2009 HYUNDAI Santa Fe Problems & Complaints
Real owner complaints and problems reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). View common issues by component.
354
Complaints Reported
Complaints by Component
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
79 complaints
My kids and I were going to town one afternoon and I started to smell gas coming from the air vents the gas smell was very strong I opened the hood and could see that it was wet I touched the spot and smelled it and it was fuel.i was worried about driving home with my children in the car so I called my brother he came looked and tracked down the issue and the fuel leak was coming from the front fuel rail.i had never heard of a fuel rail going out on a vehicle before so calling around to parts stores and auto parts recycling places to get it fixed and no one will sale me one they have all told me to take it to dealership.please help it's the only vehicle my children and i have.
Nov 01, 2023
The vehicle's check engine light came on and the fuel gauge shows "E". I did an OBD scan and it shows the fuel sending unit has issues. The gauge will work intermittently and the check engine light will go away. Further reviews from others show the same issues with their vehicle with each needing a bad sending unit replaced.
Sep 30, 2022
2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Stalls out/DEATH TRAP, occasionally with no warning, seem to be when going up or down hills usually with quarter tank of gas approx. Possibly when decelerating. We have replaced both fuel pumps and it was ok for a while. The other day I was going down steep hill and it quit, i coasted to bottom and tried at least 10 times to restart. A DEATH TRAP for people, i had cars flying up on me almost rear ending me even thou I had my emergency flashers were on and my arm out the window flagging then around. I let car sit still a few minutes and it finally cracked. I started looking online for solutions but found many 2009 Santa Fe's have this problem. I called Hyundai and no Recall. I have already spend over $500 trying to repair this. I do see settlement against Hyundai for this problem on other years. They seem to know it is a problem but are not fixing unless forced. Please help.
Aug 02, 2021
MY GAS GAGE STARTED TO WORK IMPROPERLY. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC I TRUST. HE TOLD ME THE FUEL PUMP SENDERS WERE BAD. AFTER HE REMOVED THEM HE CALLED ME TO TELL ME I WAS LUCKY MY VEHICLE DIDN'T CATCH FIRE OR BLOW UP! ONE SENDER HAS INSULATION BROKEN AND THE WIRE IS EXPOSED. HE ALSO FOUND THAT AN INTERNAL WIRE WAS EVEN WORST. THE PROTECTIVE CONNECTOR WAS GONE! THAT LEFT THOSE WIRES WITH NO PROTECTION. THEY SHOW SIGNS OF BAD CORROSION ON BOTH THE WIRES AND THE TERMINALS. THEY APPEAR TO MAYBE EVEN HAVE SHORTED OUT. THEY ARE BLACK AND A RUST ORANGE COLOR. THEY ARE ALSO PITTED. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI. THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE. THEY WERE MORE CONCERNED THAT I HADN'T BROUGHT MY CAR TO A DEALER FOR OVER FIVE YEARS. I EXPLAINED THAT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS HERE IN MIAMI HAD CHEATED ME AND TREATED ME BADLY. THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS TRYING TO INSIST IF I HAD BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN THEY WOULD HAVE DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM SOONER. THAT IS JUST NOT TRUE. THEY ONLY WAY TO OBSERVE THIS PROBLEM WAS TO PHYSICALLY REMOVE THE BACKSEAT AND OPEN THE FLOOR TO EXPOSE THE GAS TANK AND THEN REMOVE THE PUMP! THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING! I HAVE THE FEELING THAT THEY WON'T EVEN REPORT THIS TO THEIR OWN COMPANY OR TO YOU. I STILL HAVE THE PARTS. THEY WERE ALSO NOT INTERESTED IN SEEING THEM OR PICTURES. THEY JUST DON'T CARE! WHAT IF MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE? WHAT IF THE FUMES IGNITED? ANYONE IN THE BACKSEAT WOULD HAVE BEEN EITHER KILLED OR INJURED!
Oct 23, 2020
FILLED UP WITH GAS AND DID SOME GROCERY SHOPPING WITH MY WIFE. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, WE STARTED SMELLING STRONG FUEL COMING THROUGH AIR VENTS WHILE DRIVING AROUND. GOT HOME AND REMOVED ENGINE COVER AND SPOTTED FUEL SEEPING FROM THE FUEL RAIL ABOVE THE FUEL INJECTORS. THE FUEL RAIL TUBE IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND HAD CRACKED.
Aug 18, 2020
+ 74 more complaints for this component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
27 complaints
1.) Throttle Control failure, and is available for inspection 2.) My and the public saftey was put in risk, as I lost control of the vehicle an almost had an accident, and could have hit another vehicle or person or building. 3.) The problem has not occured again other than the multiple times on 10/10/2023. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. I had O'Reilly Auto Parts check for failure codes on 10/10/2023 and found none. 4.) The vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. 5.) There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The next morning when I started the vehicle the "Cruise" lamp was on. While idling in heavy traffic, vehicle throttle began over revving with my foot on the brake, I was not using Cruise Control, I had not used Cruise Control for over a week. I did not see the Cruise indicator on. I had to push hard on the Brake to keep the vehicle from lurching forward, I almost could not keep the vehicle from ramming the car in front of me. I pulled off of SR 32 in Eastgate, OH into a parking lot and it did it again, I put the vehicle in park and turned off the ignition. After a minute I started the vehicle again and it did it again, I turned off the ignition and waited longer. I started the vehicle again and within an hour, vehicle did it again in Covington, KY, I had to pull into a Motel parking lot and stomp on the Brake and throw the vehicle into Park with Throttle Running away. I turned the Ignition off and waited. Vehicle then acted normally.
Oct 12, 2023
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HYUNDAI OF NEW PORT RICHEY LOCATED AT 3936 US-19, NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652, (727) 477-8644, WHERE AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,053.
Jun 30, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR MORE THAN TWICE WHEN DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE TACHOMETER INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABOVE 90 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO QUICKLY PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO REDUCE THE SPEED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER (HUFFINES KIA MCKINNEY, 1201 N CENTRAL EXPY, MCKINNEY, TX 75070, (888) 450-2260) WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Aug 02, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AGAINST A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN WRIST THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CAMELBACK HYUNDAI (1500 E CAMELBACK ROAD, PHOENIX, AZ 85014) AND WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,600.
Apr 02, 2018
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE TURNING ON TO A BUSY INTERSECTION, TWO OTHER INSTANCES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON CITY STREETS. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. VERY LEARY OF DRIVING CAR.
Apr 02, 2017
+ 22 more complaints for this component
AIR BAGS
22 complaints
******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS REQUESTED BY THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WISH TO HAVE IT REMOVED DUE TO COMING TO A CONCLUSION WITH THE DEALER*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******
Mar 02, 2023
Air bag light on by itself without any incident.
Jul 01, 2022
My vehicle shows diagnostic scan codes consistent with recalls that do include my vehicle's year, make, model, and trim, but does not include my VIN. I would like to have this safety hazard resolved, and it seems to me to be the responsibility of the maker.
Oct 01, 2021
SLOWED DOWN TO PULL INTO PARKING SPOT AND SUDDENLY CAR PICKED UP SPEED AND CRASH THROUGH A VACANT STORE FRONT. CAR STOPPED AFTER HITTING A WALL AND MOVED WHAT EVER WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DRIVER OF CAR WAS SHAKEN UP BUT NO PHYSICAL INJURIES. CAR DAMAGED TOWED TO JUNK YARD AND INSURER TOTALED VEHICLE.
Jun 29, 2021
THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. UNKNOWN CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. RECALL WAS DONE PRIOR TO BUYING THE CAR TO MY KNOWLEDGE. BUT I ASSUME THAT THE PART WENT OUT AGAIN.
Dec 28, 2020
+ 17 more complaints for this component
SERVICE BRAKES
21 complaints
The vehicle brakes would trigger randomly which is clearly extremely unsafe on: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] which Triple A can validate. The main issue was the vehicle did not pull a code and since the happened randomly without warning there was no way to get this issue repaired. I called the dealership twice. The dealership recommended I call Hyundai customer relations which did nothing because the car was not under warranty and would not even work with me, even though this issue was extremely dangerous The second time this happened almost caused a vehicle pileup, because it happened on the highway when the brakes where triggered. Luckily I was able to get off of the highway with my brakes engaged, which was obviously not good for the vehicle. The last time this happened on [XXX] is when the master cylinder blew costing us $1,703.22. I called Hyundai they assigned me to 3 different case workers because the first 2 were extremely rude as if I did something wrong and were not empathetic to the seriousness of the situation. Leanna was the new case manager. She wanted me to provide all of the receipts and everything that would be relevant. After an exhausting back and forth for months in which they were clearly trying to dissuade me from taking action they simply rejected any assistance and gave me a silly $50 gift card. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Mar 21, 2024
Previously I taken my car in to be serviced June 6th 2022 due to two recalls at 110 stopwatch switch and the 947 underbody corrosion after leaving the service area it is now August 8th my abs and ESC light is illuminating at the same time and yesterday I called the dealership to schedule an appointment that is not until October 4th however when I pushed on the brakes yesterday it made a funny sound and it was hard for me to stop I'm confused if the dealership fix this why I'm having issues a month and a half later and it is important for my safety that this vehicle is running correctly as I have children and kids that commute in the car or ride with me everyday I'm afraid to continue to drive it however I need to get back and forth to work so I'm hoping the dealership provides a rental car until my appointment
Aug 14, 2022
BRAKES COMPLEXLY FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH BRAKES BEING PRESSED COMPLETELY TO FLOOR. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC BESIDE MY HOME IMMEDIATELY . BOTH BREAK LINES WERE LEAKING 'GUSHING' BRAKE FLUID. HYUNDAI RECALLED THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM ON THEIR 2011 SANTA FE BUT WHEN I NOTIFIED HYUNDAI OF MY BRAKE FAILURE THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. ALSO THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON WHEN THIS OCCURRED ! I WILL UPLOAD AN ACTUAL IMAGE OF LEAKING BRAKE LINES WHEN I RETURN TO THE REPAIR SHOP. VEHICLE PARTS REFERENCE NUMBERS PER HYUNDAI ARE 58722D AND 58718F. REPAIRS ESTIMATE IS APPROXIMATELY $665
Oct 28, 2019
2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR BRAKE PADS BEING WORN. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FROM THE DEALER UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT IT WAS STREET LEGAL AND SAFE TO DRIVE. AFTER 5 WEEKS, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE WORN TO 0% WEAR AND THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE AT 1% WEAR. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CALIPERS, ROTORS, AND PADS. *JS
Jan 30, 2018
THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FOR SAFETY REASONS BUT IT DIDN'T INCLUDE MY VIN FOR SOME REASON, EVEN THOUGH THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED ON MY VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE RECALL WOULDN'T BE FOR MY CAR AS WELL AS IT'S THE SAME SAFETY CONCERN.
May 09, 2016
+ 16 more complaints for this component
ENGINE
20 complaints
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the failure occurred mostly while decelerating from highway speeds. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Jul 22, 2025
Leak coolant and oil
May 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change, she was informed that oil was leaking onto the alternator. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been repaired under Service Campaign 976 (Cylinder Head Cover Oil Leak Repair With Oil Protector Install And Alternator Voltage Test), with the valve cover replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who related the failure to Service Campaign 976 and determined that the valve cover needed to be replaced for the third time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
Jan 10, 2025
This vehicle Dies while driving it I have to put in neutral and restart. I am afraid that I am going to be hurt or someone else is.
Nov 01, 2024
January 2022, I had to have the car towed to the dealership after the car came to an abrupt stop in the middle of driving. Once at the dealership, it was determined that oil leakage from the engine had coated the alternator. I researched this to only discover Service Campaign SB-100058931-4495 (08/15/2015) had alerted dealerships to cylinder head gasket and alternator challenges as described in Campaign 15-01-031 (July 2015). Also referenced was Service Campaign 936. I had not received a notice from my dealer, nor had the 17-point "inspection" revealed this problem any service in the last 6.5 years since the Hyundai alert. This week, 08/09/2022, I drove to the dealership after two days of calling. Eight calls - no answer. I requested the service director (Mr. Matt) look at a video showing smoke rising from the engine compartment after a 30 minute drive and ask him to look at the engine area where oil spray has returned. I am concerned about driving the vehicle for fear of fire hazard, particularly since I must make a 12-hour roundtrip drive next weekend. I was assured there was not fire hazard or safety issue to be concerned about and was scheduled for the next available service appt on August 31, 2022. I drove the car this morning 17 miles and the engine compartment again was releasing visible smoking oil fumes. Apparently, this repair needs to be done again to ensure the engine gasket problem (likely caused by the different metals used on the bolts and screws through the engine block causing the components to loosen) needs to be completed again....under the original Bulletin. I have read the filings and it appears some vehicles have required the service repair up to 3 times. I expect the labor and parts to be covered. In the meantime, rest assured I have plans to rent a vehicle for that long required drive. The dealer has refused to provide any assistance with the loaner. Terrible service. No fire hazard? Really?
Aug 13, 2022
+ 15 more complaints for this component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
13 complaints
Alternator failed Due to valve gasket leaking, Hyundai issued a recall during time vehicle was in probate, I did not receive notification and had the valve gasket, manifold gasket, and alternator replaced. In June 30, 2022, When I learned the recall had been issued I filed for reimbursement of repair costs, Approximately $1900. The reimbursement claim was transferred to warrant department. The claim was transferred to claim reimbursement 8/29/2022, I received an email stating it would be 3-4 weeks for reimbursement. I called 9/29 and was informed it would be 120 days from submission date, On 12/6 additional information was needed. I was not notified, and saw the status changed, and called for update on 12/13. I submitted the same day. On 12/22, I received the repayment notification, but not the amount. I called on the phone for 4 hours for amount $727.74 breakdown missing $410 of labor costs.
Dec 28, 2022
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEATER AND AIR CONDITION SPONTANEOUSLY ACTIVATED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO TURN OFF. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Mar 09, 2021
AT AROUND 90,000 MILES, THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. EVIDENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. EVEN AFTER FILLING THE TANK WITH GAS, THE GAUGE SHOWS "EMPTY". THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE FUEL SENDING UNITS IN THE TANK - THE SENSOR BRUSHES BREAK OFF AND THE UNIT NO LONGER SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE GAUGE. THIS POSES SAFETY ISSUES TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T CAREFULLY TRACK THEIR CAR'S FUEL USE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CAR STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PROBLEM SETS TROUBLE CODES AND LIGHTS THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT.
Nov 20, 2017
MY FUEL GAUGE IS NO LONGER WORKING. IT DOESN'T REGISTER THE AMOUNT OF GAS. THE GAUGE GOES UP AND DOWN RANDOMLY AND MAINLY STAYS ON EMPTY.
