10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
11 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,656 miles

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problem #40

Aug 092020

Santa Fe

  • 29,600 miles
Stopped at a red light. Stepped on gas to move and the engine revved up and it just took off. Had to use both feet on brake pedal to stop the car. Going about 1 mph after the light turned green. The engine accelerated and wouldn't stop. Nearly hit the car in front of us. May be computer or throttle positioning sensor. And it happened again later. Same day. Going straight, up a hill about 2mph and once again the engine sped up and the car took off. It was very difficult to stop.

- Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA

problem #39

Jan 022019

Santa Fe

  • 115,492 miles
My car is shaking when the vehicle gets up to around 60 miles an hour.

- Mount Ida, AR, USA

problem #38

Dec 302018

Santa Fe

  • 131,000 miles
My vehicle is a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe with 131,000 miles. I was driving on the highway traveling about 65 mph and lost power steering, power breaks, and speed control. My car began to slow and would not accelerate and was difficult to steer. Fortunately I had enough power/speed still to get over into the breakdown lane. I was able to use my directionals and hazard lights once on the side of the road. I shut off the car and attempted to start it again several times without success. The check engine light was on, as was the oil light and battery light. There was no discernible warning that would have indicated an impending engine failure. I had already driven 75 miles of my trip and it simply stopped running. In the middle of the highway! the cause of the problem is unknown to me and currently unknown to my mechanic. I had to have my car towed 50 miles to the mechanic. Getting it to a dealer would have been even father.

- Sonoma, CA, USA

problem #37

Jun 232018

Santa Fe

  • 61,429 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to capitol Hyundai (1050 capitol expressway auto mall, san jose, ca 95136, (408)-340-7321), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,429. The VIN was not available.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #36

Sep 052016

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 36,000 miles
As early as last summer, my 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe started to (intermittently) accelerate when I stepped on the brake. Frankly, I thought it was related to the sandals I was wearing. I thought I was occasionally stepping on the gas and the brake at the same time (I have very big feet -- size fifteen). The problem stopped when I switched shoes (which also corresponded to the end of summer). The problem came back intermittently this summer and is now repeatable. When I am going down a steep hill at speeds over about 20 mph, the engine RPM's increase when I step on the brake. It does that while in gear and while in neutral. Obviously, if the drive train is in gear, the engine "fights against" the brake; if the drive train is in neutral, the engine revs. If the engine is in neutral or is shifted into neutral after the acceleration starts, the engine races until I let off the brake. It has gone as high as 4-5 K RPM before I let off the brake. All that's required to get the car to return to normal idle is that I pump the brake (let off the brake all the way -- I can immediately re-apply the brake and the problem won't happen again). I have identified a stretch of road near my house where the problem always occurs. Driving East at the end of walnut street at the intersection of walnut and boston hill circle, near South street in shrewsbury, MA 01545, it problems always replicates. It also always happens at the bend in the road while going down hill on boston hill circle... updated10/13/16...video available

- Shrewsbury, MA, USA

problem #35

Jun 262016

Santa Fe

  • 51,000 miles
Accelerating away from stop light, accelerator pedal detached from firewall. The vehicle was 15-20 ft. Into a five lane intersection. The vehicle idled through the intersection safely into a parking lot. Fortunately this happened at 0610 on 26 June 2016 when traffic was lite.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

problem #34

Jan 212016

Santa Fe

  • 71,348 miles
All events occurred while vehicle was stationary.began to have a intermittent no start condition around the third week of January 2016. Theta 2.4 engine #165130 would not turn over. A jump start with 2nd vehicle battery supply and jumper cables were needed for engine to run.tested the battery voltage output on Santa Fe with engine cold $12.65 and engine running $13.96 to $14.02 range all starting and charging components were operating in normal conditions and no check engine or battery indicators illuminating. No signs of engine malfunction was evident. On 01/29/2016 after having two more no starts went ahead and replaced the battery with brand new one. Engine would crank but not start.tested voltage on battery, alternator, starter, ignition and fuel pump relays. Had spark on all coils and fuel. Air filter was new. Felt confident there was no need to check compression as there were no mechanical signs present. At certain times some engine components due wear out so I had a mechanic inspect the engine and asked him to replace the crankshaft sensor. Engine would not turnover after several attempts and he could not determine the cause. On 01/30/2016 connected my obd2 and got a total of 11 codes, P0445,261,267,270,264,448. Five out of first eleven were displayed twice except P0448.I had the car towed to a Hyundai authorized service dept on 02/02/2016 the service adviser at frank Hyundai advised me his mechanic performed a compression and leak down test and informed me engine had low compression in 3 out of 4 cylinders with active codes P0223 P0445 and P2106.one cylinders was said to be blowing air up towards valve cover.I was told they suspected piston rings or cylinder head was cause of engine failure.had car towed home. After finding blown fuse I was able to start car but shut it down immediately from loud noise coming from valve train rotating assembly.unknown symptoms.

