2010 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 259 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 8 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 7 people were injured and 1 person died.
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
EquipmentOct 6, 2011
CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 55538, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO THE CONVERTER MODULE AND DEFEAT THE MODULE'S INTERNAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION.
WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MANUFACTURING AT 1-715 831-8713.
Campaign 11E040000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftApr 28, 2011
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SANTA FE 2WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 15, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 5, 2010. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY SUFFER FROM NOISE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR. CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION LEADS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WHIRRING/WHINING NOISE AND CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 11V261000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
259 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 2, 2011
BRAKE PEDAL CANNOT HOLD PRESSURE, CREATING DANGEROUS SITUATION IN EMERGENCY BRAKING. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER ON NOVEMBER 29 FOR WARRANTY REPAIR. DEALER FOUND MASTER CYLINDER HAS INTERNAL LEAK. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AND RE-BLED THE SYSTEM. *TR
Power train, Nov 28, 2011
THE CAR WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL GEAR ALL ON ITS OWN AND THEN SLIP BACK INTO GEAR LUNGING THE CAR FORWARD. OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR WILL GET A WHIPLASH EFFECT. THE CAR IS USUALLY IN 2ND OR THIRD GEAR WHEN IT NO LONGER HAS POWER. THIS CAN BE VERY VERY DANGEROUS IN A MERGING TYPE OF DRIVING SITUATION. THE DRIVER IS COUNTING ON THE CAR TO BRING THEM INTO TRAFFIC, MAINTAINING A CERTAIN SPEED AND CONTROL. ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT RESPONDING. IT IS A VERY FRIGHTENING SITUATION. FOLLOWED BY THE LURCHING OF THE CAR. IT FEELS AS IF THE CAR HAS JUST BEEN HIT IN REAR. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH, FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE ON MANY MANY WEB SITES. EVERYONE SAYS THE SAME THING. THEY BRING IT TO THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER USUALLY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IN SOME CASES THE DEALER HAS TEST DRIVEN THE CAR AND HAS FELT THE PROBLEM AND HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, ONLY TO HAVE THE NEW TRANSMISSION DO THE SAME THING. USUALLY THOUGH, THE DEALER AND OR HYUNDAI GET AROUND THIS PROBLEM BY SAYING THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE HEARD OF THIS AS BEING AN ISSUE, THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL THE DEALER EXPERIENCES THE PROBLEM OR SEES THAT THE COMPUTER REGISTERS IT IN THE CARS COMPUTER SYSTEM. BUT THAT IS PART OF THE PROBLEM. NO CHECK LIGHT COMES ON, NOTHING REGISTERS. SO, ALL OF THESE UNSAFE CARS ARE OUT THERE. A SITUATION WAITING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WE HAD A FRIEND'S CAR BEHIND US WHEN WE LOST POWER, AND THEY SAID THEY ALMOST ENDED UP REAR ENDING US. IT'S NOT A SAFE CAR. HYUNDAI SAID "THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING FOR US EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THERE IS AN ISSUE. THAT MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO COMPLAIN". THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL. IT IS MY HOPE THAT YOU ALL CAN TAKE SOME ACTION. I DO NOT WANT TO SELL THIS CAR OR TRADE IT IN, IT WOULD BE PUTTING SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE ON THE LINE. HYUNDAI IS BRUSHING US ALL OFF. *KB
Tires, Nov 28, 2011
TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. WENT TO DEALER FOUR TIMES ON THIS ISSUE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THIS IS NORMAL AS THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR CAN BE AFFECTED BY HIGH VOLTAGE POWER LINES, RADIO FREQUENCY FROM AN AIRPORT, A POLICY STATION, AN INTERNAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE ATTACHED, ETC. ETC. HOWEVER, UNDERSTAND FROM MY FRIENDS WHO DRIVE TOYOTA AND HONDA THAT THIS ISSUE DOES NOT EXIST. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Oct 19, 2011