May 30, 2017
THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AROUND 67,000 MILES AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS. THE GAUGE WOULD FLOAT BETWEEN FULL AND EMPTY REGARDLESS OF GAS USAGE USUALLY RESTING AT EMPTY. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED GOING ON BECAUSE OF THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION. THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO GAUGE THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE CAR,. IT IS ALSO UNSAFE TO HAVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON, BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO ALERT THE DRIVER OF SAFETY ISSUES.
Sep 27, 2016
+ 8 more complaints for this component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
12 complaints
I am writing to document a troubling interaction at one of the Hyundai service locations regarding a known recall on my 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe (166,000 miles). This vehicle is affected by Recall Campaign Number 103 (valve cover gasket may leak and cause alternator failure and electrical fire risk). The issue is publicly documented by NHTSA and Hyundai, and my vehicle has experienced exactly the problems outlined — two alternator failures and two batteries killed. When my vehicle was brought to Hyundai of Metairie, located at 5969 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Metairie, Louisiana, the service receptionist stated before even inspecting the car that it “may not be covered” because the alternator is aftermarket. This was said immediately upon drop-off, which I believe is inappropriate and concerning. We dropped it off Friday evening before the Saturday, May 31, 2025 morning scheduled inspection. As you are aware, federal law requires manufacturers to complete recall repairs at no cost, regardless of vehicle ownership history or whether a part has been replaced with an aftermarket component — especially when the replacement occurred due to a known safety defect. The alternator was not modified; it was replaced after multiple failures that align precisely with the recall’s described risk. I respectfully request that: The vehicle be inspected promptly and fairly. The recall be honored and completed at no charge, as required. Hyundai ensure that dealership employees are not preemptively discouraging customers from rightful recall services with misinformation or dismissive attitudes. I have already filed a complaint with Hyundai Corporate office this morning and intend to follow up with a phone call when offices resume usual business hours. Thank you in advance for your time. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
May 31, 2025
2009 Hyundai Sante Fe Mileage as of 9/16/2023 145608 I took the vehicle there on Saturday, 9/16/2023 to have the oil changed. I always bring my own oil and filter, so I only have to pay for the labor. Each time, I do this, the mechanic always over fill the oil. The manual book indicates that it should be 5 ½ quarts, and they use the entire 6 quarts, which overfills the oil. Also normal, the dealership checks the vehicle out for possible issues. This time I had a note indicating that “Inspection is due in the end of November, the frame is rusted and will not pass inspection most like not repairable.“ They provided two (2) pictures as well that I will attach to this document. In 2017, there was a recall where they sprayed the undercarriage for rust. However, the car had been rusting almost immediately since I purchased it. I feel that the metal that was used on the frame is inferior, and can not stand the climate in the United States? [XXX] , the service advisor advised me that normal moisture, mother nature would make the car rust. I can understand this to a certain point, but not to the point that the car is not repairable any longer. I still have 7 years, or 54000 miles left on the warranty from Colonial Hyundai. Bottom line the car has been rusting for some time, and several mechanics around here have advised me that Hyundai vehicles overall are known to rust. I have had to replace the front arms and a few other things on the vehicle. I don’t drive the car that much especially in bad weather because I work from home since 2020. In addition, I get my car washed every week, and more often if there is bad weather and there is lots of salt on the road. However, in PA, there has not been many bad winters over the last few years. The frame is rusty – then the entire car is not safe to drive, hence not passing inspection, and most likely it is not repairable, which concerns me. How many other people are in this same boat? Car is available to look INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Sep 20, 2023
Frame rails have rusted through with big holes showing! I did bring it to dealer in 2017 for campaign 947 for rust issues. I brought it to dealer about 2 weeks ago to see if they could put it on the hoist to see if vehicle is safe to drive but was told they don't look for rust. I have a claim number with Hyundai but haven't heard back in over a week. I am a 1 owner on this vehicle. I have always kept good care on this vehicle. I don't think this vehicle is safe to drive. The whole car could buckle while I am driving down the road!
Apr 11, 2023
2 times within 2 months vehicle was driving less than 50 mph slowing to turn right and everything died. Engine stopped. All dash lights dark. No power steering or brakes. Do I need to detail the hazard involved? The car was started again immediately and ran great, as it was before and after.
Sep 09, 2022
This has happened on more than one occasion. My car will suddenly try to stop and then it will accelerate really fast. I am not commanding it to do so with my foot. IT is very scary. then my car will just go cold.. The dash lights will all light up, blink on and off and then it leaves me stranded. I have to turn the vehicle off and sit there for a little before it will ignite again. It did this in the Publix parking lot as I was pulling into a spot to park and I almost hit a person walking by. It is like somebody has control of my vehicle and is accelerating and braking. [XXX] [XXX] Thank you for your attention to this matter INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Jun 11, 2021
+ 7 more complaints for this component
POWER TRAIN
10 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DECELERATING DOWN A HILL, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHTOWN HYUNDAI (3675 SHERIDAN DR, AMHERST, NY 14226, (716) 992-6536), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF. *TR*JB
Apr 29, 2019
MY VEHICLE WAS IN THE STATIONARY POSITION OR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN PARK. I HAD PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, PUT MY CAR INTO PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. UPON EXITING MY VEHICLE WITH GROCERIES IN HAND MY VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING (THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY) VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE STREET AND INTO MY NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY WHERE IT CAME TO A STOP. (THANK GOD NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THIS) I STARTED MY VEHICLE TO GET IT OUT OF MY NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFTER WAS IN PARK,MY DASH SHOWED THAT MY CAR WAS IN REVERSE! ATTACHED IS A PHOTO OF MY DASH SHOWING THAT IT IS IN "REVERSE" BUT AS YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE MY SHIFT LEVER IS IN PARK
Nov 13, 2018
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND INITIALLY WAS UNABLE TO GET THE SHIFTER INTO DRIVE AFTER BEING IN REVERSE. SHE FINALLY GOT IT INTO GEAR AND DROVE HOME AND I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT IT INTO PARK AFTER SHE ARRIVED HOME BUT IT REMAINED IN DRIVE AND THEN NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. THE SHIFT LEVER FROZE IN THE WRONG PLACE WHERE D IS BUT THE ELECTRONIC DASHBOARD SHOWED IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET IT INTO PARK, AND USING THE RELEASE LEVER FOR THE SHIFTER DIDN'T WORK EITHER. I WAS FORCED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND PUT ON THE PARKING BRAKE. I COULDN'T REMOVE THE KEY BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET THE VEHICLE IN PARK. IT WAS ON A SMALL INCLINE BUT THE BRAKE HELD THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY. AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION, I PUT BLOCKS IN FRONT OF THE TIRE TO PREVENT IT FROM ROLLING. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON A HILL TRYING TO PARK. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN A VERY SHORT TIME SPAN. I FELT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO FOUND THAT THE CABLE RUNNING TO THE TRANSMISSION WAS BINDING DUE TO CORROSION CAUSING THE MECHANICAL SHIFTER TO BECOME OUT OF SYNC WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS THAT CONTROL WHAT GEAR THE TRANSMISSION IS IN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN MOSTLY IN NEW JERSEY AND PENNSYLVANIA SO IT HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO A LOT OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER TIME. I CHECKED ON LINE AND SOME OF THE FORUMS SHOW THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH OLDER HYUNDAIS. MY VEHICLE HAS AROUND 140,000 MILES ON IT.
Sep 20, 2018
MY 2009 SANTA FE HAS BEEN ACCELERATING DURING STOPPING (AROUND 20-30 MILES) I BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALER AND THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT DID IN FACT SURGE WHILE TRYING TO STOP. THEY DID AN "UPDATE" AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME TELLING ME IF IT DOES IT AGAIN BRING IT BACK. IT NOT ONLY CONTINUES TO DO THIS BUT WHATEVER THEY DID MADE THE TRANSMISSION SWITCH HARD. I'M TAKING IT BACK TODAY. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR
Apr 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMPLETING A RIGHT TURN, A GRINDING SOUND WAS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND RECEIVED CONFIRMATION THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
May 15, 2013
+ 5 more complaints for this component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
10 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT READING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY AND FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 01/05/2017*CT
Nov 01, 2016
MY ADDRESS IS [XXX]. MY NAME IS [XXX]. THE PROBLEM IN MY CAR IS FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WHEN I DRIVE IN HIGHWAY MY FUEL GAUGE IS GOES CRAZY THEIR GOING UP THEN DOWN THEN WARNING LIGHT NO FUEL IN TANK BUT FUEL IS FULL THAT THE PROBLEM IN MY CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
May 11, 2016
AS WITH MANY OTHER OWNERS, WE SHARE THE FUEL SENDER SENSOR PROBLEM WITH OUR 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE . THE CODES ARE FOR BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES, MEANING BOTH WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL GAUGE EMPTY LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS WELL. QUOTED FROM $350 TO $620 DOLLARS FROM LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS. WE FAILED NJ INSPECTION DUE TO ENGINE LIGHT, AND THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND COSTLY PROBLEM, AND WE RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE BUSY GARDEN STATE PARKWAY WITH OUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR, INCURRING TOWING CHARGES. IT IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HYUNDAI IS AVOIDING. I HAVE ANOTHER 2009 HYUNDAI (ACCENT) WITH NO PROBLEMS, SO IT IS SAFE TO ASSUME ( WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS ) THAT IT IS A SANTA FE PROBLEM. PLEASE HAVE HYUNDAI LOOK INTO THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM . THANK YOU. *TR
Jan 02, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL GAUGE READING FLUCTUATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500.
Sep 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN REFUELING TO CAPACITY, THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD SHOE EMPTY WITHIN 50 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Jun 02, 2014
+ 5 more complaints for this component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
7 complaints
The closed recall of the brake light failing to illuminate has returned and I’m not sure of my future steps in getting it fixed. The Hyundai repair website mentions it as completed in 2014, when I did not have the car. At random, my driver tail light will not illuminate whilst braking. It has recurred repeatedly, so I’ve put the incident as the most recent time it happened.
Oct 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V113000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
May 06, 2024
LONG BREAK LIGHT IN THE BACK ON TOP, FALLS OUT. USED SPECIAL TAKE TO SECURE IT
Jun 11, 2018
WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED, THE FRONT COURTESY LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON DUE TO A BAD DIODE. THE MAP LIGHTS WILL WORK. I UNDERSTAND THIS A COMMON PROBLEM.
Mar 13, 2017
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SO POOR THAT WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING AT NIGHT. ON LOW BEAMS, IT ALMOST SEEMS AS IF THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF. ON HIGH BEAMS, VISIBILITY IS ADEQUATE BUT, OF COURSE, WE CANNOT KEEP HIGH BEAMS ON ALL THE TIME. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD REPLACE THE BULBS WITH NEW ONES. HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE BULBS WITH BRIGHTER ONES SUCH AS LEDS. *TR
Nov 30, 2016
+ 2 more complaints for this component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
7 complaints
THE BATTERY LIGHT KEPT BLINKING, MY BATTERY IS NEW, ALSO THE SEAT BELT LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SEAT KEPT BLINKING EVEN WHEN THE SEAT BELT WAS BUCKLED. I STALLED OUT AND WOULDN'T START BACK UP. I WAS IN THE STREET WHEN IT WOULDN'T START BACK UP. I HAD IT LOOKED AT WHEN IT WAS TOWED AND THE SHOP SAID THERE WAS ALOT OF OIL ON MY ALTERNATOR AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE MY VALUE COVER GASKETS ALSO.
Aug 07, 2019
FOR THE LAST YEAR, MY FUEL GAUGE HAS BEEN MALFUNCTIONING. AT FIRST, IT ONLY HAPPENED EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, BUT ONCE I GOT TO ABOUT 8 MONTHS, THE GAUGE HAS CONSTANTLY TOLD ME THE WRONG FUEL LEVEL. I HAVE ASKED A MECHANIC ABOUT IT AND IT IS THE FUEL LEVEL SENSORS LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK THAT ARE MALFUNCTIONING. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THE SANTA FE'S THAT WERE BUILT AROUND THAT TIME. I HAVE A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. IT WAS BOUGHT IN 2016 WITH 22,000 MILES. THE GAS GAUGE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 40,000 MILES AND ONLY HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. THE CONSTANT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATION AND CONSTANT MALFUNCTION OF THE GAS GAUGE STARTED AT 50,000 MILES AND I AM NOW AT 60,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND WHILE I AM DRIVING IT. I HAVE TO KEEP A FULL TANK AT ALL TIMES JUST DO I DON'T RUN OUT IF GAS.
Jan 19, 2019
GAS GAUGE AND LIGHT ALWAYS ON EMPTY WHEN TIGHT AFTER IT IS FULL OF GAS AND LOUD HUMMING SOUND FROM FUEL PUMP. STALLED OUT IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION MULTIPLE TIMES.
Jun 11, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT READING. THE DEALER (HATFIELD HYUNDAI, 1400 AUTO MALL PKWY, COLUMBUS, OH 43228) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY AND FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
Apr 30, 2018
GAS GAGE INDICATION SHOWS EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL OR EMPTY. THIS HAPPENED WITH OUR 2008 SANTA FE TOO.
Mar 28, 2018
+ 2 more complaints for this component
STRUCTURE
6 complaints
The driver's side sun visor randomly falls out of the connection in the ceiling and then dangles from the electrical cord that operates the light in the visor above the mirror. When this happens it completely obstructs the driver's view of the roadway as the visor is now swaying back and forth in front of the driver's face & the driver must take one hand off the steering wheel to move the visor out of the way to see the roadway. It takes two hands to actually shove the electrical wire and visor arm back up into the ceiling. This issue not only happens when the visor is in the down (in use) position & when it is down and swung to the side to block the side window but it also happens when the visor in not in use and is just clipped up. The ceiling connection piece falls down on the left side then too...thankfully because the visor is not in use, the right hand clip secures that side in place so only half of the driver's view is obstructed. This happens without any warning - you're driving along and suddenly the visor has fallen in front of your face. It is manufacturer defect in the small plastic piece that goes from the arm of the visor up into the ceiling. There is a very small plastic tip that is broken - that tip is the only thing that keeps the visor post secured in the ceiling. When you unscrew the visor attachment that goes into the ceiling the broken piece is right there. The electrical wires go thru it so it's still in there. I have replaced my visor once already and the same piece broke off of the new visor after a couple years. My vehicle has not been inspected by anyone but there are many reports on the Hyundai forum about this visor issue. Hyundai is aware of this cheap plastic defect as they issued recalls on the sun visors on other models but not on the Sante Fe. They have also changed to a newer visor connection piece on their newer model cars. A recall should be issued for the Sante Fe so that the visors can be replaced w/ an updated version.
