10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 78,715 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.
In October 2021 the alternator failed due to an oil leak from the valve cover gasket. I paid the local Hyundai dealer to replace the alternator and they also said the battery was damaged because of the failed alternator so I paid for a new battery as well. The dealer never mentioned the recall on this vehicle for the leaking valve cover and did not disclose that the leak was known to cause alternator failure. I later learned of the recall and had the valve cover repair performed under the recall. However, Hyundai has refused to reimburse me for the alternator repair that I had already previously paid for, and likewise have refused to reimburse me for the battery. Clearly the problem was due to the known defect that resulted in the recall, so I am obviously entitled to compensation for the out if pocket repair expenses. Please advise me how to proceed.
- Dunwoody , GA, USA
My car has a recall, and the dealership is unable to fix it. There is also an issue with the oem control module that they are unable to get the part and unable to fix this because they do not have the correct software.
- York, PA, USA
On highway, car would no longer accelerate and went into limp mode causing me to slow to 50 mph and not be able to keep up with speed if traffic. Pulled over, dash lights flashed and car would not restart. Oil had leaked out of valve cover gasket all over the alternator causing the car to malfunction and become inoperable.
- Belmont, CA, USA
Clock spring contact assembly for drivers airbag. Experiencing high resistance code. Recall 11V472000 covered some 2008 models but not mine. Air bag light came on after starting vehicle on 08/03/2020
- Chicago, IL, USA
The contact 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 5 mph, the vehicle stalled. The battery warning indicator illuminated. The contact also mentioned the failure occurred when it was raining (three times on the same day). The contact also stated that the vehicle alternator was replaced by the dealer bentley Hyundai, 3805 university drive, huntsville, al 35816, under a campaign generated by the manufacturer December 2019. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint number: [xxx] was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 159,000. Consumer stated when he went to pick up vehicle dealer found nothing wrong with it. One week later vehicle was taken back to dealer. ('parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
- Ardmore, TN, USA
The fuel pump and sensors went bad. The fuel gauge started glitching and going up and down randomly. After 1-2 months it was showing empty at all times. I changed the sensors and the fuel gauge went to the middle even when the tank was full. I had to replace both sensors and the fuel pump to get it fixed.
- Houston, TX, USA
The gas guage in this vehicle stopped working over a year ago and we have ran out of gas in the middle of traffic when we keep our gas guage filled in this vehicle all the time causing a danger to ourselves and our children someday somebody is going to hit us due to this issue keeps happening in the middle of traffic and the road and interstate. It constantly keeps showing us empty when we are not. I have read many reviews that this happens with many of these vehicles and it has yet to be recalled.
- Glenburn, ME, USA
Going down interstate at 70 miles an hour and car shut off put car in nutral and restarted. Then the next day driving to work and car cut off again while driving did same and restarted. Went on line and found out this has ben a problem in these cars for years and am afraid for me and my children S lives
- Ardmore, TN, USA
2008 Santa Fe gas gauge not reading properly. When I fill up the car and the gas gauge reads empty. And constantly fluctuates. I have to calculate how many miles I drive in order to know when to fill up again.
- Madison, NJ, USA
Check engine light and unfunctional or infunctiomal gas gauge
- Daytona Beach, FL, USA
Leaking valve cover is allowing oil to leak down onto the alternator. Car be stationary or running. Most notable when car engine is running.
- Newark, DE, USA
Fuel sending sensor is erratic causing chk engine code P0464. Unsafe driving condition and should be recalled to be fix.
- Union, NJ, USA
My 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe while driving stalls, truck is no longer on while driving. Power steering and control over steering wheel is loss. This has been happening quite frequently while driving. Happen twice while driving on highway which, scared me to death. Check engine light and battery lights comes on when this happens. Now the engine light comes on stay for a few days then turns off. My fuel gage K doesn't work properly. I can fill my tank up on full, then it will drop to the E line like there is no gas. The yellow light comes on. Not safe because now I don't know if my truck is full or really empty. Why haven't there been any recalls on these issues especially since, there are numerous complaints by owners with the same year and model.
