10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,968 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #10

Sep 182020

Santa Fe

  • 102,724 miles
102,734 miles and the car started to jump while driving. Felt like RPM would not shift. After multiple mechanics looked at it, confirmed the transmission was gone. Due to being a second owner, only by 1500 miles Hyundai would not cover. The 2wd were recalled, but not the AWD. Clearly there are issues with all makes. Then after fixing that the purge valve solenoid needed replaced and then the thermostat housing. What a disappointment these recalls were not active for the AWD. This was a safety issue driving on any road and we are lucky the car did not get into an accident. This started 9/18/2020 and work complete 01/05/2021

- Oconomowoc, WI, USA

problem #9

Apr 012016

Santa Fe

  • 170,000 miles
Car randomly stalls and slows down to a crawl under acceleration. Sometimes it happens when going uphill, merging into traffic. Sometimes it's just normal driving. It is very unpredictable and extremely dangerous. It has happened off and on for the last 2-3 years. Dealer is clueless.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #8

Oct 242016

Santa Fe

  • 54,000 miles
Check engine light came on and took to dealer, they check codes and said that vcm unit is going bad. Car has 54,000 miles we are original owners. Tech said that code light could be reset but if unit fails car would automatically slow from what ever speed you were doing right down to about 5-10 mph

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #7

May 032016

Santa Fe

  • 78,000 miles
1. starter gear had to be replaced and the dealer ship and was told many of these cars are having the same issue. 2. when raining and driving down city streets, or highway my car will try to stall out and the check engine light comes on then it will lose steering, rpms will fluctuate. When checked it said it was the absolute pressure sensor.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #6

Aug 302015

Santa Fe

  • 90,000 miles
Fuel sensor / gauge not working I have taken this to our Hyundai, they are aware of these issues and stated no recall has been issued. The fuel usually shows empty or 1/2 tank. Also check engine light on, masks any other issues we may have. I have also take this to other mechanics who know of this issue also. Dealer said this will cost over $500

- Goodlettsville, TN, USA

problem #5

May 012013

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • miles
Event has occurred on 2 occasions. First event: While backing up in a parking lot, with no foot on the brake, and very slight force on gas pedal, the car surged much more than typical with such a light contact with the gas pedal. The car accelerated backward suddenly, until the brake was applied shortly thereafter. Second event: While pulling into a parking spot at very low speed. The same event occurred, but this time while in forward drive. With no foot on the brake, and very slight force on gas pedal, the car surged much more than typical with such a light contact with the gas pedal. The car accelerated forward suddenly, until the brake was applied shortly thereafter.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #4

Jul 032013

Santa Fe

  • 89,453 miles
Vehicle when starting from stop, hesitates then acclerates fast. Sometimes more so left turn but also straight ahead. Almost ran through garage door because of this problem. Also last night I tried to acclerarate turning left from stop sign. Vehicle scares me, the way it is working. Appears to be getting worse. Thank you. I think this is a serious safety concern.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #3

May 082013

Santa Fe

  • 10,000 miles
I had just pulled into the driveway of a house I own that I rent; I was there to meet my tenants to discuss a couple of repairs that needed to be done in the house. I was slowing the car with my foot on the brake as I approached the end of the driveway by the side door of the house. Then I heard a sudden, extremely loud engine noise that sounded like the engine revving very fast and the car suddenly accelerated. I was propelled forward about 50 feet into the back yard and crashed into some lilac bushes directly ahead of me and into the steep dirt bank behind the bushes, which stopped the car. There is no garage and the driveway ends where the lawn begins. The front end of the car is quite damaged and the vehicle is presently in the dealer's repair garage. On the internet, my son found many reports of incidents of sudden acceleration for the Hyundai Santa Fe for my model year and for other recent years and he suggested I file this report with the NHTSA.

- Council Bluffs, NY, USA

problem #2

Sep 012010

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • 500 miles
This is a 4 cylinder gas engine. When in traffic stop and go, there is a hesitation when trying to accelerate. Sometimes this happens at a stop sign or at any time there is a low speed stop and go. It hesitates and then takes off because you naturally give it more gas because it isn't responding to the accelerator. This is dangerous, as it also happens when you pull out into traffic.

- Poinciana, FL, USA

problem #1

Aug 152010

Santa Fe

  • 25,000 miles
From stop, making left turn, lost all power momentarily, RPM dropped to idle. Pressing accelerator did nothing, finally engine came back and accelerated wildly. Very dangerous.

- Lancaster, TX, USA