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.
Service brakes, Jun 18, 2013
FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BUT WAS TOLD BY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER AND HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECENT RECALL. OVER 1.7 MILLION VEHICLES LIKE MINE WERE RECALLED. MINE HAS THE SAME ISSUE, WHY WOULDN'T MINE BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN? THEY TOLD ME MINE WAS PRODUCED BEFORE THE RECALL DATE! REALLY??? THE PART IS VERY INEXPENSIVE AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, AN EASY FIX. WHY WOULDN'T HYUNDAI, AND MY LOCAL DEALER FOR THAT MATTER, WANT TO MAKE THE REPAIR AT NO CHARGE IN ORDER TO KEEP A CUSTOMER HAPPY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Jun 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AND THE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC ) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,900. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 30, 2013
MY EXPERIENCE AND OBSERVATION IS SAME WHAT IS EXPLAIN IN THE EARLIER POST. I CAR DOES HAVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE SHELL OUT $70 FROM POCKET TO FIX IT. THE HYUNDAI DEALER (HYUNDAI MARK ZIMMERMAN) CHARGED ME $291 FOR FIXING THE TPS AND PROGRAMMING THE ECM. WHEN I WOULD BEGIN ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE THEN TAKE OFF RAPIDLY THEN I WOULD LOOSE POWER TO A SPEED OF @ 25 MILES PER HOUR AND THE ESC OFF SWITCH WOULD APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I SAFELY PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. ONCE I TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT AND I WOULD REPEAT THIS CYCLE 8-9 TIMES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER DRIVING NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 10 MILES THE ESC OFF LIGHT WOULD REAPPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD IN MY OPINION THIS IS A SERIOUS MALFUNCTION AND CERTAINLY DANGEROUS COMBINATION AND SHOULD BE LABELED AS A RECALL. HYUNDAI SHOULD VALUE THE SAFETY AND EXPECTATIONS OF THEIR CAR BUYERS. THANKS! *TR
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, May 30, 2013
FUEL SENSORS HAVE GONE OUT AND FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES BETWEEN EMPTY AND 1/2 TANK. CAUSES ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. KNOWN ISSUE, YET NO RECALLS OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM HYUNDAI. *TR
Visibility, May 28, 2013
BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS WILL NOT STAY UP. A FRONT IMPACT WOULD INEVITABLY RESULT IN AN OPEN HEAD/EYE [ACCELERATION] INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER. ADVISED THE SERVICE WRITER, [XXX], @ NAPLETON HYUNDAI OF THE DEFECT, AND NOTE ON HTTP://WWW.HOWTOMENDIT.COM/ANSWERS.PHP?ID=157121 THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON AND WORRISOME SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE DEALER WILL NOT HONOR AS A RECALL ISSUE DESPITE THE T64 AND T74 (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS) FOR 2007 SONATA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 24, 2013
WE FLIPPED DOWN THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR AS USUAL AND ALWAYS TAKE GOOD CARE OF THE VEHICLE BUT THIS TIME YOU COULD HEAR IT CRACK. FROM THAT MOMENT ON WE WERE FIGHTING WITH IT WHILE DRIVING MANY TIMES. IT BECAME TO OSERIOUS OF A DRIVING HAZARD MIXED WITH A DRAIN ON THE BATTERY AS THE VISOR LIGHT WOULD STAY ON DUE TO THE WIRE INSULATION BREAKING THROUGH FROM WEAR DUE TO STRESS FROM THE WEIGHT OF THE HANGING VISOR AND REPEATEDLY FALLING. THIS SAME VISOR WAS A RECALL ON THE2007 HYUNDAI SONATA BUT NOT THE 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE??? WHY NOT??? *TR
Air bags, May 18, 2013
MY SANTA FE'S AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I SENT IT TO THE DEALERS THEY SAID IT WAS THE "CLOCK SPRING" THAT NEEDS REPLACING. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUED BY HYUNDAI (NHTSA ID 11V472000) FOR THIS EXACT REASON IN THE UNITED STATES. PROBLEM IS I LIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA AND OUR LEGAL SYSTEM IS NOT AS EFFICIENT AS YOURS IS SO MANUFACTURERS GET AWAY WITH NOT ISSUING RECALLS THAT ORIGINATE IN THE STATES. DO YOU HAVE A PART NUMBER FOR THE COIL SPRING THAT I CAN TRACK FROM HYUNDAI? ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI SOUTH AFRICA THEY CANNOT SAY IF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT WHERE PUT IN USA VEHICLES ARE THE SAME AS THE ONES PUT INTO SOUTH AFRICAN VEHICLES! I WOULD LIKE TO DO MY OWN INVESTIGATING TO FIND OUT. PLEASE HELP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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
