2011 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 181 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 12 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 9 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
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, disc, caliperDec 9, 2010
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 28, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 25, 2010. SOME OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MACHINED.
AS A RESULT, BRAKE FLUID WILL LEAK, FOLLOWED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATING THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS LOW AND SHOULD BE CHECKED, THEN A SOFT OR SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL FEEL, AND IF NOT SERVICED, REDUCED BRAKING POWER WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CALIPERS AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 17, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AT 1-800-243-7766.
Campaign 10V613000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
72 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Sep 30, 2013
9/26/13 - WHILE GOING UP TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF A PARKING STRUCTURE AT A SLOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. PUT IT INTO PARK AND RESTARTED IT AND DROVE IT TO A PARKING SPOT. LATER THAT DAY WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP; THEY HAVE HAD IT FOR 4 DAYS (2 OF WHICH WERE OVER THE WEEKEND). NO CODES REGISTERED IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM; THEY ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM A HYUNDAI TECH. ACCORDING TO RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS IS A COMMON (AND DANGEROUS) PROBLEM WITH THE SANTA FE. PRIOR TO THIS EPISODE, ON 2 OTHER OCCASIONS (9/13/13 AND 8/3/2012), WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 70MPG AND 50MPH RESPECTIVELY AND LOST POWER AND THE ABILITY TO KEEP OR INCREASE MY SPEED AND HAD TO PULL OVER AND GET TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, BOTH TIMES. THIS TOO APPEARS TO BE COMMON AMONG ONLINE FORUMS FOR SANTA FE'S. *TR
Engine, Aug 16, 2013
FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS SUMMER THE ENGINE HAS JUST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY DOWN HILL. THIS TIME I BARELY MISSED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND HITTING A PEDESTRIAN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Jul 17, 2013
TWICE, THE ENGINE HAS SHUT OFF, WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM AN IDLE OR STOPPED POSITION. LUCKILY, BOTH INCIDENTS WERE IN AN EMPTY PARKING LOT. THE ENGINE SIMPLY STOPPED RUNNING AND I HAD TO PUT IT INTO PARKING GEAR, AND RESTART THE ENGINE. *TR
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 24, 2013, crash
ON JUNE 11, 2013 I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING PLACE. I WAS STOPPED AND PUTTING MY CAR INTO PARK. AS I REACH NEUTRAL MY CAR ACCELERATED FAST...THIS WAS MORE THEN A LUNGE FORWARD, IT WAS MORE LIKE A POWER SURGE. MY CAR CONTINUED FORWARD AT A VERY FAST SPEED, DESPITE MY BRAKING ( THERE WERE SKID MARKS) AND HIT A WALL. I ENDED UP WITH LOTS OF MASSIVE BRUISING AND SPRAINED MUSCLES. PLUS I WAS VERY FRIGHTENED. THERE WAS LOTS OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE I PURCHASED IT. IT IS SILL IN THEIR BODY SHOP. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT I CHECKED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THERE WERE LOTS & LOTS OF EXAMPLES OF THIS, SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEM, WITH THE 2011 SANTA FE. I DON'T SEE ANY RESPONSES FROM HYUNDAI. THIS PROBLEM HAS TO BE DEALT WITH. *TR
Engine, Jun 21, 2013
I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AFTER THE ENGINE HESITATED AND BUCKED FORWARD SEPT, 2012. IT HAD APPROX. 29,500 MILES. TODAY JUNE 21, 2013 WHILE PUTTING IT IN REVERSE, I HEARD A LOUD "CLUNK" AND ALSO HEARD SAME "CLUNK" WHEN I CHANGED IT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. ENGINE THEN PROCEEDED TO HESITATE AND BUCK ALL THE WAY HOME. IT IS GOING IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN (SECOND TIME) TOMORROW. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING!! *TR
Engine, May 23, 2013