May 01, 2022
Passenger front and driver side rear door handle breaking off. Normal pulls have cause the handle to come in hand.
Dec 08, 2021
PURCHASED CAR NEW GARAGE KEPT WELL MAINTAINED AT DEALER. HAD A RECALL IN 2016 FOR FRAME CORROSION. I BROUGHT CAR IN AND DEALER RUST PROOFED FRAME. CONTINUED TO HAVE CAR SERVICED AND COMPLETED ALL MAINTENANCE THAT DEALER RECOMMENDED. SOME REPAIRS VERY EXPENSIVE LIKE TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, IDLE PULLEY ETC. LAST MONTH BROUGHT CAR IN FOR TRANSMISSION EXCHANGE AND I WAS TOLD THE SIDE RAILS OF CAR ARE RUSTED THRU AND CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSEDLY INSPECTED EVERY TIME CAR WAS SERVICED. HYUNDAI NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT RUST GETTING WORSE. I WOULD LIKE YOUR HELP HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE. THEY ADMITTED TO HAVING DEFECTIVE STEEL. PLEASE HELP!!
Aug 18, 2020
AFTER ROUTINE INSPECTION, ENGINE CRADLE IS RUSTED THROUGH AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. CAR HAS 54,000 MILES. #1 COCHRAN TOOK PICTURES AND SUBMITTED THEM TO HYUNDAI, SAID THEY NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THIS FOR A 2009 SANTA FE AND THOUGHT HYUNDAI WOULD REPLACE THE SUBFRAME. HYUNDAI DECLINED REPLACEMENT OF SUBFRAME. HYUNDAI HAS PICTURES THAT WERE TAKEN BY #1 COCHRAN.
Jan 05, 2017
THE PAINT ON OUR VEHICLE KEEPS BUBBLING UP AND PEELING OFF CAUSING THE EXTERIOR METAL ON THE CAR TO RUST IN THOSE SPOTS. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE 2012 AND IS OCCURRING IN MULTIPLE RANDOM SPOTS ON THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE OTHER SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. WE CALLED THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHO RECOMMENDED A BODY SHOP TO FIX THE PAINT ISSUES. THE OWNER OF THE BODY SHOP SAID IT WAS SUCH A REOCCURRING PROBLEM, HE DIDN'T NEED US TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR A QUOTE, ONLY TELL HIM WHERE THE PAINT WAS BUBBLING AND PEELING AND GAVE US A PRICE OVER THE PHONE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE OVER TIME. WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, WHETHER IT IS CERTAIN WEATHER , ROAD CONDITIONS OR ENVIRONMENT.
Jun 13, 2016
+ 1 more complaint for this component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
5 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Jul 23, 2015
1ST. TIME; DRIVING ON I-75 ENGINE SHUT DOWN LEAVING COMPLETELY NO POWER, (BRAKES, A/C, STEERING OR SIGNALS) 2ND. TIME: 4/07/2012 ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITH SAME RESULTS 28000 MILES. 3RD. TIME; 03/03/2013 ENGINE SHUT DOWN AGAIN ON I-75 CAUSING CAR TO HAVE TO PULL OVER INTO MEDIAN / STARTED UP AFTER 15 MINUTES & WAS TAKING TO HYUNDAI DEALER WHO STILL COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM 37500 MILES. 4TH. & LAST INCIDENT; 08/25/2014; ENGINE SHUT DOWN LEAVING NO POWERIN STEERING, A/C, BRAKES, WINDOWS OR SIGNALS. WAS ABLE TO GET INTO TARGET PARKING LOT BEFORE TURNING OFF ENGINE. RESTARTED VEHICLE 35 MINUTES LATER AND DROVE TO DEALERSHIP WHO TIGHTENED BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION & WAS TOLD TO MONITOR! AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING A NEW VEHICLE... *TR
Aug 26, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE, BUT THERE WAS NO DETERMINATION OF WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT MAY HAVE ORIGINATING IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, BATTERY, OR FUSE BOX. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Feb 02, 2012
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON THERE WAS A LOUD HUMMING SOUND AND A VIBRATION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND THAT THEY ALSO HEARD THE SOUND. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT WAS TYPICAL FOR THAT SIZE ENGINE. THERE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,700.
Jul 12, 2010
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WOULD NOT GO OVER 20 MILES PER HOUR. AND HAD TO TOWED TO DEALER AND IT COME TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM TOYOTA IS HAVING WITH THE GAS PEDALS. *TR
Mar 02, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
5 complaints
MY REAR BRAKES WERE MAKING NOISE SO I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT.THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE STICKING TO THE ROTORS OVERHEATING THE ROTORS. BOTH THE REAR PADS & ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED SO SOON SO I CALLED THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP. OWNER SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE HILLY AREA WHERE I LIVED. I HAVE LIVED IN THE AREA FOR ABOUT 30 YEARS SO I ASKED WHY I NEVER HAD TO CHANGE MY BRAKES ON OTHER NEW CARS I HAD BOUGHT AT THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL WELL AFTER 30,000 MILES. HE HAD NO ANSWER. WHAT A JOKE! THE ONLY CONCLUSION THAT I CAN ARRIVE AT IS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT AND HYUNDAI DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR IT. THIS IS MY THIRD HYUNDAI AND I HAVE NOT HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE OTHER MODELS, A 2002 SONATA AND A 2010 ELANTRA. *TR
Jan 17, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT ALSO SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THAT THE ROTORS OVERHEATED BECAUSE THE ROTORS WERE NOT PROPERLY GREASED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,773 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ UPDATED 02/13/12
Jan 06, 2012
LOTS OF SQUEALING FROM THE CAR FOR OVER A MONTH. BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED EVEN THOUGH THERE IS BARELY 16,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE MECHANIC I TOOK IT TO SAID ONE BRAKE PAD IN PARTICULAR WAS VERY WORN OUT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A CAR WITH THIS LITTLE MILEAGE. *TR
Jan 04, 2012
IN COLD WEATHER (10-15 DEG.) BRAKES ARE VERY SOFT/SPONGY. NEED TO DEPRESS BRAKES NEARLY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL STOP ON DRY PAVEMENT. AFTER DRIVING AND PUMPING THE BRAKES, THEY COME BACK BUT NOT TO NORMAL CONDITION. DEALER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS AND SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. *TR
Feb 04, 2011
WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP RIGHT AWAY. *TR
May 20, 2010
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4 complaints
Pulling into driveway. Car engine accelerated suddenly. Was just coasting in. The car wouldn't stop. Hit front of a home. The engine sounded like a race car.
Oct 23, 2022
ENGINE STALLED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS WITH NO BRAKES AND NO POWER STEERING.I AM SCARED TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPEND DRIVING AT 55MPH ON FREEWAY.
Apr 13, 2018
AFTER FILLING MY GAS TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY 2009 SANTA FE WOULD READ EMPTY AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE BETWEEN EMPTY AND HALF FULL. THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE ONBOARD COMPUTER AND THE CODE SAID IT WAS THE FUEL SENSORS. HE REPLACED BOTH OF THEM, AT A COST OF $500, AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM. MILEAGE WAS SLIGHTLY UNDER 100,000 MILES.
Nov 22, 2016
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN FUEL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON EVEN THOUGH I HAD A LEAST 1/2 TANK OF GAS. FILLED UP MY GAS TANK, ALL LIGHTS WERE OUT. WHEN I HAD APPROXIMATELY 1/2 TANK AGAIN, THE ENGINE AND FUEL LIGHTS CAME ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE 2 FUEL SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $350.00. UPON ONLINE RESEARCHING, I LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT BECAUSE THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS, IT IS A PROBLEM THAT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO REPAIR AT NO COST TO THE OWNER OF THESE VEHICLES. IN MY CASE, I NEED TO BE REIMBURSE THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *JS
Dec 03, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
4 complaints
I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN 2011. OVER THE YEARS, AT RANDOM TIMES, THE RADIO WILL "POP" OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO AFFECT THE REST OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR, BUT IT'S A LITTLE SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS - MECHANIC CAN'T REPLICATE. NOW, TWICE IN THE LAST WEEK, MY CAR HAS STALLED WHILE SLOWING DOWN, ONCE ON A MULTI-LANE STREET AND ONCE AFTER DECELERATING COMING OFF THE EXPRESSWAY (COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER, STEERING, BRAKES, ETC). I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND SCARED THE CR*P OUT OF ME! I'M TERRIFIED THAT THIS MIGHT HAPPEN AT A HIGHER SPEED ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL MENTIONS OF SIMILAR POWER LOSSES FOR THIS SAME VEHICLE. I HAVE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS AND NO CODES COME UP WHEN SCANNED. NO RECALLS REPORTED EITHER, ALTHOUGH A POWER LOSS AT THE WRONG TIME COULD KILL SOMEONE. NOT SURE IF THIS IS ELECTRICAL, ENGINE OR FUEL SYSTEM RELATED - I HAD OVER A HALF A TANK OF GAS IN THE CAR DURING BOTH OCCURRENCES.
Jul 09, 2019
2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE V6 3.3 LITER HAS EXPERIENCED OCCASIONAL, RANDOM STALLING OVER A FEW YEARS, ALWAYS WHILE BRAKING AND OFTEN WHILE TURNING. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN AFTER A PERIOD OF STEADY SPEED DRIVING AND THEN SLOWING DOWN AND TURNING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE STEERING INSTANTLY GETS VERY DIFFICULT AND BRAKING ABILITY LIKEWISE BECOMES INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT. AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, OR PULLING OVER AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT WILL ALWAYS START RIGHT BACK UP AND RUN FINE. THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I AM A 50 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CAN WRESTLE THE CAR TO SAFETY (SO FAR), BUT MY WIFE, CHILDREN, OR OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. THERE ARE REPEATED MENTIONS OF OTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS, AND THESE MOSTLY MENTION A TPS REPLACEMENT AND AN ACCOMPANYING ECU FIRMWARE UPDATE. THERE ARE NO APPARENT RECALLS OR TSBS WITH HYUNDAI THAT AFFECT THIS VEHICLE AND ENGINE COMBINATION, AND THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM FOR WHICH THERE APPEARS TO BE A REMEDY PATH.
Feb 10, 2018
I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WAS IN PARK, THE CAR WOULD JUST SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES WITHIN A FEW WEEK'S TIME. I WAS CONCERNED AND WONDERED IF THE CAR WOULD EVER JUST SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR A BUSY STREET. TO MY HORROR, IT HAPPENED! A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF!...THERE WAS A CAR BEHIND ME THAT CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT! AGAIN MY GREATEST FEAR IS THAT THE CAR WILL STALL ON ME WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IF THAT HAPPENS ON A ROAD WHERE CARS ARE TRAVELLING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THEN I WOULD PROBABLY NOT LIVE TO TELL THE STORY.
Dec 20, 2015
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.
Oct 11, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4 complaints
AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND DECELERATING, HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2009 VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STALLS WITH NO WARNING. NO ERROR CODES SHOW. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SHUTS DOWN AND IS AN ACCIDENT RISK. ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKE OPERATION SHUT DOWN.
Jul 03, 2019
THE ENGINE LIGHTS STAYS ON WHEN YOU FILL THE GAS TANK IT STILL SAYS EMPTY WHEN DRIVING EVERYTHING WILL SHUT OFF THIS IS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR
Dec 01, 2015
THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BOTH WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN AT SLOW SPEEDS AND ON A HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE CAR WILL CUT OFF, NO POWER AT ALL. ON EACH OCCASION I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND IT RESUMED IT'S NORMAL DRIVING CAPACITY. IT IS VERY SCARY TO BE DRIVING ALONG AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR CUTS OFF FOR NO REASON. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A SHARP CURVE, SO NOT HAVING POWER STEERING AT THAT POINT WAS NOT VERY SAFE, AS I ENDED UP IN THE OTHER LANE BUT THANK GOODNESS THERE WASN'T A CAR COMING IN THE OTHER DIRECTION AT THE TIME.
Oct 02, 2015
WE HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. HAD TO GET OVER QUICKLY AS THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND THE CAR HAD NO POWER. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT DELIVER ANY POWER, OTHER THAN IDLE. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS, THEN STARTED THE CAR AND HAD POWER BACK FOR ABOUT 3 MILES. HAPPENED AGAIN AND DID THE SAME FOR ABOUT TEN MILES UNTIL GOT HOME. RECENTLY STARTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN, SAME CODES COME UP EACH TIME. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS JUST GLITCHES CAUSING CODES TO COME UP AND CAUSE THE ESC TO GO INTO SAFE MODE. SINCE THEN I HAVE SEEN THE EXACT SAME CODES AND NOT A LOT OF CODES, BUT CODES THAT INDICATE AN IGNITION/FUEL/CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT AS BAD AS ACCELERATION, BUT IF PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC OR ON AN ON RAMP, COULD BE DEADLY. HAS NOW HAPPENED SEVEN TIMES. FIRST DATE WAS APRIL 2014, COULD NOT ENTER DATE IN YOUR FORM FOR SOME REASON.
Jul 02, 2015
VISIBILITY/WIPER
4 complaints
SUN ROOF EXPLODED. NO APPARENT REASON. STATIONARY PARKED.
Dec 06, 2018
OUR SUNROOF BURST WHILE DRIVING ON A CLEAR, SUNNY DAY. OUR SPEED WAS ABOUT 40MPH, THE SHADE ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS CLOSED AS WAS THE SUNROOF. WE HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND WHEN WE SLID THE INTERIOR SHADE OPEN A SHOWER OF GLASS FELL INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Oct 24, 2017
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR, BETWEEN 20-25 MPH, LESS THAN HALF A MILE FROM MY DESTINATION AND I HEARD THIS VERY LOUD BANG. IT SCARED ME, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GUN SHOT. I PULLED OVER AND SOMETHING TOLD ME TO SLIDE MY SUNROOF COVER BACK, THAT'S WHEN I SAW THAT MY SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED. THERE WAS NOTHING AROUND TO HIT IT, NO CARS, OVERPASSES ROCKS, NOTHING. I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE TOP AND ALL OF THE GLASS WAS BOWED UPWARDS. IT CAME FROM THE INSIDE, IT EXPLODED. I'D NEVER HEARD OF SUCH. IT WAS ABOUT 47 DEGREES WHEN THIS HAPPEND. NOW I'M SOON TO BE OUT OVER 600 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS FOR SOMETHING AT NO FAULT OF MY OWN.
