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.
Of the 2007 reports, 30 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 32 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
683 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 24, 2014
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, AS WELL AS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ALL DOORS DO NOT ALWAYS LOCK ON THEIR OWN, PUSHING LOCK BUTTON ON KEYCHAIN TWICE DOES NOT SOUND THE BEEP TO ENSURE DOORS LOCKED, CAR ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY, FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. ALL OF THESE HAVE BEEN RECALLED BY HYUNDAI BUT FOR SOME REASON, MY 2007 WITH LESS THAN 90,000 MILES IS NOT COVERED. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 21, 2014, crash
MY WIFE TRIED TO PUT CAR IN REVERSE TO AVOID ACCIDENT BUT COULD NOT BECAUSE OF FAILURE OF PART STOP LAMP SWITCH. SHE COLLIDED DUE TO THIS FAILURE. HYUNDAI HAS A RECALL ON MANY VEHICLES INCLUDING THIS MODEL BUT NOT THIS MANUFACTURING DATE. THEY ARE NOT INCLUDING ALL THE VEHICLES THAT HAVE THIS DEFECTIVE PART. THIS COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS OR DEATHS DUE TO THIS. *TR
Air bags, Nov 20, 2014, crash
THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A RECALL, HYUNDAI STATES THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH AIRBAGS, AFTER SUCCESSFULLY PROVING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS WERE FAULTY AS DEFINED BY THE BBB, I WAS OFFERED $800 FORT CAR THAT BLUE BOOKS AROUND 10-12K. SINCE THE LAW FIRM IN CHARGE OF THE CLASS ACTION ONLY PROVIDED FOR THEMSELVES, THERE WERE NO FURTHER STEPS I COULD TAKE. OCTOBER ACCIDENT CAR WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED HEAD ON AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY STRONG WITH THIS CAR. *TR
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 20, 2014
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. ALSO, YESTERDAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED READING MY FUEL LEVEL. I HAVE 90,100 MILES ON THE VEHICLE TODAY. SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, MY HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS WAS EVER A CONCERN FOR OTHER MODELS. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Nov 19, 2014
DRIVERS SIDE VISOR CAME DOWN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THUS BLOCKING THE VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. VISOR ULTIMATELY FELL COMPLETELY OFF WITH ONLY WIRES DANGLING. A CRASH WAS BARELY AVOIDED HAD IT NOT BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY A YOUNG EXPERIENCED FEMALE DRIVER. WITHIN 30 MINUTES THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR DID THE SAME ALTHOUGH IT HELD ON BY THE WIRES. THIS OCCURRED WITH A PASSENGER OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THIS SITUATION IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER NEARLY CAUSED A PILEUP ON THE BUSIEST STRETCH OF FREEWAY IN RENO NEVADA KNOW AS THE SPAGHETTI BOWL. ACCORDING TO OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME TYPE VEHICLE THEY HAVE ENCOUNTERED A SIMILAR SITUATION. HYUNDAI AND THE DEALERSHIPS SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND LIBEL FOR ANY SUCH CAUSES OF PAST, PRESENT OR FUTURE INCIDENTS AND AN IMMEDIATE RECALL ISSUED BEFORE ANY FURTHER LOSS OF PROPERTY OR LIFE. DOCUMENTATION ON THE INTERNET CONFIRM THAT DEALERSHIPS AND MANUFACTURE ARE AWARE. REPAIR SHOULD BE MADE AT THE MANUFACTURERS EXPENSE AS THIS IS A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP AND PRODUCT. AT LEAST, AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE MADE REGARDING THIS EXTREME HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS. THIS COMPLAINT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED 11/20/14. *TR
Visibility, Nov 16, 2014
THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR SUDDENLY DISLODGED FROM ITS PIVOT POINT AND FELL TO THE DASHBOARD. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. LAST WEEK (11/07/2014) THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR. I WAS TRAVELLING AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT COLLAPSED IN FRONT OF ME COMPLETELY BLOCKING MY VISION. I NEARLY DROVE OFF THE HIGHWAY SINCE I COULD NOT SEE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS PART MUST BE DEFECTIVE BUT THE DEALER TELLS ME AS FAR AS HE KNOWS I'M THE ONLY CUSTOMER WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. I'VE HEARD THAT THE SAME YEAR HYUNDAI SONATA HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM, AND I DON'T KNOW WHY THE SANTA FE HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 15, 2014
