2003 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 308 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 26 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 20 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
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleMar 16, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS), IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 3 AND 12 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PAD FRICTION SURFACES ARE WET, A VIBRATION MAY OCCUR BETWEEN THE BRAKE DISCS AND PADS CAUSING ABS SENSOR ELECTRONIC SIGNAL NOISE TO DEVELOP. AT SPEEDS BELOW 5 MPH, THE ABS SENSOR SIGNAL NOISE MAY CAUSE THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO ACTIVATE THE ABS, EXTENDING THE STOPPING DISTANCE.
IF AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 04V131000 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
Representative owner complaints
308 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Tires, Jul 18, 2007
I HAVE HAD A SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE TIRES FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I CONTINUED TO TAKE IT TO HYUNDAI AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND CHARGED ME. THE SQUEAKING NOISE WAS STILL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, SO I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY REPLACED 2 WHEEL BEARINGS, ONE IN THE FRONT AND ONE IN THE BACK. MOST PEOPLE KNOW THAT ONCE CHANGING ONE YOU COULD CHANGE ALL THE OTHER ON THE SAME SIDE . THEY REFUSED. I HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE NOW MORE THAN EVER, AND THEY CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT HEAR IT. THE LONGER YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE THE LOUDER IT GOT. THIS WAS REALLY COSTING ME MY TIME , AND HYUNDAI DEALERS DID NOT CARE ABOUT A NOISE WAS GETTING LOUDER. THEY WILL NOT EVEN GO OVER MY VEHICLE ANYMORE WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN. THEY JUST STATED WELL WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS. . I HAVE TAKE THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, AND NEITHER ONE OF THEM TOOK THE TIME. ALL THEY WANTED WAS MORE MONEY FOR STUFF THAT DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Wheels, Jul 7, 2007
WE TOOK THE R 2003 HYUNDAI SANAT FE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND 45,000 MILE SERVICE. AT THE 45,000 MILE SERVICE OUR TIRES WERE ROTATED. WE NOTICED AFTER THIS SERVICE THAT THE RIGHT WHEEL WAS MAKING A NOISE. THE NOISE DID NOT OCCUR CONSISTENTLY. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITH OUR TWO CHILDREN INSIDE AND HAD JUST PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FEEL OFF. ALL OF THE LUGS WERE COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF. WE COULD RECOVER 3 OF THEM. DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE UNDER CARRIAGE AS WELL AS THE BODY OF THE CAR. WE WERE EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT THEY WERE TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. THEY COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY KILLED IF THE WHEEL FELL OF WHILE DRIVING ON ONE OF OUR LOCAL EXPRESSWAYS. OUR DEALERSHIP THAT WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAVE IT SERVICED AT WON'T TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND STATES THAT ANY EXTENDED WARRANTIES THAT WE PURCHASED WILL NOT COVER THE DAMAGE OR REPAIRS. WE HAVE INVOLVED OUR INSURANCE AGENCY. ONCE THE CAR IS REPAIRED I FEAR THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN WITH ANY OF THE OTHER THREE TIRES.*AK
Electrical system, Jul 7, 2007
I OWN A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AND HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE INSTANCES WHERE THE ENGINE STALLS WHILE I AM DRIVING, BUT WILL COME BACK ON AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. WE HAVE RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND NOTHING WRONG, AND WOULD HAVE TO SEE THE INCIDENT IN THE PROCESS OF HAPPENING BEFORE THEY COULD MAKE A DEFINITE DIAGNOSIS. TODAY WHILE DRIVING TO WORK MY HUSBAND HEARD ON THE RADIO THAT CHRYSLER AND JEEP VEHICLES WERE JUST RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM! I REALLY WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP IN GETTING MY HYUNDAI DEALER TO SEE THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM IS HAPPENING TO MY VEHICLE. *AK
Seat belts, May 23, 2007
I HAVE A 2003 SANTA FE THAT HAS EXCEEDED ITS WARRANTY. MY 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS BUCKLING HER SAFETY BELT AND THE WHOLE SAFETY BELT CAME OUT WITH THE BOLT. HYUNDAI SAID THAT ITS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY EVEN IF THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. IM CONCERNED ALSO ABOUT THE OTHER SAFETY BELTS AND WERE MY THREE CHILDREN GOING TO BE SAFE. THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO PAY IF I WANT THIS SAFETY PROBLEM REPAIRED.*AK
Visibility, May 22, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR FIXED WINDOW ON THE LEFT QUARTER PANEL BLEW OUT. THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER BOTH STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.