IN RAINY HUMID CONDITIONS, THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR WILL SHUT DOWN CAUSING WARM AIR TO BLOW INSIDE THE CAR CABIN. THIS IMMEDIATELY CAUSES THE WINDOWS TO FOG UP CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED 5 TIMES SINCE OWNING THE CAR. IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF, LET IT REST FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN TURN BACK ON THE AIR COMPRESSOR WILL WORK AGAIN BUT ONLY FOR THE SHORT TIME. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AGAIN IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT'S HUMID AND RAINING OUTSIDE. AFTER NUMEROUS SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THIS IS HAPPENING TO. HYUNDAI HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL TO FIX THIS! *TR
Visibility, Oct 13, 2011
THE FRONT WINDOWS FOGGED COMPLETELY DURING AN RAIN STORM OF HIGH INTENSITY, THE AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS ON AND WORKING UNTIL THE HIGH HUMIDITY AND RAIN OVERTOOK THE SYSTEM THIS SITUATION HAPPENED AT NIGHT ON BUSY FREEWAY MAKING THIS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE SIDE WINDOWS ALSO STARTED TO FOG ,THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES EACH TIME THE A/C COMPRESSOR SEEMS TO QUIT WORKING....ALSO PULLING THE VEHICLE OVER AND SHUTTING IT DOWN FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES SEEMS TO CLEAR IT UP...THE COMMON FACTORS WERE HIGH HUMIDITY, TEMPERATURE DROP ,RAIN.....THE FIRST TIME TEMP WAS 65DEGF SECOND 55DEGF THIRD 64DEGF... *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 12, 2011
THE AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM IN MY 2010 SANTA FE LIMITED WOULD OCCASIONALLY STOP RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR, USUALLY DURING HEAVY RAIN OR HUMID CONDITIONS. EVEN WITH THE A/C SWITCH AND INDICATOR LIGHT ON, THE COMPRESSOR WOULD STILL NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS CYCLED. THIS CAUSED THE INTERIOR WINDOWS TO FOG UP HEAVILY AND NOT CLEAR, LEADING TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH ONE INSTANCE MY OUTWARD VISIBILITY BEING REDUCED TO ALMOST ZERO AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH AS I HAD NOWHERE TO PULL OVER. EVENTUALLY I WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE CONDITION TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE IN THE DASH. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RESURFACED SINCE. *KB
Power train, Oct 9, 2011
THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED IN 01/2010, SHORTLY AFTER WE NOTICED SHUTTERING IN THE TRANSMISSION AND HARD SHIFTS FROM 2-3 3RD GEAR, AT 7800 MILE WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THERE DEALER WHO STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO RECREATE. THEY CHANGED THE SHIFT SETTINGS OF THE ECU AND WAS TOLD NOTHING TO BE DONE, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH MULTIPLE VISITS TO THE DEALER, 2 WEEKS AGO THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REMANAFACTURED UNIT, LASTNIGHT THE NEW TRANSMISSION EXPLODED AND IT FELT LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF UNDER THE HOOD THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID EVERYWHERE AND THE AND HORRIBLE GRINDING SOUND WAS NOTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND WE ARE STILL AWAITING WORD. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Sep 19, 2011
WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR TRAFFIC LIGHTS, TURNS OR MERGING INTO TRAFFIC LANES, WHEN THE BRAKE IS RELEASED AND THE ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED, AT RANDOM TIMES THE CAR HESITATES AND ALL POWER IS LOST MOMENTARILY. THE VEHICLE SEEMS AS IF IT HAS OR IS IN THE PROCESS OF STALLING OUT. AT FIRST, IT FEELS AS IF ALL POWER HAS BEEN LOST AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE STEERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HOWEVER, THEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RE-ENGAGES AND THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON, AND THE ENGINE APPARENTLY DOES NOT "DIE," SINCE THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT FOR AN IGNITION RE-START. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS SPORADICALLY (ABOUT ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK--BUT SOMETIMES ONCE OR MORE IN THE SAME DAY). THE VEHICLE STARTS WELL, IDLES WELL AND OTHERWISE PERFORMS IN AN OKAY FASHION. THE DEALER CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE CAR DID NOT DO THIS FOR THE FIRST 20,000 OR SO MILES. ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS, THIS "STALLING OUT" HAS ALMOST CREATED AN ACCIDENT SITUATION. *KB
Power train, Sep 1, 2011
TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR, ALSO SLIPS INTO GEAR AND SOMETIMES MOVES WHEN IN PARK. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Aug 28, 2011
