38 of the 386 complaints about the 2004 Hyundai Santa FE are about the engine — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 60,229 miles.
38
Complaints
0
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
In transit, it began smoking and the engine light came on. After pulling to the side, flames erupted and it became fully engulfed, followed by a small explosion. The vehicle and it’s contents were a total loss.
NHTSA complaint #11548969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
LAST NIGHT MY MOTHERS 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE CAUGHT FIRE THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR HOURS, THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE CAR IT WAS COMPLETELY OFF. IT MADE ABSOLUTELY NO SINCE UNTILL I DONE SOME RESEARCH AND SEEN THE LAWSUIT FOR THIS SAME THING AND I WONDERED WHY THIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. I ALSO SEEN MULTIPLE PEOPLE WONDERING THE SAME THING ABOUT THEIR 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. MY FATHER WAS THE ONLY ONE IAT THE HOUSE AND IN THE HOUSE HE COULD HAVE LOST HIS LIFE AND EVERYTHING THEY OWN THE ONLY WAY HE KNEW IT WAS ON FIRE WAS A NEIGHBOR SAW AND STARTED SCREAMING AND STARTED BACKING UP TO THE VEHICLE TO PULL IT AWAY FROM THE HOUSE A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE BUT WHAT IS SHE SUPPOSED TO DO FOR A VEHICLE? WHEN NO ONE EVEN STARTED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11387389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I HAVE A 2004 HYUNDIA SANTA FE AND THE ENGINE STARTED WITH LOUD KNOCKING SOUNDS IN MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD IT TOLL TO AVONDALE EARNHARDT HYUNDIA'S DEALERSHIP. THE DIAGOSTIC WAS "FOUND ENGINE KNOCK CAN BE HEARD AT BOTTOM END OF ENGINE. FAILURE IN ROD BEARINGS IS CAUSING EXCESSIVE NOISE IN BOTTOM END. ENGINE REQUIRED" REPLACEMENT. THE CAR HAS 125,000 MILES WHICH EXCEEDS THE 100,000 POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. HOWEVER, MY ENGINE FAILURE IS THE SAME AS THE CURRENT "ENGINE FAILURE RECALLS (THETA II ENGINES) CAUSED BY MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. EXCEPT THE 2004 HYUNDIA SANTA FE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL LIST. I SPOKE AND SUBMITTED TWICE A COMPLIANT TO HYUNDIA CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT TO REPLACE MY ENGINE AND WAS DENIED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR SINCE NOVEMBER 20, 2020. TODAY, CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT NOTIFIED ME BY PHONE OF THE SECOND REJECTION. I AM AN ELDERLY WOMAN AND RETIRED, SO FINANCES ARE LIMITED. I FEEL THAT THE ENGINE SHOULD BE REPLACED BECAUSE THAT THE "FAIR THING TO DO". THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED SO EARLY IN ITS LIFE-CYCLE. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR REVIEW AND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. PERHAPS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11383023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2.7 LITER ENGINE, HIGH IDLES AT 3,000 RPM ON START UP AND NEVER GOES DOWN EVEN WHEN ENGINE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT EVEN ACTING RIGHT SINCE THIS PROBLEM STARTED, THIS IS A HAZARD AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR SHOWS NO ENGINE CODES, OR TRANSMISSION CODES, IT HAS HAD LOWER INTAKE, UPPER INTAKE GASKETS CHANGED, IAC MOTOR CHANGED, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR CHANGED, TEMPERATURE SENSOR CHANGED, CLEANED THROTTLE BODY BORE WHERE THROTTLE PLATE CLOSES, CHANGED VACUUM HOSES, MADE SURE THROTTLE CABLE AND CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WERE BINDING OR HOLDING THROTTLE OPEN, AND NONE OFF THESE THINGS HAVE HELPED. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM, MANY ACCIDENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND HAVE READ A FORUM THAT SAID HYUNDAI DOES NOT HAVE A FAIL SAFE MODE BUILT INTO THERE COMPUTERS LIKE MOST CARS DO SO THIS KIND OF SITUATION DOES NOT OCCUR. VEHICLE STILL NOT FIXED, AND HYUNDAI NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THERE ARE ANY FATALITIES FROM NEGLECT OF A KNOWN PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11093495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE SURGING ISSUE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR 2 TO 4 TIMES PER MONTH. THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.
