10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 3
Average Mileage:
60,670 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #7

Oct 202010

Santa Fe

  • 15,546 miles
Incident 1: (10-20-2010) driver side head light was fogging up constantly. Dealer replaced the head light under warranty. Incident 2: (02-22-2011) upon fill-up of the gas tank, just before it was topped off, there was a series of clunking noises. After taking it to the dealership, the gas tank was replaced. Incident 3: (05-01-2011 approx.) upon removal of the cabin air filter cover, the little plastic parts that are squeezed to remove the cover broke, which wouldn't allow the cover to go back on. The dealer replaced the part and I have not yet replaced the filter yet. Incident 4: (11-12-2011) driving 60 mph down the highway, I heard a loud banging noise coming from the engine compartment. As I was pulling over to check out the situation, the car lost power steering and air conditioning! my serpentine belt broke! after it was towed, the dealer replaced it, along with belt tensioner and idler pulley! incident 5: (07-30-2012) I was coming up to a stop light and upon deceleration, the check engine light and ESC off light came on. After coming to a complete stop, the RPM gage showed 1100 RPM and it felt like the vehicle wanted to move as if I was pressing the accelerator. When I did try to accelerate, there was no power to accelerate ( the engine was still running, etc, but when I pressed the accelerator, I could only move a few miles per hour.) I pulled over and shut the vehicle off for a few minutes. I started it back up and the check engine light remained on, and I gained acceleration power. I took the vehicle to the dealership. They determined I had a faulty throttle position sensor as well as brake light switch and both were replaced by the dealer. [current mileage on vehicle after all incidents: 48,897]

- Huntley, IL, USA

problem #6

Aug 312011

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • miles
Recently while driving the car seems to hesitate then has a minor acceleration. It seems as if its about to stall but catches and accelerates or increases to original speed. This is concerning especially when it occurs during rush hour traffic. In addition, I had to replace the battery at 24, 348 miles as the car died on me twice while traveling. I purchased a battery from O'rielly auto parts as it was closer to my home. The dealer would only state that battery failure has occurred with less than 30,000 miles on the sante fe however since I didn't bring my car to them the battery is not covered under warranty. It is unbelievable that battery life is this short.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #5

Nov 202010

Santa Fe

  • 21,930 miles
While getting onto the highway from the on ramp the car began to accelerate on its own. The gas pedal began to depress itself without me doing it. The cruise control was not engaged and the floor matt was not the cause. Braking was difficult and the engine continued to rev. I pulled off the highway and stopped the engine. After telling my family about the incident my daughter told me that it had occurred twice before in the same manner about 2 months ago.

- Kingston, PA, USA

problem #4

Oct 092009

Santa Fe

  • 270 miles
Continuation of complaint 10302521. Since last service dept visit, dvd player worked fine for approx. 2 months. Now in July 2010, dvd player is back to switching to xm at random at least 1 X wk and up to 1 X day. Mostly after bumpy rds. But service dept refuses it is a loose wire. They have continually stated they do not want to tear apart steering wheel even though that and the actual player are the last areas not replaced. Srvce dept stands by intertwining radio signals, then why is it switching to xm and not picking up the random signal. Feel like I have to live with it. Srvc dept again suggested I leave car so they can search again but no guarantees. Does anyone know if there is a fix.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #3

Feb 192010

Santa Fe

  • miles
(intermittent issue)radio stays on after shutting off ignition and removing key. It shuts off briefly when car door is opened, but when you shut car door, the radio and clock come back on. I am concerned of electrical issues in my vehicle, which could potentially start a fire by remaining on. Also, my power windows, by pushing the button after the key is removed can also move up and down(intermittent issue). To try and correct the radio issue, I have removed the cable from the usb port (for ipod usage) while the car is on, turned off the engine, removed the key and the radio & clock are still on. I have reviewed websites and have not found that there are any recalls or issues. I don't know if this is part of the vehicle's features that are normal, it just doesn't seem right.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #2

Oct 092009

Santa Fe

  • 1,370 miles
Hyundai Santa Fe purchased on 12 Sept 2009. Dvd screen not functioning, could hear movie not see it. Dealership replaced screen in October 2009. Since then, the dvd rse system has intermittently changed from dvd to xm or cd at will. Rear passengers are not able to reach the dvd buttons due to age and child safety seats. Rse is locked from front controls. Dvd system continues to switch from dvd to xm or cd at least once per day causing the passengers to be blasted with high volume music. In October 2009, the internal electrical control system (for doors and windows and such) was replaced and the alarm system was reset (it kept arming itself randomly). In November 2009, the alarm system was reset again and the dvd problem was brought to mechanics attention again. Alarm system was fixed but they could not replicate the dvd problem. Took car in again 16 January 2010, was told intertwining outside radio signals and the fact I work on a military base were causing the dvd to switch. Ft sam houston, tx is mainly a medical training military base. Mechanic replicated problem but later told shop manager that he couldn't replicate the problem with out driving in town where I normally drive. Mechanic and repair shop manager stated it could not be a loose plug or wiring it was the radio signals. This occurs at random and I thought it was from bumps in the road until it continued to happen when driver was not touching the steering wheel or radio controls, at stop lights, and on smooth roads. I researched this problem and found a blog on edmunds stating Hyundai has know about this and audio problems since 2007 but nothing will fix dvd problem.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #1

Sep 042009

Santa Fe

  • 1,200 miles
My 2009 Hyundai sante fe just purchased with 50 miles on in 07/29/09, blew up on me while I was driving and totally burned the front and engine. I have an evaluation from 21st century appraisers required by geico whom diagnosed a total loss. Valuescope geico claim services market report report reference number: 42157015 adjuster: Huffman-parent, brad claim reference: 0180834550101087-01 geico C-code: Cag605 loss incident date: 09/04/2009 date submitted: 09/10/2009 insured: Lawson owner: Cleo lawson policy number: 0311588404 appraiser: Huffman-parent, brad introduction geico has conducted an inspection of your 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe 4X2 gls 4 door sports utility located in Oklahoma city, ok. The inspection information was then used to conduct research in your local market to determine the market value of your vehicle. The local market value of your vehicle was defined by the zip code 73114 -- Oklahoma city, ok the recommended settlement amount based on the loss vehicle description provided by geico is $18,369.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA