2004 HYUNDAI Santa Fe Problems & Complaints
Real owner complaints and problems reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). View common issues by component.
303
Complaints Reported
Complaints by Component
SUSPENSION
50 complaints
IT HAD 124 RECALL NHTSA 14V43500 I CALL HYUNDAI OFF GOVERNMENT SITE TOLD THEM ABOUT 124 AND BROKEN SPRING THEY SET UP APPOINTMENT SO THEY ONLY PUT ON BRACKETS BUT NO SPRING WANTED $1004 FOR THE STRUT SPRING ON THEY TOLD ME ON CALL CENTER THEY REPLACE SPRING AS IT SAID ON NHTSA SITE THEY WOULD NOT DO IT CALL BACK TO HYUNDIA AS NUMBER ON GOVERNMENT SITE THEY MADE A CASE NUMBER 16604156 AMBER AT 714 594 1764 SHE SAID SPRING WAS NOT IN RECALL I SEND PICTURE OF IT BEFORE UP THERE TO DEALER SHE HAD NO CLUE WHAT WAS SO I DONT WHO RIGHT ON RECALL SHE SAID GOVERNMENT NHTSA SITE ARE NOT CORRECT BROWN LEESBURG HYUNDAI LEESBURG VA 20176
Jan 03, 2020
I JUST GOT IT A FEW MONTHS AGO AND HAPPENED TO LOOK UP RECALLS,AND SEEN 3 I TOOK IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WERE JUST 2 BUT ONE WAS SUSPENSION AND THEY HAVEN'T CALLED ME ABOUT IT IN AROUND A MONTH NOWB
Oct 24, 2019
THIS WAS COVERED BY HYUNDIA RECALL CAMPAIGN 124. I FILLED UNDER CASE # 9878948. SPRING REPAIR 2/12/14, SOLD CAR 4/5/14, RECALL 2/4/15. THEY ONLY WOULD PAY FOR $318 OF THE $917 TOTAL REPAIR AND SAID IT HAS TO GO TO A HYUNDIA DEALERSHIP. THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE SENSERS, STRUT MOUNTS , SWAY BAR LINK ETC PER THE INVOICE. I CONTACTED THE PERSON I SOLD IT TO AND MADE A DEALER APPMT BUT THEY DIDN'T SHOW. HYUNDIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS 800-633-5151 TOLD ME TO FILE A DISPUTE WITH BBB AUTOLINE WHICH I DID UNDER CASE # HYU1713624. THEY NEVER RESPONDED. BBB AUTOLINE NOW SAYS THAT THEY DON'T HANDLE RECALLS DISPUTES BUT YOU DO. I JUST TALKED TO THEM AND THEY REFERRED ME TO YOU. WITHOUT EVER TALKING TO ME, WHILE I WAS TRYING TO GET THE CAR INTO A DEALER AND WAITING FOR THE BBB AUTOLINE RESPONSE HYUNDIA CLOSED OUT THE CASE. IRONICALLY HYUNDIA WOULD HAVE REPLACED BOTH SPRINGS WITH OEM, ALL OTHER DAMAGED PARTS AND ANY DAMAGED TIRES PER THEIR RECALL. IT WOULD HAVE COST THEM 2X AS MUCH AS THE $917. THEY WOULDN'T EVEN CALL MY MECHANIC WHO THE LOCAL HYUNDIA DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED AS REPUTABLE. IN OUR CASE, THE BROKEN SPRING BENT THE STRUT, DAMAGED THE SWAY BAR AND TORE THE ABS SENSOR WIRE. THE LANGUAGE IN THE RECALL INFORMATION ACTUALLY CALLS FOR THE DEALER TO REPLACE INSTALLED NON-OEM STRUTS WITH OEM STRUTS SO THE NEW BRACKET WILL FIT PROPERLY. GIVEN THIS, I AM SURPRISED THAT YOU CHOSE NOT TO PAY FOR THE COST OF THE ONE STRUT AND MOUNT ($62.1 6 +$135.88) & REPAIR ($37.20) AND THE SPRING REPAIR ($37.20). LIKEWISE HYUNDIA CHOSE NOT TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGED ABS SENSOR ($175.94) AND ITS REPAIR ($55.80). IN MINNESOTA, LIKE MOST STATES, PARTS ARE SUBJECT TO SALES TAX OF 7.125%. IN THIS CASE IT ADDED UP TO ($45.25) WHICH HYUNDIA CHOSE NOT TO PAY. LIKEWISE HYUNDIA CHOOSE NOT TO PAY THE SHOP SUPPLIES ($13.18) AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL FEE ($4.93) WHICH ARE PRETTY TYPICAL.
Mar 13, 2019
I GOT A LETTER BY MAIL SAING MY CAR HAS A RECALL FOR * COIL SPRING FRACTURE* AND I HAD TO TAKE IT TO CHECK IT OR REPAIR IN CASE IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. I WONDER IF THIS WILL HAVE A COST FOR ME OR I NEED TO WAIT TILLL THIS IS FRACTURED? THANKS IN ADVANCED FOR YOUR HELP
Dec 29, 2017
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR COIL SPRINGS RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD
Nov 01, 2016
+ 45 more complaints for this component
AIR BAGS
32 complaints
MY AIR SBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. IT WON'T TURN OFF.I DON'T IF IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MY AIR BAGS OR JUST THE LIGHT.IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR YEARS.THERE WAS NOT REASON FOR IT TO TURN ON. I'VE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT,SO I DON'T IF IT WILL WORK WHEN NEEDED. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD FOR IT. I THINK THIS A MALFUNCTION AND SHOULD CHECKED BY A DEALER AT NO COST.
Sep 17, 2019
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON DURING THE MORNING DRIVE THEN SHUT OFF NEXT TIME THE CAR WAS STARTED. ON/OFF PERODICALLY FOR ABOUT A WEEK. NOW THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME. A GLIMSPE ONLINE HINT SIMLAR OWNERS HAVEING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY ARE SAYING IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WIRING.
Apr 17, 2019
MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE AIR BAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED
Aug 31, 2018
AIR BAG LIGHT STAY ON CONSTANTLY, AND DON'T GO OFF. I WAS RIDING AND LIGHT POP ON AND STAY ON.
Dec 11, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE (LEFT SIDE) SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
Dec 05, 2016
+ 27 more complaints for this component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
27 complaints
RECENTLY THE ENGINE THROTTLE STARTED TO REV UP AND WANTING TO ACCELERATEWHEN I AM GOIN VERY VERY SLOW STUCK IN TRAFFIC OR JUST DEIVING UNDER 30 MPH. I WOULD HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKES VERY HARD AND THAT WOULDN'T WORK SO I WOULD HAVE TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND WAIT FOR THE THROTTLE TO CALM DOWN. I WENT TO MY MECHANICS AND THEY PUT THE COMPUTER MONITOR ON MY SANTA FE BUT NO CODES CAME UP SHOWING ANY PROBLEMS. THEY CHECKED THE THROTTLE CABLE AND IT WAS FINE. THEY TOLD ME THAT OTHER SANTA FE OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM.
Mar 07, 2016
THE VEHICLE TRIES TO SLOW DOWN OR ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS
Nov 09, 2015
PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE WHEN CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WENT UP ONTO A 6 INCH SIDEWALK BARRIER. DRIVERS FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE BUT CAR ACCELERATED ANYWAY . DRIVER PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TO KEEP FROM GOING FORWARD AND STOP. VERY VERY SCARY AND THANKFUL NO ONE WAS WALKING IN FRONT OF US. *TR
Mar 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO GREATER SPEEDS. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AS THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Nov 21, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT MOST TIMES THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT TWICE HAD MINOR ACCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND EACH TIME EITHER THERE WERE NO CODES OR THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Sep 26, 2012
+ 22 more complaints for this component
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
19 complaints
This was a recall for hundai santa fe vehicles from 2001-2006. For unknown reasons I was not aware of recall. It was for 15 years or 150 miles. It is a danger as my car leaks gas. I am at 135,000 miles. But my car is a 2004. I purchased the vehicle in the last 2 years. I believe the recall should extend till the repair is complete for the reasons as follows. 1. it can explode. 2. it is a polluter 3. Hyundai acknowledges it as faulty equipment. 4. Corporations must be resonsible or they are irresponsible. 5. Cars are expensive they must maintain as least minimum safety requirements.
Jun 10, 2021
BOUGHT AN USED 2004 SANTA FE IN AUGUST FROM A DEALER. TWO WEEKS AGO I STARTED NOTICING A STRONG SMELL OF GAS AROUND MY VEHICLE AND LAST WEEK I BEGAN SEEING A SMALL DISCOLORED AREA ON THE CEMENT IN THE GARAGE. MOM CHECKED MY VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE MY FUEL TANK IS LEAKING. THE DISCOLORATION OF THE CEMENT UNDER MY VEHICLE IS IN FACT LEAKING GAS. TANK IS CORRODED AND I WILL NEED A NEW TANK INSTALLED.
Oct 27, 2019
VEHICLE FUEL TANK IS ROTTED AND LEAKING FUEL. CALL HYUNDAI AND THEY SAY ITS COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 15 YEARS OR 150000 MILES. I AM OVER ON MILEAGE. THEY SAY NOT COVERED. WHAT DOES MILEAGE HAVE TO DO WITH CORROSION?
Oct 05, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE SEAM OF THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,900.
Nov 14, 2016
MY SANTA FE STAY OVER NITE, INSIDE MY GARAGE AND I NOTICE VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EVERY TIME I OPEN MY GARAGE AND AFTER I LOOK UNDER, I SPOT A DROP OF GASOLINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BETWEEN A PLASTIC COVER AND THE FUEL TANK, WHILE IS PARK OVER NITE, WHILE I AM DRIVING I AM AFRAID THAT SOMETHING HAPPEN, LIKE PEOPLE THROWING CIGARETTE BUT AND CUT MY CAR ON FLAME. AFTER I READ OTHER PEOPLE RECENT COMPLAINTS I DECIDE TO STOP USING MY SANTA FE, I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT FROM HYUNDAI TO CREATE A FUEL TANK THAT HOLDS WATER AND SALT BETWEEN THE TANK AND THE COVER. *TR
Oct 23, 2016
+ 14 more complaints for this component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
18 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. ..UPDATED 09-21-12*BF
Aug 21, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES BETWEEN 3 AND 12 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THE ABS LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,268.
Jun 30, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 3-15 MPH ON AN ICY ROAD SURFACE, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, FOLLOWED BY RESISTANCE AND CAUSED A BOUNCING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. SUDDENLY, A GRINDING NOISE OCCURRED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGING UNINTENDENTLY WHICH RESULTED TO AN INCREASE IN THE STOPPING DISTANCE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND PROGRESSED TO WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION UNDER ANY ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTI-LOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED THE FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 11/05/10. *LJ
Aug 12, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A 7-ELEVEN STORE. THE DRIVER AND CUSTOMERS WERE UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED COSMETIC DAMAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEIR ESTABLISHMENT SO THEY COULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,000.
Dec 22, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE BACKING UP AT 3 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED BACK END DAMAGE. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. SHE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. HYUNDAI STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RELEVANT RECALL FOR THAT FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE ). THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 26,603.
Dec 19, 2007
+ 13 more complaints for this component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
16 complaints
VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING IT WILL STALL AND THEN TAKE OFF. *TR
Aug 02, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT WOULD WAIT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE CAUSE BY THE EMISSION SYSTEM. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,500.
Mar 22, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE FORTH TIME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. DURING THE LAST FAILURE, THE MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD ON THE VEHICLE BURNED AND WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT KNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135000.
Nov 19, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Jul 14, 2010
I'VE OWNED 2 SANTA FE'S IN A ROW (2001 & 2004). BOTH HAD ENGINE FAILURES AROUND 60,000 MILES (BOTH ON FREEWAY). THE 2004 FAILED AT NIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ARIZONA DESERT- THESE BOTH PRESENTED ME WITH A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE. I END UP GETTING TOWED OVER 150 MILES TO HYUNDAI DEALER. SMALL BLOCK FAILED AND WAS REPLACED IN BOTH- HYUNDAI COVERED THE 2001 BUT ONLY COVERED 35% OF THE 2004 (86 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY). NEVER BUY HYUNDAI'S AGAIN!!! *TR
Sep 16, 2009
+ 11 more complaints for this component
POWER TRAIN
15 complaints
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that on six separate occasions, the vehicle had independently accelerated without warning. On one occasion, the vehicle had accelerated through a red light with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard. On a separate occasion, the vehicle accelerated through the contact's garage door upon entering the driveway. The air bags did not deploy and no injuries were reported. A police report was not filed; the garage door was replaced after the crash. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who could not determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000
Dec 06, 2023
WHEN YOU FIRST START THE CAR.THEN YOU PUT IT IN DRIVE .THE CAR JERKS A BIT BEFORE SMOOTHING OUT.
Mar 02, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE KNOCKED THE CONTACT DOWN AND ROLLED OVER HER KNEES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENGAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,300. ..UPDATED 09/03/15 *BF UPDATED 11/02/2017*CN
Jun 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, CHEST, AND BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Sep 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ERRONEOUSLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Sep 05, 2014
+ 10 more complaints for this component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
10 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Jun 10, 2014
GAS TANK LEAK NEAR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. CAUSE BELIEVED TO BE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE BOTTOM OF TANK WAS COVERED BY A POLY SHELL. THE SHELL TRAPPED MOISTURE AND SALT, ETC. BETWEEN BOTTOM OF METAL TANK AND POLY SHELL. THIS SET UP A CORROSION ENVIRONMENT AND RESULTED IN LEAK. NEW REPLACEMENT TANK FROM HYUNDAI DOES NOT HAVE THE POLY SHELL. NOTE: THE VEHICLE HAS NO RUST AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. *TR
May 31, 2014
NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS COMING FROM CAR. COULD SEE GAS LEAKING FROM UNDER CAR. THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER SAYS THE GAS TANK HAS CORRODED, AND MUST BE REPLACED. CONTACTED HYUNDAI USA AND WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY ON THE GAS TANK HAD EXPIRED, AND THAT I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY ASSISTANCE (TOUGH LUCK). *TR
May 14, 2014
CAME HOME FROM VACATION A FOUND THE CONTENTS OF MY FUEL TANK ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. LUCKY THERE WAS NO FIRE OR EXPLOSION. I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE GARAGE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE GAS TANK RUSTED THROUGH AND ALONG WITH THE PROTECTIVE PLATES, ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONTACTED HYUNDAI BUT THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL. *JB
Sep 18, 2013
I PURCHASED THE CAR USED ON AUG. 10, 2012. I WENT TO GAS STATION ON AUG. 12, 2012 TO FILL IT UP WITH GAS, AND HAD TROUBLE STARTING IT AFTERWARD. I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM EVERYTIME I HAVE PUT GAS IN IT SINCE, AND IT DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHICH GAS STATION I GO TO, I HAVE THE SAME TROUBLE. I EVEN TRIED TO LEAVE IT RUNNING ONE TIME AND IT ENDED UP DYING AND HAD TROUBLE RESTARTING. I HAVE TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND HOLD IT THERE TO START IT AND KEEP PUMPING THE GAS PEDAL AS I PULL AWAY FROM THE GAS PUMP AND FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER I PULL AWAY IT IS STILL TRYING TO DIE. I HAVE FILLED UP WITH GAS ABOUT 5 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND EVERY TIME I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ONLY TIME IT HAS A PROBLEM STARTING IS WHILE I AM SITTING AT THE GAS PUMP. ONCE I LEAVE THERE, IT STARTS FINE EVERYTIME UNTIL I STOP TO GET GAS AGAIN. I AM WRITING THIS ON SEPT. 24, 2012. *TR
Sep 24, 2012
+ 5 more complaints for this component
SERVICE BRAKES
8 complaints
The contact owned a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the son was driving approximately 25 MPH the braking system malfunctioned and when depressing the brake pedal the vehicle did not reduce speed or stop causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the rear driver-side passenger sustained a lacerated bottom lip and dental and oral injuries. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed and later deemed destroyed by the insurance company. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced for the same failure by the local mechanic. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Jun 01, 2023
driving in the rain hit brakes they locked up
Aug 25, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED AND NEARLY STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SEARCHED ONLINE FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR HIS VIN AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT CALL HIS LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (SCHIMMER FORD LINCOLN HYUNDAI OF PERU, 911 SHOOTING PARK RD, PERU, IL, 61354, 815-224-4500) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT UNLESS THE MANUFACTURER WAS GOING TO REIMBURSE THEIR SERVICES, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 179,000.
Aug 04, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE ABS AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Aug 12, 2016
IN SEPTEMBER 2015 I BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE WITH NO NOTICE. IT CAN BE PERFECTLY DRY OUTSIDE AND SUDDENLY THEY CONNECT AND START GRINDING. IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED, WITH NO WARNING, BUT ALMOST ALWAYS WHEN I'M SLOWING DOWN TO LESS THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR. I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI, BUT THEY CLAIM THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON THIS MODEL, THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS. IF THE ANTI LOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES SUDDENLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS (WHICH IT DOES) THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE.
Apr 13, 2016
+ 3 more complaints for this component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED TO CALL THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE SPO NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,389.
Jul 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Sep 29, 2014
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS AGAIN REPROGRAMMED. THE FOLLOWING DAY WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS BEING EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Jun 30, 2010
I HAVE DOCUMENTED 8 TIMES THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS FAILED IN MY CAR - TAKEN TO DEALER AND THEY KEEP SAYING DUE TO CORROSION ON WIRES BUT I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT EVERY 3-4 MTHS THAT HAPPENS - I DO NOT LIVE NEAR THE BEACH. THE CAR WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY END OF THIS YEAR AND I FEEL THE PROBLEM IS NOT BEING SOLVED. *TR
Apr 10, 2009
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED DOWN TO 0 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER PICKED BACK UP BETWEEN 2-5 MINUTES. THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM OCCURRED 2-3 TIMES A DAY.*AK UPDATED 10/17/2006 - THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *NM
Sep 25, 2006
+ 3 more complaints for this component
ENGINE
6 complaints
In transit, it began smoking and the engine light came on. After pulling to the side, flames erupted and it became fully engulfed, followed by a small explosion. The vehicle and it’s contents were a total loss.
Oct 09, 2023
I HAVE A 2004 HYUNDIA SANTA FE AND THE ENGINE STARTED WITH LOUD KNOCKING SOUNDS IN MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD IT TOLL TO AVONDALE EARNHARDT HYUNDIA'S DEALERSHIP. THE DIAGOSTIC WAS "FOUND ENGINE KNOCK CAN BE HEARD AT BOTTOM END OF ENGINE. FAILURE IN ROD BEARINGS IS CAUSING EXCESSIVE NOISE IN BOTTOM END. ENGINE REQUIRED" REPLACEMENT. THE CAR HAS 125,000 MILES WHICH EXCEEDS THE 100,000 POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. HOWEVER, MY ENGINE FAILURE IS THE SAME AS THE CURRENT "ENGINE FAILURE RECALLS (THETA II ENGINES) CAUSED BY MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. EXCEPT THE 2004 HYUNDIA SANTA FE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL LIST. I SPOKE AND SUBMITTED TWICE A COMPLIANT TO HYUNDIA CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT TO REPLACE MY ENGINE AND WAS DENIED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR SINCE NOVEMBER 20, 2020. TODAY, CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT NOTIFIED ME BY PHONE OF THE SECOND REJECTION. I AM AN ELDERLY WOMAN AND RETIRED, SO FINANCES ARE LIMITED. I FEEL THAT THE ENGINE SHOULD BE REPLACED BECAUSE THAT THE "FAIR THING TO DO". THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED SO EARLY IN ITS LIFE-CYCLE. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR REVIEW AND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. PERHAPS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE.
Dec 11, 2020
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE SURGING ISSUE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR 2 TO 4 TIMES PER MONTH. THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *JS
Apr 02, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Nov 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Jun 10, 2015
+ 1 more complaint for this component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5 complaints
THE VEHICLE KEEPS WON'T START AFTER PUMPING GAS. IT TAKES AWHILE, AND STALLS. EVEN STALLED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH TERRIFIES ME. I DON'T WANT TO BE OUT ON THE HIGHWAY POSSIBLY RISKING AN ACCIDENT. I WENT TO PEPBOYS AND SPENT $1800 ON TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, AND ITS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. IT HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE, AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN.
