2012 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 353 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 25 involved a crash and 17 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EngineDec 1, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.
Campaign 20V746000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
353 reports, newest first.
Engine, Apr 8, 2017
WAS DRIVING ON I 5 IN CALIFORNIA WHEN ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK LOUDLY. PULLED OVER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER COULD NOT VISUALLY FIND ANY REASON FOR ENGINE MALFUNCTION & SAID HYUNDAI SHOULD COVER IT DUE TO IT ONLY HAD 63,000 MILES. THEY SUBMITTED MY CLAIM AND IT WAS DENIED. I TRIED TO APPEAL BUT WAS TOLD THEIR DECISION WAS FINALE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ASTONISHED AS WAS I. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALER IT WAS AN OIL ISSUE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A LACK OF OIL BUT CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, AND YET HYUNDAI REFUSED TO HELP.
Service brakes, Engine, Apr 8, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I BROUGHT MY CAR 1 YEAR AGO I'VE BEEN DOING MAINTENANCE OIL CHANGE, TUNE UP ON MY CAR, HOWEVER IT STARTED MAKING SOME TYPE OF TICKING NOISE WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD I COULD PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE OR DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT BREAKS DOWN. I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY FOR A NEW ENGINE. I PUT 5000 DOLLARS ON THE CAR FOR A DOWN PAYMENT. IM ALSO FINANCIN IT AT THIS TIME. ALSO THE BREAKS MAKING A SQUEAKY SOUND IN I KNOW MY BREALS ARE GOOD.
Engine, Apr 7, 2017
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON THE BELTWAY AROUND DC WHEN THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN. SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SHOULDER WHERE AAA THEN CAME AND TOWED HER TO A SHOP. SHOP SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE AND WE HAD TO TAKE IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALER. DEALER SAID IT WAS A BATTERY ISSUES, REPLACED THE BATTERY AND CHARGED US FOR IT. FOUR DAYS LATER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON I-95 NORTH THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AGAIN. THE DEALER IS TELLING US IT IS NOW AN ENGINE ISSUE, WHICH WAS SOMEHOW NOT THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME. THE CHECK ENGINE AND WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON BEFORE THE FAILURE AND ALL OF THE FLUIDS ARE FULL TO STANDARD LEVELS. THE DEALER IS SAYING THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND HYUNDAI CORPORATE IS SAYING THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO FOR US. VEHICLE WAS BUILT ONLY 5 YEARS AGO, AND ONLY HAS 72,000 MILES ON IT. BECAUSE WE ARE THE SECOND OWNER, THE ORIGINAL 75,000 MILE WARRANTY NOW ONLY GOES TO 62,000. SHE OR ANYBODY ELSE AROUND HER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.
Exterior lighting, Mar 29, 2017
REAR DRIVERS TAIL LIGHT FILLING UP WITH WATER.
Engine, Mar 21, 2017
2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE PROBLEMS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE SHIFT LOCK FROZE. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JS
Engine, Jan 31, 2017
4/1/2016: DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I-40 WESTBOUND IN LAS CRUCES IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, THE CAR ENGINE DIED, BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER. CAR TOWED TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP, BUT PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED; CAR EVENTUALLY RESTARTED. 2ND ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE ON 4/11/16; NONE COULD BE FOUND. CAR STARTED TO MAKE OCCASIONAL LOUD ENGINE NOISE OVER ENSUING MONTHS. