10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,533 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #23

Sep 152015

Santa Fe

  • miles
My 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe suddenly accelerated when I attempted to apply the brakes to slow down so I could get into a left hand turning lane. As soon as I touched the brakes, the car revved up and accelerated to a very high speed on its own. I'm not sure how fast I was going, but fast enough to throw me back against the car seat as I ran through a red light unable to stop. I tried the brakes again but they didn't work.. shifting the car into neutral or any other gear did nothing to slow or stop the car either. I finally reached down and turned the key off, at which time I lost my power steering. I steered into an open field, hit a fence, and continued quite a ways the car was stopped by an incline to a ravine.

- Thornton, CO, USA

problem #22

Jul 292015

Santa Fe

  • miles
The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The contact stated depressed the brake pedal to the floor, but they failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was out of control. The contact turned the ignition switch off and jumped out of the vehicle. The vehicle eventually shut off and was able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Danville, VA, USA

problem #21

Apr 152015

Santa Fe

  • 33,500 miles
At 3:30 P.M. I was in my 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe on my driveway, waiting for the garage door to go up. My foot was on the brake. Without warning, the car accelerated. (the 20 mph shown above is approximate.) the car ran into the garage door and knocked it off its tracks. It crashed into built-in wooden cabinets along the side of the garage and came to rest against a wooden platform at the front of the garage. My foot did not leave the brake pedal during this time. The garage door and wooden cabinets were destroyed. The car was declared to be unrepairable. I was considerably shaken up but luckily not injured physically.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #20

Mar 182015

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
3/18 driving down a road hit a large pothole ESC off and ABS lights pop on the dash press the ESC button which did nothing.I stop in a parking lot turn the car off and then back on the lights came back on as I pulled away the lights turned off. 3/19 I was driving at about 25-30 and all of a sudden the ESC off and ABS lights came one once again I park at the grocery store to shop. Leaving the grocery store I turn on the vehicle on the dash the same lights are light up as I pull away they turn off NHTSA campaign number: 09V122000 is a recall in place for this issue on my make and model vehicle but it starts for the Santa fes that were manufactured from April of 2007 and further. My Santa Fe was manufactured in mid March of 2007 please look into adding my vehicle to NHTSA campaign number: 09V122000.

- West Seneca, NY, USA

problem #19

Sep 092014

Santa Fe

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 70 mph, the stop lamp switch failed and caused the cruise control and brakes to disengage. The brake lights failed to illuminate. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 09V122000 (service brakes, hydraulic), but the failure recurred. The dealer stated that the stop lamp switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Saint Augustine , FL, USA

problem #18

Aug 132012

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
When parking in my garage I noticed the brake lights were still on although the car was off. The brake pedal was hot to touch. No amount of pumping the brakes would turn the lights off. Hyundai dealership reported other 2007 vehicles were recalled but not mine. They made me pay out of pocket for a known faulty part. Since they expanded the recall I believe they owe me a refund.

- Dublin, OH, USA

problem #17

Aug 132012

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 59,800 miles
Brake light would not turn off. Brakes pedal was hot to touch. Cars behind could not tell if I was stopping or going. Fearful of a car fire I had to drive all over town until I could find someone to assist. Previous recall on other VIN numbers for this exact reason. Hyundai needs to expand recall.

- Dublin, OH, USA

problem #16

Apr 172014

Santa Fe

  • 90,169 miles
When pressing on the brakes, the antilock braking system ABS will activate whether slowing at 10 mph to and intersection or slowing at 50 mph in traffic. While driving, the ESC and ABS warning lights come on at the same time. The brakes and warning lights come on on asphalt streets in good shape, on bumpy roads, or going over speed bumps. The ABS activated when coming to an intersection preventing the car from stopping at the stop light. South bay Hyundai in torrance ca says its the ABS control module and will replace it for $2300 and we cannot have our car back for 4 days. The vehicle is in very good shape. Purchased August 2007. Has 90169 miles.