PURCHASED 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN FEB 2010. DROVE TO DALLAS, TX IN MAY 2010 THE CAR STARTED STALLING AFTER BEING IDLE AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, ON TURNS AND FROM PULLING OUT AFTER BEING STOPPED. YOU WOULD THE THINK IT WAS GOING DEAD BUT WOULD CATCH UP. THIS OCCURED NUMEROUS TIMES DURING THE TRIP TO & FROM. IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO DEALERSHIP ON RETURN BUT THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE THEN, ONCE AT 20 MPH MERGEING IN TRAFFIC AND TWICE TODAY. HAVE TAKEN IT IN 3 TIMES BUT THEY NEVER FIND ANYTHING AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AND DON'T DARE PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC UNLESS I HAVE PLENTY OF CLEARANCE FROM OTHER CARS! I FEEL AT RISK EVERYTIME THE CAR IN DRIVEN AND FEEL IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TT
Power train, Aug 28, 2011
I JUST PURCHASED A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TODAY AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD BETWEEN GEARS. *TT
Vehicle speed control, Aug 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED IT TOOK 3-4 SECONDS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN IT SHOULDN'T. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,500.
Electrical system, Aug 22, 2011
INTERMITTENT ISSUE WHERE THE GAS PEDAL DOES NOT WORK - DEPRESSING IT DOES NOT CAUSE THE ENGINE TO REV AT ALL. THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE AT 40 MPH, THEN NO POWER AS VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO 15 MPH BEFORE IT STARTED WORKING. OTHER SYMPTOMS WHEN THIS OCCURS ARE AS FOLLOWS: WITH HEADLIGHTS TURNED ON, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS STUCK "ON". IF HEADLIGHTS ARE OFF, SELECTING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL CAN CAUSE VARIOUS DASH LIGHTS TO BLINK, AND ENGINE LOSES POWER IN SYNCH WITH THE BLINKING LIGHTS.
Power train, Equipment, Aug 22, 2011
MY 2010 AT SANTA FE STARTED WITH OCCASIONAL LURCHING FORWARD WHEN STARTED, THEN PROGRESSED TO HARSH SHIFTING, BUMPING AND BANGING NOISES FROM THE AT. THIS WAS EPISODIC, WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD. (SEE MY INITIAL COMPLAINT #10379504) SINCE MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT, THE DEALER PUT IN A "DATA RECORDER" TO TRY TO CAPTURE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. DESPITE 2-3 EPISODES OF THIS HAPPENING WHILE THE RECORDER WAS ON, THEY WERE NOT CAPTURED ON THE UNIT. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, YET IT CONTINUED TO GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. AT ABOUT 9000 MILES, IT HAPPENED AGAIN- THE WORST EPISODE YET. AT THAT POINT I WAS AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY. I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND THEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER THE DEALER DID FURTHER TESTING ON THE AT, THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS IN FACT SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE AT, AND THEY PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION. WITHIN 1000- 2000 MILES ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION, IN STARTED BUMPING AGAIN WHEN COLD, SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT OF COURSE THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID IT HAD A FAST IDLE AND ADJUSTED IT. THEY ALSO SAID I SHOULD WARM THE CAR UP 5-7 MINUTES PRIOR TO DRIVING IT EACH TIME, SINCE I REPORT THIS ONLY OCCURS WHILE IT IS COLD. THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR, JUST AS THEY TOLD ME EARLIER, PRIOR TO FINDING OUT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AT. WHEN I LEFT THE DEALER AFTER TELLING ME THIS, IT BUMPED TWICE BEFORE I GOT OUT OF THEIR PARKING LOT, AND CONTINUES TO DO SO, ONCE EVEN WHILE IT WAS WARM. I CALLED HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS, THEY PARROT BACK TO ME EVERYTHING THE DEALER TELLS ME, AND OFFER NO NEW SUGGESTIONS OTHER THAN TO CONSULT MY OWNERS MANUAL ON CONFLICT RESOLUTION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 21, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE ACCELERATING EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jul 17, 2011
WHEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE FROM STOPPED POSITION THERE IS A NOTABLE PAUSE. (1-3 SECONDS??)THIS THEN CAUSES YOU TO PUSH ACCELERATOR FURTHER ,THEREBY CAUSING A MUCH MORE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I AM USED TO IT BECAUSE IT HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE CAR WAS NEW, BUT SOMEONE COULD GET IN TROUBLE. HYUNDAI SERVICE SAYS ITS BECAUSE THE PEDAL IS SENDING A POSITION OF PEDAL THROUGH AN ELECTRONIC SIGNAL TO FUEL METERING SYSTEM.