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI, AND IN OCTOBER 2016 WAS TOLD TO BRING CAR 100 MILES BACK TO LAS CRUCES, NM (BORMAN AUTOPLEX) FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS. BORMAN DIAGNOSED METAL SHAVINGS IN ENGINE (SIMILAR OR IDENTICAL TO PROBLEM FOR THE 470,000 SONATAS WITH METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE). A FULL ENGINE FAILURE AND ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS RECOMMENDED. I CONTENDED THAT THE ENGINE SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE, AS IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THE VEHICLE DYING WITHOUT NOTICE WHILE BEING DRIVEN COULD PROVE DANGEROUS OR FATAL TO THE DRIVER/PASSENGERS. THE ENGINE FAILED FULLY, AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. AGAIN, ISSUE BEGAN 4/1/2016; ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY 12/28/2016. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Sep 7, 2016, crash
AS EARLY AS LAST SUMMER, MY 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE STARTED TO (INTERMITTENTLY) ACCELERATE WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. FRANKLY, I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO THE SANDALS I WAS WEARING. I THOUGHT I WAS OCCASIONALLY STEPPING ON THE GAS AND THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME (I HAVE VERY BIG FEET -- SIZE FIFTEEN). THE PROBLEM STOPPED WHEN I SWITCHED SHOES (WHICH ALSO CORRESPONDED TO THE END OF SUMMER). THE PROBLEM CAME BACK INTERMITTENTLY THIS SUMMER AND IS NOW REPEATABLE. WHEN I AM GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL AT SPEEDS OVER ABOUT 20 MPH, THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASE WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE. IT DOES THAT WHILE IN GEAR AND WHILE IN NEUTRAL. OBVIOUSLY, IF THE DRIVE TRAIN IS IN GEAR, THE ENGINE "FIGHTS AGAINST" THE BRAKE; IF THE DRIVE TRAIN IS IN NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE REVS. IF THE ENGINE IS IN NEUTRAL OR IS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AFTER THE ACCELERATION STARTS, THE ENGINE RACES UNTIL I LET OFF THE BRAKE. IT HAS GONE AS HIGH AS 4-5 K RPM BEFORE I LET OFF THE BRAKE. ALL THAT'S REQUIRED TO GET THE CAR TO RETURN TO NORMAL IDLE IS THAT I PUMP THE BRAKE (LET OFF THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY -- I CAN IMMEDIATELY RE-APPLY THE BRAKE AND THE PROBLEM WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN). I HAVE IDENTIFIED A STRETCH OF ROAD NEAR MY HOUSE WHERE THE PROBLEM ALWAYS OCCURS. DRIVING EAST AT THE END OF WALNUT STREET AT THE INTERSECTION OF WALNUT AND BOSTON HILL CIRCLE, NEAR SOUTH STREET IN SHREWSBURY, MA 01545, IT PROBLEMS ALWAYS REPLICATES. IT ALSO ALWAYS HAPPENS AT THE BEND IN THE ROAD WHILE GOING DOWN HILL ON BOSTON HILL CIRCLE... UPDATED10/13/16 *BF ...VIDEO AVAILABLE *TR
Power train, Jun 27, 2016
SINCE PURCHASE (NEW), THE VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENTLY EXHIBITED A ISSUE WITH ITS TRANSMISSION. WHEN COLD (ORIGINALLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS BUT NOW IN THE WARMER MONTHS AS WELL), BACKING THE CAR UP AND PLACING IT IN DRIVE CAUSES A 'HARD DROP OR LOCK INTO FORWARD GEAR AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS STARTED MOVING. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTION OF THE COMPUTER MEMORY SHOWS NO ISSUES. THE PROBLEM IS INCREASING INFREQUENCY AND REGULARITY.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 27, 2016
ACCELERATING AWAY FROM STOP LIGHT, ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED FROM FIREWALL. THE VEHICLE WAS 15-20 FT. INTO A FIVE LANE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE IDLED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION SAFELY INTO A PARKING LOT. FORTUNATELY THIS HAPPENED AT 0610 ON 26 JUNE 2016 WHEN TRAFFIC WAS LITE.
Engine, Apr 26, 2016, crash, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED OF FLAMES UNDER THE VEHICLE AS BLACK SMOKE POURED FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED BRUISES ON THE FACE AND CHEST AND EXPERIENCED TROUBLE BREATHING. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Seats, Apr 20, 2016
IMPOSSIBLE TO SIT WITH BACK FULLY UP AGAINST THE SEAT BACK BECAUSE THE HEADREST PUSHES MY HEAD FORWARD SO THAT I AM LOOKING DOWN AT MY LAP INSTEAD OF STRAIGHT AHEAD. PAINFUL AND UNSAFE. I HAVE REMOVED THE HEADRESTS AND TURNED THEM AROUND.
