Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints (2001)

209 consumer complaints on file.

#10356736September 21, 2010
SUSPENSION, WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH ON A GRAVEL ROAD DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE CAME OFF. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. HE CALLED THE DEALER WHERE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS PRE-OWNED AND PURCHASED IN APRIL 2010. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER PUT THE WRONG LUG NUTS ON THE TIRE. AFTER THE LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED A WEEK LATER THE BALL JOINTS ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FAILED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE TRAILING ARMS ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WERE COVERED WITH RUST AND BROKE IN HALF. MOST OF THE REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE BODY SHOP IS REPAIRING TIRE FAILURE AND THE REAR FENDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 01/06/11. *LJ UPDATED 02/28/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356360September 19, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILURE 2001 SANTA FE 4 CYL. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342200July 9, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
ON JUNE 30, 2010 AT APPROX 9:50 AM CDT, I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE AS IF ON A SHEET OF ICE. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE ACTUALLY OPTIMAL WITH NO WATER, ICE OR OTHER ADVERSE ROAD CONDITIONS. I WAS ABLE TO WRESTLE MY VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO AN EXIT WHILE GENTLY APPLYING MY BRAKES TO GRADUALLY REDUCE SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS CANTED ON THE ROADWAY (REAR END SIGNIFICANTLY DISPLACED TO RIGHT) AS I DROVE IT TO A NEARBY REPAIR SHOP. I WAS BASICALLY DRAGGING THE REAR END BEHIND ME. A FRIEND CONFIRMED THIS APPEARANCE AND THAT THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR TIRE WAS ALSO DEVIATED TOWARD THE RIGHT AND THAT BOTH TIRES WERE ANGLED INWARD AS HE FOLLOWED ME TO THE REPAIR SHOP. AT THIS TIME, I WAS UNAWARE OF A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA ACTION # EA08023, RECALL CAMPAIGN # 09V123000) THAT APPLIED TO MY VEHICLE. THE REAR TRAILING ARMS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION AND FAILURE. UNFORTUNATELY, ONLY OWNERS WHO HAD PURCHASED THAT VEHICLE IN A SALT-BELT STATE, OR WERE REGISTERED IN A SALT-BELT STATE AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL (APRIL 2009) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE DANGER. MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN PURCHASED IN OREGON AND I HAVE RESIDED IN OKLAHOMA FOR THE 4 YEARS. I DID SPEND 4 YEARS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN 2 SALT-BELT STATES, HOWEVER, EXPOSED TO THE CONDITIONS THAT ACCELERATED THE CORROSION OF THE FLAWED PARTS. AFTER I DISCOVERED THIS RECALL ON MY OWN ON 7/8/2010, I GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED TO EDMOND HYUNDAI IN EDMOND, OK AND BEGAN TRYING TO GET THIS RECALL WORK DONE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED THAT BOTH REAR TRAILING ARMS HAD FAILED AND HAD SIGNIFICANT CORROSION. HYUNDAI AGREED TO REPLACE THE REAR TRAILING ARMS, BUT HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR TOWING AND OTHER VEHICLE DAMAGES THAT RESULTED FROM THIS COMPONENT FAILURE. THEY ALSO REFUSED TO PROVIDE A VEHICLE WHILE MINE IS IN THE SHOP OR PAY FOR A COMPARABLE RENTAL VEHICLE. I HAVE ESCALATED THIS TO HYUNDAI'S NATIONAL OFFICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10328836May 4, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE; BOTH TRAILING ARMS FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED HER THAT RECALL 09V123000 (SUSPENSION: REAR) WAS IN EFFECT. THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS REPAIRED AND THE REAR AXLE REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. SINCE THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE SHAKES, SHIMMIES AND RATTLES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AS IT PULLED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 129,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10326205April 18, 2010
STEERING
2001 SANTA FE AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES, FRONT DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT CAUSED STEERING PROBLEM MARCH 2006, PART REPLACED. THEN MARCH 2009 FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT BROKEN, AS BEFORE PART REPLACED. IN BOTH CASES THE STEERING CAUSED THE CAR TO PULL SEVERLY TO THE RIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10313667February 24, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE BEING IN PARK - ENGINE WILL SURGE - RPMS JUMP TO ABOUT 6,000 AND ACCELERATES LIKE IT WANTS TO GO. I WILL PUT CAR IN DRIVE AND RPMS COME DOWN BUT STILL WANTS TO ACCELERATE. THIS SAME THING HAPPENS EVEN AT STOP SIGN - WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. CAR UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATES ON ITS ON ONCE FOOT COMES OFF BRAKE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY OR MAY NOT BE ON. VERY SCARY SITUATION AND ALMOST SCARED TO DRIVE IT. THIS HAPPENS EVERY NOW AND THEN BUT LATELY IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS. NOTICED THE PROBLEM ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10311482February 17, 2010