Apr 01, 2019
THE AIR CONDITIONER CUTS OFF ON LEVEL 4 WHILE DRIVING IF I CUT IT DOWN TO LEVEL 3 IT COMES BACK ON BUT WILL EVENTUALLY CUTS OFF COMPLETELY.. IS THERE A RECALL ON AC PARTS, BLOWER, CODES ETC?? THIS HAPPENS TOOO MUCH..ITS REALLY FRUSTRATING
Jul 30, 2015
NOISE COMES FROM FRONTED LIKE SOMETHING CRACKED.
Mar 22, 2013
STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK, THE SUV LURCHES FORWARD AND JERKS. I PLACED IT IN PARK WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. I WAS CONCERNED THAT I WOULD HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I DROVE 2 HOURS AND NOTICED CONTINUED MISFIRING AND JERKING WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS OK WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COOL, BUT FELT UNSTEADY WHEN UP TO TEMP. AFTER BEING PARKED IN GROCERY PARKING LOT, WHILE BACKING UP THE CAR STALLED, I RESTARTED AND DROVE HOME. TOOK IT TO MECHANICS NEXT DAY. AT THE HYUNDAI DEALER NOW. THEY COULD NOT GET ANY CODES AND THE ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT NEVER SHOWED. THE MECHANIC, SAID THAT HE WAS 90% SURE THAT REPLACING THE TIMING BELT/CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR/BALANCER SHAFT BELT/PICK UP PLATE WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM...THIS DIDN'T WORK AND THE DEALER ASKED TO KEEP IT A 5TH NIGHT. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM AS OF YET. I'M CONCERNED THAT MY CAR WILL NOT BE REPAIRED AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *JS
Jun 19, 2012
AT 84,360 MILES OUR SUV WASN'T SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR, WOULD GO FROM 1ST TO 3RD. A BIG KLUNK WOULD OCCUR AROUND 20 MPH. TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP (WITHNELL HYUNDAI, SALEM, OR) IN JUNE 08, AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER. HUSBAND ARGUED WITH SERVICE DEPT., SAYING HE WANTED A NEW TRANSMISSION, GUY SAID IF IT WENT BAD AGAIN THAT WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN, AND HE SAID IF IT WENT BAD, WOULD GO BAD BY 100000 MILES. TOOK SUV BACK IN 8-2010 WITH 99960 MILES, WAS SHIFTING HARD AGAIN, WAS TOLD IT WAS THE REAR MOTOR MOUNT, AND THEY REPLACED THAT. THEN AT 105000 MILES JAN. 2011, SHIFTING HARD AGAIN, TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP THEY AGAIN RESET THE COMPUTER..AT NO CHARGE TO US, AND TOLD US "TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING".
Jan 22, 2011
STEERING
5 complaints
MY STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING ONE DAY WHILE ON THE FREEWAY(IN MOTION). I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC, THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER IT STARTED TO MESS UP AGAIN. PLEASE HELP.
May 24, 2018
IT HAD JUST RAINED AND IN SOME PLACES ON THE CITY STREET THERE WAS STANDING WATER. THE WATER WAS PROBABLY BETWEEN 1 AND 2 INCHES DEEP AT THE MOST. AS I DROVE IN THE WATER NO MORE THAN 30MPH THE STEERING WITHOUT WARNING LOCKED UP. IT STAYED LOCKED UP FOR AROUND 10 SECONDS. THIS IS WHAT ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH AT THE INTERSECTION. I COULD NOT BUDGE THE STEERING WITH BOTH HANDS. THEN AFTER THE 10 SECONDS GIVE OR TAKE, THERE WAS A SMALL SQUEAL AND THE STEERING UNLOCKED. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IN ANY STANDING WATER. *TR
Jul 09, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD DEACTIVATE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF UPDATED 2/21/12 *CN
Jul 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN YET THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOLD RETURN LINE AND TRANSMISSION LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Aug 02, 2010
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC BETWEEN 10-15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT, WITHOUT BEING MOTIONED TO. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THIS RESULTED IN THE DRIVER'S SUSTAINING A STRESS LINE FRACTURE TO HIS LEFT WRIST. *JB
Jul 15, 2004
SEAT BELTS
5 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT IT WAS NOT CONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Mar 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT CLIP FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Jun 30, 2015
DRIVERS SEAT BELT STUCK IN BUCKLED POSITION. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR SEAT BELT. CAR IS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. *TR
Aug 22, 2007
SOMEONE TURNED LEFT AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT SIDE OF MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2004, AS I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT, GOING 45 MILES PER HOUR AS POSTED ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS PUSHED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. MY SEAT BELT BROKE. I HAD BRUISES ON MY ABDOMEN AND CHEST. I GOT NECK AND BACK INJURIES, WHICH I AM STILL DEALING WITH AFTER 3 MONTHS. I HAD DAMAGE TO MY OPTIC NERVE AND A TEAR IN THE DISC IN MY DECK, ACCORDING TO AN MRI AND A NEUROLOGIST. *NM
Mar 16, 2006
AUTOMATIC LOCKING MODE FOR REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. AS A RESULT, CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS NOT RESTRAINED PROPERLY. *AK
Jul 13, 2004
VISIBILITY
5 complaints
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR BROKEN - HANGS IN FRONT OF DRIVER. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A VERY, VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL HYUNDAI MODELS FROM 2000 - 2010. *TR
Dec 13, 2010
WE OWN A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTE FE AND HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SUN VISORS. THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR HAS BROKEN TWICE. IT NO LONGER HAS ENOUGH FRICTION TO HOLD IT UP AND HANGS DOWN IN THE DRIVERS LINE OF SITE. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD, 70,000 MILES, AND REPLACEMENT PART IS A $170. THE DRIVERS VISOR BLOCKING THE DRIVERS VIEW IS SAFETY ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE A COMMON PROBLEM AFTER IT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR VEHICLE TWICE. AVAILABILITY OF USED PARTS IS SCARCE DUE TO SO MANY PROBLEMS AND I HAVE FOUND OTHER REMARKS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS. THESE VISORS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY HYUNDAI. *TR
Feb 05, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER SHUT OFF. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 39,995.
Aug 08, 2007
A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK THE DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE EVEN THOUGH THE OBJECT DID NOT COME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE IMPACT LITERALLY BROKE THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD APART AND CAUSED SHARDS OF GLASS AS WELL AS PULVERIZED (POWDER CONSISTENCY) GLASS TO STRIKE THE CONSUMERS WIFE IN THE FACE AS WELL AS SPRAYING GLASS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB
Apr 28, 2005
CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE HEATER KNOB WAS LOOSE. WHILE TURNING HEAT ON HEATER IT DID NOT RESPOND. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE.*AK
Jan 08, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER CRASHING, SHE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN RPMS AND THE ENGINE ROARED EXTREMELY LOUDLY UNTIL SHE REMOVED THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE POLICE APPEARED ON THE SCENE BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,600.
Oct 27, 2010
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT HYUNDAI HAS NOT COME UP WITH A REASON WHY THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. CONSUMER BARELY MISSED AN ACCIDENT BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SLIDING TO A STOP. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE ABS, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE DEALER SUGGESTED ALL TYPES OF SCENARIO'S FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED THERE MAY BE A DEFECT IN THE ABS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND SLOWING THE VEHICLE NORMALLY WHEN THEY SUDDENLY DISENGAGED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS MANUALLY DISENGAGED BY PRESSING THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF BUTTON AFTER PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES FAILED TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM.
Feb 11, 2008
THE 1ST -DEC. 23 2004. MY HUSBAND AND I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. MY HUSBAND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. AFTER GETTING OUT AND INSPECTING FOR PROBLEMS WE GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO PROCEED FORWARD AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. WE CALLED THE TOW TRUCK. BY THE TIME CAR GOT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WHEN THEY DID THEIR INSPECTION, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. WE WENT A WEEK LATER AND PICK THE CAR UP AND DROVE AWAY. WITHIN 2 WEEKS, A SIMILAR PROBLEM AROSE, BUT THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE; THEREFORE WE DID NOT TAKE IT IN, BUT DID CALL TO INFORM THE DEALERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM. IN FEBRUARY 2006, THE PROBLEM CAME AGAIN AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. INITIALLY THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOUND, BUT I REQUESTED THEY CHECK THE BRAKES AND IT WAS A FAULTY MASTER CYLINDER. THIS WAS REPLACED. WITHIN 2 MONTHS, WE WERE PULLING FROM THE DRIVEWAY AND IT APPEARED MY HUSBAND HAD MISTAKENLY PUT HIS FOOT ON THE GAS, HOWEVER WE WERE SURE IT WAS THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. WE CALLED AND REPORTED AND THEY SAID WE COULD BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE., HOWEVER THEY RELY ON THE COMPUTER TO INDICATE THE PROBLEM. NO PROBLEM EXISTED BASED ON THE COMPUTER. AS RECENT AS SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2006, MY SON AND I WAS DRIVING AND I WAS PULLING BEHIND A LINE OF CARS THAT WERE STOPPING AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE ENGINE REVVED AS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR DID NOT STOP UNTIL I QUICKLY PUT IT IN PARK. WE TOOK THE CAR IN TODAY, MONDAY, APRIL 10 AND AGAIN, NO PROBLEM BEING FOUND. I CALLED THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE, WHO IS INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT. MY CONCERN IS THAT WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT SINCE WE NOW RELY SOLELY ON COMPUTER TO LOCATE PROBLEMS WE MAY NEVER GET THE PROBLEM SOLVED. I HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE AN ACCIDENT TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. *NM
Apr 10, 2006
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES INSIDE OF THE PARKING GARAGE THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER SKIDDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK THE DRIVEWAY WAS ON AN UPHILL INCLINE AND WAS COVERED IN SNOW. THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD INSTEAD OF STOPPING. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE ABS. *JB
Mar 23, 2005
VISIBILITY/WIPER
3 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE SUNROOF DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
Mar 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW SHATTERED INTO PIECES WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GLASS REPAIR CENTER WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,248. UPDATED 09/06/16*LJ *TR
Jul 12, 2016
THE LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) QUARTER PANEL GLASS (NON OPENING) DROPPED OUT OF THE CAR WHILE IT WAS SITTING STATIONARY IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE GLASS DID NOT BREAK WHEN IT DROPPED OUT, IT SIMPLE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE SEALANT AND CAR BODY. THIS QUARTER OF THE AUTO HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT (HIT WHILE PARKED IN A HOSPITAL PARKING LOT.) APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO. REPAIR AT THAT TIME CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE LEFT REAR LIGHT BOX AND SOME MINOR BODYWORK PRIOR TO PAINTING. THERE HAS BEEN NO INDICATION OF AN ISSUE WITH THE WINDOW PRIOR TO IT'S FALLING OUT. *TR
Oct 05, 2012
STRUCTURE
3 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE ISLAND HYUNDAI DEALER TO BE REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000.