Mar 16, 2017
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK ON VERY COLD WINTER DAYS (ALL DAY, MULTIPLE DAYS). *TR
Feb 26, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
3 complaints
[XXX] We took out Stanta Fe to the Hyundia Dealership in Columbia, TN 38401. The installed a new rover cover gasket left and service kit. The purpose was to stop oil from leaking into the alternator. I would like to point out we did not see any visible signs of the gasket was leaking. We had our regular scheduled oil change in Feb of 2025 and no report of an oil leak. We had a service event at the end of June 2025 and were told there was a visible leak was present and appeared to be about 3 months old. We took it back to the dealership and reported the recall issue was occurring. This was 7/25 and just outside of a year. The stated it would not be covered under warranty/recall now. I called and complain to Hyundia corporate. Waited 2 weeks to say it would be taken care of by the dealership. Called them today to arrange for bring the car in but they had no record of what I was told by Hyundia corporate. I believe this breaking faith w the whole recall process with the NTSB. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Jul 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received a notice for TSB: [XXX] and the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the campaign was completed. The contact stated that while an oil change was being performed, she was informed that the valve cover gasket was leaking. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The fuel senders and O rings, the spark plugs, and the valve cover gasket were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The dealer replaced the oil sending unit; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the valve cover gasket, the valve cover gasket kit and the spark plugs were replaced. The contact stated that the dealer later replaced the oil pan due to oil leaking. Additionally, the contact stated while attempting to make a left turn from a complete stop, the vehicle chugged and started losing electrical power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the alternator internally shorted, the vehicle was stuck in drive(D), and the key was stuck in the ignition switch. The battery warning light was illuminated. The dealer performed an unknown repair. The contact stated that she then received a notice for [XXX] and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the right bank valve cover gasket was fractured, distorted, and was leaking onto the alternator. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the left valve cover gasket was leaking; however, the part was not covered. The dealer only replaced the right bank valve cover gasket. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 74,936. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). The contact stated there seems to be a defect in the valve covers.
Jan 09, 2024
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED (70 MPH), CAR STOPPED RESPONDING TO THROTTLE WITH NO WARNING. AS I MERGED TO RIGHT LANE, CAR DIED COMPLETELY AND I HAD TO MANEUVER TO SHOULDER WITH NO POWER. STUCK HERE WITH WIFE AND 2 TODDLERS UNTIL TOWED TO MECHANIC. THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER, SAME THING (LUCKILY NOT ON INTERSTATE THIS TIME, AND WARNING LIGHT DID COME ON THIS TIME). ALTERNATOR REPLACED AGAIN. LATER IN 2015, HYUNDAI ANNOUNCED A MAINTENANCE CAMPAIGN (#936), AND I WAS REIMBURSED FOR INITIAL 2 EVENTS, AND LOCAL DEALER COMPLETED THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE IN NOV 2015. 2 YEARS LATER, SAME THING: WARNING LIGHTS, OIL ON ALTERNATOR, ETC. LOCAL DEALER AGAIN COMPLETES THE WORK (THANKFULLY AT NO CHARGE TO ME). AS OF TODAY, OIL IS ON THE ALTERNATOR AGAIN, AND I FEEL IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE ISSUE OCCURS AGAIN. AS MY WIFE IS TYPICALLY DRIVING THE KIDS AROUND IN THIS VEHICLE, I DO NOT LIKE THE THOUGHT THAT IT COULD CUT OFF AT ANY MOMENT. I AM HOPING HYUNDAI WILL ANNOUNCE A PERMANENT FIX OR RECALL. I AM REACHING OUT TO THEM FOR ADVICE ON THE LATEST RECURRENCE. INITIAL EVENT: 6/28/14 (MILEAGE: 61020) 2ND EVENT: 6/1/15 (MILEAGE: 79800) HYUNDAI CAMPAIGN COMPLETED: 11/19/15 (MILEAGE: 89512) 3RD EVENT: 08/30/17 (MILEAGE: 119929) FEB 2018 (MILEAGE: 127177) - NOTICE OIL BUILDING ON ALTERNATOR AGAIN
Feb 10, 2018
SUSPENSION
3 complaints
I bought my 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe brand new and have been the sole owner. It has been garaged the entire time. It has 145,000 miles and I have kept it washed and maintained regularly. The last couple of times I have taken it in for repairs, the mechanic has told me that the frame is rusting badly to the point that it is a safety issue. In the event of a crash the frame could buckle.
Jan 12, 2024
Hi, so my mechanic checked my vehicle and my the subframe is Rusting and it’s unsafe to drive the vehicle. The vehicle only have 93k miles. I have pictures and proof about the rusted subframe. Hope to hear from you back because I really need vehicle to go to my job and now this is unsafe to drive.
Nov 01, 2021
MY CONTROL ARM AND AXLE BROKE AFTER THE JUNE 2017 UNDERCARRIAGE VEHICLE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED BECAUSE A HOLE WAS DISCOVERED BECAUSE OF CORROSION. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE AXLE BROKE APART FROM THE BALL JOINT
Feb 26, 2018
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3 complaints
I was decelarating after going highway speed on the highway and the car stalled electrical still worked but braking power steering acceleation all stopped working and engine lights turned on and esc and other lights i retarted the car and no engine lights turned on i went to my mechanic he said it dosnt show on diagnostics so he cant fix it this is just one incident its happend numerous times and it almost caused accident its dangerous and must be dealt with right away
Sep 23, 2022
THE FUEL GAGE IS BROKEN, IT READS EMPTY WHEN FULL. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK IT IN TO FIX IT. $400.00 LATER IT WAS FIXED. NOW I HEAR CLINKING SOUND FROM ENGINE. I THINK THE PISTONS RINGS ARE BAD. I'VE READ OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. NHTSA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE!
May 11, 2021
I'VE TAKEN MY 2009 SANTA FE TO THE RICK CASE ROSWELL, GA ON FRIDAY, 7/1/2016 AND AGAIN TODAY, 7/15/2016, BOTH FOR THE SAME ISSUE, MY CAR IS STALLING WHILE I DRIVE IT. ON 7/1 THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE BATTERY, SO HAD A NEW ONE INSTALLED WHILE THERE. BOTH TIMES, I'M BEEN TURNING INTO A CURVE (IT WAS A RIGHT HAND TURN ON 7/1 AND A LEFT HAND TURN ON 7/15). THE FIRST TIME I WAS LUCKY AS IT WAS JUST COMING OFF A STOP LIGHT. LAST NIGHT, HOWEVER, IT WAS A CURVE TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY WITH AN 18 WHEELER THUNDERING BEHIND ME WHEN MY CAR STALLED, AND I LOST THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING AND ALMOST BECAME AN 18 WHEELER HOOD ORNAMENT. AS I MENTIONED, THE DEALER IS PERPLEXED BY THE ISSUE, NOTHING IS SHOWING UP ON THE DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAD TO LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SENSE THAT I'M DRIVING AROUND IN A TICKING TIME BOMB. AS A WOMEN WHO FREQUENTLY DRIVES BY HERSELF IN THE CAR, AND ON THE HIGHWAY 99.9% OF THE TIME, I CAN'T TELL YOU THE FEAR THAT KNOWING THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AGAIN AT ANY MOMENT AND THAT THE NEXT TIME I MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY, INSTILLS IN ME. THIS IS MY SECOND HYUNDAI AND I HAVE ALWAYS CONSIDERED MYSELF TO BE A PROUD HYUNDAI OWNER, BUT I JUST DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT A) NOT ONLY AM I FAR FROM THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD THIS ISSUE, B) THERE HAS ACTUALLY BEEN A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT THAT HYUNDAI LOST REGARDING THE FREQUENT STALLING OF HYUNDAI VEHICLES. I NEED HYUNDAI TO FIX THIS ISSUE ASAP OR RISK BEING SUED BY MY FAMILY AFTER I'M KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT THAT IS THE DIRECT RESULT OF YOUR STALLING VEHICLES.
Jul 15, 2016
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
3 complaints
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SPEED UP, CRASHING INTO A STORE FRONT, BREAKING THE GLASS WINDOW AND KNOCKING OUT SOME BRICKS.
Oct 20, 2020
MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 4D SPORT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. I APPLIED THE BREAK AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP OR SLOW. LUCKILY, I DIDN'T WRECK. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER WITH MY HAZARDS ON, PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP.
Sep 13, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,900. UPDATED 09/15/14*LJ UPDATED 1/7/2015 *JS
Jun 03, 2014
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
3 complaints
WHEN DRIVING THE 2009 SANTA FE THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. POWER TO BREAKS AND STEERING IS LOST. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL START AGAIN WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. IN BOTH INSTANCES THE CAR IS MOVING ON A HILLY ROAD. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE IS 09/20/2016
Sep 21, 2016
I WAS DRIVING MY WHITE HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED, 3.3L, 6CYL SUV HOME FROM WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME. I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN AND I LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKES, VEERING ONTO A NARROW SHOULDER AND INTO A SLOPE THAT SENT MY SUV INTO A SWAMP DITCH, SUBMERGING THE SUV UP PAST THE FLOORBOARDS. MY INSURANCE CLAIM SPECIALIST NOTIFIED ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS, AND PAID A CLAIM PAYOUT AND SETTLEMENT FAR LESS THAN THE AMOUNT STILL OWED ON THE VEHICLE. IT IS MY OPINION THAT A CYBER-ATTACK SIGNAL SENT TO THE SUV'S ENGINE IMMOBILIZER SWITCH, SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING, ELECTRONICALLY. THIS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED FROM ANY HAND HELD DEVICE, MOBIL PHONE, LAP TOP COMPUTER, SATELLITE FEED, ETC. ALL THAT IS REQUIRED IS A VIN NUMBER, AND ANY SIGNAL TO THE ENGINE IMMOBILIZER SWITCH CAN SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE DANGEROUSLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LOWER SPEEDS OF 20MPH, WHERE I WOULD JUST TURN THE IGNITION KEY, THE SUV WOULD START THE ENGINE, AND I WOULD PROCEED. HOWEVER, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I DID NOT HAVE THIS OPTION.
May 08, 2015
THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AT NIGHT TIME. ABOUT 10 MIN FROM A COLD START, I TURNED ONTO THE 210 FWY. THERE WAS A 270 DEGREE DOWNHILL TURN (A STEEP CURVE) SO I HAD THE BRAKES ON WHILE DOING 15 MPH. HALF WAY INTO THE TURN, I SUDDENLY LOST BRAKE AND STEERING WHEEL FROZE. WITH SOME EFFORT, I MANAGED TO TURN THE STEERING AND STOP THE CAR. THE ENGINE DIED WITHOUT WARNING. LATER I SENT THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP BUT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE EVENT. *TR
Feb 27, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3 complaints
THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR AND HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY THE LAST 2 MONTHS. AT RANDOM TIMES, IN TOWN OR ON HIGHWAY WITH VARYING SPEEDS, THE RPM WILL JUMP WITHOUT ME USING ANY MORE PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL, WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THEN, THE RPM WILL GO BACK DOWN IN THE SAME MANNER JUST AS QUICKLY.
Oct 02, 2015
I WAS PARKING MY CAR IN A SPACE AT A LOCAL STORE. THE CAR TOOK OFF. SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WENT FORWARD PROBABLY A GOOD 15 FEET BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE BOTH FUEL TANK SENSORS REPLACED. MY GAS GAUGE WOULD NOT REGISTER PROPERLY. FLUCTUATED UP AND DOWN AT RANDOM MOMENTS. COST ME $364.51! SEEMS TO BE A CONTINUING PROBLEM. *TR
Feb 20, 2015
VEHICLE SLOWED WITHOUT WARNING ON FREEWAY AT FREEWAY SPEED, THEN WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WENT TO IDLE MODE. BEFORE SLOWDOWN, HAD MILD SURGING AT SPEED. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AT TPS OR THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. PROBLEM WITH SAME SENSOR REPORTED TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP PREVIOUS, DIAGNOSED AS LOOSE CONNECTION REPORTED FROM PERIODIC SURGING WHILE DRIVING. AFTER RECENT PROBLEM WITH ALTERNATOR, WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF PART, WITHIN ONE WEEK, TPS PARTIALLY FAILED. FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AS KIA DEALERSHIP (SISTER COMPANY TO HYUNDAI) WHEN UNDERWENT FIRST REPAIR. FAILURE REQUIRED HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO BE TOLD EXACT PROBLEM, WHEREBY THEY CONFIRMED DIAGNOSIS. PART REQUIRED REPLACEMENT WITH SOFTWARE UPDATES. PART PROBLEM LEADING TO FAILURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED UNDER FIRST ROUND OF TESTING, AND UNDER FIRST REPAIR A WEEK PRIOR. PARTS UNPREDICTABLE FAILURE IS BELIEVED TO PRESENT A SIGNIFICANT RISK WHILE VEHICLE IS OPERATING. *TR
Nov 11, 2014
STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
2 complaints
vehicle will randomly shutoff. example coming off the interstate and off the exit ramp and accelerating into traffic vehicle with completly die, no power steering or power brakes. after pulling off the road the vehicle will restart and run normally. may not happen again for several weeks. dealer had performed recalls and cannot duplicate issue
Apr 25, 2024
2 ISSUES - (1 )WHILE TURNING, LOSES POWER STEERING MOMENTARILY, BATTERY AND SEAT BELT LIGHTS COME ON TEMPORARILY (2) WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS, CAR "BUCKS" AS IF TRANSMISSION JAMMED OR BRAKES LOCKED UP MOMENTARILY --BOTH ISSUES ARE INTERMITTENT, AND MAY BE UNRELATED--
Feb 09, 2020
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
2 complaints
Paint is peeling/delaminating off the car in chunks - from the roof and the hood. Paint peeled off of the hood in a large chunk while I was driving, and got stuck on the windshield & caught up on the wipers while in use. This damaged the wipers and created a dangerous situation, as it blocked my vision while driving. The paint peels off and flies off the car in chunks and can land on another car windshield as well and block their view. I brought the car to the dealer years ago when the paint first starting peeling, and was told it was just past the warranty and there was nothing they could do. I read online that there was a class action suit on this exact issue and it has been a problem for many, many years and Hyundai continues to manufacture this paint despite being aware of the problem. I contacted Hyundai corporate to report this issue, and they said there is nothing they can do. So I have decided to report the issue to warn other drivers, as the last chunk that peeled off became a safety hazard. Note: Car was only used occasionally, has very low mileage, and is garaged for a portion of the year. The paint should not be in this condition - it is defective. I paid extra for this particular pearl white paint when I purchased the car new - it was an upgrade, presented as self-healing paint.
