FaultScore

2007 Hyundai Santa FE body problems

18 of the 983 complaints about the 2007 Hyundai Santa FE are about the body and structure — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 86,750 miles.

D

18

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Body 14 77.8%
Structure 3 16.7%
Underbody Shields 1 5.6%

Body & Structure across every Hyundai Santa FE year

2001 19 8.6%
2002 18 8.2%
2003 30 13.6%
2004 12 5.5%
2007 18 8.2%
2008 22 10.0%
2009 13 5.9%
2010 11 5.0%
2011 10 4.5%
2013 23 10.5%
2014 20 9.1%
2015 10 4.5%
2019 14 6.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 190,000 miles North Providence, RI

STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, the mechanic informed the contact that the underbody of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the undercarriage was corroded. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that the dealer refused to repair the vehicle, due to the age of the vehicle. The vehicle remained with the dealer. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 947. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

NHTSA complaint #11656276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 230,000 miles Mokena, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

CAR UNIBODY RUSTED THRU

NHTSA complaint #11383694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

2007 SANTE FE LIMITED, SAGE GREY ONE OWNER, GARAGE KEPT, MAINTAINED REGULAR BASIS, LOW MILEAGE 84,000, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH A KELLY BLUE BOOK OF $4200 TO $4600. PURCHASED AT LAUREN HYUNDAI IN GLENVIEW AND MAINTAINED AT HYUNDAI LINCOLNWOOD, IL ALONG WITH MY REGULAR MECHANIC. I LEARNED YESTERDAY THAT THE RIGHT REAR OF SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT WITH A BOTH FRONT FRAME RUSTED OUT AND HAS A HOLE IN IT. IT'S A KNOW ISSUE BY FED, NHTSA, SERIES OF RECALLS AND DEALER RUSTED OUT FRAMES, SUB FRAMES AND OTHER PART REPAIRS AND REPLACEMETNS. THE 2007 TREATMENT DIDN'T WORK AND THE SAME ISSUE IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH CLASS ACTION SUITS. I'VE ALSO READ LOW AND HIGH MILEAGE CARS WITHIN 2-10 YEARS HAVE SAME ISSUE BUT MUST BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY RESOLVED THE OLDER ONES BY SPRAYING THEM ONE ONE RECALL AND DIDN'T UPGRADE THEIR SUB PAR PARTS FOR US COLD WEATHER SALT BELT STATES. I NOW LOST THE VALUE, CANT SELL IT OUTRIGHT AND THE CAR IS DEEMED UNSAFE. I'D LIKE ASSISTANCE GETTING THIS LOOKED AT AND REPAIRED. YES OLD BUT IN GREAT CONDITION MECHANICALLY WITH A VITAL PART OF THE CAR NOT CODE FOR CHICAGO FROM THE BEGINNING WITH A CONTINUED ISSUE UP TO TODAY. CARS THAT WERE NEW AND A FEW YEARS WERE GETTING THEM REPLACED. I THAT EVEN SAFE AFTER THE REPAIR? I STILL HAVE VALUE IN THIS CAR AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO FORFIT FROM GROSS NEGLIGENCE ON HYUNDAI MOTORS ON A VITAL PART OF THE CAR. I WAS CONSIDERING A TRADE BUT NOW FIND OUT ITS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR MANY MODELS. I'D LIKE TO GET THIS LOOKED AT, REPAIRED OR WORK OUT SOME TYPE OF SOLUTION. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE ME IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THE DEALER SAID IT'S OLD AND ACTED LIKE THEY HAD NO IDEA. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #11362482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Lunenburg, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

HELLO SO I TOOK MY 07 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED 98K MILES TO A GARAGE TO GET SOME WORK DONE AND THEY PUT IT ON THE LIFT AND STOPED THE WORK TO CALL ME IN TO SEE THAT MY SUBFRAME IN FRONT IS RUSTED THROUGH BIG CHUNKS OF METAL MISSING MAINLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF FRAME. I WAS TOLD THAT THEIR IS A RECALL ABOUT THIS AND THAT HYUNDAI HAS REPLACED THE SUBFRAMES AS A RESULT OF THE RECALL I HAVE NO IDEA WHY UNDER THE CAR ONLY THAT ONE AREA IT'S RUSTED BUT THE REST OF CAR IS FINE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND WAS TOLD AT ANY TIME THE ENGINE COULD FALL THROUGH. I WILL ATTACH SOME PHOTOS OF IT THE BEST I CAN. HOPE YOU CAN HELP. I GOT KIDS THAT RIDE IN THIS AND I'M NOW SCARED. I NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING IN MALL THE ABOUT THE RECALL. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS MAJOR ISSUE NOVEMBER 29, 2019.