Aug 01, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STRIKER PLATE THAT CONNECTS TO THE TAPING PLATE WAS NOT PROPERLY WELDED ONTO THE DOOR FRAME; AS A RESULT, THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT REMAIN CLOSED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SINCE HER VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THAT SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,289. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,580.
Jun 30, 2011
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) PASSENGER WENT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND GOT THEIR HAND CUT BY A SHARP EDGE ON THE DOOR HANDLE. IT APPEARS THAT THE CHROME-PLATING HAS TURNED INTO A SHARP EDGE, SIMILAR TO A RAZOR-BLADE (IDENTICAL TO WHAT OCCURRED IN NHTSA ACTION # PE08071 ON THE HYUNDAI SONATA). I HAVE TEMPORARILY TAPED THE SHARP AREA, SINCE BOTH THE DEALER AND HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DANGER OF THIS PROBLEM, AND REFUSE TO REPLACE THE HANDLE AT NO CHARGE. THEY TELL ME THAT SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL AND THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WILL NOT CHANGE THE DEFECTIVE (UNSAFE) HANDLE EVEN THOUGH MY OTHER THREE HANDLES ARE PERFECTLY FINE. HYUNDAI COMPLAINT FILED (TWICE), LATEST DATE WAS 3/10/2010 CASE #[XXX]. *TR
Mar 10, 2010
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
3 complaints
RECEIVED LETTER FROM HYUNDAI THAT THE COMPANY WAS "PREPARING A REMEDY" FOR POSSIBLE RUSTING SPRINGS ON MY SANTA FE. I WAITED ABOUT A MONTH FOR SECOND LETTER AS TO WHERE AND WHEN TO GET SPRINGS INSPECTED. CALLED HYUNDAI 1-855-671-3059 GOT RUN AROUND NO ASSISTANCE. I CAN GET CAR INSPECTED MYSELF AND PAY FOR SPRINGS MYSELF. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Oct 14, 2014
I WAS IN TN WHEN I HEARD A SLIGHT "THUNK" AND THEN A CONTINUOUS RATTLE UNDER THE VEHICLE. I ASSUMED A BROKEN EXHAUST BRACKET AND LEFT TN ON 8/17/2014 TO RETURN TO MY HOME IN SAINT LOUIS MO. I TRAVELED I55 IN SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 75 MPH AND LISTENED TO THE RATTLE FOR ABOUT 100 MILES. AND THEN THE RATTLE STOPPED AND I ASSUMED THAT THE BROKEN BRACKET HAD FINALLY COME LOOSE AND IS NOW LOCATED SOMEWHERE ON I55. I TOOK MY CAR TO FIRESTONE AND WAS STUNNED TO LEARN THAT MY RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING WAS MISSING AND MY RIGHT FRONT STRUT WAS BROKEN. AN INSPECTION OF THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING ALSO INDICATED SIGNIFICANT CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR SAFETY. HYUNDAI HAS RECALLED 419,000 VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE IN DC AND 20 OTHER STATES SPECIFICALLY STATING EXCESSIVE CORROSION AS A RESULT OF ROAD SALT--THIS LIST EXCLUDED THE STATE OF MO WHICH HAPPENS TO ALSO USE ROAD SALT. MY HYUNDAI HAS BEEN IN MO FOR 12 YEARS. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING AND EXPAND ITS RECALL TO ALL STATES THAT USE SALT AND PERHAPS TO COASTAL STATES THAT HAVE OCEAN SALT. *TR
Aug 29, 2014
ONE MONTH AGO,WITH 40,600 MILES ON MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED MY TIRE WHICH THE HYUNDAI DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THREE WEEKS LATER THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED THAT TIRE ALSO. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE EXPRESS WAY, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE HERE TO TELL ABOUT IT. IN THE PAST FIFTY YEARS I HAVE OWNED 15 CARS AND NEVER HAD A FRONT SPRING BREAK DOWN MUCH LESS TWO IN THREE WEEKS. EVEN THOUGH THE HYUNDAI DEALER,PATRICK OF SCHAUMBURG, REPLACED THESE SPRINGS UNDER WARRANTY, I STILL INCURRED A $200.00 CAR RENTAL BILL. HYUNDAI DOESN'T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE IS OF THESE SPRING FAILURES AT ONLY 40,600 MILES. ANY HELP AS TO THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
Apr 30, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
3 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES WERE DESIGNED AS CHROME OVER PLASTIC AND THE CHROME FRACTURED.. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSING THE EDGES TO BE EXPOSED, WHICH WERE EXTREMELY SHARP. WHEN THE CONTACT'S ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SHE CUT HER HAND WHEN SHE GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR HANDLES WERE DESIGNED AS CHROME OVER A NON-METALLIC SUBSTRATE. OVER TIME, THE CHROME CRACKED AND CURLED UP, THUS FORMING RAZOR SHARP EDGES WHICH COULD NOT BE OBSERVED WHEN THE HANDLE WAS IN ITS NORMAL POSITION. UPDATED 05.11.11
Mar 04, 2011
THE CHROME PLATE ON THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS WORN DOWN AND CRACKED. EVERYTIME THE DOOR HANDLE IS USED THAT CRACK SERVES AS A RAZOR BLADE AND CUTS MY PASSENGER'S HANDS. THIS CRACK IS ON THE TOP OF THE DOOR HANDLE. AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE RECALL OF THE 2002-2003 SONATAS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS RECALL MAY NEED TO BE EXPANDED TO OTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLES THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
May 28, 2009
MAINLY THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR AND ONCE IN AWHILE THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR WILL LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AND THE REST OF THE OTHER DOORS REMAIN UNLOCKED. I CAN NOT GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED UNLESS I USE THE ELECTRONIC KEY. HOWEVER, I HAVE TO FIRST LOCK ALL THE DOORS AND UNLOCK THEM FOR THIS TO UNLOCK. THE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK EVERYTIME, BUT IT HAPPENS ENOUGH THAT I AM VERY WORRIED. LUCKILY, THERE HAS ONLY BEEN A FEW "EMERGENCY" SITUATIONS THAT I HAD TO QUICKLY GET TO MY SON AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET THERE BECAUSE THE DOOR LOCKED. HE THREW UP ONE TIME AND STARTED CHOKING, I HAD TO GO THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND HOP THE SEAT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS FAST ENOUGH AND HE WAS OK. IF I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY SON TO SAFETY BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET THE DOOR OPENED. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AT TIMES IN THE CAR AND A HANDY CAPPED FATHER WHO HAS TO SIT ON THAT SIDE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ON THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD AND FAMILY MEMBERS. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER SHIP I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM SINCE DAY ONE, ON UNCOUNTABLE AMOUNT OF TIMES AND I KEPT GETTING TOLD, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THIS. I HAD KNOW IDEA WHAT TO DO AS NOBODY WAS HELPFUL. I WANTED TO BUY A NEW CAR, BUT I CAN NOT AFFORD IT. MY SON GOT THE "CARS" MOVIE FOR CHRISTMAS AND WITHIN IT WAS THIS "BROCHURE" AND I FOUND THIS SITE. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Jan 25, 2008
TIRES
3 complaints
MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAD A SLOW LEAK WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND I ALWAYS CARRIED A CAN OF FIX A FLAT.I THEN PROCEEDED TP A TIRE PLACE TO REPAIR THE TIRE BUT WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE I USED THE FIX A FLAT THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I HAVE WRITTEN TO FIX A FLAT TO EITHER CONFIRM OR DENY THIS STATEMENT BY THE TIRE COMPANY, BUT SO FAR I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY ANYONE FROM FIX A FLAT. CAN YOU PLEASE CONFIRM OR DENY THIS STATEMENT? THE TIRE PLACE TOLD ME THAT THE DOT HAS PUBLISHED A RULING TO THIS EFFECT, BUT I LOOKED ALL OVER AND CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ON IT. *TR
May 29, 2009
CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE TIRE THAT FAILED WAS A BRIDGESTONE DUELLER P225/70 R16 THAT WAS AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SPARE ON A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE SUV WAS PURCHASED NEW IN MARCH 2005, IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE SPARE WAS PLACED ON THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR IN DEC. 2005 AND HAS APPROX. 5000 MILES ON IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON I-95 IN SOUTH CAROLINA. IT WAS DAYTIME AND VISIBILITY WAS EXCELLENT. NO ROAD HAZARDS WERE OBSERVED AT ANY TIME. THE CAR HAD RECENTLY BEEN SERVICED AND ALL TIRES WERE FULLY INFLATED. THE CAR SHOWED NO SIGNS OF POOR OR ERRATIC HANDLING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND WITH AN IMMEDIATE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TIRE. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL WITH SOME DIFFICULTY. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH. THE TIRE WAS EXAMINED BY GARAGE PERSONNEL IN SC AND IN TALLAHASSEE, FL. IN BOTH CASES, NO SIGN OF ROAD HAZARD DAMAGE COULD BE FOUND. FURTHER, THERE WAS GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT THE TIRE HAD APPARENTLY FAILED DUE TO A SIDEWALL FLAW WHERE IT MET THE TREAD. I HAVE RETAINED THE DAMAGED TIRE FOR YOUR EXAMINATION. YOU SHOULD NOTE THAT IN 2004, BRIDGESTONE RECALLED A DIFFERENT SIZE OF THIS TIRE THAT WAS BEING USED AS A SPARE FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM. I SUSPECT THAT THERE IS A LARGER PROBLEM THAT BRIDGESTONE IS COVERING UP DUE TO FIRESTONE'S WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS. *JB
Jun 20, 2006
TIRE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT PART REPLACED
Jul 27, 2005
SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN ALIGNMENT, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE RUSTED, FRACTURED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO CAUTIOUSLY APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL AND, AT TIMES, DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH FORCE TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION) AND 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED THREE TSBS FOR THE BRAKES AND THREE TSBS FOR THE SUSPENSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT*JB
Nov 28, 2018
WELL MY VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THE ABS ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER 04 SANTA FES AS WELL AS THE CORROSION FROM ROAD SALT TO THE COIL SPRINGS. THEY ARE CORRODED AND HAVE COMPLETELY SNAPPED. MY CAR IS WITHIN THE YEARS AND MODEL FOR THOSE RECALLS BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL,BUT I MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THOSE EXACT ISSUES ADDRESSED IN THE RECALL
Oct 20, 2018
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
2 complaints
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2.7 LITER ENGINE, HIGH IDLES AT 3,000 RPM ON START UP AND NEVER GOES DOWN EVEN WHEN ENGINE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT EVEN ACTING RIGHT SINCE THIS PROBLEM STARTED, THIS IS A HAZARD AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR SHOWS NO ENGINE CODES, OR TRANSMISSION CODES, IT HAS HAD LOWER INTAKE, UPPER INTAKE GASKETS CHANGED, IAC MOTOR CHANGED, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR CHANGED, TEMPERATURE SENSOR CHANGED, CLEANED THROTTLE BODY BORE WHERE THROTTLE PLATE CLOSES, CHANGED VACUUM HOSES, MADE SURE THROTTLE CABLE AND CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WERE BINDING OR HOLDING THROTTLE OPEN, AND NONE OFF THESE THINGS HAVE HELPED. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM, MANY ACCIDENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND HAVE READ A FORUM THAT SAID HYUNDAI DOES NOT HAVE A FAIL SAFE MODE BUILT INTO THERE COMPUTERS LIKE MOST CARS DO SO THIS KIND OF SITUATION DOES NOT OCCUR. VEHICLE STILL NOT FIXED, AND HYUNDAI NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THERE ARE ANY FATALITIES FROM NEGLECT OF A KNOWN PROBLEM.