Mar 08, 2023
PAINT COMES OFF THE CAR IN LARGE PIECES THAT, IF RAINING, WILL STICK TO WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR AND THE CAR BEHIND YOU, WHILE DRIVING. THIS BLOCKS THE VISIBILITY OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSES WIPER PROBLEMS AS THE LARGE PIECES GET STUCK TO THEM. AGAIN THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. THE LARGE PIECE OF PAINT WILL STILL COME OFF DURING NORMAL DRIVING, BUT THE SAFETY CONCERN IS WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. PIECES AS LARGE AS 1 INCH BY 1 INCH ARE NOT UNCOMMON, WITH THE LARGEST PIECE CURRENTLY MISSING IS ABOUT 8 INCHES BY 8 INCHES. PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING OVER 2 YEARS AGO. WHEN THE PIECES GET STUCK TO THE WINDSHIELD, YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER TO REMOVE THEM FROM BOTH THE WINDSHIELD AND WIPER BLADES. THIS IS ALSO DANGEROUS AS WE HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER ON A MAJOR FREEWAY BEFORE TO REMOVE THEM FROM PARTS OF THE VEHICLE, NAMELY THE WINDSHIELD AND WIPERS. THIS PROBLEM AGAIN CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH VISIBILITY OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR AND POSSIBLY THE CAR(S) BEHIND YOU WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT LARGE PIECES (SHEETS) OF PAINT SHOULD BE COMING OFF OF A CAR AND STICKING TO A WINDSHIELD OF THE AFFECTED CAR AND CARS AROUND IT, WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. TRULY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
May 23, 2017
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 complaints
CONTACT OWNED 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE. AT 2PM ON JULY 7, 2017, DRIVER EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN, UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION THAT CAUSED A FATAL CRASH THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS. MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE SUBJECT INCIDENT. HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF A STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATIONS WITH THIS GENERATION OF VEHICLES. OTHER PUBLIC VOQS AND PRIVATE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS SUPPORT THE CONTACTS ALLEGATIONS THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM. THE 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AVAILABLE 'SMART PEDAL' BRAKE THROTTLE OVERRIDE TECHNOLOGY. IN 2012, HYUNDAI ADMITTED THAT "WITH VIRTUALLY ALL CARS USING ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL TODAY, THERE REMAINS THE REMOTE POSSIBILITY FOR AN UNFORESEEN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION, CAUSING A VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE CONTRARY TO DRIVER INPUT. ALTHOUGH VERY UNLIKELY DUE TO VARIOUS BUILT-IN ELECTRONIC SAFETY PROTOCOLS, UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES COULD STILL EXIST THAT COULD CAUSE THIS TYPE OF MALFUNCTION.' HYUNDAI INTRODUCED `THIS CRITICAL SAFETY TECHNOLOGY' ON 100 PERCENT OF ITS NEW MODELS ANTICIPATING THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT MANDATE IT SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. 'WITH HYUNDAI'S BRAKE PEDAL THROTTLE OVERRIDE CAPABILITY, ANY BRAKE PEDAL INPUT BY THE DRIVER, EVEN WITH A RUNAWAY THROTTLE CONDITION, COMPLETELY OVERRIDES ANY THROTTLE MALFUNCTION,' STATED THE DIRECTOR OF CERTIFICATION AND COMPLIANCE AFFAIRS FOR HYUNDAI'S AMERICAN TECHNICAL CENTER, INC. (HATCI), SAID IN A STATEMENT. 'IT IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE TO HAVE INCREASING ENGINE POWER ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED BY THE DRIVER. THIS ADDS A REASSURING, INCREMENTAL SAFEGUARD OF CONTROL FOR HYUNDAI DRIVERS.' PER CONSUMER AFFAIRS, 'LOCAL POLICE AGENCY SUGGESTS THAT HYUNDAI ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN BEFORE FATAL CRASH'. SPECIAL CRASH INVESTIGATION.
Jan 05, 2021
RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SEEMS TO HESITATE THEN HAS A MINOR ACCELERATION. IT SEEMS AS IF ITS ABOUT TO STALL BUT CATCHES AND ACCELERATES OR INCREASES TO ORIGINAL SPEED. THIS IS CONCERNING ESPECIALLY WHEN IT OCCURS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. IN ADDITION, I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AT 24, 348 MILES AS THE CAR DIED ON ME TWICE WHILE TRAVELING. I PURCHASED A BATTERY FROM O'RIELLY AUTO PARTS AS IT WAS CLOSER TO MY HOME. THE DEALER WOULD ONLY STATE THAT BATTERY FAILURE HAS OCCURRED WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON THE SANTE FE HOWEVER SINCE I DIDN'T BRING MY CAR TO THEM THE BATTERY IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT BATTERY LIFE IS THIS SHORT. *KB
Sep 14, 2011
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaints
MY CAR HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPAIRED IN 2013 BEFORE I OWNED THE VEHICLE UNDER RECALL 13V113000. NOW THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED AGAIN. I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR AND COULD NOT PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. THIS HAPPENED SEEMINGLY OUT OF NOWHERE AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AND OFF FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. MY BRAKE LIGHTS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, AND CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK AND I CANNOT SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I CALLED HYUNDAI I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS REPLACED IN 2013 SO THERE IS NO LONGER A RECALL OPTION, EVEN THOUGH THE PART IS FAILING AGAIN.
Apr 29, 2019
I WAS HEADING OUT AND THE ABS AND ESC LIGHTS CAME ON. DECIDED TO TURN AROUND AND GO BACK HOME, DUE TO FACT THAT I WAS WORRIED AND SCARED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH ABS BRAKES AND THE ESC CONTROL, THAT MAY OR MAY NOT CAUSE A CRASH OR ACCIDENT. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR END UP GETTING HURT OR HURT ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. READ IN MANUAL THAT IT COULD BE A FAULTY SWITCH OR SENSOR. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KID OF COSTLY MONEY TO FIX PROBLEM. I NEED MY CAR TO GET TO DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS AS I HAVE MANY HEALTH ISSUES. IF THERE IS A RECALL I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AND HAVE IT FIXED FREE OF CHARGE.
May 10, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD POP SOUND AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 08/23/17*LJ *CN
Jun 19, 2017
WHILE GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY FROM THE ON RAMP THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE GAS PEDAL BEGAN TO DEPRESS ITSELF WITHOUT ME DOING IT. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED AND THE FLOOR MATT WAS NOT THE CAUSE. BRAKING WAS DIFFICULT AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED THE ENGINE. AFTER TELLING MY FAMILY ABOUT THE INCIDENT MY DAUGHTER TOLD ME THAT IT HAD OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE IN THE SAME MANNER ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO.
Nov 20, 2010
STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaints
WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. POWER STEERING AND BREAKS ARE GONE. THE CAR WILL CRANK RIGHT BACK OFF BUT THIS US VERY DANGEROUS. I'M NOT SURE IF WEATHER IS A FACTOR BUT WHEN IT HAS HAPPENED WHICH GAS BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES, IT HAS BEEN IN THE 80'S. MECHANICS AND DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING AND NO CODES ARE RECORDED.
Apr 06, 2017
WE WERE EXITING A RAMP OFF RT 75 IN FLORIDA. OUR SPEED WAS ABOUT 30 MPH. SUDDENLY WE LOSS POWER STEERING AND BRAKING AND ACCELERATION. WE COASTED TO A STOP. WE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES...EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. IT WAS THE SECOND SUCH EXPERIENCE. THE FIRST WAS AUGUST 2013. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THROTTLE SENSOR AT THAT TIME. THIS LATEST EXPERIENCE IS THE EXACT DUPLICATE OF THE FIRST. I AM TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW MORNING.
May 10, 2015
SEAT BELTS
2 complaints
DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES HAVE BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AGREED THAT THE SEAT BELTS SHOULD BE REPLACED, HOWEVER HYUNDAI DID NOT AGREE TO PAYING FOR REPLACEMENT. I BELIEVE THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE DEFECTIVE AND A SAFETY HAZARD. I THINK THAT THEY ARE DEFECTIVE FOR HAVING FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STILL BELOW 60,000 MILES. I THINK THAT THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT, I AM NOT SURE WHETHER WE COULD GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. BBB WOULD NOT TAKE OUR CASE IN ARBITRATION SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF THE 5 YEAR AUTO MANUFACTURER BUMP-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD REIMBURSE US FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF OUR SEAT BELTS.
Feb 09, 2017
UPON TRYING TO SWITCH MY DAUGHTER FROM HER CAR SEAT TO A BOOSTER SEAT WE NOTICED OUT BACK SEAT SEATBELTS WERE FRAYED AND DAMAGED, LATER WE FOUND OUT IT WAS DO TO FAULTY SEATBELT TENTIONERS.
Jul 24, 2015
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE
2 complaints
2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED WITH A 3.3 LITER ENGINE WITH APPROXIMATELY 53,500 MI. I WAS SETTING STOPPED ON A CITY STREET WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED REVVING UP AS FAST IT COULD GO (APP 6K TO 7K RPM'S). IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM TAKING OFF AND SLAMMING INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. IT WAS CREEPING ALONG AND TAPPED THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I GOT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHICH NOT TO MY SURPRISE CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. AFTER I TALKED TO THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP THEY CONTACTED HYUNDAI WHO IS SUPPOSEDLY LOOKING INTO IT. NOT THAT I BLAME HER MY WIFE IS VERY RELUCTANT TO DRIVE IT UNLESS THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Jan 10, 2017
THE VEHICLE LOOSES ALL POWER. IT ALSO SURGES AND STALLS. *TR
Jun 02, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
2 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODER EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED INCORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND GAUGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,500.
Jun 28, 2016
ENGINE STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. FUEL PUMP FAILURE. *TR
Jun 16, 2011
VISIBILITY
2 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED AND THE ENTIRE REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODED, CAUSING GLASS TO SHATTER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED FOR THIRTY MINUTES WITH THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER ACTIVATED. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERAURE WAS 27 DEGREES. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZED IN WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Dec 07, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE . WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE WINDSHIELD WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF DUE TO THE GLAZE COMING FROM THE SUN. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE WINDSHIELD AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD POLISH THE WINDSHIELD IN ORDER TO CLEAN THE OUTSIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS STILL DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDOW WHILE DRIVING. THERE HAVE BEEN NO WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3097 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10114.
Sep 16, 2010
STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 complaints
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK BETWEEN TWO CARS AND AS I WAS ABOUT TO CUT THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO FINISH THE PARK, MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (WITHOUT MY DOING) INTO THE CAR BEHIND ME. I HAD NO TIME TO COMPENSATE AND ULTIMATELY CRUSHED THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT/FRAME OF THE CAR BEHIND ME. *TR
Aug 25, 2014
ENTERED HORSESHOE CASINO PARKING GARAGE AND TURNED INTO PARKING LEVEL. AS I FOLLOWED FORD TAURUS, HYUNDAI ENGINE CHANGED FROM NORMAL SPEED TO A ROARING ACCELERATION IN AN INSTANCE. I COULDN'T BRAKE IT TO A STOP AND IT RAMMED THE REAR END OF THE TAURUS. DAMAGE TO THE SANTE FE WAS LIMITED TO FRONT BUMPER DAMAGE WHILE THE BACK END OF THE TAURUS WAS DRIVEN FORWARD AND TORN UP. MY HUSBAND THOUGHT THE CRUISE MIGHT HAVE GONE ON; BUT, HE DECIDED THE ACCELERATION WAS TOO RAPID FOR THE CRUISE. HE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WE DROVE HOME WITHOUT ANY FURTHER TROUBLE. *TR
Dec 29, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 complaints
I HAD MADE A LEFT HAND TURN AND WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP, I TRIED TO PUSH THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AND IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND FINALLY AFTER A FEW MOMENTS THE GAS PEDAL CAME UNSTUCK. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND I PULLED OVER. LATER THAT DAY MY SON DROVE THE VEHICLE AND IT HAPPENED TWICE TO HIM WHEN HE WENT TO ACCELERATE HE SAID IT JUST KEPT ACCELERATING AND HE SAID HE KEPT HITTING THE BRAKES UNTIL THE CARE WENT BACK TO NORMAL. I DID TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I DID DO A GOOGLE SEARCH AND IT SEEMS THAT OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE REPORTED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. *TR
May 02, 2014
WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY SUV TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A LARGE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, THE SUV INVOLUNTARILY ACCELERATED FORWARD AT A GREAT AMOUNT OF SPEED. I APPLIED THE BRAKE FIRMLY, BUT THE SUV CONTINUED TO SPEED FORWARD INTO THE PARKING SPACE. MY FEAR WAS THAT THERE WAS A CAR IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF ME THAT WAS PARKED FACING IN. I ASSUMED THAT THE ONLY WAY I WAS GOING TO STOP WAS IF I CRASHED HEAD ON WITH THE CAR OPPOSITE ME. FORTUNATELY, I HAD THE BRAKE ALMOST TO THE FLOOR OF THE SUV WHEN IT FINALLY LURCHED TO A STOP. I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHO SENT A TOW TRUCK TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE APPROXIMATELY 4:30 P.M. ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2010. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT TODAY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 20. I HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM THEM THIS MORNING.
Dec 20, 2010
SEATS
2 complaints
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT MANUAL HANDLE WAS TOUCHED BY MISTAKE WHENEVER THE CONTACT EXIT THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE HANDLE WAS TOUCHED THE SEAT LEVEL WOULD BE LOWERED AND THE VIEW IN THE MIRRORS WOULD BE OBSTRUCTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149.
