Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints (2002)

165 consumer complaints on file.

#10587449May 9, 2014
SUSPENSION:REAR, WHEELS
I HAVE A 2002 SANTA FE THAT BROKE ITS REAR LEFT ARM DUE TO RUSTING AND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL IS ALMOST DETACHED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE MY SPOUSE WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY 4 LANE STREET WHERE TRAFFIC TRAVELS AT 45 MPH. THE SUV SWIVELED AND THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STRUGGLE TO STOP RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE SITUATION. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS: NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 AND I HAVE HAD IT SERVICED AT THE DEALER FOR THIS ISSUE. THEY ONLY ADDED ANTI-CORROSION AND DRILLED SOME HOLES, AS THEY HYUNDAI HAD GIVEN THEM THIS OPTION. I GUESS THIS WAS NOT THE RIGHT SOLUTION. HYUNDAI SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THE ENTIRE ARM, IF THEY KNEW RUST WAS AN ISSUE. I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THEY MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO OTHER SANTA FES. THE DEALER HAS GRACIOUSLY OFFERED TO WORK WITH HYUNDAI TO GET THIS FIXED. HOWEVER, I THINK HYUNDAI DID NOT HANDLE THE RECALL RIGHT. IF THEY KNEW RUST WAS AN ISSUE, THEY SHOULD HAVE DIRECTED THE DEALERS TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS. I GUESS THEY FIGURED THESE VEHICLES WOULD BE OFF THE ROAD BY THEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10574045March 21, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO WORK NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 197,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565388February 22, 2014
SEAT BELTS
I WAS DRIVING AND APPLIED MY BRAKES AT AN INTERSECTION,WHEN I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP,THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE APART!I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART!!I AM SCARED IF I GET INTO A BAD ACCIDENT ,BUT, CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPAIR.IS THERE A RESOLUTION. TO REPAIR/REPLACE BY HYUNDAI ,PER THEIR SAFETY DEPT AND GOOD WILL THE SERVICES AND PARTS!!!PLEASE HELP!!! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554261December 1, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
THE ABS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATING RANDOMLY, INCREASING THE LENGTH OF A STOP. IT WILL ACTIVATE AT 0MPH (STOPPED) OR ANY SPEED; THE INDICATION IS THE PUMP RUNNING AND A VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. I DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THAT BOTH FRONT ABS RELUCTOR (TOOTHED WHEELS) RINGS ARE BROKEN. THE SYSTEM (ABS, TRACS) FAILS COMPLETELY AS INDICATED BY THE DASH MONITOR, AT A SUSTAINED 50MPH OR HIGHER. SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SOME VEHICLES. HOWEVER, SINCE IT IS DUE TO CORROSION, IT CAN TAKE AN LONG TIME TO APPEAR. CONTACTING HYUNDAI, THEY INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED. I CANNOT EVEN FIND OUT HOW TO REPLACE THE RINGS IN THE FACTORY SHOP MANUAL, THOUGH THEY APPEAR TO BE HEAT SHRUNK ON. IF NEEDS BE, I WILL REPAIR THE EXISTING RINGS WITH A SPOT WELDER OR NEW RINGS BUT DO THINK THAT THIS WAS A FACTORY DEFAULT AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY HYUNDAI. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10543896September 16, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR TURNED LEFT ONTO 30 MPH SPEED LIMIT N. HIGHLAND AVE. ATLANTA, CAR IMMEDIATELY LURCHED INTO WOT (WIDE OPEN THROTTLE) EXECUTING AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. STANDING ON THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET, ENGAGING EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND FINALLY KNOCKING IT OUT OF GEAR, THE CAR STOPPED 10 FEET IN FRONT OF AN OUTSIDE PATIO OF BEER DRINKERS SITTING AT TABLES AT A LOCAL BAR. NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT, IT WAS BY PURE LUCK AND FAST REACTION BY MY SON WHO IS DEATHLY AFRAID OF THIS CAR NOW. I PERSONALLY REMOVED THE ENGINE COVER TO FIND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD SEPARATED WHERE IT IS STAKED INTO IT'S MOUNTING HARDWARE. THE STAKED END SHEATH OF THE CABLE IS PULLED OUT OF IT'S STAKED HOUSING TUBE AND IN SOME CASES MAY GO BACK INTO IT CAUSING THE PROBLEM TO BE INTERMITTENT AND UNREPEATABLE ON REQUEST, HOWEVER, OUR CABLE END WAS UNABLE TO REENTER IT'S POSITION RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE REMAINING OPEN. THE CABLE IS TOO SHORT BY DESIGN LEAVING IT TO BE ON A CONSTANT PULL UNTIL IT OVERCOMES THE STAKING AND SLIPS OUT. JIM ELLIS HYUNDAI HAS NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE THIS DATE. NEVER, SAID THEIR PARTS DEPT., AND SERVICE MANAGER. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL HYUNDAI CORP, OR, THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO QUOTE ME A COST TO REPAIR. LIKE HYUNDAI CORP. THEY WENT INTO IMMEDIATE REAR END COVERAGE MODE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10536130August 19, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 12 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO VIBRATE WITH A WHINING NOISE UPON ENGAGEMENT. THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER RELATED TO THE ABS HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10526174July 22, 2013