TOOK MY CAR IN TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN CONCORD, CA ON APPROX. MARCH 17TH OF THIS YEAR FOR PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME THAT NO ERROR CODES WERE RECORDED BY THE CAR'S COMPUTER AND THAT HYUNDAI MECHANICS COULD NOT FIND ANY MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY THEN TALKED TO HYUNDAI ENGINEERS AND DECIDED THAT POSSIBLY THE CARS THROTTLE BODIES COULD BE A PROBLEM AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD DO A "GOOD WILL" REPLACEMENT OF THIS AUTO PART. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 1K MILES WITHOUT INCIDENT, UNTIL THIS PAST SATURDAY MAY 18 2013. I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, GOING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 5-15 MPH. I PUSHED THE BRAKE TO DO A GRADUAL SLOW, THEN WENT TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR BUT THERE WAS NO POWER. I LOOKED DOWN TO SEE MY DASH LIGHTS WERE PRESENT, BUT NO ENGINE SOUND. I SLOWED THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP, TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, THEN TURNED IT ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED RIGHT UP. AGAIN, AS PREVIOUS, NO ERROR MESSAGES APPEARED ON MY DASH. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN WITHOUT INCIDENT SO FAR 200 MILES SINCE THIS LAST INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ASKED ME TO BRING THE CAR IN AND ALLOW THEM TEST DRIVE THE CAR FOR A DAY HOPING THAT THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WILL OCCUR FOR THEM. IT APPEARS TO BE CONNECTED TO HITTING THE BRAKES, SLOWING, THEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. ALL TIMES THIS SO FAR THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 35, 500 MILES. *TR
Power train, Engine, May 14, 2013
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE SLIGHTLY BEGINS TO MOVE BUT NO ACCELERATION COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THIS RESULTS IN A VERY SLOW 1-2 MPH MOVEMENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A HANDFUL OF OCCASIONS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. OFTEN WHEN PULLING OUT INTO A HIGHWAY WHEN ACCELERATION IS NEEDED THE VEHICLE JUST CREEPS INTO TRAFFIC. APPEARS THAT THE ENGINE IS JUST IDLING WITHOUT ANY INCREASE IN RPM WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED. EVENTUALLY WHEN PULLING OFF TO SAFE AREA AND STOPPING WITH TRANS IN NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE ACTS NORMAL WITH PROPER ACCELERATION. SHIFTING INTO DRIVE WILL RETURN TO THE SAME PROBLEM. PROBLEM WILL EVENTUALLY SLOWLY DISSOLVE AFTER "PLAYING" WITH THE ACCELERATOR WHEN STOPPED AND THEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE TO BEGIN ACCELERATION. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 14, 2013
2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE V6 LIMITED TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A STALL CONDITION. IMMEDIATELY LOST THE ABILITY TO SAFELY CONTROL THE VEHICLE, COMPLETE LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND POWER STEERING. ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ONCE THE VEHICLE HAD COASTED TO A STOP, SHIFTED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVE POSITION TO THE PARK POSITION. TURNED THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION. IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE IGNITION TO THE START POSITION AND ENGINE RESTARTED. ENGINE LIGHT INDICATOR IN DASH PANEL WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOCATE THE ROOT CAUSE. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE. FILED AN INCIDENT REPORT WITH HYUNDAI USA. *TR
Engine, Apr 6, 2013
WAS NEGOTIATING A LEFT SIDED CURVE ON THE DOWNHILL SIDE OF A STEEP, WINDY ROAD IN A REMOTE AREA BETWEEN OAKLAND AND MORAGA, CA WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST STEERING POWER. I WENT TO HIT THE BRAKES AND FOUND THAT MY BRAKES ALSO HAD NO POWER. I PUSHED VERY HARD ON THE BRAKES AND MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. HAD I BEEN UNABLE TO STOP, MY CAR WOULD'VE GONE DIRECTLY OVER A VERY STEEP HILLSIDE THAT BORDERS A RESERVOIR. AS IT WAS, THE REAR END OF MY CAR WAS JUTTED OUT HALFWAY ONTO THE ROADWAY AND ONLY A FEW YARDS FROM A BLIND CURVE. THIS PARTICULAR SPOT ALSO HAS NO CELL PHONE COVERAGE. AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, I NOTED THAT MY IGNITION WAS STILL IN THE "ON" POSITION AND THAT ALL THE APPROPRIATE DASH LIGHTS WERE ON, BUT THE ENGINE SOUND WAS ABSENT AND THE TACH READ ZERO. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY ERROR MESSAGES ON MY DASH. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN TURNED THE IGNITION BACK ON. THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP WITH NO HESITATION. I HEARD NO UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISES OR EXPERIENCED ANY DIFFICULTIES WITH DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I DROVE TO THE CLOSEST SERVICE STATION APPROX. 3-4 MILES FROM THE INCIDENT LOCATION. THE MECHANIC DID A QUICK CHECK UNDER THE HOOD, FOUND NOTHING UNUSUAL AND SUGGESTED I GO DIRECTLY TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. I TOOK MY CAR TO FUTURE HYUNDAI IN CONCORD, CA. THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS THE NEXT DAY, THEN REPORTED THAT THEY "COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR." I EXPRESSED MY FEAR OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE BASED ON VERY RATIONAL SAFETY CONCERNS AND WHAT I FELT HAD BEEN A CLOSE CALL ON MY LIFE THE DAY PRIOR. I ALSO TOLD THE SERVICE PERSON THAT A QUICK LOOK ONLINE LEAD ME TO FIND SEVERAL STORIES SIMILAR TO MINE. I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED TO TALK WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER THE NEXT DAY AS HE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. I THEN CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND REPORTED THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED CASE # [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Engine, Mar 22, 2013
THIS COMPLAINT IS SIMILAR TO A COMPLAINT I ALREADY FILED IN DECEMBER 2012 AND IS A RECURRING ISSUE. ON 3/18/13, WAS TRAVELING APPROX 55 MPH UP A STEEP HILL WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IMMEDIATELY THE GAS PEDAL CEASED FUNCTIONING AS WELL. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING, HOWEVER PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DID NOTHING. THIS CREATED AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME WAS NOT AWARE MY VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN AND I HAD NO ABILITY TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WAITED A MINUTE, AND RESTARTED IT. AT THIS POINT THE GAS PEDAL WAS FUNCTIONING AS EXPECTED, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. WENT TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER THEY INDICATED THE FIX FOR THE ISSUE (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, #12-FL-004) HAD BEEN APPLIED AFTER THE 12/2012 INCIDENT AND THEY FOUND NOTHING NEW WRONG THIS TIME. ON 3/22/13, THE EXACT SAME ISSUE HAPPENED TWICE DURING ONE COMMUTE TO WORK. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER WHO HAS NO IDEA WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND FROM OTHER REPORTS SEEN ONLINE, A RECALL SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 4, 2013, crash
I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND MADE CONTACT WITH SOMETHING WHICH I COULD NOT SEE FROM MY REAR VIEW OR SIDE VIEW MIRRORS. LATER, WHEN THE EMERGENCY WORKERS WERE LOADING ME INTO THE AMBULANCE, I WOULD SEE THAT THE OBJECT WAS A LOW, CEMENT POLE, WHICH PROTECTED A FIRE HYDRANT DIRECTLY BEHIND THE PARKING SPOT I PULLED OUT OF. AS I PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR (DRIVE) WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, TO PULL AWAY FROM WHATEVER I BACKED IN TO, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD (THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT IS THE WAY A PINBALL BOUNCES OFF OF A BUMPER ON A PINBALL MACHINE) AND CONTINUED MOVING FORWARD, EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE DROVE FORWARD INTO THE PARKING SPOT I HAD STARTED FROM, OVER A CURB AT THE FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT, THROUGH A PATCH OF LOW LYING PLANTS AND OVER A WALL WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY FOUR TO FIVE FEET IN HEIGHT. MY VEHICLE WAS AIRBORNE AND CAME TO REST IN THE LOWER LEVEL PARKING LOT, STRIKING A PARKED VEHICLE. IT WAS ONLY THEN THAT THE VEHICLE STOPPED ITS FORWARD MOTION. MY ARMS HAD BEEN LOCKED ON THE STEERING WHEEL, MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY LEFT LEG ABSORBED THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH INTO THE LOWER LEVEL PARKING LOT. I WAS TAKEN AWAY IN AN AMBULANCE WITH A BROKEN LEG AND SEVERELY DISLOCATED ANKLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE CARRIER. I WAS ADVISED THAT A CLAIMS INVESTIGATOR WAS SENT TO THE INSURANCE-COMPANY-AUTHORIZED COLLISION SHOP TO WHERE MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED. EVEN THOUGH THE EMERGENCY WORKERS ADVISED ON THE NIGHT OF THE ACCIDENT THAT THE CAR WAS NOT IN A DRIVABLE CONDITION, I WAS ADVISED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THE INVESTIGATOR DROVE THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE COLLISION SHOP AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jan 3, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IN PARK ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR, CAUSING IT TO ROLL AWAY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 26, 2012
