Wisconsin Rapids, WI
ENGINE
Car all of a sudden stopped running like normal. Can't go above 20 mph without sounding like backfiring or dying
NHTSA complaint #11517629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2005 Hyundai Santa FE engine problems
18 of the 300 complaints about the 2005 Hyundai Santa FE are about the engine — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 67,000 miles.
18
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Engine
11
61.1%
Engine AND Engine Cooling
4
22.2%
Engine
3
16.7%
Engine & Cooling across every Hyundai Santa FE year
2001
46
1.8%
2002
24
0.9%
2003
29
1.1%
2004
38
1.5%
2005
18
0.7%
2007
72
2.8%
2008
70
2.7%
2009
67
2.6%
2010
46
1.8%
2011
72
2.8%
2012
234
9.0%
2013
280
10.8%
2014
278
10.7%
2015
161
6.2%
2016
154
5.9%
2017
662
25.4%
2018
56
2.2%
2019
69
2.6%
2020
77
3.0%
2021
36
1.4%
2022
53
2.0%
2023
38
1.5%
2024
12
0.5%
2025
12
0.5%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 147 miles
Milwaukee, WI
ENGINE
GAS IS LEAKING OUT OF OF THE CAR THE GAS TANK IS BAD I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND IT STOPPED
NHTSA complaint #11103708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 189,000 miles
Ashville, OH
ENGINE
I HAD PURCHASED THIS AUTO IN MAY 2017. FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD GOTTEN THE AUTO FROM A AUTO AUCTION. WHEN I PURCHASED THE AUTO - I PURCHASED AS IS- NO WARRANTY- I TEST DROVE AUTO- HAD INSPECTED- NO MAJOR PROBLEMS AT THAT TIME. HAD AUTO FOR A WEEK- BROKE DOWN- PROBLEMS::::: VERY SLOW ACCELERATION, SHIFTING GEARS AND JERKING OF THE AUTO, VERY FAST IDLING WHEN STOPPING- I AM WRITING TO YOU BECAUSE :::::AFTER PURCHASING AUTO::::- CAN NOT DRIVE. I HAVE HAD 3 ESTIMATES- NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE AUTO OR DIAGNOSE THE AUTO PROPERLY. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE SINCE I PURCHASED THE AUTO. IT JUST SITS, AND WHEN I THINK THE PROBLEM IS FIXED, THEN IT STOPS RUNNING. SOME SAY IT IS THE :::::CATALYTIC CONVERTERS - IT HAS 3 THAT NEEDS REPLACED.::::::: I REPORTED IN MY RESIDENCE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU - COMPLAINT RESOLUTION AND TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE- BOTH SAID THEY NOT NOT RESOLVE :::: THE DEALERSHIP- DOES NOT WANT TO MEDIATE - OR TAKE BACK THE AUTO. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO FILE A CLAIM- IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT- AND DID NOT KNOW IF IT WOULD BE WORTH MY TIME. ::::::::: I KNOW THE AUTO IS 2005 AND HAS 189,000 NOW- BUT I FEEL THAT I HAVE A AUTO NOW THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD- IF I AM ABLE TO GET THE AUTO RUNNING - AND IT JERKS AROUND- AND STOPS IN TRAFFIC - IT COULD CAUSE ME TO HAVE A ACCIDENT. IT IS UNSAFE TO HAVE THE AUTO ON ROAD AT ALL.. IT IS ALSO A ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM DUE TO THE UNSAFE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS- THEY GET HOT AND CAN CATCH ON FIRE.:::::::::: I CAN NOT FIND MECHANICS THAT WANT TO WORK WITH THE CONVERTERS................. I PAID 3,000 FOR THE AUTO- IT WILL COST THIS OR MORE TO ACTUALLY FIX THE AUTO............. I AM WRITING TO THE NHTSA- TO GET ANY FEEDBACK FROM YOU. SINCERELY, M- VERY FRUSTRATED DRIVER
NHTSA complaint #11078902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 171,000 miles
Melrose, WI
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING COMING UP TO A TURN, TOOK THE LEFT TURN, AND ACCELERATED LIKE A NORMALLY DO, THE CAR'S RPMS WENT UP TO ABOUT 5 THOUSAND RPMS. I HEARD A POP LIKE NOISE AND THE RPMS JUST STARTED DROPPING AND THERE WAS NO RESTRICTION ON THE GAS PEDAL (FELT LIKE I WAS PUSHING AIR). THE VEHICLE THEN JUST ROLLED ONCE IT WAS AT ABOUT 10 MPH RPMS WENT UNDER 1 THOUSAND AND THE VEHICLE DIED. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT IT WAS JUST CRANK AND CRANK, DOESN'T EVEN SOUND LIKE IT WANTS TO TURN OVER. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #11010693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,052 miles
North Arlington, NJ
ENGINE
IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD. I MUST THROW IT INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP IT. EVEN WHEN I AM IN PARK IT WILL SUDDENLY ACT LIKE I AM GIVING IT GAS WHEN I AM NOT. IT IS VERY SCARY AND HAPPENING MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10821549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,000 miles
Kingsport, TN
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND MY 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE STARTED TO "JUMP" PERSAY. IT JUMPED FROM 1 RPM TO 5 RPM, WHEN I TRIED RO BRAKE IT ACTED AS IF MY GEARS WERE GRINDING, AND IT THRUSTED ME FORWARD. THIS IS A VERY SCARY INCIDENT THAT HAS HAPPENED ALOT, BUT UP TIL THIS MORNING, THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO MY HUSBAND DISCONNECTED MY BATTERY IN HOPES IT WOULD RESET. AFTER ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES WE HOOKED THE BATTERY BACK UP AND TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE, AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I ALMOST CRASHED THIS MORNING ON THE WAY TO WORK WHILE I WAS DOING 55MPH I CAME TO A CURVE AND MY CAR JUMPED TO 5 RPMS AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR....THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS, SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE!!!