SEAT BELTS, POWER TRAIN, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT HAD A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH DOWN A 60 DEGREE INCLINE WHEN THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL AND LIGHT POLE. THE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS MALFUNCTIONED WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10310192February 13, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
REGULAR INTERSTATE DRIVING, I THEN SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL, AND CROSSED THREE LANES, DARTING BACK AND FORTH ACROSS TRAFFIC AND GOT IT UNDER CONTROL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE IS WHERE I DISCOVERED THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WAS HANGING OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10306076February 4, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10301747January 21, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
AT ABOUT 11:00AM ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2010, I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE OUTBOUND ON ROOSEVELT BRIDGE IN WASHINGTON, DC. SPEED WAS ABOUT 30-40 MPH WHEN, WITHOUT WARNING, I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, WHICH BEGAN TO FISHTAIL FIRST LEFT THEN RIGHT. MIRACULOUSLY HIT NOTHING AND WAS ABLE TO REGAIN STEERING CONTROL AND BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP AFTER ABOUT 3/10 OF A MILE. I LATER LEARNED THAT THIS EVENT WAS CAUSED BY A TOTAL FRACTURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TRAILING ARM OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAD FRACTURED AS THE RESULT OF EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE PART. VEHICLE WAS CARRYING NO LOAD BUT ME AS DRIVER AND DID NOT HIT A POTHOLE OR OTHER OBSTRUCTION. COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY SERIOUS AT A HIGHER SPEED WITH TRAFFIC ON EITHER SIDE OF VEHICLE. I HAVE 50 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE, MUCH OF IT IN SNOW AND ICE IN NEW ENGLAND, AND NEVER EXPERIENCED TOTALLY SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF CONTROL LIKE THIS. I UNDERSTAND THAT NHTSA HAS STUDIED THIS SITUATION AND THAT HYUNDAI HAS A RECALL IN "SALT BELT" STATES ONLY (INCLUDES DC AND MARYLAND BUT REMARKABLY NOT NORTHERN VIRGINIA WHICH IS THE AREA OF VIRGINIA IN WHICH I LIVE). SEEMS RIDICULOUS THAT DC AND MD ARE INCLUDED, BUT NOT NORTHERN VIRGINIA DESPITE THE FACT THAT SO MANY NORTHERN VIRGINIANS DRIVE IN DC AND MARYLAND EVERY DAY. I HAVE RETAINED THE FRACTURED PART WHICH I HAD REPLACED. HYUNDAI IS NOW TELLING ME THAT PASSENGER SIDE REAR TRAILING ARM HAS NO RUST. THIS SEEMS STRANGE AND IS HARD TO BELIEVE GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PART THAT IS ABOUT 6 FEET AWAY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR AND GIVEN THAT BOTH ARE ORIGINAL PARTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10300405January 20, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND BEGAN LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE CONTACTS MECHANIC DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE FOUND THAT RECALL 09V123000, SUSPENSION REAR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT WAIT SEVERAL WEEKS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED OR TRAVEL TO A DEALER WHICH IS 30 MILES AWAY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295355December 11, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM, SUSPENSION:REAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. DURING STATE INSPECTION HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT MOTOR CONTROL ARM WAS LOOSE . A TECHNICIAN FROM A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY REPLACED THE COMPONENT AT AN EXPENSE OF $190.00. AFTER THE REPAIR HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE REAR TRAILING ARM. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294528December 4, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BROKE. THE WHEELS ARE TILTED INWARD WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE DEALER THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294539December 4, 2009
SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL SEVERELY TOWARDS THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THE DRIVER REDUCED THE SPEED RATE AND CONTINUED IN OPERATION WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THERE WAS FRONT SUB-FRAME PERFORATION WHICH WAS A RESULT OF SEVERE INTERNAL CORROSION. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,000. UPDATED 01/20/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. A RUSTED HOLE IN THE SUB-FRAME OCCURRED WHERE THE UPPER A-ARM WAS SECURED. FAILURE OF RETAINING BOLT WOULD RESULT IN SUSPENSION COLLAPSE AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE SUSPENSION WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SAME MAKE, BUT DIFFERENT MODEL. UPDATED 01/22/10.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291949November 12, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
AS I WAS BACKING UP THE 2001 SANTA FE SUV AT MY PARENTS DRIVE WAY, I HEARD A LOUD THUMP. I THOUGHT I WENT OVER A BIKE OR SOMETHING ELSE, AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO LOOK. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS CAVED INWARD, AND A METAL PART WAS BROKEN AND HANGING DOWN. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE IN THIS CONDITION, AND A TOW TRUCK HAD TO COME TO OUR HOME AND LOAD THE CAR ONTO A FLATBED. AFTER DISCOVERING THERE WERE NUMEROUS CASES OF 2001 SANTA FE CONTROL ARMS RUSTING OUT, I DECIDED TO FILE AN NHTSA COMPLAINT. I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AS I WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED. IT IS MY OPINION THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POOR DESIGN OF THE CONTROL ARM. FURTHERMORE, IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT CONTROL ARM IS SHOWING THE SAME SIGNS OF RUST THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM. IT WILL SOON NEED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WILL BE EXPENSIVE. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE PART OF A SAFETY RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289206October 21, 2009
STEERING
I HAD FAILURE OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM ON MY 2001 SANTA FE. ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN. I HAVE YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL BY THE HYUNDAI CORPORATION. WHY? THIS RECALL IS 6 MONTHS OLD AND THIS IS THE FIRST I HEAR ABOUT IT. HOW MANY OTHERS DON'T KNOW? THIS COMPANY HAS BEEN SLOW TO RESPOND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286704October 7, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, STEERING, CHILD SEAT:BASE
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM CAR MART LESS THAN A YEAR AGO.FIRST MY STEERING WAS VERY SHAKY. IT GOT RAPIDLY WORSE. I WENT THROUGH 3 SETS OF NEW TIRES IN ONE YEAR PLUS 2 ALIGNMENTS. I RECENTLY HAD TROUBLE AGAIN AND MY CAR IS IN THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN FAYETTEVILLE. FIRST THE BEARINGS WERE RUSTED IN. BOTH BALL JOINTS WERE NEARLY OUT. THE CONTROL ARM IS GOING OUT. THE STEERING LINKAGE AND THE CRADLE ABOVE THE DRIVELINE IS RUSTED AND FALLING APART LITERALLY. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM THE CADILLAC CONVERTER IS RUSTED APART FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER WAS RUSTED CLOSED AND HAD TO BE BROKE OFF TO GET MY SPARE OUT. ALSO THE REAR SEAT BELT JUST STOPPED WORKING . TALK ABOUT A BAD DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10282190August 28, 2009
SEATS
VEHICLE SEAT BACK DOES NOT STAY LOCKED, 2ND ROW. CHILD SEAT MUST BE INSTALLED IN THIS SEATING POSITION. VEHICLE SEAT BACK DOES NOT STAY ENGAGED IN ANY UPRIGHT POSITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279586August 6, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ON MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAVE FADED OVER TIME FROM THE SUN. THE SUN HAS FADED THE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES SO MUCH, THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT VISIBLE THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY IS GREATLY REDUCED. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, DUE TO THE WAY THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT COMING THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY IS GREATLY REDUCED DUE TO THE FADING OF THE PLASTIC BY THE SUN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278554July 28, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 01 HYUNDAI SANTA FE DOWNSHIFTS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A LOUD POP AND DECELERATES THE VEHICLE SUBSTANTIALLY CAUSING A TRAFFIC/SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS CORRECTED MOMENTARILY WHEN I STOP AND RESTART THE ENGINE AS IF IT RESETS SOMETHING, THEN OF COURSE WHEN I GET BACK ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES IT ALL OVER AGAIN. OTHER 01 SANTA FE OWNERS SUFFER THE SAME DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES. WHY NOT RECALL THE VEHICLE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE? THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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