May 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO KEEP HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO AVOID CRASHING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.*JS
Dec 28, 2015
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
2 complaints
CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, LOSING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR BRAKING DOWN A WINDY CANYON ROAD. PROBLEM INCLUDES INTERMITTENT JERKING, JUMPING, HICCUPPING - WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. FIRST MONTH, AFTER BRAND-NEW NY DEALERSHIP PURCHASE, I REPLACED MY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR 3 TIMES. TROUBLE WITH MY CURRENT PROBLEM BEGAN AT 4 YEARS, WELL UNDER 30,000 MILES. FOR A YEAR I HAD TO FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME I DROVE, NEVER KNOWING IF THIS TRIP WOULD KILL ME OR OTHER MOTORISTS. WHY DID I HAVE TO DRIVE IT? BECAUSE THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS IN LOS ANGELES COULDN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM IF THEY COULDN'T CAUSE IT TO HAPPEN AND THERE IS NO ERROR CODE WHEN TESTED. A YEAR OF FEAR. JUST THE HESITATION JERKING IS SCARY ENOUGH WHILE DRIVING, BUT WHEN IT ACTUALLY SHUTS DOWN? WHEN YOUR RPM INDICATOR DROPS FROM 2,000 TO 0 AND YOU'RE FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIFE TURNING THE STUCK STEERING WHEEL AND PULLING UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HOPING YOU DON'T CAREEN OFF A WINDING CLIFF OR COAST HEAD ON INTO UNSUSPECTING TRAFFIC OR CLICKING YOUR HAZARDS ON AND PRAYING NO ONE HITS YOU ON AN OILY RAIN SLICK PAVEMENT AT NIGHT ON THE 101 FREEWAY - THAT IS WHEN IT REALLY MAKES YOUR HEART JUMP OUT OF YOUR CHEST. AFTER 11 MONTHS OF SHUTTING OFF, IT GOT SO BAD IT WOULDN'T TURN ON AGAIN AND FINALLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. IN THE PROCESS OF FIXING, THEY MADE A LEAK IN MY POWER STEERING HOSE AND DAMAGED MY PUMP. BECAUSE IT WAS DAYS AFTER MY WARRANTY, THE VAN NUYS DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME FOR THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AND OTHER DAMAGE! 33,000 MILES ON MY CAR. WELL, THAT WAS NOVEMBER 2009. IT'S NOW 2015 (70,540 MILES) AND ONCE AGAIN, I'M OKAYED TO DRIVE MY UNSAFE CAR. THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE VEHICLES PUT DRIVERS AT AN UNREASONABLE RISK OF ACCIDENT AND SINCE THERE IS NO ERROR CODE, HYUNDAI WILL DO NOTHING.
Jul 02, 2015
THIS VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROX. 1/2 MILE FROM HOME WHEN POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. IT WAS PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. IMMEDIATELY FLAMES SHOT UP THE WINDSHIELD. THE ENTIRE INTERIOR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AS WELL 3/4 OF THE EXTERIOR. *TR
Jan 27, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
2 complaints
THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS TUES. OCT. 21 BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. IT STALLED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY ROAD. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN. IT DID START BUT DID NOT FEEL LIKE IT WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN. HOWEVER, IT DID. THE SECOND TIME WAS YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A FOUR LANE ROAD AT 40 MILES AN HOUR AND IT JUST STOPPED RUNNING. I WAS SO THANKFUL IT WAS LATER IN THE EVENING AND TRAFFIC WAS VERY MINIMAL. I PUT IT IN PARK AND IT DID START BUT AGAIN DID NOT FEEL LIKE IT WOULD CONTINUE. IT FELT LIKE IT WOULD STALL AGAIN BUT DID NOT, 2 MORE TIMES BEFORE I GOT HOME. I CALLED THIS MORNING TO GET IT RIGHT IN AND NEVER HEARD BACK. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC ON MOST OF THESE ROADS. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE I WAS TAKEN SERIOUSLY EVEN THOUGH I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPT. BUT HAVE MANAGED TO MISPLACE IT. I DO NOT REMEMBER WHAT THE RECALL WAS FOR. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED A PANEL LIGHT DID COME ON. IT WAS THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT. I AM WORRIED ABOUT AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE DEATH WITH THIS HAPPENING TO THE CAR. *TR
Oct 27, 2014
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE SHUTS DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND WITHOUT WARNING. WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET IT AS IT WAS STILL ROLLING. NO INDICATIONS CAME ON AS TO WHAT THE ISSUE MAY POINT TO. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND WAITED FOR A TOW TO MY HOME WHICH I TOTAL TOOK ABOUT 45 MINUTES. ONCE AT HOME THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS MY VEHICLE WAS AT MY MECHANICS AND HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I WENT AHEAD AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION. FLUSHED AS HIM AND I HAD DISCUSSED AS ONE OF THE LAST THINGS TO GET SERVICED BEFORE WINTER. LATER THAT DAY I DROVE A LONGER DISTANCE WITH TOP SPEED ABOUT 65 MPH WITH NO ISSUES. JUST AS I WAS RETURNING HOME THE CAR SHUTDOWN AS I WAS CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION. LUCKILY, AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE ROLLING VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I ATTEMPTED TO START A FEW TIMES BUT AFTER A NOT SO PLEASANT SOUND LEFT IT OFF. AFTER BEING COMPLETELY OFF FOR 30 TO 45 MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AGAIN. THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE STAYED ON. MY SEARCH ON THE ISSUE POINTS TO A CRANKSHAFT PROTECTION SENSOR, BUT THIS IS NOT A CLEAR SOLUTION AND A COSTLY THING TO FIX IF THIS DOES NOT RESOLVE. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE ISSUE WITH NO DEFINITIVE RESOLUTION FOR HYUNDAI OWNERS EVEN BY HYUNDAI TECHNICIANS AS THEY TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SCARY THING TO HAVE HAPPEN AND SOME OF THE VEHICLE JERKS ARE RATHER HARD AND VIOLENT. BEFORE THESE SHUTDOWNS BECOME DEADLY PLEASE ADDRESS. MY LAST EXPERIENCE WAS 10/18 MY VEHICLE IS AT MY MECHANIC TODAY. *TR
Oct 22, 2013
SUSPENSION,WHEELS
2 complaints
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN EXTENSIVELY YEAR ROUND, INCLUDING SNOWY NORTHEAST OHIO WINTERS. ON A SOMEWHAT COLD DAY IN MARCH 2014, MY 2004 SANTA FE SAT OUTSIDE ON A SURFACE LOT FOR APPROXIMATELY 14 HOURS. AS I PULLED MY CAR OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, THE CAR LURCHED TO THE FRONT RIGHT AND CAME TO A HALT. I HAD PULLED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET, HAD TURNED THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT, AND JUST BEGAN TO HIT THE GAS TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. IT WAS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE HAD BLOWN VIOLENTLY. NO ACCIDENTS OCCURED WITH OTHER VEHICLES AND NO INJURIES OCCURED; HOWEVER, SHOULD SOMEONE HAVE BEEN STANDING NEAR THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE, SOMEONE MAY HAVE BEEN HURT. WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE THE TIRE, IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT THE SPRING HAD BROKEN AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TOWED ON A FLATBED AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. I STILL OWN THE VEHICLE, AND I AM NOW AWARE THAT THIS PART HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE SPRING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE AS IT IS CURRENTLY AN ORIGINAL PART. *TR
Oct 20, 2014
RECEIVED A NOTICE OF RECALL FOR FRONT COIL SPRING ISSUE IN MAIL, MY FRONT COIL SPRIG IS CURRENTLY BROKEN. CALLED DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND TOLD THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT OR A REMEDY FOR ME TO HAVE A DRIVABLE CAR UNTIL IT CAN BE FIXED. NO TIME FRAME CAN BE GIVEN WHEN THEY CAN FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
Sep 22, 2014
SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2 complaints
THE DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AT 40,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STREET AND THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION TYPE SOUND, MY VEHICLE ACTUALLY FELT LIKE IT JUMPED, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE ENGINE DIED. I WRESTLED WITH THE WHEEL TO GET THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT I WAS STILL IN THE ROAD. THERE WAS A WOMAN IN FRONT OF ME GETTING OUT OF HER CAR WITH A TODDLER AND I CAME CLOSE TO HITTING THEM AS I TRIED TO CONTROL MY TRUCK. I'M SO GLAD I WASN'T GOING FASTER THAN 10-15 MPH. THE REPAIR AGENT SAID HE'D NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN AT LESS THAN 100K+ MILES, AND IT TOOK OUT THE BRAKE LINE AND FUEL LINE ON THAT SIDE AS WELL. TOTAL COST WILL BE $1500. AS THE TIMING BELT ALSO NEEDS CHANGING. NOT HAPPY. I SEE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SITUATION (COIL SPRING GOING ON HYUNDAI SANTA FE AT LOW MILEAGE), BUT I DON'T SEE ANY KIND OF REPARATION OFFERED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY RECALL. THERE SHOULD BE - THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I'M NOT LIKELY TO BUY A HYUNDAI AGAIN. *TRW
Apr 03, 2011
I TRIED TO START MY 2004 SANTA FE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER (IT CRANKED FINE SO WE KNEW IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY). WHILE IT WAS BEING DRAGGED ONTO THE TOW TRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE DEFLATED. THE WHEEL DID NOT TURN WHILE BEING DRAGGED UP THE TRUCK RAMP. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE FRONT SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND TRIGGERED A KILL SWITCH TO THE FUEL LINE WHICH PREVENTED THE CAR FROM STARTING. I NEVER HEARD ANY AWFUL SOUNDS WHILE DRIVING SO THE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING MUST HAVE SNAPPED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE SPRING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AS DOES THE TIRE. *TR
Feb 08, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
2 complaints
EVERYTIME I REFUEL MY 04 HYUNDAI SANTE IT WILL NOT START. IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL STAY RUNNING AND I NEED TO CONSTANTLY GIVE IT GAS. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING OR NOT, IF ITS RUNNING IT SHUTS DOWN. ALSO TRIED USING DIFFERENT GAS BUT SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE STATED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE EXACT SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD RECALL IT TO FIX IT. *TR
Feb 09, 2010
EVERYTIME I REFUEL MY 04 HYUNDAI SANTE FE IT WILL NOT START. IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL STAY RUNNING AND I NEED TO CONSTANTLY GIVE IT GAS. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I PUT IN 2 GALLONS OR I FILL THE TANK. AT LEAST ONE TIME WHEN I WENT TO SHUT IT OFF IT KEPT RUNNING. I HAVE GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE STATED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE EXACT SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR. *TR
Apr 07, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
2 complaints
USUALLY WHEN THERE ARE RAINY CONDITONS WHEN I AM ATTEMPTING TO INITITATE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BRAKING, THE BRAKES WILL SOUND VERY LOUDLY AND EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. IN A FEW INSTANCES I ALMOST HIT OTHER CARS AND THE CURB BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP.
