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.
Air bags, May 3, 2010
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 18, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED MORE RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES MULTIPLE TIMES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE BEGAN WHEN THE HEAT OR THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON. THE DEALER REPLACED ONE OF THE SENSORS; HOWEVER, THE ACCELERATION CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 05/10/10 *BF UPDATED 05/12/10.*JB
Structure, Mar 10, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) PASSENGER WENT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND GOT THEIR HAND CUT BY A SHARP EDGE ON THE DOOR HANDLE. IT APPEARS THAT THE CHROME-PLATING HAS TURNED INTO A SHARP EDGE, SIMILAR TO A RAZOR-BLADE (IDENTICAL TO WHAT OCCURRED IN NHTSA ACTION # PE08071 ON THE HYUNDAI SONATA). I HAVE TEMPORARILY TAPED THE SHARP AREA, SINCE BOTH THE DEALER AND HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DANGER OF THIS PROBLEM, AND REFUSE TO REPLACE THE HANDLE AT NO CHARGE. THEY TELL ME THAT SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL AND THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WILL NOT CHANGE THE DEFECTIVE (UNSAFE) HANDLE EVEN THOUGH MY OTHER THREE HANDLES ARE PERFECTLY FINE. HYUNDAI COMPLAINT FILED (TWICE), LATEST DATE WAS 3/10/2010 CASE #[XXX]. *TR
Air bags, Feb 10, 2010
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED AND RUNNING. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT EVERY TIME WHEN I EXIT THE SUV. I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING I KNOW OF THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED A PROBLEM WITH IT. AS I CALLED THEM ABOUT IT HOWEVER, THEY SAY I MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS 82,000 MILES ON IT. I AM THE SECOND OWNER HAVING PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 45,000 MILES ON IT ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO. I HAVE BEEN ON LINE AND NOTICED THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Feb 9, 2010
EVERYTIME I REFUEL MY 04 HYUNDAI SANTE IT WILL NOT START. IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL STAY RUNNING AND I NEED TO CONSTANTLY GIVE IT GAS. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING OR NOT, IF ITS RUNNING IT SHUTS DOWN. ALSO TRIED USING DIFFERENT GAS BUT SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE STATED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE EXACT SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD RECALL IT TO FIX IT. *TR
Visibility, Feb 5, 2010
WE OWN A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTE FE AND HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SUN VISORS. THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR HAS BROKEN TWICE. IT NO LONGER HAS ENOUGH FRICTION TO HOLD IT UP AND HANGS DOWN IN THE DRIVERS LINE OF SITE. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD, 70,000 MILES, AND REPLACEMENT PART IS A $170. THE DRIVERS VISOR BLOCKING THE DRIVERS VIEW IS SAFETY ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE A COMMON PROBLEM AFTER IT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR VEHICLE TWICE. AVAILABILITY OF USED PARTS IS SCARCE DUE TO SO MANY PROBLEMS AND I HAVE FOUND OTHER REMARKS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS. THESE VISORS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY HYUNDAI. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2009
MY 2004 SANTA FE HAS SERIOUS RUSTING ON THE UNDER FRAME. RUST IS ON THE WELD POINTS AND THE FUEL AND ENGINE COVERS ARE COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST AND HAVE CHUNKS MISSING. A RECALL OF 2001 THROUGH 2003 SANTE FE VEHICLES DOES NOT INCLUDE OURS. WE HAVE 64,000 MILES ON IT AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND WE OUR VERY CONCERNED THAT FURTHER RUSTING WILL CAUSE IMPORTANT PARTS TO GIVE WAY. I WAS TOLD BY HYUNDAI THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BUT I COULD WRITE A LETTER OF COMPLAINT TO HYUNDAI OF AMERICA. THIS I DID AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY RESPONSE AS OF 10/26/2009. MY VEHICLE '!@#$%. I AM SURE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED VEHICLE AND PROBABLY PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE THERE IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE LIKE OUR CAR, IT LOOKS GREAT UNTIL YOU PUT IT ON A HOIST. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 16, 2009
I'VE OWNED 2 SANTA FE'S IN A ROW (2001 & 2004). BOTH HAD ENGINE FAILURES AROUND 60,000 MILES (BOTH ON FREEWAY). THE 2004 FAILED AT NIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ARIZONA DESERT- THESE BOTH PRESENTED ME WITH A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE. I END UP GETTING TOWED OVER 150 MILES TO HYUNDAI DEALER. SMALL BLOCK FAILED AND WAS REPLACED IN BOTH- HYUNDAI COVERED THE 2001 BUT ONLY COVERED 35% OF THE 2004 (86 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY). NEVER BUY HYUNDAI'S AGAIN!!! *TR
