9.1

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
77,700 miles
Total Complaints:
11 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (11 reports)
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problem #11

Mar 032019

Santa Fe 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

When I get in the car to start it up, it starts right away, then it will stall-out after five seconds. It will continue to do this forever. When the battery goes dead put in a new one and it will do the same thing. I hope somebody has the same problem out there - well I hope they don't, but it is worth a try. Thanks.

- Debbie M., St. John,s, NL, Canada

problem #10

Aug 012019

Santa Fe SE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,662 miles

My Santa Fe engine light and awd light came on and then off two days ago. I went to the dealer and they could not find an issue. All fluids are normal. It has been hotter than normal, but that should not be an issue. It worked fine for a period of time (1 1/2 days). It automatically began to stall whenever I took my foot off of the gas in intersections, stop signs and driving at slower speeds without any notice whatsoever. I was fortunate enough to make it home.

- Darryl M., Kentville, NS, Canada

problem #9

Jan 212018

Santa Fe Limited 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

This is a significant problem that can result in injuries. I need my car in good condition to go to work. Anyone have suggestions?

- denisseo, Florida, US

problem #8

Oct 082017

Santa Fe Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,500 miles

ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPS SEVERAL TIMES, VERY DANGEROUS.

- Min S., Bolingbrook, US

problem #7

Aug 212017

Santa Fe Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,672 miles

When making a right turn from stop sign my car stalled in front of other cars trying to move through intersection. Lucky I did not cause fender bumper, but this problem could be hazardous when attempting to change lanes and accelerate at the same time on freeway. Imagine traveling on freeway in slow moving traffic and car stalls as you pull into faster lane and attempt to accelerate.

This is a serious safety hazard and needs fixed immediately. My dealer Tuttle Click in Irvine Ca will not acknowledge problem because technician could not simulate. And that is a bunch of crap after paying them $2000 for their extended warranty when car was purchased.

Since this occasional problem occurs with no prior warning the car computer needs to be under 24/7 monitoring so the repair techs can analyze historical data after problem occurs in order to diagnose problem.

- normsmith777, Orange, CA, US

problem #6

Nov 022015

Santa Fe MP 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

The past few years, the engine stalls while driving. it is random and happens when damp out. the issue is becoming progressively worse. I had it in to the mechanic who scanned and found no code errors, electrically looks good. I called a Hyundai dealer who said he has no knowledge of this issue and to bring it in. After reading the complaints on engine stalling on 2010 and 2011 models; i am fearful of being charged for a non-fixable issue.

It is very startling and lights will go off, cruise kicks out, but then restarts itself - however, then recently the engine light is staying on when I am driving at an even speed, but will go off when I accelerate.

- nlange, Richfield, WI, US

problem #5

Nov 012016

Santa Fe GLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

2/17/2017 bought used 2010 santa fe the car stalled while going down hill. wife heading to work thank GOD SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP SAFELY to restart car. 2 1/2 weeks later it stalled again at first we thought it may be a fluke but after this second time we headed straight to dealer 11/13/16 GSM should be contacting us tomorrow. while keep posting progress as it happens. pholla

Update from Nov 15, 2016: according to Future Hyundia there is nothing wrong with this car (it wasn't driven around town just hookup to diagnostic machine) not simulating real world situations. Not very happy with customer service. we decided to trade in car rather than play the odds with safety & possible loss of life, hope the is scraped. Pholla 11/15/2016

- pholla, Antioch, CA, US

problem #4

Feb 132015

Santa Fe SW V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,700 miles

My Santa Fe 'shut off' while I was driving. No electricity at all. No warning signs. No illuminated problem indicator's on the dash board. Just shut off. I thank god I was only driving 30 miles an hour and no one was behind me. Coasted to the side of the road and waited for 10 minutes. It did start back up, however, I spent all day Saturday calling my car dealer. Trying to get some answer's. Nothing. No one knows. The only suggestion that was offered was that the dealer would need my car for several days to try and trouble shoot the problem. Would result in a a hefty bill. I AM VERY CONCERNED. NOT CONFIDENT THAT MY CAR WON'T JUST SHUT OFF AGAIN. Sure hope others see this major problem and post.