NHTSA complaint #10744466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 miles
Norristown, PA
Crash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE WAITING FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TO CHANGE TO GREEN, MY CAR WAS STOPPED, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. . MY CAR LEARCHED FORWARD. I COULD FEEL THE ENGINE ACCELERATE. BY THE TIME I GOT THE CAR UNDER CONTROL, I HIT THE CAR THAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME. THE TRUNK WAS DAMAGED, NO DAMAGE TO MY CAR. SINCE OWNING THIS CAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ACCELERATION BEFORE. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE DEALER, THE DISCUSSING ENDS UP WITH THE DEALER SUGGESTING THAT I WAS PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND NOT THE BRAKE. I TOLD THE DEALER THAT WHEN THIS OCCURS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOTHING. THE SHIFT MUST BE MOVED TO NEUTRAL THE FOOT TAKEN OFF THE BRAKE. EVERY TIME I DISCUSS THIS PROBLEM WITH THE DEALER HE SAYS SHOW HIM WHAT HAPPENS, THE PROBLEM I CAN NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THE OCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM IS RANDOM AND CANNOT BE CREATED. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, BUT AS I READ THE COMPLAINTS I AM NOT ALONE. HYUNDAI HAS GOT TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10679289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 miles
Keasbey, NJ
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
NHTSA complaint #10671016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 miles
THE Villages, FL
ENGINE
AFTER A STOP, ENGINE SUDDENLY SURGED AND VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. THIS IS THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT; THERE HAVE BEEN APPROX 15 SIMILAR INCIDENTS OVER PAST 12-18 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10650978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 miles
Wilmington, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
A/C HAS HAD A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE HAD THE COMPRESSOR REPLACED, BECAUSE THE "MECHANIC" TURNED THE BOLT THE WRONG WAY AND WRUNG IT OFF, I HAD TO REPLACE. HYUNDAI WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THEIR MECHANIC. THIS REPAIR DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AS IT STILL HAPPENS NOW, 8 YEARS LATER. IT WILL COOL GOOD, THEN THE COMPRESSOR WILL OUT AND NOT COME BACK ON FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. HYUNDAI SAYS THIS IT NOT PROBLEM WITH THEIR PARTS OR PROCEDURES. FINALLY GOT TIRED OF THEIR LIES AND FAILURE TO TRY TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS MY ONLY AND LAST HYUNDAI, THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER BACKED CAR COMPANY IN THIS WORLD.
NHTSA complaint #10629489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,131 miles
Olympia, WA
ENGINE
STARTED ENGINE. PLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SELECTION INTO REVERSE. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY HAD AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION TO PERHAPS 2500 RPM. OPERATOR IMMEDIATELY APPLIED VERY HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP ANY REAR DIRECTION MOVEMENT. OPERATOR IMMEDIATELY MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER BACK TO THE PARK POSITION, SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESTARTING, EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THIS HAD ALSO OCCURRED ONE OTHER TIME IN SEPTEMBER, 2013 UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. OPERATOR INITIALLY ASSUMED THAT PERHAPS HIS FOOT HAD MOVED TO THE RIGHT AND WAS DEPRESSING BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME, BUT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SEE IF THIS COULD BE DONE, OPERATOR COULD NOT REPLICATE. IT IS ASSUMED THE THROTTLE SENSOR LOCATOR MAY BE FAULTY. VERY DISTURBING WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND COULD EASILY RESULT IN PROPERTY OR PERSONAL DAMAGE..
