2008 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Fuel/propulsion system is the leading concern among 541 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 17 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
Representative owner complaints: engine
70 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 16, 2017
TOOK MY CAR TO A TWO MECHANICS WHO BOTH SAID THERE IS A GAS LEAK IN THE EVAPORATOR OF THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. I READ ONLINE THAT THIS ISSUE IS COMMON WITH SANTA FES AND I BELIEVE THE COMPANY SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND GET THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE FIXED.
Power train, Engine, Mar 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A WHINING NOISE. ALSO, WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED FROM FIRST TO SECOND OR FROM THIRD TO FOURTH GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PURGE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,432.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 2, 2017, crash
WHILE AT A STOP IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. ALTHOUGH MY FOOT WAS PLANTED HARD ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE CONTINUED RACING, AND IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS GOING TO PUSH HIS CAR DOWN THE STREET! I SHIFTED INTO PARK AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. LUCKILY THERE WAS ONLY $4,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR, AND NO ONE WAS HURT. I REFUSED TO DRIVE IT, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THE COMPUTER SHOWED NO MALFUNCTION, AND IT HAD TO BE DRIVER ERROR. THREE MONTHS LATER, IT DID IT AGAIN TO A LESSER DEGREE, IN AN OPEN AREA. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AGAIN, AND IT WAS FINE UNTIL YESTERDAY. IT HAS BEEN 4 MONTHS SINCE THAT LAST INCIDENT, BUT THIS ONE EVEN WAS WORSE THAN THE FIRST. ONLY THING IS, NOW I KNOW TO PUT ALL MY WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE, SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE CAR OFF AS FAST AS I CAN. THIS ONE FRIGHTENED ME SO BADLY, I WILL NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN. IT IS GOING TO SIT AT THE DEALER UNTIL THEY FIND OUT WHAT TO DO. I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE DRIVE IT, SELL IT OR EVEN TRADE IT IN UNTIL I KNOW IT IS SAFE! EVERY TIME IT HAPPENED, THE CAR WAS ON A CITY STREET, STATIONARY, AND HEADING STRAIGHT. THE ENGINE REVS UP SO LOUD, IT SOUNDS LIKE AN AIRPLANE! YESTERDAY I COULD TELL THE PEOPLE IN THE CAR STOPPED NEXT TO ME HEARD IT AND LOOKED AT ME! I HAVE OWNED THIS SANTA FE SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW, AND PEOPLE TELL ME IT LOOKS LIKE A NEW CAR. I KEEP UP WITH THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE AND ALWAYS TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. UNTIL LAST JULY, IT HAS BEEN AN EXCELLENT CAR. THE ACCIDENT I HAD WITH IT WAS THE ONLY ACCIDENT I HAVE HAD IN 50 YEARS OF DRIVING! PLEASE GIVE ME SOME IDEAS ON WHAT TO TELL THE DEALER TO REPLACE, REPAIR OR DISCONNECT. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!
Engine, Feb 27, 2017
WHILE ACCELERATING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC THE ENGINE STARTING MAKING A STRANGE NOISE. IT CONTINUED TO RUN AND THE NOISE DECREASED, AND SOMETIMES EVEN QUIT. THE NEXT DAY THE NOISE WAS BACK AND WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL THE ENGINE DIED AND MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO AN EXIT RAMP. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT RESTARTED AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED WITH THE KNOCKING SOUND AND THEY FOUND METAL IN THE OIL IT WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE OVER $7,000 ESTIMATE SO I LOADED THE CAR ON A TRAILER AND TOOK IT HOME TO REPAIR MYSELF. WHEN I DISSEMBLED THE ENGINE I FOUND ONE OF THE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS HAD SPUN AND ALL THE MAIN BEARINGS HAD SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE CONSISTENT WITH METAL DEBRIS ON THE BEARING SURFACE.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDIA SANTA FE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR PROVIDED FALSE READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
Engine, Sep 12, 2016
MY 2008 SANTA FE WITH 109,000 MILES SUDDENLY SHUT OFF ON ME WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. THE STOP SIGN WAS ON A SLIGHT TURN AND I NEVER REALIZED IT UNTIL I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND SAW ALL THE LIGHTS LIT ON THE DASH. I PUT CAR IN PARK AND IT RESTARTED WITH NO ISSUES. LATER THAT DAY I WENT TO START THE CAR AND ENGINE MADE A LOUD CLUNK SOUND AND CAR SHOOK FOR A SECOND. I DECIDED NOT TO DRIVE IT THAT DAY. IT HAS BEEN 3 DAYS SINCE THE FIRST SHUT DOWN AND SO FAR THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING LIKE NORMAL. CALLED HYUNDAI AND MADE NOTE OF MY COMPLAINT BUT DIDN'T SEEM TO KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE OR SO MAYBE THEY ARE NOT AT LIBERTY TO SAY IF THEY HAVE. THEY NEVER GAVE ME AN ANSWER EXCEPT TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER TO SEE IF THEY CAN DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. I SEE RECALL WAS PUT OUT FOR THE 2010-2012 MODEL YEARS BUT NOT FOR OLDER MODELS.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 31, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE ROUTINELY INSPECTED FOR EMISSIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE DETAILS COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,129.
