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.
Service brakes, Mar 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL SPONGY FEELING WHEN DEPRESSED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN BRAKING POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V613000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 18, 2014
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO THE COMPLAINT I MADE ON 5/13/2013. AT THAT TIME MY VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP TO TRY TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM I HAD BEEN HAVING WHICH WAS THAT MY CAR WOULD RANDOMLY STALL WHILE MAKING A TURN, WHETHER LEFT OR RIGHT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE PANEL WOULD LIGHT UP LIKE CHRISTMAS AND EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE BRAKES WOULD CEASE TO WORK. I HAVE TO COAST TO A SAFE LOCATION (IF POSSIBLE) TO TURN OFF CAR AND THEN RESTART IT. I HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE THAT ME OR MY FAMILY HAVE NOT BEEN HIT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. UPDATE TO LAST REPORT: MY CAR STAYED AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 3 WEEKS HOWEVER THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DUPLICATED. THEIR SOLUTION (HYUNDAI USA AND MY DEALERSHIP) WAS TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ON 1/19/2014. I DON'T THINK HYNDAI USA WILL BE SATISFIED UNTIL THERE'S FATALITIES UNFORTUNATELY. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 22, 2013
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, VEHICLE DROPPED SPEED WHILE I ACCELERATED. IT COASTED ALONG AT 1-2 MILES AN HOUR. THE CHECK ENGINE, ANTILOCK BRAKE AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE 'SKID' INDICATORS ALL LIT UP ON THE DASH BOARD. I HAD TO GUIDE THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER CLEARING A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOUR ADDITIONAL TIMES AFTER THE DEALERSHIP ASSURED ME THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN RECTIFIED. IT IS PRESENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER HAVING BEEN TOWED IN FOR THE FIFTH (5TH) TIME. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. *TR
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Nov 20, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY HYUNDAI 2011 SANTE FE AT ABOUT 30 MPH ON A CITY ROAD. SUDDENLY, I FELT THAT I WAS CUT OFF, THERE WAS NO CONTROL ON BRAKE OR THE STEERING WHEEL (BOTH WERE TOO HARD TO OPERATE). SO, ALL I COULD DO WAS TO DRIVE STRAIGHT, AND I WAS LITERALLY CROSSING SOME BUSY STREETS (LUCKILY, THERE WERE NO CARS WHEN I WAS CROSSING THESE STREETS) ON RED SIGNALS, WITH MY BLINKERS ON. LUCKILY, MY CO-PASSENGER KEPT COOL AND SUGGESTED IF I COULD OPERATE MY PARKING BRAKE, AND I TRIED THIS, AND MY CAR SLOWLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AT THIS MOMENT, I PUT MY CAR ON PARK, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON, I DROVE BACK TO A SAFE PLACE (IN A MILE), CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND GOT IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND NO MAJOR BREAKDOWN (!!!) OR ANY INACTIVE LOG ON THE CAR COMPUTER (!!!), ONLY REPLACED A BRAKE LIGHT (WHICH WAS UNDER RECALL FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS) AND DECLARED THE CAR TO BE 'SAFE TO DRIVE'. IT IS STILL VERY SCARY TO DRIVE THE CAR (IT HAS BEEN ABOUT A WEEK NOW AFTER THIS INCIDENT), BUT NOT SURE IF HYUNDAI WILL HAVE AN ANSWER TO THIS. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 18, 2013
NOTE: IT IS AT PRETTY MUCH ALL SPEEDS AND NOT JUST 55 THAT THE VARIATION CAN BE SEEN BETWEEN DEVICES AND THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THIS USED WITH 29K MILES ON IT. I NOTICED ON THE DRIVE BACK FROM MD TO PA THAT THE SPEED ON THE SPEEDOMETER WAS DIFFERENT THAN MY TOMTOM GPS. A FRIEND WAS DRIVING IN A SEPARATE CAR AND SO I CALLED THEM AND TRIED TO IDENTIFY THEIR SPEED TO MINE AND IT SEEMED OFF TO THEIRS AS WELL. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO TO ASK THEM TO ADJUST THE SPEEDOMETER TO WHICH I WAS TOLD IT CANNOT BE ALTERED. WELL HERE I AM OVER A YEAR LATER AND EVERY SINGLE GPS BASED SYSTEM I HAVE PUT INTO MY CAR, ANOTHER TOMTOM, MY SONS GARMIN, MY WIFE'S GARMIN, MY NEW GARMIN AND MY PHONE ALL ARE IN SYNCH WITH EACH OTHER. THE PROBLEM IS THAT MY SANTA FE IS ALWAYS STATING I AM TRAVELING ABOUT 3 MPH FASTER THAN ALL THESE OTHER DEVICES. IF THIS IS THE CASE THEN THIS WOULD SHOW A HIGHER NUMBER OF MILES BEING DRIVEN THAT WHAT IS ACTUALLY OCCURRING. I DRIVE 20-25K MILES A YEAR AND THIS WOULD MOST DEFINITELY ADD UP OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE THUS SHOWING ME TO BE OUT OF WARRANTY SOONER THAN WOULD BE EXPECTED. WHY DOES EVERY ELECTRONIC DEVICE SHOW THE SAME SPEED BUT MY CAR IS TELLING ME I'M GOING FASTER? *TR