SUSPENSION, STEERING
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE A NEAR SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH MY WIFE DRIVING THE TRUCK. 6/26/12 THE LEFT STEERING CONTROL ARM BROKE OFF THE TOTAL RUSTED OUT SUB-FRAME CAUSING THE TRUCK TO STEER DANGEROUSLY INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS WAS CAUSED FROM THE SUB-FRAME BEING RUSTED THROUGH. THIS TIME ON JULY 21 THE RIGHT REAR TRAILING ARM, THAT SECURES THE RIGHT WHEEL IN POSITION, BROKE OFF. FORCING THE TRUCK TO SWERVE RIGHT ALMOST CARRYING MY WIFE AND THE TRUCK INTO A DITCH. BOTH OF THESE BREAKDOWNS ARE INCLUDED IN A RECALL FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL OF CAR, HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE I PURCHASED IT IN FLORIDA, NOT IN A NORTHERN SALT BELT STATE. SO I GUESS WHAT HYUNDAI IS SAYING IS, THAT THEY CAN BUILD A DEFECTED VEHICLE AND IF YOU BUY IT IN THE SOUTH, THEY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR SAFETY. I WAS NEVER INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD. WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT THERE WASN'T A CAR COMING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION ON THE FIRST INCIDENT. THAT WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS AND IT ENDED UP COSTING ME OVER $3,500. HOW DO I GET HYUNDAI TO STAND UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR NOT TELLING ME THAT WE WERE RISKING OUR LIVES FOR DRIVING A POSSIBLE DANGEROUS VEHICLE AND PAY FOR REPAIRS THIS TIME. I GUESS THE SALT AIR BLOWING IN SOUTH FLORIDA 24/7 DON'T QUALIFY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10523002July 3, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE V6 WILL EITHER NOT START, STALL WHEN MOVING OR RUN EXTREMELY ROUGH. THE PROBLEM IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN IT IS RAINING OR HUMID OUT. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE SANTA FE AND HAVE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS. THE ISSUES COMES AND GO BUT HAVE BEEN MORE CONSTANT OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS. IN THE PAST, I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND HAD A TUNE UP PERFORMED BY THE LESTER GLENN HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. I BOUGHT THE SANTA FE IN SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE TOLD THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. ON OUR LAST VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY BELIEVED IT WAS DUE TO OLD SPARK PLUG WIRES. THE TUNE UP DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE AT ALL. AS I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND BECAME AWARE OF HYUNDAI RECALL 049 WHICH REPLACES THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I SPOKE TO HYUNDAI AND THEY EXPLAINED MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO ITS PRODUCTION DATE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEMS I AM EXPERIENCING IS EXACTLY IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEM SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO EXPAND THE PERIMETERS OF THE RECALL TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520056June 17, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LX WENT FULL THROTTLE TODAY AND STAYED THERE. I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT 30 MPH WITH THE GAS PEDAL NORMALLY PRESSED AND THE CAR FELT LIKE CRUISE CONTROL WAS TURNED ON. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE THROTTLE KEPT CLIMBING, SO I PULLED OVER AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. THE THROTTLE WAS NOW FULLY OPEN AT THIS POINT SO I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. WITH REPEATED STARTS, THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO FULL THROTTLE WHILE IN NEUTRAL. THE GAS PEDAL WASN'T PRESSED DOWN OR STUCK. I'VE HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP SO THEY CAN IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. TOMORROW I SHOULD HAVE ANSWERS. VERY DANGEROUS! FIRST MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR IN 11 YEARS AND IT ENDS UP BEING LIFE THREATENING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515000June 4, 2013
