2004 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 303 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 32 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 35 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
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
303 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 16, 2011
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND SURGING NO TROUBLE LIGHTS ON. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE THROTTLE SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, SO WE DID THAT. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, SAME THING HAPPENED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THROTTLE SENSOR AGAIN, AT NO CHARGE. SAID IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN WE WOULD NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. HAPPENED AGAIN, SO HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. HAPPENED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS WIRING THAT HAD TO DO WITH CRUISE CONTROL. WHICH I NEVER USE. HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY 3/16/2011. NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WAS DROPPING OFF TONIGHT IN THE NIGHT DROP. I HAVE ALREADY PAID OVER $1000.00 FOR SOMETHING THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS TOMORROW. WE MAXED OUT OUR TOWING WITH AAA, SO MY HUSBAND, WHO WORKS SECOND SHIFT AND HOUR AND HALF AWAY FROM WHERE WE LIVE HAS TO DRIVE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TONIGHT. IT STARTED TODAY WHEN HE WAS ABOUT 15 MINUTES AWAY FROM WORK. ALSO THIS IS OUR ONLY CAR, AND DEALERSHIP ALWAYS SAYS THEIR LOANER CARS ARE ALL OUT. JUST WANTED THIS DOCUMENTED AND AM PRAYING MY HUSBAND GETS BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP OK. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 4, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES WERE DESIGNED AS CHROME OVER PLASTIC AND THE CHROME FRACTURED.. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSING THE EDGES TO BE EXPOSED, WHICH WERE EXTREMELY SHARP. WHEN THE CONTACT'S ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SHE CUT HER HAND WHEN SHE GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR HANDLES WERE DESIGNED AS CHROME OVER A NON-METALLIC SUBSTRATE. OVER TIME, THE CHROME CRACKED AND CURLED UP, THUS FORMING RAZOR SHARP EDGES WHICH COULD NOT BE OBSERVED WHEN THE HANDLE WAS IN ITS NORMAL POSITION. UPDATED 05.11.11
Vehicle speed control, Mar 1, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AS SOON AS IT WAS STARTED. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING DAY YET THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITH AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM AS SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND SHE THEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WHICH THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Suspension, Feb 24, 2011
WAS JUST PULLING THE CAR DOWN THE DRIVE WAY AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. I STOPPED THE CAR AND A FRIEND WAS GOING TO CHANGE THE TIRE. HE NOTICED THE SPRING HAD BROKEN LOOSE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY FOR 12 TO 15 HOURS BEFORE WE WENT TO DRIVE IT. WE HAD NOT EVEN MADE IT ON THE ROAD AND WAS ONLY GOING A COUPLE MILES PER HOUR AND ABOUT 15 TO 20 FEET. WE WERE ON OUR WAY, GOING OUT OF TOWN AND WERE THANKFUL THAT WE DID NOT HAVE THIS HAPPEN GOING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WERE WE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR HURT SOME ONE ELSE. SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK WE HAVE A NEW BORN AND A TWO YEAR OLD IN THIS VEHICLE. THANKFULLY THEY WERE NOT WITH US. THIS FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT, SOMEBODY IS NOT GOING TO BE AS LUCKY AS WE WERE. FOR US IT WAS THE DRIVE WAY AND NOT DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY AT A HIGH SPEEDS WITH OUR FAMILY. *TR
Suspension, Feb 22, 2011
DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING BROKEN. STRUT MOUNT ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2004. AS THE MILEAGE WILL TELL YOU, I DON'T DRIVE IT MUCH. MY CAR HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS WHEN I WENT TO GO TO WORK. AS I STARTED BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL. I DECIDED NOT TO TRY DRIVING IT. MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE SPRING BROKEN. THEY SAID I WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT DRIVING IT AT THE TIME AS IT COULD HAVE PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND CAUSED A BLOWOUT. SINCE THIS INCIDENT, IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS TIME IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT 4 DAYS IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I WENT TO BACK OUT, I HEARD IT. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO A NEARBY GARAGE AND FOUND THE SPRING HAD BROKEN AND WAS RUBBING ON THE TIRE. THIS TIME THE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 25,000 MILES. HYUNDAI DOES NOT SEEM TO THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE SPRINGS. I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS PERTAINING TO THIS COMPLAINT, BUT I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT AT 27,000 MILES I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR CONTROL ARMS. THERE SEEMS TO BE A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE. PLEASE LOOK INTO IT.
