10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,187 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #24

Nov 062020

Santa Fe

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owned a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe sport. The contact stated that the vehicle was at stand still on the inside of the garage, when she heard an abnormal noise and she started to smell smoke odor. The contact stated her daughter noticed fire under the vehicle. The contact stated she saw an unknown leak dripping under the vehicle and was expanding the fire. The contact stated part of her house also caught fire. The fire depart was able to extinguish the fire. A police and fire report was filed. The contact stated no one was injured or seek medical attention, but did feel shortness of breath due to the smoke. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was totaled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was attempted to be contacted but had not been able to speak to anyone. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Barceloneta, PR, USA

problem #23

Oct 292020

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V520000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 114,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Wakefield, VA, USA

problem #22

Feb 192020

Santa Fe

  • 157,000 miles
Oil leak from valve cover gasket onto alternator causing complete electrical system failure. Vehicle very quickly lost all power including power steering and brakes, brake/hazard/indicator lights, and ignition while traveling at highway speed in heavy traffic. Extremely high severity potential harm from this failure mode, which was the subject of previous service campaigns for older Hyundai vera cruz and Santa Fe with same 3.3L V6 engine platform. Unacceptable to have occurrence of this known design issue with later model production.

- Shrewsbury, MA, USA

problem #21

Feb 142020

Santa Fe

  • 65,000 miles
Engine ''2014 Hyundai Santa Fe limited. 3.3L 6 cyl fwd. I own this vehicle. I recently read about the class action suits against Kia and Hyundai regarding engine failures and fires. Https://www.ncconsumer.org/news-articles/settlement-reached-with-Hyundai-Kia-in-class-action-lawsuit-alleging-engine-damage-fires.html. I have filed a complaint about our 2017 Kia soul that has an engine failure. When reading this article I noticed under the new defect investigations paragraph that 2011-2014 Hyundai Santa Fe's have also been listed for possible problems. However, it does not list or further define if it is only for the 2.0 L motors and may not include the 3.3 L. our Hyundai Santa Fe had an issue in the past. It took the dealer a month to define and repair. It was completed under the mfg. Warranty and I believe finally a recall. The fuel line would collapse when you depressed the fuel pedal starving the engine of fuel. This caused a loss in power and forward momentum that became unsafe to drive. At this time, it is starting to do the same thing. After reading this article, I am concerned about a possible engine failure in the future now that my warranty has expired with the manufacturer. I would like to have my vehicle included in any future recalls (there is not one now) that may involve this specific motor and vehicle. Also, I have had problems with the sunroof, the entertainment electronics, and ac/heating electrical cab controls. Many error messages are written in the Hyundai language. The dealer stated they needed to change out the onboard computer for a list price of $2,600. The second-row seat heaters have failed after the warranty and have hardly ever been used. Dealer wanted over $600 plus labor to replace each seat.

- Hammond, LA, USA

problem #20

Jan 012019

Santa Fe

  • 66,000 miles
My head lights flickers off driving. When I barely move the head light controller, it usually turns back on.

- Athens, GA, USA

problem #19

Aug 152019

Santa Fe

  • 60,000 miles
Our vehicle had the turbo fail. After replacing the turbo, the engine died upon test drive. They replaced the engine and gave us the vehicle back. The next day it would not crank. Dealership jumped the vehicle off. The next day it would not start again. This time they had to tow it. It has been in and out of the dealership for 4 months and towed 3 times. Each time the vehicle would not crank with 48hrs of getting the car returned to us. They blames security system, key fob, brake switch, grounding, and now the starter. Each time they stated it was fixed and then we had the issue happen again. I filed a safety concern with Hyundai but they refused to address our concern. They said they were told by palmer's Hyundai that the vehicle was fine. I explained I was concerned of my families safety of the vehicle died while turning or on the interstate. There are multiple reports of this online for the vehicle. They stated I can take it up with the dealership but they couldn't help with anything. They said if it failed in traffic and someone was hurt, then I could call back and they would address it then. I own 4 Hyundai vehicles and have had another previously. It is very sad to be treated like this when you are a lifelong customer

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #18

Dec 052019

Santa Fe

  • 53,000 miles
I just bought this vehicle two weeks ago and I purchased the carfax to find out that the liftgate has electrical promblems. The display behind the steering wheel keeps indicating that the liftgate is open, but I can see that it's closed.

- Phila, PA, USA

problem #17

Aug 222019

Santa Fe

  • 35,645 miles
Randomly, and lately more frequently, the car will not start thus stranding my wife and 18-month old son in 96 degree Georgia summer heat. I have searched the forums and this issue is quite common from this brand car. Something between the push button start and the brake pedal sensor is not functioning properly leaving the motorist stranded. Some time later, 5-10 minutes, the car starts as if nothing was wrong. This happens on a weekly basis now for my wife. It is not safe. The dealership replaced the car battery the first time will no effect. Now we have to take it in again.