NHTSA complaint #11349350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Fort Myers, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE SUB FRAME THAT'S HOLDING THE ENGINE IS RUSTING APART ALMOST MISSING A HUGE PART OF IT WHICH IS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY CHILDREN. ESPECIALLY BEING THAT I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS ISSUE UPON PURCHASING THIS AS A "CERTIFIED VEHICLE". ONLY HAD IT FOR ONE YEAR.

NHTSA complaint #11102493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK

STRUCTURE:BODY

DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. SOMETIMES LOCK, SOMETIMES DO NOT. MOSTLY THEY UNLOCK BUT DO NOT LOCK PROPERLY. THE KEY FOB ALSO DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. HAVE HAD THE BATTERY AND SYSTEM CHECKS AND THERE WERE NO ISSUES. DANGEROUS TO HAVE DOORS NOT LOCK PROPERLY FOR A SINGLE WOMAN IN PARKING LOTS OR EVEN WITH THE CAR PARKED OUTSIDE AT NIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #11030856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

OAK Lawn, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE BY PROVIDING COATING ON THE FRONT AND REAR AXLES OF THE FRAME. HOWEVER, THE MAIN PORTION OF THE FRAME (FROM FRONT TO BACK) HAD EXTENSIVE RUST, CORROSION, AND HOLES. THE MECHANIC NOTIFIED THE TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY FAILED TO NOTIFY THE CONTACT AND PROVIDE FURTHER COATING TO THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE RUST AND CORROSION WERE TOO EXTENSIVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY MAY PROVIDE A BUY BACK OR A TRADE IN OPTION. THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING A SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10980533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Broadview Hts., OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

TAKATA RECALL .GAS GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY EVEN WHEN TANK IS FULL. I RAN OUT OF FUEL ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST HAD A REAR END COLLISION . GAS GAUGE SHOWED I HAD 1/2 A TANK OF FUEL . I WAS STATIONARY IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON I-77

NHTSA complaint #10970995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Owings Mills, MD

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME HAD SEVERE CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #10745075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,000 miles Engelwood, CO Crash 3 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

WHILE OUR VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SLOW TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT APPROX. 50 MPH, CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE, THEN OUR CAR WAS FLIPPED AND LANDED ON THE ROOF. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. ALL PASSENGERS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. WHEN THE CAR FLIPPED, THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT RELEASED AND BECAME UNSECURED, TOSSING THE PASSENGER. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE CABIN CAGE AND SIDE DOOR PANELS. ....UPDATED 04/23/15

NHTSA complaint #10705338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Prescott Valley, AZ

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

2 THINGS ARE CONCERNING. ONE, WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL CRACKS, BUMPS IN ROADWAY THE SUSPENSION MAKES A NOISE THAT MAKES ME THINK IT IS UNSTABLE. IT IS ALSO A LOUDER THAN AVERAGE NOISE, COMPARED TO PAST VEHICLES THAT I HAVE OWNED. SECOND, DRIVING AT SPEEDS BELOW 60 MPH, EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. ONCE SPEEDS ABOVE 60 ARE REACHED, THE STEERING COLUMN SHAKES AND VIBRATES. THE NOISE DESCRIBED EARLIER IN PARAGRAPH ONE IS HEARD. ALIGNMENT AND BALANCING ARE NORMAL. TIRE TREAD IS ALSO NORMAL. NEITHER OF THESE TWO ARE ACCEPTABLE AND IN MY OPINION IS A RISK.

