Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#11427441August 2, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Stalls out/DEATH TRAP, occasionally with no warning, seem to be when going up or down hills usually with quarter tank of gas approx. Possibly when decelerating. We have replaced both fuel pumps and it was ok for a while. The other day I was going down steep hill and it quit, i coasted to bottom and tried at least 10 times to restart. A DEATH TRAP for people, i had cars flying up on me almost rear ending me even thou I had my emergency flashers were on and my arm out the window flagging then around. I let car sit still a few minutes and it finally cracked. I started looking online for solutions but found many 2009 Santa Fe's have this problem. I called Hyundai and no Recall. I have already spend over $500 trying to repair this. I do see settlement against Hyundai for this problem on other years. They seem to know it is a problem but are not fixing unless forced. Please help.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427508August 2, 2021
ENGINE
A hole developed in the bottom of the engine while driving, after a popping noise. Smoke started, and fluid leaked. Why was this VIN not part of the engine recall for Sante Fe Sport SUVs that was announced in May 2021? I just bought this car from a dealer in July, and they said there were no open recalls. Now the car is useless, and not sure if it is still covered by the limited used car warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427330August 1, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Rear driver-side passenger door will not open from inside or outside of vehicle. Automatic locks on door clicks from lock/unlock but it will not open. I have two small children in car seats in the back and is a major safety risk since the door will not open. The vehicle was not inspected by anyone since I just discovered this issue trying to get my daughter out of the car. There were no issues, warnings, or messages prior to failure. Issue became aware to me when trying to get my daughter out of the vehicle on Sunday 8/1/21. I googled my issue and discovered others (Hyundai owners) with same issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427315July 31, 2021
ENGINE
3 systems have failed within my two years of ownership. The biggest fault ....and this is what you guys need to know!!!!!!! ATTENTION NEEDED. DECEMBER 2020, I was put in total danger and others ⚠️. After months of telling the dealer that the engine was idling really rough - like a shaking - and revving weirdly at times of acceleration. They continued to tell me there was nothing wrong with it and made me seem like I was the crazy one. Fast-forwarding to December 2020, I started to now hear this metal clacking noise from the engine. Made a 3rd appointment at the dealer that was a week out - but never MADE IT. Because few days before it, I was going out to a friend's and clacking started to get even louder - as LOUD could hear in the cabin. THEN as about to get onto highway on-ramp WITH NO WARNING- no check engine light - no notice whatsoever - engine rpm spiked loudly and a very loud pop followed - and engine totally ceased. Lost total engine propulsion - vehicle rolled to a stop and then all lights and sounds started going off with check engine light NOW FLASHING. HAD TO have HYUNDAI towed to the dealer - in which "there was an engine rod bearing failure - which caused the engine to cease. Dealer took days to even get it seen and wouldn't give a loaner till deemed a fault under "warranty" which clearly was with there 10 yr - 100,000 mile warranty - which makes sense because there poorly made/crafted engine designs that involve the GDI ENGINES_ which have been known to fail prematurely - CAUSE FIRES _ and has even killed people. They aren't fixing the engine design they simply are putting the same KIND IN>>> and putting a system that detects engine knocking. THAT DOESNT FIX THE PROBLEM - and they KNOW THAT. There was no recall on my car or got anything in mail regarding engine dangers. Further Hyundai would not give me any paperwork regarding the repair besides an engine assembly - a replacement that all. I readily asked for more info and they wouldn't give it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427123July 30, 2021
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. The contact discovered that there was fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel tank was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427237July 30, 2021
ENGINE
Engine burned oil faster than it should and was out of oil. Oil change April 20, 2021 and out of oil on July 28, 2021 and not due for oil change for another approx 1K miles. Our safety was at risk because I was driving the car and it died in the middle of the road without warning with 2 small kids in the car, I’m 7 months pregnant, and 95 degrees outside. Car towed to local auto repair service that does my routine car service needs. The car has not been inspected by anyone other than local auto repair shop at this time. I’ve called dealership of where car was purchased. I’ve also contacted Hyundai and told that a case manager will contact me in the next 2 weeks. No warning lights were on until the car died while driving it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427111July 30, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle stalled 5 times when finally got it to restart wouldn’t accelerate more than two mph. Broke down on a busy road was finally able to get the car into a parking lot but was almost hit from behind cause the vehicle was obstructing traffic. Towed to dealership where was told it would take them a week to look at it and they won’t provide any alternative transportation for me that I would have to pay out of pocket. My car is only 2 months and 2400 miles old