Exterior lighting, Engine, May 20, 2016
AFTER 141,000 MILES THE ENGINE THREW A ROD, I HAD HEARD A CLICKING NOISE FOR A WHILE BUT WAS ASSURED IT WAS A NORMAL ENGINE SOUND AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER. I CHANGE MY OIL REGULARLY AND HAVE MY SLIPS, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE DRIVING. IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF I AM HAVING TO REPLACE APPROXIMATELY ONE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP PER MONTH.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING EMPTY AND ALL OVER THE PLACE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 05/10/16*LJ *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 22, 2016
WHEN DRIVING AND YOU HIT THE BREAKS, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTS TO STALL, OR IF YOU USE THE HIGH OR LOW BREAMS THE RADIO SHUTS OFF AND THE GPS TURNS ON OR YOU LOSES IT ALL, WHILE ON HIGH WAY WAY IF YOU USE YOUR HIGH OR LOW BEAMS THE ENGINE STARTS TO STALL THEN KEEPS GOING CAUSING THE VEHICLE BEHIND YOU HAVE TO BREAK QUICKLY TO AVOID HITTING YOU AS YOU LOOSE ALL POWER FOR A MATTER OF SECONDS THIS HAPPEN WHILE MOVING OR PARKED, I MHAVE INSTALLED TWO NEW ALTERNATORS IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS AND THE PROBLEM CONIINUES
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 4, 2015
I ALSO HAD THE FUEL SENSOR GO OUT AND HAD IT FIXED. AND I HAD TO HAVE MY ALTERNATOR REPLACED TWICE. ONCE WHEN IT WENT OUT AND AGAIN IN 9 MONTHS DUE TO RECALL FOR A FUEL GASKET COVER DEFAULT. SO I PAID THE FIRST TIME OUT OF POCKET $700 ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE DEFAULT. LYNDA
Engine, Nov 1, 2015
WHILE ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE PEDAL STARTED GOING TO THE FLOOR. PRYING UP ON THE PEDAL WITH YOUR FOOT DID NOT HAVE AN AFFECT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE AND THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT IT TWICE AND HAS ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM.
Engine, Sep 25, 2015
I EXITED A TOLL AND PROCEEDED TO ENTER THE NJ TURNPIKE, SUDDENLY, THE STEERING BECAME TIGHT. I NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT, ALONG WITH THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE JUST TURNED OFF. THANKFULLY, NO TRAFFIC, I PROCEED TO PULL TO THE FEEDER OF THE ENTRANCE. PUT CAR IN PARK, AND THE CAR RESTARTED. I AM NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED, AND FEARFUL THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN, WITH TRUCKS BEHIND ME, UNABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND RISK SERIOUS INJURY. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WARNING WAS INDICATED. I RECENTLY HAD TWO KNOCK SENSORS REPLACED AT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 24, 2015
FUEL GAUGE HAS BEEN FAULTY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD TURN ON AND OFF AFTER REPLACING WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A BAD BATTERY ONE MONTH AGO. ONE WEEK AGO WHILE DRIVING, ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON (BATTERY, CHECK ENGINE, ABS, ESC...), ENGINE STARTED TO REV, ELECTRICAL AND POWER STEERING FAILED, AND CAR HAD TO BE TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED HOME. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING NOW. ISSUE IS FROM A FAILING/FAILED ALTERNATOR CAUSED BY OIL LEAK FROM FRONT VALVE COVER. THIS PROBLEM IS IDENTICAL TO ISSUES WITH '06-'12 VERACRUZ, RECALL #121.
Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 20, 2015
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN MY HYUNDAI SANTAFE THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT AND THERE WAS NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOULEVARD STREET AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. I WAS VERY FRIGHTENED DURING THE INCIDENT THAT SOMEONE WAS GOING TO RUN INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AGAIN BEFORE I GOT HOME. I REFUSED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND FOLLOWED MY HUSBAND IN ANOTHER VEHICLE AS HE DROVE THE FAULTY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE TECH REP WE SPOKE WITH AT THE DEALER CASUALLY SAID THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR WAS BAD AND IF WE WANTED IT REPAIRED IT WOULD COST ABOUT $400. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THEY WOULD LET ME LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP WITH THIS MALFUNCTIONING PART. THE SYMPTOMS ARE THE SAME AS THE GENERAL MOTORS IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HYUNDAI SANTAFE. WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE? WHERE ARE THE RECALLS? IS IT GOING TO TAKE MANY DEATHS AND 10 YEARS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM LIKE GM IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM? DOES SOMEBODY HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THIS IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY? HYUNDAI MANAGEMENT REFUSES TO DISCUSS THIS PROBLEM. I SINCERELY HOPE I CAN APPEAL TO YOUR SENSIBILITY AND FORCE THIS KOREAN COMPANY TO ADDRESS THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR
Engine, Aug 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
Engine, Aug 7, 2015
MY WIFE INDICATED THAT WHEN SHE GOT ON THE RAMP TO RT. 80 , THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. SHE ALSO STATED THAT SHE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT SINCE SHE HAD NO BRAKES NOR POWER STEERING. THIS OCCURRENCE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY BY A NUMBER OF OWNERS YET YOU CONTINUE TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM WHICH COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO OIL DRIPPING FROM THE VALVE COVER ON TO THE ALTERNATOR. I GUESS YOU'RE WAITING FOR SOME ACCIDENTS TO HAPPEN BEFORE TAKING ACTION....MAYBE A FEW DEATHS RESULTING FROM A CRASH. VERY PROACTIVE!
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 28, 2015
MY SANTA FE AWD 2008 WAS BOUGHT IN JUNE 2009 AND NOW HAS ~99K MILEAGE. I HAD FOUR OR FIVE SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH MY SANTA FE STARTING ON 4/21/15, WHICH LED TO SIGNIFICANT POWER LOSS AND SPEED LOSS OF THE CAR ON THE ROAD. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD AT ~25 MPH. SUDDENLY I FELT THE CAR LOST THE POWER AND BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. I STEPPED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, BUT THE CAR COULD NOT ACCELERATE (THE SPEED DROPPED TO ~10 MPH). I SAW 3 SYSTEM INDICATOR/WARNING LIGHTS ON: THE ESC OFF(ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS HAD A STEADY LIGHT AND THE AWD SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WAS FLASHING. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHUT OFF THE CAR, WAITED ~1 MINUTE, AND THEN RESTARTED THE CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON, BUT THE OTHER LIGHTS WENT OUT. THEN I DROVE THE CAR TO CONTINUE TO MY JOB. THE 2ND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON MY WAY HOME. THE SAME SCENARIO EXCEPT THAT I WAS DRIVING AT ~40 MPH AT THE TIME. THE SUDDEN POWER LOSS CAUSED THE CAR SPEED QUICKLY DROPPED TO ~10 MPH AND PROBABLY LED THE CAR BEHIND MINE TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP TO AVOID A CRASH. AGAIN, I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, AND THEN RESTARTED THE CAR WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON. THE OTHER TIMES I WAS ON THE CRESENT CITY CONNECTION (BRIDGE) IN THE CENTER LANE. I HAD TO WORK MY WAY OVER TWO LANES TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TO RESTART TO CONTINUE ON MY WAY TO OR FROM WORK. AFTER THE 5TH TIME, I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND AN ARTICLE STATING THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS ON THE TSB (TECHNICAL SAFETY BULLETIN). MAYBE SOMEONE SOMEWHERE SHOULD BE AWARE OF MORE THAN ONE VEHICLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM.......
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 27, 2015
FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET KEEP LEAKING OIL ON TO THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR TO GO OUT . THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPEN THE CORE OF THE ALTERNATOR BURNED .I HAVE REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR 3 TIMES AND VALVE COVER GASKET TWICE. HYUNDAI HAVE A RECALL ON THE VERACRUZ FOR THIS SOME ISSUES BUT WILL NOT RECALL THE SANTA FE FOR THIS ISSUES .
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 14, 2015
SAFETY ISSUE: FAILURE OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT PERMANENTLY TURNS ON THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" WHICH DENIES THE USE OF THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" FOR OTHER SERIOUS CONDITIONS. MANY CONSUMERS HAVE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THESE UNITS COST BETWEEN $800 TO $1200 TO FIX SO MOST DRIVERS DO NOT FIX IT AND INSTEAD USE THE ODOMETER READING TO DETERMINE WHEN FUEL IS NEEDED. UNFORTUNATELY, DRIVING WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ON AT ALL TIMES PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM SEEING THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ILLUMINATE WHEN A SERIOUS CONDITION EXISTS. THEREFORE, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF CONSUMER REPORTS ALREADY SENT TO NHTSA REGARDING FAILED FUEL SENDING UNITS, HYUNDAI SHOULD IMMEDIATELY ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL TO FIX THESE UNITS.
