIOR TO MY ARRIVAL. I HAVE ALWAYS SERVICED MY VEHICLE MYSELF ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATIONS AND NO WHERE DOES IT STATE THE BRAKES NEED TO BE LUBRICATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267049April 28, 2009
STRUCTURE
THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ON MY 2003 HYUNDAI SANTE FE HAVE CHIPPING/PEELING PAINT. (THE CHROME PAINT) OPENING THE DOOR TO GET OUT THE CHROME PAINT IS SHARP LIKE A RAZOR AND CUTS MY FINGERS AND MY CHILD'S FINGERS AS IT IS HAPPENING ON ALL FOUR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. IT GETS EMBEDDED INTO YOUR FINGER SOMEWHAT LIKE A SPLINTER BUT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AND IS VERY PAINFUL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10266542April 23, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKING SOMETIMES CAUSES THE MOTOR TO RACE AND HARD BRAKING MAKES IT WORST. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND I FELT LUCKY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENS WHEN STOPPING AT ABOUT 10-20 MILES PER HOUR. DEALER ALWAYS "CANNOT DUPLICATE SAME RESULT" I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON LINE SO IT IS NOT MY DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266420April 22, 2009
AIR BAGS
MY HUSBAND AND I JUST PURCHASED THIS 2008 SANTA FE GLS (USED WITH 10,000 MILES) ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. WE NOTICED THIS ISSUE TWO DAYS LATER. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT TURN ON WHEN I, A 120 LB, 5' 7", 31 YEAR OLD ADULT FEMALE SIT IN THE SEAT. I TOOK IT IN TO THE HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER AND WAS SIMPLY TOLD THAT I WAS NOT HEAVY ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE SEAT SO THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IT IS SET TO ACTIVATE FOR ANYONE OVER 110 LBS. I AM DEFINITELY HEAVIER THAN THAT. THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE RESOLVED QUICKLY AS I HAVE READ OF MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265036April 12, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED 27,300 MILE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE CALIPER IS STICKING TO THE DISC BRAKE CAUSING BURNING SMELL AND HEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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