Power train, Jul 12, 2011
THIS IS A LOW-MILEAGE HYUNDAI AWD SANTA FE LIMITED WITH 19" ALLOW RIMS. AT ABOUT 11,500 MILES I NOTICED GREASE ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT-LEFT WHEEL. IT WAS THICK AND GREEN IN COLOR, THE GREASE USED TO LUBRICATE THE AXLE JOINT. THE CENTRIFUGAL FORCE FROM THE AXLE SPRAYED THE GREASE ALONG THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL. I CHECKED THE CV BOOT AND AXLE AND IT APPEARED THE GREASE WAS LEAKING FROM THE SEAL BETWEEN THE BOOT AND THE AXLE HUB. THERE WAS A VERY SLIGHT LEAKAGE COMING FROM THE RIGHT WHEEL AXLE AS WELL. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH A VEHICLE ONLY A YEAR OLD. I TOOK IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THE LEAKAGE ON BOTH WHEELS AND ORDERED TWO AXLE SEAL KITS, WHICH WILL INCLUDE REPLACEMENT OF THE JOINT. THERE WAS NO CHARGE FOR THE INSPECTION AND THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE FOR THE REPAIR. IF THIS WENT UNNOTICED IT COULD CAUSE AN AXLE TO OVERHEAT AND FAIL. AT HIGH SPEEDS THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2011
I HAVE A 2010 SANTA FE WITH 19K MILES.....TWICE THIS WEEK I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY THE GAS PEDAL STOPPED WORKING AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BRAKES WORKED, THANK GOODNESS. ANYONE ELSE HAVE "SUDDEN UNINTENDED DECELERATION"?? AFTER THE FIRST EVENT, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER (FOLLOWING PROTOCOL IN THE MANUAL). THEY REPORTED A NEW RECALL (IT HAD BEEN SERVICED A FEW MONTHS AGO), EXECUTED A COMPUTER UPDATE AND ALL WAS FIXED (OR SO I THOUGHT). 4 DAYS LATER, WITH LESS THAN 100 MILES DRIVEN SINCE THE REPAIR, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME I WAS IN 35MPH TRAFFIC SO WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NO LONGER WORKED, I ALMOST WAS REAR-ENDED. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OUT OF TRAFFIC (BRAKES AND STEERING FINE)TO A SIDE STREET. I WAS ABLE TO COAST HOME (.5 MILE OR SO). CAR WOULD ACCELERATE AFTER STOP SIGNS, ALTHOUGH THE GAS PEDAL DOESN'T RESPOND AT ALL. VERY SCARY THAT IT EVEN SHIFTED TO A HIGHER GEAR AND WOULD GO 30MPH AND KEEP ACCELERATING IF I DIDN'T BRAKE! THE FIRST REPAIR INFO: 1. SPRING PROTECTOR INSTALL (TSB#11-01-021); CAUSE: CAMP 2.TC7 CM ECM UPDATE P0111 10-01-034; CAUSE: CAMP *TT
Power train, Jun 23, 2011
2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL RELATED TO DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL, WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER IT SUDDENLY STOPPED ON A SIX LANE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN DESTROYED AND DAMAGED THE AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. *JB
Power train, Jun 10, 2011
THE WEEKEND WE PURCHASED OUR 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED, V6, WHILE DRIVING IN AREA WITH MODERATE GRADES VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND GEARS, 2ND & 3RD GEARS. WE THOUGHT IT COULD BE THE AREA WE WERE DRIVING IN, SO WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT TO SEE IF THAT WAS IT. IT WAS NOT. HARD SHIFTING HAS CONTINUED FOR THE COMPLETE EXTENT OF OUR OWNERSHIP COMMENCING AT THE START. ON 12/7/2010, TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO BE CHECKED, CAUSE: FOUND TRANSMISSION JERKING. MODULE ASSY-AUTO TRANS CONTROL RE, RESET ADAPTIVE TRANS VALUES. RECALL, P0111, ECM UPDATE, PERFORMED CAMP TC7. BRING BACK IF CONTINUES AFTER A COUPLE WEEKS. IT DID CONTINUE, BUT I AM A