ENGINE
MY CAR JUST STOPPED WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHTS STILL WORKED AS DID THE RADIO IT THEN RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES....I CHANGED THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND THAT SEEMED TO FIX IT FOR A TIME THEN IT STARTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN AFTER A HEAVY RAIN...I LOVE MY CAR THAT I JUST GOT USED BUT IF IT KEEPS DOING THIS IT IS NOT SAFE FOR ANYONE ON THE ROAD...PLEASE HELP *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10492782January 16, 2013
SUSPENSION:REAR, SUSPENSION
2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BROKEN STEERING CONTROL ARM AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, WHEN THE LEFT FRONT STEERING CONTROL ARM BROKE FREE FROM THE SUB FRAME DUE TO RUST. IT FORCED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE DANGEROUSLY TO THE LEFT ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER HAD A MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE ENTIRE UNDER CARRIAGE HAD RUSTED. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WHEN HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THE ONLY VEHICLES THAT WERE BEING REPAIRED, WERE THE ONES PURCHASED IN NORTHERN SALT BELT STATES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487214December 3, 2012
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, SUSPENSION, STEERING
WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, THERE IS PULLING OF THE WHEEL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TURN SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT WEAR ON THE FRONT TIRES AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. THERE IS A SCREECHING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. AFTER HAVING THE TIMING BELT REPLACED, I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THERE WAS A RUST PROBLEM IN THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE TOWARD THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. HE TOLD ME THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE RUST ON THIS VEHICLE IS MORE LIKE RUST OF A VEHICLE THAT IS 50 YEARS OLD NOT TEN YEARS. HE ALSO SAID THE FRAME COULD BREAK AT ANY TIME TO CONTACT A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR MY VEHICLE. I CALLED HYUNDAI'S 800 NUMBER ONLY TO BE TOLD THE SAME THING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10480844October 17, 2012
SUSPENSION, STEERING, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT OF CENTER AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WANDER. AN INSPECTION FOUND THAT WHERE THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT ON THE FRONT BOLT. ORDERED A NEW SUB FRAME AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS TO REMEDY THE CONDTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10478434October 3, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10475887September 18, 2012
SUSPENSION, STEERING, STRUCTURE:BODY
TOOK MY CAR FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND TIRES. FRAME WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS BOLT UP HAS SERIOUS RUST ISSUES. I SEE IN SOME NOTES THAT THE RUST AND CORROSION HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THE HYUNDAI'S. IS THERE ANY WAY I AM ELIGIBLE TO GET THIS REPAIRED BY HYUNDAI OR AT LEAST AT SOME DISCOUNTED RATE? *TR
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
#10462998June 25, 2012
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE EMITTED A LOUD POPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT KEPT DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE WAS TILTED ON AN ANGLE AND PROTRUDED NOTICEABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THAT TWO OF THE BOLTS THAT HELD THE CONTROL ARM HAD BROKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10448776February 21, 2012
SUSPENSION
REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARMS HAVE RUSTED OUT TO THE POINT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE REAR WHEELS ARE SEVERLY OUT OF ALIGNMENT.CANNOT CONTROL VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447056February 7, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITH OUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING GEARS AND ENGAGING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 163,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446601February 3, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL FILLER NECK , COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. HAD CAR IN 7 MONTHS AGO FOR THE SALT RECALL ON THE TRAILING ARMS. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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