10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,947 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #40

Jul 022019

Santa Fe Sport

  • 108,500 miles
Blown theta II gdi engine at 108,500 miles... well-maintained car. Car suddenly lost power and started shaking on the highway. A piston broke apparently. Hyundai won't repair. I can submit reports from the dealership when I get them.

- Rockville, MD, USA

problem #39

Jul 052019

Santa Fe Sport

  • 78,000 miles
On July 5, 2019, the car suddenly stalled while in motion in city driving. I immediately attempted to re-start the car: It did not restart, no cranking of the starter. I then pushed the hazard light button: No response. There was no electric power, I.e., no lights, no radio, no A/C, no steering, etc. After 2 minutes, I re-attempted to restart the car, but it did not start, no cranking. The hazard light button then worked. Electricity came back on. Aaa came and jumped the battery, but car no start. Car went to Hyundai dealership. Service manager, the engine seized because of major breakdown. "we could not turn the engine manually." He stated: "we have seen this before in other Hyundai, but your vehicle was not in recall." Please urgently investigate. This is a dangerous situation. If I was driving on the highway, or high speed city driving, the seized car could have flipped, endangering myself, passengers and other nearby vehicles and people.

- Oakton, VA, USA

problem #38

Jun 222019

Santa Fe Sport

  • 57,000 miles
The check engine light is blinking.

- Springfield, MA, USA

problem #37

Jun 172019

Santa Fe Sport

  • miles
I've had my Hyundai since 2015, it had 8,000 miles when we purchased it. The vehicle was a certified pre-owned. It's been great, we've kept up regular maintenance. It was repaired for a recall last year that causes the engine to seize (this was before we'd had an issue with it). Fast forward to mid may, I'm driving to work and it suddenly slows down and becomes disabled. I pull off into a parking lot, have it towed to my local Hyundai dealership (kerry Hyundai, florence ky). They give me a loner vehicle and tell me the repair has to do with the recall again, a part is ordered and 6 days later I have my car back. This past weekend my family and I were headed 6 hours away for a little vacation. We're close to our destination and the car becomes disabled again on a very busy interstate in a poor weather. Thankfully I could tell the warning signs quickly enough to try to safely get to the shoulder. We get a tow for the second time in a month and it goes to the nearest dealer in O'fallon, il. It was a big ordeal but we got a rental car and got our Santa Fe back within two days. I am told this is likely to happen again!! in which case my engine will need replaced. They say it will be free of cost to me when the day comes. I guess time will tell. So disappointed as we've had multiple Hyundai's and still do.

- Edgewood, KY, USA

problem #36

Mar 042019

Santa Fe Sport

  • 57,000 miles
When taking off with the vehicle it will die and almost come to a complete stop then the engine picks back up and continues on down the road does this every time you start and stop. Will not get on 200 rpms or 60 mph. This is the second time I have had the car in the shop for the same issue. First time they kept my car two months said it was a wiring issue. 2000 miles later does the same exact thing almost causing me to get in a wreck because it starts with no warning at all. Car currently back in the shop been there now a week have not heard anything from them.

- Maxton, NC, USA

problem #35

Apr 122019

Santa Fe Sport

  • 98,820 miles
I was driving down the road about a week after the dealer supposedly fixed two recalls with the engine on my 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe sport base. Suddenly, and without any audible warning, my ECM light came on and my vehicle starting lunging and lurching forward like it was about to stall. I pulled over and read the manual, and it noted that it was the ECM sensor and that I should immediately drive the vehicle to the dealership, so I did. Driving there, I was only able to maintain a speed of 60 mph on the interstate, which put me and my 8 -year-old daughter in danger from faster-driving cars, especially since it was a torrential downpour. Any time I stopped or slowed down, the engine would shutter like it was about to stall and then would get better just past 10-20 mph until I approached 60 again, where it would not accelerate again. When I got to the dealership, they immediately knew the problem and ordered a knock sensor harness. However, in reading the variety of lawsuits, issues, and service campaigns, it appears as though Hyundai is knowingly allowing people to continue driving cars they know are defective, thus putting us and our children's lives in jeopardy. These vehicles need to be recalled and have all of the engines and related parts replaced, or they need to buy the vehicles back at original msrp so we can purchase a functional, safer vehicle.