- San Pedro, CA, USA

problem #15

Feb 172014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 89,800 miles
Brake switch malfunctioned causing ESC off light to illuminate, cruise control not to engage, and brake lights to not illuminate. Check engine code of P0405 being thrown by onboard computer to indicate failure.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

problem #14

Oct 102013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 90,100 miles
At a slow speed while turning (either direction, as incident has occurred now 3 times in 10 weeks) vehicle loses all power to steer and brake. Feels like the car has died, however the battery and check engine light are on. When it resolved, the engine was still running, brakes and steering restored. First two times the power failure was momentarily. Third time the vehicle lost power for 3-4 minutes and stranded me while turning onto major road from my neighborhood with oncoming traffic. Had car towed to local Hyundai dealer who kept insisting they would need to see the vehicle fail in order to know how to repair it. I said not good enough, they need to find another method to trouble shoot and refused to pick up vehicle. Now the dealer is blaming the power loss on worn front tires and the ESC system cutting power to the engine, steering and brakes due to it sensing slippage. I'm not buying this explanation from the dealer, especially because of (1) the slow speed (no slipping tires in these three instances), and (2) tires have slipped on quick acceleration before without ESC system cutting power to brakes & steering, and (3) if this were the case, I would think ESC would be potentially dangerous and not designed to save lives! will file complaint with Hyundai America but I don't have much faith that they will be of help.

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #13

Nov 072013

Santa Fe

  • 84,200 miles
I went to the dealer to have recall issues corrected and another customer brought his same year vehicle with the same issues in for his recalls. I heard him tell the service guy the exact same issues I was having. They pulled my car around and when I got in the car the ESC light was still on so I went back in to ask about it and he pulls it up my info and tells me the production date did not qualify and that it's the brake switch. He then shows me the production date for the other customer and uses it as an example as to how it's based on when the car was built. He explains why it happens and the danger in it so I stop him and ask him if it's just a coincidence that there's a recall for this issue. Any way you look at it the other customer had the same make and model and year as mine with the same brake switch recall problem yet it didn't affect my car and he looked at me and said the dealership wouldn't get paid for the work cause it wouldn't be reimbursed by Hyundai and if I call Hyundai and was real nice that they may allow it. I called and very nicely explained that my car was having the issues directly related to the brake switch and that a Hyundai dealership had inspected it and printed me copies stating that it was the issue for the recall and said there was nothing they could do. Obviously they are not taking responsibility to account for every single vehicle affected by there mistakes and further more after explaining to me the danger with it they don't care enough about my safety and have no problem sending me back on the street with the faulty vehicle the sold me. If there's anything you can do to look into it and help out I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

- Lawrenceville , GA, USA

problem #12

Jun 112013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while attempting a turn. The brakes also failed and the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact crashed into the passenger's side of a large truck and sustained injuries to the head, a fractured finger and ankle. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop but was neither repaired nor diagnosed to determine the cause of the braking or acceleration failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000. Updated 01/14/14

- Forrest City , AR, USA

problem #11

Aug 072013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 43,492 miles
The brakes light was functioning (not on) when the brake pedal is depressed. The ESC off light start to stay on.

- East Longmeadow, MA, USA

problem #10

Jul 292013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
Purchased used vehicle in March of 2013 at 32700 miles. 4 mos later at 43000 miles rear brakes began grinding severely. Took it to the dealer and they informed me the rear caliper got stuck/froze and the grinding damaged the rotor. Brake pad and rotor on rear driver side must be replaced and brake pad and rotor on passenger side needs resurfacing. Also ESC light has been turning off and on and dealership claims there is no recall on the brake switch despite the NHTSA having the brake switch listed as defective and causing issues with the ESC.

- Newark, NJ, USA

problem #9

Jun 202013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
ESC off light on dash then check engine. Code is P0504 for brake switch. This condition is covered under other Hyundai campaigns and recalls but not for our VIN / build date. Please consider working with Hyundai to provide resolution to this issue. We are also being told there is a two week wait to have this repair performed. Vehicle safety during this delay is a concern should the ESC system malfunction while driving. Thank you.

