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
181 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE BRAKES BECAME STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKES AND BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Electrical system, Mar 29, 2019
BLINKERS KEEP GOING ON BY THEMSELVES. SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS RUNNING WHETHER DRIVING OR IN PARK.
Engine, Feb 20, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING OR SYMPTOMS. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. IT NEEDED TO BE TOWED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED.
Engine, Jan 14, 2019
MY 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE BEGAN TO DRIVE ROUGH ON THE FREEWAY, SLIGHT TUGGING, RATTLING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 60MPH, CHECK ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND IT STALLED AT RED LIGHT. STARTED IT UP AND THEN STALLED 3 MORE TIMES AT EVERY RED LIGHT ON THE WAY HOME. I ADDED OIL AND MADE SERVICE APPT. BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE DIED ONCE ON THE WAY AND AGAIN AT THE SERVICE CENTER BUT DID NOT START BACK UP. MECHANIC SAID ENGINE FAILED DUE TO CRANK SHAFT SPUN BEARING. SENSORS DID NOT APPEAR IN ADVANCE SENSORS APPEARED TOO LATE CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE. MY CAR IS ONLY 7 YEARS BOUGHT BRAND NEW OUT OF SHOW ROOM NO PREVIOUS MAJOR ISSUES. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON LINE SHOWING SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHERS. UNACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS
Engine, Dec 13, 2018, fire
WHILE DRIVING HOME ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 12 2018 MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED UP THE WHOLE FRONT END.
Service brakes, Nov 23, 2018
TAMARA RECALL. MY CALIBERS KEEPING STICKING ON THE ROTORS. I REPLACED THEM BOTH AND 1 MONTH LATER IT KEPT STICKING AND WORE THE BRAKES AND ROTOR. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY 2009 HYUNDAI DANTE FE.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED VERY HIGH, THE RPMS INCREASED, AND THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING FORWARD AND CRASHING INTO A WALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,279.
Electrical system, Oct 16, 2018
AFTER SIGNALING LANE CHANGE/TURN FROM HIGHWAY, TURN SIGNAL SWITCH CONTINUED CLICKING WHEN TURN WAS COMPLETED AND TURN SIGNAL WAS IN OFF POSITION. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT VENT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, STARTED THE VEHICLE, CLICKING CONTINUED, TURN SIGNALS WERE IN THE OFF POSITION, LEFT SIGNAL WAS FLASHING. I REMOVED FUSE BOX COVER INSIDE VEHICLE AND SMELLED THE ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING. CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND WAS ADVISED THERE IS NO RECALL INVOLVING SIGNALS.
Engine, Jul 29, 2018
ENGINE NOISE AT COLD START. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT FOR OVER AN HOUR, A LOUD RATTLE NOISE IS HEARD FOR 3-5 SECONDS. THE NOISE IS COMING FROM OIL STARVATION. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED THAT IS A TIMING CHAIN AND GUIDE ISSUE. SEVERAL PEOPLE ONLINE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.
Steering, Jun 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TT UPDATED 10/5/18*JB
Visibility/wiper, May 31, 2018
TWO DIFFERENT TIMES IN 1 YR OUR BACK GLASS SHATTERED WHILE PARKED ONCE AT HOME ONCE WHILE AT WORK
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 4, 2018
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. PREVENTS SHIFTER TO GO INTO PARK. MUST RURN ENGINE OFF ON NUETRAL THEN TURN CAR ON TO ELIMINATE TRACTION CONTROL ERROR IN ORDER RO PUT SHIFTER INTO PARK
Other or unspecified, Apr 23, 2018
HI, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE (2) DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY/ACTUATORS ON BOTH DRIVER SIDE DOORS. THE LOCKS WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE WHEN USING KEY FOB OR MANNUALLY. 7-18-17 & 4-20-18.
Steering, Apr 12, 2018
THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING ABOUT 35MPH ON A STREET WHEN THE POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE LINE FAILED, WE WERE TRAVELING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AND BY THE TIME I HEARD THE WHINING OF THE PUMP, THE POWER STEERING FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT AND OF COURSE WE LOST POWER STEERING. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE THE METAL PIPE WHERE THE IT COUPLES TO THE FLEXIBLE HOSE FROM THE PUMP. FORTUNATELY THIS ONLY RESULTED IN HAVING TO DRIVE HOME WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE WAS REPLACE BY A LOCAL SHOP. THE VEHICLE HAS 67K MILES ON IT AND HAS NOT BEEN USED IN ANY EXTREME CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI TO REPORT THIS AS WELL, WAITING FOR A RESPONSE.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 22, 2018, fire
CAR WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 10 MILES AND THEN PARKED INSIDE AN ATTACHED GARAGE. NO ISSUES WERE PRESENT DURING THE DRIVE. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND KEY REMOVED FROM VEHICLE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR HAD PASSED THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE. FLAMES WERE VISIBLE BEHIND THE FRONT RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND FRONT RIGHT WHEEL. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HARMED. THE FIRE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE AND HOME. FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT EXTERNAL TO THE VEHICLE.
Engine, Mar 17, 2018
ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND I CANNOT STEER THE WHEEL.
