2007 Hyundai Santa FE

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Fuel/propulsion system is the leading concern among 683 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 683

Of the 2007 reports, 30 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 32 people were injured and 2 people died.

Primary concernFuel/propulsion system121 reports · 18% of complaints
Owner complaints683Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship9 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Fuel/propulsion system121
  2. Air bags102
  3. Electrical system97
  4. Service brakes86
  5. Electronic stability control (ESC)68
  6. Vehicle speed control58
  7. Engine53
  8. Other or unspecified44

Recalls and investigations

  1. Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleFeb 4, 2020

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

    An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

    Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.

    Campaign 20V061000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013

    Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

    Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

    Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.

    Campaign 13V113000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJul 25, 2012

    Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from April 19, 2006, through July 7, 2008. The occupant classification system (OCS) may need recalibration to accurately detect small statured adults.

    Improper classification or detection may cause the front passenger airbag not to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger.

    Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the classification software free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 12V354000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Air bags, frontalSep 9, 2011

    HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 26, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 19, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 20, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.

    IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

    HYUNDAI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CONNECT CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 11V472000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 15, 2009

    HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 532,633 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

    ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 09V122000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Trailer hitchesSep 3, 2008

    HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,387 TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESSES EITHER INCLUDED WITH A TRAILER HITCH OR SOLD AS A SERVICE PART MANUFACTURED BY THULE TOWING SYSTEMS AND DISTRIBUTED BY HYUNDAI FOR INSTALLATION ON MY 2007-2008 SANTA FE AND VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE ACCESSORY TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE IS MOUNTED TO THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT. SOME CIRCUIT BOARD COMPONENTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY SEALED TO PREVENT MOISTURE CONTACT. THE MOISTURE MAY RESULT IN CIRCUIT BOARD CORROSION POSSIBLY CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.

    A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE TO THE CONVERTER MODULE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

    THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES A PREVIOUS RECALL CONDUCTED BY HYUNDAI AFFECTING THE SAME TRAILER HITCH WIRING COMPONENTS CONCERNING HIGH CURRENT LEAKAGE OR A SHORT CIRCUIT OF CAPACITOR C1. (PLEASE SEE 08E016). OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD THEIR TRAILER HITCH REPAIRED UNDER THE INITIAL CAMPAIGN WILL RECEIVE A SECOND NOTICE FROM HYUNDAI TO HAVE THE NEWLY DESIGNED HARNESS INSTALLED. HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY ALL OWNERS AND WILL REPAIR THE AFFECTED HARNESSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANT CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 08E055000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Equipment, other, labelsJun 19, 2008

    HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 88,943 MY 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH P235/60R18 TIRES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE BLACK CERTIFICATION LABEL AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE CENTER PILLAR, INCORRECTLY LISTS THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR).

    OVERLOADING YOUR VEHICLE MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT HANDLING AND BRAKING AND MAY CAUSE TIRE DAMAGE, RESULTING IN TIRE FAILURE AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    HYUNDAI WILL MAIL CORRECTED CERTIFICATION LABELS ALONG WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE AFFECTED OWNERS. THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 08V272000 on NHTSA.gov

  8. Trailer hitchesFeb 7, 2008

    THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY RECALL 08E-055. HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,387 TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESSES EITHER INCLUDED WITH A TRAILER HITCH OR SOLD AS A SERVICE PART MANUFACTURED BY THULE TOWING SYSTEMS AND DISTRIBUTED BY HYUNDAI FOR INSTALLATION ON MY 2007-2008 SANTA FE AND VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE ACCESSORY TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE IS MOUNTED TO THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT. HIGH CURRENT LEAKAGE OR A SHORT CIRCUIT OF CAPACITOR C1 COULD CAUSE HEAT RELATED DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE.

    EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER AREA AND MAY POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

    HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 08E016000 on NHTSA.gov

  9. Fuel system, gasoline, storageAug 31, 2006

    ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WALL THICKNESS OF THE RIGHT FORWARD BAFFLE OF THE FUEL TANK MAY BE BELOW SPECIFICATIONS.

    FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANKS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. ALL VEHICLES ARE EITHER STILL AT THE MANUFACTURING PLANT OR IN DEALERSHIPS. NO VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SOLD TO CONSUMERS.

    Campaign 06V317000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: engine

69 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Suspension, Engine, Aug 25, 2014

    THE DRIVE AXEL BROKE WHILE THE CAR WAS DOING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. WHEN IT BROKE, THE BALL JOINT PULLED OUT OF THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL, A PIECE OF METAL FLEW UP AND TORE THE SERPENTINE BELT. THERE IS A RECALL #112 FOR THE 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE THAT THE DRIVE AXEL CAN BREAK BUT I WAS TOLD IT DOES NOT AFFECT MY CAR. HOW DOES THE DRIVE AXEL JUST BREAK. THE RECALL AFFECTS THE FRONT RIGHT AXEL. PRIOR TO IT BREAKING, I WAS GOING DOWN I70 AT 70MPH, THANKFULLY, IT DIDN'T BREAK AT THAT TIME. *TR

  2. Electrical system, Engine, Aug 24, 2014

    WHILE TRAVELING ON EXPRESSWAY AT 65 MPH OUR 2007 SANTA FE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND WE HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. A DEFECTIVE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ON THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING IT TO SHORT OUT AND BE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. HYUNDAI HAVE A RECALL (#121) ON THE 2007-2012 VERACRUZ FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. CLEARLY THE SANTA FE NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE 121 RECALL. MY FAMILY AND I WERE PLACED IN DANGER AS WE WERE IN THE LEFT LANE ON A BUSY EXPRESSWAY AND HAD TO QUICKLY MERGE OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHILE QUICKLY LOSING SPEED. ADDITIONALLY, THE COST OF REPAIR WAS $750 FOR THE ALTERNATOR AND GASKET COVER REPLACEMENT. *TR

  3. Engine and engine cooling, Aug 18, 2014

    2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO OIL LEAK FROM FRONT CYLINDER VALVE COVER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A LEAK WAS FORMED, BECAUSE THE STUDS THAT HELD THE VALVE COVER IN PLACE WERE STRIPPED, THUS ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK PAST THE GASKET, AND THEN OVER THE ALTERNATOR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. *JB......UPDATED 09-03-14 *BF UPDATED 11/26/2014 *JS

  4. Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Visibility/wiper, May 13, 2014

    AS I WAS DRIVING IS A RAIN STORM, MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. I LOST MY WINDOW DEFROSTING CAPABILITY, MY LIGHTS DIMMED AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I AM NOT SURE WHAT ELSE WAS AFFECTED AT THIS TIME AS I WAS JUST CONCENTRATING ON GETTING HOME ALIVE. WHEN HOME, I OPENED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND FOUND THAT THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY HAD COME APART. LUCKY, IT WAS LAYING ON A SMALL LEDGE IN THE CAR. THIS COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF, DAMAGED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, FALLEN TO THE STREET AND BECOME A ROLLING PIECE OF METAL. IF A WOMAN HAD BEEN DRIVING(THIS IS ACTUALLY MY GIRLFRIENDS CAR), THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

  5. Engine, Apr 5, 2014

    MY CRANKSHAFT VIBRATION DAMPER FAILED. IT LITERALLY BROKE INTO TWO PIECES. IT LEFT ME UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT ON A TWO LANE (EACH SIDE = 4) ROAD. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE, HOWEVER, AND HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT AND OFF THE ROAD. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 70 WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ITEM IN MY OPINION. *TR

  6. Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 29, 2014

    SYMPTOMS: "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. "LOW FUEL" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. FUEL GAUGE INDICATED NEARLY EMPTY EVEN THOUGH TANK WAS CLOSE TO HALF FULL. CAUSE: FUEL TANK LEVEL SENSOR FAILED INDICATING FUEL IS ALWAYS EMPTY."CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ALWAYS ILLUMINATED. *TR