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11426946July 29, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Our Hyundai Sante Fe Sport smells like gasoline. The odor is very loud and nauseating. We parked it outdoors and the smell is still very loud and immediately noticeable from inside the vehicle and even walking by. We looked it up and saw an article in Consumer Reports (by [XXX] on May 18th describing this same thing. The article states the cars are being recalled however, we had our vehicle towed to Thornton Road Hyundai and were told there is no recall. They have diagnosed it as a leak in the top valve of the cover gasket and are charging $365 to repair it. Additional note - on July 8th, as we drove from Atlanta to Orlando, we witnessed a silver Hyundai Sante Fe Sport on fire (completely engulfed in flames) on the highway. We are very concerned and would like for this concern to be taken seriously. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427058July 29, 2021
ENGINE
At highway speeds going through the mountains, the engine began to lose power and then began to shake. One or more cylinders began to misfire while climbing a hill with many other cars and trucks in the slower lane to avoid. The engine light was flickering and depending on the position of the accelerator would go on and off. The car began shaking rather violently, but I couldn't pull over so others needed to avoid me. I coasted down a hill and made it off an exit ramp. Then engine had no power at this point and was still shaking. I checked the oil and found it had burned nearly 1 qt. in 100 miles. I noticed nearly all the oil was gone on the prior oil change and thought the mechanic had not put enough in. I now think there is something dangerously wrong with these engines consuming oil. The engine light has been coming on for a while and the dealerships or others I had read the codes normally indicated cylinder 3 contribution. This was never solved as it would come back on after a few months from having it worked on. The dealership still has the car and stated that cylinder 1, 3, & 4 had misfire codes and that 1& 3 plugs were coated in oil. After cleaning the engine and doing compression tests it appears the engine is destroyed. I'm glad the engine didn't lock up and I can only image what would have happened had I been able to continue on that trip and it consumed all its oil while driving. A locked up engine may have resulted in a fire or wreck as the loss of power on a mountain nearly did.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11426782July 28, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Engine shut off while driving 70mph in the middle of the mountains in PA during a road trip from VA to MI, 2 adults and one child. No Warning No Check Engine lights No alarms, just shut off. I tried to press the ignition start button but it would not function until the engine was in park, gave no warning or alarm when I pressed it, the engine start button wouldn't respond. At Shutoff, going ~70mph, I had: Zero acceleration Zero power No blinkers No Instrument Cluster (LED Cluster screen installed) The only way I could signal to merge onto the shoulder was to turn on the hazard lights and attempt to merge from the fast lane to the shoulder, completely crossing faster traffic with no blinkers to guide my merging and warn other drivers on the highway. Instrument cluster turned white as if it was being reset and music was still playing in the car Bluetooth connected to my phone. Conditions of the vehicle during shutoff: 1. Adaptive Cruise Control was on, set to 3 car lengths of distance. 2. Lane Keep Assist was on 3. Lane Departure Warning was on 4. Bluetooth was connected 5. Navigation was active and guiding Once I was able to merge to the shoulder, I shifted into park and sat there for about a minute while I tried to calm my family down from what had happened so unexpectedly. After a minute or so, I was able to start the vehicle back up and nervously proceeded back on the highway to continue on with the rest of the trip. I immediately contacted Hyundai when I returned to VA and explained the issue, they took the vehicle into the service department of the dealership that I purchased the vehicle from. Hyundai kept my vehicle for 2 days and drove it "120 miles" but were unable to recreate the problem. They stated that all the systems checked out and there was nothing more they could do. I have since created 2 cases with Hyundai Corporate office to rectify this issue to no avail. Without the issue being recreated, there is nothing they will do for my family.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11426602July 27, 2021
ENGINE
2014 Sante Fe Limited. 109,000 miles. Original owner. Bought brand-new from dealership. Done all the maintenance on time and as recommended by manufacturer. Right before last oil change (which was only less than 500 miles over) knocking noise started. Oil change done and nothing was reported as being a problem. Knocking continued. Drove to dealership and they said they could not look at the car until a week later. I said ok I will bring the car back and they said I should not drive car since it sounded like it was a bearing rod failure. Later that week I was told that it was a "lower bearing failure" and that a new engine would be needed to which I was used for a used engine $11,292.49. This amount is a little more than the car is worth. I was told that the current recall for this same issue is only for the Sante Fe Sport which is a the 4 cylinder engine and the Limited is v6. I told the service department that this is the exact same thing as the other recall for the sport model and I don't understand why it isn't covered also for the v6. I called on 7/6 to Hyundai Corp to start a claim on getting the engine paid for. They said it could take up to 10 working days. On 7/22 (12th working day) I called in to Hyundai Corp and was told I should be getting a call the next day from the case manager. I received an email 7/23 that a case manager has not been assigned but should be shortly. I replied back to that email saying that is not acceptable. 