Air bags, Sep 2, 2009
THE AIRBAG SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT EVER HAVING BEEN USED IN A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY NOT FUNCTIONING IN THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE PROVIDER STATED THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF WE ARE IN AN ACCIDENT AND TOLD US IT WOULD COST $1800.00 TO FIX IT. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 16, 2009
THE CHROME PLATE ON THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS CRACKED AND SPLIT. EVERYTIME I OPEN THE DOOR TO LEAVE THE CAR THE HANDLE SLICES MY HAND. IT'S AS SHARP AS A RAZOR BLADE. I HAVE PUT TAPE AROUND IT BUT THIS IS JUST A TEMPORARY FIX. MY WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT OPTIONS I MAY HAVE. *TR
Suspension, Jun 11, 2009
I BOUGHT MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE NEW IN FEBRUARY 2004. ALL OF THE BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 23000 MILES DUE TO RUSTED CALIPERS. HOWEVER, MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT SOMETHING MUCH MORE SERIOUS. THE COIL SPRINGS ON BOTH FRONT MCPHEARSON STRUTS BROKE AND PENETRATED THE TIRES. THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE IN FEBRUARY 2009 AT ABOUT 23000 MILES. THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE ON 6/9/09 AT APPROXIMATELY 24500 MILES. FORTUNATELY, THE SANTA FE WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE BOTH TIMES THE SPRINGS BROKE. HAD THE SPRINGS FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR ON THE THRUWAY, THERE'S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT I WOULD HAVE CRASHED OR ROLLED OVER. ALTHOUGH THE TOWS AND REPAIRS WERE MADE UNDER WARRANTY AT NO COST TO ME, I DON'T TRUST THE SANTA FE ANYMORE AND I DO NOT INTEND TO KEEP IT. *TR
Tires, May 29, 2009
MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAD A SLOW LEAK WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND I ALWAYS CARRIED A CAN OF FIX A FLAT.I THEN PROCEEDED TP A TIRE PLACE TO REPAIR THE TIRE BUT WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE I USED THE FIX A FLAT THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I HAVE WRITTEN TO FIX A FLAT TO EITHER CONFIRM OR DENY THIS STATEMENT BY THE TIRE COMPANY, BUT SO FAR I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY ANYONE FROM FIX A FLAT. CAN YOU PLEASE CONFIRM OR DENY THIS STATEMENT? THE TIRE PLACE TOLD ME THAT THE DOT HAS PUBLISHED A RULING TO THIS EFFECT, BUT I LOOKED ALL OVER AND CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ON IT. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 28, 2009
THE CHROME PLATE ON THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS WORN DOWN AND CRACKED. EVERYTIME THE DOOR HANDLE IS USED THAT CRACK SERVES AS A RAZOR BLADE AND CUTS MY PASSENGER'S HANDS. THIS CRACK IS ON THE TOP OF THE DOOR HANDLE. AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE RECALL OF THE 2002-2003 SONATAS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS RECALL MAY NEED TO BE EXPANDED TO OTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLES THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Equipment, May 12, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE SIMILAR TO LIQUID TOUCHING A HOT SURFACE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS LEAKING ONTO THE PIPES, THE RACK AND PINION, AND THE FUEL TANK COVER, WHICH HAS ALSO CAUSED THEM TO RUST. THE CONTACT HAS AN EXTENDED FIVE YEAR WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY MAKE REPAIRS WHEN THE STEERING FAILS COMPLETELY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. SHE INFORMED THE DEALER THAT A MECHANIC CHANGED THE FLUIDS AND STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT COULD HAVE SEIZED DUE TO THE RUST AND CAUSED A LOSS IN STEERING CONTROL. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECKS PER THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENTS. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, SERPENTINE BELT, TIMING BELT, AIR CONDITIONER BELT, AND POWER STEERING FLUID WERE REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2009. IN MARCH OF 2009, THE VEHICLE UNDERWENT FREQUENT OIL CHANGES AND TIRE REPLACEMENTS AT THE DEALER. AT THAT TIME, SHE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RUST BEING PRESENT. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE RUST OCCURRED OVER TIME. THE INVOICES FOR ALL REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE WORK IS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER TO SPEAK WITH THE MECHANIC FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE MAGNUSEN-MOFACT 1975 TITLE 15, CHAPTER 50 , SECTIONS 2301 -2312 OF THE U.S. FEDERAL CODE, WHICH AUTHORIZES HER TO HAVE REPAIRS PERFORMED BY A REPAIR FACILITY OTHER THAN THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2009