EXACTLY AS PER HYUNDAI RECALL #121, THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ONTO THE ALTERNATOR AND DESTROYED THE ALTERNATOR: BUT HYUNDAI DEALER IS TELLING ME MY AUTO IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. THIS DOES NOT SEEM FAIR OR RIGHT TO ME. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 6, 2014
THE FUEL SENSOR UNIT INSIDE TANK IS DEFECTIVE. SOMETIMES IT IS CORRECT, OTHER TIMES THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY WHEN FULL, HALF FULL ETC. IT ALSO DISPLAYS LOW FUEL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON. IT IS A $ 650+ REPAIR JOB AT DEALER !!! I HAVE A FRIEND WITH SAME YEAR AND MODEL HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.....HOW MANY OTHERS ARE OUT THERE ? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Oct 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V472000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 12/30/14*CN UPDATED 05/27/2015 *JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 29, 2014
FUEL GAUGE BEGAN ACTING ERRATICALLY AND EVENTUALLY 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT CAME ON. CURRENTLY HAVE TO CONSTANTLY MONITOR FUEL STATUS AND CARRY A GAS CAN WITH EXTRA FUEL. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 27, 2014
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THAT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED WHEN I PULLED INTO MY DRIVE 1/4 TANK OF GAS LEFT IN TANK. GOT INTO MY CAR THE NEXT MORNING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON AND THE LOW GAS LIGHT AND INDICATOR WAS BELOW EMPTY. FILLED UP AT THE GAS STATION BUT ONLY TOOK 10 GALLONS. TWO DAYS LATER SAME ISSUE BUT AS I WAS WAITING FOR GAS THE INDICATOR WENT UP PASSED 1/4 FULL. SOMETHING SEEMS WRONG WITH GAS GAUGE SENSOR. I HAVE LOOKED AND SEE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS. LETS GET A RECALL !!!! *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 21, 2014
THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR FAILS TO MONITOR THE CORRECT FUEL LEVEL WHICH ACTIVATES THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. IF ANOTHER ISSUE ARISES WITH THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD ACTIVATE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT, I WOULD NOT KNOW BECAUSE THE FAILED FUEL GAUGE SENSOR KEEPS THE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 21, 2014
THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR FAILS TO MONITOR THE CORRECT FUEL LEVEL WHICH ACTIVATES THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. IF ANOTHER ISSUE ARISES WITH THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD ACTIVATE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT, I WOULD NOT KNOW BECAUSE THE FAILED FUEL GAUGE SENSOR KEEPS THE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Oct 20, 2014
I HAVE HAD THIS SANTA FE SINCE 2008 AND HAVE KEPT UP WITH THE SERVICE ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN IN TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES FOR THE SAME NOISE, AND THAT IS A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 15 AND 25MPH. WHEN I DRIVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE AND RATTLES. AND IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING IS MORE AGGRESSIVE SINCE I HAD ALL THAT WORK DONE. I LOVE MY SANTA FE AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS, EXCEPT FOR THAT NOISE IN THE FRONT END. I HAVE REPLACED THE SWAY BAR LINKS AND STRUTS RECENTLY, BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME THAT WAS THE PROBLEM AND I STILL HAVE THE SAME NOISE. I SAW A TBS BULLETIN DATED BACK IN 2008 ABOUT THE STEERING YOKE COULD BE MAKING THAT NOISE TOO. AND YOU CAN FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN YOU HIT SMALL BUMPS TOO. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 4, 2014