Visibility, Apr 12, 2007
WINDSHIELD WIPERS BOLTS HAVE LOOSENED 5 TIMES SINCE 2003. THE LATEST WAS ON 4/12/07. THE TIME BEFORE WAS 0 ON 1/28/07. FOUR OUT OF THE FIVE EVENTS HAPPENED DURING RAIN AND SNOW EVENTS ON I- 95 DRIVING AT 65 MPH. ONE SECOND YOU CAN SEE, THE NEXT YOU CANNOT. I FOR ONE HAVE NEVER SEEN BOLTS HOLDING WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS ONTO THE VEHICLE IN THE FIRST PLACE. OBVIOUSLY FOR GOOD REASON. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION. *AK
Electrical system, Feb 23, 2007, crash, fire
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2 YEARS AGO HE STARTED HAVING STALLING PROBLEMS WITH THE 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE .S WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH OR ABOUT 15-25 MPH THE VEHICLE WILL STALL. HE STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE VEHICLE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HIM THAT UNLESS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ONTHEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TO SEE WHAT COULD BE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HIM THAT HE MAY HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE HE PURCHASED IT. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS GIVEN A CASE#, WILL SUBMIT WITH THE HARD COPY. ALSO, HE HAS CONTACTED THE BBB AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE USUAL DRIVER WAS TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE NOW BECAUSE OF THE STALLING PROBLEMS. HE STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER EVERYTHING IN THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND THE STEERING LOCKED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19999, AND THE CURRENT WAS 61480. THE VEHICLE STALLED 101 TIMES AZS OF 02/23/2007. *AK
Air bags, Jan 25, 2007
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK 1/21/2007 @07 :40 AM DOWN I 75 SOUTH @70-75 MPH WITH NO TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD NO ITEMS IN THE ROAD AND MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG WENT OFF. I WAS DRIVING IN THE SLOW LANE AND KEPT MY HANDS ON THE WHEEL AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE. THE AIRBAG HIT MY ARM. I HAVE A LEFT UPPER ARM CONTUSION AND LEFT NECK/SHOULDER SPRAIN PER MY DOCTOR . NOTHING HIT MY CAR. THE NEXT DAY MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER IN ANN ARBOR AUTOMOTIVE . WHEN THE MAN PUT MY CAR ON THE TOW TRUCK HE NOTICED A DENT UNDER THE CAR AT THE GAS TANK. THAT DID NOT HAPPEN ON 1/21/07 I DID NOT HEAR OR SEE ANYTHING. THAT SHOULD NOT SET A SIDE AIRBAG OFF. THE DEALER STATEMENT IS THAT WHAT CAUSED IT. WHICH THEY ARE FULL OF IT. THE TOLD ME IT IS GOING TO COST $5500.00 TO FIX. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND AWAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE ROAD IF AIRBAGS DEPLOY FROM A ROCK ECT HITTING UNDER THE CAR. I FIND IT HEARD TO BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE THAT SENSITIVE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 27, 2006
TL* - WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DIRECTLY TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO TURN THE POWER OFF IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE HE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURNED IT BACK ON THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. HE STATED THAT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT HE FELT A VIBRATION AND HEARD A LOUD CLICKING SOUND. VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP. *AK UPDATED 2/9/2007 - THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM . *NM
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Dec 21, 2006