- Fort Washington, MD, USA
Fuel level sensor failed....inaccurate fuel gauge causing owners to not know when the cars fuel tank is low, and sometimes causing the vehicle to run out of fuel while driving.
- Wentzville, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the battery exploded while parking the vehicle. The contact heard a loud noise and discovered that battery fluid was leaking. Hyundai of wesley chapel (27000 wesley chapel blvd, wesley chapel, fl 33544, (813) 501-2736) was contacted and referred the contact to fuccillo Kia of wesley chapel (28555 fl-54, wesley chapel, fl 33545, (813) 395-0347). Fuccillo Kia had not specifically verified if any other components or electrical failures caused the failure. However, the dealer stated that because the oem battery was replaced with a triple a battery, the replacement battery may be faulty. The contact stated that the hood was damaged with an extensive indentation where the battery had lodged upward when it exploded. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 11/19/18
- Tampa, FL, USA
Fuel gauge always reads as empty, regardless of movement or amount of gas in tank, leaving driver to run out of gas in undesirable places. Repair is approx 600-800 dollars. Many complaints should be recalled. Has to do with the fuel sending sensor or something I was told.
- Heilwood, PA, USA
I actually have 2 issues occurring. One of these was deemed to have been fixed by a previous recall (campaign 105/110 - fixed /closed Jun 23, 2014). However, my ESC off light and ABS light are again lighting up. I have (luckily) not yet had loss of engine power or control. The second issue is in regards to campaign 936. I've had the front engine valve gasket cover fixed, along with my alternator replaced (after my husband and I did it ourselves after losing all power on christmas eve in the middle of road before barely coasting into a nearby parking lot where we were able to sort of park out of the way). We changed my oil this weekend, have had no other work done on the car since (except oil changes) and my husband noticed that the alternator is again covered in oil. Between the 2 issues, it is most likely a matter of days (if I'm lucky) before my car loses power in some form and I am potentially in a wreck with my family in the car. I don't know how much the dealership wants to "re-fix" the first 2 campaigns that should have already been fixed, but for just the valve gasket work, it would be at least $500, not including the alternator that will need to be replaced when the car does go out. Apparently the gasket that is leaking this time isn't the front one, it is the rear one. My personal thoughts on this are that if the front one is faulty, then it's not a stretch to get to the rear one being faulty. My Hyundai dealership even warned me when replacing the front one that my rear one would most likely need to be done too (for $500+). if the dealerships know, it makes me wonder why the recall didn't include both valve cover gaskets or a new one hasn't been issued for the rear one. Hopefully, both of these issues can be re-addressed. The date below is of first warning lights. The lights come on from park or while driving.
- Oklahoma City, OK, USA
My car has stalled several times this past week without warning or indication that anything is wrong. The vehicle will suddenly stop and lose power completely while I anxiously try to restart it. It has put me at risk with other drivers where I've had to put my hazards on and hope vehicles are able to stop in time so they don't hit me. I've taken it in for service and they can't seem to replicate the problem. The car is a safety hazard and no one seems to be helping me. I found information online about Hyundai getting slapped with a class action suit for the same problems I'm reporting, but the suit appears to only cover 2010-2012 models, mine is 2008. I don't know what to do!
- Sierra Madre, CA, USA
1) fuel tank gauge is inaccurate. Starts to drop rapidly after driving 75-100 miles and empty fuel tank light comes on after ~125-150 miles. When I refill the tank, it is only half empty. Normally, car will drive 270-320 miles before empty. 2) check engine light comes on and off. Nothing seems to be wrong with the car(have had it checked.) 3) ESC light comes on and off; sometimes at the same time as the check engine light, sometimes by itself. I have had it checked, no problem; and reset. Goes on - off again a few days later. These events have been occurring over the last 6 months, approximately.
- Grapevine, TX, USA
- Oceanside, CA, USA