- Holly Springs, NC, USA

problem #8

Jun 182013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 107,000 miles
Faulty brake light switch but was told by local Hyundai dealer and Hyundai customer service that my vehicle was not included in the recent recall. Over 1.7 million vehicles like mine were recalled. Mine has the same issue, why wouldn't mine be covered under the recall campaign" they told me mine was produced before the recall date! really??" the part is very inexpensive and from what I understand, an easy fix. Why wouldn't Hyundai, and my local dealer for that matter, want to make the repair at no charge in order to keep a customer happy.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #7

May 152010

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 37,975 miles
My 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe will randomly apply the brakes while driving. Very dangerous.the brakes will apply making the car pull to the right or left may cause the car to veer into the next lane. I would need to press on the brakes to make them release.the first time this happened I thought it was the brake pads needing to be replaced we replaced the brakes and the problem did not occur again for maybe a year.it happen so much in 2011& 2012 I did not feel safe driving the car.I took my car to hardin Hyundai 6/09/12 explained in detail that the brakes would apply when I was driving, and the ESC light was coming on. I told the dealership that we had changed the brake pads hoping this would resolve the issue it did not. The dealer recommended 3 tires, alignment and pins were missing when we did the brake job and that was causing the brakes to stick. We did what was suggested.this did not correct the problem.the dealership did not put it on the computer to diagnosis the issue.the car is out of warranty now so I took it to an independent mechanic he did diagnosis it with the computer. The ESC module is bad. Now I a'm driving with the ESC off.when driving with the ESC off it doesn''t randomly brake but will sometimes make a horrible grinding sound and the brakes stick when the brakes are applied.this is not good either.why require this safety feature in every car if it will fail and cause an accident and if the dealership can not diagnosis it correctly. Some Hyundai have been recalled for this problem so I feel the dealerships should be well aware of this issue.the work order does not mention brakes nor did they try to diagnosis it correctly. Was this an intentional move by Hyundai so they do not have to acknowledge that their ESC modules are still failing. I feel extremely lucky that I have not been injured due to this malfunction. Hyundai failed on this issue.

- Orange, CA, USA

problem #6

Nov 052012

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 36,801 miles
Brakes did not engage on initial start on mornings where temperature was below 50 degrees F. brake pedal was hard, did not move toward the floor more than 1/2", and did not engage brakes with firm steady pressure. After pumping brake pedal several times, pressure was felt in the pedal, which slowly moved toward the floor, and brakes engaged. Even when the brake pedal was being depressed hard and steady, the car did not slow, and ABS did not engage. Dealership was unable to find problem after keeping the car for 4 days. Tire store identified source as faulty brake booster, replaced part, and the car has been stopping as expected since repair. I have retained the faulty booster.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #5

Sep 242012

Santa Fe

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while parked the air bag light and the ESC light illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact mentioned that while driving approximately 55 mph the vehicle suddenly stalled and the contact smelled a burning odor. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 09V122000 (service brakes, hydraulic:switches:brake light) that may be related to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #4

Aug 152012

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 56,000 miles
Faulty brake switch A/B. obd codes P0571 & P0504 recorded. Symptoms: Brake lights would not light with brake pedal depressed. Cruise control would turn on but not allow a speed to be set. Also ESC off light remained on dash solid. Seems to be exact symptoms associated with NHTSA campaign id number 09V122000. We never received any notice of that recall from Hyundai. When I brought it to the attention of my local Hyundai dealership, I was told that recall did not apply to my vehicle. When I contacted Hyundai support I was told the same thing. I see numerous other Hyundai owners who have had this problem were also told the recall did not apply to their vehicle (via internet reports). I believe the recall should have applied to my vehicle. I have replaced the part myself and the repair seems to have corrected all the symptoms. The removed part is a genuine part of Hyundai/Kia. It is P/N 92810-3K000. Below the P/N is ">PA66-GF30<" and "infac". there is a red and a green stripe painted across this face of the part. On another face of the part is stamped "6D07".

- Rochester, MN, USA

Read the next 3 complaints »