2.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,947 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #11

Feb 262015

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 142,700 miles
Warning light came on while driving vehicle indicating an electrical problem. Was able to drive home, but next day car would not start due to drained battery. Battery was then recharged and car driven to local Firestone store for diagnosis. Was determined that the alternator was not working properly due to oil that had leaked from the front valve cover gasket. The alternator was heavily caked with this oil/grime. After installing new valve cover gasket and alternator today, car now runs fine. This problem seems to me to be identical to that described in Hyundai's recall number 121 which covered certain veracruz models (NHTSA campaign number 14V415000) and therefore I believe that the recall should be extended to cover at least my car and probably others.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #10

Jan 282015

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
I had a new battery installed two days earlier and car was running fine. Driving on the freeway, my battery light came on and the ESC and brake warning lights. This was about a mile from my intended exit. After the exit more lights came on and the engine started running rough. If I stepped on the brake, the tach and temperature gauges dropped to zero. As I pulled into my driveway, the engine died. I looked to see if I had broken a belt but saw it was intact. I did notice that the alternator seemed to be shiny from oil. I went online and searched for the symptoms and found that there was a recall for the veracruz with the very same symptoms caused by a leaking valve cover gasket. The recall is NHTSA campaign 14V415000. As others have stated, if it's the same engine with the same issue, it should be covered by the recall and the repairs covered.

- Tempe, AZ, USA

problem #9

Jan 102014

Santa Fe

  • 74,015 miles
I read in a previous complaint, and just personally confirmed it myself, that Hyundai issued a safety recall (NHTSA campaign number 14V415000) for 2007-2012 veracruz vehicles with the lambda mpi engine to correct an oil leak from the front valve cover gasket that saturates the alternator and causes the alternator to short out. The recall also states that "an unexpected failure of motive power while driving increases risk of a crash". the same exact thing is happening in Santa Fe's. my car shut down on me while driving 35 mph and I had to have the car towed to the dealership. I found out that my car had an oil leak from the front valve cover gasket that spilled onto my alternator and shorted out my alternator, which need to be replaced, and this ultimately killed my battery. So new alternator, new battery, and new gasket cover. This engine oil leak is so dangerous and should not be happening. There should also be a recall for this issue in Santa Fe models which have the same engine.

- Lafayette, CA, USA

problem #8

Sep 172014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
Same oil leak as proposed recall for our 2010 vera cruz with the same engine (V6).

- Huntingdon Valley , PA, USA

problem #7

Nov 012013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 81,000 miles
Symptoms: "check engine" light illuminated. "low fuel" warning light illuminated. Fuel gauge indicated nearly empty even though tank was close to half full. Cause: Fuel tank level sensor failed indicating fuel is always empty."check engine" light always illuminated.

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #6

Sep 242013

Santa Fe

  • 51,201 miles
Check engine light came on, I took it to my mechanic who informed me its the fuel sensors. The one on the fuel pump and one on the gauge. My gas gauge will fluctuate to full then empty. I was told eventually the vehicle will shut down. Costs about $500 to repair. I just purchased my vehicle 5 weeks prior as used with 50320 on the odometer. I have a limited warranty through the dealer and an extended warranty as well. Neither warranty covers this problem. I am seeing that a lot of people have the same issue with these vehicles. It is a safety issue because you don't know how much gas is in the tank plus what happens if my vehicle totally breaks down in the middle of no where.

- Middletown, NY, USA

problem #5

Jun 032010

Santa Fe

  • 26,334 miles
I own a 2007 Santa Fe Hyundai. My power system went out about three months ago. Luckily, I had just left the grocery store and was still in the parking lot. My car at the time had 26,334 miles on it. At first I thought it was the battery, but I had someone jump start my car, and after I drove it about three feet, I knew something was wrong. I couldn't steer it and coasted to a stop by a wendy's restaurant. I called my son and when he lifted the hood, he saw a round part just hanging there. I had to have my car towed to a dealer in waldorf, Maryland. Apparently, the damper pulley came apart. They replaced damper pulley and belt. I was under warranty, but I still worry about it happening again every time I have to drive it on a main highway and in a lot of traffic.

- Avenue, MD, USA

problem #4

Mar 302009

Santa Fe

  • 30,909 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. While the contact was driving approximately between 45- 50 mph, the engine stalled followed by the "check engine" warning light illumination. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to an authorized dealer where the technician informed that the failure was contributed to the output speed sensor. The failure occurred on five different times. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 30,909.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #3

Feb 212009

Santa Fe

  • 22,236 miles
I was driving to work on Saturday, February 21st on route 140 West in westminster, md. I was driving about 45 miles per hour when the car suddenly lunged forward and pulled to the right. This happened without warning and no lights came on the dashboard this time -- previously the "ESC off" light would come on. Again, this morning, February 24th on my way down a hill to work, the car felt as though it was going to stall. This time the ESC light was flickering. I believe there is a defect with the car and will report each incident. I am also sending a letter to Hyundai motor vehicles eastern region office.

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #2

Mar 072008

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to the dealer. The vehicle has been to the dealer four times and they have been unable to locate the cause of the failure. The dealer has now declared the vehicle unsafe. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 18,000. Updated 4/2/08 updated 04/02/08

- Coming, GA, USA

problem #1

Jul 052007

Santa Fe

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20 miles
I have a Hyundai Santa Fe. I have had three major issues with the car and one small cosmetic issure. The major issues have been with the structure of the car, the wheel axel, the alignment, and the engine block. All of these items have either been loose, broken, or defective. Yes, they keep fixing the car, but it's a new car. If I wanted a car that needed to be repaired weekly I would have kept or purchased an used car. I fear for my safety and the safety of my family riding in this car. We have been lucky so far that I have been able to catch these defects before we've gotten into a major accident.

- National City, CA, USA