Engine, Apr 16, 2016
WELL MAINTAINED ENGINE WITH 128,000 MILES FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. OIL PRESSURE, RPM AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES DID NOT INDICATE A PROBLEM. PISTON APPARENTLY SHATTERED AND BLEW THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE.
Steering, Mar 16, 2016
THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A "SCRAPING" NOISE WHEN TURNED. HYUNDAI SAYS THIS IS "NORMAL"; HOWEVER, UP UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE CAR NEVER MADE THIS NOISE. MY WIFE AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR ANYMORE; HOWEVER, HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. MY WIFE AND I OWN A SECOND VEHICLE THAT IS THE EXACT SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND IT DOES NOT MAKE THIS SOUND. SINCE THE STEERING COLUMN IS CRITICAL TO THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE -AND INCLUDES THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS, ETC., WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE PREMATURE DETONATION OF THE AIRBAG AND/OR SOME KIND OF STEERING FAILURE. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND WE ARE CONCERNED NOT JUST FOR OUR OWN SAFETY BUT FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL HYUNDAI OWNERS DRIVING WITH THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, WHEN I TRIED TO ESCALATE THE COMPLAINT TO HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER CARE, THE SUPERVISOR (MR. JULIO O.) REFUSED TO ESCALATE THE COMPLAINT -WHICH CAUSES ME GRAVE CONCERN THAT HYUNDAI IS OBSTRUCTING THE COMPLAINT PROCESS IN AN EFFORT TO PROTECT PROFIT MARGINS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 8, 2016
ALL EVENTS OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.BEGAN TO HAVE A INTERMITTENT NO START CONDITION AROUND THE THIRD WEEK OF JANUARY 2016. THETA 2.4 ENGINE #165130 WOULD NOT TURN OVER. A JUMP START WITH 2ND VEHICLE BATTERY SUPPLY AND JUMPER CABLES WERE NEEDED FOR ENGINE TO RUN.TESTED THE BATTERY VOLTAGE OUTPUT ON SANTA FE WITH ENGINE COLD 12.65 AND ENGINE RUNNING 13.96 TO 14.02 RANGE ALL STARTING AND CHARGING COMPONENTS WERE OPERATING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS AND NO CHECK ENGINE OR BATTERY INDICATORS ILLUMINATING. NO SIGNS OF ENGINE MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT. ON 01/29/2016 AFTER HAVING TWO MORE NO STARTS WENT AHEAD AND REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH BRAND NEW ONE. ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START.TESTED VOLTAGE ON BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, STARTER,IGNITION AND FUEL PUMP RELAYS. HAD SPARK ON ALL COILS AND FUEL. AIR FILTER WAS NEW. FELT CONFIDENT THERE WAS NO NEED TO CHECK COMPRESSION AS THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL SIGNS PRESENT. AT CERTAIN TIMES SOME ENGINE COMPONENTS DUE WEAR OUT SO I HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT THE ENGINE AND ASKED HIM TO REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. ENGINE WOULD NOT TURNOVER AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND HE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. ON 01/30/2016 CONNECTED MY OBD2 AND GOT A TOTAL OF 11 CODES, P0445,261,267,270,264,448. FIVE OUT OF FIRST ELEVEN WERE DISPLAYED TWICE EXCEPT P0448.I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A