Jun 27, 2005
WAS PULLING INTO PARKING LOT OF SHOPPING MALL, AS I PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE I APPLIED THE ABS BRAKES AND THEY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING MY VEHICLE. I THEN TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND APPLIED IT AGAIN, WITH THE SAME RESULTS. BEFORE I COULD USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE I STRUCK THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME.*AK
Aug 25, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
1 complaint
LAST NIGHT MY MOTHERS 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE CAUGHT FIRE THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR HOURS, THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE CAR IT WAS COMPLETELY OFF. IT MADE ABSOLUTELY NO SINCE UNTILL I DONE SOME RESEARCH AND SEEN THE LAWSUIT FOR THIS SAME THING AND I WONDERED WHY THIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. I ALSO SEEN MULTIPLE PEOPLE WONDERING THE SAME THING ABOUT THEIR 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. MY FATHER WAS THE ONLY ONE IAT THE HOUSE AND IN THE HOUSE HE COULD HAVE LOST HIS LIFE AND EVERYTHING THEY OWN THE ONLY WAY HE KNEW IT WAS ON FIRE WAS A NEIGHBOR SAW AND STARTED SCREAMING AND STARTED BACKING UP TO THE VEHICLE TO PULL IT AWAY FROM THE HOUSE A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE BUT WHAT IS SHE SUPPOSED TO DO FOR A VEHICLE? WHEN NO ONE EVEN STARTED THE FIRE.
Jan 10, 2021
AIR BAGS,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP ON THIS VEHICLE 15 YEARS OLD BRAKES ALSO NOT LIKE USE TO BE I AM OWN THIS SUV LAST 15 YEARS I NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT I AM WORRY NEED TO BE FIXED FOE MY SAFETY [XXX] OWNER, C [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Aug 24, 2019
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,WHEELS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITHOUT TITLE OR DISCLOSURE DEALERSHIP TOOK MONEY REFUSE TO HEAR COMPLAINTS. CONTACT ME AS I AM HANDICAPPED AND HAVE NO TITTLE TRYING TO RETURN VEHICLE IT VEERED TOWARD DITCH AS THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND DANGEROUS PER DMV
May 20, 2019
SUSPENSION,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
ABS TCS TRACKING SYSTEM TURNS OUT WHILE DRIVING
Feb 10, 2019
SUSPENSION,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING AND THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (COLUMBIA HYUNDAI, 10981 MONTGOMERY RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45249, (513) 489-2000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL SPRING AND FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 15 YEARS OLD AND EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE TO BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000.
Apr 12, 2018
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
1 complaint
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET IN PLANO, TEXAS. A TRUCK PULLED OUT TO GET INTO THE MIDDLE LANE AND WAS CAUGHT OFF AND FORCED TO PULL INTO MY LANE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. MY BRAKES LOCKED UP AFTER TRYING TO STOP, WHICH ISN'T A PROBLEM BECAUSE I KNOW IT IS NORMAL. WHAT OCCURRED WAS THAT AS I STRUCK THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME, MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND MY SEAT BELT HAD FAILED TO LOCK. WHICH CAUSED ME TO COLLIDE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SPEED I STRUCK THE TRUCK, WHICH WAS GOING ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN WE COLLIDED, WAS ABOUT 45 MPH.
Mar 29, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS
1 complaint
AIR BAG LIGHT ON NOISE WHEN I START CAR
Jan 08, 2018
AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
I WAS IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT BACK IN DECEMBER 7, 2005 WITH MY 2004 HYUNDIA SANTE FE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND SCRAPPED THUS I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN NUMBER HANDY. I DO STILL HAVE THE PAPERWORK FROM THE HOSPITAL AND THE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON MY USUAL ROUTE ON EASTON AVENUE. I'M TOLD (REPORTS FROM WITNESSESS) A YOUNG GIRL CAME OUT OF A SIDE STREET AND HIT ME IN THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHICH IN TURN SPUN MY CAR INTO 2 OTHER VEHICHLES ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS TRAVELLING DOWN. AS STATED EARLIER I HAVE LITTLE RECALL SINCE THE IMPACT KNOCKED ME UNCONSCIOUS. I SUFFERED A BROKEN NOSE (SCAR STILL THERE) AND TORN LEFT SHOULDER- WHICH STILL BOTHER ME DAILY. I WAS HIT BLINDSIDE AND SPIN INTO 2 OTHER VEHICLES- KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS. I STILL SUFFER NIGHTMARES RESULTING FROM THIS ACCIDENT AND AM CURRENTLY SEEING A COUNSELOR SPECILIZING IN TRAUMA AND PTSD.
Nov 15, 2017
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
BROUGHT VEHICLE IN TO SHOP FOR FRONT END NOISE. FOUND NEEDED FRONT BRAKES, PADS, ROTOR, CALIPER. REPAIRED THE ITEMS.THE SHOP ALSO NOTICED AND STATED "HAS A FUEL LEAK AT THE TANK (SHOULD BE A RECALL"). I DON'T FIND ANY RECALL HERE. ANY SUGGESTIONS? I'M NOT MAKING A COMPLAINT, JUST NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A RECALL. THANK YOU. *TR
Feb 01, 2017
SEAT BELTS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
CATALYST CONVERTER CALIFORNIA
Jan 28, 2017
SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
IT DON'T WORK RITE WHEN I LET THE CAR WARM UP AND THEN PUT MY FEET ON THE BRAKES IT SOUND LIKE IT DON'T WANTED TO GIVE GAS I SMELL GAS BUT I DON'T SEE ANY ON THE GROUND THE END TAKE IS ALL MESS UP THE AIR BAGS DO NOT GO OFF IT STAY ON AND I KEEP EVERYTHING UP TO THE CAR JUST DON'T ACT RITE
Dec 13, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS OVER A YEAR AGO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN I5 GOING 70 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED. I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE NEXT EXIT. IT STARTED AFTER SITTING A FEW MINUTES. AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. I'VE RECEIVED CODES FOR CAMSHAFT SENSOR, MISFIRES, LOW CATALYST. I'VE CHANGED THE CAM AND CRANK SENSORS, COILS, SPARK PLUGS, TIMING BELT AND ASSEMBLY, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND FUEL PUMP OVER THE PAST YEAR. STILL HAVING THE ISSUE. CAR DRIVES FANTASTIC FOR ABOUT 10 MILES AND STALLS OUT. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 5 MIN. IT CAN BE DRIVEN FOR ANOTHER FEW MILES BEFORE STALLING OUT AGAIN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN IT STALLS NOW. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE IN TOWN OR ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL STALL OUT.
Feb 12, 2016
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,WHEELS
1 complaint
PLEASE I NEED SOMEONES HELP ME CALL ME [XXX] I HAVE DC IN MY BAKE INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Feb 02, 2016
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES SEIZED AS THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SLIGHTLY GO OVER A CURB HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO APPLY FORCE AND PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE AND PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,516.
Dec 18, 2015
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
WHEN I PUT GAS IN MY CAR IT WILL NOT START AFTERWARD. FIRST IT STARTED ONLY WHEN MY CAR WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN I LEFT MY CAR RUNNING IT WAS OK. NOW IT TURNS OFF WHEN MY CAR IS RUNNING ALSO. THE MECHANIC SAID, IT MAY BE A BAD FUEL PUMP, COST $350 TO REPLACE, BUT CAN'T GUARANTEE THIS WILL FIX THE ISSUE. I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL?? I GOOGLE IT AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM. ALSO WITH THE CAR ACCELERATING BY ITSELF. I THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY. I SEE NOW THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. EVERYONE SAID I IMAGINED IT. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL?
