Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#10785212October 21, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN THE GAS TANK IS LESS THAN HALF FULL, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYS TANK AS NEARLY EMPTY AND THE AMBER LOW FUEL LIGHT APPEARS. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ALSO COMES ON. THE FUEL GAUGE SWINGS BACK UP TO NEARLY HALF FULL, DROPS DOWN TO 1/4 FULL, THEN DROPS DOWN TO ALMOST EMPTY, THEN SWING BACK TO HALF FULL. ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER THIS PROBLEM STARTED, THE FUEL GAUGE REMAINS NEAR EMPTY WITH THE AMBER LOW FUEL LIGHT LIT. WHEN I FILL UP THE GAS TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE IS ONCE AGAIN ACCURATE UNTIL THE TANK GOES BELOW 1/2 FULL. HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES AND CAN ONLY BE CLEARED BY A MECHANIC. I'VE HAD MY MECHANIC CLEAR IT TWICE. THIS IS A FUEL SENSOR ISSUE WITH THE TWO SENDERS IN THE GAS TANK. I WAS GOING TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED BY HAVING THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED BUT FOUND OUT IT WOULD COST $1000. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT SO I'M STUCK. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO RESET THE ODOMETER EVERY TIME I FILL UP AND MAKE SURE I FILL UP THE TANK EVERY 300 MILES. I'VE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THIS IS A KNOWN, WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH THE 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES. I SAW MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FILED ON THE NHSTA SO THIS AGENCY IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT HAS CHOSEN NOT TO RECALL THE SANTA FE FOR THE 2008 MODEL YEAR. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS: THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS A GROSS DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS. THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED BEHAVING ERRATICALLY A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AFTER WE BOUGHT IT IN MAY 2014, WHICH WOULD BE AROUND LATE JULY 2015. HE FIRST SIGN OF A PROBLEM OCCURRED AFTER I FILLED THE GAS TANK IN LATE JULY 2015. THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON EVEN THOUGH THE GAS TANK WAS FULL. I HAD MY MECHANIC CLEAR IT. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED ABOUT 6 WEEKS LATER. AFTER THAT THE ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE BEHAVIOR I DESCRIBED STARTED OCCURRING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10783748October 20, 2015
SERVICE BRAKES
OUR 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS LOUD NOISE FROM THE BACK WHEELS. TOOK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID THE BRAKE ROTORS AND CALIPERS WERE RUSTED. FOR SAFETY CONCERN, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT WE HAVE BOTH ROTORS AND CALIPERS CHANGED. IT WAS 6/29/2015 AND THE CAR HAS DRIVEN ONLY 257664 MILES. REPORTEDLY, DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND CALIPER WITH OEM PARTS. WITHIN 3 MONTHS. WE NOTICES THE ROTORS ARE RUSTED. WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER ON 9/26/2015 AND WAS TOLD, NOTHING THEY CAN DO. ASKED US TO CONTACT HYUNDAI CORP. ON 9/29/2015, WE CONTACTED HYUNDAI USA, BUT HYUNDAI KEPT SAYING IT HAS PASSED THE 5-YEAR WARRANTY FOR BRAKE, AND IGNORE THE OEM PARTS RUSTED WITH 3000 MILES AND 3 MONTHS. WHEN POINTED THIS OUT, HYUNDAI PRACTICALLY IGNORE OUR CONCERN. OUR CARS ARE ALWAYS KEPT INSIDE GARAGE. WITH THIS RUST PROBLEM, WE BEGAN TO CHECK ON ROTORS OF CARS IN ANY PARKING LOT WHEN WE WENT OUT AND PARKED THE CAR. WE FOUND THAT ALL MOST ALL HYUNDAI, DOES NOT MATTER WHICH MODEL, THEIR ROTORS ARE ALL RUSTED. BUT NOT OTHER MAKERS VEHICLES. I ALSO FOUND SIMILAR "PREMATURE RUST" OF ROTORS COMPLAINTS FROM HYUNDAI CAR OWNERS IN THE INTERNET. I BELIEVE THE OEM ROTORS AND CALIPERS SHALL CARRY THE SAME 5-YEAR WARRANTY AS ORIGINAL PARTS IN THE CAR. FOR SAFE OF CUSTOMERS, HYUNDAI SHALL NOT BE ALLOW TO USE SUCH DEFECTED PARTS IN THEIR VEHICLES. WILL NHTSA TAKE ACTION ON BEHALF OF US?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10783167October 18, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY GAS GAUGE SHOWED A HALF TANK ONE DAY THEN IT SHOWED EMPTY THEN IT SHOWED EMPTY/ THE NEXT DAY IT WOULD NOT START I NEW THERE WAS GAS IN IT AN HOUR LATER IT STARTED BUT AFTER I WAS OUT IT WENT BACK TO EMPTY. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED SEVERAL PEOPLE I MEET IN PARKING LOTS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ARE YOU WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO GET IN THE REAR WHEN IT SHUTS OFF AND PEOPLE GET KILLED BIG LAW SUITS WILL HAPPEN IAM SURE IT WOULD CHEAPER TO FIX THIS THEN GET SUED. I SEE THERE ARE A LOT COMPLAINTS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10783107October 17, 2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON AND PUSHING THE ON/OFF SWITCH DOES NOT PUT IT OUT. AND THE CAR HAS NO FORWARD MOMENTUM EVEN IF I FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL. IF I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RE START, THE DASH LIGHT GOES OUT SOMETIMES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. IN MOTION ON THE HIWAY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10782511October 15, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