- Milton, GA, USA

problem #16

Dec 222018

Santa Fe

  • 86,000 miles
While driving at 7:30pm on a back road on a Saturday, both of my headlights went out at the same time. I pulled onto a dirt driveway and turned my car off and noticed they came back on. I had to have it towed back home and took it to the dealership on Monday. They replaced a fuse box, and I picked my car up. About a week and a half later, it happened again while I was driving at night. In addition this time, my seat warmers would come on for about 30 seconds, and then shut off. I took it back up to the same dealership where I bought it. They had it for 2 weeks. They just replaced the fuse and drove it over 20 miles trying to get it to go out again and couldn't. I picked my car back up. A day and a half later, both my headlights went out again during the middle of the day. I noticed this because it was raining and I couldn't get my wipers to work. I kept trying my wipers, and the only setting they would work on was the 3rd speed setting. I tried my lights and my seat warmers again, and no luck. I immediately took it back to the dealership, and they said their service department was closed already (3:00pm) and they couldn't do anything until Monday, so I drove it home. Took it back up there on Monday, explained that this was the 3rd time this has happened, and it needs to be fixed because it's a major safety hazard. They had it for a week or so and called me and said they replaced the fuse once again, and drove it over 215 miles and couldn't get the car to duplicate the issue. They said my car had them stumped. They told me they were confident it was going to be okay. I left, and less than 24 hours after I got the car, I was driving at 7:00pm and they went out again, this time an hour away from my house. I don't know what to do because this is a scary issue, and they can't seem to find the problem and fix it.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #15

May 272018

Santa Fe

  • 15,607 miles
I have a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. On 5/27 while I was driving the car with my 3 year old inside the car it stalled. The stall happened immediately after I completed a left turn and was going 10 mph and under. It started with me not feeling any acceleration as I pushed down on the gas pedal. Subsequently there were multiple emergency indicators that got activated. The engine did not start and I could not change gears either. The ac and stereo system were running as I tried to start on the ignition but the indicator showed that the battery was discharged along with other malfunction indicators like engine oil, blind side detector, AWD lock etc. I had the car towed to my house and later to the service center today. The service center confirmed they could not find any fault and after consultation with Hyundai are going forward to replace the PCM/ECM. I'm really concerned now that this can recur under much more difficult road conditions.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #14

May 172018

Santa Fe

  • miles
My airbag light has been on in my vehicle. I took it to the dealer today, and they diagnosed it as a clock spring problem. They said my airbag is not safe (may not deploy). They said there is no active recall, but I did a little research and found out the older Santa Fe, veracruz, sonata and elantra all have recalls for this exact same problem. It is clearly a Hyundai problem and they need to issue a recall for the later model vehicles (mine is a 2014).

- Liberty Twp, OH, USA

problem #13

Mar 012018

Santa Fe

  • miles
Backup camera failed before, brake light failed and now blind spot detection failed with risk of accident - noted on road - I have noted brake light failure in other Hyundai while on the road

- Southfield, MI, USA

problem #12

Jan 112018

Santa Fe

  • 59,000 miles
Vehicle spontaneously burned in a ski area parking lot in Maine. Fire started at rear left (driver's side) of car. The car was driven approximately 15 minutes in the morning and parked for over 4 hours when local police and fire were notified of a car burning. By the time I returned to the car, the fire had been extinguished. Although no cause of origin was determined, it appears the fire ignited from an electrical issue in the rear left. The back half of the vehicle was heavily damaged. Much of my personal property was salvageable and any bags which burned/melted did so from the outside in, a further indication that the vehicle fire started with a vehicle issue. It was the first day the car experienced above freezing temps in about 3 weeks. I note that because there was a Canada only recall of 2013 Hyundai Santa fes for risk of fire when salt grime enters the rear parking sensors (which my vehicle had) and short circuits - it appears the risk of fire due to this issue can occur when the vehicle is parked and off. Fortunately, nobody was hurt and only my personal property was impacted - this could have been much worse if the car was parked in my house garage, a hotel garage, while driving, etc. A three year old car burning for no apparent reason, seems like a potential public safety risk, and shouldn't happen to a car of any age. Happened in a small rural area - no fire dept report, police said they would write a report but I have not received. The car is considered a write-off by the insurance company. Following is a link to the cdn recall info: www.autofocus.ca/news-events/latest-recalls/Hyundai-recalls-13-700-SUVS-for-fire-risk

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

problem #11

Mar 132017

Santa Fe

  • 85,000 miles
Car will not start in the morning, dead battery, have to use battery charger every night. Car emits white smoke. When on freeway car will not go above 60mph, seems like it is in limp mode.

- Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA

problem #10

Mar 202017

Santa Fe

  • miles
Takata recall very low quality of material used for the rubber hose that connects the coolant. My Santa Fe's rubber hose deteriorated which caused a leak. Without any warnings or changes in the temp gauge, I drove the car normally until one morning I was on the parkway and each time I would accelerate the engine would have a hard time, it felt like I am dragging. Finally got to my destination half an hr later and the engine overheated. Drove it next block over to a gas station popped the trunk open and the coolant was completely empty even though I just topped it off few days ago. Turned off my car to run in and get a bottle of coolant. Tried starting the car and it stalled. I waited about an hr and a half at the parking lot sitting and waiting and it finally started back up. Electrical issue: A couple of days ago, I was driving in my 2014 Santa Fe sport and the radio suddenly shut off thinking I pressed a button by accident. After a couple of minutes it turned back on. It was randomly doing it until two days ago it finally stopped working. I made an appointment with a Hyundai service agent. Vehicle at 40,000 miles apprarently it is not under warranty (36,000mi) ofcourse, for them to diagnose the problem they charge you about $140 after tax just to diagnose it. How much to fix the radio? agent said, "it will be about $1700 but since the lease is up I can put you in a brand new tucson and I will fix the radio free of charge and credit you back for the diagnostics charge". I walked out of the dealership. And airbag light keeps coming on pas side.

- Lynbrook, NY, USA

problem #9

Mar 282017

Santa Fe

  • 38,000 miles
Driving and power steering went out, dash panel lights went haywire. I could barely turn the steering wheel to get the car off of the road. I am not at all sure my wife could have turned the wheel. Attempted to jump-start the car - not work. First time driving at 35 mph in a subdivision in al. Pulled over, would not start, towed to dealer who recharged battery and entire electrical system checked ' said it was 'fixed'. tried to jump-start the car and this did not work. Few weeks later exact same thing happened in ky. I was doing 63 mph on highway with 50 cubic yard coal trucks coming by. If happened to my wife I am very concerned as to a rather bad accident. Auto transmission locked up and could not get it out of gear. Tow people 'jimmied' the shift to load on the tow truck. Vehicle towed to another dealer where battery replaced and entire electrical system checked ' said it was 'fixed'. we bought the car new and have had three batteries in 2 years and 4 months. I do not let my wife drive the car except around town. I feel this is truly an accident waiting to happen. Do not know what caused the issue and apparently Hyundai does not know either.

- Fairhope, AL, USA

problem #8

Oct 112016

Santa Fe

  • miles
Driver's seat lurches forward and backwards at random times while driving. This happens regardless of speed, brake/ acceleration/ cruise control, type of road, direction or movement etc. Often times while the car is parked or in motion, the seat will not move at all in any direction. Also, the ABS, traction control, and downhill light have all been turning on and off at random, and, while parked and without provocation, my speedometer needle began jumping. Less important, the driver's seat A/C does not work consistently which leads me to believe this is an electrical malfunction, however, the multiple times I have taken this vehicle into the "service center", the mechanics said they could not recreate the problem and sent my broken car home, so the official reason is unknown. I am only 5'2" so this has caused me considerable problems with suddenly not being able to reach the pedals, and has almost resulted in numerous accidents.

- Denton, TX, USA

problem #7

Jun 212016

Santa Fe

  • 10,000 miles
Hyundai and other mfg are using edible coating on wiring harness and creating a hazard for fire and loss of control because rodents are eating the wire my Santa Fe wiring was eaten and I lost my whole electrical entertainment sysrem.deallers know about problem and has been for years but does nothing. Your online system has over 16 reported problems some serious. The fix is simple wrap harness in editable wrapping. NHTSA going to wait until a car loses control and kills somebody. Check car forums this is a well known problem for Ford Toyota Hyundai Lexus Honda

- Colchester, CT, USA

problem #6

Oct 252014

Santa Fe

  • 11,922 miles
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe sport, less then 12,000 miles purchased new 5/10/14. At less then 2000 miles discovered no coolant in reservoir. 6 weeks after delivery back up camera replaced. On 10/18/2014 while shifting into reverse extreme loud noise in front of hood on driver side, navigation system goes black simultaneously. Cochran advised safe to drive cannot service car until 10/29/2014. Saturday 10/25/2014 while in park with engine off and no one in auto it rolls back causing over $6000 in damages. After 15 months, Hyundai expert mechanics insist auto is mechanically safe but cannot explain the loud noise this is the second filing on this car.

- Irwin, PA, USA

problem #5

Oct 252014

Santa Fe

  • 11,922 miles
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe sport, less then 12,000 miles purchased new 5/10/14. At less then 2000 miles discovered no coolant in reservoir. 6 weeks after delivery back up camera replaced. On 10/18/2014 while shifting into reverse extreme loud noise in front of hood on driver side, navigation system goes black simultaneously. Cochran advised safe to drive cannot service car until 10/29/2014. Saturday 10/25/2014 while in park with engine off and no one in auto it rolls back causing over $6000 in damages. After 15 months, Hyundai expert mechanics insist auto is mechanically safe but cannot explain the loud noise this is the second filing on this car.

- Irwin, PA, USA

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