10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
98,958 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 #10

Jan 102019

Santa Fe

  • 114,000 miles
Was driving on highway and my 2.4L engine just stopped and it was towed home the timing belt is chewed up. From my understanding this is happening to a lot of these engines the 2.4L

- Saint Albans, WV, USA

problem #9

Jun 012018

Santa Fe

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn and there was an abnormal odor of fuel inside the vehicle. In addition, the contact had to add air to the four tires and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the suspension and axle needed to be repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #8

Feb 152018

Santa Fe

  • 12,000 miles
The belt that runs the alternater has broken twice and continuously is squealing it wont keep speed when going up hill and wont let battery charge correctly to keep running will stop when it is being ran

- Glen, WV, USA

problem #7

Aug 112016

Santa Fe

  • 153,778 miles
On 6/17/14 my cars front right wheel fell off. I found two recalls on the internet for the front and rear suspension system. The car was towed/repaired for $782. In July 2014, Hyundai made an inspection of the work. I asked for reimbursement for the recall but was declined as not being within a campaign. Recently, the rear brakes, rotors, and caliper were replaced (for the second time)..afterward, a noise I heard became louder. On 8/11/16 the noise was diagnosed. It was found that new shocks were needed, and "rear passenger lower control arm is starting to rot from rust and cause noise." I was told to have it repaired by Hyundai. I bought the car from national auto sales in glassboro, NJ. Hyundai apparently did not know I am the owner of the car, and I never received any recall notices from Hyundai. The vehicle has had engine and sensor problems and many others. I want to avoid another accident. Hyundai should repair recall #NHTSA 09V123000 free of charge. The front suspension is now campaign 124 as of 10/16/14, four months after the accident. I am seeking reimbursement for the cost of $782 to have my vehicle towed and repaired. Please urge Hyundai to recognize a campaign for the rear suspension for my vehicle so that I can have this additional situation rectified to prevent an accident from taking place again.I believe that almost all of the repairs to the Hyundai I own have been recalled and I should not have had to pay. I understand that it was found that cars manufactured in Alabama were all part of many recalls and obviously other plants vehicles are too. The expenses should not have been my responsibility. The repairs cost roughly $5600 since November 2011 when I bought the car.for $5000. The air conditioner as well never worked. That repair would cost another 400.00.

- Monroeville, NJ, USA

problem #6

Jul 192016

Santa Fe

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 60 mph, a loud sputtering noise emitted from the engine. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #5

Aug 012014

Santa Fe

  • 145,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving at 10 mph, the vehicle auto accelerated without engaging the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

- Sutherland, VA, USA

problem #4

Sep 152012

Santa Fe

  • 139,807 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated there was a burning odor coming from the front intermittently as the steering wheel began shaking. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,807.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

problem #3

Nov 262014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
Tire blow out service tech found rotted out engine cradle.

- Coventry, CT, USA

problem #2

Jun 122013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 71,000 miles
When ever the under engine gets wet the car turns off and the brake light and oil lights come on. When it stops I can't turn the wheel and it locks up. I was driving on interstate in the rain and the car started jolting that the car was off then on then off then on again. I had no control of the car in the torrential rain going 60 miles an hour. Whenever it rains or if I go through a puddle of water this has happened again and again. When I took it to the auto dealer that I bought the car from, I was told that normally there is an engine undercover but there is not one on my car nor was there ever one put on by the manufacturer. Having no engine undercover causes the car to stall out whenever water is splashed up onto the engine. This causes the belt to ajar and that stops electrical from flowing to the car and therefore it stalls out at very dangerous times; like driving in traffic or driving on the interstate. No engine undercover is available and therefore the problem can not be fixed. What do I do about this dangerous behavior of the car??

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #1

Apr 262013

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
My car just stopped while driving the lights still worked as did the radio it then restarted after a few minutes....I changed the camshaft sensor and that seemed to fix it for a time then it started to happen again after a heavy rain...I love my car that I just got used but if it keeps doing this it is not safe for anyone on the road...please help

- Paducah, KY, USA