BUSY PERSON. ON 4/21/2011, RETURNED AGAIN STATING THAT VEHICLE WAS CONTINUING TO SHIFT HARD, JERKING. DEALER SVC STATES COULD NOT DUPLICATE. VEHICLE DUPLICATED FOR ME ON WAY HOME FROM SVC APPT. ON 6/10/11, RETURNED AGAIN FOR SAME PROBLEM WITH HARD SHIFTING AT LOW SPEEDS, JERKING. CAUSE: TCM UPGRADE, RE-RESET ADAPTIVE TRANS VALUES, AFTER WHICH SVC DEPT SAID COULD NOT DUPLICATE AGAIN. SVC MGR STATES THAT A NEW REFLASH HAD BEEN ISSUED SINCE THEY UPGRADED IT LAST ON 12/7/2010. THRU RESEARCH I FIND NO NEW UPGRADE HAS BEEN RELEASED ON SVC MESSAGES/NOTIFICATIONS. I BELIEVE I'VE BEEN MISLEAD. I AM POSITIVE THAT THE VEHICLE WILL DO THIS AGAIN. ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY WHEN ONLY CRANKING THE VEHICLE AND BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN GEAR IT WILL IMMEDIATELY HAVE A FEELING OF A LARGE "BANG OR SLAM" AND THEN LUNGE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH STILL IN PARK. THE VEHICLE ALSO MAKES "POPPING" SOUNDS WHEN IN PARK KIND OF LIKE SMALL "BACKFIRES". I HAVE ALSO ASKED THEM TO INVESTIGATE THIS AND DID NOT GET A SATISFACTORY RESPONSE. THEY STATE THAT ALL OF THESE SYMPTOMS ARE CONNECTED TO THE "NEW REFLASH" THAT HAS COME OUT SINCE THE 12/7/2010 SVC APPT. IT "SHOULD" FIX IT. I SAY RECALL IT.
Power train, Jun 1, 2011
STARTED CAR TO BACK UP OUT OF DRIVEWAY. CAR JUMPED A LITTLE. CONTINUED ON ROAD AND FELT LITTLE JUMPING AT RANDOM. WENT SLOW AND TRIED TO BRAKE AND ACCELORATE TO UNDERSTAND TRIGGER. TURNED AROUND AFTER 1.5 MILE TO HEAD BACK HOME. A FEW YARDS IN THE CAR MADE LOUD DROPPING SOUND AND GRINDING AND SCRAPING AND WOULD NOT ACCELARATE. SO LOUD I THOUGHT THE BOTTOM CAME OUT. PEOPLE PUSHED IT INTO PARKING LOT FOR ME. AAA TOWED IT TO DEALER. 24 HOURS LATER TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. 24 HOURS AFTER THAT TOLD THEY ARE REPLACING WITH NEW TRANSMISSION. ASKED IF THIS WOULD TRIGGER ANY FUTURE PROBLEMS AND THEY CLAIM NO. *TR
Power train, May 16, 2011
THE VEHICLE STOPS OR STALLS ON SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IT HAS JUST DIED MERGING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP SIGN AND I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO ROLL TO THE SHOULDER. IT WILL NOT ALWAYS PULL UP AN INCLINE FROM A STOP SUCH AS A STEEPER DRIVEWAY. I HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL TO "FIX' THIS BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK IN GEAR. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN THE HYUNDAI FORUMS ON LINE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 10, 2011
I PURCHASED THE 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE NEW WITH ONLY 60 MILES ON IT IN JUNE 2010. IN JANUARY 2011 WE BEGAN SMELLING A FUEL SMELL. THIS OCCURRED ONLY AFTER THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND SHUT OFF THEN SUBSEQUENTLY TURNED BACK ON LESS THAN AN HOUR LATER LIKE WHEN RUNNING ERRANDS. I NEVER SMELLED GAS IF THE CAR SAT OVERNIGHT. WE ALSO WOULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT LONG CRANK. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER IN JANUARY 2011 AND THEY REPLACED 2 O-RINGS THAT THEY STATED WERE LEAKING AND FOUND FUEL AROUND. AFTER THESE WERE REPLACED, I STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK IN FEBRUARY 2011 AND NO KNOWN PROBLEMS WERE FOUND BY THE DEALER. AGAIN, I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK IN MARCH. THIS TIME THEY FOUND FUEL IN THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. THEY STATED I WAS OVERFILLING THE TANK WHICH WAS WHY THERE WAS FUEL IN THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE MANAGER, THEY AGREED TO COVER THE PART AND LABOR AT NO CHARGE AND REPLACED THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. AFTER THIS WAS REPLACED, I NO LONGER EXPERIENCED THE LONG CRANK BUT I STILL SMELL GAS AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS. HYUNDAI WILL AGAIN BE LOOKING AT THE CAR FOR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS, BUT THE DEALER IS REALLY STUMPED SO FAR ON THIS. *TR
Power train, Apr 18, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE CONTACT TOOK HER FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND WAS COASTING. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE RPMS INCREASED AND THERE WAS A HARD BUMP AND A SHUTTER FELT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION ADAPTER WAS RESET, THE KEEP ALIVE MEMORY AND ADAPTIVE VALUES WERE CLEARED, AND AN ECU UPDATE WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT WAS TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER A FORTH TIME FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,889. UPDATED 5/9/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A HARSH SHIFT BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE. UPDATED 08/17/11.*JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 14, 2011
GAS/FUEL SMELL COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT INTO CABIN OF 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GLS (2.4 L AUTOMATIC). SMELL IS NOT NOTICEABLE AT COLD START OVERNIGHT, OR AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS OF SITTING. SMELL IS VERY NOTICEABLE AFTER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND THEN SHUT OFF FOR ANYWHERE FROM 10 MINUTES TO AN HOUR. THE FUEL SMELL COMES DIRECTLY INTO THE CABIN WHEN THE HVAC SYSTEM IS SET TO VENT, BUT NOT ON RECIRCULATE. DEALER HAS REMOVED AND REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS AND FUEL RAIL. SMELL STILL PERSISTS. THIS IS A DAILY OCCURRENCE. THE SMELL ALSO OCCURS WHEN STOPPED FOR ANY AMOUNT OF TIME WHILE DRIVING/IDLING. THE SMELL OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE IS OFF, BUT THE KEY IS TURNED TO THE POINT THE HVAC WILL TURN ON. THIS MEANS THE SMELL OCCURS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE ENGINE IS RUNNING OR NOT. THE SMELL ACCUMULATES UNDER THE HOOD AND IS STRONGEST NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE MIDDLE. THE SMELL IS BAD ENOUGH TO PERMEATE CLOTHES WHILE DRIVING AND TO BE SMELLED INSIDE THE HOUSE WHEN THE DOOR TO THE GARAGE IS OPENED. IT'S BAD ENOUGH TO FORCE PARKING THE VEHICLE OUTDOORS. IT APPEARS THIS ISSUE IS BEING DISCUSSED ON THE HYUNDAI FORUMS WEBSITE AND MOST COMPLAINTS ARE FOR THE HYUNDAI SONATA AND SONATA TURBO, BUT THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS POINT TO THE SAME CAUSE FOR MY SANTA FE. THE DEALER HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE SMELL, BUT NOT IN WRITING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FIVE TIMES FOR THIS COMPLAINT - TWICE WITH WORK DONE, TWICE WITH NO WORK DONE (CLAIM WAS COULD NOT REPLICATE), AND ONCE I WAS SENT HOME BEFORE ANY WORK WAS DONE AS THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE DETERMINED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AT THAT TIME. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO KNOWN SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE COMING FORTH FROM HYUNDAI AT THIS TIME. *TR