- Burlington, NC, USA

problem #34

Feb 082019

Santa Fe Sport

  • 61,650 miles
Smell mixture of gas and oil after I start the engine and run for a while and run like a diesel engine and there is no power at all, there is smoke came from the dip stick after I shut off the engine

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #33

Feb 022019

Santa Fe Sport

  • 70,000 miles
Dealer oil change was done, the next day all of the oil leaked out of my car. Had a second oil change. Following week engine seized while I was driving down the highway. Car was towed to the dealer and has now sat there for 2 months. Being told it is part of a recall.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #32

Mar 202019

Santa Fe Sport

  • 15,000 miles
The vehicle lost power when accelerating to go on interstate, it just had new software put in.I went to the dealer right away. They said that they could not work on it till the next day. I called hyundia and they know about it. Ido not think this vehicle should be on the street. They should fix the problem with the connecting rod, not software.

- Mt. Pleasant, WI, USA

problem #31

Jan 242019

Santa Fe Sport

  • miles
'takata reacall' automatic engine gear doen't shift properly. I took it to a Hyundai dealer and they told me that the vehicule need a new engine.

- Fort Eustis, VA, USA

problem #30

Nov 152018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 56,000 miles
The car strains to move at speeds as low as 25mph. I already had my engine replaced, but the same thing is beginning again. At time it feels like it will shut off when moving from being stationary. The car is also guzzling oil. If I don't put oil in every couple weeks, it sounds and feels like it will shut off while driving. Cars behind me sometimes get mad, but what can I do?

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #29

Dec 312018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 75,000 miles
While driving on the interstate, I noticed a rattling/knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle, under the hood. The noise kept getting louder, specifically as the vehicle accelerated. I noticed that the rpms would increase, with no increase in speed & even a decrease in speed. During this time the car was using cruise control at approximately 70 mph. As I noticed the knocking noise getting louder, I tapped the brakes & the vehicle's speed dramatically decreased to approximately 40 mph. I tried to speed the vehicle up & the rpms increased significantly, while the vehicle speed did not. I then put my flashers on to signal there was an issue with the vehicle & the check engine light came on, along with other service lights on the dashboard. The vehicle's steering capacity was tight & the ride became extremely bumpy as the speed decreased. After abruptly stopping on the shoulder of the interstate, the vehicle started to smell like something was burning. I could smell this in the cabin of the vehicle & the noticed there was smoke coming from the hood of the car. The engine shut off, but then began to try & turn on, with the lights starting & the start up musical sound playing. It would turn on & off 3 - 4 times, so I then removed the key from the vehicle, stepped out & backed away. The smoke, thankfully, seemed to dissipate after 20 minutes. Fire & police arrived on the scene & did not find any fire, but did smell the burning smell I noticed in the cabin of the vehicle. Unfortunately, we never could get the vehicle's engine to crank again & ended up having it towed back to our local Hyundai dealership.

- West Columbia, SC, USA

problem #28

Dec 222018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 35,000 miles
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe sport- brake light/ ABS light/ hill descent control light came on in vehicle and after a day or two never turned off. Took car to dealership and was asked to make appointment. The next day a triangle with exclamation point light turned on along with a steering wheel with exclamation point light and the steering wheel became loose at this time. Drove myself home and after parking I turned vehicle off but the engine continued to make humming noises like something was still running. Restarted car and then turned off engine again and the noise stopped. I went inside my house and less than 5 minutes later there was a loud banging on my front door- a neighbor that ran up to inform me my car was on fire. I completed regular maintenance on this vehicle and it only had 35,000 miles. Please look into this situation so that no others go through this devastating situation that I faced today.

- Sunrise, FL, USA

problem #27

Nov 012018

Santa Fe Sport

  • miles
My 2014 Santa Fe sport starting making a crazy rattle noise from the engine in 2016. Just 2 years after I had purchased it new. After a few trips to the dealer they kept telling me they don't hear anything. It makes the noise after the car is completely warmed up and sitting still. When I am driving I can not hear it again until I slow down. Every stop light, stop sign or in parked it makes a noise. Once I heard about the recall I have went to the shop a few more times only to be told it is fine and normal noises or they don't hear anything. Finally I got them to "replace" the engine after working up a complaint with Hyundai corporate. The day after I picked my car up the noise is still there. The only answer I have got it that's just the way it is. It is normal. If, in fact I got a new engine like the recall says shouldn't it not make a sound? I am not sure what they "fixed" but, to me it wasn't the whole engine as they are claiming it is. I am scared now to even drive this vehicle after reading they catch on fire and just stop while driving.