May 25, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT MANUAL HANDLE WAS TOUCHED BY MISTAKE EVERY TIME THE CONTACT EXIT THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE HANDLE WAS TOUCHED THE SEAT LEVEL WOULD BE LOWERED AND THE VIEW IN THE MIRRORS WOULD BE OBSTRUCTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ UPDATED 3/1/12 *CN
May 25, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
2 complaints
CONTINUATION OF COMPLAINT 10302521. SINCE LAST SERVICE DEPT VISIT, DVD PLAYER WORKED FINE FOR APPROX. 2 MONTHS. NOW IN JULY 2010, DVD PLAYER IS BACK TO SWITCHING TO XM AT RANDOM AT LEAST 1 X WK AND UP TO 1 X DAY. MOSTLY AFTER BUMPY RDS. BUT SERVICE DEPT REFUSES IT IS A LOOSE WIRE. THEY HAVE CONTINUALLY STATED THEY DO NOT WANT TO TEAR APART STEERING WHEEL EVEN THOUGH THAT AND THE ACTUAL PLAYER ARE THE LAST AREAS NOT REPLACED. SRVCE DEPT STANDS BY INTERTWINING RADIO SIGNALS, THEN WHY IS IT SWITCHING TO XM AND NOT PICKING UP THE RANDOM SIGNAL. FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. SRVC DEPT AGAIN SUGGESTED I LEAVE CAR SO THEY CAN SEARCH AGAIN BUT NO GUARANTEES. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE IS A FIX. *TR
Jul 17, 2010
HYUNDAI SANTA FE PURCHASED ON 12 SEPT 2009. DVD SCREEN NOT FUNCTIONING, COULD HEAR MOVIE NOT SEE IT. DEALERSHIP REPLACED SCREEN IN OCTOBER 2009. SINCE THEN, THE DVD RSE SYSTEM HAS INTERMITTENTLY CHANGED FROM DVD TO XM OR CD AT WILL. REAR PASSENGERS ARE NOT ABLE TO REACH THE DVD BUTTONS DUE TO AGE AND CHILD SAFETY SEATS. RSE IS LOCKED FROM FRONT CONTROLS. DVD SYSTEM CONTINUES TO SWITCH FROM DVD TO XM OR CD AT LEAST ONCE PER DAY CAUSING THE PASSENGERS TO BE BLASTED WITH HIGH VOLUME MUSIC. IN OCTOBER 2009, THE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM (FOR DOORS AND WINDOWS AND SUCH) WAS REPLACED AND THE ALARM SYSTEM WAS RESET (IT KEPT ARMING ITSELF RANDOMLY). IN NOVEMBER 2009, THE ALARM SYSTEM WAS RESET AGAIN AND THE DVD PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO MECHANICS ATTENTION AGAIN. ALARM SYSTEM WAS FIXED BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE DVD PROBLEM. TOOK CAR IN AGAIN 16 JANUARY 2010, WAS TOLD INTERTWINING OUTSIDE RADIO SIGNALS AND THE FACT I WORK ON A MILITARY BASE WERE CAUSING THE DVD TO SWITCH. FT SAM HOUSTON, TX IS MAINLY A MEDICAL TRAINING MILITARY BASE. MECHANIC REPLICATED PROBLEM BUT LATER TOLD SHOP MANAGER THAT HE COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH OUT DRIVING IN TOWN WHERE I NORMALLY DRIVE. MECHANIC AND REPAIR SHOP MANAGER STATED IT COULD NOT BE A LOOSE PLUG OR WIRING IT WAS THE RADIO SIGNALS. THIS OCCURS AT RANDOM AND I THOUGHT IT WAS FROM BUMPS IN THE ROAD UNTIL IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN WHEN DRIVER WAS NOT TOUCHING THE STEERING WHEEL OR RADIO CONTROLS, AT STOP LIGHTS, AND ON SMOOTH ROADS. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND A BLOG ON EDMUNDS STATING HYUNDAI HAS KNOW ABOUT THIS AND AUDIO PROBLEMS SINCE 2007 BUT NOTHING WILL FIX DVD PROBLEM.*CW
Jan 27, 2010
AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
On January 16,2025 I was driving my Hyundai Santa Fe on the freeway with my three children when the automatic brake system suddenly failed, causing me to lose control of the vehicle. As a result, we spun off the road, and the vehicle flipped four times, causing us multiple injuries. Additionally, due to a known recall involving the failure of the airbag deployment system, the airbags did not deploy during the crash. These combined defects caused me and my children to suffer significant injuries, including broken cervical spine. Broken thoracic spine and Broken Sternum. My daughter has a fractured spine and sternum. And both my sons have serious bruising and head trauma. Both the automatic brake system and the airbag system on this vehicle are part of existing recalls issued by Hyundai Motors. These failures directly contributed to the severity of our accident and the injuries we sustained
Jan 21, 2025
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
My 2009 Santa Fe's paint is peeling in large portions. It started on the driver's side door right below the window and has continued to crack and bubble all the way down the door. There has been no safety issues as of yet, but it will be a safety issue if I am driving and pieces or chunks of the paint fly off. If pieces or chunks fly off and land on my or another driver's windshield and blocks the ability of our vision it could be very dangerous and potentially cause an accident. I am not talking about little chips of paint here and there, I am talking about large size chunks. I know that I am not the only person who is having this issue, there are hundreds of people having this same issue and why there has not been a recall for this yet is blowing my mind. What is Hyundai waiting for a accident, a fatality? This is something that they need to make right, we work hard and when we purchase a vehicle for a lot of money and we take care of it so it will last us a long time and then the paint starts peeling all over the place and makes it look horrible not to mention it will begin to rust, how does Hyundai not feel obligated to fix it and make it right?
Jan 25, 2024
STEERING,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
1 complaint
Took my car in for repair because I was told that my power steering pump and gaskets were bad. Upon further investigation it wasn’t neither. It was the power steering hose that goes from the power steering to the racket pinion. Both of the hoses had holes in them and were rusted out. Here Hyundai upgraded the power steering pump because of problems and I was never notified about the upgrade and you cannot purchase the hoses needed you have to purchase a whole new power steering pump that I don’t need. The airbag light is on and I couldn’t even order the airbag it was on back order when asked. The seat belt on the right passenger side in the back will not lock in place due to I don’t know what. Campaign 947 the under body corrosion treatment didn’t protect what it was suppose to causing my frame and control arms to go bad. I have had to replace upper and lower ball joints more than 4-5 times since I purchase this vehicle new from the dealership.
Oct 31, 2023
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
I am having a serious issue with my car that mechanics are unable to figure out. On multiple occasions, while driving at low speed in preparation for making a turn, my car has completely shut off, making it impossible for me to steer, brake or accelerate. I lost all control of my vehicle. I noticed the ‘check engine’ and ‘battery’ lights illuminated each time, but this information, along with incident descriptions, has proven less than helpful when I’ve taken it into a shop for inspection/repair as mechanics have been unable to reproduce the event or to accurately identify the problem. This has happened on the road (at intersections and once at a traffic circle) and on two occasions while I had a passenger in the vehicle with me. I currently have my vehicle back in an auto shop because it happened most recently about a week ago. However, since the problem has yet to be successfully identified and since I feel as though this is a serious safety issue that could impact others with the same type of vehicle, I am filing this official complaint.
Sep 04, 2023
STEERING,SUSPENSION
1 complaint
While I was driving home, I went to make a turn and I heard a cracking noise and it felt like the steering wheel went one way and the frame was going the opposite way. I drove very slowly to a service station and when they looked at it they said they couldn't believe I drove the car without getting into an accident, they said the car was undrivable because the frame broke, They went on to say it was due to rust. I'm a 2nd owner and when I called the Hyundai corporate Headquarters they informed me there was a recall #947 Santa Fe underbody corrosion. I was told I should've received the recall when I received the new registration, I never received the recall, where do I stand with getting my car repaired, is Hyundai responsible to do the repair, I left a message with the service group at the dealership and haven't received a response yet.
Mar 03, 2023
STEERING,POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
(Service brakes, hydraulic, exterior lighting, Recall started in 4-1-2013, Recall #13V113000. Car was brought to authorized dealer on the same occasion as mentioned below and told the vehicle did not need that repair performed.) (Air bags : Frontal Sensor/Control module, Recall started 7-24-2012, Recall #12V354000.Car was nbrought to authorized retailer and told Hyundai no longer makes the part in order to resolve this issue.) There are 5-6 different lights, all of which are mentioned for the recalls as stated above and seems to be a solvable issue. I just don't want to learn one day that my husbands cruise control did not disengage and he collided head on full speed. Hyundai needs to to start producing the part in order to fix the cars or recall them all together for fear of multiple lawsuits. Photo evidence of dash lights and screenshots of recalls can be provided upon request.
Jan 26, 2022
STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
1 complaint
While driving on the interstate, I approached my exit. As I am slowing down, the engine shuts off and steering becomes very hard. I quickly shifted into neutral to restart the car to avoid a crash. There were no warning lights on the dash before shutting down. I immediately took it to a mechanic to see what the problem was. He said he saw none. This has been going on since September 2020 and it is happening more than one time a day. Since then, I have taken it to 4 other mechanics who have all told me that they don't see any problems. I take chances everyday not knowing when the car will shut down on me while driving because this is my only vehicle that I just bought in April of 2020. This is a very serious problem that should've been looked into.
May 19, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE
1 complaint
TWO TIMES MY CAR HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING, ONE AT 10 MPH AND ONE AT 20 MPH. THERE ARE NO SIGNS THAT THE CAR IS GOING TO STALL. HAVE NO LIGHTS, BRAKES, STEERING, CAN'T EVEN USE HAZARD LIGHTS.
Oct 06, 2020
STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
WHEN I FIRST "TESTED" THE CAR I MENTIONED TO THE SALES PERSON THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. HE CONVINCED ME IT WASN'T. ON 7/31/19 I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES AND HAD A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. I TOOK IT BACK FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE ALIGNMENT 3 TIMES BEFORE THE COVID OUTBREAK (TWICE BEFORE JANUARY). IT IS NOW MAJORLY VEERING TO THE RIGHT AND I HAVE TO KEEP IT FROM GOING THAT WAY WHEN DRIVING. I DON'T DRIVE FAR TO WORK WHICH IS WHY IT WASN'T AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM BEFORE.
Jul 13, 2020
AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
I WAS COMING FROM FOOD SHOPPING, ON AUGUST, 26, 2019 AND WAS TRYING TO LEAVE OUT MY PARKING SPOT. WHILE ME BACKING OUT, MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARD AND WHILE I TRIED TO STOP MY VEHICLE IT TAPPED INTO A LIGHT POLE. I WAS TRYING TO GET MY SELF OUT OF THIS WEIRD SITUATION. I SWITCHED GEARS TO PARK MY CAR, AND MY CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD SLAMMING INTO A BRICK WALL AND ALSO RUBBING AGAINST IT. MY CAR THEN SLOWLY STARTED TO BACK UP NOT EVEN LETTING ME BE ABLE TO BREAK OR SWITCH GEARS. FOR THE LAST TIME IT ACCELERATED FORWARD SIDE SWIPING A LADY CAR AND HITTING THE BRICK WALL AGAIN. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF, LEAVING ME WITH AN CONCUSSION AND ALSO SEVER NECK AND HEAD PAIN. THIS ALL HAPPEN SO SUDDENLY AND RANDOMLY. I BARELY REMEMBERED WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL SEEING A VIDEO OFF OF THE CAMERA AT A NEAR BY GAS STATION. THIS SITUATION WENT FROM SOMETHING WEIRD HAPPENING INTO A VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY SITUATION. I CONTACTED NATIONAL CONSUMERS AFFAIRS HYUNDAI MOTOR VEHICLE, BECAUSE MY CAR HAD BEEN TOTALED, I WAS LEFT WITH HOSPITAL BILLS AND ALSO MY INSURANCE MAY GO UP, BECAUSE OF THE WHOLE SITUATIONS. I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE CAME TO SOME CLOSURE WHEN IT CAME TO THEM HELPING ME OUT WITH MY SITUATION, BUT THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR AND THERE WAS NO DEFECT OR ANYTHING. AFTER SENDING THESE PEOPLE PICTURES, THE VIDEO, AND EVEN PROOF OF ME GOING TO THE HOSPITAL MORE THAN ONCE,THEY MADE ME FEEL LIKE THIS WAS ALL MY FAULT. I SPOKE TO A "PRIVATE" CONTRACTOR FROM HYUNDAI THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO LOOK INTO MY CAR AND ALSO A SPECIALIST THAT DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE ME HIS LAST NAME WHILE LOOKING INTO MY CASE. ALSO A LADY FROM HYUNDAI CALLED ME FROM A PRIVATE NUMBER FROM THE COMPANY. THIS ALL SEEM SO WEIRD TO ME AS IF THEY WERE SCAMMING ME WHEN IT CAME TO A SERIOUS SITUATION LIKE THIS. I FEEL LIKE HYUNDAI IS RUNNING FAKE INVESTIGATIONS. I'M HOPING NHTSA DO SOMETHING ASAP.
Jan 02, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS STALLED MORE THAN 4 TIMES WHILE DRIVING SINCE 2010. IT LOSES POWER WITHOUT WARNING RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AND NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE FIRST TIME IN 2010 IT STOPPED WHILE ON THE EXIT RAMP OF A HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 50 MPH. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM" SO THEY DID NOTHING. BROUGHT SAME VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP IN 2011, 2014 AND 2019. EACH TIME WE ARE TOLD "COULD NOT DUPLICATE AT THIS TIME". THE MOST RECENT ON AUGUST 7, 2019 THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY COMMENTING THAT "VEHICLE NOW OPERATES NORMALLY. VEHICLE DOES NOT STALL". THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE STALLED AGAIN DURING DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP WILL ONLY LOOK AGAIN AT THE VEHICLE AT THE COST OF $100.00 PER HOUR. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE CORPORATE OFFICE AND THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL, IN FACT RUDE AND HUNG UP. AFTER READING SO M;ANY COMPLAINTS ON JUST THIS SITE I HOPE OUR GOVERNMENT CAN HELP GET HYUNDAI TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED.
Oct 02, 2019
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
1 complaint
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE SLOWING DOWN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, HEADLIGHTS AND POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ARE LOST, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT COME ON. IMAGINE DRIVING DOWN A DARK WINDY ROAD AT NIGHT AND LOSING POWER STEERING AND BRAKING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. THIS IS ACCURATE TO THE EXPERIENCE. IF I TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON, IT STARTS JUST FINE. IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE, ON THE FREEWAY, WHILE PARKING, ETC. EVERY PERSON I HAVE TALKED TO WITH SAME VEHICLE CONFIRMS THE SAME. I HAVE YET TO FIND ANYONE WITH A FIX. THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR 2010 AND ON FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE. THIS ISSUE STARTED HAPPENING IN 2015 WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, AND IT HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN FOR YEARS.
Jul 05, 2019
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
1 complaint
FINALLY GOT HYUNDAI TO REPLACE MY RUSTED SUBFRAME ENGINE CRADLE (TOOK ALMOST 8 MONTHS TO GET PARTS) AND AFTER THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS, I WENT AND PICKED IT UP. EVERYTHING SEAMED OKAY, BUT APON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE, THERE IS A LOUD CLUNK WHEN LETTING OFF THE BRAKE TO START MOVING. ALSO WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE, GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE THE SAME SOUND HAPPENS. THE SOUND ALSO EMITS WHEN GOING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND VISE VERSA.
May 29, 2019
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
I BOUGHT A 2009 HYNDAI SANTA FE IN 2013 WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL DECEMBER OF 2018. I DROVE ABOUT 20 MILES AND ON THE WAY BACK HOME IT STARTED GOING AS SLOW AS 5 MILES AN HOUR; I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS AN ISSUE ABOUT BEING RECALLED BUT I STILL HAVE 2 MORE YEARS OF PAYMENTS AND THE TRUCK ISN'T WORKING!!!