Nov 28, 2015
SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP FLASHED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Jun 01, 2015
SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1 complaint
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER REQUESTS REMAINING REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD
Apr 08, 2015
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
1 complaint
AS I APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT AND MY CAR BEGAN TO SLOW, IT DIDN'T SHIFT ALL THE WAY INTO FIRST GEAR. WHILE STOPPED AT THE LIGHT, IT REMAINED AT A HIGH RPM WHILE THE BRAKE WAS PRESSED. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED, MY CAR "KICKED" DOWN INTO FIRST AND IMMEDIATELY BACK IN TO SECOND. A FEW DAYS LATER WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, MY CAR DIED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, IT STARTED BACK UP. AFTER BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER (IT HAD DIED ON MY THREE TIMES AT THIS POINT) TO HAVE IT SERVICED, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY WERE ABLE TO "FEEL" THE SHIFTING ISSUES WHEN STOPPING BUT THEY COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. SINCE I'VE HAD MY VEHICLE BACK FROM THE SHOP, IT HAS BEEN HAVING HIGH IDLE SURGES WHERE THE RESTING IDLE RPM IS AT 2000, IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN NEUTRAL IT ACTS AS IF SOMETHING IS PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 800 AND 2000 RPM. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE AND MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, IT ALSO FEELS LIKE MY VEHICLE WANTS TO GET UP AND GO (AGAIN LIKE SOMETHING IS PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL). I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT PLACES AND BOTH PLACES CAN'T PINPOINT WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. IT'S STARTING TO BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN. WHAT IF WHATEVER IS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE OVERRIDES THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND I END UP HURTING SOMEONE? *TR
Mar 05, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS
1 complaint
WHILE LOOKING FOR A PARKING PLACE, THE AIR BAG IN THE BACK OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED, INJURING MY BACK AND MY LEFT KNEE. MY CHIROPRACTOR GOT MY BACK SOMEWHAT REPAIRED, BUT MY KNEE ENDED UP HAVING A MENISCUS TEAR THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. HYUNDAI IS WILLING TO REPLACE WHAT MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAID OUT FOR MEDICAL CARE AND TO FIX MY CAR. I WILL BE HAVING MEDICAL ISSUES FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE THANKS TO THIS AIR BAG INCIDENT. I BELIEVE HYUNDAI SHOULD PAY FOR ALL FUTURE MEDICAL ISSUES RESULTING FROM THIS INCIDENT BUT .... THEY INVESTIGATED AND ARE SAYING THAT THE "COMPUTER SHOWS AN IMPACT SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE DEPLOYMENT" SO THEY ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND REIMBURSE ONLY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THEY SAY FUTURE MEDICAL ISSUES ARE MY RESPONSIBILITY. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE THIS WAY. THEIR PRODUCT CAUSED IT, THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE! *TR
Nov 30, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
1 complaint
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHEN JUST TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. THE BRAKE MUST IMMEDIATELY BE ENGAGED TO SLOW THE CAR. ONCE THE CAR IS MOVING THE ACCELERATOR WORKS. WHILE CRUISING THE ENGINE RPM SURGES FORCING THE BRAKES TO BE ENGAGED.THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN TRAFFIC. THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS AND SHE JUST LIVED WITH IT. IT IS UNSETTLING TO HAVE A VEHICLE SURGE WHENEVER IT WANTS. *TR
Nov 25, 2014
STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
1 complaint
ON 12/31/2012, THE COIL SPRING ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OF THE VEHICLE. I PAID UPWARDS OF $2000 ON 1/7/2013 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. I HAVE SINCE TRADED IN THE VEHICLE AND NO LONGER OWN IT. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM HYUNDAI USA DESCRIBING THE SAME COIL SPRING FRACTURE THAT I EXPERIENCED A COUPLE OF YEARS EARLIER. THIS RECALL IS CALLED 'CAMPAIGN124' BY HYUNDAI. TODAY (11/4/2014), I CALLED TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY FOR SOME REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR I HAD PERFORMED AFTER MY INCIDENT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE SINCE I NO LONGER OWNED THE VEHICLE AND THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE INSPECTED BY HYUNDAI, I DON'T FEEL THAT THIS IS RIGHT AND I SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO SOME REIMBURSEMENT. IF REQUESTED, I WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE DETAIL OF THE WORK PERFORMED BY THE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE SERVICE. *TR
Nov 04, 2014
STEERING,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
FOR A LONG TIME I KEPT HEARING THIS CLUNKING TYPE NOISE BUT WE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS. THEN ON SUN. SEPT. 21, 2014 I NOTICED SOME EXTRA PLAY IN THE WHEEL. WHEN I MADE A TURN I HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL TWICE AS MUCH AS NORMAL AND THEN IT LOCKED AND I HAD TO REALLY PULL HARD TO GET IT BACK STRAIGHT. WE VERY CAREFULLY DROVE IT TO THE AUTO SHOP ONLY A MILE AWAY. THEY SAID MY POWER STEERING LINE WAS RIPPED OPEN. THEY SAID THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES TO THE POWER STEERING GEAR RACK SHEARED OFF OF THE SUBFRAME. I HAVE PICTURES. ALSO SINCE THERE IS A RECALL ON THE COIL SPRINGS FOR CARS SOLD IN THE SALT BELT I THOUGHT THIS ALSO COULD BE A CORROSION ISSUE BECAUSE THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. THE BOLT DIDN'T COME LOOSE, THE ACTUAL SUBFRAME TORE APART AND THE STEERING RACK WAS JUST HANGING THERE BY ONE BOLT AND OVER TIME IT RIPPED THE RUBBER TO SHREDS. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE FATALITIES. WE HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW SUBFRAME AND STEERING RACK TO GET THE CAR DRIVABLE. IT SEEMS TO ME IT WAS FAULTY MANUFACTURING OR A RUST CORROSION ISSUE. THE SUBFRAME IS A HUGE THICK IRON FRAME WHERE YOU WOULD THINK NOTHING COULD BREAK IT, BUT IN THIS INSTANCE IT ACTUALLY RIPPED. I WOULD LIKE SOME COMPENSATION FOR THE REPAIRS. I WANTED THIS COMPLAINT OUT THERE BECAUSE IT COULD BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE FOR OTHER DRIVERS. *TR
Oct 03, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
DIES IN THE MIDDLE IF ROAD! ALMOST DIE. ALL THE TIME!!!!!! DIES IN THE MIDDLE IF ROAD! ALL THE TIME!!!ALMOST DIED. *TR
Jun 06, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
AFTER PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, I LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR WHEN I REACHED MY DESIRED SPEED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I APPLIED THE BRAKE, AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV FOR 1 OR 2 SECONDS. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT ON THIS OCCASION, BUT IT WAS TERRIFYING, AND I HAD MY CHILD IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
May 22, 2014
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN
1 complaint
MY OIL CHANGING PLACE THOUGHT I HAD A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK. THE REAL PROBLEM WAS THE FRONT RIGHT AXLE BOOT WAS LEAKING BADLY (COVERED BY THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY), BUT THEY FOUND THAT THE RIGHT AND LEFT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS HAD COLLAPSED AND THE SENSORS WERE FROZEN IN PLACE. AFTER THEY FIXED THESE, THE MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE, AND DURING THE TEST DRIVE, THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SNAPPED. I AM TOLD THAT I MUST NOW REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT COILS AND HAVE THE CAR RE-ALIGNED. THE COILS SHOULD BE ON RECALL, AS OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING. *TR
May 21, 2014
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
DEAR NHTSA - MY SANTA FE HAD A MALFUNCTION AT 65 MPH THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO ABRUPTLY SLOW DOWN AND RUN IN ONLY THIRD GEAR. THIS IS A HUGE DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CODES ARE P0121 AND P0733 WHICH HAVE TO DO WITH A THROTTLE/ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR AND A THIRD GEAR RATIO MISMATCH. I BELIEVE THE WAY THIS WORKS IS THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM MODULE WHICH ACTIVATES AN ETS MOTOR ON THE THROTTLE BODY WHICH OPENS/CLOSES THE THROTTLE BUTTERFLY DAMPER BASED ON A COMPUTED ERROR SIGNAL. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ON HYUNDAI FORUMS IT WAS VERY APPARENT THAT THIS MALFUNCTION IS VERY COMMON AND VERY DANGEROUS. I SEARCHED THE CURRENT RECALLS AND THIS IS NOT ONE OF THE TWO RECALLS I COULD FIND FOR THIS VEHICLE. BUT IN 50% OF THE CASES I READ ABOUT IT APPEARED THAT EITHER THE ACCELERATOR SENSOR OR THROTTLE SENSOR IS A COMMON FAILURE. I REALLY THINK THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THERE ARE ALSO SOME OTHER ITEMS THAT CAN CAUSE THESE SENSORS TO SEE THIS MISMATCH AND GIVE THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION THE FAULT CODE WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO EITHER GO INTO "LIMP" MODE OR SINGLE GEAR MODE. ALTHOUGH BOTH ARE AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS IT BASICALLY LIMITS THE CAR TO A MAXIMUM RPM AND CAUSES IT TO EITHER RUN IN ONE GEAR OR NOT SHIFT ABOVE A GEAR, FOR EXAMPLE 3RD GEAR INTO OVERDRIVE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAULT THAT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN RUNNING AT OR NEAR HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED NATURE OF THE EVENT AND THE SPEED CHANGE AND NOISE IT CAN CAUSE THUS SURPRISING THE DRIVER WHICH MAY CAUSE THEM TO STOP OR PULL OVER UNEXPECTEDLY. OTHER MALFUNCTIONS THAT CAN CAUSE THIS ARE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, FUEL INJECTOR O-RING FAULTY AND LEAKY INTAKE MANIFOLDS AMONG OTHERS. THIS SERIOUS ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND REDESIGNED OR REPAIRED ON THESE VEHICLES. *TR
Apr 02, 2014
SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,AIR BAGS
1 complaint
MY AIR BAGS LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE SUSPENSION IS HORRIBLE, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID" THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. AND SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN MY VEHICLE ON THE ENGINE REVELS UP AND SOUNDS AS IF THE ACCELERATION IS STUCK. SCARES ME TO DEATH. *TR
Apr 28, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY,SEAT BELTS
1 complaint