HYUNDAI AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEPT ON 02/02/2016 THE SERVICE ADVISER AT FRANK HYUNDAI ADVISED ME HIS MECHANIC PERFORMED A COMPRESSION AND LEAK DOWN TEST AND INFORMED ME ENGINE HAD LOW COMPRESSION IN 3 OUT OF 4 CYLINDERS WITH ACTIVE CODES P0223 P0445 AND P2106.ONE CYLINDERS WAS SAID TO BE BLOWING AIR UP TOWARDS VALVE COVER.I WAS TOLD THEY SUSPECTED PISTON RINGS OR CYLINDER HEAD WAS CAUSE OF ENGINE FAILURE.HAD CAR TOWED HOME. AFTER FINDING BLOWN FUSE I WAS ABLE TO START CAR BUT SHUT IT DOWN IMMEDIATELY FROM LOUD NOISE COMING FROM VALVE TRAIN ROTATING ASSEMBLY.UNKNOWN SYMPTOMS.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Jan 27, 2016, crash
I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT DOING ABOUT 5MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, TOOK ME OVER A CEMENT BARRIER, A CURB, WENT AIRBORNE, LANDED IN A BUSH WHICH IT TORE IN HALF AND TOOK WITH ME, ACROSS THE SIDEWALK AND SPUN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION BEFORE THE TIRE BLEW OFF THE RIM AND I GOT IT TO STOP. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT HAS BEEN FOR ONE MONTH AS HYUNDAI DRAGGED THEIR HEELS UNTIL I GOT ANGRY AND EMAILED THEM. TWO DAYS AFTER I EMAILED THEM I GOT THE FOLLOWING LEAVING ME WITH THE REPAIRS AS WELL AS PAYING FOR THE RENTAL FOR A MONTH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECENT CORRESPONDENCE. WE HAVE THOROUGHLY REVIEWED YOUR COMMENTS AND REGRET THE CIRCUMSTANCES YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED. WE HAVE REVIEWED THE MATERIALS PROVIDED AND INSPECTED YOUR SANTA FE. THE ENTIRE ACCELERATION SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE PEDALS AND THROTTLE, THE BRAKE SYSTEM, AND THE TRANSMISSION WERE THOROUGHLY REVIEWED AND CHECKED. WE WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY MALFUNCTIONS OR DEFECTS THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE CONDITION YOU CLAIM CAUSED YOUR ACCIDENT. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH NO WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, May 24, 2015
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, IT GOT DARK, SO I TURNED ON THE LIGHTS ( THE LOW BEAMS) I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, THEY SEEMED FINE BUT WHEN I EXITED THE FREEWAY ONTO A DARK SURFACE ROAD, I WAS UNABLE TO SEE MORE THAN 30 FEET AHEAD OF ME . THERE WAS TOTAL BLACKNESS ABOVE THE LIGHTS. THEY ARE NOT SET PROPERLY.I LOOKED ONLINE TO RESEARCH IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND I FOUND OUT THAT IT IS COMMON AND PEOPLE ARE JUST DRIVING WITH THEIR HIGHBEAMS ON TO CORRECT THIS THE LOW BEAMS ARE SET AT A TERRIBLE ANGLE, IT'S CRAZY HOW BAD THEY ARE. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AND CAN NOT USE THE LOW BEAMS AT ALL. THEY DO NOT ILLUMINATE FAR ENOUGH INTO THE DISTANCE TO MAKE DRIVING AT NIGHT , SAFE. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A DEALER 11 DAYS AGO. I DID NOT TEST DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT, HAD I DONE SO I WOULD HAVE ASKED TO HAVE THE LIGHTS ADJUSTED.I WOULD LIKE YOU TO LOOK INTO THIS, AS I BELIEVE THIS MODEL VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED TO HAVE THE HEAD LIGHT ADJUSTMENT FIXED IN ORDER TO DRIVE SAFELY AT NIGHT AND AS NOT TO BLIND OTHER DRIVERS BY DRIVING WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON.