Engine, Nov 1, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED 10-15 MPH AND BRAKING THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLED, ONCE WHILE TURNING LEFT AND ONCE WHILE GOING STRAIGHT. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND NARROWLY AVOIDING HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NO CODES STORED. *TR
Engine, Oct 31, 2013
MY ENGINE HAS STALLED AT SEVERAL OCCASIONS BEGINNING AROUND APRIL 2013. THE FIRST 2 EVENTS HAPPENED AS I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR TO GET IT MOVING AGAIN. THE CAR HAS ALSO STALLED TWICE WHILE I WAS REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND ONCE AS I WAS TURNING A CORNER I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING FUNCTION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. AS RECENTLY AS OCTOBER 2013 THE CAR STALLED AGAIN WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. ALL OF THESE EVENTS HAPPENED AS I WAS STOPPED OR MOVING AT A LOW (LESS THAN 10 MPH) RATE OF SPEED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 27, 2013
VEHICLE HAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC WHEN DRIVING UNDER 10MPH AND ALSO WHEN AT A STANDSTILL AT A FOUR WAY INTERSECTION. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP 5.13.2013 AND A THROTTLE BODY PART WAS ORDERED AND INSTALLED 5.21.2013. VEHICLE AGAIN STALLED TWICE AT LOW SPEED AND ON 10.11.2013 (MILEAGE 37,710) AN ECM UPGRADE WAS DONE. YESTERDAY,10.26.2013, THE CAR STALLED AGAIN. *TR
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
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Sep 19, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING AREA AT 10 MPH, THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE AS THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A CRASH HOWEVER, CRASHED INTO AN ICE EMBANKMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO BOTH HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) LETTER WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Structure, Sep 4, 2013, crash
FIRST OF ALL I KNOW OUR 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IS NOT MADE IN USA, IT IS A KOREAN 2.4 L, 7 SEATER BOUGHT IN PANAMA. I WROTE TO THE HYUNDAI COMPLAINT WEBSITE AND THEY VERY POLITELY ANSWERED THAT THE CAR WAS A NON-US MODEL AND THEY SENT ME A LINK TO A WEBSITE WHERE I COULD FILE THE COMPLAINT. I DID IT BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN ANSWER, YET. MY FIRST PROBLEM AFTER THE CRASH WAS THE UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS FOR REPAIRING THE CAR. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH OUR LOCAL CONSUMER AUTHORITY HERE IN PANAMA. OUR CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR MORE THAN 9 MONTHS, ITS RUNNING NOW BUT STILL SOME PARTS MISSING. THE ISSUE IS THAT AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK FROM THE SHOP I RECEIVED A CALL FROM OUR LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER (PETROAUTOS) TELLING ME ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN OF THE FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH (JUST AS IN THE US MODELS) AND THAT I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. SO I LOOKED UP IN INTERNET AND I FIND SEVERAL RECALLS RELATED TO THE BRAKES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE SWITCH. SO IM WONDERING IF THIS WAS RELATED TO THE CRASH BECAUSE I ALWAYS HAD MY DOUBTS OF WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I BRAKED THAT DAY. FINALLY THERE WAS A CRASH AND ALTHOUGH I KNOW THIS MAY ONLY BE FOR YOUR INFORMATION OR FILES, AND THAT YOU CAN'T HELP ME; PLEASE TAKE THIS INTO ACCOUNT FOR YOUR EVALUATIONS. THANKS.