  7. Electrical system, Engine, Mar 21, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE ENGINE WOULD OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

  8. Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 27, 2013

    AT A SLOW SPEED WHILE TURNING (EITHER DIRECTION, AS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED NOW 3 TIMES IN 10 WEEKS) VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER TO STEER AND BRAKE. FEELS LIKE THE CAR HAS DIED, HOWEVER THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON. WHEN IT RESOLVED, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BRAKES AND STEERING RESTORED. FIRST TWO TIMES THE POWER FAILURE WAS MOMENTARILY. THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE LOST POWER FOR 3-4 MINUTES AND STRANDED ME WHILE TURNING ONTO MAJOR ROAD FROM MY NEIGHBORHOOD WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAD CAR TOWED TO LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER WHO KEPT INSISTING THEY WOULD NEED TO SEE THE VEHICLE FAIL IN ORDER TO KNOW HOW TO REPAIR IT. I SAID NOT GOOD ENOUGH, THEY NEED TO FIND ANOTHER METHOD TO TROUBLE SHOOT AND REFUSED TO PICK UP VEHICLE. NOW THE DEALER IS BLAMING THE POWER LOSS ON WORN FRONT TIRES AND THE ESC SYSTEM CUTTING POWER TO THE ENGINE, STEERING AND BRAKES DUE TO IT SENSING SLIPPAGE. I'M NOT BUYING THIS EXPLANATION FROM THE DEALER, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF (1) THE SLOW SPEED (NO SLIPPING TIRES IN THESE THREE INSTANCES), AND (2) TIRES HAVE SLIPPED ON QUICK ACCELERATION BEFORE WITHOUT ESC SYSTEM CUTTING POWER TO BRAKES & STEERING, AND (3) IF THIS WERE THE CASE, I WOULD THINK ESC WOULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND NOT DESIGNED TO SAVE LIVES! WILL FILE COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI AMERICA BUT I DON'T HAVE MUCH FAITH THAT THEY WILL BE OF HELP. *TR

  9. Engine and engine cooling, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 2, 2013

    CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME ITS THE FUEL SENSORS. THE ONE ON THE FUEL PUMP AND ONE ON THE GAUGE. MY GAS GAUGE WILL FLUCTUATE TO FULL THEN EMPTY. I WAS TOLD EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN. COSTS ABOUT $500 TO REPAIR. I JUST PURCHASED MY VEHICLE 5 WEEKS PRIOR AS USED WITH 50320 ON THE ODOMETER. I HAVE A LIMITED WARRANTY THROUGH THE DEALER AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AS WELL. NEITHER WARRANTY COVERS THIS PROBLEM. I AM SEEING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK PLUS WHAT HAPPENS IF MY VEHICLE TOTALLY BREAKS DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. *TR

  10. Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 16, 2013

    WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES POWER. PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR HAS NO EFFECT EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING AND IN DRIVE. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. SO FAR I HAVE MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND ON MULTIPLE TIMES RESTORES POWER AGAIN. *TR

  11. Engine and engine cooling, Aug 8, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE BELT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE OWNERS MANUAL STATED THAT THE BELT SHOULD LAST FOR 67,000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 09/12/12 *BF UPDATED 09/18/2012 *JS

