10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 29,222 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
ABS, downhill, and traction control indicator lights illuminate on the dash. Hyundai dealer says a rear wheel bearing/wheel speed sensor is failing and needs to be replaced. They said they've seen this many times and when looking online these seem destined to fail on my hyndai Santa Fe's 3-6 years into the vehicle life. There is a tsb for this issue that says it relates to sea water, but it may just be any water/wet conditions. I believe a recall is needed for this issue.
- Decatur, GA, USA
All wheel drive system does not engage. Was told by Hyundai service team that this is a recurring problem in the Santa Fe and a very expensive fix. I myself have seen hundreds of people with this issue on various forums. Car only has 123,000 miles as of 12/21/2020
- Drums, PA, USA
It's the ABS brake system that is leaking fluid and could possibly leak on an electrical box causing a fire.
- Woodstock, IL, USA
I drove my car to the restaurant to meet family for dinner, when I arrived the driver door would not open from the inside or outside. I had to crawl out. I had never experienced this prior to this incident. In troubleshooting this, I found several instances where this has happened. The only way to fix the door is to tear off the panel. I called the Hyundai dealer explained the issue. Amanda she stated that this happens and would order the part to fix my door. I explained that the door cannot be opened from the inside or out. She said they could open it and it run approximately $289. I took the car in a few hours later, received a call explaining that they were not able to open the car door and that there might be damage when they removed the door panel to fix it. I reminded amanda that when I initially called I made it clear that the door could not be open. Amanda had matthew call me back and tell me it was only a courtesy that they were letting me know about the potential damage because the dealership would not be responsible for the damages. I stated this is a safety issue. Matthew agreed but stated because of the mileage (144,000) it would not be covered. I stated so in order for me to drive my car with the door fixed; you might damage my car and will not be responsible for it. Matthew stated yes. He said I could call the 1-800 customer service numbers to see if they could help. I questioned why he was not calling since he had the car and that would be good customer service. Matthew agreed to contact the number. I don't understand how mileage of a vehicle has to do with safety. There should be a safety mechanism to be able to open a car door when the latch fails, if the car door cannot be opened from the inside then it should be able to be opened from the outside and vice versa. What if someone cannot physically crawl out?
- Goodyear, AZ, USA
The controls on the steering wheel have completely stopped working. According to my research it appears the clock spring in the steering wheel has gone bad. Hyundai has extended the warranty for other models with clock spring issues (see attachment) but not the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe sport to date. A bad clock spring could affect the air bag including possibly deploying in an accident. This is definitely a safety issue. At the beginning of the clock spring going bad, the controls on the steering wheel would work with the steering wheel turned all the way in either direction. Now, they don't work at all. Since the clock spring could cause a serious safety issue the 2014 model should be included in their extended warranty or recall....or shall they wait to see how many people get hurt or possibly killed first. I contacted Hyundai and their Consumer Affairs representative told me there is no extended warranty or recall for my model car. I told her I was going to report it NHTSA and she said I should because that is how these things get taken care of.....sad that a company will wait on such a safety issue.
- Shohola, PA, USA
My head lights will cut off at night driving. When I lightly move the head light controller, it will usually turn back
- Athens, GA, USA
Very noticeable engine ticking when running. But when you rev motor a little, it stops. This happens in park. But when driving, I don't notice the ticking. This started about 2 weeks after I bought it.
- Athens, GA, USA
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
Intermittent blind spot detection system. De-activates and when you re-start vehicle the blind spot systems resets and works ok. Blind spot systems is not reliable. I've been having this problem for a while and dealer can't do anything because there is no fault to troubleshoot. All of this happens when vehicle is been driven in highway.
- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA
The power strut for the rear lift gate rusted and broke while unloading groceries. This caused the lift gate to fall almost striking me in the head
- Vestal, NY, USA
When turning, the vehicle makes a clunk sound. Had it inspected at Hyundai of wesley chapel and it was found to have an internal failure of steering rack gear assembly and now requires a replacement of the steering rack assembly. This is an ongoing issue with Hyundai, as the 2017 Santa Fe's were recalled for this issue.
- Hudson, FL, USA
I have a problem with the car having trouble when taking off. It hesitates as I'm taking off some of the time. I would say about half the time. I just got a tune up because I only have had this SUV about 3 months. But still acts up. No dashboard lights on either. Everything else has been great.
- Madison, OH, USA
The backup camera isn't working half the time. Sometimes I get a blue screen, sometimes I get the picture with a lot of lines in it, making it nearly impossible to see anything. It started on 7/18/18 and continues to be a problem.
- Silver Spring, MD, USA
Error message flashed on dash display "bsd cancelled". then the display returned to normal for about 2 seconds, then the entire display returned to "bsd cancelled". this repeated until the ignition was shut off. At the same time the ABS light and stability control lights came on. I left the car overnight. When the car started the next day all of the lights had extinguished. Trying to get diagnosed at dealership at this time. Car was in motion at the time about 1 mile from my home, traveling about 25 mph so I continued home and parked the vehicle. No accident.
- New Bern, NC, USA
Low beam headlights are so poor I feel I cannot safely see to drive. Have checked alignment and they are just very poorly designed according to dealer. Cannot see adequate distance to stop safely on low beams at reasonable speeds. So bad I seldom ever drive at night and never on the highway.
- Peoria, AZ, USA
I took my car in to the dealer for routine oil change and tire rotation. The service advisor came out and asked me if I had a recent blowout. I said no. She said when the tech rotated the tire he noticed a bulge in the sidewall of the rear passenger tire. They advised it was dangerous to drive it that way, so they put the spare on. One other tire was showing cable. Both tires are at 5/32. I bought this car used, in June 2015. Car fax showed no reports of any issues, however, there was noticeable body work and repaint (poorly done and I have pictures). The previous owner had a blowout in the less than 12 months they had the vehicle. They never reported it, but the dealer mentioned it. I have 19" tires on my Santa Fe sport 2.0T. Is it possible the recall on the 17" tires should have included the 19" tires as well? these are still the original tires. I haven't owned the car a year yet. I travel 140+ miles a day to and from work. My safety is very important.
- Mechanicsville, MD, USA
While I was driving, my car all of sudden stopped working. It happened around 2 months later after I bought, which was 2014 September or October. I went to a dealershop, they inspected my car but couldn't find anything. However my car stopped working on the local area, 2015 Sep.4th. Again, they couldn't find anything wrong in my car. I asked Hyundai headquarter and dealership to check if there is a report regarding this issue, they do not give me any answer about it. Please check and let me know what I am supposed to do. I do not want to get killed on the road and kill someone because of my car.
- Harrisburg, NC, USA
While driving down interstate I heard a large sound as if the car was hit by something. There were no cars or trucks in front of me or to the right of me. Suddenly I heard crackling and put the sun shade back. The entire back panel of the sun roof shattered.
- Tampa, FL, USA
I bought a new car June 2014 and when it was rain my windshield wiper has no water come out. So I went to dealer to check out and I found out that the motor & pump assy. Was bad. But the problem is washer pump had tape around body and it looks used one. It was brand new car when I buy. I am just wondering what else going to be bad. I spend more $33K and I am really upset. What else did they use used parts for my vehicle"? what should I do" I do not want my any anymore. Thanks
- Duluth Ga, GA, USA
- Baltimore, MD, USA