Visibility, May 16, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD AND INTO THE SETTING SUN, THE DRIVERS SIDE VISOR FELL LOOSE. IT FELL DIRECTLY INTO THE DRIVERS FIELD OF VISION AND HAD TO BE HELD UP WITH ONE HAND AS IT WAS DANGLING BY WIRES. THIS INCIDENT HIGHLY STARTLED THE DRIVER AND TOTALLY OBSTRUCTED VISION. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR ALSO FELL. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO FIX THEM BOTH FOR $400. THEY WERE NOT FIXED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS EQUIPMENT FAILURE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE A CRASH. *TR
Steering, May 13, 2013
I WAS MAKING A SHARP CIRCLE TYPE CURVE TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. I DID NOT LOSE ANY POWER, THE BRAKES WORKED FINE, AND NO LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE PANEL. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AT THE CORPORATE PHONE NUMBER WERE VERY UNCONCERNED. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF HOURS, AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON AND VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Power train, Structure, May 10, 2013, crash
THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE WAS PARKED WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. MY 7 YEAR OLD GRANDSON GOT IN THE VEHICLE FIRST. HE KNOCKED THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING, I TRIED TO GET IN BUT I COULDN'T WITH IT ROLLING. IT HIT A VAN AND MY DRIVERS DOOR CAUGHT ON THE FRONT OF THE VAN PUSHING MY DRIVERS DOOR COMPLETELY BACK. I WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE TWO VEHICLES. MY 4 YEAR OLD GRANDKIDS (TWINS) COULD HAVE BEEN BEHIND THE SANTA FE OR ANOTHER CHILD SINCE WE WERE AT A BALL FIELD. NOW WE NOTICE THE SANTA FE CAN BE EASILY PULLED OUT OF PARK WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 8, 2013
WHEN I WOULD BEGIN ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE THEN TAKE OFF RAPIDLY THEN I WOULD LOOSE POWER TO A SPEED OF @ 15 MILES PER HOUR AND THE ESC OFF SWITCH WOULD APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I SAFELY PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. ONCE I TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT AND I WOULD REPEAT THIS CYCLE 8-9 TIMES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER DRIVING NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 10 MILES THE ESC OFF LIGHT WOULD REAPPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD AND I WOULD LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES ON A HIGHWAY WHICH WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO GO FROM 60 MPH TO COASTING AT @ 15 MPH. DIAGNOSIS FROM THE CAR DEALER IS THE THROTTLE POSITION CENSOR AND THROTTLE BODY PART. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A SERIOUS MALFUNCTION AND CERTAINLY DANGEROUS COMBINATION AND SHOULD BE LABELED AS A RECALL. HYUNDAI SHOULD VALUE THE SAFETY AND EXPECTATIONS OF THEIR CAR BUYERS. WHEN WE AS CONSUMERS PURCHASE A VEHICLE WE EXPECT AN EXCELLENT QUALITY PRODUCT. I RESEARCHED THIS VEHICLE BEFORE PURCHASING AND WAS LED TO BUY IT BECAUSE OF THE MANY SOLID QUALITIES I FOUND. AS A CONSUMER, I AM DISAPPOINTED IN THIS MALFUNCTION AND EQUALLY DISAPPOINTED IN HYUNDAI FOR NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE TO CORRECT THIS MAJOR SAFETY, QUALITY AND IMPORTANT ISSUE. FURTHERMORE, I WAS IN THE MARKET TO UPGRADE MY SANTE FE, HOWEVER NOW I WILL BE LOOKING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PURCHASE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 26, 2013, crash
WHILE ACCELERATING TO PASS A CAR, MY ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK AND I COULDN'T GET MY CAR TO STOP WITH THE BRAKES. THIS HAD HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE, A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT 'UNSTUCK' BY PUMPING BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO BE CHECKED AND THE DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T 'RECREATE' THE ISSUE AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY MY FLOOR MATS. I BASICALLY CHALKED IT UP AS A FLUKE, ALTHOUGH I NEVER AGREED WITH THE FLOOR MAT SCENARIO. WHEN IT HAPPENED THIS TIME, I TRIED PUMPING BRAKES, ACCELERATOR, DOWNSHIFTING, ETC. AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN SOME, BUT WOULDN'T ACTUALLY STOP UNTIL I RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR. EVEN THEN, THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AND THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET IT TO STOP WAS TO TURN IT OFF. I WAS TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AGAIN SO IT WAS TOWED AND IS BEING CHECKED FOR MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. I SEE THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL!! *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Apr 23, 2013
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, I ATTEMPTED TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL BY TAPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT TURN OFF EVEN WITH HOLDING THE BRAKE DOWN HARDER. I WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL USING THE OFF SWITCH ON THE STEERING WHEEL. UPON EXITING THE INTERSTATE AND REACHING MY DESTINATION, I COULD NOT GET THE SHIFTER TO GO INTO PARK. AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES, I GOT IT TO GO INTO PARK. IT HAS ONLY DONE THIS ONE TIME AND NEVER HAPPENED SINCE THEN. FORTUNATELY, I WAS DRIVING AND NOT MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WHO NORMALLY DRIVES THIS VEHICLE. HER LACK OF EXPERIENCE MAY HAVE CAUSED HER TO PANIC WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DEACTIVATE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 11, 2013
MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WILL RANDOMLY APPLY THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS.THE BRAKES WILL APPLY MAKING THE CAR PULL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT MAY CAUSE THE CAR TO VEER INTO THE NEXT LANE. I WOULD NEED TO PRESS ON THE BRAKES TO MAKE THEM RELEASE.THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BRAKE PADS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED WE REPLACED THE BRAKES AND THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN FOR MAYBE A YEAR.IT HAPPEN SO MUCH IN 2011& 2012 I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR.I TOOK MY CAR TO HARDIN HYUNDAI 6/09/12 EXPLAINED IN DETAIL THAT THE BRAKES WOULD APPLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING, AND THE ESC LIGHT WAS COMING ON. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THAT WE HAD CHANGED THE BRAKE PADS HOPING THIS WOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE IT DID NOT. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED 3 TIRES, ALIGNMENT AND PINS WERE MISSING WHEN WE DID THE BRAKE JOB AND THAT WAS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO STICK. WE DID WHAT WAS SUGGESTED.THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM.THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER TO DIAGNOSIS THE ISSUE.THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW SO I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HE DID DIAGNOSIS IT WITH THE COMPUTER. THE ESC MODULE IS BAD. NOW I A'M DRIVING WITH THE ESC OFF.WHEN DRIVING WITH THE ESC OFF IT DOESN''T RANDOMLY BRAKE BUT WILL SOMETIMES MAKE A HORRIBLE GRINDING SOUND AND THE BRAKES STICK WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.THIS IS NOT GOOD EITHER.WHY REQUIRE THIS SAFETY FEATURE IN EVERY CAR IF IT WILL FAIL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND IF THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT DIAGNOSIS IT CORRECTLY. SOME HYUNDAIS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM SO I FEEL THE DEALERSHIPS SHOULD BE WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE.THE WORK ORDER DOES NOT MENTION BRAKES NOR DID THEY TRY TO DIAGNOSIS IT CORRECTLY. WAS THIS AN INTENTIONAL MOVE BY HYUNDAI SO THEY DO NOT HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEIR ESC MODULES ARE STILL FAILING. I FEEL EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN INJURED DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION. HYUNDAI FAILED ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 10, 2013
CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING AS IF CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR HESITATED FOR A SECOND. MY FOOT THEN RETURNED TO THE GAS PEDAL AND AGAIN THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AT A VERY FAST PACE. MY FOOT THEN RETURNED TO THE BRAKE AND THE SPEED CONTINUED TO INCREASE. I THEN PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. PRIOR TO TURNING OFF THE CAR THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWED SPEED OF 90 MILES PER HOUR. MY VEHICLE THEN ROLLED TO A STOP. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THE FOLLOWING MORNING THEY CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY MY FLOOR MAT. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 4, 2013
SUV WILL START BUT ESC LIGHT STAYS ON AND THEN THE SUV FAILS TO ACCELERATE. SUV MUST THEN BE RESTARTED FOR A CYCLE OF 10-15 TIMES UPON WHICH TIME THE ESC LIGHT TURNS OFF AND SUV WILL THEN ACCELERATE WHEN GOING UP A HILL. SYSTEM FAILURE HAS OCCURRED DAILY SINCE MARCH 2013. DEALERSHIP KNOWS HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 2007 SANTA FE BUT REFUSES TO SERVICE VEHICLE AT NO COST UNLESS I RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 29, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, SHE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A PARKING SIGN. THE CONTACT SHUT THE IGNITION OFF IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND AVOID CRASHING INTO OTHER VEHICLES. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND FILED A REPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 26, 2013