- Utica, KY, USA

problem #26

May 252018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 70,000 miles
Hyundai replaced engine claiming it was a new engine even though it was actually a refurbished engine. This engine was put in because the original engine from my 2014 Hyundai sanate fe sport 2.0T has seized and completely locked up while driving on the highway. A couple thousand miles after this 'refurbished' engine had been out in after driving down the highway I started to hear some rattling followed by a loud pop (sounded like a small bomb going off), I look out my rear view window because something had cut my eye and I proceed to see smoke coming out the rear view window. I obviously need to pull off the side of the highway, so I go to give the car some gas to merge over a couple of lanes to pull over to the side and the same thing happens as before when they put the 'refurbished' engine in (car engine locks up and I have no power so I have to glide on over to the side of the highway). Once I do that, I call the service advisor at Hyundai of florence (where the 'refurbished' engine was put in) and mention to him I'm stuck on the side of the road again. As I co to he speaking to him I notice the hood of my car is starting to melt. I quickly get out and start taking pictures/videos (for proof to show Hyundai/insurance) and within a short amount of time, my car is completely engulfed in flames!

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

problem #25

Oct 212018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 52,000 miles
Incident occurred on I-65. My husband and I were traveling home from a quick road trip. While passing another vehicle at 75mph, our sante made a weird noise, then loud sound and went dead. My husband fought to control the car, barely avoided a possible fatal crash. We called Hyundai roadside assistance and was told they only tow 47 miles. The nearest dealer was 50 miles away. We were left stranded, no service or tow truck from Hyundai showed up. Had to call family to come get us (nearly 3 hours away). We had to rent a uhaul auto Transport and truck to recover our car on the side of I-65, heading to our hometown, we were stranded in verbena, al. Hyundai finally towed car to dealership once in hometown, was told by service tech that our car had "catastrophic engine damage and a new engine has been ordered, at no charge, due to our car was part of the recall. Was told we "might" be reimbursed for our incurred expense of having to tow the car ourselves. We purchased the car brand new, with an added roadside assistance package, which we were assured we'd never be stranded, which proved a useless sales ploy. 3 disabled persons and a highway patrol officer had to manually load the car onto the auto Transport, one of which fell on the road and cut their knee. Why is additional roadside assistance offered when the dealership neglected to inform us that there was only a 47 mile towing radius. We were assured that "we'd be covered no matter where we might travel. We have a rental, which resulted in us paying a deposit out of our own pocket, "that should be refunded upon return of the rental". full reimbursement and or a new car should be offered, due to the catastrophic engine damage (the term the Hyundai service tech used) that occurred to our 2014 Santa Fe sport with less than 53,000 miles. Thanks Hyundai roadside assistance for leaving us stranded.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #24

Oct 172018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 59,000 miles
The truck smell like burn and is not give power and feels like shaking and pushing

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #23

Oct 122018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe sport. While driving approximately 45 mph on a ramp to enter a turnpike, the engine stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart. When the contact slowly depressed the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the failure recurred and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to be driven to a service station and was towed to sussman Hyundai & genesis (1645 easton road, willow grove, Pennsylvania 19090, (215) 392-9020). The dealer diagnosed that the failure was related to a timing jump and an excess of sludge in the engine. The dealer suggested that the engine sludge caused the failures. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Elkins, PA, USA

problem #22

Sep 172018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 68,000 miles
My car started making a weird humming screeching noise and then the next day it would not start. Found out the bearings have failed and caused complete engine failure. Its the same problem with your 2011-2013 models so the 2014 should be included in that recall. We have spent tons of money keeping the car updated on maintenance for college and this is completely inappropriate for a 2014 to have this happen. The vehicle was in motion when the first noise was noticed then parked immediately thank goodness at her dorm where the car, then would not start the next day and was towed.

- Austibn, TX, USA

problem #21

Jul 102018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 108,000 miles
I purchased used 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe sport on 8/31/2016 with cash. In February 2018 while driving in high speed lane accelerating to pass the rpms went red and loud bang, with smoke filling cabin through vents. I was able to cross 3 lanes of traffic run away from car called Hyundai 24hr towing. They quickly picked me up and car gave me keys to loaner no questions asked, then IN1 week they gave car back with brand new 2017 engine. I was thrilled. Then on July 10 driving up hill saw smoke in rear view mirror going about 35 mph. I went to pull over and head home but brakes went to floor and power steering was shot. I whipped it into park and looked up to entire windshield blocked with black smoke and orange flames. I grabbed my purse and couldn't get out because I had forgotten about seatbelt. Undid that grabbed phone and sprinted for my life as there were numerous explosions. Vehicle burned to frame. It was still under bumper to bumper warranty but the bumpers were gone! thanks be to god that my handicapped husband had declined to come with me. I had a rental from insurance at no cost, Hyundai wants all paperwork on car which burned with it.

- Monson, MA, USA

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