WHILE IN A PARKING LOT, I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN BY PUTTING MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AS MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE CAR BEGAN MOVING FORWARD. WITHOUT REMOVING MY RIGHT FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, I PUT MY OTHER FOOT ON THE PEDAL AND SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL (THE VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC). THE REVVING UP IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND EVERYTHING APPEARED NORMAL ONCE AGAIN. I DROVE BACK TO MY HOME, ABOUT SEVEN MILES, WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. I HAVE NOT INFORMED THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER YET WHO LAST DID A 90,000 MAINTENANCE ON IT 8/27/2014. THE VEHICLE HAD 88,496 MILES ON IT. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 24, 2014
2007 SANTA FE LIMITED 6 CYL 3.3L. OIL IS LEAKING FROM VALVE COVER GASKET KILLING THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AND THE MOTOR. LIGHTS FLASH ON DASH SEAT BELT LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, ESC , TPMS. REPLACED BATTERY IN THE DARK AT FIRST. I SAW THE SAME ISSUES WITH A NEW BATTERY. THEN RESEARCHED AND SAW SIMILAR ISSUES POINTING TO VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKING OIL ONTO ALTERNATOR. I CHECKED THE VALVE COVER IN THE LIGHT AND SAW THE LEAK IMMEDIATELY AND THE ALTERNATOR COVERED IN OIL. IF THE 2007 VERA CRUZ IS GETTING A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE AS OF AUG 1ST 2014, THEN THE 2007 SANTA FE SHOULD AS WELL AS OTHER YEARS OF SANTA FE'S. DEALERSHIP WANTS $900 PLUS TAX TO FIX THIS. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT -THAT WAS $700 IN JAN OF 2013 AND THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT ONE TOO. I STILL SMELL GAS WHEN I FILL THE TANK FULL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON DUE TO THIS. I CAN AND HAVE PROVEN IT USING A OBD CODE READER TO RESET THE CODE, FILL THE TANK AND BINGO CODE IS BACK LIKE THE FUEL CAP IS LOOSE BUT IT IS NOT AND THE INTERIOR SMELLS OF GASOLINE TILL THE FUEL LEVEL IS REDUCED. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Sep 23, 2014
2 THINGS ARE CONCERNING. ONE, WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL CRACKS, BUMPS IN ROADWAY THE SUSPENSION MAKES A NOISE THAT MAKES ME THINK IT IS UNSTABLE. IT IS ALSO A LOUDER THAN AVERAGE NOISE, COMPARED TO PAST VEHICLES THAT I HAVE OWNED. SECOND, DRIVING AT SPEEDS BELOW 60 MPH, EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. ONCE SPEEDS ABOVE 60 ARE REACHED, THE STEERING COLUMN SHAKES AND VIBRATES. THE NOISE DESCRIBED EARLIER IN PARAGRAPH ONE IS HEARD. ALIGNMENT AND BALANCING ARE NORMAL. TIRE TREAD IS ALSO NORMAL. NEITHER OF THESE TWO ARE ACCEPTABLE AND IN MY OPINION IS A RISK. *TR
Steering, Power train, Sep 18, 2014
WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 10-20 MPH, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY WILL SHIFT AND ACCELERATE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. THEN THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLICKER AND THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF, LOSING POWER STEERING AND POWER TRAIN CAPABILITIES. THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY OR ELECTRICAL PANEL OR THE TRANSMISSION. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, ALWAYS WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 17, 2014
SAME OIL LEAK AS PROPOSED RECALL FOR OUR 2010 VERA CRUZ WITH THE SAME ENGINE (V6). *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 16, 2014
ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 30TH, 2014, I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH MY FAMILY AND CHILDREN ON BOARD AT 60 MPH WHEN ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHED ON AT THE SAME TIME. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE, THE ENGINE STALLED AND BOTH THE STEERING AND BRAKES SUDDENLY BECAME VERY HEAVY TO OPERATE. LUCKILY I MANAGED TO VEER OFF THE FREEWAY BEFORE IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON A LIVE HIGH SPEED LANE AND ORDERED A TOW TRUCK FROM MY AUTO CLUB. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN ADVISE THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS BREAKDOWN WAS AN OIL LEAK FROM A VALVE COVER GASKET ONTO THE ALTERNATOR, CAUSING IT TO FAIL. THE BATTERY WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY CHAIN OF EVENT. THIS CASCADING CHAIN OF BREAKDOWN IS A SYSTEMIC FAILURE AND THIS DEFECT IS NOT PARTICULAR TO ONLY MY CAR BUT IS RAMPANT WITH THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE OWNERS. ANY INTERNET SEARCH WITH " SANTA FE 2007 LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKET " WILL TURN UP COUNTLESS RESULTS. IT IS ALSO THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED FROM ANOTHER HYUNDAI SUV, THE VERACRUZ AS IT WAS BUILT ON A HYUNDAI SANTA FE PLATFORM. I WAS LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T COME TO A COMPLETE DEAD STOP WITHOUT WARNING ON A LIVE FREEWAY LANE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AS THE RESULT WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC FOR ALL INVOLVED. LINK TO HYUNDAI VERACRUZ RECALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/CS/JAXRS/DOWNLOAD/DOC/UCM459247/RCDNN-14V415-5243P.PDF KIND REGARDS, *TR
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2014
WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP SIGN, I BRIEFLY PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL NEARLY ALL THE WAY DOWN. THE CAR ACCELERATED BEYOND THE 45 MPH SPEED LIMIT AFTER RELEASING THE PEDAL. I PRESSED THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I PANICKED BECAUSE I WAS HEADING FOR A STOP LIGHT. MY WIFE AND I WERE SECONDS AWAY FROM A HIGH SPEED COLLISION. I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION WITH THE BRAKES FULLY APPLIED. THE ENGINE RACED UP TO HIGH RPMS. I LOOKED AT THE PEDAL AND IT WAS DEPRESSED NEARLY ALL THE WAY DOWN WITHOUT MY FOOT ON IT. I PUT MY FOOT UNDER THE PEDAL AND LIFTED UP. THE PEDAL SPRUNG ALL THE WAY UP AND THE ENGINE RPMS WENT BACK TO IDLE VALUES. THE CAR QUICKLY SLOWED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR JUST BEFORE THE INTERSECTION. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO EXAMINE THE PEDAL. THE DRIVERS SIDE CAR MAT HAD SLIPPED OFF ITS RETENTION POST AND HAD MOVED ABOUT 4 INCHES FORWARD SO IT WAS UNDER THE GAS PEDAL. THE END OF THE CAR MAT WAS CURLED UP SO IT WAS ELEVATED ABOUT 1 INCH ABOVE THE FLOOR CARPETING. WITH THE ENGINE OFF, I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL DOWN BY HAND AND IT GOT CAUGHT UNDER THE CAR MAT AGAIN. AFTER REMOVING THE MAT, I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL DOWN MANY TIMES (ENGINE OFF) AND IT ALWAYS WORKED CORRECTLY. THE DRIVERS SIDE CAR MAT RETENTION POST SYSTEM HAS NEVER WORKED WELL. THE FLOOR MAT FREQUENTLY SIDES OFF THE POST, AND THE MAT MOVES FORWARD. THE USED MAT IS NOW STIFF ENOUGH TO HOLD THE GAS PEDAL DOWN IF THE PEDAL IS PUSHED UNDER THE CURLED END OF THE MAT. A SECURE CAR MAT LOCKING DEVICE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE ORIGINAL MAT RETENTION SYSTEM. HYUNDAI SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOT COMPLETELY SURE WHETHER SOME OTHER MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE STUCK GAS PEDAL. FRANKLY, WE ARE FRIGHTENED OF THE CAR THAT NEARLY KILLED US, AND DONT LOOK FORWARD TO DRIVING IT AGAIN EVEN WITHOUT THE CAR MAT.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILED AND CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKES TO DISENGAGE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V122000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Visibility, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 10, 2014
THE SUN VISOR IS DEFECTIVE AND FALLS DOWN WHEN DRIVING CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. THE FUEL SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AS WELL. *TR
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 9, 2014
THE GAS GAUGE JUMPS ALL AROUND. I CAN FILL THE TANK UP AND THEN IT WILL SAY EMPTY. DON'T EVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE CAR EVER. I CALLED THE DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR AT AND THEY GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND ABOUT GETTING IT FIXED. I HAVE TO PUT GAS IN THE CAR EVERY OTHER DAY DUE TO THE GAS GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
Visibility, Sep 3, 2014
A WEEK AGO MY PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR FELL DOWN AND TODAY THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FELL DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING! REALLY SCARY, BUT GRATEFUL I WAS NOT GOING FAST. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS! *TR