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ON AN INTERSTATE TO PASS A VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE QUICKLY SPED UP TO 80 MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. THANKFULLY DUE TO RECENT ACCELERATOR ISSUES/RECALLS FOR OTHER MANUFACTURES, I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE WAS PEGGED AT MAX RPMS WHILE I FRANTICALLY TRIED TO GET OVER THROUGH THE LANES WITH THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. WITH THREE CHILDREN ABOARD, THIS WAS A VERY HARROWING EXPERIENCE. I WAS ULTIMATELY ABLE TO REACH DOWN, GRAB THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND YANK IT BACK. AFTER DOING THIS, IT AGAIN DROVE NORMALLY. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED AT THE PEDAL, FLOOR MAT, AND CARPET ONCE ARRIVING HOME. IT IS CLEARLY OBVIOUS THAT THE FLOOR CARPET ITSELF (NOT THE MAT, THE ACTUAL VEHICLE'S CARPETING) JUST UNDER THE PEDAL HAS HARDENED AND DEVELOPED A BULGE SUCH THAT THE PEDAL WILL GET STUCK IN IT IF DEPRESSED TO FAR. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION OF THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHO INDICATED THE WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID AS THE VEHICLE WAS PAST 60K MILES (75K), AND A CALL PLACED TO HYUNDAI USA AGAIN YIELDED THE SAME RESULTS, THAT THE OWNER WOULD NEED TO PAY $1400 TO REPLACE THE FLOORING. THERE IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW IN THE FLOOR CARPET AND RAISED SECTION DIRECTLY UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THAT LEAD TO THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, PUTTING MY SAFETY AT RISK, AND HYUNDAI IS WILLING TO HIDE BEHIND THE WARRANTY TO AVOID KEEPING ITS ONCE LOYAL CUSTOMER SAFE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 21, 2013
CRUISE CONTROL WOULD TURN ON BUT NOT ALLOW A SPEED TO BE SET. ALSO ESC OFF LIGHT REMAINED ON DASH SOLID. WE NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE OF A RECALL FROM HYUNDAI. I SEE NUMEROUS OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM.ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND WON'T TURN OFF NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THE CAP IS TAKEN OFF THEN PUT BACK ON AFTER THREE TURNS. FUEL READS EMPTY WHEN TANK IS FULL. *TR
Visibility, Mar 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD RELEASE DOWNWARD WHENEVER THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING OR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, OBSTRUCTING THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN MARCH OF 2012, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WAS REPLACED UNDER A SERVICE WARRANTY DUE TO A FAULTY PLASTIC SUPPORT MECHANISM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. ...UPDATED 04/25/13 *BF UPDATED 06/03/2013 *JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATED AND PROVIDED INCORRECT READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK SENSORS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FUEL SENSORS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FUEL ODOR CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 18, 2013
THE GAS GAUGE WAS FLUCTUATING DRASTICALLY FROM ONE STOP UNTIL THE NEXT ONE. ONE MINUTE WE HAD HALF A TANK OF GAS AND WE WENT INTO A STORE. WHEN WE CAME OUT OF THE STORE THE GAS GAUGE WAS ON E. WE DROVE FOR A LITTLE BIT AND THE FUEL LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALL OF A SUDDEN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH THE SENSORS IN THE FUEL TANK HAD STOPPED WORKING. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS THERE IS SOMETHING UNIQUE GOING ON WITH THESE FUEL SENSORS. MOST ALL THE ISSUES I COULD FIND WERE ONLY 2007 & 2008 SANTA FES. I WOULD SEEM HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT JUST THESE TWO MODEL YEAR HAVE THIS ISSUE UNLESS THEY GOT A DEFECTIVE BATCH OF FUEL SENSORS THAT WENT INTO THEM OR THE INSTALLATION WAS FAULTY, ETC. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN JUST OVER 5 YEAR MARK WHICH IS JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. I FEEL THAT AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE INTO THIS MATTER. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 1, 2013
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MPG COUNTER (MILES PER GALLON) ACTING ERRATICALLY. BROUGHT CAR IMMEDIATELY TO DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT "THE FUEL SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE" (THEIR WORDS). THERE IS A 5 YEAR/50,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THIS PART AND MY CAR IS 2 MONTHS OVER THE TIME LIMIT! THE COST OF REPLACEMENT IS HIGH ($700) BUT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE SENSOR TELLS ME HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK, I FELT, FOR SAFETY'S SAKE, IT SHOULD BE REPLACED. I FEEL THAT THE TIMING OF THE FAILURE OF THIS PART IS SUSPECT AND WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO RESEARCH WHETHER THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONG HYUNDAI 2007 SANTA FE OWNERS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 21, 2013
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. DIAGNOSTIC SCAN INDICATED A BAD BRAKE LITE SWITCH. SAME SYMPTOMS AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN 09V122000 BUT HYUNDAI DEALER AND CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER CLAIM VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THIS CAMPAIGN. *TR