2001 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 209 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 4 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 2 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, front, springs, coil springsJul 18, 2014
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model Year 2001-2006 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2000, through February 15, 2006, that are registered and operated, or which were originally sold and registered, in the following 20 salt belt" states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The affected vehicles may experience front coil spring corrosion from road salt, causing the coil spring to fracture and make contact with the tire.
If the front coil spring fractures due to corrosion it could cause the coil spring to make contact with the tire, possibly puncturing the tire and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the coil spring, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 124.
Campaign 14V435000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearApr 16, 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 83,355 MY 2001-2003 SANTA FE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE REAR TRAILING ARMS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM STEEL. OWNERS MAY SEE OR FEEL SLIGHT TO MODERATE CHANGES IN VEHICLE OPERATION WHICH WILL INCREASE IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRED. THESE CHANGES INCLUDE A LOWERING OF VEHICLE HEIGHT THAT CAN LEAD TO TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. OWNERS MAY ALSO NOTICE A CREAKING SOUND.
IF THE CORROSION IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE REAR TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE WHILE DRIVING, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR TRAILING ARMS FOR INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE REAR TRAILING ARMS WILL BE REPLACED. REAR TRAILING ARMS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT WILL HAVE DRAINAGE HOLES ADDED AND WILL BE TREATED WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL TO ARREST THE CORROSION PROCESS. INSPECTION, TREATMENT AND REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES WILL BE CONDUCTED AT NO COST TO OWNERS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 09V123000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsDec 18, 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 03V520000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, starter assemblyJan 2, 2003
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7 LITER V-6 ENGINES, IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS (CPS) WERE INSTALLED. THE CPS CASES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS. INTERNAL GAPS WITHIN THE CASES ALLOWED EPOXY TO CONTACT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH RESULTED IN CRACKING OF THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD CAPACITOR.
A DAMAGED CPS CAPACITOR COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CPS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-829-9956.
Campaign 03V030000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
209 reports, newest first.
Steering, Oct 21, 2009
I HAD FAILURE OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM ON MY 2001 SANTA FE. ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN. I HAVE YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL BY THE HYUNDAI CORPORATION. WHY? THIS RECALL IS 6 MONTHS OLD AND THIS IS THE FIRST I HEAR ABOUT IT. HOW MANY OTHERS DON'T KNOW? THIS COMPANY HAS BEEN SLOW TO RESPOND. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Child seat, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Oct 7, 2009
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM CAR MART LESS THAN A YEAR AGO.FIRST MY STEERING WAS VERY SHAKY. IT GOT RAPIDLY WORSE. I WENT THROUGH 3 SETS OF NEW TIRES IN ONE YEAR PLUS 2 ALIGNMENTS. I RECENTLY HAD TROUBLE AGAIN AND MY CAR IS IN THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN FAYETTEVILLE. FIRST THE BEARINGS WERE RUSTED IN. BOTH BALL JOINTS WERE NEARLY OUT. THE CONTROL ARM IS GOING OUT. THE STEERING LINKAGE AND THE CRADLE ABOVE THE DRIVELINE IS RUSTED AND FALLING APART LITERALLY. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM THE CADILLAC CONVERTER IS RUSTED APART FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER WAS RUSTED CLOSED AND HAD TO BE BROKE OFF TO GET MY SPARE OUT. ALSO THE REAR SEAT BELT JUST STOPPED WORKING . TALK ABOUT A BAD DAY. *TR
Seats, Aug 28, 2009
VEHICLE SEAT BACK DOES NOT STAY LOCKED, 2ND ROW. CHILD SEAT MUST BE INSTALLED IN THIS SEATING POSITION. VEHICLE SEAT BACK DOES NOT STAY ENGAGED IN ANY UPRIGHT POSITION. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 6, 2009
THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ON MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAVE FADED OVER TIME FROM THE SUN. THE SUN HAS FADED THE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES SO MUCH, THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT VISIBLE THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY IS GREATLY REDUCED. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, DUE TO THE WAY THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT COMING THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY IS GREATLY REDUCED DUE TO THE FADING OF THE PLASTIC BY THE SUN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 28, 2009
MY 01 HYUNDAI SANTA FE DOWNSHIFTS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A LOUD POP AND DECELERATES THE VEHICLE SUBSTANTIALLY CAUSING A TRAFFIC/SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS CORRECTED MOMENTARILY WHEN I STOP AND RESTART THE ENGINE AS IF IT RESETS SOMETHING, THEN OF COURSE WHEN I GET BACK ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES IT ALL OVER AGAIN. OTHER 01 SANTA FE OWNERS SUFFER THE SAME DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES. WHY NOT RECALL THE VEHICLE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE? THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Suspension, Jul 6, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO BEND. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT NUMBER 3632527. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 108,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Jun 21, 2009
WHILE BRAKING NORMAL TO LIGHT PRESSURE FROM 25-5MPH ON DRY PAVED ROAD, ABS SYSTEM WILL TURN ON AND GREATLY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE. THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN ONE INSTANCE THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP BEFORE A STOP LIGHT OR STOPPED TRAFFIC. THERE ARE NO ABS CODES OR ABS IDIOT LIGHTS ON IN THE DASH WHICH INDICATE THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG. SAFETY IS A LARGE CONCERN. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER AND NO ISSUE WAS FOUND, WITHOUT BEING REQUESTED TO PAY $1500+ FOR AN ENTIRE NEW ABS. THIS WAS AFTER THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND SOURCE TO THE PROBLEM. I SEE THIS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MANY FORUMS AND THERE IS A RECALL ON 2003-2005 SANTA FE'S FOR A SAME/SIMILAR ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Mar 24, 2009
AFTER TURNING A CORNER @ 15 MPH I HAD TO LEAVE THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE 9 O-CLOCK POSITION IN ORDER TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. I NOTICED THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I THOUGHT I HAD AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM SO I SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE LOCAL TIRE REPAIR SHOP. ONCE THEY LIFTED THE VEHICLE UP FOR INSPECTION THEY NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE MECHANIC I FELL VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THE 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IS CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM SO I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP STATED I WAS THE 3RD VEHICLE THEY HAVE REPAIRED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP IS MAKING THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WITH NO COST TO ME. I FELL THAT ALL 2001 SANTA FE'S SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR AN INSPECTION AT THE LEAST. WE SHOULD NOT BE WAITING FOR A SEVERE ACCIDENT BEFORE THE NECESSARY STEPS ARE TAKEN. THERE ARE ONLY 30,000 PEOPLE LIVING IN THE TOWN WHERE I HAD MY VEHICLE TAKEN FOR SERVICE, 3 REPAIRS WOULD INDICATE TO ME THAT OVER THE ENTIRE USA THERE ARE A LOT MORE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension, Mar 17, 2009
2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LOWER CONTROL ARE COMPLETED ROTTED OUT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. CALLED HYUNDAI THEY SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SAVE THE CONTROL ARM WHICH I DID. THE COST OF REPAIRS WERE $500+. NOW THE RIGHT HAND SIDE IS ROTTED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED IN A FEW MONTHS. MY MECHANIC SAID THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. *TR
Suspension, Feb 22, 2009