SO MANY THINGS GOING WRONG BACK SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK, WASHER PUMP DON'T WORK TRIED TO ORDER PART FROM DEALER DO NOT HAVE ANY IN US THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR PIGTAIL DISINTEGRATED FROM BEING TO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE AND NO ONE SELLS THE PART HAVE TO BUY THE COMPLETE ENGINE WIRING KIT FOR ONE LITTLE PLASTIC PIECE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS I READ ONLINE THAT EVERYONE WITH THIS CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
Feb 07, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
ON 9/13/2011, IN SAN JUAN, PR, AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 P.M., MY MOTHER (74 YEARS OLD) WAS DRIVING HER 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AT A VERY SLOW RATE OF SPEED ON A WET CONCRETE ROAD. WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, AND WHILE STILL FAR AWAY FROM IT, SHE APPLIED HER VEHICLE'S BRAKES WITH NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD AND STOP ONLY AFTER HITTING A CAR WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE GREEN. THAT IMPACT CAUSED THIS VEHICLE (V-1) TO MOVE FORWARD AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE (V-2) WHICH WAS ALSO WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGED. MY MOTHER RECEIVED A HEAVY IMPACT FORCE TO HER CHEST, SHOULDERS, AND NECK AREA PRODUCED NOT ONLY BY IMPACTING THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF HER BUT ALSO BECAUSE HER VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. HER SANTA FE WAS ALSO BADLY DAMAGED. *TR
Sep 13, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
3RD TIME CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WENT IN 1 YEAR/5 MONTHS. CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES. ALL 3 TIMES, CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN APPEARS AND SECONDS LATER THE CAR SHUTS OFF. TWICE WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND LUCKY WE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO GET OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE BEFORE THE CAR SHUT DOWN. 3 TIMES IN A YEAR AND 5 MONTHS, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN... ALSO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR THE LAST YEAR. *TR
Aug 16, 2010
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
MY 2004 SANTA FE HAS SERIOUS RUSTING ON THE UNDER FRAME. RUST IS ON THE WELD POINTS AND THE FUEL AND ENGINE COVERS ARE COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST AND HAVE CHUNKS MISSING. A RECALL OF 2001 THROUGH 2003 SANTE FE VEHICLES DOES NOT INCLUDE OURS. WE HAVE 64,000 MILES ON IT AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND WE OUR VERY CONCERNED THAT FURTHER RUSTING WILL CAUSE IMPORTANT PARTS TO GIVE WAY. I WAS TOLD BY HYUNDAI THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BUT I COULD WRITE A LETTER OF COMPLAINT TO HYUNDAI OF AMERICA. THIS I DID AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY RESPONSE AS OF 10/26/2009. MY VEHICLE '!@#$%. I AM SURE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED VEHICLE AND PROBABLY PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE THERE IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE LIKE OUR CAR, IT LOOKS GREAT UNTIL YOU PUT IT ON A HOIST. *TR
Oct 26, 2009
STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1 complaint
THE CHROME PLATE ON THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS CRACKED AND SPLIT. EVERYTIME I OPEN THE DOOR TO LEAVE THE CAR THE HANDLE SLICES MY HAND. IT'S AS SHARP AS A RAZOR BLADE. I HAVE PUT TAPE AROUND IT BUT THIS IS JUST A TEMPORARY FIX. MY WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT OPTIONS I MAY HAVE. *TR
Jun 16, 2009
STEERING,EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE SIMILAR TO LIQUID TOUCHING A HOT SURFACE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS LEAKING ONTO THE PIPES, THE RACK AND PINION, AND THE FUEL TANK COVER, WHICH HAS ALSO CAUSED THEM TO RUST. THE CONTACT HAS AN EXTENDED FIVE YEAR WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY MAKE REPAIRS WHEN THE STEERING FAILS COMPLETELY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. SHE INFORMED THE DEALER THAT A MECHANIC CHANGED THE FLUIDS AND STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT COULD HAVE SEIZED DUE TO THE RUST AND CAUSED A LOSS IN STEERING CONTROL. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECKS PER THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENTS. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, SERPENTINE BELT, TIMING BELT, AIR CONDITIONER BELT, AND POWER STEERING FLUID WERE REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2009. IN MARCH OF 2009, THE VEHICLE UNDERWENT FREQUENT OIL CHANGES AND TIRE REPLACEMENTS AT THE DEALER. AT THAT TIME, SHE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RUST BEING PRESENT. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE RUST OCCURRED OVER TIME. THE INVOICES FOR ALL REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE WORK IS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER TO SPEAK WITH THE MECHANIC FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE MAGNUSEN-MOFACT 1975 TITLE 15, CHAPTER 50 , SECTIONS 2301 -2312 OF THE U.S. FEDERAL CODE, WHICH AUTHORIZES HER TO HAVE REPAIRS PERFORMED BY A REPAIR FACILITY OTHER THAN THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
May 12, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
1 complaint
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY WIRING. DEALER GOT IT TO GO OUT, BUT IF IT COMES BACK ON AGAIN THEY SAY THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DEALER CANNOT SAY IF THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT AND SAYS THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT SAY EITHER. NOW, THE LIGHT IS OUT BEHIND THE HEATER CONTROL BUTTON. ONCE AGAIN DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY WIRING. FAULTY WIRING SOUNDS LIKE A FACTORY PROBLEM TO ME. ALL SERVICES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN DONE SINCE DAY ONE AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
Mar 17, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,SEATS
1 complaint
I PURCHASED A USED 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN AUG/2005 FROM A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP (# ). IN AUG/2006, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE RESULTS WERE "CODE B1382 PSAB RESISTANCE HIGH - RESECURE CONNECTOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT/CLEAR CODE". IN FEB/2008, THE AIRBAG SENSOR AGAIN APPEARED. THE SAME TECHNICAL CODE WAS DETECTED, AND THE DEALERSHIP RESOLUTION WAS TO "REROUTE WIRE HARNESS". IN MAR/2008, THE AIRBAG LIGHT AGAIN APPEARED AND WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IN NOV/2008, THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARING. AT THE TIME OF SERVICE IN NOV/2008, THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE AIRBAG FREE OF CHARGE UNDER THE WARRANTY, AT WHICH TIME, THEY WERE INFORMED THAT A COMPLAINT WOULD BE FILED UNDER THE CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW DUE TO REPEAT FIXES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP THEN FIXED THE ISSUE. ON NOV. 26, 2008, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN A HIGH-SPEED REAR END COLLISION (~35MPH) WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND PUSHED INTO AN INTERSECTION, WHERE IT BROADSIDED A MOVING VEHICLE. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACTS, THE HYUNDAI WAS TOTALED, ALL REAR SEATED PASSENGERS SUSTAINED INJURY DUE TO THE SPARE TIRE BEING LIFTED FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT AND RAISING THE 60/40 SPLIT REAR SEAT AND PUSHING IT FORWARD, THE FRONT PASSENGER RECEIVED CHEST CONTUSIONS AND THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED UPPER BODY INJURIES. DESPITE BEING PUSHED FORWARD AND MAKING A STRONG IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I REQUESTED HYUNDAI INVESTIGATE THE MATTER, AND THEY DETERMINED THAT ALTHOUGH THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED FROM THE SECONDARY IMPACT, IT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO WARRANT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I RESEARCHED COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS REGARDING REPEATED AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT REPAIRS AND OTHER AIRBAG FAILURES, INCLUDING STORIES OF CRASHES INTO POLES WITH FAILED AIRBAGS. HYUNDAI HAS NOT ISSUED ANY RECALL, BUT THEY PROBABLY SHOULD. *TR
Mar 06, 2009
SUSPENSION,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,TIRES
1 complaint
NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR CONDITIONS EXISTED PRIOR TO FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY A FELLOW COWORKER TO BE THE FUEL PUMP. AAA WAS CALLED TO TOW THE VEHICLE , AND UPON ARRIVAL, PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TO BACK IT UP IN ORDER TO TOW. IMMEDIATELY, THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE WHEN FLAT, AND IT WAS A RESULT OF THE FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY BREAKING AND CAUSING THE COIL SPRING TO SNAP AND PIERCE THE FRONT TIRE. IT HAS BEEN 6 DAYS , AND I WAS STILL WITHOUT THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS OLD WITH 65,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY AND REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED QUICKLY I HAD TO ACCEPT PARTS FROM A 2006 VEHICLE.*AK
May 23, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
ENGINE CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO HAVE POWER STEERING, CAR LURCHES WITHOUT WARNING, USUALLY WHEN MOVING FROM A STOP. *JB
Jan 04, 2006
WHEELS
1 complaint
DT: CALLER STATED ALL FIVE OF THE LUGS: NUTS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BROKE AND THE WHEEL CAME OFF. SOME DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE FENDER. VEHICLE WAS FIXED BY A BODY SHOP PER THE INSURANCE COMPANY. DEALER WAS TOO FAR AWAY TO TAKE VEHICLE THERE. MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONTACT'S HOUSE.*AK
Jul 22, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
THE NIGHT I TOOK DELIVERY OF THE VEHICAL I HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THIS WAS TO BE FIX BY DEALERSHIP, WELL NOW 8/15/2004 THERE ARE MORE ELEC. PROBLEMS THE FUSES ARE BLOWING AND THE BRAKES ARE NOT STOPPING AS SHOULD BE.ALSO THE TRASMISSION WHEN APPLING THE GAS PULLS TO THE RIGHT, AND BETWEEN 40/60 MPH JECKSING SENSATION TO THE VEHICLE. *AK
Aug 16, 2004
Frequently Asked Questions
How many problems does the 2004 HYUNDAI Santa Fe have?
The 2004 HYUNDAI Santa Fe currently has 303 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.
What are the most common problems with 2004 HYUNDAI Santa Fe?
The most common problems reported for the 2004 HYUNDAI Santa Fe are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.
Where does this 2004 HYUNDAI Santa Fe problem data come from?
All problem and complaint data for the 2004 HYUNDAI Santa Fe comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.
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