AT APPROXIMATELY 47,000 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN OCCASIONAL JUMP IN IDLE TO 3000 RPM+ WHILE IN PARK AND DRIVE AFTER THREE MINUTES OR SO OF OPERATION. WHILE IN DRIVE, VEHICLE LUNGES DANGEROUSLY FORWARD. WHEN THIS OCCURS, IGNITION IS TURNED OFF, AND RESTART TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WILL SPUTTER AND REFUSE TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY FOR 30-60 SECONDS. VEHICLE ALSO STALLS OCCASIONALLY AFTER 3 MINUTES OR SO OF USE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO NAPELTON HYUNDAI, WEST PALM BEACH, FL ON NOV 30. CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CAMSHAFT SENSOR WERE REPLACED. BEFORE LEAVING DEALERSHIP WITH SERVICE MANAGER PRESENT AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN PARK, VEHICLE IDLE SUDDENLY SPIKED TO 4,200 RPM. I WAS TOLD DEALER WAS CLOSED, AND TO DRIVE IT HOME. ON DECEMBER 5, VEHICLE AGAIN STALLED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC AT INTERSECTION ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. AFTER RESTARTING, IT REFUSED TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY FOR 30-60 SECONDS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BACK TO NAPELTON HYUNDAI BECAUSE BOTH THE STALLING AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION ARE SERIOUS CONCERNS THAT MAKE THIS SANTA FE UNSAFE TO OPERATE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED FULLY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ON DEC 20 I WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. I WAS TOLD TO PICK IT UP AND DRIVE IT. I REFUSED TO DO SO. NAPELTON HAD OVER 20 DAYS TO DETECT AND CORRECT THESE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES, AND I WILL NOT DRIVE HYUNDAI'S FAILURE INTO AN ACCIDENT. A REVIEW OF NHTSA DEFECTS REPORTED FOR THIS SANTA FE FOR 2003-2005 MODEL YEARS REVEALS OVER 40 SIMILAR INCIDENTS, SOME INVOLVING COLLISION AND INJURY. THESE ARE CATEGORIZED UNDER SEVERAL DIFFERENT COMPONENTS INCLUDING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL, OTHER, POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND EQUIPMENT. PERHAPS THE SANTA FE'S CAN BE RECALLED BEFORE DEATHS RESULT. *NM
Power train, Nov 21, 2006
THIS VEHICLE (2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE) STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS JUST BE FOR THE WARRANTY EXPIRED (100,000 MILES), BUT WE WERE TOLD AT THE DEALER THAT THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE POWER TRAIN SYSTEM. SO WE PAID TO HAVE SOME WORK DONE. BUT JUST TODAY WE WOKE UP AND WENT OUT TO USE THE VEHICLE, AND IT WILL NOT GO IN GEAR, WILL NOT IN NEUTRAL SO WE CAN MOVE IT OR PUSH IT. IT'S JUST LOCKED UP, (FLUID LEAVES ARE OK) IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN TO ANY ONE WITH THIS KIND OF VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC IT COULD BE TRAFFIC PROBLEM. I DO KNOW OTHERS WHO OWN THIS KIND OF VEHICLE AND DO NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS, BUT I ALSO KNOW OF ONE INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THEIRS. SO I'M JUST CONCERNED ON IF I AM THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM OR IF THEIR ARE OTHERS, AND WHY IF THEY OFFER A 100,000 MI. WARRANTY DOSE IT NOT COVER THE DRIVE TRAIN? THIS DOSE NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME. ONE VERY UNHAPPY VEHICLE OWNER. P.S. THIS VEHICLE IS REGISTERED TO MY WIFE, AND HER LLC. *JB
Power train, Oct 10, 2006
MY 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, STARTED TO SHIFT DIFFERENTLY. IT WOULD BUCK WHEN SHIFTING INTO A HIGHER GEAR, IF I ATTEMPTED TO GO UP A STEEP HILL, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE ALL POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER, THEY REPLACED A SENSOR, SAID THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FINE. I DROVE IT HOME ONLY TO HAVE IT STILL SHIFT WITH A BUCK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD, AFTER THEY KEPT IT OVERNIGHT, THAT IT WOULD NEED A $2800 TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. OF COURSE, BEING A SECOND OWNER, THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 60K.