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2001 SANTA FE, MY STEPSON EXPERIENCED DRIVING DIFFICULTY WHEN HE COULD NOT EASILY CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS BENT OUTWARD APPROXIMATELY 30 DEGREES LATERALLY. WHEN THE WHEEL WAS REMOVED I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT, REAR TRAILING ARM HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND COLLAPSED. THE LEFT, REAR TRAILING ARM IS ALSO SHOWING SIGNS OF RUST-THROUGH. I HAVE DEEMED THIS VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND AM THANKFUL THAT NOBODY WAS HURT. *TR
Suspension, Feb 7, 2009
MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE ON THEIR WAY HOME AND WENT ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACKS WHEN MY WIFE HEARD A CLUNK AND THOUGHT A CHUNK OF ICE FELL OFF THE CAR. SHE SAID THE CAR THEN HANDLED AS IF IT WERE ON BLACK ICE ALL OVER THE ROAD. I PULLED THE CAR IN THE SHOP AND FOUND THE LEFT REAR TRAILING BROKE NEXT TO THE SPRING MOUNT TOWARDS THE WHEEL. NOT HAVING DISMANTLED ANY COMPONENTS, USING A VISUAL INSPECTION THE PART HAD ONLY A FEW SPOTS THAT HAD BEEN HOLDING JUDGING BY THE RUST ON THE BROKEN PART. THE CAR IS STILL IN MY SHOP AND I WILL BE CALLING HYUNDAI MONDAY TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS PART. MY CONCERN IS IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, MY WIFE AND 17 MONTH DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. PLEASE REVIEW THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER SEEN TRAILING ARMS, CONTROL ARMS OR MAJOR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS BREAK LIKE THIS ONE DID WITHOUT HAVING BEEN IN SOME TYPE OF ACCIDENT. THIS PART FAILED FROM THE TOP DOWN. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 5, 2009
I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO A PROBLEM WITH A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I BORROWED THE CAR FROM MY GIRLFRIEND TO RUN AN ERRAND. BEING 6 FOOT TALL AND HAVING A SIZE 13 FOOT I MUST SAY THE CAR WASN'T VERY COMFORTABLE EVEN WITH THE DRIVERS SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK. IT SEEMED TO RESPOND AND HANDLE SMOOTHLY BUT AS I EASED ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW FOR A RAILROAD CROSSING, THE TOE OF MY WORK BOOT BECAME WEDGED BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LAUNCHED LIKE A ROCKET AND MY IMPULSE WAS TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MY FREE (LEFT) FOOT. THIS ONLY DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR FURTHER TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO SPEED OUT OF CONTROL. IT WENT FROM 30 MPH TO NEARLY 90 MPH IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND IN A MOMENT OF CLARITY I REACHED FOR THE IGNITION KEY. I SWITCHED THE IGNITION OFF LOSING ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKING CAPABILITIES BUT WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. AT THIS POINT I WAS ABLE TO FREE MY RIGHT FOOT FROM IT'S TRAPPED POSITION BETWEEN THE TWO CONTROL PEDALS AND SAT IN A STATE OF SHOCK. IT WAS 2 DAYS LATER THAT I REALLY CAME BACK TO A SOMEWHAT LOGICAL STATE OF MIND AND DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND HOPEFULLY ALERT OTHER DRIVERS TO THIS POTENTIAL DEADLY PROBLEM. MUCH TO MY HORROR, I FIND THAT I'M NOT THE FIRST ONE TO EXPERIENCE THIS AND BEING MECHANICAL MYSELF CAN SEE THAT THESE CARS ARE NOT DESIGNED BY 6 FOOT ENGINEERS WITH SIZE 13 BOOTS. I FOUND A SIMILAR COMPLAINT ON THE ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM FORUM WHILE SEARCHING THE 2001 SANTA FE ( COMPLAINT NUMBER 754795) AND AGREE THAT THESE VEHICLES HAVE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE PROXIMITY OF THE BRAKE / ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONFIGURATION. FOR A PERSON OF MY STATURE, THEY CAN BE POTENTIAL DEATH TRAPS ! *TR
Structure, Wheels, Feb 3, 2009
WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN THE EVENING ON THE SOUTHERN STATE PARKWAY (55 MPH, LEFT LANE, PKWY TRAFFIC HEAVY BUT MOVING WELL), STEERING SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHIMMY, FOLLOWED BY GRINDING NOISE EMANATING FROM RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. ASSUMED A FLAT, PULLED FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL, PUT HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND BEGAN TO PULL OVER TO RIGHT LANE. STEERING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL AS STEERING WHEEL WAS WHIPPING FROM RIGHT TO LEFT, GRINDING NOISE INCREASED - AS I SLOWED ENOUGH TO PULL ONTO DIRT SHOULDER, RIGHT FRONT OF CAR COLLAPSED, RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BROKE OFF AND BOUNCED ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC BEFORE LANDING ON OPPOSITE SHOULDER OF PARKWAY. THAT THE WHEEL DIDN'T FLY OFF WHILE DRIVING AT FULL 55 MPH AND WHEN IT DID FAIL, THAT IT BOUNCED BETWEEN ONCOMING CARS, AND DID NOT HIT ONE OF THEM AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, WAS ASTOUNDING. THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR HINT OF A PROBLEM, MY CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THE WHEEL LITERALLY RUSTED OFF - HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. MECHANIC STATES 3 OTHER WHEELS HAVE MORE RUST THAN HE HAS EVER SEEN ON A VEHICLE, HOWEVER, HE DIDN'T FEEL THERE WAS DANGER OF AN IMMEDIATE FAILURE. *TR