- Imperial Beach, CA, USA

problem #33

Dec 262015

Santa Fe

  • 24,000 miles
I was turning into a parking lot doing about 5mph when the vehicle suddenly accelerated to a high rate of speed, took me over a cement barrier, a curb, went airborne, landed in a bush which it tore in half and took with me, across the sidewalk and spun in the middle of a busy intersection before the tire blew off the rim and I got it to stop. It was towed to the dealership where it has been for one month as Hyundai dragged their heels until I got angry and emailed them. Two days after I emailed them I got the following leaving me with the repairs as well as paying for the rental for a month. Thank you for your recent correspondence. We have thoroughly reviewed your comments and regret the circumstances you have experienced. We have reviewed the materials provided and inspected your Santa Fe. The entire acceleration system, including the pedals and throttle, the brake system, and the transmission were thoroughly reviewed and checked. We were unable to find any malfunctions or defects that would have resulted in the condition you claim caused your accident.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #32

Apr 282015

Santa Fe

  • 35,587 miles
Today April 28, 2015, my mother, daughter and I were coming home from running an errand, when we came to are house we pulled up and went in reverse to pull into the drive way like normal so we can park the car in the garage. When we pulled in we were going just 5mph. Then suddenly when my mom was pushing the brake the stop and put the car into park. The car out of no where lurched and crashed into are washer, water heater, and caused the back windshield to shatter. An we have had this car for 3 years and its always the same routine, so were very shook up on how this could happen. Even though this happened at a resident im filing this since it could happen anywhere to another car.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #31

Feb 202015

Santa Fe

  • 26,967 miles
February 20,2015 about 7:30 in the evening as I was going up a grade towards a red light, my car surged forward when I was braking. I applied more pressure but the car did not stop until I threw it into park and had hit the car in front of me. I called 911 to report the accident. The car in front had some gate crack. My car had cracked plastic under the bumper and marks on the plastic part of the bumper.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #30

Sep 022012

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • 1,000 miles
We experience a feeling of loss of power and almost stalls while trying to make left or right hand turns from a complete stop. It has happened since we purchased car in 2012 but so intermediately that we would just try and explain it away (we came up with oh - we are traveling in the mountains, got bad gas, weather hot, weather cold, maybe I imagined it) but when I almost got hit in the side took it in to dealer again. They have had it 4 times for the same trouble and until the last visit could not duplicate it - dealer in June 2014 kept car many days and then I received a call from service manager who asked if I braked left footed - well yes I do as my husband does. He said they could duplicate the problem only when they left footed braked and their solution was to not do that. I asked some more questions, basically why that would make a difference since we have always done it. He said since the Toyota problems the sensors in cars are more sensitive? I told him there are over 80 complaints with the ODI for same problem in 2012 Santa Fe - he said oh that is a different problem - I read all of them - trouble sounds the same to me. We researched this car before buying - nothing in their advertisements, paperwork or on the net said left footed braking will cause your car to stall - we would not have purchased it however, I am not even positive that is the problem. I did also open a complaint with Hyundai - they denied a claim of a lemon car and said to just to stop braking left footed. The letter said they drove it 200 miles with no duplication of trouble which is not what the service manager told me - they were able to duplicate it. We now have a car I will not drive because it is dangerous and who would buy it since we would have to disclose this hesitation problem. Just rec. Letter from lawyer asking us to call him - have not yet.

- Moorpark, CA, USA

problem #29

May 012013

Santa Fe

  • miles
Submission from congressman thompson on behalf of constituent re 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe defects. The consumer stated on two separate occasions, the vehicle behaved as if, it were in neutral, although the gear shift was in drive and the check engine light illuminated. The consumer was able to find a dealer, where they applied an approved update to the computer board. The vehicle performed as designed for the next 500 miles. The consumer experienced four similar failures, while driving on the parkway. The consumer went to another dealer, and they replaced the throttle. The consumer has since driven 1,000 miles, with no problem.