Air bags, Sep 21, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TWO TIMES, THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE OTHER THREE TIMES, THE DEALER REPLACED A WIRE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT HARNESS, AND A WIRE HARNESS CLIP. THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 21, 2006
WENT TO THE DEALER TO GET MY VEHICLE FIXED 4 TIMES AND GOT CHARGED FOR A TUNE UP THAT I DID NOT NEED. THE LAST AND 4TH TIME WHEN PICKING UP MY VEHICLE , THEY HAD THE PARTS OUT AFTER I HAD TOLD THEM 2 TIMES NOT TO WORK ON IT ANYMORE AND THEY TOOK IT APART ANYWAY. THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO TOW IT OUT OF THEIR SHOP . I TOLD THEM I WANTED THE CAR BACK JUST THE WAY I BROUGHT IT THERE . THEY GAVE MY A MUCH STRESSFUL HARD TIME FINALLY THEY PUT IT BACK AND I GOT IT BACK THE NEXT DAY IN WORST CONDITION. THERE IS A LOT MORE STORY BUT NOT ENOUGH LETTERS LEFT SO I WILL END IT HERE FOR NOW. *JB
Steering, Aug 31, 2006
I HAD A PROBLEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME WITH HEARING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN I WOULD TURN MY STEERING WHEEL, BUT IT HAD RECENTLY GOT WORSE. ON AUGUST 9, 2006 I TOOK IT IN TO THE CAR DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT. I WAS SUPPOSE TO PICK MY SANTE FE UP ON AUGUST 11TH BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. ONE WEEK LATER I STILL HAD NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM THE DEALERSHIP SO I CALLED TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. AT THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS AN R&R MOTOR MOUNT ,SO THEY WOULD BE REPLACING IT, BUT THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR THE PART TO COME IN. ANOTHER WEEK PASSED AND I CALLED TO SEE IF MY SANTE FE WAS DONE. THEY TOLD ME THE MOTOR MOUNT HAD NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO CALL IN A SPECIALTY TECHNICIAN. THE SPECIALTY TECHNICIAN COULD HEAR THE PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. THE DEALERSHIP THEN TOLD ME I SHOULD JUST COME AND GET MY SANTE FE AND WAIT UNTIL IT GOT WORSE AND THEN MAYBE THEY COULD FIGURE OUT WHERE THE SOUND WAS COMING FROM. I TOLD THEM I WAS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT, THEY ASSURED ME THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN, BUT WHEN I ASKED HOW THEY COULD BE SURE IF THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM THEY TOLD ME TO CALL THE MANUFACTURE AND SEE WHAT THEY SUGGESTED. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HELP US FIND THE PROBLEM. THREE DAYS LATER I GOT A CALL FROM THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD DONE EVERYTHING THEY KNEW TO DO AND I NEEDED TO GO AND GET MY SANTE FE AND WAIT UNTIL THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE SO THEY COULD PINPOINT WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS COMING FROM. AGAIN I VOICED MY CONCERN ABOUT MY SAFETY. THE MANUFACTURE ASSURED ME IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT I HAVE MY DOUBTS IF NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE CLICKING SOUND. ON AUGUST 29 I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PICKED UP MY SANTE FE, THEY TOLD ME IF IT GOT WORSE TO BRING IT BACK IN. *NM
Power train, Aug 17, 2006
THE CLUTCH ON MY 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE (58,000 MILES)WENT OUT ON THE NJ TURNPIKE AT THE START OF A WEEK LONG FAMILY VACATION. MAXON HYUNDAI IN UNION, NJ CLAIMED THAT MY DRIVING HAD BURNED THE CLUTCH OUT (I HAVE BEEN DRIVING STICK FOR 12 YEARS AND MY PREVIOUS CAR- A SATURN- HAD OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH WHEN I SOLD IT) AND WHEN THE CLUTCH WENT IT DAMAGED THE FLY WHEEL. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE FLY WHEEL, THOUGH PART OF THE POWER TRAIN SUPPOSEDLY COVERED UNDER THEIR WARRANTY, WAS NOT COVERED SINCE IT WAS MY FAULT THAT IT WAS DAMAGED. THEY FURTHER INDICATED THAT REPLACING THE CLUTCH AND PUTTING THE OLD FLY WHEEL ON WOULD JUST CAUSE ME TO BURN OUT ANOTHER CLUTCH LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE FLY WHEEL IS WHAT CAUSED THE CLUTCH TO GO IN THE FIRST PLACE. ANYWAY, I DID PAY FOR THE CLUTCH TO BE REPLACED BUT NOT THE FLYWHEEL AND THEN I TRADED IT IN ON A NEW SATURN VUE. I WAS OUTRAGED AT THE WAY I WAS TREATED BY BOTH THE DEALER AND BY HYUNDAI CORPORATE WHEN I CALLED THEM. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANY ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE ME AS I GOT A WHOLE $4,500 FOR THE VEHICLE THAT I PAID $17,000 FOR JUST 3 YEARS AGO AND THIS WAS AFTER I HAD TO PAY A REPAIR BILL OF $1600 AND PAY $500 FOR A RENTAL CAR SO THAT OUR VACATION WAS NOT RUINED. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 12, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS HESITATION AND SURGING OF THE VEHICLE, AS WELL AS, EXTREMELY POOR GAS MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A SERVICE DEALER, THE HESITATION AND SURGE COULD NOT BE RECREATED AND NO PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED. WHEN INSPECTED AGAIN BY THE SAME SERVICE DEALER, A DETACHED CABLE WAS FOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO A SPRING UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOUND TO BE DISCONNECTED. ONCE THE ITEMS WERE REPAIRED, THE MILEAGE IMPROVED, BUT THE HESITATION AND SURGING CONTINUED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THERE WAS IN FACT A HESITATION AND A SURGING. ON THE NEXT VISIT TO THE SERVICE DEALER, A KNOCK SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED WHO RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT TRY ANOTHER SERVICE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION BY ANOTHER SERVICE DEALER, THE KNOCK SENSOR WAS OBSERVE TO BE LOOSE AND IT WAS CRIMPED TO TIGHTEN IT. HOWEVER, THE HESITATION AND SURGING CONTINUED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. UPDATED 08/25/06. *JB
Air bags, Jun 22, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING LESS THAN 20 MPH. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE PICTURES HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Jun 16, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHILE AT A STOP. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOTICED THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD CORROSION, THE WINDSHIELD WAS ETCHED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER, AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
Power train, Jun 8, 2006
I OWN A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. IT BROKE DOWN ON APRIL 29TH, 2006. MY CAR WAS BROUGHT TO FUCILLO HYUNDAI IN SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK. MY CAR IMPROPERLY DIAGNOSED HERE AS HAVING A WORN CLUTCH. WHEN I DECLINED TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED AT THIS LOCATION AND TOOK IT TO OPITZ TRANSMISSION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FLYWHEEL WAS BROKEN AS WELL. I CONTACTED FUCCILLO, WHO DECLINED TO HAVE THE FLYWHEEL FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY AGREEMENT THAT CAME WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR. THIS WARRANTY AGREEMENT DOES NOT STATE THAT THE FLYWHEEL IS NOT COVERED. I ALSO CONTACTED HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA AND SPOKE WITH TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE. ONE TOLD ME THE PART WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND SHOULD BE FIXED, ANOTHER TOLD ME THE PART WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE COST OF THE FLYWHEEL WAS $1276 PLUS TAX AND COULD ONLY BE ORDERED THROUGH A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. I HAD MY CAR FIXED BY OPITZ TRANSMISSION IN SCHENECTADY, NY. OPITZ TRANSMISSION AGREES THAT THE FLYWHEEL WAS POORLY MADE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I HAVE CONTACTED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, THEY FORWARDED MY LETTER AND INFORMATION TO THE NYS MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY DIVISION, WHO IN TURN TOLD ME TO CONTACT THIS WEB SITE. I HAVE LETTERS, RECEIPTS, AND INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER THAT I WOULD LIKE TO FORWARD TO SOMEONE IN THIS DIVISION. *JB
Wheels, May 29, 2006