Feb 23, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaint
RIGHT FRONT FOG LIGHT INOPERATIVE. DEALER REPLACED HALOGEN BULB. WITHIN A FEW DAYS FOG LAMP OVERHEATED CAUSING BULB SOCKET AND LENS BULB HOLDER TO COMPLETELY MELT DOWN CAUSING BULB TO FALL DOWN ONTO THE INSIDE OF THE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER AND BURNED TWO HOLES THROUGH BUMPER ALMOST CAUSING A FIRE AS BULB WAS STILL FUNCTIONING. NO CIRCUIT BREAKERS OR FUSES BLEW. DEALER STATES THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE TO OTHER VEHICLES AND NOW DEALER NEEDS TO REPLACE BOTH SOCKET & WIRING AND COMPLETE LENS BODY.
Jan 02, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR FELL OUT OF THE CEILING AS IF THE WIRES WERE CUT IN HALF IN THE HOLE THAT HELD THE VISOR IN PLACE. I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE SUDDEN EVENT BUT I HAVE BARELY BEEN ABLE TO SEE WHILE DRIVING EARLY IN THE MORNINGS OR LATE IN THE EVENINGS WHEN THE SUN IS LOW IN THE SKY AND SHINING DIRECTLY THROUGH THE WINDOW.
Sep 12, 2018
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, AT APPROXIMATELY 110 MILES, DEVELOPED A PROBLEM, WHICH ACTUALLY RESULTS IN A SERIOUS/SAFETY PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL AVAILABLE IN THE TANK. I DON'T KNOW IF THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL PUMPS, OR THE FUEL SENSING UNITS IN THE GAS TANKS, OR WITH THE WIRING BETWEEN THE GAS TANK AND THE GAS GAUGE, OR WITH THE GAS GAUGE ITSELF. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING NOR IF THE VEHICLE IS SLANTED AT AN ANGLE. QUITE OFTEN THE PROBLEM RESULTS IN THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMING ON. SO FAR I'VE ONLY RUN OUT OF GAS ONCE, AND SINCE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS I LOST BOTH MY STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEMS. ANY MORE I STOP FOR FUEL AFTER ABOUT 120 MILES OR SO. MY HYUNDAI DEALER HAS QUOTED MY A PRICE OF AROUND $3,000.00 (THAT'S THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS) TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND HE SAID THAT THEY CAN'T EVEN GUARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM WON'T REOCCUR. AND HE SAID THAT THIS IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT "HYUNDAI" SHOULD TAKE CARE OF !!!
Aug 09, 2018
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
1 complaint
MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE VALVE COVER GASKETS ON THE 3.3 V6. HYUNDAI REPLACED TWICE UNDER RECALLS. GASKETS HAVE FAILED AGAIN AND HYUNDAI REFUSES TO REPLACE. REAR BRAKE CALIPERS ARE CONSTANTLY LOCKING UP. HAVE BEEN SINCE NEW. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WITH THIS.
Aug 01, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
1 complaint
FIRST PROBLEM, GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. FLUCTUATED UP AND DOWN, THEN WOULD READ EMPTY RIGHT AFTER FILLING THE TANK. HAD TO HAVE 2 SENSORS AND FUEL PUMP CHANGED. VERY EXPENSIVE!! NOW THE CAR STALLS WHEN SLOWING DOWN. EVERY MORNING WHEN I LEAVE FOR WORK IT STALLS AT LEAST ONCE, IT HAS STARTED BACK UP, BUT THIS MORNING THE MOTOR FELT VERY GROGGY AND I DID NOT FEEL SAFE IN DRIVING IT ANYMORE. TOOK IT HOME. I'VE BROUGHT IT TO MECHANICS AND IT NEVER DIES FOR THEM AND THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT, DID IT TWO MORE TIMES AFTER THAT, TAKING IT TONIGHT TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIGURE IT OUT. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE!! IT DIED THE FIRST TIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET! I WAS SO AFRAID SOMEONE WAS GOING TO RUN INTO THE BACK OF ME! THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH OTHER SANTA FE OWNERS FOR THIS YEAR. I WANT HYUNDAI TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND RECALL THESE CARS! THEY ARE UNSAFE!!!
Apr 26, 2018
AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ON. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE. HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BUT CLEARED. CAR WAS PUT BACK TOGETHER AND NOT ON A SALVAGE TITLE. FUEL PUMP SENSORS ARE AT FAULT. NEED TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP SENSORS. ALL FAULT CODES APPEAR WHEN VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION.
Mar 13, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
MY ESC,ABS& AWD SYMBOL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME & I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN HYUNDAIS & HAD THIS ISSUE IM GUESSING THIS IS SOMETHING MAJOR BECAUSE WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT THEY ALL CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING
Jan 22, 2018
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF NO STEERING NO GAS NOTHING QUITE DANGEROUS AND QUITE SCARY WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION ON THE STREET
Nov 24, 2017
SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
TAKATA RECALL: ON JUNE 2 2017 I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO HAPPY HYUNDAI OF OAK LAWN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS A RECALL BECAUSE OF RUSTING OF MY CARS UNDERCARRIAGE. THEY KEPT MY VEHICLE UNTIL AUGUST 17,2017. ON OCTOBER 5TH, I WAS BACKING IN A PARKING SPOT, WHAT I KNOW NOW AS MY CONTROL ARM, LEFT AXLE AND LEFT BALL JOINT BROKE. HAD IT TOWED HOME, CALLED HAPPY HYUNDAI, HAS IT TOWED THERE. AFTER INSPECTIONING MY VEHICLE THEY DETERMINED THE CONTROL ARM & AXLE WERE A PART OF THE CAMPAIGN RECALL BUT THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX MY VEHICLE. REUBEN TOLD ME ON JUNE 2, THEY WERE CONFISCATING IT BECAUSE I COULD BE DRIVING AND THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE COULD FALL OFF. THANKFULLY I WASN'T DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. HYUNDAI RETURNSES AN UNSAFE VEHICLE TO ME AND ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY IN REPAIRING MY VEHICLE WHEN THEY SHOULD AT LEAST REPAIR THEY RECALL SINCE THE CONTROL ARM & AXLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I THINK AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE OPENED REGARDING THIS RECALL TO ENSURE HYUNDAI IS REPAIRING VEHICLES UP TO SAFETY STANDARDS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A STATUS UPDATE. UPDATED 12/07/2017*JS
Oct 17, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING RIGHT TURN ENGINE STALLED LOST BRAKES AND STEERING, WAS ABLE TO STOP IN MIDDLE OF ROAD WITH TRAFFIC COMING UP FAST, PUT IN PARK RE-STARTED. THIS SECOND TIME WITHIN A YEAR
Sep 30, 2017
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
FAULTY FUEL SENSOR GAUGE. WHEN TRYING TO FILL AN EMPTY TANK THE PUMP SHUTS OFF AFTER ONLY A COUPLE OF GALLONS. IF I WASN'T PAYING ATTENTION I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT WAS FULL. I'VE SEEN COMPLAINTS THAT THE FUEL GAUGE STOPS WORKING ON THIS CAR AT SIMILAR MILEAGE, IF THAT HAPPENS TOO I WON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY CAR. I COULD THEN RUN OUT OF GAS WHILE DRIVING AND LOSE POWER STEERING. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT HAZARD. *TR
Dec 05, 2016
POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
1 complaint
VEHICLE INSPECTION PERFORMED BY MANUFACTURE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. TWO ISSUES WERE RECOMMENDED BY THE TECHNICIAN: A) NEW TIRES. ALL 4 TIRES CURRENTLY ON THE VEHICLE ARE AROUND 5 YEARS OLD (BASED ON THE DOT DATE OF MANUFACTURE), AND HAVE BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER 100,000 MILES (BASED ON ODOMETER READINGS FROM 2010 AND CURRENT). B) NEW REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE INSPECTION REVEALED REAR PADS AROUND 3 MM, AND ROTORS SHOWING RUST. THESE ARE SAFETY ISSUES, WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SELLING THE VEHICLE. REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT EXISTING RECORDS DO NOT SPECIFY THAT RECOMMENDED FLUID/TIMING BELT REPLACEMENTS WERE PERFORMED.
Dec 29, 2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
ONLY 85K MILES ON THE HYUNDAI USED FOR NORMAL DRIVING. THE FUEL GAUGE/SENSORS HAVE BEGUN ACTING ERRATIC. FILLED THE GAS TANK AND GAUGE SHOWED FULL. VERY NEXT MORNING GAUGE DOWN TO A QUARTER TANK. PURCHASED GAS AND ONLY NEEDED 3 GALLONS. FUEL GAUGE ALL OVER THE PLACE AND NOT MEASURING GAS CORRECTLY. CREATES AN UNSAFE CONDITION AS DRIVER DOES NOT RELIABLY KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS AVAILABLE. MANY ISSUES LIKE THIS ACCORDING TO POSTS ON INTERNET. HYUNDAI HAS A SYSTEMATIC PROBLEM AND SHOULD REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE.
Nov 26, 2015
POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,880. UPDATED 02/12/16*L CONSUMER STATED MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY FOR PARTS AND TO REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH. HAD MANY SENSOR FAILURES. UPDATED 5/21/18*JB
Oct 23, 2015
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
AT AROUND 4:50 PM ON AUGUST 11, 2015, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED 2WD 4 DOOR WAGON NORTH-BOUND ON SECOND AVENUE, THROUGH THE INTERSECTION OF SECOND AVENUE AND FOOTHILL BOULEVARD IN UPLAND, CALIFORNIA. WHILE CROSSING THE INTERSECTION THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE WAS STRUCK BY A CAR ENTERING THE INTERSECTION FROM THE WEST. THE IMPACT TO THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE BY THE OTHER CAR WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. ADDITIONALLY, MY WIFE SUFFERED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES TO HER HIP, SHOULDER, BACK AND RIGHT TEMPLE (HEAD). WHILE THE IMPACT TO THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE WAGON WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BE A TOTAL LOSS AND CAUSE INJURIES TO MY WIFE, NONE OF THE FRONT OR SIDE IMPACT AIR-BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CAR IS NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (CLAIM NUMBER 012002790. I TOOK SOME PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLES, WHICH I CAN PROVIDE IF REQU
Aug 18, 2015
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
RPM JUMPED WITHOUT DRIVER INCREASING PEDAL PRESSURE, CAUSING SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ISSUE. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE IN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS. *TR
Mar 18, 2015
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1 complaint
FUEL GAUGE IS ERRATIC, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, FAILS NJ EMISSIONS, DEALER WILL NOT FIX A KNOWN ISSUE!!!! *TR
Jun 21, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
1 complaint
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, USING CRUISE CONTROL, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I COASTED TO A STOP AND PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, TRANSMISSION WAS IN GEAR, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND LET IT SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES. I RESTARTED IT, HAD POWER, EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL, EXCEPT THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED LIT. I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES TO MY DESTINATION. THE CAR SAT FOR SIX HOURS AND I WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE 65 MILES HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. REPAIR RESULTS: MY HYUNDAI DEALER INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A 'THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR'. THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENT AND RESET THE ERROR CODES IN THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER. *TR
May 15, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MPH AROUND TOPEKA KANSAS WHEN THE VEHICLE LURCHED, THEN THE ESC, ENGINE AND CHASSIS LIGHTS FLASHED. IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS THE CAR LOST ALL PROPULSION. FORTUNATELY I WAS BY AN OFF-RAMP, BUT COULD OF GOTTEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH SUCH A SUDDEN DECELERATION. MANAGED TO GET TO AN AUTOZONE STORE TO CHECK THE FAULT. THE FAULT CAME UP AS THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TPS). MANAGED TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN TOPEKA. THEY FIXED IN WITHIN 10 MINUTES, BUT AFTER COMPLETING MY TRIP BACK TO COLORADO NOTICED THE CAR IS LURCHING AGAIN IN LOWER SPEED, IN-TOWN TRAFFIC...VERY DANGEROUS!!! WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP IN COLORADO ON MONDAY MORNING!! HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM TWO YEARS AGO, TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM WITH IT. GUESS THEY WON'T BE SATISFIED UNTIL THE WARRANTY PERIOD ENDS AND SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
Sep 28, 2013
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
1 complaint
WHEN ENTERING AN UP-RAMP TO A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY AT SLOW SPEED, LESS THAN 30 MPH, AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED AND POWER WAS LOST TO STEERING AND BRAKES. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART, BUT WERE JUST LUCKY THAT THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN ON A CURVE AT HIGH SPEED OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Aug 25, 2013
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
1 complaint
I WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A FIRE HYDRANT DOING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH. THE SEATBELT FAILED TO LOCK AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CAR HAS MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE UNDERBODY, FRONT-END, THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE DASH, THE MOTOR MOUNTS, ENGINE AND OTHER DAMAGES ARE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. *TR
Aug 09, 2013
STEERING,ENGINE
1 complaint
WHILE SLOWING DOWN, APPLYING BRAKES TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY INTO THE CLOVERLEAF OFF RAMP, STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT AND I WAS FORCED TO CONTINUE IN THE CURRENT DIRECTION OFF THE ROAD INTO THE GRASS. UPON STOPPING NOTICED DASH LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS HEADED INTO A GRASSY AREA AND NOT INTO A WALL AS I COULDN'T STEER IN ANY OTHER DIRECTION FROM WHEN I LOST POWER. HYUNDAI FOUND NO ERROR CODES AND COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING LINKS FOR PAGES OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WITH HYUNDAI SANTA FE: 15 PAGES OF RELATED ISSUES - HTTP://WWW.HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM/187-CM-2007-2012-SANTA-FE/133580-2011-SANTA-FE-STALL-WHILE-DRIVING-13.HTML ANOTHER - HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/HYUNDAI/SANTAFE/ENGINE-STALL-PROBLEMS.PHP. *TR
Aug 04, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