WHILE TRAVELING APPROX 55 MPH, I HIT A FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT POTHOLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IMMEDIATELY CAME ON AND, AT THE VERY SAME INSTANT, THE GAS PEDAL CEASED TO FUNCTION. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING, HOWEVER THE GAS PEDAL HAD NO AFFECT - E.G. PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DID NOTHING. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO IDLE AND, AFTER LETTING UP ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD ON ITS OWN AT APPROX 20 MPH, MORE THAN EXPECTED UNDER NORMAL IDLE CONDITIONS. THIS CONDITION LASTED FOR APPROX 5 MIN UNTIL I COULD PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, WAITED A MOMENT, THEN RESTARTED IT. AT THIS POINT THE GAS PEDAL WAS FUNCTIONING AS EXPECTED, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER WHO NOTIFIED ME OF AN EXISTING TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, #12-FL-004, FROM HYUNDAI. THEY ALSO INDICATED THIS WAS A "KNOWN ISSUE" RELATING TO THE "ECM SOFTWARE." *TR
Engine, Oct 9, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.
Power train, Engine, Jul 27, 2012
AFTER LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PUSHED ON THE PEDAL AND THE CAR DID NOT MOVE FOR SECONDS. CAR HESITATES ALL THE TIME. AFRAID TO MAKE LEFT TURN FROM A STOPPED POSITION BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE. VEHICLE ALSO HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS SLOW MOVING VEHICLES. REPORTED ISSUE TO DEALER AND DEALER WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. READ AND HEARD OF OTHER SANTA FE ACCELERATION ISSUES. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 18, 2012
I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE REPORTED IN OTHER ODI COMPLAINTS. SPECIFICALLY, MY VEHICLE STALLS RANDOMLY WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS. ODI ID #10460671, #10453272, AND #10412636, ALL SEEM TO REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE. OCCASIONALLY, WHILE BRAKING OR ALLOWING THE CAR TO STOP, IT WILL STALL OUT. WHEN IT DOES, ACCELERATING, POWER STEERING, AND POWER BRAKING ARE ALL DISABLED. ONCE THE CAR GEAR IS SHIFTED TO PARK AND THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF, THE PROBLEM RESOLVES AFTER RE-STARTING THE CAR LATER. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD WORKED ON THIS CAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FOUR TIMES WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO 1. DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND 2. COME UP WITH AN ADEQUATE REMEDY. EVEN THOUGH THE TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE STALLING, THE FIRST THREE TIMES IT WAS IN THE SHOP, THREE DIFFERENT REPAIRS WERE MADE. THEY HAVE ALL INVOLVED COMPUTER FIXES, INCLUDING CHANGING OUT THE CONTACTS, REPLACING THE JUNCTION BOX, AND UPDATING SOFTWARE. HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF MY ISSUE AND THE PENDING LEMON LAW ARBITRATION CLAIM THAT I HAVE MADE. HYUNDAI HAS CURRENTLY MADE THE UNILATERAL DETERMINATION THAT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A LEMON, WHICH I DISPUTE BECAUSE 1. THIS DETERMINATION IS NOT CAPABLE OF BEING MADE UNILATERALLY, AND 2. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT AND MORE THAN A "REASONABLE" AMOUNT OF REPAIR ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. A MANAGING ENGINEER HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT FINDING ANY PROBLEMS, AND I'M CURRENTLY WORKING WITH HYUNDAI TO HAVE A "FLIGHT RECORDER" INSTALLED TO RECORD DATA WHEN THE CAR STALLS NEXT. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITHOUT A SHOULDER ON THE FREEWAY--A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. I CONSIDER THIS CAR TO BE AN UNRELIABLE SAFETY THREAT ON THE ROADWAYS AND HAVE COMMUNICATED THIS TO HYUNDAI, BUT ITS REPRESENTATIVE DO NOT HAVE THE SAME SENSE OF URGENCY I HAVE. *TR
Engine, Jun 5, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Engine, May 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING IN FAILED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,500.