AFTER THE HEAVY RAINS HAD OCCURRED HERE IN MIAMI ON MAY 16TH, 2006, THERE WERE UNKNOWN VIBRATIONS IN MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, I WAS OUT WITH A FRIEND. WHILE TURN OUT OF A PARKING LOT, WE NOTICED A LOAD POPPING SOUND. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE LOCATION TO PICKUP HIS VEHICLE. HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO INFORM ME THAT I WAS MISSING THREE LUGS FROM MY RIM. THE NEXT DAY I WENT BACK TO THE PARKING LOT AND FOUND THE BROKEN LUGS FROM MY CAR. I ALSO TRIED TO REMOVE ANOTHER LUG FROM THE RIM TO ENSURE ITS' INTEGRITY AND IT BROKE OFF AS WELL. WHEN I CALLED ONE OF THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALERS, I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY KNOW HOW TIGHT TO TIGHTEN THE LUGS AND THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN MY ERROR. *JB
Power train, May 18, 2006
GRINDING SOUND FROM TRANSMISSION OF 2003 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 9, 2006
CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ALWAYS RESPOND WHEN ACCELERATING. AT TIMES THE CAR SLOWS DOWN TO POINT THAT IT IS A HAZARD FOR US AND ANY CAR NEAR TO US. THERE HAS BEEN THREE OCCASIONS THAT ACCIDENTS ALMOST HAPPENED. IN ORDER TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL, THE CAR HAS TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND SET FOR A SHORT PERIOD BEFORE I CAN CONTINUE. I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEAR OF SUCH A THING AND THEY WOULD CALL THE FACTORY. WHEN I HADN'T HEARD FROM THEM FOR QUITE A LONG TIME I RETURNED TO THE SAME PLACE. THIS TIME THEY DIDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAD EVER BEEN IN WITH A COMPLAINT. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 6, 2006
I DRIVE A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 3.5L V6. ON THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2006, I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY DOWN A STEEP, SNOWY HILL IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE CAR IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL IN THE SNOW, THE BRAKE PEDAL KICKED BACK AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE COMPLETELY. THEY FELT AS THOUGH THERE WAS A MASS OF SOMETHING SOLID BLOCKING THE PEDAL FROM DEPRESSING ALL THE WAY. I PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, RELEASED THE PEDAL, PRESSED IT AGAIN, BUT NOTHING I DID KEPT MY CAR FROM CONTINUING TO PROPEL ITSELF DOWNHILL. I NEARLY SIDES WIPED A PARKED CAR BECAUSE, AS MY SPEED INCREASED, THE SANTA FE SLID OUT OF CONTROL ON THE SNOW. ONLY BY SOME MIRACLE WAS THE REST OF THIS BUSY NEIGHBORHOOD STREET EMPTY. I FINALLY REGAINED CONTROL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. AFTER THAT INCIDENT, THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. BUT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS DANGEROUS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED. AND THAT SEEMS TO BE THE PATTERN OF THIS PROBLEM: ONE OR MORE INCIDENTS ON A WET OR SNOWY DAY FOLLOWED BY NORMAL OPERATION. IN APRIL OF 2004, THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM DEVELOPED. ANY TIME I TRIED TO STOP ON A WET OR SNOWY STREET, THE BRAKES WOULD SLOW THE CAR, BUT NOT STOP IT COMPLETELY. AT THAT TIME, HYUNDAI DID FIND A PROBLEM. MY SERVICE RECEIPT SAYS THE ABS ACTUATOR WAS BAD, THE ECU WAS REPROGRAMMED, AND THE HYDRAULIC UNIT FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THIS TIME, ON MARCH 3, 2006, EVEN THOUGH THE SANTA FE BRAKES HAD FAILED IN THE EXACT SAME WAY AS 2 YEARS AGO, HYUNDAI FOUND NO PROBLEM IN THE DIAGNOSTIC IT RAN AND DID NOT ATTEMPT TO MAKE ANY REPAIR. THEY ACTUALLY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS THE WAY THAT THE ABS IS SUPPOSED TO WORK. I AM CERTAIN THAT MY BRAKES WILL FAIL AGAIN, BUT UNTIL MY HYUNDAI DEALER SAYS THERE IS A PROBLEM, THEY'D LIKE ME TO BELIEVE THERE ISN'T ONE. I'LL TRY TO REMEMBER THAT THE NEXT TIME I ROLL DOWN A SNOW-COVERED HILL. *NM
Power train, Feb 27, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP AT 20 MPH THE CLUTCH FAILED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CHANGE GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGED, HOWEVER NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.