NHTSA complaint #11031048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS OVER A YEAR AGO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN I5 GOING 70 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED. I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE NEXT EXIT. IT STARTED AFTER SITTING A FEW MINUTES. AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. I'VE RECEIVED CODES FOR CAMSHAFT SENSOR, MISFIRES, LOW CATALYST. I'VE CHANGED THE CAM AND CRANK SENSORS, COILS, SPARK PLUGS, TIMING BELT AND ASSEMBLY, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND FUEL PUMP OVER THE PAST YEAR. STILL HAVING THE ISSUE. CAR DRIVES FANTASTIC FOR ABOUT 10 MILES AND STALLS OUT. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 5 MIN. IT CAN BE DRIVEN FOR ANOTHER FEW MILES BEFORE STALLING OUT AGAIN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN IT STALLS NOW. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE IN TOWN OR ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL STALL OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10825883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO KEEP HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO AVOID CRASHING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10816532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10806709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, LOSING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR BRAKING DOWN A WINDY CANYON ROAD. PROBLEM INCLUDES INTERMITTENT JERKING, JUMPING, HICCUPPING - WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. FIRST MONTH, AFTER BRAND-NEW NY DEALERSHIP PURCHASE, I REPLACED MY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR 3 TIMES. TROUBLE WITH MY CURRENT PROBLEM BEGAN AT 4 YEARS, WELL UNDER 30,000 MILES. FOR A YEAR I HAD TO FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME I DROVE, NEVER KNOWING IF THIS TRIP WOULD KILL ME OR OTHER MOTORISTS. WHY DID I HAVE TO DRIVE IT? BECAUSE THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS IN LOS ANGELES COULDN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM IF THEY COULDN'T CAUSE IT TO HAPPEN AND THERE IS NO ERROR CODE WHEN TESTED. A YEAR OF FEAR. JUST THE HESITATION JERKING IS SCARY ENOUGH WHILE DRIVING, BUT WHEN IT ACTUALLY SHUTS DOWN? WHEN YOUR RPM INDICATOR DROPS FROM 2,000 TO 0 AND YOU'RE FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIFE TURNING THE STUCK STEERING WHEEL AND PULLING UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HOPING YOU DON'T CAREEN OFF A WINDING CLIFF OR COAST HEAD ON INTO UNSUSPECTING TRAFFIC OR CLICKING YOUR HAZARDS ON AND PRAYING NO ONE HITS YOU ON AN OILY RAIN SLICK PAVEMENT AT NIGHT ON THE 101 FREEWAY - THAT IS WHEN IT REALLY MAKES YOUR HEART JUMP OUT OF YOUR CHEST. AFTER 11 MONTHS OF SHUTTING OFF, IT GOT SO BAD IT WOULDN'T TURN ON AGAIN AND FINALLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. IN THE PROCESS OF FIXING, THEY MADE A LEAK IN MY POWER STEERING HOSE AND DAMAGED MY PUMP. BECAUSE IT WAS DAYS AFTER MY WARRANTY, THE VAN NUYS DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME FOR THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AND OTHER DAMAGE! 33,000 MILES ON MY CAR. WELL, THAT WAS NOVEMBER 2009. IT'S NOW 2015 (70,540 MILES) AND ONCE AGAIN, I'M OKAYED TO DRIVE MY UNSAFE CAR. THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE VEHICLES PUT DRIVERS AT AN UNREASONABLE RISK OF ACCIDENT AND SINCE THERE IS NO ERROR CODE, HYUNDAI WILL DO NOTHING.
NHTSA complaint #10731794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10724538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
AS I APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT AND MY CAR BEGAN TO SLOW, IT DIDN'T SHIFT ALL THE WAY INTO FIRST GEAR. WHILE STOPPED AT THE LIGHT, IT REMAINED AT A HIGH RPM WHILE THE BRAKE WAS PRESSED. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED, MY CAR "KICKED" DOWN INTO FIRST AND IMMEDIATELY BACK IN TO SECOND. A FEW DAYS LATER WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, MY CAR DIED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, IT STARTED BACK UP. AFTER BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER (IT HAD DIED ON MY THREE TIMES AT THIS POINT) TO HAVE IT SERVICED, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY WERE ABLE TO "FEEL" THE SHIFTING ISSUES WHEN STOPPING BUT THEY COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. SINCE I'VE HAD MY VEHICLE BACK FROM THE SHOP, IT HAS BEEN HAVING HIGH IDLE SURGES WHERE THE RESTING IDLE RPM IS AT 2000, IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN NEUTRAL IT ACTS AS IF SOMETHING IS PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 800 AND 2000 RPM. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE AND MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, IT ALSO FEELS LIKE MY VEHICLE WANTS TO GET UP AND GO (AGAIN LIKE SOMETHING IS PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL). I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT PLACES AND BOTH PLACES CAN'T PINPOINT WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. IT'S STARTING TO BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN. WHAT IF WHATEVER IS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE OVERRIDES THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND I END UP HURTING SOMEONE?