- Union City, PA, USA

problem #28

Apr 292014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, the engine stalled with the illumination of the warning indicator. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road. Upon restarting, the vehicle resumed normally. The failure recurred two times and the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer each time. The computerized system went into the limp mode which caused the throttle body sensor to fail. The vehicle was repaired on the two separate occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000. Updated 08-20-14 updated 09/3/2014

- Plainfield, MA, USA

problem #27

Jun 012014

Santa Fe

  • 65,000 miles
I was turning right into a parking space, applied the brakes and the vehicle surged/accelerated. It went over a curb and hit another vehicle. When it stopped I looked down and my foot was indeed on the brakes, to the floor. A similar thing happened twice before. I was turning onto another street and the car felt like it surged. Fortunately both times there was no one in the other lane or in front of me.

- Germantown, MD, USA

problem #26

Apr 242014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 26,400 miles
Engine light comes on. Has happened three consecutive days. Within initial 10-minutes of driving, car bucked/surged and engine light appears. Car would not accelerate in one instance. Pressing gas pedal had no effect. Could only coast to dealership maintaining whatever speed I had by having the car in drive and idling. Very unsafe to be unable to accelerate. Hyundai dealer 'fixed' problem by doing a software update. In no case would it seem plausible that the software is coded to disable the acceleration. The software update did not make the issue go away. Following day, the car bucked/surged again and the light came on. Car now left at dealership again for the third time.

- River Edge, NJ, USA

problem #25

Dec 152013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 23,000 miles
Please investigate the Hyundai line of cars. I was driving this car that I owned. I had just driven 140 miles, and I was on city streets making my way to the inlaws. I stopped at a stop sign and as I accelerated and proceeded to make a right turn on to another city street, the engine completely died. I noticed it when my power steering locked up, I had no brakes and I was headed right toward a home's front door. I was able to stop the car when it hit the curb dead on. I then put the car in to park and turned the car back on and it fired up right away. I really believe that Hyundai has the same problem as GM. There was nothing wrong with the car after that and I could not duplicate the incident. I traded the car in a few days later because I refuse to drive it. If you google the problem, I was able to trace it back at least 11 years. How can you trust a car that where the engine will just turn off sporadically. Dealership claims "they've never heard of such a thing..." lies. The know about it, they just haven't done anything about it. I seriously think there needs to be an investigation in to this vehicle. I saw stories of peoples Hyundai dying on the freeway. They could have been killed. One lady said that she was told next time it happens to leave the car as is and they will tow it and check it out. They towed it after it died and nothing. That's what leads to me believe that in this vehicle, the key can also become disengaged while driving. Similar if not exactly to the problems with the GM. I beg of you to investigate!!!

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #24

Feb 022013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 8,000 miles
On Feb. 2, 2013 after pulling out after a stop light the car ran normally for a very short time and then all power left. It would go only in idle speed. After turning the car off and then restarting it the car would run normally for a while and then do the same thing. A throttle body was replaced. On, Jan. 28, 2014 the same thing happened again. Another throttle body was installed. The service department at the Hyundai dealership nor Hyundai could tell us why this throttle body was defective nor could they guarantee that it wouldn't happen again. We could not feel save driving it down an interstate or in heavy traffic and have the car just basically stop with no warning.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #23

Apr 112013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 17,000 miles
My 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe has lost power twice while driving. The first time this occurred was on April 11, 2013. It happened again on March 1, 2014. Both times the vehicle shut off while driving at a slow speed. The first time was on a roadway, the second time was in a parking lot. I have read of similar experiences on the internet. I have notified the dealer and Hyundai customer service of both incidents. Hyundai has advised there is nothing they can really do unless they are able to duplicate the issue.

- Yoe, PA, USA

problem #22

Nov 302011

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • 1,500 miles
My car does not ever stop when I try to stop. I can be stopped on an incline and the car will roll out in the main road and will not go in oncoming traffic. Then all at once it will take off at a fast speed and I have almost been hit many times by oncoming traffic. I have had my car in the dealer several times and they say they cant find the problem with the car. My car has 28,000 miles on it now, this problem has been occurring since the car was new. The problem is happening more often now. It is very dangerous for my family to drive. I need your help. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Landrum, SC, USA

problem #21

Apr 222013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 14,095 miles
Vehicle picked up after inspection at dealer and driven approx. 1 mile when vehicle experienced sudden loss of power. Took back to dealer, miller Hyundai, and they advised nothing wrong. Then on 11/11/13 same thing occurred. Miller Hyundai advised they completed an ECM upgrade. Left dealer lot and drove approx. 1/2 mile and same thing occurred. Miller Hyundai then replace the throttle body on 11/14/13. On 12/19/13 the same thing occurred, sudden lost of power. This is the 4th time in 8 months that this has occurred.

- Vestal, NY, USA

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