NHTSA complaint #10554266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 miles
Dubuque, IA
ENGINE
WHEN I'M STARTING UP FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE CAR JERKS FORWARD AS IF I HAVE "FLOORED IT." I AM A REALTOR AND DRIVE 100'S OF MILES A WEEK. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST TWICE A DAY, ON AVERAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10509062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 miles
Dallas, TX
Crash
1 injured
ENGINE
MY MOMS SANTA FE HAS SPED OUT OF CONTROL SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. THE LAST INCIDENT CAUSED INJURIES BECAUSE THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHERE THE CAR HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL CARS. SECOND INCIDENT WAS ON THE ROAD WHERE CAR SPED UP AND SHE TURNED IT OFF. THE THIRD WAS BACKING OUT OF A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT WHERE THE CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE HITTING A CAR AND THEN TRIED TO PUT IN NEUTRAL BUT WENT INTO DRIVE INSTEAD. SHE HIT A POST AND THE FRONT END WRAPPED AROUND THE POST BUT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURY. STATE FARM AND MANY ATTORNEYS WON'T TOUCH THIS CASE BECAUSE OF THE COSTS INVOLVED TO SUE SUCH A LARGE CORPORATION.
NHTSA complaint #10500947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,580 miles
Vincennes, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAD MY SUV WORKED ON PRIOR TO DRIVING IT HOME WHEN I NOTICED A REALLY LOUD NOISE THAT GOT MY ATTENTION. I PULLED MY CAR OVER TO A GAS STATION FILLED UP AND TRIED TO TURN MY ENGINE OVER AND MY ENGINE HAD LOCKED UP. I HAD TO CALL A TOW COMPANY WHICH WAS DIFFICULT SINCE IT WAS THANKSGIVING MORNING AND WAIT AN HR TO GET IT TO THE SHOP. I FOUND OUT MY AC COMPRESSOR HAD LOCKED UP MY MOTOR AND I HAD PAID OVER 3000 IN REPAIRS. I HAD THE POWER STEERING BELT PUT ON AND I WAS NOT INFORMED THE AC COMPRESSOR COULD HAVE BURNT UP MY NEW BELT. EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY STEERING WHEEL FEELING LOOSE. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP DIDN'T INFORM ME THEY HAD REMOVED MY FUSES # 10 AND # 30. I HAD FOUND THEM LYING ON MY AC COMPRESSOR COVER. THIS CAR WAS RUNNING HOT AND MY MOTOR LOCKED UP DUE TO THE AC COMPRESSOR, SOLENOID ETC.
NHTSA complaint #10446125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 miles
Lexington, KY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A GROCERY WHEN IT STARTED ACCELERATING AND MY VEHICLE HIT THE SIDE OF A CAR IN THE NEXT PARKING SPACE WHICH IN TURN WAS PUSHED INTO THE SIDE OF A SECOND AUTO PARKED IN THE THIRD SPACE. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT HAS HAPPENED 5 OR 6 TIMES IN THE PAST BEGINNING APPROXIMATELY 2007. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO 2 DEALERSHIPS AND EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ANY DAMAGE WAS DONE TO ANY VEHICLE. THIS TIME WHEN IT HAPPENED, THE AUTO COULD NOT BE STOPPED USING THE BRAKES AND THE AUTO COULD NOT BE STEERED. THE OTHER TIMES WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN AND THE VEHICLE WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND WERE NOT AWARE OF A STEERING PROBLEM. DO KNOW THAT THE BRAKES JUST BARELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AFTER STANDING ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET. I NOW FEAR SERIOUS INJURY TO ME, MY WIFE OR SOMEONE ELSE. THIS VEHICLE COULD VERY WELL TAKE US OUT INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10426412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 miles
Dayton, NV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 3.5 L ENGINE. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE ENGINE OFTEN SURGES, CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP FORWARD RAPIDLY. HAPPENS PERHAPS ONE TIME OUT OF 3, BUT INCIDENCE IS INCREASING. HARD TO CONTROL ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10347526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,500 miles
Vernon-Rockville, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THERE IS A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, UPON INSPECTION THE VIBRATION WAS NOTICED HOWEVER A REPAIR COULD NOT BE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVE STATED THE HARMONIC BALANCER CAUSED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10156554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 miles
Jefferson, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT SEVERAL PROBLEMS. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE TRACTION CONTROL, WHICH ALLOWED THE FRONT WHEELS TO SLIP IN THE SNOW. THE ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR CUT IN AND OUT WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS ON. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY SUGGESTED TURNING THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF. THE CONTACT TRIED THE DEALER'S SUGGESTION. AND NOW, ONLY ONE WHEEL WILL TURN IN THE SNOW, THE ENGINE IDLED LOW, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE SECOND PROBLEM OCCURRED ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. THE LAST PROBLEM WAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DPS VALVE SENSOR AND REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE. THE CONTACT HAD ONLY DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ONCE SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10145206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.