Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#10242112September 14, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
HYUNDAI SANTA FE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DOES NOT RECOGNIZE SMALL ADULT (WEIGHT 100 - 125). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241989September 12, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
AFTER DRIVING OVER A POT HOLE THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AS IT WAS DRIVEN. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE SHOP SAID THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT AS THERE WAS A FIST SIZE HOLE IN THE FRAME WHERE IT HAD RUSTED THROUGH WHERE THE CONTROL ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. WHILE RESEARCHING THE INTERNET I LEARNED OF MANY SIMILAR DEFECTS REPORTED TO NHTSA I BELIEVE SOME HYUNDAI MODELS SHARE THE FRAME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241997September 12, 2008
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V272000 (EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS). HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR THE TOWING PACKAGE THAT WAS INCLUDED. THE RECALL REPAIRS WOULD CHANGE THE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT THE VEHICLE WAS ALLOTTED TO TOW. THE INITIAL LABEL INCORRECTLY LISTS THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS. THE INITIAL WEIGHT RATINGS WERE 2,976 FOR THE FRONT AND 3,197 FOR THE REAR. THE NEW RATING LABELS WOULD DROP THE WEIGHT TO 2,910 FOR THE FRONT AND 3,131 FOR THE REAR, CAUSING CONFLICT WITH THE EQUIPMENT WEIGHT NEEDING TO BE TOWED. THE DATABASE WOULD NOT TAKE THE VIN THAT THE CONTACT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 29,000. UPDATED 10-07-08 *BF UPDATED 10/09/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241462September 9, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
HELLO, THIS IS A NEW CAR (400MI.) AND WITH MY WIFE (5'4" AND 120LBS.) SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES, INDICATING THE AIRBAG IS OFF. OCCASIONALLY THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF (AS EXPECTED, INDICATING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ARMED) AS WE START DRIVING AND THEN IT WILL COME ON AFTER 5 TO 10MIN. OF DRIVING. IT IS VERY DISCONCERTING TO THINK THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF NEEDED. THANKS, DAN *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241167September 6, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WE HAVE A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG INDICATOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. MY WIFE (THE PASSENGER) IS 5' 3' AND 115 POUNDS. SHE SITS IN THE SEAT PROPERLY AS STATED IN THE MANUAL, HOWEVER SOMETIMES THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED "OFF" INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT ACTIVE (AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL NOT ENGAGE IN CASE OF A FRONTAL CRASH), OTHER TIMES (30%) IT WORKS PROPERLY. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES, 4379, 5767 AND 11,421 MILES. THEY REPLACED THE SEAT BUT IT DIDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING. THEY SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING ELSE AND MY WIFE SHOULD SIT IN THE BACK SEAT. WHEN WE TEST DROVE THIS VEHICLE EVERYTHING WORKED FINE, THREE WEEKS LATER THE PROBLEM STARTED. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BECOME RELUCTANT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. IF HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA CANNOT FIX THIS PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE STATED, THEY SHOULD REPLACE OR BUY THIS (THESE) VEHICLES BACK. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS VEHICLE RECEIVED A 5 STAR CRASH RATING WITH SO MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239642August 25, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SE SEEMS TO HAVE A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSOR. I WEIGH ABOUT 130 LB. AND IT OFTEN DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE PASSENGER SEAT AS BEING OCCUPIED WHEN I SIT IN IT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL TURN OFF. I CAN USUALLY POSITION THE SEAT TO MAKE THE AIRBAG COME BACK ON BUT THEN THE AIRBAG WILL TURN OFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING (ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO TURN OFF AND ON AFTER 30 SECONDS OF DRIVING). THIS IS A HAZARD AS THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR SHOULD REGISTER ANYTHING OVER 100 LB. AS AN ADULT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239690August 25, 2008
SUSPENSION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE INCLUDING GAS TANK DOOR LATCH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, CAR SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY, WHICH THE DEALER DIAGNOSED AS A COIL ISSUE. THE LAST PROBLEM LED TO THE CAR BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY ARE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION DUE A FAILURE OF THE CAR TO ACCELERATE AND THEN LURCH INTO GEAR, CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239291August 22, 2008
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE DUELER A/T 693 TIRES, SIZE LT225/75R16. WITHIN ONE MONTH OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OR LESS. THE DEALER FOUND A DEFECT IN THE FRONT TIRE WHERE THE STEEL BELTS HAD BEGUN TO UNRAVEL; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE FRONT TIRE DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE AND BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE REAR TIRE WAS PLUGGED BECAUSE THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE TIRE. FIRESTONE CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE TIRE, BUT THE CONTACT WOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE ESTIMATED $130 REPAIR COST. THE REAR TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME BRAND, BUT A DIFFERENT MODEL (TURANZA). HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER (04T018000 TIRES:TREAD/BELT) STATING THAT THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE BEING RECALLED DUE TO INCORRECT WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL WOULD NOT APPLY TO HIM BECAUSE THE CONTACT ALREADY PURCHASED THE TIRES FROM FIRESTONE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239216August 21, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN A 150 LBS. OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG SENSOR STATES THAT THE AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE THE FIRST TIME. DURING THE SECOND VISIT TO THE DEALER, THE FAILURE WAS DUPLICATED; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239221August 21, 2008