I HAVE DOCUMENTED 8 TIMES THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS FAILED IN MY CAR - TAKEN TO DEALER AND THEY KEEP SAYING DUE TO CORROSION ON WIRES BUT I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT EVERY 3-4 MTHS THAT HAPPENS - I DO NOT LIVE NEAR THE BEACH. THE CAR WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY END OF THIS YEAR AND I FEEL THE PROBLEM IS NOT BEING SOLVED. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Apr 7, 2009
EVERYTIME I REFUEL MY 04 HYUNDAI SANTE FE IT WILL NOT START. IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL STAY RUNNING AND I NEED TO CONSTANTLY GIVE IT GAS. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I PUT IN 2 GALLONS OR I FILL THE TANK. AT LEAST ONE TIME WHEN I WENT TO SHUT IT OFF IT KEPT RUNNING. I HAVE GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE STATED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE EXACT SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 17, 2009
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY WIRING. DEALER GOT IT TO GO OUT, BUT IF IT COMES BACK ON AGAIN THEY SAY THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DEALER CANNOT SAY IF THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT AND SAYS THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT SAY EITHER. NOW, THE LIGHT IS OUT BEHIND THE HEATER CONTROL BUTTON. ONCE AGAIN DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY WIRING. FAULTY WIRING SOUNDS LIKE A FACTORY PROBLEM TO ME. ALL SERVICES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN DONE SINCE DAY ONE AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Seats, Mar 6, 2009, crash
I PURCHASED A USED 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN AUG/2005 FROM A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP (# ). IN AUG/2006, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE RESULTS WERE "CODE B1382 PSAB RESISTANCE HIGH - RESECURE CONNECTOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT/CLEAR CODE". IN FEB/2008, THE AIRBAG SENSOR AGAIN APPEARED. THE SAME TECHNICAL CODE WAS DETECTED, AND THE DEALERSHIP RESOLUTION WAS TO "REROUTE WIRE HARNESS". IN MAR/2008, THE AIRBAG LIGHT AGAIN APPEARED AND WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IN NOV/2008, THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARING. AT THE TIME OF SERVICE IN NOV/2008, THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE AIRBAG FREE OF CHARGE UNDER THE WARRANTY, AT WHICH TIME, THEY WERE INFORMED THAT A COMPLAINT WOULD BE FILED UNDER THE CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW DUE TO REPEAT FIXES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP THEN FIXED THE ISSUE. ON NOV. 26, 2008, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN A HIGH-SPEED REAR END COLLISION (~35MPH) WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND PUSHED INTO AN INTERSECTION, WHERE IT BROADSIDED A MOVING VEHICLE. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACTS, THE HYUNDAI WAS TOTALED, ALL REAR SEATED PASSENGERS SUSTAINED INJURY DUE TO THE SPARE TIRE BEING LIFTED FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT AND RAISING THE 60/40 SPLIT REAR SEAT AND PUSHING IT FORWARD, THE FRONT PASSENGER RECEIVED CHEST CONTUSIONS AND THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED UPPER BODY INJURIES. DESPITE BEING PUSHED FORWARD AND MAKING A STRONG IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I REQUESTED HYUNDAI INVESTIGATE THE MATTER, AND THEY DETERMINED THAT ALTHOUGH THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED FROM THE SECONDARY IMPACT, IT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO WARRANT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I RESEARCHED COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS REGARDING REPEATED AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT REPAIRS AND OTHER AIRBAG FAILURES, INCLUDING STORIES OF CRASHES INTO POLES WITH FAILED AIRBAGS. HYUNDAI HAS NOT ISSUED ANY RECALL, BUT THEY PROBABLY SHOULD. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 22, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A 7-ELEVEN STORE. THE DRIVER AND CUSTOMERS WERE UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED COSMETIC DAMAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEIR ESTABLISHMENT SO THEY COULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 24, 2008
