3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,475 miles

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problem #12

Jun 112024

Santa Fe

  • miles
Engine has goes on out at 99000 miles has seized up.

- Oak Park, IL, USA

problem #11

Aug 302023

Santa Fe

  • miles
While driving at 65 mph on an urban expressway, the engine quit without warning and would not restart. This resulted in diminished steering and braking control as well as exposure near the edge of traffic on a narrow berm of an overpass bridge. Full tank of fuel, good battery, the engine would not crank or restart. All electrical accessories work fine.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #10

Aug 022023

Santa Fe

  • 211,457 miles
On August 2, 2023 I was driving my truck and it completely shut off on me on the highway. I push the start button to turn the engine and it just keep turning like it wanted to start, but it didn't. Called the tow truck to take it to the shop, to then get a call after two days saying that they couldn't find out what was going on, because when they ran the test it didn't come back with any code. The clerk informed me that when he started my truck that next day, it cranked as if nothing was wrong. He drove it around about 15-20 minutes, and it didn't do anything like what it had done the previous day before. I am very concerned because this could have been a bad outcome because I was in the highway on Wednesday. I need someone to further look into this matter.

- Florence, SC, USA

problem #9

May 072022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Driving on a busy, 4-lane street, approaching intersection with larger road (ref: speed limits 40 & 50, respectively). Vehicle suddenly, without warning (normal temp gauge, oil pressure, etc.; check engine light off) lost all ability to accelerate. Narrowly avoided being rear-ended as a car attempted to accelerate while changing lanes. Moving with urgency (2 babies in car-seats at rear, wife at passenger, busy road with some blind spots), I put hazards on, shut the engine off, restarted, and attempted to drive. No response, still no CEL indication. 2nd attempt, shut engine off, restarted, this time shifted to low gear. Able to accelerate up to ~5-10mph and signaling to approaching vehicles with arms through window, we were able to get to a parking lot and called a tow truck. Scary situation to have zero acceleration suddenly with babies in the back on a busy street with blind spots. Towed to a certified Hyundai dealership. Been >5 months now, never received formal diagnosis (however, rec'd quote to replace the engine ILO written cause of failure--odd). Rec'd pics of the engine, told by non-technical service liaison issue was "head got stuck open, during combustion cycle, engine was burned up". This presents identical to previous Hyundai recall RE: failing connecting rod bearing(s) & oil consumption. Upon inspection, motor oil presented: (1) low & (2) copper tinted + fine silver-colored metal shavings--indicative of issue for which Hyundai Theta engine was recalled. Dealer ultimately said Hyundai would not cover and engine failure was due to improper maintenance schedule (I changed oil regularly). This is not an indictment, but resistance to formalized written diagnosis, the evidence in the engine, Hyundai & dealers refusal to cover, and life & history of vehicle (well maintained, 63K miles)--all lead me to suspect Hyundai USA is attempting to sidestep manufacturer responsibility to recall. Similar reports found--compiled a list >100 in one session.

- Lexington, TX, USA

problem #8

Aug 292022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Engine replaced during recall 10 months prior. New fuel line on new engine begins leaking fuel onto exhaust vehicle smoking no warning lights or indicators

- Sevierville, TN, USA

problem #7

Mar 152021

Santa Fe

  • 99,000 miles
When driving on the highway 65mph after 15 min there is a burning rubber smell, the oil is low even though I changed it 3 weeks ago, it is consuming twice as much gas as before. I called a certified Hyundai dealer and they have no availability, I have a saftey concern because engine fires can happen. Not sure if this is related to ABS recall

- Hopkins, MN, USA

problem #6

Jul 012020

Santa Fe

  • 41,800 miles
Fuel consumed more, lightening in back not clear, engine sound,

- Boynton Beach,, FL, USA

problem #5

Jul 252018

Santa Fe

  • 21,000 miles
Twice engine quit while operating with no warning. Once at 60mph and the other at slow speed while turning around. Restarted by placing in neutral and push start button while still moving. 21000+ miles. Dealer offers no explanation. There are numerous reports of similar incidents with Hyundai vehicles. No fixes I have been able to find and little satisfaction from the mfr.

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #4

Jun 232018

Santa Fe

  • 58,091 miles
While driving the vehicle on the highway, I noticed the check engine light came on. I checked the oil level and other fluids. The oil was very low. I put in a few quarts of oil immediately and took the vehicle to get an oil change professionally shortly after. I noticed the engine with hesitate and idling became rough. At the same time, the fuel miles per gallon decreased drastically.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #3

Dec 272017

Santa Fe

  • 44,856 miles
Started the car one morning and it ran rough. Turned off A/C and car smoothed out. As we turned off of our road we attempted to accelerate and car would not go more than 1mph per every few seconds. We pulled off in the nearest parking lot and the car died. Dealership has had the car for almost 2 weeks and they have attempted to having no idea what is wrong with the vehicle. Because they haven't diagnosed the vehicle they will not provide a rental per Hyundai's corporate policy. This vehicle has less than 45,000 miles on it!!

- Lumberton, TX, USA

problem #2

Apr 102017

Santa Fe

  • 58,500 miles
The car stalls and completely loses power. We just hit the 62K mile mark. When it loses power even the brakes do not work. When you stop at a stop light or stop sign the car jerks. The exhaust is smoking badly. This has happened on more than one occasion and with more than one driver.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #1

Jul 042015

Santa Fe

  • 11,000 miles
For a week (July 4-11, 2015) I rented a Santa Fe sport SUV from national at hobby airport in houston, tx. Only after driving it during the week did I discover the worst problem with this car ' it had a predominant tendency to hesitate when accelerating from a stop, especially when a left or right turn was to be executed at the same time. This was a very dangerous situation, with a real possibility of being struck by oncoming traffic.

- Ooltewah, TN, USA