10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,248 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #10

Oct 142021

Santa Fe

  • miles
While dragging the trash can back to the house, I was approaching fence in front of the house, at a slow speed, as I applied the brakes the car started to accelerate. Pressing down harder on the brakes, it felt like stepping on a brick, with no braking taking place the car accelerated at a high rate. At this time the car crashed into the left side of the garage and continued into the cement porch taking out the fence, fill tube, and vent tube of the oil tank. At this time I push gear shift into N and turned off the engine. At this time there is damage done to house and car is now totaled with no injuries. Hate to think what would have happened if this happened at the major 4 lane intersection 1 mile from my home.

- Glen Mills, PA, USA

problem #9

Oct 012018

Santa Fe

  • miles
When applying brakes, the ABS activates on dry ground and feels like you might not stop. Car has been test driven with a computer attached to main computer and all wheel sensors are working. At this time no one can find out why this is happening. I think one day the brakes will fail.

- Glen Mills, PA, USA

problem #8

Apr 282014

Santa Fe

  • 148,200 miles
At low speeds the brakes lock up and the car goes into a jerking motion while approaching a stop light and while going into a store parking lot. The car is hard to steer and stop and the brakes must be depressed harder than normally required. This happens when the car gets wet but also during dry times. The ABS light has been coming on.

- Monroeville, NJ, USA

problem #7

Aug 112016

Santa Fe

  • 153,778 miles
On 6/17/14 my cars front right wheel fell off. I found two recalls on the internet for the front and rear suspension system. The car was towed/repaired for $782. In July 2014, Hyundai made an inspection of the work. I asked for reimbursement for the recall but was declined as not being within a campaign. Recently, the rear brakes, rotors, and caliper were replaced (for the second time)..afterward, a noise I heard became louder. On 8/11/16 the noise was diagnosed. It was found that new shocks were needed, and "rear passenger lower control arm is starting to rot from rust and cause noise." I was told to have it repaired by Hyundai. I bought the car from national auto sales in glassboro, NJ. Hyundai apparently did not know I am the owner of the car, and I never received any recall notices from Hyundai. The vehicle has had engine and sensor problems and many others. I want to avoid another accident. Hyundai should repair recall #NHTSA 09V123000 free of charge. The front suspension is now campaign 124 as of 10/16/14, four months after the accident. I am seeking reimbursement for the cost of $782 to have my vehicle towed and repaired. Please urge Hyundai to recognize a campaign for the rear suspension for my vehicle so that I can have this additional situation rectified to prevent an accident from taking place again.I believe that almost all of the repairs to the Hyundai I own have been recalled and I should not have had to pay. I understand that it was found that cars manufactured in Alabama were all part of many recalls and obviously other plants vehicles are too. The expenses should not have been my responsibility. The repairs cost roughly $5600 since November 2011 when I bought the car.for $5000. The air conditioner as well never worked. That repair would cost another 400.00.

- Monroeville, NJ, USA

problem #6

Aug 012015

Santa Fe

  • 172,000 miles
The ABS system light has turned on. It happened before the above date, stopped coming on, and now has returned. I put brake fluid in the little compartment under the hood. The light goes out temporarily. Pep boys told me the problem is ABS related. Also, a very costly job. The car also has a problem accepting gas. I have been told that the gas may be pouring into the tank too fast at the station and splashing on the side of the tank making the pump think it is full. Pep boys told me that it is a problem with evaporation and that it is a very costly job of roughly $1000. America should be a more ethical and moral country. The consumer should not be "ripped off"" after choosing to purchase a used vehicles. Foreign cars should not be allowed into this country when they have defects. All used vehicles should have to conform to state inspections and garage inspections before offering it to the consumer. Consumers should get a clean bill of health from the dealership about the car. Money is so precious and rare. Why are we expected to spend it on a "lemon?" I went to a used car dealership and the car had a multitude of problems that were not revealed. I paid far too much for a used car with problems. I have made a lot of repairs. I re-purchased the car in repair costs. Cars are not like clothing whereby you try it on and if it doesn't fit you don't buy it. A car should undergo intense inspection by the state before a dealership can put it on their lot. The inspection should create more validity about the amount charged for a used car. It would be a good way to spend taxpayer dollars, given the current cost of taxes.

- Monroeville, NJ, USA

problem #5

Feb 012014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 13,500 miles
In reference to another complaint, 10670197: The ABS tone rings, the toothed wheels on the end of the axle, rust and crack. This is what causes the intermittent pump activation and unsafe braking condition. I too have noticed that this situation has caused recalls on newer vehicles but not the 2002. This may be due to the fact that the ABS was introduced late in 2002 and may be 2003 equipment.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #4

Jul 042014

Santa Fe

  • 145,000 miles
Shortly after having a complete brake overhaul (rotors, calipers, pads, shoes, etc) started experiencing the ABS/trac control lights randomly coming on and off. Had to mechanic and found no fault issues. Lights continued to randomly come on and off, at different speeds and braking. Shortly thereafter, started hearing the ABS motor run with and without the lights coming on. Tapping the brake pedal stopped the ABS motor/pump from running and would eliminate what appeared to be eliminated the pump resetting itself. Approximately 3 months ago, the issue affected braking distances, in hat you may be stopping at a light or stop sign and the ABS motor would activate, even on dry pavement and significantly increase stopping distance. This has almost caused an accident on multiple occasions, not only with other vehicles but when pulling the car into my, or a shops' garage. Having been researching I have found numerous complaints of 2002 Santa Fe's having the same issues, and have found that Hyundai has issued service bulletins that are ABS associated, but there has been no action to recall or fix the issues. I do not understand why there hasn't been a recall, as there have been recalls for what appears to be the same issue on later year vehicles, so it would appear that this is a systemic problem with the Santa Fe model ABS braking systems.

- Marinette, WI, USA

problem #3

Mar 262014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 27 mph, the contact heard an unusual noise inside and outside the vehicle. The brake, traction control, and ABS warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by two different private mechanics. Both mechanics offered different opinions of what caused the failure. The front brakes or the front driver side coil springs could be the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 14V435000 (suspension) because the contact did not receive the second recall notification. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unavailable...updated 11/12/14

- Medford, MA, USA

problem #2

Sep 012013

Santa Fe

  • miles
The ABS system is activating randomly, increasing the length of a stop. It will activate at 0mph (stopped) or any speed; the indication is the pump running and a vibration in the brake pedal. I determined that the problem is that both front ABS reluctor (toothed wheels) rings are broken. The system (ABS, tracs) fails completely as indicated by the dash monitor, at a sustained 50mph or higher. Searching on the internet, I found that this is a common problem with some vehicles. However, since it is due to corrosion, it can take an long time to appear. Contacting Hyundai, they indicated that the vehicle was out of warranty and therefore not covered. I cannot even find out how to replace the rings in the factory shop manual, though they appear to be heat shrunk on. If needs be, I will repair the existing rings with a spot welder or new rings but do think that this was a factory default and should be covered by Hyundai. Thank you

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #1

Apr 012013

Santa Fe

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 12 mph and approaching a traffic stop, the brake pedal began to vibrate with a whining noise upon engagement. There was a voluntary recall issued by the manufacturer related to the ABS however, the contact's VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Kinnelon, NJ, USA