NHTSA complaint #10692230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THIS VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROX. 1/2 MILE FROM HOME WHEN POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. IT WAS PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. IMMEDIATELY FLAMES SHOT UP THE WINDSHIELD. THE ENTIRE INTERIOR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AS WELL 3/4 OF THE EXTERIOR.
NHTSA complaint #10679231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHEN JUST TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. THE BRAKE MUST IMMEDIATELY BE ENGAGED TO SLOW THE CAR. ONCE THE CAR IS MOVING THE ACCELERATOR WORKS. WHILE CRUISING THE ENGINE RPM SURGES FORCING THE BRAKES TO BE ENGAGED.THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN TRAFFIC. THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS AND SHE JUST LIVED WITH IT. IT IS UNSETTLING TO HAVE A VEHICLE SURGE WHENEVER IT WANTS.
NHTSA complaint #10660868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS TUES. OCT. 21 BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. IT STALLED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY ROAD. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN. IT DID START BUT DID NOT FEEL LIKE IT WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN. HOWEVER, IT DID. THE SECOND TIME WAS YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A FOUR LANE ROAD AT 40 MILES AN HOUR AND IT JUST STOPPED RUNNING. I WAS SO THANKFUL IT WAS LATER IN THE EVENING AND TRAFFIC WAS VERY MINIMAL. I PUT IT IN PARK AND IT DID START BUT AGAIN DID NOT FEEL LIKE IT WOULD CONTINUE. IT FELT LIKE IT WOULD STALL AGAIN BUT DID NOT, 2 MORE TIMES BEFORE I GOT HOME. I CALLED THIS MORNING TO GET IT RIGHT IN AND NEVER HEARD BACK. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC ON MOST OF THESE ROADS. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE I WAS TAKEN SERIOUSLY EVEN THOUGH I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPT. BUT HAVE MANAGED TO MISPLACE IT. I DO NOT REMEMBER WHAT THE RECALL WAS FOR. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED A PANEL LIGHT DID COME ON. IT WAS THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT. I AM WORRIED ABOUT AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE DEATH WITH THIS HAPPENING TO THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10650538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DIES IN THE MIDDLE IF ROAD! ALMOST DIE. ALL THE TIME!!!!!! DIES IN THE MIDDLE IF ROAD! ALL THE TIME!!!ALMOST DIED.
NHTSA complaint #10596553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE SHUTS DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND WITHOUT WARNING. WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET IT AS IT WAS STILL ROLLING. NO INDICATIONS CAME ON AS TO WHAT THE ISSUE MAY POINT TO. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND WAITED FOR A TOW TO MY HOME WHICH I TOTAL TOOK ABOUT 45 MINUTES. ONCE AT HOME THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS MY VEHICLE WAS AT MY MECHANICS AND HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I WENT AHEAD AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION. FLUSHED AS HIM AND I HAD DISCUSSED AS ONE OF THE LAST THINGS TO GET SERVICED BEFORE WINTER. LATER THAT DAY I DROVE A LONGER DISTANCE WITH TOP SPEED ABOUT 65 MPH WITH NO ISSUES. JUST AS I WAS RETURNING HOME THE CAR SHUTDOWN AS I WAS CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION. LUCKILY, AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE ROLLING VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I ATTEMPTED TO START A FEW TIMES BUT AFTER A NOT SO PLEASANT SOUND LEFT IT OFF. AFTER BEING COMPLETELY OFF FOR 30 TO 45 MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AGAIN. THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE STAYED ON. MY SEARCH ON THE ISSUE POINTS TO A CRANKSHAFT PROTECTION SENSOR, BUT THIS IS NOT A CLEAR SOLUTION AND A COSTLY THING TO FIX IF THIS DOES NOT RESOLVE. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE ISSUE WITH NO DEFINITIVE RESOLUTION FOR HYUNDAI OWNERS EVEN BY HYUNDAI TECHNICIANS AS THEY TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SCARY THING TO HAVE HAPPEN AND SOME OF THE VEHICLE JERKS ARE RATHER HARD AND VIOLENT. BEFORE THESE SHUTDOWNS BECOME DEADLY PLEASE ADDRESS. MY LAST EXPERIENCE WAS 10/18 MY VEHICLE IS AT MY MECHANIC TODAY.