LATE LAST YEAR (2014) MY GAS GAUGE SUDDENLY SHOWED EMPTY (WITH EMPTY LIGHT COMING ON) ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GLS 2..3 L ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE 'CHECK ENGINE' CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I TOOK VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME THE FAIL CODES RELATED TO THE A AND B SENSORS IN THE FUEL TANK NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS ESTIMATED AT AROUND $700.00. MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER ANY WARRANTY. I ASKED IF THIS DEFECT IS CAUSING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS OR OTHER PROBLEMS THAT COULD CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE, ETC. AND HE SAID NO. I SAID WELL, I COULD LIVE WITH THIS BY ZEROING OUT MY TRIP INDICATOR AND KEEPING TRACK THAT WAY, KNOWING MY APPROXIMATE MPG. (I LIVE IN WISCONSIN ON THE LAKESHORE AND WE ARE UNDER MANDATORY EMISSIONS TESTING DUE TO THE POLLUTED AIR COMING UP FROM ILLINOIS AND BEING TRAPPED BY LAKE MICHIGAN.) HE TOLD THAT NEXT YEAR (CURRENT 2015), MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS EMISSIONS BECAUSE THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT IS ON! NOW AS REGISTRATION IS DUE IN NOVEMBER, I HAVE TO GET IT FIXED. FIRST OFF, I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF I FORGOT TO ZERO OUT MY TRIP ODOMETER AND RAN OUT OF GAS IN TIN-BUK-TWO, I OR MY WIFE (WHO DOESN'T HAVE A CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT) COULD BE STRANDED IN A DANGEROUS AREA. SECONDLY, I GET SCREWED ON NOT BEING ABLE TO REGISTER MY VEHICLE DUE TO A NON-EMISSIONS RELATED ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10782599October 15, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE , THE GAGE GOES FROM EMPTY TO FULL AND BACK TO EMPTY IN 5 MINUTES. BACK A FORTH EVERYDAY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10782281October 15, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS IS IN TANK IT USUALLY REGISTERS EMPTY, AND OCCASIONALLY IT WILL RANDOMLY FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN. BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. THIS HAPPENS WHILE CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY HYUNDAI.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10781548October 13, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING AND CAR IS RUNNING OUT OF GAS EVEN THOUGH INDICATOR INDICATE THERE IS GAS. I HAD BOTH FUEL SENSORS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS MULTIPLE TIMES AND RECENTLY RAN OUT OF GAS ON AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STRETCH OF 101. WITH TWO YOUNG CHILDREN, THIS CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY THREAT AND CONCERN FOR ME. BASED ON SOME QUICK GOOGLING IT'S CLEAR THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND SECURITY CONCERN FOR OTHER SANTA FE OWNERS AND IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED UNDER A RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10781562October 13, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS FILLING UP MY VEHICLE. ONCE I FILLED IT, I COULD NOT GET IT TO START. TOOK TWO TO THREE TRIES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO TURN OVER. I HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED AND MY BATTERY IS GOOD. MY FUEL GAUGE SITS AT EMPTY FOR THE FIRST 100 MILES AFTER FILLING UP WITH THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT ON. I HAVE HAD THE CAR CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS TOLD I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENSOR. I HAD ONE REPLACED FOR $250 IN 2014. CAR WORKED FINE. THEN AFTER 500 MILES, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. WHEN IS HYUNDAI GOING TO REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE! I CAN'T EVEN GET A FAIR TRADE IN VALUE FOR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10781406October 12, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE STARTED INTERMITTENTLY GOING UP AND DOWN, THEN STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. WHILE DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE ON I95, AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED RUNNING OUT OF GAS ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH, DUE TO THE LOSS OF ALL POWER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10781345October 11, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WE WERE EXITING WEST BOUND I-10 IN PENSACOLA, FL, AND WHEN TURNING RIGHT ONTO THE SURFACE ROAD AT SLOW SPEED THE ENGINE DIED AND WE LOST POWER INCLUDING STEERING AND BRAKES. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF OF THE ROAD INTO A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT AND RESTART THE CAR, BUT HAD A CLOSE CALL WITH SUDDENLY REDUCED SPEED IN MERGING TRAFFIC. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US IN THIS CAR. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN AUG, 2013 AND WAS REPORTED AS INCIDENT REPORT #1053149. AT THAT TIME, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE, SO NO REPAIR WAS MADE. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10781147October 9, 2015
AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PERIOD OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS FROM THE AIR BAG AND A NECK INJURY WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/12/16*LJ UPDATED 4/18/18*JB *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10780757October 8, 2015
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP, THE VEHICLE'S WEIGHT SHIFTED, AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE CAVED INTO THE WHEEL WELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TRAILING ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10780750October 8, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR MADE RAPID CLICK FAILED TURN SIGNAL SOUND WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT SIGNAL ACTIVATED AND HAPHAZARDLY ACTIVATED LEFT SIGNAL INDEPENDENT OF DRIVER. SIDEOUND STOPPED IF SIGNAL ACTIVATED. AS APPROACHED BUSY TRAFFIC AREA (AIRPORT), STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING AND BURNING SMELL FILLED PASSENGER CABIN. HYUNDAI DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED IS MANUFACTUER SWITCH DEFECT, WITHOUT SAFETY FUSE TO PREVENT FIRE ON OVERHEATING, BUT IS CHARGING $250 TO REPAIR AND KEEPING MY ONLY CAR FOR AT LEAST A WEEK WHILE ORDERING ANOTHER PART (WHICH AS IT IS THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART IS JUST AS LIKELY TO EVENTUALLY FAIL AND RISK A CAR FIRE WHILE DRIVING MY KIDS). DEALER SAYS HYUNDAI ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART. A COMPLAINT 10629458 WAS FILED FOR WHAT SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME DEFECT IN A 2010 SANTA FE WITH SIMILAR ABDICATION OF RESPONSIBILITY BY HYUNDAI. THINGS THAT CAUSE CABIN FIRES SHOULD PROMP A RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10780801October 8, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I ALSO HAVE THE FUEL LEVELING SENSOR ISSUE ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CODE INDICATED A FAILING FUEL LEVELING SENSOR. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY FLUCTUATION IN THE FUEL GAUGE AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL IS LEFT AND WHEN THE CODE IS CLEARED WILL COME BACK ON RANDOMLY. IT APPEARS TO HAPPEN TO A LOT OF THESE VEHICLES BETWEEN 60,000 AND 120,000 MILES. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL OR CLASS ACTION SUITE AS IT IS AN ESTIMATED $800 REPAIR AND WILL OFTEN FAIL EITHER BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRES OR WITHIN 20,000 MILES OUTSIDE THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10779741October 5, 2015
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THE CONTACT HAD TWO MINORS SEATED IN THE REAR AND GLASS PARTICLES FELL ON THEM; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10779567October 4, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE GAUGE ON THE FUEL TANK HAS STOPPED OPERATING AND DOESN'T ACCURATELY SHOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK. AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS TANK THE EMPTY LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THE FUEL GAUGE MOVES UP AND DOWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYS ON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10779529October 3, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
HAD ABOUT A HALF TANK OF GAS AND FILLED UP BEFORE TAKING A ROAD TRIP. LEFT STATION AND NOTICED GAUGE DID NOT MOVE TO FULL. FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD IT STARTED TO SLOWLY INCREASE UP TO THE FUEL MARK. AFTER STOPPING AGAIN ON DOWN THE ROAD AND RESTARTING FUEL GAUGE WOULD SHOW HALF TANK THEN DROP TO EMPTY AND THEN BACK UP TO HALF TANK. I HAVE TO KEEP GETTING GAS AND KEEP TRACK OF MILEAGE SO THAT I DO NOT RUN OUT WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE. FROM WHAT I'VE READ THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR AND IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY HAZARD AS I TRAVEL A LOT FOR WORK ON THE BUSY INTERSTATES AND CANNOT CHANCE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10779206October 2, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I SMELLED GAS RECENTLY WHEN OPENING AND GETTING INTO MY 2004 SANTA FE. I TOOK IT TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP. THEY INSPECTED IT AND FOUND RUST HOLES IN THE GAS TANK WHICH GAS WAS LEAKING OUT OF! I CAN'T IMAGINE THE HOW TERRIBLE AN EVENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED IF THE LEAKING GAS HAD EXPLODED WHEN I STARTED THE CAR OR BEEN CLOSE TO AN OPEN FLAME WITH THE CAR WHEN IT WAS LEAKING. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD A FUEL TANK RUST OUT. I THINK THE NHTSA NEEDS TO TAKE A VERY CLOSE LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM AND POSSIBLY ISSUE A RECALL ON THE GAS TANKS OF SANTA FES AND OTHER VEHICLES THEY MANUFACTURE THAT USE THE SAME GAS TANK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10779265October 2, 2015
POWER TRAIN
DRIVE AXLE BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER TO FRONT WHEELS. I HAD COME TO A STOP AT A RURAL HIGHWAY JUNCTION, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL AWAY IN PARK IF EMERGENCY BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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