9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$5,000
Average Mileage:
27,950 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace engine (5 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Hyundai dealer.

problem #5

Dec 132021

Santa Fe Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

While driving on the freeway the engine start acting up and the car just stop. Engine now need to be replace completely.

- Anna C., Milwaukee, US

problem #4

Mar 162019

Santa Fe Sport EX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,653 miles

I was visiting my mother in Oklahoma when I needed to go to town. On the way, my practically new 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport with 11,653 miles on it, suddenly jerked out of cruise at 65 mph and the dashboard lit up along with the touch screen that said to call Customer Care immediately, so I did. A nice man at the other end of the phone checked my car as I was driving (very cool feature) but could find nothing after running the diagnostic. He said I should be able to drive it about another 300 miles but should get to my dealership as soon as possible. I told him I was over 300 miles from home so he helped locate a Hyundai dealership closer and I headed that way while still talking to the Customer Care guy. As I was getting on the on-ramp to travel I-35, the car jerked and acted like it lost power and I pulled over. The guy called a tow truck to come after the car and have it towed to the dealership. Again, a very nice feature. After that, things went downhill.

My car went to the nearest dealership where they ran a diagnostic and could not find anything either and said they had to wait on Hyundai Corporate to authorize them to check the engine. That took several more days while I was stranded at my mother's house but once they received the authorization, they dropped the oil pan and found metal shavings in the oil which indicated my engine was blown and would need a replacement. initially, they said it might take up to 6 weeks. Of course I was unhappy, but they also told me Hyundai would pay for a rental car. Because it was spring break, there were no rentals available so my husband drove the 350 miles to come after me and we thought we would get a rental back home. On the way home, I made arrangements for a rental but wanted to check once more with Hyundai to make sure they would reimburse me. When I called the Customer Service line, they would not authorize the rental so I canceled it because it would cost me about $2000 per month to rent and I was not going to rent a car with no guarantee of getting my money back.

After several more phone calls Hyundai finally assigned me a case number and a case manager and I thought things would begin to get better. Nope. They got worse. The case manager was worthless, would not return my calls or send any updates about the status of my vehicle. Finally, Hyundai Corporate assigned me another case manager and after looking at my state's lemon laws, I asked them to buy my car back from me. The second case manager sent me a letter asking for some documentation and told me they would send a re-purchase offer. That was over a month ago and I still have heard nothing from Hyundai.

My car is still on the dealer lot in Oklahoma and the dealership has no idea when, or if, an engine will be shipped to replace the one in my car. I have not been able to get ANYONE at Hyundai Corporate to contact me back either by phone or email. Fortunately, the dealership where I actually bought the car has stepped up and got me a rental vehicle they are paying for. I have no complaints with them but Hyundai Corporate is AWFUL.

This is my third Hyundai vehicle and unfortunately, it is also my last one. I do not recommend Hyundai vehicles anymore and will not purchase another.

- Angela G., Cunningham, KS, US

problem #3

Mar 232019

Santa Fe Sport LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,100 miles

Well less than 2,000 miles on new engine. Same issue yesterday, same problems and looks like another new engine. Three engines under 30,000 miles. How would you feel when twice on NJ Parkway my wife on way to work had engine fail? She does not want to drive it again. Spoke with dealership and let’s see what they will do. They can keep car, I would think twice about Hyundai.

FYI-My 2011 Sonata started the large recall, had engine go with 31,000 miles seven years ago. No car for three months. So this is three new engines from Hyundai.....

- Stephen M., Howell, US

problem #2

Mar 022019

Santa Fe Sport Limited 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,385 miles

Wife was traveling out of town when car started shaking, knocking & total loss of power. Engine never did quit running, but did not have enough power to move vehicle. She called Hyundai's roadside assistance and they made he an APPOINTMENT with dealer, but did NOT send a tow vehicle to get her car. She had to call AAA to get car towed back to the dealer!

I contacted dealer on Monday and they said that the engine needed to be replaced. Service manager said that they had submitted claim to Hyundai & could take up to 3 days for resolution. Called them back on Thursday and he said that Hyundai requested more scans to be done which they completed and was awaiting resolution again, so we are back in the waiting loop again....

This is the second time the vehicle has left her stranded in past 3 months. The other time they said that it was the battery, but have to believe that the two issues are related.

We are newly retired and bought the Santa Fe due to the much touted 10 year warranty, but really having second thoughts, certainly not impressed at ths point.

- Jack L., KILLEN, US

problem #1

Feb 262019

Santa Fe Sport Sport 4DR 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,500 miles

Santa Sport had 7500 miles on it when I took in for required service, which included check on engine. Nothing said to me about an engine problem after service. I drove off got on interstate & with cruise on at 70mph, car starting slowing down, cruise would not engage. I tried to get up to speed, but best was 60 mph. After I pulled off highway suv would barely shift.

I called dealer after stopping & told them the problem & would be coming back. When I got their I told them what happened & within 5 mins. or less I was informed I had a blown engine. Why they didn't know that before I left from servicing is beyond me as my invoice shows Bearing Noise? was told it could be 2 days, 2 weeks or longer to get replacement engine.

I've got a crappy Frontier pick up to drive, which my wife can't get in & no where to put my golf clubs.

Salesman talked about me buying a new 2019 SUV for about $13,000 more - what a deal. I believe I should pay no more than $4000.

Also I have a 2 yr. maintenance plan which with mileage requirements & time will expire before I can use if I don't get SUV back in a couple of days. ( 2 yrs. or 15000) this ends 12/30/2019.

Really feel they should give me a great deal on 2019 or this will be my last Hyundai after owning 4 of them over 10 yrs. & 3rd from this dealer.

- Robert T., EDWARDS, US