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
Visibility, Aug 14, 2013
MY DAUGHTERS AND I PULLED INTO OUR DRIVEWAY, PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. BEFORE GETTING OUT, THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF AND TOOK A CHUNK OF GLASS FROM THE WINDSHIELD. MY CAR STILL HAS MANUFACTURE WARRANTY, SO I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MONDAY JULY 29. I WENT TO BURLINGAME HYUNDAI WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID "NO WAY DID THAT MIRROR FALL OFF. HYUNDAI WON'T COVER IT." I THEN CALLED HYUNDAI CORPORATE WHO SAID IT'S UP TO THE SERVICE PERSONNEL TO DECIDE IF THE WARRANTY COVERS THE WORK. THEY SUGGESTED I TAKE THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. I WENT TO SERRAMONTE HYUNDAI AND THEY SAID THAT MY MIRROR WAS NOT ORIGINAL MANUFACTURE INSTALLED MIRROR AND WOULD NOT COVER THE COST TO REPLACE THE GLASS.I THEN WENT BACK TO ENTERPRISE CAR SALES WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THEY DETERMINED IN THEIR RECORDS THAT THE MIRROR WAS ORIGINAL AND NOT REPLACED. ENTERPRISE TALKED TO SERRAMONTE HYUNDAI ABOUT WARRANTY REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER THEY ALSO SAID "THE MIRROR CAME OFF WITH A FORCEFUL PULL." I AM COMPLAINING THAT THE GLASS AND OR GLUE USED ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR CAUSED THE MIRROR TO FALL OFF AND DAMAGE THE WINDSHIELD. I BELIEVE THE HYUNDAI WARRANTY SHOULD REPLACE IT. I DID NOT PULL IN ANY FASHION ON THE MIRROR. I HAVE READ VIA GOOGLE SEARCH THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE IN VARIOUS CAR MAKES. THIS OCCURRENCE IS NOT THE FIRST TIME A MIRROR HAS FALLEN OFF THE GLASS LEFT A CHUNK OF GLASS MISSING. IT IS MOST LIKELY A GLASS MANUFACTURE DEFECT. PLEASE HELP MAKE HYUNDAI HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. *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
Fuel/propulsion system, May 29, 2013
I BOUGHT THE CAR IN LATE MARCH 2013 AND THE MILEAGE WAS AROUND 50,800. EVERY SINCE THEN IT PERIODICALLY HESITATES TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS ROLLING FORWARD VERY SLOWLY. IN EVERY CASE THE GAS PEDDLE (THROTTLE) IS FULLY RELEASED AND WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PEDDLE, NOTHING HAPPENS. THE MOTOR DOES NOT SPEED UP, THE THROTTLE IS NOT ENGAGING ANYTHING. SEVERAL TIMES I PUSHED THE PEDDLE HALF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THEN ALL AT ONCE, IT CATCHES, AND THE CAR TAKES OFF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE CAR IS NOT "CODING" SO THE BRUNSWICK, GA HYUNDAI DEALING WILL NOT REPAIR WHAT IS WRONG. AND NATURALLY IT HAS NOT HAPPENED THE FEW TIME THEY HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR. THIS IS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD RESULT IN DEATH WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP ON TO A BUSY ROAD. IT IS NERVE RACKING TO THINK, THIS MIGHT BE THE TIME THE CAR WON'T MOVE! I TOOK A QUICK LOOK AT THE DATA BASE OF COMPLAINTS AND THIS SAME COMPLAINT IS IN YOUR DATA BASE. AGAIN IT IS A PERIODIC HAPPENING WHICH MAKES IT MORE DANGEROUS. *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, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, May 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVEN OCCASIONS, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF DRIVE INTO REVERSE OR NEUTRAL UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED WAS NOT MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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
Steering, Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 13, 2013
SINCE I RECEIVED MY SUV IN 2011 I'VE EXPERIENCED 3 VEHICULAR CUT-OFFS WHILE DRIVING. THE CUT-OFF ALWAYS OCCURS DURING A SLOW MOVING TURN, WHETHER GOING LEFT OR RIGHT. I WOULD START TURNING OR SWITCHING LANES IN ONE CASE AND THE CAR WILL STALL. ALL PANEL LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, THE STEERING WOULD SHUT-DOWN SO I CANT CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES SHUT-DOWN AS WELL. I HAVE TO COAST TO A STOP AND PLACE IN PARK. THIS IS A VERY VULNERABLE SITUATION WHERE I'VE BEEN AT THE MERCY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THANK GOODNESS THAT MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WASN'T IN THE VEHICLE ANY OF THE TIMES. THE SUV ALWAYS STARTS BACK UP AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT A MINUTE. THIS PROBLEM IS SO RANDOM AND THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS, IT'S JUST HAPPENS. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT PERHAPS THEIR COULD HAVE BEEN AIR IN THE GAS LINE, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS TO BE TRUE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD LESS THEN A QUARTER TANK OF GAS, THE SECOND ABOUT A HALF TANK AND THE LAST A FULL TANK. CURRENTLY MY CAR IS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY'RE HOPING THAT THEY CAN ONCE AGAIN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY'VE HAD IT FOR 6 DAYS SO FAR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY DECELERATED TO 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER UPDATED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE ACCELERATOR BLOCK WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED HOWEVER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
Exterior lighting, Apr 29, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
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