Visibility, Jan 21, 2009
THE BACK WINDOW OF MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE JUST BLEW OUT LAST NIGHT, NO ACCIDENT. *TR
Suspension, Jan 16, 2009
RUSTING OF LOWER SUB-FRAME ON A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CAUSE STEERING PROBLEMS LEADING VEHICLE TO BE UNDRIVABLE. *TR
Suspension, Jan 9, 2009
REAR SUSPENSION: LOST STEERING GOING OVER A BRIDGE. LOOKED UNDER CAR AND ALL RODS AND SPRINGS ARE RUSTED OUT WITH HUGE RUSTED HOLES. CRACKED AND RUSTED, ENTIRE REAR SUSPENSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Suspension, Jan 6, 2009
LEFT REAR OF VEHICLE DROPPED CAUSING LANE CHANGE , LEFT REAR TIRE RUBBING ON STRUT-SHOCK , TRAILING ARM BROKE LEFT REAR. *TR
Structure, Dec 17, 2008
THE REAR TRAILING ARMS ROTTED AND ONE BROKE AS I WAS DRIVING. II TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC, WHO WAS TOLD BY HIS PARTS CONTACT THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE WITH HYUNDAI SANTA FE'S. BOTH THE REAR TRAILING ARMS NEEDED REPLACING. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND THEY REFUSE TO LOOK INTO IT. THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE I DIDN'T TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER, THEY COULDN'T CONFIRM IT AND THEY DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO INVESTIGATE IT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT MAKES ANY DIFFERENCE AS TO WHICH SERVICE PLACE I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO. THE BOTTOM LINE IS - THE VEHICLE NEEDED REPAIR. I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH HYUNDAI FOR NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. CLEARLY, STATING THAT IT NEEDED TO GO TO A HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER IS JUST AN EXCUSE FOR THEM TO DENY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE OR THE PART. I FEEL THERE IS A PUBLIC SAFETY RISK. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN WITH THE VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT - OR WORSE. MY TEENAGE SON COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER VEHICLES ARE DRIVING AROUND WITH THE SAME DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION TO BE SURE THAT OTHER'S DON'T EXPERIENCE WHAT I EXPERIENCED OR WORSE. IF THE PART HAD BROKEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT COULD HAVE HARMED OTHERS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND HELP PROTECT OTHERS. *TR
Structure, Dec 12, 2008
WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE I NOTICED THAT MY VEHICLE WOULD SWAY TO THE RIGHT AND I HAD TO COMPENSATE BY STEERING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. A PRELIMINARY INSPECTION SHOWED THAT I NEEDED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRES DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE WEAR TO THE TIRES CAUSED BY THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ALIGNED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A LOCAL TIRE SHOP FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. UPON INSPECTION BY THE MECHANIC IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS ATTACHED HAS A RUST HOLE WHERE THE RIGHT BOLT ATTACHES TO THE SUB FRAME. IN FACT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS ONLY ATTACHED WITH ONE BOLT. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TIE ROD REPLACEMENT AND WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT CAUSED BY THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NOT BEING PROPERLY ATTACHED TO THE SUB FRAME. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO ALIGN THE VEHICLE OR CHANGE THE WHEEL BEARINGS DUE TO THIS CONDITION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE SUB FRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. DAMAGE RESULTING = I AM UNABLE TO USE THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. COST TO REPLACE THE SUB FRAME IS APPROXIMATELY $2000.00 DOLLARS. *TR
Suspension, Dec 2, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE TIRES RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DUE TO THE STEERING COLUMN VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A TIRE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINTS WERE RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP OR HER RESIDENCE BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,785.