- Elaine D., Telford, PA, US

problem #3

Aug 122012

Santa Fe Limited 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles

Since 2012 I have been dealing with this problem. Car has stalled while driving on multiple occasions. I have been very lucky so far that I haven't been in an accident yet. Once, when I was driving making a right turn the car just stalled and I lost power, If there was a parked car on the corner I would have hit it.. I have stalled on the expressway, stops signs, and while driving into intersections when it stalls. I don't feel safe driving this vehicle.

I bring it to dealership, it needs computer updates. It needs lamppost switch and more computer updates. They changed the gas throttle body twice already. More computer tests, add VCM codes. Then they tell me even after more updates for the final recall on the computer for July 2014 that this should take care of it. Bullshit, it stalled 7 times within 4 days after getting the so called fix of all fixes to take care of this problem. I have filed 3 cases with their Hyundai customer services. I even had it sent to regional office. I don't feel safe driving this car.

Now, I await tomorrow to hear from dealership manager and regional manager what they are going to do for me. This is the FIFTH time for the same sh*t. They even went as far as blaming the tech for not installing the programs right. If I had known about all these problems I would never buy a Hyundai again.

Update from Oct 23, 2014: Just to give you an update about my vehicle. While traveling upstate to Albany my check engine light turned on. so I called my sister who lives there to find me the closest service center. They check it and tell me that it they will install the new computer updates that should fix this, it just was send to all dealers in july 2014. Well when I returned home the next day, it stalled 7 more times within 4 days all while driving once almost getting me into an accident turning left into intersection at light car turned off on me. So I have the car towed to dealership and after finally some techs looked at it they realized I needed a new engine with only 52,000 miles on it. They had my car for a month. Now I am getting terrible mileage on this car. I complained over and over and the best costumer servicer can offer me is free oil changes for 4 years and $200.00 voucher for future service. Hyundai sucks. I urge people not to buy there cars. More headaches then it is worth.

- sheriff, Glendale, NY, US

problem #2

Jun 282014

Santa Fe GLS 4 cyl 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

I was passing a fully loaded logging truck when I got parallel to the door of the truck I completely lost all power. I am sure had I gotten around the truck and this had happened both my husband and I would be dead because there would have been no brake lights to warn the truck and no way for him to slow down before hitting us.

- fish9138, Winona, MN, US

problem #1

Jun 112014

Santa Fe 3.5L 6 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,828 miles

I bought this vehicle with about 11,200 miles on it in December of 2010 it was a "dealer buyback" from S. Carolina but I was assured by the dealership that the buyback was just to "keep the customer happy" and no problems had been found after three checks by the dealership in SC. The owner had complained about transmission issues at about 20 mpg.

I have done all scheduled maintenance and driven the vehicle without problem until yesterday afternoon; I should add it was in for a major 30,000 mile going over exactly a week ago for which I was charged $500+.

I was making a left turn from a busy street onto a side street when suddenly, and without warning, I had no steering and no brakes. Luckily there was no on-coming traffic and I was able to make the turn as the vehicle continued to move forward under its own momentum but it was with a lot of difficulty. It all happened so fast! I was able to restart the car and it wasn't until I got home I realized what a dangerous experience I had just dealt with.

It went back to the dealer this morning and they gave it a check-over (or so they said) and of course they found nothing. The attitude of the person I dealt with seemed "dismissive" as if I were making a fuss over nothing and I was told "if it happens again we'll have to go further" (with trying to diagnose the problem). I remarked the "next time" I might be dead or badly injured and they'd be looking at a law suit.

I came home and filed a complaint with the National Highway Traffic safety Administration at (800) 424-9393 and I urge everyone else to do the same; it didn't take long and when they get enough complaints about the same problem they will force a re-call.

- mdme belle, Fond Du Lac, WI, US