STRUCTURE, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR ITS FUEL ECONOMY AND WEIGHT CAPACITY TO TOW A TRAILER. AT THE DEALER, THE WEIGHT CAPACITY WAS LISTED AS 3,197 IN THE REAR AND 2,976 IN THE FRONT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, WHICH DECREASED THE WEIGHT CAPACITY OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS MISLEADING SINCE HE BELIEVED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD TOW A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF WEIGHT AS DISCUSSED AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DOES NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND FEELS THAT HIS FAMILY'S LIVES COULD BE IN DANGER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/17/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238980August 20, 2008
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANT SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN A 120 LBS. ADULT WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS OPERATING PROPERLY AND THERE WAS NO FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238818August 19, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN
MY 2003 HYUANDAI SANTE FE STALLS ANYTIME THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR GETS HOT (AT LEAST THIS IS WHAT THE SERVICE MANAGER [MR. LABESE] AT JOHN AMATO AUTO - MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN EXPLAINS). I'VE HAD COUNTLESS CLOSE CALL VEHICLE ACCIDENTS AND I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN TO BE REPAIRED ONLY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE STALL OVER AND OVER AGAIN EVEN AFTER THE PART ABOVE WAS REPLACED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND VERY UNSAFE I HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY TO THIS POINT! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238851August 19, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF INDICATOR LIGHT READS OFF, ALTHOUGH A 5'3", 125LB ADULT IS SEATED IN PASSENGER. BROUGHT TO DEALER SERVICE DEPT ATTENTION, TOLD I NEEDED TO WIGGLE IN THE SEAT TO GET ALL FOUR SENSORS TO ACTIVATE. OCCASIONALLY THIS TECHNIQUE WILL GET THE LIGHT TO NO LONGER ILLUMINATE, BUT IF YOU MOVE YOUR POSITION SLIGHTLY - THE LIGHT READ OFF ONCE AGAIN.*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238604August 17, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG OFF LIGHT STAY ON EVEN WHEN A SMALLER ADULT OF 120LBS IS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238141August 14, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SURGING. SOMETIMES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, FEELS LIKE YOU ARE ALSO LAYING ON THE GAS PEDAL. OTHER TIMES, WHEN JUST BARELY ACCELERATING, IT'S LIKE TAKING OFF AT THE STARTING LINE. REAL SURGING, IT'S SCARY. MY WIFE DOESN'T LIKE DRIVING IT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE SERVICE TECH'S AT THE DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG, THAT IT IS DESIGNED TO DO THIS. I FIND THAT TO BE STUPID, OR NOT TRUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237957August 13, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND PANIC ALARM GOES OFF BY ITSELF. AFTER EACH EVENT, ALARM WILL NOT FULLY RESET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237608August 10, 2008
TIRES
P235/60R18 ON HYUNDAI SANTA FE LESS THAN 30,000 MILES AND WE HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES DUE TO UNEVEN WEAR .......... NOW WE RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE THAT TIRES ARE AFFECTED BY INCORRECT TIRE PRESSURE LABEL. DO WE HAVE ANY RECOURSE? WE EXPECTED TIRES TO LAST MUCH LONGER ON THIS CAR!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237384August 7, 2008
VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION IN THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE ERUPTED FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, BUT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES. THE WINDSHIELD WAS DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETECT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/16/08 *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237092August 5, 2008
STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION:REAR
MY 2001 SANTE FE WAS MAKING " CREAKING" NOISE BY THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR IT, BUT BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT I HEARD A LOUD THUD AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ONLY GOING 35 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO SKID INTO A DRIVEWAY. THE REAR CONTROL ARM SNAPPED OFF DUE TO AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST. THE OTHER SIDE IS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. THE REPAIR SHOP HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236785August 3, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
DRIVING FROM MY MOTHER'S HOME, WHERE I WAS VISITING, TO THE GROCERY STORE NOT THREE MILES AWAY MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ALL OF SUDDEN LOST POWER AND STARTED OVERHEATING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL IT OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR ASSISTANCE. THIS BEING THE FOURTH OF JULY LONG WEEKEND, THE ORLANDO DEALERSHIP WAS NOT OPEN. THE FOLLOWING DAY I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE ASSISTANT AT ORLANDO HYUNDAI. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED AND NOT A WARRANTY ITEM, THE REPAIR WAS $700. BEING FROM OUT OF THE AREA I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY THE MONEY AND GET THE CAR FIXED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, WAS SOME ITEM DAMAGED THE RADIATOR AND USING HIS WORDS "PROBABLY ROAD DEBRIS" PASSING THROUGH THE GRILL. HE CONTINUED THE EXPLANATION THAT THERE ARE NOT BARRIERS THAT WOULD PREVENT SMALL ITEMS FROM PASSING THROUGH THE GRILL AND DAMAGING THE CONDENSER AND RADIATOR WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAYS. ASKING THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, HE REPLIED YES. THE FAILURE OF HYUNDAI TO FORESEE, DESIGN AND PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF SCREEN BARRIER BEHIND THE GRILL ALLOWS ANY TYPE OF DEBRIS TO CAUSE HARM TO THE CONDENSER OR RADIATOR AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON JULY 5, 2008 BY ORLANDO HYUNDAI IN ORLANDO FL. I DISPUTED THIS CLAIM AS SUBJECTIVE TO HYUNDAI OF AMERICA AS SOON AS I RETURNED. THEY SENT ME TO MY LOCAL DEALER, JENKINS HYUNDAI OF BRADENTON. THE SERVICE MANAGER THERE TOLD ME HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. I WAS GIVEN THE RUNAROUND. I SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING SOLUTION, SENT IN BY ANOTHER COMPLIANT, SHOULD BE LISTENED TO. A SMALL AMOUNT OF HARDWARE CLOTH ATTACHED TO THE BACK OF THE GRILL WOULD DEFLECT MOST ALL DEBRIS AND PROTECT THE CONDENSER AND RADIATOR FROM DAMAGE WHILE STILL ALLOWING AMPLE AIR FLOW. TODAY, MY CAR OVERHEATED AGAIN! I WILL BRING IT TO THE DEALER TOMORROW WITHOUT CONFIDENCE IN THIS PRODUCT OR THE WARRANTY WHICH IS WHY I BOUGHT THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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