7.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$730
Average Mileage:
113,550 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
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problem #6

Nov 122020

Santa Fe GLS 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 250,000 miles

My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe, which has been well cared for, has a problem with stalling while driving. Most of my driving is highway driving. The Car may stall while driving at 70 MPH with out any warning. The engine shuts off for a split second, the dash lights come on, the engine restarts but with only enough power to get to the side of the road. I can keep the car moving at about 10 MPH. Sometimes this is enough to get me to a safe place. I can then turn the ignition off, and restart it. It starts back as if nothing happened.

My Santa Fe has lost power like this as many as 4 times in a 30 mile trip. For years and often, I have found myself in very dangerous situations. Imagine this happening when you are passing an 18 wheeler at 70 MPH, with vehicles behind you and another 18 wheeler behind the one that you are passing. It has happened to me and Hyundai denies any knowledge of this problem with the engine. Obviously the stalling is a problem for many. I am usually alone when it happens but many of these people had children or other passengers with them. I can't sell the car knowing it has this this problem. I have accepted that I'm stuck with this vehicle that looks nice but is really a hunk of junk.

Hyundai needs to do something before someone is hurt or killed.

- Joseph S., Sylva, US

problem #5

Jan 142021

Santa Fe ES 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,225 miles

Spring 2020 was driving to work. The traction light came on, then ABS light, then the dash lit up like a Christmas tree, followed by loss of power and then engine died on side of highway. Towed to a shop, diagnosis was alternator so I had it replaced. After alternator was replaced, still had traction light on. Took to shop and they said that the "AWD coupler" needs replacing (new around 2000 for the parts, used maybe 700) but it will drive fine as is, but will only operate as a front wheel drive. (Things are a little tight, thanks to Covid, I will fix at a later date).

About a week later, same thing, but the car dies in my garage. Canadian Tire says "it's the battery". Ok, I have heard that a bad alternator can kill a battery and vice versa, so I change it. About a month later, July 2020 we are at a lake loaded up to go home and once again, engine dies before we get on the road. I tow it to Hyundai about 30 miles away and the service centre says it is a recall issue - paint is too thick on the bolt/frame that the ground wire attaches to, thus poor connection. They grind off the paint and reconnect. Seems to have fixed the problem.

Drove to Banff and back (6 hours one way) and it has been good for 6 months. Fast forward to Jan 14th 2021 - driving home with my son from his drum lesson, dies on freeway - SAME ISSUE - TRACTION LIGHT, THEN ABS, THEN ALL LIGHTS, THEN LOSES POWER AND DIES. Luckily it's not super cold because we wait in our car for 1.5 hours before tow truck arrives. Getting pretty tired of this.

Update from Jan 15, 2021: Forgot to add that on Jan 14th I once again had it towed to a shop. This morning (Jan 15th) they boosted it and it started, let it run, no issues whatsoever. Tested with voltmeter 3 separate times throughout the day, seems good to go, they have no idea what I am talking about as everything looks to be normal, they don't know where to look. Super frustrating.

- Rene B., Martensville, SK, Canada

problem #4

Aug 012018

Santa Fe V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,000 miles

Great running 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe until a couple of months ago. Vehicle loses power like it's running out of gas. Able to drive to at speed of about 20 mph after rpms drop. Carson City Hyundai service department rep says he has never heard of such a problem and not able to duplicate problem. Last few times vehicle stalled I turned off engine then restarted engine after a minute and then resumed driving. Stalling occurs when vehicle doesn't start easily. Has stalled a few miles later or 30 miles or so after a slow start up. Slippery road icon always comes on. Don't want someone to buy this defective vehicle so suppose I'll keep driving it. Won't buy another Hyundai.

- Justin V., Carson City, US

problem #3

Dec 252016

Santa Fe

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,150 miles

2011 Hyundai Santa Fe 4DR/GLS. I've owned this vehicle since 2013 overall not many issues. I'm reporting a stalling, loss of power issue. While driving along with no warning my car just loses power, cannot accelerate speed, it has not cut off completely but slows to a crawl. This has happened sporadically but now starting to happen more frequently without any warning. This is a SERIOUS PROBLEM and could cause a major accident. I have read several complaints that have been reported regarding this same problem. Hyundai needs to issue a recall for this MAJOR PROBLEM before any accidents and/or deaths start to occur, if they have not already. Imagine while driving and not being able to give the vehicles behind you any warning that you are stopping suddenly. It's like a domino affect causing a multiple pile up accident that could be DEADLY. There is no signal to give because there is NO WARNING before losing power. HYUNDAI PLEASE LEARN FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF GMC and RECALL THIS ISSUE BEFORE IT'S TO LATE. Kindly, Frightened Driver

- Mertis W., South Bend, IN, US

problem #2

Jun 092016

Santa Fe

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Bought my 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe LTD and was so happy with the car until it stalled while I was at a red light in rush hour. Of course I first freaked out but then threw it in park and tried to re-start and it started right up and did not happen again until the end of the following week when I was approaching a stop sign, it just shut down but again started right up. Happened again 6/27 at a stop sign and now Im pissed. Called the dealer and they said they never heard of this so I e-mailed all the blogs and the reports from Car Complaint. The GM set up a service appointment to find out what the problem is but Im no opptomistic after reading other complaints that Hyundai is not finding a problem and not doing a recall. I just bought this car in May and because I drive low miles 80,000 is not hard for me to take but I sure didn't expect this. Im am ready to cancel my power train warranty and trade this car in as soon as I can. Im giving them one chance to fix and then Im getting rid of it if it starts again. Anyone have a solution out there? I really like this car otherwise.

- kksister, Chicago, IL, US

problem #1

Apr 072016

Santa Fe Limited 6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,699 miles

Fortunately, I was driving in a slow zone, however, as the car was still in motion it stalled without any warning.

This was the first time this problem happened. I went online and much to my surprise, learned this is an ongoing problem others have also experienced. My concern is, I started a new job that takes me over an hour in heavy traffic to get to. Now I am on panic mode!! How can a large company that should have customer care as their number 1 priority disregard a serious situation. I read the complaints which are the same exact concern/problem consistently occurring and Hyundai is trying to brush this serious and dangerous problem under the rug. Remember, customers make your business and excellent customer care keeps you on the road towards continuous success.

- artful63, Gilbert, AZ, US