ENGINE- DEFECTIVE SHORT BLOCK ENGINE CAR IS BACK IN SHOP NOW FOR THE 5TH TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, LOUD RATTLING NOISES COMING FROM ENGINE. DEALER INFORMED ME IT'S A DEFECTIVE FACTORY ENGINE. BRAND NEW SHORT BLOCK ENGINE REPLACED TWICE AND CAR NOW BACK IN SHOP FOR SAME PROBLEM. NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE, AS TWICE I HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER B/C OF ENGINE FAILURE AND I HAD MY 2 YR OLD SON WITH ME. IN REVIEWING THIS WEBSITE, I SEE COUNTLESS NUMEROUS AND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS! THE ENGINE IS THE HEART OF A CAR SO HOW MANY NEW HEARTS IS HYUNDAI WILLING TO PUT IN THIS ONE CAR? IT COST MORE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAN TO JUST ACCEPT THE LOSS AND PROPERLY COMPENSATE ME! REPAIRS ARE AS FOLLOWS: NEW SHORT BLOCK ENGINE INSTALLED; RETURN CAR SAME DAY B/C ENGINE FELT "LOOSE"; TOLD IT WAS THE SWAY BAR LINKS- INSTALLED SAME DAY; CAR STILL FELT LOOSE, NEXT DAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON- CAR RETURNED. THIS TIME TOLD IT WAS STRUT TOP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED- DONE. PICKED UP CAR, 2 DAYS LATER BACK IN SHOP FOR SAME INITIAL LOUD ENGINE NOISE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN. TOLD SAME PROBLEM WITH SHORT BLOCK ENGINE TO BE DEFECTIVE. ORDERED BRAND NEW SHORT BLOCK ENGINE AND REPLACED AGAIN! PICKED UP CAR AFTER REPAIR AND AGAIN, SAME DAY, BROUGHT THE CAR BACK B/C CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN! CAR PRESENTLY STILL IN SHOP AND I'M FORCED TO CONTACT AN ATTORNEY B/C THE HYUNDAI'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS STATES AS LONG AS THE DEALER KEEPS FIXING THE PROBLEM, THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN OFFERING ME ANY COMPENSATION. HOW MUCH MORE MONEY ARE THEY WILLING TO GIVE THIS DEALER BEFORE THEY REALIZE THIS CAR IS NOT WORTH ANOTHER $6,500 REPAIR BILL? *TR
Air bags, Oct 16, 2008, crash
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A LITTLE ST. IN FOSTORIA,OHIO ON OCT 16 AT APPROX. 4 PM. HER SPEED WAS AROUND 35 MPH AND THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD. SHE HAD A LARGE VEHICLE ON HER DRIVER SIDE AS THIS IS A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. A BLAZER/BRONCO CROSSED FROM THE ONCOMING LANE ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON A SIDE STREET (SOUTH UNION STREET, CUTTING RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE IMPACT STOPPED HER VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND DROVE HER CAR INTO A TRUCK WAITING TO TURN ONTO LITTLE STREET FROM THE SAME SIDE STREET. ALTHOUGH THE ACCIDENT CAUSED A FRONT END IMPACT TO OUR HYUNDAI, THE AIRBAG IN OUR HYUNDAI DID NOT DEPLOY. MY WIFE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER LEFT COLLARBONE AND SHOULDER, AND ALSO TO HER RIGHT KNEE, REQUIRING A TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND XRAYS. SHE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO WORK FOR A SHORT TIME DUE TO HER INJURIES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 6, 2008
WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DOING FREEWAY SPEEDS AT 5:30 AM GOING TO WORK WHEN MY TRUCK JUST SHUT DOWN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I LOST ALL POWER COASTED ABOUT 300 FEET, PULLED OFF ON LEFT AND ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. COME TO FIND OUT, TIMING BELT WENT BAD, ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. I'VE GOT LESS THAN 75000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK AND AM VERY UPSET THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED ON THE WARRANTY AND THAT THE PARTS THEY USE TO PUT THESE TRUCKS TOGETHER ARE SO CHEAP! *TR
Air bags, Oct 5, 2008
WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO GARY ROME HOLYOKE FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND COMPLAINT OF A AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS A UNIT UNDERNEATH THE SEAT THAT WAS BAD. THEY GOT THE LIGHT TO GO OFF AND WE WERE TOLD TO SELL OR TRADE THE CAR BEFORE THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WE WERE TOLD WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY,BY LESS THAN 1000 MILES AND TO REPLACE THIS PART WOULD BE IN THE $2000-$3000 RANGE. THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS THE SIDE AIRBAGS AND THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART ON OTHER MODELS AS WELL. MY WIFE WAS TOLD THE SAME BY THE MANUFACTURER WHEN SHE CALLED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 12, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ACCELERATES FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD RAPIDLY. HE MUST IMMEDIATELY APPLY THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,963 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Air bags, Jun 6, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.