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 27, 2012
DRIVING SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC DOWN A HILL MY STEERING WHEEL, GEAR SHIFT AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. IMMEDIATELY MY GENERATOR LIGHT CAME ON MY DASHBOARD. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND SOMEHOW GET THE CAR IN PARK. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND REALIZED THROUGH MY MANUAL MY GENERATOR LIGHT WAS ON. I OPENED THE HOOD AND COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. WHEN TURNING THE CAR BACK ON THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THAT MONDAY I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY TOLD ME THEY CHECKED EVERYTHING. PUT THE CAR UP TO A COMPUTER, DROVE IT AROUND, TEST EVERYTHING COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. I HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM SINCE BUT SOMETHING HAD TO OCCUR FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I AM PLEASE WITH MY CAR OTHERWISE. JUST HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. IT COULDN'T BE WEATHER RELATED BECAUSE IT WAS NEITHER SUPER WARM OR SUPER COLD IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 50 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. FORTUNATELY I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC OTHERWISE IF I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT THIS COULD HAVE ENDED UP VERY BADLY POSSIBLY EVEN FATAL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 17, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EMIT A LOUD BANGING NOISE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. A STATE TROOPER APPEARED ON THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 673.
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2011
ON MAY 26TH 2011 AROUND 6:20 PM WHEN I DROVE ON A LOCAL DOWN HILL ROAD WHICH IS ABOUT 400 YARD LONG, AT A SPEED ABOUT 20 MPH, MY CAR LOST BRAKE AND POWER STEERING. I SUPPOSED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND MAKE A LEFT TURN. WHEN I PRESSED MY BRAKE PEDAL, MY CAR CAN'T STOP AND THE PEDAL WAS VERY HEAVY, AND I CAN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER. MY CAR KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. I KEPT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD AND MY CAR FINALLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF STREET GRADUALLY. WHEN I LOOKED, I NOTICED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT WERE ON. I THEN TURN OFF MY CAR AND REST A WHILE. I THEN TURNED MY CAR BACK ON AND FOUND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT WENT OFF AND EVERYTHING SEEMED BACK TO NORMAL. WORTH TO NOTE THAT IT WAS HOT THAT DAY ABOUT 90 DEGREE AND I RIDE ON BRAKE SLIGHTLY FOR ABOUT 300 YARD ON THAT DOWN HILL ROAD BEFORE THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SLOWLY BACK HOME THAT DAY AND BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE CLOSEST HYUNDAI DEALER AT 7:30 AM THE NEXT MORNING. HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE FAILURE AND FOUND NOTHING. I THEN CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND HYUNDAI CREATED A CASE NUMBER AND SUGGESTED ME GO TO THE SELLING DEALER. ON JUNE 7TH, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE SELLING DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE FAILURE EITHER AND ASKED ME TO COME BACK TO THEM WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. HOWEVER, IT COULD BE DANGEROUS WHEN MY CAR LOSES BRAKE AGAIN WHEN I AM DRIVING. I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY OTHER WAY TO INVESTIGATE ROOT CAUSES OR STRESS MY CAR TO REPRODUCE THIS ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 30, 2011
NEW SANTA FE, 45 DAYS OLD, SCREECHING / METAL ON METAL GRINDING SOUND. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. AT 3 MONTHS OLD, CAR ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. DO NOT TRUST CAR. *TR