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Feb 8, 2011
I TRIED TO START MY 2004 SANTA FE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER (IT CRANKED FINE SO WE KNEW IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY). WHILE IT WAS BEING DRAGGED ONTO THE TOW TRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE DEFLATED. THE WHEEL DID NOT TURN WHILE BEING DRAGGED UP THE TRUCK RAMP. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE FRONT SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND TRIGGERED A KILL SWITCH TO THE FUEL LINE WHICH PREVENTED THE CAR FROM STARTING. I NEVER HEARD ANY AWFUL SOUNDS WHILE DRIVING SO THE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING MUST HAVE SNAPPED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE SPRING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AS DOES THE TIRE. *TR
Suspension, Jan 31, 2011
I WENT INTO GARAGE TO MOVE MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE OUT SO MY HUSBAND COULD PUT OUR 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA INTO IT. THE SANTA FE HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE GARAGE FOR ABOUT 4 DAYS UNDRIVEN. WHEN I STARTED TO BACK UP, IT WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE WAY. NOT SEEING ANYTHING IN MY WAY, I CONTINUED TO BACK THE SANTA FE OUT TO THE STREET STILL HEARING A LOUD NOISE. MY HUSBAND CAME OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS MAKING THE NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE WHOLE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FENDER WAS RESTING ON THE TIRE. UPON RAISING IT WITH THE JACK, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSPENSION COIL WAS BROKEN. I EVEN TOOK PICTURES OF IT WHILE IT WAS JACKED UP. THE UPSIDE TO THIS WHOLE THING IS THAT WE WEREN'T DRIVING IT AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I'M SURE WE WOULD HAVE FLIPPED THE VEHICLE AND BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN KILLED. WE HAVE 84,647 MILES ON IT AND WERE ALWAYS VERY METICULOUS WITH MAINTENANCE. WE WILL CALL THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW, BUT FROM WHAT I CAN SEE, IT LOOKS LIKE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *TR
Suspension, Jan 26, 2011
I HAVE A 2004 SANTA FE AND JUST THE OTHER DAY MY DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE, LUCKY I WASN'T DRIVING IT AT THE TIME HOWEVER IT GOING TO COST ABOUT 1250.00 TO FIX. *TR
Suspension, Jan 24, 2011
FAILURE OF FRONT COIL SPRING WHILE DRIVING. COIL SPRING SUDDENLY BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jan 22, 2011
AT 84,360 MILES OUR SUV WASN'T SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR, WOULD GO FROM 1ST TO 3RD. A BIG KLUNK WOULD OCCUR AROUND 20 MPH. TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP (WITHNELL HYUNDAI, SALEM, OR) IN JUNE 08, AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER. HUSBAND ARGUED WITH SERVICE DEPT., SAYING HE WANTED A NEW TRANSMISSION, GUY SAID IF IT WENT BAD AGAIN THAT WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN, AND HE SAID IF IT WENT BAD, WOULD GO BAD BY 100000 MILES. TOOK SUV BACK IN 8-2010 WITH 99960 MILES, WAS SHIFTING HARD AGAIN, WAS TOLD IT WAS THE REAR MOTOR MOUNT, AND THEY REPLACED THAT. THEN AT 105000 MILES JAN. 2011, SHIFTING HARD AGAIN, TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP THEY AGAIN RESET THE COMPUTER..AT NO CHARGE TO US, AND TOLD US "TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING".