  12. Engine and engine cooling, Aug 31, 2010

    I OWN A 2007 SANTA FE HYUNDAI. MY POWER SYSTEM WENT OUT ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO. LUCKILY, I HAD JUST LEFT THE GROCERY STORE AND WAS STILL IN THE PARKING LOT. MY CAR AT THE TIME HAD 26,334 MILES ON IT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT I HAD SOMEONE JUMP START MY CAR, AND AFTER I DROVE IT ABOUT THREE FEET, I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I COULDN'T STEER IT AND COASTED TO A STOP BY A WENDY'S RESTAURANT. I CALLED MY SON AND WHEN HE LIFTED THE HOOD, HE SAW A ROUND PART JUST HANGING THERE. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A DEALER IN WALDORF, MARYLAND. APPARENTLY, THE DAMPER PULLEY CAME APART. THEY REPLACED DAMPER PULLEY AND BELT. I WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I STILL WORRY ABOUT IT HAPPENING AGAIN EVERY TIME I HAVE TO DRIVE IT ON A MAIN HIGHWAY AND IN A LOT OF TRAFFIC. *TR

  13. Engine and engine cooling, Aug 17, 2010

    THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE. ONCE WITH 850 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND AGAIN WITH 46,000 MILES. HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2007. TRAVELING AT 70 MPH THE ENGINE TOTALLY SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AUTO WAS TOWED TO DEALER EACH TIME AND RESTARTED UPON UNLOAD. HYUNDAI CANNOT FIND PROBLEM NOR DOES DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER INDICATE ANY PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT 7 HOURS OF TIME AND FORCED HOTEL STAYS WERE A RESULT. *TR

  14. Engine and engine cooling, Aug 16, 2010

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 45- 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED FOLLOWED BY THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,909.

  15. Engine and engine cooling, Feb 24, 2009

    I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST ON ROUTE 140 WEST IN WESTMINSTER, MD. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND NO LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD THIS TIME -- PREVIOUSLY THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT WOULD COME ON. AGAIN, THIS MORNING, FEBRUARY 24TH ON MY WAY DOWN A HILL TO WORK, THE CAR FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS GOING TO STALL. THIS TIME THE ESC LIGHT WAS FLICKERING. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE CAR AND WILL REPORT EACH INCIDENT. I AM ALSO SENDING A LETTER TO HYUNDAI MOTOR VEHICLES EASTERN REGION OFFICE. *TR

  16. Engine and engine cooling, Aug 3, 2008

    DRIVING FROM MY MOTHER'S HOME, WHERE I WAS VISITING, TO THE GROCERY STORE NOT THREE MILES AWAY MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ALL OF SUDDEN LOST POWER AND STARTED OVERHEATING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL IT OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR ASSISTANCE. THIS BEING THE FOURTH OF JULY LONG WEEKEND, THE ORLANDO DEALERSHIP WAS NOT OPEN. THE FOLLOWING DAY I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE ASSISTANT AT ORLANDO HYUNDAI. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED AND NOT A WARRANTY ITEM, THE REPAIR WAS $700. BEING FROM OUT OF THE AREA I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY THE MONEY AND GET THE CAR FIXED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, WAS SOME ITEM DAMAGED THE RADIATOR AND USING HIS WORDS "PROBABLY ROAD DEBRIS" PASSING THROUGH THE GRILL. HE CONTINUED THE EXPLANATION THAT THERE ARE NOT BARRIERS THAT WOULD PREVENT SMALL ITEMS FROM PASSING THROUGH THE GRILL AND DAMAGING THE CONDENSER AND RADIATOR WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAYS. ASKING THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, HE REPLIED YES. THE FAILURE OF HYUNDAI TO FORESEE, DESIGN AND PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF SCREEN BARRIER BEHIND THE GRILL ALLOWS ANY TYPE OF DEBRIS TO CAUSE HARM TO THE CONDENSER OR RADIATOR AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON JULY 5, 2008 BY ORLANDO HYUNDAI IN ORLANDO FL. I DISPUTED THIS CLAIM AS SUBJECTIVE TO HYUNDAI OF AMERICA AS SOON AS I RETURNED. THEY SENT ME TO MY LOCAL DEALER, JENKINS HYUNDAI OF BRADENTON. THE SERVICE MANAGER THERE TOLD ME HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. I WAS GIVEN THE RUNAROUND. I SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING SOLUTION, SENT IN BY ANOTHER COMPLIANT, SHOULD BE LISTENED TO. A SMALL AMOUNT OF HARDWARE CLOTH ATTACHED TO THE BACK OF THE GRILL WOULD DEFLECT MOST ALL DEBRIS AND PROTECT THE CONDENSER AND RADIATOR FROM DAMAGE WHILE STILL ALLOWING AMPLE AIR FLOW. TODAY, MY CAR OVERHEATED AGAIN! I WILL BRING IT TO THE DEALER TOMORROW WITHOUT CONFIDENCE IN THIS PRODUCT OR THE WARRANTY WHICH IS WHY I BOUGHT THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR

  17. Engine and engine cooling, Mar 14, 2008

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER HAS NOW DECLARED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18,000. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR

  18. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Structure, Jul 6, 2007

    I HAVE A HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I HAVE HAD THREE MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE CAR AND ONE SMALL COSMETIC ISSURE. THE MAJOR ISSUES HAVE BEEN WITH THE STRUCTURE OF THE CAR, THE WHEEL AXEL, THE ALIGNMENT, AND THE ENGINE BLOCK. ALL OF THESE ITEMS HAVE EITHER BEEN LOOSE, BROKEN, OR DEFECTIVE. YES, THEY KEEP FIXING THE CAR, BUT IT'S A NEW CAR. IF I WANTED A CAR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED WEEKLY I WOULD HAVE KEPT OR PURCHASED AN USED CAR. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY RIDING IN THIS CAR. WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CATCH THESE DEFECTS BEFORE WE'VE GOTTEN INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR

  19. Engine and engine cooling, Jun 15, 2007

    DRIVING I-75 SOUTH IN GEORGIA, SUNDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 10, 2007, THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING, TRAVELING TO JACKSONVILLE, FL. CALLING FROM THE HIGHWAY ON A CELL PHONE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WE WERE INSTRUCTED TO CALL THE HYUNDAI ASSISTANCE 800 NUMBER. UPON CONNECTION WAS GIVEN THE NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS OF TWO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS IN JACKSONVILLE, FL. ON MONDAY, JUNE 11 AM, TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KEY BUICK, HYUNDAY IN JACKSONVILLE FOR SERVICE. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE AC CONDENSER WAS DAMAGED AND NOT A WARRANTY ITEM, THE REPAIR WAS ESTIMATED AT $750. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, WAS SOME ITEM DAMAGED THE CONDENSER AND USING HIS WORDS "PROBABLY ROAD DEBRIS" PASSING THROUGH THE GRILL. HE CONTINUED THE EXPLANATION THAT THERE ARE NOT BARRIERS THAT WOULD PREVENT SMALL ITEMS FROM PASSING THROUGH THE GRILL AND DAMAGING THE CONDENSER AND RADIATOR WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAYS. ASKING THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, HE REPLIED YES. THE FAILURE OF HYUNDAI TO FORESEE, DESIGN AND PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF SCREEN BARRIER BEHIND THE GRILL ALLOWS ANY TYPE OF DEBRIS TO CAUSE HARM TO THE CONDENSER OR RADIATOR AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON JUNE 14 BY KEY BUICK HYUNDAI IN JACKSONVILLE, FL. I OFFER A SOLUTION THAT A SMALL AMOUNT OF HARDWARE CLOTH ATTACHED TO THE BACK OF THE GRILL WOULD DEFLECT MOST ALL DEBRIS AND PROTECT THE CONDENSER AND RADIATOR FROM DAMAGE WHILE STILL ALLOWING AMPLE AIR FLOW. HARDLY A HAPPY TRAVELING PERIOD WITH 3 DAYS OF NEGOTIATING WITH TWO DEALERSHIPS RICK CASE HYUNDAI IN DULUTH, GA. & KEY BUICK HYUNDAI IN JACKSONVILLE, NO VEHICLE AVAILABILITY AND FRUSTRATING EXPENSES. *AK