7/26 AM called Hyundai again and still no case manager. Alert has been put on the case to get a case manager to look at it soon. Sent a followup email documenting what was said. 7/27AM called Hyunda again and still no case manager and nothing that department can do. I asked for a manager or someone at the national team contact info but Hyundai would not provide it to me. Sent a followup email documenting what was said. Thankful that I wasn't in an accident with my two young kids.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11426632July 27, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact was calling from an insurance company and stated that while the driver was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to lose motive power and decelerated inadvertently. There was smoke coming from the air vents and flames were seen coming from the front wheel wells. After exiting the vehicle, flames engulfed the vehicle and the vehicle was destroyed. The fire department was called to the scene and a report was taken before the vehicle was towed away. No injuries were reported. The cause of the failure was not determined. Later the insurance company concluded that the fire was caused by a faulty engine. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11426638July 27, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint by the power heating seat buttom, is craking, peeling with the sun.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11426465July 26, 2021
WHEELS:HUB
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side front wheel detached without warning. The wheel bearing and hub were replaced by the owner. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted nor informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11426558July 26, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated the vehicle would not immediately start-up and required several attempts before the vehicle would start-up. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but the dealer informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, she heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was out of warranty. A case was opened. The failure mileage was 95,934.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11426073July 23, 2021
ENGINE
A connecting rod bearings in the engine wore out prematurely and damaged the engine while driving with my family. The car was not responding almost causing a catastrophe, I experienced mental distress and triggered my PTSD. When taken to the mechanic for inspection the damage showed a connecting rod cause a hole in the engine spilling and burning oil. There was no sound or warning lights until after the car's engine was damaged by this manufacturer fail. I did my research and I found others with the same engine issue. What's Hyundai next step in this case?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11426116July 23, 2021
VISIBILITY/WIPER
We were driving on a highway at normal highway speeds around 10:15pm. There was some light rain and some lightning in the area. Out of nowhere our panoramic sunroof on our 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe just exploded. There were no cars/trucks in front of us that kicked up any debris that could have caused this. It just shattered and the sound was deafening, it sounded like an explosion and for a quick second I thought we were getting shot at until I observed that no other glass in the car was broken so at that point I knew it was the panoramic sunroof.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11425754July 21, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The air conditioner quits working after a few minutes if the temperature is over 80 degrees. This has happened multiple times, at least 6 times. I took the car into Hyundai dealer and they said they could fine nothing wrong with it. As soon as we got it back from the dealer it happened again. Heat stroke was our only safety concern. No warning light has ever come on to report this breakdown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11425679July 20, 2021
ENGINE
I was driving on the highway with my 3 children (I am 9 months pregnant) when we heard a loud pop from the engine, the car gave a sudden jolt and then a loud ticking sound started. The car had a hard time accelerating as I tried to pull over to a safe location. I felt my life and my family's life was in danger. The car was taken first to a mechanic where I was informed that they had several cases with the same issue from the same vehicles recently and recommended us tow it immediately to a Hyundai dealership as it was a recall issue and it was not safe to drive. We towed it to a Hyundai dealership and they informed us that it was a rod barring failure. They informed us that there was indeed an open recall for this particular issue however it was on the Santa fe 2.4 liter models and not our 3.3 liter model. They did tell us that they tried to contact Hyundai consumer affairs since it is the same issue but that Hyundai refused to extend the recall to us. I called consumer affairs directly after and explained my concerns and situation and was told there was nothing they could do about it since there was no recall on my 3.3 liter vehicle. I was given an estimate of $9-10K as a quote to fix the issue. There were no warning lights, no prior symptoms to the failure, this simply happened unexpectedly and put my family at risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11425441July 19, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unexplained battery drain has been an issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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