NHTSA complaint #10548940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I LEFT MY CAR PARKED IN THE PARKING GARAGE AT SCHOOL. WHEN I CAME BACK TO MY CAR AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE CAR WAS ON AND RUNNING. I HAD MY KEYS WITH ME. IT HAD SOMEHOW SPONTANEOUSLY TURNED ON WHILE I WAS AWAY FROM IT.
NHTSA complaint #10503559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING IT WILL STALL AND THEN TAKE OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10468973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY AIR BAGS LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE SUSPENSION IS HORRIBLE, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID" THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. AND SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN MY VEHICLE ON THE ENGINE REVELS UP AND SOUNDS AS IF THE ACCELERATION IS STUCK. SCARES ME TO DEATH.
NHTSA complaint #10456747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SO MANY THINGS GOING WRONG BACK SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK, WASHER PUMP DON'T WORK TRIED TO ORDER PART FROM DEALER DO NOT HAVE ANY IN US THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR PIGTAIL DISINTEGRATED FROM BEING TO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE AND NO ONE SELLS THE PART HAVE TO BUY THE COMPLETE ENGINE WIRING KIT FOR ONE LITTLE PLASTIC PIECE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS I READ ONLINE THAT EVERYONE WITH THIS CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10446991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AT 40,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STREET AND THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION TYPE SOUND, MY VEHICLE ACTUALLY FELT LIKE IT JUMPED, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE ENGINE DIED. I WRESTLED WITH THE WHEEL TO GET THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT I WAS STILL IN THE ROAD. THERE WAS A WOMAN IN FRONT OF ME GETTING OUT OF HER CAR WITH A TODDLER AND I CAME CLOSE TO HITTING THEM AS I TRIED TO CONTROL MY TRUCK. I'M SO GLAD I WASN'T GOING FASTER THAN 10-15 MPH. THE REPAIR AGENT SAID HE'D NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN AT LESS THAN 100K+ MILES, AND IT TOOK OUT THE BRAKE LINE AND FUEL LINE ON THAT SIDE AS WELL. TOTAL COST WILL BE $1500. AS THE TIMING BELT ALSO NEEDS CHANGING. NOT HAPPY. I SEE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SITUATION (COIL SPRING GOING ON HYUNDAI SANTA FE AT LOW MILEAGE), BUT I DON'T SEE ANY KIND OF REPARATION OFFERED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY RECALL. THERE SHOULD BE - THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I'M NOT LIKELY TO BUY A HYUNDAI AGAIN. *TRW
NHTSA complaint #10394086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT WOULD WAIT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE CAUSE BY THE EMISSION SYSTEM. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,500.
NHTSA complaint #10392533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I TRIED TO START MY 2004 SANTA FE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER (IT CRANKED FINE SO WE KNEW IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY). WHILE IT WAS BEING DRAGGED ONTO THE TOW TRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE DEFLATED. THE WHEEL DID NOT TURN WHILE BEING DRAGGED UP THE TRUCK RAMP. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE FRONT SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND TRIGGERED A KILL SWITCH TO THE FUEL LINE WHICH PREVENTED THE CAR FROM STARTING. I NEVER HEARD ANY AWFUL SOUNDS WHILE DRIVING SO THE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING MUST HAVE SNAPPED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE SPRING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AS DOES THE TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10381163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE FORTH TIME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. DURING THE LAST FAILURE, THE MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD ON THE VEHICLE BURNED AND WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT KNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135000.
NHTSA complaint #10366863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
NHTSA complaint #10343119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I'VE OWNED 2 SANTA FE'S IN A ROW (2001 & 2004). BOTH HAD ENGINE FAILURES AROUND 60,000 MILES (BOTH ON FREEWAY). THE 2004 FAILED AT NIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ARIZONA DESERT- THESE BOTH PRESENTED ME WITH A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE. I END UP GETTING TOWED OVER 150 MILES TO HYUNDAI DEALER. SMALL BLOCK FAILED AND WAS REPLACED IN BOTH- HYUNDAI COVERED THE 2001 BUT ONLY COVERED 35% OF THE 2004 (86 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY). NEVER BUY HYUNDAI'S AGAIN!!!
