10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,597 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

Mar 012022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Emergency brake light does not turn off even when not used, since I finalized the vehicle when I fill the gas tank up the car doesn-??t want to start unless you rev the engine giving it some power, recently the vehicle has been not turning off after keys out of ignition unless pressing on the gas to kick start the engine turn off.

- Snohomish, WA, USA

problem #8

Oct 012020

Santa Fe

  • miles
I have been getting electrical shocks from my car around the well of the drivers side. I have been told that there are 7 service bullitans on the car. I have had to go to urgent care and the emergency room over this and the doctor was worried that I may have nerve damage to my foot over this. I was told that this was related to the accelerator control/engine control module. I have been trying to get help with this and Hyundai will not return my calls. I have wound up in the hospital over this and feel that this is highly unfair. This is dangerous.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #7

Mar 112016

Santa Fe

  • 125,000 miles
I purchased this vehicle from used dealer in March 4,2016 despite not wanting to but had little choice after dealer sold the car I put money down on that day for cash while I wad retrieving the last document she sent ne home for when, I returbedvmy car was gone and the car in stuck in now is this Hyundai with a very shaky front end that rattles and literally skips off the road into the shoulder if in not very careful, my mechanic days its the strut on driver side, additionally the air bag light stays onbat all times and I just failed a safety inspection foe this vehicle and can not be allowed to drive fir lyft or number until its repaired I already had to fix brake lights tires battery and other safety issues on this car in addition to 1400 in air conditioning system estimates to, learn it was merely a electrical connection to the compressor as it appears to be the case fir dozens of others with no cold air on this car model see axil adaddicrepair comments on 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe ac blowing hot air. So im very upset Hyundai will not even look to see why my air bag light is on despite a known, issue with air bags and it being recalled. My VIN number doesn't show a recall open however I feel as long as I am driving it and the issues remains unresolved. I am at serious risk if the air bag is defective or the fact it remains on all the tine and when there's a passenger in the front seat the passenger bag off light appears.

- Sonora, CA, USA

problem #6

May 302014

Santa Fe

  • 42,000 miles
Dear safercar, a letter was sent by me to Hyundai motors in regards to a safety issue with our 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. The issue is that our car fails to start at various time or has engine failure while driving. We purchase this car from an elderly friend who had the car in the repair shop for the same reason we are writing this letter. She was told after all attempts at repairs that the car was not repairable and this was just a characteristic of this make and model. The response we received from Hyundai was that it is unfortunate but we should never have purchased the car from a friend and the responsibility for repairs lies with us at our expense. We feel that the issue is not our purchase but the heartless negligence of taking advantage of a 80+ year old lady, who had no one to back her up. I feel that the potential for loss of control of the vehicles steering and or brakes and acceleration while at highway speeds is critical to our safety. The engine has failed to start and stopped at various time and situations. Please inform us if there is any recourse for us and our situation. Ps this car was under warranty and was never repaired by the dealership. Hyundai also contends, in their reply that it is unfortunate that the dealership is no longer active and there are no records that can be recalled. How unfortunate for us!!!!

- Kalispell, MT, USA

problem #5

Aug 092014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 151,894 miles
The rear wiper will turn on even though the car is off and there is no key in the ignition. Even after pulling the fuse the wiper will not turn off. Also, came home last night and the drl on the car were on. Once the car is turn off the lights will always go off after the passenger car door is opened then closed. The car has not been driven in several days but yet the lights were on. I am concerned that there may be an electrical issue with the car that may cause a problem while either myself or my daughter is driving it.

- Hope Mills, NC, USA

problem #4

Aug 012011

Santa Fe

  • miles
Brake lights did not illuminate. Stop light switch fail, $25 part. Recall campaign for later model years 2007-2011 Santa Fe's.

- Lakeville, MN, USA

problem #3

Nov 132013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 119,131 miles
Started engine. Placed the automatic transmission selection into reverse. The engine immediately had an unintended acceleration to perhaps 2500 RPM. Operator immediately applied very heavy pressure on the brake pedal to stop any rear direction movement. Operator immediately moved the shift lever back to the park position, shut off the ignition and restarted the vehicle. After restarting, everything was back to normal. This had also occurred one other time in September, 2013 under the same circumstances. Operator initially assumed that perhaps his foot had moved to the right and was depressing both the accelerator and the brake at the same time, but when attempting to see if this could be done, operator could not replicate. It is assumed the throttle sensor locator may be faulty. Very disturbing when this happens and could easily result in property or personal damage..

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #2

Jan 282008

Santa Fe

  • 35,345 miles
During winter driving in snowstorm wiper control arm on driver's side just fell off - making the vehicle impossible to drive due to snow buildup on windshield. It was later discovered that nut holding that arm got loose and was lost. Second issue was the windshield that developed a crack in the bottom with no obvious reasons - nothing was hit/ vehicle is always driven with care. Dealer refused to fix it under a warranty though it was quite clear that the windshield was defective and crack was getting bigger. 3-rd issue - during wet weather/warm-up the brake light and alternator light are on. Took it to dealer 4 times - they could not find the reason - charging is ok/ brakes are fine - the last time the alternator was replaced with new one, but the lights are still on. 4-th issue - brake caliper on rear pass. Side is sticking that causes a constant noise and early wear of brake pads/rotor on that side - it was replaced twice already and vehicle only has less than 40K miles on it.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #1

Oct 302005

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1 miles
The contact complained about several problems. The first problem was the traction control, which allowed the front wheels to slip in the snow. The electronic accelerator cut in and out when the traction control was on. The dealer was contacted, and they suggested turning the traction control off. The contact tried the dealer's suggestion. And now, only one wheel will turn in the snow, the engine idled low, and the vehicle did not move forward. The second problem occurred on normal road conditions the vehicle lurched forward after a complete stop. The last problem was the check engine light which intermittently illuminated. The dealer replaced the dps valve sensor and reprogrammed the computer software. The contact had only driven the vehicle once since the repairs were completed, and did not notice any difference in the performance of the vehicle.

- Jefferson, NY, USA