Suspension, Wheels, Feb 4, 2018
THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING CRACKED FROM THE NEW YORK STATE SALT ON ROAD. THE COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN AT ABOUT 25 MPH GOING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET . THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE , SOMEONE COULD OF BEEN HURT OR DEATH COULD OCCUR . I'M GLAD NO ONE WAS HURT OR WORSE . THE RECALL NUMBER IS HYUNDAI CAMPAIGN 947 SANTA FE .THE CASE NUMBER IS 10917499.
Electrical system, Jan 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Oct 8, 2017
WHILE ON A LONG TRIP ABOUT 100 MILES INTO THE DRIVE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 78 MPH THE STEERING COLUMNS (FROM THE TURN SIGNAL SIDE) STARTS SMOKING AND IT SMELLED LIKE ELECTRICAL WIRING BURNING. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN BUT DID NOT STOP IN FEAR OF BEING STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. AT THE SAME TIME THE TURN SIGNAL STARTED MAKING THIS VERY FAST CLICKING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE THE TURN SIGNAL WAS STUCK ON, BUT IT WAS NOT ON. NO IDIOT LIGHTS EVER CAME ON TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES THE SMOKE FINALLY STOPPED THE THE SMELL WENT AWAY. HOWEVER THE FAST TURN SIGNAL CLICKING NOISE CONTINUED OFF AND ON FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE NEXT 250 MILES HOME WITH THE CLICKING NOISE. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND ON AGAIN WHEN I STOPPED FOR GAS AND IT STARTED JUST FINE. I PLAN TO TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY MORNING TO HAVE THE ISSUE DIAGNOSED. JUST AFTER THIS HAPPENED I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP FOR ADVISE ON WHAT TO DO AND HE THOUGHT THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. MY BIGGEST FEAR WAS THAT THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE AND I WAS GOING TO BE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE WITH NO HELP. NOT TO MENTION THE FEAR ON ME CATCHING ON FIRE AS THE STEERING COLUMN IN RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY BODY. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. PLEASE RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Sep 4, 2017, fire
WHILE DRIVING,I SIGNALED A TURN AND SMOKE CAME FROM BEHIND MY STEERING WHEEL.MY BLINKER WORKED BUT WAS MAKING A FAST CLICKING SOUND AS IF THE BLINKER WAS GOING OUT.THE NOISE WILL NOT STOP AND THE SMOKE IS INTERMITTENT.CONTACTED HYUNDAI BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM PER THE INTERNET BUT THEY ACTED LIKE THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT.
Electrical system, Aug 21, 2017
LED SCREEN ON A/C AND MILEAGE BACK LIGHTING FLICKERING ON AND OFF. VERY DISTURBING AT NIGHT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON ANY CAR 2011. LCD BLUE SCREENS ARE SHORTING OUT. MID PANEL RADIO DOWN TO A/C CONTROLS AND ODOMETER SCREEN. DEALER WANTS 2,000 REPLACE. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A 7 YEAR OLD CAR AND MECHANIC SAYS HE SEES IT ALL THE TIME ON MANY MODELS OF HYUNDAI.
Engine, Jun 25, 2017
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THE FAN IN ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING AFTER VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. RAN BATTERY DOWN. WE COULD HEAR THE FAN RUNNING BUT HAD NO IDEA HOW TO STOP IT. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL YESTERDAY WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS WE COULD NOT HEAR THE FAN RUNNING UNTIL WE POPPED THE HOOD TO JUMP START THE CAR.
Engine, Jun 8, 2017
ON SATURDAY 6/3/17 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A BABY SHOWER WHEN I HEARD A METAL SOUNDING NOISE TOWARDS THE FRONT OF MY CAR AFTER HITTING A BUMP. THE NOISE ONLY HAPPENED ONCE AND WHEN I PULLED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNED MY CAR OFF IT SOUNDED LIKE METAL PARTS FALLING OUT UNDER MY CAR BUT WHEN I CRAWLED UNDER MY CAR NOTHING LOOKED ABNORMAL, SO I GOT BACK IN THE CAR TO START IT AND IT WOULD NOT START. MONDAY 6/5/17 I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO KELLEY RADIATOR TO BE LOOKED AT, AFTER THEM CHECKING EVERYTHING THEY TOLD ME MY ENGINE IS SEIZED. THE OWNER OF KELLEY RADIATOR CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY MY ENGINE SEIZED, HE HAS CHECKED EVERYTHING SUCH AS FLUIDS TO MECHANICAL PARTS AND EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT GOOD. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND ENGINE FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN HYUNDAI CARS. I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI BUT NO RESPONSE . I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS ,FAITHFULLY GETTING OIL CHANGES AND I STILL OWE $12,366.67 ON THIS CAR. I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW ENGINE WITHOUT APPLYING FOR A LOAN AND REALLY CANNOT AFFORD A LAWYER SO ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 23, 2017
ENGINE STALLED TWICE DURING 35MPH DRIVE HOME THIS EVE, MAKING STEERING AWAY FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC EXTREMELY CHALLENGING AND TERRIFYING. OCCURRED ON #3 AND #4 OF 6 RIGHT TURNS.
Engine, May 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V226000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.