Wheels, May 19, 2015
I WAS AT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN STATEN ISLAND THE DAY AFTER MY TIRE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THEY SAID THAT I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR OVERNIGHT TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. WHEN I RETURNED THE NEXT DAY THEY SAID THAT THE TIRE NEEDED AIR. MY TIRE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TWO MORE TIMES DURING THE TIME PERIOD THAT PROCEEDED THE SERVICE. I FILLED MY TIRE AGAIN WITH AIR THE SECOND TIME. THEN THE THIRD TIME THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT! I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THE NEXT MORNING AND THEY SENT SOMEONE TO COME AND PUT THE DOUGHNUT ON THE CAR. I THEN DROVE THE CAR TO CHARLEY'S TIRE A LOCAL TIRE REPAIR SHOP TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE TIRE. SURE ENOUGH THERE WAS A NAIL IN MY TIRE. THE TIRE WAS NON REPAIRABLE DUE TO THE TREADS BEING EXTREMELY WORN, SO $180 DOLLARS LATER I HAD A NEW COMPARABLE TIRE PUT ON MY CAR. THE TREADS ON THE OTHER THREE TIRES ARE ALSO AT RISK ACCORDING THE MECHANIC THAT REPLACED MY TIRE AT THE TIRE SHOP. THE CRAP CONDITION OF THE ROADS ON STATEN ISLAND IS NO HELP NEITHER FOR CONDITION WAS CAUSED BY A MASSIVE POTHOLE THE FORMED IN A SEWER MANHOLE COVER. TIRES ARE A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF THE FIRST TIME BY THE MECHANICS AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE MOST CAR OWNERS BRING THEIR CARS THERE TO BE MAINTAINED AND FIXED, NOT THREE TIMES AND $180 LATER BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. IF DEALERSHIP MECHANICS AND SERVICE PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BE LAZY IN THIS PRACTICE, MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE PUT IN DANGER AND GOING ELSEWHERE TO HAVE THEIR AUTOMOTIVE PROBLEMS TAKEN CARE OF PROPERLY.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Apr 28, 2015, crash
TODAY APRIL 28, 2015, MY MOTHER, DAUGHTER AND I WERE COMING HOME FROM RUNNING AN ERRAND, WHEN WE CAME TO ARE HOUSE WE PULLED UP AND WENT IN REVERSE TO PULL INTO THE DRIVE WAY LIKE NORMAL SO WE CAN PARK THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. WHEN WE PULLED IN WE WERE GOING JUST 5MPH. THEN SUDDENLY WHEN MY MOM WAS PUSHING THE BRAKE THE STOP AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. THE CAR OUT OF NO WHERE LURCHED AND CRASHED INTO ARE WASHER, WATER HEATER , AND CAUSED THE BACK WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. AN WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 3 YEARS AND ITS ALWAYS THE SAME ROUTINE, SO WERE VERY SHOOK UP ON HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN. EVEN THOUGH THIS HAPPENED AT A RESIDENT IM FILING THIS SINCE IT COULD HAPPEN ANYWHERE TO ANOTHER CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 5, 2015, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED, CAR SHUT DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY, AND RESTARTED. DURING INTERIM 20 SECONDS, ATTEMPTED TO PULL VEHICLE TO LEFT SHOULDER AS I WAS DRIVING IN FAR LEFT LANE. I FELT "ENGINE DROP" OR A FEELING WHEREAS THE CAR NO LONGER FELT POWERED, CUE THAT THE ENGINE HAD WENT OFF. POWER STEERING WENT MANUAL ALONG WITH OTHER POWER ASSIST DEVICES LIKE POWER STEERING. ON DIRT SHOULDER OF FREEWAY ATTEMPTING WITH MANUAL BRAKES AND STEERING TO BRING VEHICLE OFF ROADWAY. VEHICLE RESTARTED DURING MANEUVER. STILL MOVING AT SAFE SPEED ATTEMPTED TO MERGE BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY, HAVING NOT YET DECELERATED ENOUGH YET TO CONTINUE TO PULL OVER....CLEAR AND DRY CONDITIONS IN NORTH LA COUNTY. THIS VEHICLE HOWEVER HAS ALWAYS HAD "OVERLY RESPONSIVE" OR "VERY TIGHT" STEERING, FOR LACK OF BETTER TERMINOLOGY. I LEASED THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT FULLY REALIZE, UNTIL SOME TIME PASSED, WHAT THIS 'STEERING CHARACTERISTIC' WOULD MEAN IN THE FUTURE, IN AN EVENT REQUIRING ACCURATE AND RESPONSIVE STEERING COMBINED WITH THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. THE SUDDEN ENGINE POWER RESUMING, COMBINED WITH, WHAT THIS WRITER WOULD