Air bags, Jan 18, 2011
I TOOK MY CAR INTO MY NEW LOCAL DEALER WALLACE HYUNDAI , STUART FL. MY AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED STAYING ON ALL THE TIME. AT THE TIME I BROUGHT IT IN, MY VEHICLE WAS STILL COVERED UNDER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. THIS DEALER TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY $100.00 TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE ISSUE. I HAVE NEVER IN THE LIFE OF OWNING 2 HYUNDAI SANTE FE'S (THIS BEING MY 2ND) DID I EVER HAVE TO PAY UP FRONT FOR BUMPER TO BUMPER ISSUES. I AM DISABLED AND DID NOT HAVE THE $100.00 SO I LEFT AND THEN THE WARRANTY RAN OUT, SO MY ISSUE HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. TO THIS DAY, MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL ON AND I AM CONCERNED IT WILL EITHER DEPLOY OR NOT DEPLOY AT ALL IN AN ACCIDENT. UPDATED 03/23/11
Suspension, Jan 14, 2011
PASSANGER SIDE SPRING SEPERATED CAUSING TIRE DAMAGE. *TR
Suspension, Jan 12, 2011
I DRIVE A USED, 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GLS. VERY RECENTLY, I WAS JUST LEAVING WORK WHEN A SEEMINGLY VERY ORDINARY THING HAPPENED TO MY CAR. I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, WAITING TO TAKE A LEFT TURN. AS SOON AS I ACCELERATED AND BEGAN TO TURN, MY VEHICLE SUFFERED A BLOWN-OUT FRONT-PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. AS THE TIRE BLEW OUT, I HEARD A LOUD "CLUNK"AND THEN A "POP". SURPRISED, I PULLED THE CAR OVER AS SOON AS I COULD, OFF OF THE MAIN ROAD. I HAD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE COME OUT TO CHANGE THE TIRE, BECAUSE I FOUND THAT I DID NOT HAVE THE TOOLS REQUIRED IN MY CAR TO CHANGE A TIRE. AFTER THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER PUT ON THE SPARE, I PAID HIM FOR HIS SERVICES AND WENT TO LEAVE. AS I TURNED THE WHEEL TO LEAVE, MY VEHICLE SUFFERED ANOTHER BLOW-OUT, SAME SIDE. MY CAR THEN HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST SHOP TO BE LOOKED AT. TURNS OUT, MY FRONT-RIGHT COIL SPRING SNAPPED AND PIERCED MY TIRE(S). I CURRENTLY HAVE 73,000 MILES ON MY CAR, WHICH IS A GOOD AMOUNT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, COIL SPRINGS DO NOT JUST SNAP FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE IS 7 YEARS OLD, NOT TWENTY. HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? I FOUND OUT THAT WHEN THE COIL SPRING SNAPPED, IT ALSO SNAPPED THE STRUTS AND THE STRUT MOUNT, ON TOP OF MY TWO TIRES. THE TOTAL AMOUNT FOR THE DAMAGE WAS ABOUT $1200.00, AS BOTH SIDES NEEDED NEW PARTS TO ENSURE THE BEST HANDLING OF THE CAR. ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT IS, WHAT IF I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY DOING 65? IT'S A SCARY THOUGHT TO KNOW THAT I MAY NOT HAVE COME OUT OF THIS ALIVE. I AM VERY LUCKY IT HAPPENED AT SUCH A LOW SPEED, WITH HARDLY ANY CARS AROUND, OR ELSE I WOULD NOT HAVE LIVED TO TELL THE TALE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT SEVERAL OTHER SANTA FE OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. AND GOD FORBID, MAYBE EVEN MORE THAT HAVE NOT LIVED TO TELL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT, AND IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. *TR
Suspension, Jan 3, 2011
BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE BROKE THE RIGHT AT 22,000 MILES AND THE LEFT AT 32,000 MILES. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED BOTH TIMES. *TR
Visibility, Dec 13, 2010
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR BROKEN - HANGS IN FRONT OF DRIVER. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A VERY, VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL HYUNDAI MODELS FROM 2000 - 2010. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 6, 2010
I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY HYUNDAI SANTE FE. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK (ABOUT 30 MILES FROM HOME) MY VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING RAPIDLY AND SURGING WHEN I WAS TRYING TO KEEP IT FROM LUNGING FORWARD. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE BRAKES TO STOP IT AND THAT STILL DID NOT STOP THE ACCELERATION FROM CONTINUING. I DROVE IT DIRECTLY TO THE SHOP WHERE I WANTED TO HAVE IT FIXED. IT COST OVER $500 TO HAVE A THROTTLE SENSOR REPLACED AND NOW IT'S DOING IT AGAIN? I HAD IT TOWED LAST NIGHT BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP IT AGAIN WITHOUT ALMOST PUTTING IT IN A DITCH. WHEN IT STOPPED IT THEN STARTED NOT WANTING TO GO AT ALL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION FOR SURE WITH THIS VEHICLE. SINCE LAST MONTH WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I HAVE BEE READING LOTS OF INFO FROM OTHER DRIVERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. HYUNDAI DOES NOT WANT TO GIVE ME ANYTHING FOR THIS DANGEROUS REPAIR AS THEY DON'T WANT TO ADMIT ANY FAULT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 19, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE FORTH TIME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. DURING THE LAST FAILURE, THE MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD ON THE VEHICLE BURNED AND WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT KNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Oct 27, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER CRASHING, SHE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN RPMS AND THE ENGINE ROARED EXTREMELY LOUDLY UNTIL SHE REMOVED THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE POLICE APPEARED ON THE SCENE BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,600.
Electrical system, Air bags, Equipment, Aug 16, 2010
3RD TIME CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WENT IN 1 YEAR/5 MONTHS. CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES. ALL 3 TIMES, CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN APPEARS AND SECONDS LATER THE CAR SHUTS OFF. TWICE WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND LUCKY WE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO GET OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE BEFORE THE CAR SHUT DOWN. 3 TIMES IN A YEAR AND 5 MONTHS, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN... ALSO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR THE LAST YEAR. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 12, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 3-15 MPH ON AN ICY ROAD SURFACE, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, FOLLOWED BY RESISTANCE AND CAUSED A BOUNCING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. SUDDENLY, A GRINDING NOISE OCCURRED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGING UNINTENDENTLY WHICH RESULTED TO AN INCREASE IN THE STOPPING DISTANCE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND PROGRESSED TO WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION UNDER ANY ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTI-LOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED THE FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 11/05/10. *LJ
Steering, Aug 2, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN YET THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOLD RETURN LINE AND TRANSMISSION LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 14, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Electrical system, Jun 30, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS AGAIN REPROGRAMMED. THE FOLLOWING DAY WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS BEING EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Power train, Jun 11, 2010, crash
WE WERE BEHIND A CAR GOING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT WAITING FOR THE CAR AHEAD OF US TO TURN INTO A LANE AND INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN OUR CAR - A HYUNDAI 2004 SANTA FE - SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ONCE AND THEN AGAIN HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF US, TWICE. AFTER WE HIT THE CAR THE FIRST TIME WE TRIED TO BRAKE BUT EVEN THOUGH HE HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATED AGAIN. WE REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES - TOOK THE SUV TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP - REPORTING THE INCIDENT TO THEM - THEY DID SOME KIND OF A TEST AND TOLD US THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. WHEN THE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL THE RPMS RACE HIGH - AND SINCE THAT ACCIDENT I HAD THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD AGAIN. WE LOOKED ON THE IN INTERNET AND THERE ARE MANY OF THESE SAME COMPLAINTS SO WHY IS HYUNDAI DENYING THIS HAPPENS TO THE CAR? *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 4, 2010, fire
MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE IDLING WHEN A FIRE OCCURRED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE COMPLETELY ENGULFED FRONT OF VEHICLE BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE BLAZE. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. CAUSE OF THE FIRE NOT DETERMINED. VEHICLE RECEIVED PERIODIC SERVICE ONE MONTH EARLIER. *TR