6.3

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,956 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #9

Oct 092019

Santa Fe

  • 62,000 miles
While turning right out of a parking lot onto a two lane road, the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating for 3-5 seconds as a truck was bearing down on us. The position of the gas pedal made no difference. The engine was running at an idle with zero response from pedal input. When it did finally accelerate, it lurched forward as the pedal was pressed to the floor. We are also experiencing what could be described as a shudder when decelerating to a stop. It typically seems to occur between 20-12 mph. It feels as if the engine is stumbling or it is having trouble downshifting smoothly.

- Palatka, FL, USA

problem #8

Aug 282017

Santa Fe

  • 8,000 miles
On May 31st I purchase a new Santa Fe sport AWD 2017 - 21 days after drving the card the dashboard light where coming on for tracking control and downward shifting - when I originally called the dealership I was told maybe I went through a large puddle if they come on again call them back - within three hours of hanging up the phone the same problem started again - I called the dealership - and brought the car in they kept the car for a month stating a master technician from Hyundai was looking into it, but they see where there was an issue with the shift. But they were not able to tell me the issue but it seemed to be cured for. While I was driving last week on the highway I hear a thumping sound, I thought I had a flat tire - pulled over no flat - I proceeded to drive and the sound came back - I immediately turned around and brought it back to a local mechanic shop - the mechanic shop informed me that the right front axle and shaft joint was broken and the car was unsafe to drive - I had the car towed to the local dealership who confirmed the same issue and replaced the parts required - they informed me that it was very possible that was the reason why the dashboard lights are coming on originally - the card is branch new and did not even make three months of ownership - I contacted Hyundai originally and made a complaint for the dashboard, lights but never received a reply - I sent an additional email in regards to the new issue and informed them that they should check to see if perhaps this make and model of the card is are experiencing a manufacturing defect ----- I also informed them that I could have died if this axle failed while driving on the highway. - I think there need to an investigation into the matter before someone does end up dying

- Fishkill, NY, USA

problem #7

Aug 152017

Santa Fe

  • 2,000 miles
Car has serious, dangerous acceleration problems. It's most noticeable when turning left into oncoming traffic. Car appears to lose all power when accelerating - hanging for seconds while nothing happens. Engine hits redline all the time and it barely gains speed. Called dealer and was first told "dual clutch will learn driving style." After noting car has 2K miles was then told "the delay is a characteristic of that car." This is unacceptable and incredibly dangerous. I've almost been T-boned multiple times because of this. Googling led me to many other reports of the same issue. This vehicle needs to be recalled.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #6

Jan 252017

Santa Fe

  • 1,000 miles
I filed this report on 2/21/17 and after a few weeks it disappeared (complaint # 10956079). This is an updated version of that complaint. When making a right or left turn from a stop into traffic and the SUV hits a small patch of snow, pothole or bump in the street, the stability/ traction control will curtail the vehicle acceleration for a few seconds. This has caused a near miss rearend collision into my vehicle on three occasions. There is a button to shut the traction (acceleration) control feature off but it must be pushed each time you start the vehicle. My opinion is that the stability/traction control sensor is far too sensitive and / or the computer software needs to be revised. Hyundai motor usa and my local dealer have stated that the stability/traction control is operating as designed.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #5

Mar 182017

Santa Fe

  • 19,554 miles
During acceleration from stop or low speed turn, car has no or little response from accelerator, happens on dry pavement as well as wet, traction control light flashes.at this point there is no traction issues.reported to Hyundai dealer checked 3 times and said all was fine, not satisfied with answer I contacted Hyundai customer service and spoke to chris wells opened a case with them #10059476 on 3/15/2017.ive had phone contact with him, he said he would give it to the guys upstairs but still no satisfaction.big saftey concern!!! please help!

- Lincroft, NJ, USA

problem #4

Jan 052017

Santa Fe

  • 850 miles
When making a right, left, or U turn the power completely cuts out and the car is left drifting without power. Their is no response to pushing on the gas peddle when this happens. At the same time on the dash the orange traction control light comes on. This last for a number of seconds and then the engine starts to once again respond to the gas peddle. This problem has happened to me and my wife12 times since we purchased the car 3-1/2 months ago. The problem has occurred in all weather conditions from a standing start and a rolling yield or U turn. The problem has always occurred on a paved public, city/county, street I have had the car to two different dealers, one several times, and both tell me that their are "no codes showing" so that their is nothing that they can do. You have to experience the fright of loosing power while you're in the process of a right or left hand turn with traffic coming at you from one or both sides to appreciate how truly dangerous this car is. This is our 4th or 5th Santa Fe, up to now all of them have been great but I am afraid to drive this new car we have now.

- Fallston, MD, USA

problem #3

Apr 032017

Santa Fe

  • 1,200 miles
Hit pot hole after stop and stability control stops power to transmission...5-8 seconds of no accelaration has caused safety issue when merging into traffic. Appears to be a very common problem on user based forums.

- Morrisville, VT, USA

problem #2

Jan 172017

Santa Fe

  • 10,000 miles
During normal left hand and right hand turns and U-turns, the tc/ESC can activate and cause the engine management system to significantly reduce engine power. This happens on dry pavement, under normal acceleration. It will also happen more frequently during turns if there is a bump/pothole/road imperfection that jars the suspension. This issue is dangerous and has nearly caused accidents. I have had to pull off the road to avoid a collision from the rear because the engine had no power, the tc/ESC light was flashing on the dash. So far my attempts at the dealer to have this fixed have been unsuccessful. I am working with Hyundai Consumer Affairs to determine a solution.

- Elburn, IL, USA

problem #1

Jun 202016

Santa Fe

  • 3,000 miles
Purchased a Hyundai Santa Fe AWD turbo in May 2016, within the first 3 months the traction assist has triggered causing the power train to loos power for 10-15 seconds a total of 5 times. Each time this has happened it has been from a stop and turning onto another street and or U turn all under 30mph, have had it to the dealer 3 times and have contacted Hyundai directly and they can not find anything wrong. I can reproduce the issue if I run over part of the curb or a hard bump. I feel this is a huge safety issue if the SUV looses power for 10-15 seconds when pulling out.

- Litchfield Park, AZ, USA