I WAS ON A RETURN TRIP OF 5 HOURS OR SO EACH WAY WHICH I TOOK AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, AND NOTICED A VERY PRONOUNCED DROP IN POWER AND ACCELERATION CAPABILITY QUITE SUDDENLY. IT WAS AS IF SOME WIRING OR HOSE HAD COME LOOSE UNDER THE HOOD. A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHEN THE PROBLEM HAD NOT CHANGED AT ALL IN OVER 3000 MILES OF DAY-TO-DAY DRIVING, INCLUDING A DAILY STINT (TO WORK) OF MAYBE 12 MILES EACH WAY ON THE FREEWAY WHICH ENTAILS ACCELERATING UP THE ON-RAMP INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC, I STILL COULD FEEL THE DIFFERENCE IN ACCELERATION AND RESPONSE TIME WHILE ACCELERATING. WHEN I TOOK THE SANTA FE IN FOR A NORMAL OIL CHANGE, I REPORTED TO THE DEALER THESE SYMPTOMS, AND ASKED TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THEY CHANGED THE OIL, AND CHECKED OUT THE COMPUTER READOUTS FOR THE VEHICLE, AND SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS DETECTED BY THE COMPUTER AT THAT TIME, BUT WHEN THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR ON THE VEHICLE OCCURRED, IT WAS MOST OFTEN DUE TO THE FUEL FILTER BEING ALL CLOGGED UP, ALTHOUGH THAT STILL MIGHT NOT BE THE PROBLEM. THEY QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $270 TO CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER, AND AFTER I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY COUPON DISCOUNT FOR THIS SERVICE EVER THRU THEIR DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE MANAGER GAVE ME A COUPON BOOK FOR A FLAT RATE OFF DEPENDING UPON HOW MUCH WAS BEING PAID FOR. (IT AMOUNTED TO MAYBE $25 OFF THIS SERVICE.) THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME THAT DAY TO CHANGE IT OUT, SO I DECIDED TO CHECK OUT BOTH WHETHER THERE HAD BEEN ANY COMPLAINTS, SERVICE REPORTS, OR RECALLS ABOUT THIS FUEL FILTER, AND THAT IS WHAT LED ME HERE TO MAKE THIS COMPLAINT ABOUT BOTH THE COST OF THIS REPLACEMENT AND THE POOR PROGNOSIS OF IT SOLVING THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM. I AM GOING TO CHECK WITH A REPAIR PLACE I FEEL CONFIDENT IN ABOUT THEIR COST TO DO THIS REPLACEMENT. HOPEFULLY, IT WILL BE MUCH LESS. *TR
May 22, 2013
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
UPON ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TOOK OFF AND THE GAS PADDLE GOT STUCK FOR 15 - 20 SECONDS EVEN THOUGH IT FELT LIKE A LIFE TIME. I STUMPED ON BRAKE PEDAL AND TRIED TO PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO NO AVAIL. THE RPM ON MY CAR WAS REGISTERED AT 6-7 AND THE ENGINE WAS VERY LOUD. I GOT THE CAR TO STOP BY PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. I CALLED THE NEAREST DEALER TO MY HOME TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SO TO THEM THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. TO ME AND MY TWO DAUGHTERS THIS EXPERIENCE IS A NIGHTMARE AND THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. SINCE 2002 I BOUGHT 5 HYUNDAI CARS (2002 SONATA, 2003 SANTA FE (DAUGHTER IN LAW DRIVES), 2004 SANTA FE (SON DRIVES), 2004 SANTA FE (DAUGHTER DRIVES) AND MY CAR 2009 SANTA FE. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM MY MULTIPLE PURCHASES I LOVED DRIVING AND OWNING HYUNDAI SANTA FE'S. I AM VERY UPSET BECAUSE WE COULD HAVE DIED! I AM EVEN MORE UPSET THAT HYUNDAI WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AND MAKE EXCUSES SO THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO MAKE REPAIRS. THE $$$ MUST BE WORTH MORE THAN PEOPLES LIVES. THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN NORTH EAST PHILADELPHIA EVEN HAD THE NERVE TO BLAME ME BECAUSE HE SAID NOT REPLICATE THE INCIDENT AND IT WAS NOT IN THE CARS COMPUTER. SHAME ON YOU HYUNDAI, SHAME ON YOU DEALERS. THIS IS THE LAST HYUNDAI THAT I WILL EVER OWN, I WILL NO LONGER RECOMMEND ANY OF YOUR CARS TO ANYONE BUT I WILL SHARE MY STORY WITH THEM. YOU LOST A CUSTOMER AND I WILL JOIN ANY CLASS ACTION SUIT AND I WILL CALL THE TV STATIONS TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT THINK THAT ANYONE SHOULD DIE BEFORE YOU FIX THE PROBLEM - WHAT ABOUT YOU HYUNDAI? PEOPLES LIVES OR $$$$$. I AM PLANNING ON REPLACING THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND GETTING RID FOR THE CAR. I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE. *TR
Mar 29, 2013
AIR BAGS,SEATS
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Jan 07, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
INCIDENT 1: (10-20-2010) DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHT WAS FOGGING UP CONSTANTLY. DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD LIGHT UNDER WARRANTY. INCIDENT 2: (02-22-2011) UPON FILL-UP OF THE GAS TANK, JUST BEFORE IT WAS TOPPED OFF, THERE WAS A SERIES OF CLUNKING NOISES. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE GAS TANK WAS REPLACED. INCIDENT 3: (05-01-2011 APPROX.) UPON REMOVAL OF THE CABIN AIR FILTER COVER, THE LITTLE PLASTIC PARTS THAT ARE SQUEEZED TO REMOVE THE COVER BROKE, WHICH WOULDN'T ALLOW THE COVER TO GO BACK ON. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART AND I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THE FILTER YET. INCIDENT 4: (11-12-2011) DRIVING 60 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AS I WAS PULLING OVER TO CHECK OUT THE SITUATION, THE CAR LOST POWER STEERING AND AIR CONDITIONING! MY SERPENTINE BELT BROKE! AFTER IT WAS TOWED, THE DEALER REPLACED IT, ALONG WITH BELT TENSIONER AND IDLER PULLEY! INCIDENT 5: (07-30-2012) I WAS COMING UP TO A STOP LIGHT AND UPON DECELERATION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE RPM GAGE SHOWED 1100 RPM AND IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WANTED TO MOVE AS IF I WAS PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. WHEN I DID TRY TO ACCELERATE, THERE WAS NO POWER TO ACCELERATE ( THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, ETC, BUT WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, I COULD ONLY MOVE A FEW MILES PER HOUR.) I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON, AND I GAINED ACCELERATION POWER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DETERMINED I HAD A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AS WELL AS BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND BOTH WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. [CURRENT MILEAGE ON VEHICLE AFTER ALL INCIDENTS: 48,897]
Aug 09, 2012
TIRES
1 complaint
I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FINANCING A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE THAT HAS BRIDGESTONE DUELER HT TIRES ON IT. THIS CAR HAS 29176 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO A WELL KNOWN PLACE TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGED AND TIRES ROTATED. THEY CHANGED THE OIL BUT INFORMED ME THAT NONE OF THE TIRES WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE ROTATED BECAUSE OF UNEVEN TREAD WEAR AND THE EXISTING TIRE TREAD IS LESS THAN 2/32NDS OF AN INCH ON EACH TIRE. I PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH ONLY 7 MILES ON IT AND HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR 1 1/2 YEARS SO THE TIRES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO HAVE AN ALIGNMENT ON THIS CAR AND HAVE HAD THE TIRES ROTATED REGULARLY SO UNEVEN TREAD WEAR SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE AT THIS POINT. I HAVE ALSO READ REVIEWS ON THIS TIRE ONLINE AND ALL OF THE REVIEWS SAY THE SAME THING ABOUT THE UNEVEN TREAD WEAR, SOME EVEN SAY THAT THE TIRES HAVE EXPLODED. SUCH A COSTLY TIRE OF THIS CALIBER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT SUCH FREQUENT INTERVALS. I WAS READING MY OWNER'S MANUAL AND IT RECOMMENDS THAT TIRES BE REPLACED EVERY 6 YEARS DEPENDING ON DRIVING HABITS. THESE TIRES SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY AND REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. THEY ARE PUTTING INNOCENT PEOPLE IN DANGER EVERYDAY. (TREAD WEAR AS LISTED ON MY RECEIPT: DRIVER FRONT-2/32, DRIVER REAR 5/32, PASSENGER FRONT 3/32 AND PASSENGER REAR 5/32). *TR
Jun 10, 2011
EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
HAD A FLAT TIRE ON 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. SET BRAKE AND JACKED THE CAR UP TO REMOVE FLAT TIRE. CAME BACK A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER TO FIND THAT THE JACK HAD TWISTED AND COLLAPSED. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. BUT IT WAS A PAIN TO HAVE TO OBTAIN A FLOOR JACK AS NOTHING ELSE WAS GOING TO WORK. SEEMS TO ME TO BE A DANGEROUS TYPE OF FAILURE. *TR
Oct 18, 2010
POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
1 complaint
ON APRIL 24,2010 I WAS UNLOADING MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE SUV AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE SUV ROLLED FORWARD A FEW INCHES. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TOOK IT OFF AND WIGGLED MY BODY TO SEE IF IT WOULD HOLD. I EXITED THE SUV AND SPENT THE NEXT 10 MIN, UNLOADING IT. WHEN WE WERE FINISHED I DECIDED TO LEAVE SUV IN DRIVEWAY AND OPENED THE DOOR TO REMOVE THE KEY. I LEANED IN AND GRABBED THE STEERING WHEEL AND REACHED OVER TO PULL OUT THE KEY. SUDDENLY THE SUV STARTED TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND DRAGGED ME WITH IT. IT THREW ME TO THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER MY RIGHT FOOT AND LEFT KNEE AREA OF MY LEG AND KEPT ON ROLLING INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. *TR
Jun 22, 2010
AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
WHILE PULLING INTO HEAD-IN PARKING SPACE, 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HIT A CONCRETE WALL, CAUSING SIGNIFICANT RADIATOR AND FENDER DAMAGE (ESTIMATED TOTAL REPAIR COSTS OVER $8000). DRIVER SUFFERED SCRAPES AND BRUISES ON NECK/CHEST FROM SEATBELT/STEERING WHEEL, BRUISING ON KNEE, AND HEAD PAIN . CHILD IN REAR BOOSTER SEAT SUFFERS NECK PAIN. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Jun 04, 2010
PARKING BRAKE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
ON MARCH 24, 2010, MY CO-WORKER AND I WERE IN MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I PUSHED THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR AND IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I THEN PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. BOTH FEET WERE EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR HOLDING THESE BRAKES DOWN. THE CAR DID SLOW DOWN BUT WOULD NOT STOP. I HAD TO TAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS THE HIGHWAY (THERE WAS FORTUNATELY A BREAK IN THE TRAFFIC), I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. IT MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE THAT LASTED ABOUT 10 SECONDS OR SO. WE JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AS IF IT WERE ON FIRE. IT'S CURRENTLY AT THE SHEEHY DEALERSHIP IN WALDORF, MD. WE ARE AWAITING THEIR DIAGNOSIS.
Mar 29, 2010
AIR BAGS,EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
ON 01/02/2010, I BOUGHT A HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED FROM A CAR DEALER NAMED SOUTHERN STATES IMPORTS IN RALEIGH. A FEW DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF RED LIGHT STAYED ON OCCASIONALLY REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OR POSITION OF THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT. AROUND THE SAME TIME, I NOTICED THAT THE CD PLAYER OCCASIONALLY AUTOMATICALLY TRIPPED OVER TO THE RADIO AND VICE VERSA. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND RECEIVED CONFLICTING ADVICE ON WHAT I SHOULD DO AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER, I CHOSE THE ADVICE OF MY FIRST CONTACT PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP AND DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL EITHER OR BOTH MY COMPLAINTS OCCURRED AGAIN. TWO DAYS AFTER THIS DECISION, THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT DID NOT GO OFF AS I WAS TRAVELING TO DOWNTOWN RALEIGH, NC. THE NEXT MORNING, I NOTICED THAT INSTEAD OF THE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER OPENING TO A CD MUSIC SET (SINCE IT WAS LAST ON CD), MUSIC FROM A RADIO STATION STARTED PLAYING. THE NEXT DAY- MONDAY, I DROPPED THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. AFTER 2-3 DAYS OF TESTING, I WAS ASKED TO PICK UP MY CAR AND TOLD THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE MY COMPLAINTS. BOTH DEALERSHIP AND USA HYUNDAI ADVISED ME TO BRING IT INTO SERVICE AS SOON AS I NOTICE EITHER COMPLAINT HAPPENING AGAIN REGARDLESS OF TIME. A FEW DAYS LATER (2-3 DAYS) THE SAME COMPLAINTS (AIRBAG AND RADIO PROBLEMS) RE-OCCURRED AND I DROPPED THE SANTA FE AT SOUTHERN STATES HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP SERVICE STATION WITH ONE OF MY SONS AT ABOUT 10. 15 P.M. OFCOURSE, I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY BOTH DEALERSHIP AND US HYUNDAI THAT THEY PROBLEMS COULD NOT BE DETECTED OR DUPLICATED. AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS, I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE TO DRIVE THIS PARTICULAR HYUNDAI AND THE CAR IN QUESTION HAS REMAINED IN THE HANDS OF THE SOUTHERN STATES HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND/OR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *TR
Feb 11, 2010
TIRES,EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FACTORY DECAL INDICATING THAT THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY WAS REDUCED. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT PUT THE DECALS ON THE VEHICLE AND HAD NO KNOWLEDGE HOW TO UPDATE THEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO UNABLE TO ASSIST THE CONTACT ON HOW TO CORRECT THE DECAL. THE VEHICLE ALSO HYDROPLANED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN WHICH CAUSED HIM TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/T TIRES SIZE P235/60/R18. THE DOT CODE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,400. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300.
Nov 19, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTE FE JUST PURCHASED WITH 50 MILES ON IN 07/29/09, BLEW UP ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND TOTALLY BURNED THE FRONT AND ENGINE. I HAVE AN EVALUATION FROM 21ST CENTURY APPRAISERS REQUIRED BY GEICO WHOM DIAGNOSED A TOTAL LOSS. VALUESCOPE GEICO CLAIM SERVICES MARKET REPORT REPORT REFERENCE NUMBER: 42157015 ADJUSTER: HUFFMAN-PARENT, BRAD CLAIM REFERENCE: 0180834550101087-01 GEICO C-CODE: CAG605 LOSS INCIDENT DATE: 09/04/2009 DATE SUBMITTED: 09/10/2009 INSURED: LAWSON OWNER: CLEO LAWSON POLICY NUMBER: 0311588404 APPRAISER: HUFFMAN-PARENT, BRAD INTRODUCTION GEICO HAS CONDUCTED AN INSPECTION OF YOUR 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 4X2 GLS 4 DOOR SPORTS UTILITY LOCATED IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. THE INSPECTION INFORMATION WAS THEN USED TO CONDUCT RESEARCH IN YOUR LOCAL MARKET TO DETERMINE THE MARKET VALUE OF YOUR VEHICLE. THE LOCAL MARKET VALUE OF YOUR VEHICLE WAS DEFINED BY THE ZIP CODE 73114 -- OKLAHOMA CITY, OK THE RECOMMENDED SETTLEMENT AMOUNT BASED ON THE LOSS VEHICLE DESCRIPTION PROVIDED BY GEICO IS $18,369.00. *TR
Sep 15, 2009
Frequently Asked Questions
How many problems does the 2009 HYUNDAI Santa Fe have?
The 2009 HYUNDAI Santa Fe currently has 354 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 2009 HYUNDAI Santa Fe?
The most common problems reported for the 2009 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 2009 HYUNDAI Santa Fe problem data come from?
All problem and complaint data for the 2009 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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