NHTSA complaint #10284092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE- DEFECTIVE SHORT BLOCK ENGINE CAR IS BACK IN SHOP NOW FOR THE 5TH TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, LOUD RATTLING NOISES COMING FROM ENGINE. DEALER INFORMED ME IT'S A DEFECTIVE FACTORY ENGINE. BRAND NEW SHORT BLOCK ENGINE REPLACED TWICE AND CAR NOW BACK IN SHOP FOR SAME PROBLEM. NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE, AS TWICE I HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER B/C OF ENGINE FAILURE AND I HAD MY 2 YR OLD SON WITH ME. IN REVIEWING THIS WEBSITE, I SEE COUNTLESS NUMEROUS AND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS! THE ENGINE IS THE HEART OF A CAR SO HOW MANY NEW HEARTS IS HYUNDAI WILLING TO PUT IN THIS ONE CAR? IT COST MORE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAN TO JUST ACCEPT THE LOSS AND PROPERLY COMPENSATE ME! REPAIRS ARE AS FOLLOWS: NEW SHORT BLOCK ENGINE INSTALLED; RETURN CAR SAME DAY B/C ENGINE FELT "LOOSE"; TOLD IT WAS THE SWAY BAR LINKS- INSTALLED SAME DAY; CAR STILL FELT LOOSE, NEXT DAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON- CAR RETURNED. THIS TIME TOLD IT WAS STRUT TOP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED- DONE. PICKED UP CAR, 2 DAYS LATER BACK IN SHOP FOR SAME INITIAL LOUD ENGINE NOISE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN. TOLD SAME PROBLEM WITH SHORT BLOCK ENGINE TO BE DEFECTIVE. ORDERED BRAND NEW SHORT BLOCK ENGINE AND REPLACED AGAIN! PICKED UP CAR AFTER REPAIR AND AGAIN, SAME DAY, BROUGHT THE CAR BACK B/C CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN! CAR PRESENTLY STILL IN SHOP AND I'M FORCED TO CONTACT AN ATTORNEY B/C THE HYUNDAI'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS STATES AS LONG AS THE DEALER KEEPS FIXING THE PROBLEM, THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN OFFERING ME ANY COMPENSATION. HOW MUCH MORE MONEY ARE THEY WILLING TO GIVE THIS DEALER BEFORE THEY REALIZE THIS CAR IS NOT WORTH ANOTHER $6,500 REPAIR BILL?
NHTSA complaint #10249659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DOING FREEWAY SPEEDS AT 5:30 AM GOING TO WORK WHEN MY TRUCK JUST SHUT DOWN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I LOST ALL POWER COASTED ABOUT 300 FEET, PULLED OFF ON LEFT AND ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. COME TO FIND OUT, TIMING BELT WENT BAD, ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. I'VE GOT LESS THAN 75000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK AND AM VERY UPSET THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED ON THE WARRANTY AND THAT THE PARTS THEY USE TO PUT THESE TRUCKS TOGETHER ARE SO CHEAP!
NHTSA complaint #10244545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS SANTA FE IN 04 THERE HAVE BEEN SIX TIMES WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD AND DIED. I HAVE BEEN SCARED FOR MY AND MY SON'S LIFE AS THIS JUST HAPPENED ON AN INTERSTATE AND IF IT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE I WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN HOW TO REACT BUT I BARELY PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. HYUNDAI SAID THE PROBLEM WAS UNBALANCED TIRE PRESSURE...OBVIOUSLY THEY DON'T RESPECT WOMEN.
NHTSA complaint #10214034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
UPON RETURN FROM VACATION, POWER STEERING WAS MOANING, LOSS OF FLUID FROM UNDER FRONT OF VEHICLE. EXAMINATION REVEALED LOSS DUE TO FLUID COOLER LINE BENEATH RADIATOR. FLUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER INCHES TO THE REAR OF THE LINE. EXAMINATION REVEALED BLACK STAINING ON SURFACE OF CONVERTER DUE TO SKIN TEMPERATURE OF APPROXIMATELY 1200 DEG. FIX WAS TO REPLACE COOLER LINE. THIS IS POTENTIAL CAUSE OF LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND/OR VEHICULAR FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10202288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.