Power train, Engine, Jul 7, 2015
AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AS THE ENGINE COMPUTER ENTERED "LIMP HOME" MODE. PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR HAD NO EFFECT. DIAGNOSED AS THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR FAILURE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, WITH AN ENGINE RESTART CLEARING THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. WHILE THESE INCIDENTS DID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH, THEY COULD EASILY HAVE, DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC CIRCUMSTANCES.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 30, 2015
I WAS DRIVING TO A STOP LIGHT ON A DOWN HILL SLOPE WITH MY WHOLE FAMILY IN THE CAR WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR TURNED OFF. ALL AT ONCE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, AND I COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO RE-START. I TURNED ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND AT THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION I TRIED TO RESTART MY CAR BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. A FEW MOMENTS LATER I TRIED AGAIN AND IT STARTED BUT IT WOULDN'T LET ME ACCELERATE ALMOST AT ALL (THROUGH AN INTERSECTION!). THERE WAS ALSO A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, AFRAID IF I WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE, TURNED THE CAR OFF, WAITED ABOUT FIVE MINUTES, RESTARTED IT, SUCCESSFULLY. I LET IT IDLE FOR A WHILE UNSURE WHAT ELSE TO DO. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE HOME WITH NO OTHER INCIDENT. THE CLICKING WAS OFF AND ON THE ENTIRE DRIVE HOME BUT HAS SINCE GOTTEN QUIETER. *TR
Equipment adaptive/mobility, Engine, Jan 25, 2015
THE FIRST TIME I CAME OUT TO START MY CAR AND LOOKED UP, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WOULDN'T START. I HAD IT TOWED. I WAS INFORMED IT WAS THE STARTER. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED AND APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS LATER, I NOTICED A BRUSHING SOUND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. OVER TIME IT BECAME MORE OFTEN. I RETURNED THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO THE INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP. THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT THE NOISE. IN THE MEAN TIME I TOOK TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE STARTER AND TO TAKE IT BACK AND HAVE IT REPLACED. I RETURNED TO THE INDEPENDENT DEALER AND THEY REPLACED, IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD IT WASN'T CATCHING. TWO WEEKS LATER IT STARTED THE SAME BRUSHING SOUND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT AND IN THE MEAN TIME THE CAR WHILE WARMING UP HAD A BURNT SMELL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP PUT THE CAR ON A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND PUT A NEW STARTER IN. MY CAR WAS HELD FOR 5 DAYS. THEY TOLD ME OIL HAD LEAKED FROM THE STARTER AND THAT WAS WHERE THE SMOKE CAME FROM AND THE BRUNT SMELL. WITHIN A WEEK THE CAR WHEN STARTED HAD THE BRUSHING SOUND AGAIN. I TRIED TO RECORD THE SOUND AND AFTER I STARTED 4 TIMES IT STARTED TO SMOKE AND WOULDN'T START. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AGAIN. IT IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Visibility/wiper, Jan 6, 2015
THE GAS GAUGE HAS NOT BEEN WORKING FOR OVER 2 YEARS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON MOST OF THE TIME BUT WILL GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY. WE TRACK GAS USAGE WITH THE TRIP ODOMETER (20 MILES PER GALLON X 17 GAL TANK=340 MILES DRIVEN) BUT FILL UP AROUND 275 MILES DRIVEN. BUT THIS IS NOT A RELIABLE WAY TO TRACK FUEL AND IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN-WE RAN OUT OF GAS-UNFORTUNATELY ON THE TOLLWAY. NOW WE WANT TO FIX IT. WE HAVE HAD ESTIMATES RANGING FROM $400-$800 TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THINK THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT HYUNDAI HAS INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLES. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. WE TAKE CARE OF OUR CARS-REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND PARKED IN A GARAGE. (ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE SENSOR AFTER 2 YEARS AND BOTH HVAC MODE DOOR ACTUATORS AFTER 4 YEARS. THE WINDOW WASHER FLUID RECENTLY STOPPED WORKING).
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 1, 2014
AFTER ENGINE START AND WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED THE BATTERY LIGHT AND SEATBELT LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY. I SEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND IT LOOKS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL CHARGING ISSUE, NAMELY THE ALTERNATOR IS BAD. I SEARCHED MORE AND FOUND THE REASON FOR THIS IS THE FRONT VALVE COVER IS LEAKING OIL AND DRIPPING ONTO THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTION. A RECALL HAS BEEN MADE ( #121) ON THE 07-12 VERACRUZ FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *JS