Suspension, Nov 19, 2008
IN APRIL 2008, THE RIGHT TRAILING ARM OF MY 2001HYUNDAI SANTA FE RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO DROP. REPLACEMENT WAS $712. LAT WEEK (NOVEMBER 2008) THE LEFT TRAILING ARM RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE REAR OF THE CAR TO DROP, CRASHING THROUGH THE STRUT, WHEEL BALANCING AGAINST SIDE. THIS REPLACEMENT COST $762. HYUNDAI NEVER ALLOWED FOR DRAINAGE IN THE TRAILING ARMS FROM 2001 TO 2004. NO RECALL AS IT HAPPENS IN HIGH SALT STATES. I BELIEVE THEY ARE BEING INVESTIGATED FOR THIS NOW. VERY DANGEROUS. WE WERE LUCKY BOTH TIMES, BUT THIS HAS CAUSED OTHER VEHICLES TO FLIP OVER AND CAUSED DEATHS. *TR
Power train, Nov 14, 2008
OIL LIGHT CAME ON .SO I CARRY TO THE PEOPLE THAT DID MY OIL CHANGE THEY CHECKED IT OUT THEY DID NOT SEE WHERE IT WAS LEAKING FROM. THEY REFILL IT AND THEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ,SO THIS TIME I CARRY IT TO THE DEALER ON THAT MONDAY THEY GAVE ME AN APP. FOR THAT WEDNESDAY THE 13TH KEPT IT OVERNITE AND RETURNED BACK THE 14TH MAN IN PARTS DEPT SAID IT WAS BLOWING OUT THE TAIL PIPE. NO LEAKS ON THE GROUND. OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND NOW THEY SAID THE B.B.B.SAID MY CAR IS TO OLD AND THAT THE PEOPLE THAT DID MY OIL CHANGE DID NOT PUT OIL IN ,WHICH IS A LIE. START TO BURN OIL AT LITTLE OVER 85000 MILE. I CARRY IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT BUT THEY DID NOT. *TR
Suspension, Nov 12, 2008
OUR 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE...GOING ALONG THE HIGHWAY WE HEARD A THUNK AND THE SUV ALMOST WENT OUT OF CONTROL...FISHTAILING...FINALLY BROUGHT IT TO A SAFE STOP AND TOWED....MY MECHANIC COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW THIN THE REAR CONTROL ARM WAS ( WHICH IS WHAT BROKE) STATING IT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, MAINLY BECAUSE THERE IS NO PLACE FOR THE WATER TO DRAIN CAUSING PREMATURE AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS...THE OTHER SIDE WAS READY TO BREAK THROUGH TOO HE OBSERVED. LUCKILY THERE WAS TRAFFIC THAT NIGHT AND WE WERE NOT GOING THAT FAST, HAD THAT HAPPEN AT 65, THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE BEEN APT TO ROLL OVER. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 29, 2008
AS I BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY MY FRONT BRAKES FAILED. THE FRONT DRIVER BRAKE PAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY . THE PAD WAS ON THE DRIVEWAY. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE BONDING AGENT HAD FAILED. THE JENKINS HYUNDAI OF BRADENTON CONFIRMED THE DEFECT IN THE BONDING AGENT-BUT STATED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS NOT COVERED BY HYUNDAI WARRANTY. ALL BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. I RETAINED THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE PAD. *TR UPDATED 02/01/10.*JB UPDATED 03/08/10 *BF UPDATED 04/29/10.*JB
Suspension, Oct 9, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING OVER 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO FELT THE VEHICLE JERKING WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE AND HE COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.