DESCRIBE AS "TIGHT STEERING" TO BEGIN WITH, MADE THE VEHICLE ROLL. THE VEHICLE, WITH WHAT FELT LIKE A "HIGH CENTER OF GRAVITY" ALWAYS FELT LIKE IT WOULD ROLL IF ONE WERE TO HAVE TO MOVE QUICKLY TO AVOID SOMETHING IN THE ROAD FOR EXAMPLE. I DID NOT REALIZE THIS FEATURE DURING MY TEST DRIVE. BEING A LESSEE I WAS OBLIGATED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS. THE VEHICLE ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE CROSSING 3 LANES OF AN OCCUPIED NORTHBOUND HIGHWAY 14. A SUDDEN JOLT RESULTED IN A FRACTURE OF L1 VERTEBRAE. DURING ROLL, JACK BECAME UNDONE FROM WHERE IT WAS FACTORY MOUNTED UNDERNEATH LIFT UP COVER, AND HAD NEVER BEEN REMOVED. FLAILING AROUND IN THE VEHICLE NOW WAS THIS HEAVY SCISSOR JACK BOUNCING AROUND IN THE VEHICLE COMPARTMENT WITH ME. I AM GLAD TO BE ALIVE. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 1, 2015
WHILE DRIVING A/C TURNED ITSELF ON, WOULD NOT TURN OFF WITH THE OFF BUTTON, HAD TO SELECT HEAD/FOOT AIRFLOW BUTTON TO GET SYSTEM TO TURN OFF. SECOND INCIDENT ON MARCH 30TH A/C WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK PRIOR TO ENGINE SHUT OFF, HAD TO SELECT SEVERAL DIFFERENT SETTINGS BEFORE A/C WOULD SHUT OFF. THIRD INCIDENT TODAY AGAIN A/C TURNED ITSELF ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF PRIOR TO ENGINE SHUT OFF - HAD TO AGAIN SELECT SEVERAL DIFFERENT SETTINGS TO TURN OFF A/C. *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 23, 2015
WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON AN INCLINE, VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR HAD STALLED OUT BUT THE RPM'S WERE STILL BETWEEN 1 AND 2. WHEN I PRESSED HARDER ON THE GAS THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND IS NOW HAPPENING MORE OFTEN, NOT ALWAYS ON AN INCLINE OR WHEN TEMPERATURE OR ENGINE IS COLD. TAKING TO DEALER FOR REPAIR BUT TOLD IF THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR 4 MONTHS AND WANT TO GET RID OF IT BECAUSE I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW. NOT SURE IF ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR FUEL SYSTEM BUT SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT. HOPE IT HAPPENS FOR THE DEALER SO IT CAN BE FIXED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 21, 2015, crash
FEBRUARY 20,2015 ABOUT 7:30 IN THE EVENING AS I WAS GOING UP A GRADE TOWARDS A RED LIGHT , MY CAR SURGED FORWARD WHEN I WAS BRAKING. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP UNTIL I THREW IT INTO PARK AND HAD HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I CALLED 911 TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT. THE CAR IN FRONT HAD SOME GATE CRACK. MY CAR HAD CRACKED PLASTIC UNDER THE BUMPER AND MARKS ON THE PLASTIC PART OF THE BUMPER. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 16, 2015, crash
VEHICLE INEXPLICABLY LURCHED AHEAD WHEN FOOT ON BRAKE, WENT OVER A CURB, THROUGH SOME GRASS AND INTO AND OVER A FIRE HYDRANT. WAS UNABLE TO STOP/CONTROL THE VEHICLE,. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDRIVEABLE AND AT THE BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 7, 2015, crash
ON 2/4/15, MY 2012 SANTA FE HAD AN UNEXPECTED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND ME, THE DRIVER. I HAD BACKED INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK FACING A BUSY ROAD AND WHILE RE-POSITIONING VEHICLE, GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR PROPELLED FORWARD, GOING THROUGH A 4 FOOT SNOW BANK AND INTO A STONE WALL. THE DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HIT ME DIRECT IN CENTER CHEST. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED IN ABOUT 2 SECONDS AND I HAD MY FOOT DOWN HARD ON THE BRAKE AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PUT MY LEFT FOOT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *JS IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I DID NOT HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR OTHER VEHICLE, WHICH WHEN I LATER PROCESSED THIS, WAS THE MOST FRIGHTENING PART.. AFTER GOOGLING THIS COMPLAINT, I WAS STUNNED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR INCIDENTS.