NHTSA complaint #10638391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Phoenix, AZ Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

EXITING FROM A PARKING LOT ONTO 7TH ST IN PHOENIX AZ, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND, DESPITE BRAKE APPLICATION, ENTERED THE ROADWAY, HITTING A MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS IN THE SIDE. NOBODY WAS INJURED AND AIRBAGS DID NOT INFLATE. ONCE STOPPED, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT FROM NEUTRAL INTO PARK TO RELEASE THE KEY. VEHICLE TOWED AND, AS FRAME WAS DAMAGED AS WELL AS FRONT END AND RADIATOR, INSURANCE ARE WRITING THE VEHICLE OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10565658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,694 miles Wedowee, AL Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE WAS PARKED WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. MY 7 YEAR OLD GRANDSON GOT IN THE VEHICLE FIRST. HE KNOCKED THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING, I TRIED TO GET IN BUT I COULDN'T WITH IT ROLLING. IT HIT A VAN AND MY DRIVERS DOOR CAUGHT ON THE FRONT OF THE VAN PUSHING MY DRIVERS DOOR COMPLETELY BACK. I WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE TWO VEHICLES. MY 4 YEAR OLD GRANDKIDS (TWINS) COULD HAVE BEEN BEHIND THE SANTA FE OR ANOTHER CHILD SINCE WE WERE AT A BALL FIELD. NOW WE NOTICE THE SANTA FE CAN BE EASILY PULLED OUT OF PARK WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION.

NHTSA complaint #10511388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,500 miles Tucson, AZ

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE NUT THAT HOLDS ONE OF THE REAR LIFT GATE STRUTS TO THE BODY OF THE CAR CAME LOOSE AND WE BELIEVE DROPPED DOWN BEHIND THE BODY LINER AND POSSIBLY ONE OF THE REAR AIR BAGS. ANYWAY, THIS ALLOWED THE REAR LIFT GATE TO DROP AS IT WAS ONLY NOW BEING HELD UP BY ONE STRUT. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TOLD US IT WOULD REQUIRE REMOVING THE BODY LINER AND AIR BAG TO GET INTO WHERE THE NUT "MAY" HAVE DROPPED TO IN ORDER TO SECURE IT AND RE-ATTACH IT TO THE BODY OF CAR, AT A COST OF $600. SINCE OUR CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY HYUNDAI DID NOT FEEL THEY SHOULD PAY FOR IT, WE CONTENT THAT THIS WAS A STRUCTURAL DEFECT AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MILEAGE, WEAR OR TEAR ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH BY THE WAY IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY NEVER SAW THE VEHICLE AND THEY NEVER WROTE ANY SERVICE REPORT ON IT. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FIRST BUT THEY SAID THERE WAS NO WAY THEY COULD GET INTO THE AREA AND DID NOT WANT TO TRY WORKING AROUND THE AIR BAG. HYUNDAI HAS ESTABLISHED A CASE # 4999075, AND AFTER OUR INITIAL E-MAILS, WE CALLED THEM AND THEY WERE TO GET BACK TO US WITH FURTHER UPDATE, BUT WE HAVE NOT HEARD ANOTHER WORD FROM THEM AND OUR FIRST CONTACT WITH THEM WAS ALMOST FOUR MONTHS AGO. WE JUST TODAY SENT ANOTHER E-MAIL TO THEIR CUSTOMER CONNECT CENTER TO SEE IF WE CAN'T GET SOME RESOLUTION FROM THEM, AT NO COST TO US AS CONSUMERS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE AND IT IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD, THE LIFT GATE WILL NOT STAY UP WITH ONLY ONE STRUT AND WE MUST USE A PIECE OF LUMBER TO HOLD THE LIFT GATE UP SO WE CAN USE THE REAR STORAGE AREA. ALL IT WOULD TAKE IS FOR THAT PIECE OF WOOD TO FALL OUT AND DOWN WOULD COME THE GATE WITH SOME FORCE, BUT THERE IS NO OTHER FEASIBLE WAY TO REPAIR THE STRUCTURE WITHOUT A SIZEABLE EXPENSE ON OUR PART WHICH WE DO NOT FEEL IS JUSTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10490185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,300 miles Verona, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY

DRIVER'S SUN VISOR ATTACHMENT TO ROOF OF CAR BROKE WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED. SUN VISOR FELL DOWN IN DRIVER'S VISION, HANGING BY TWO WIRES.

NHTSA complaint #10476541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

STRUCTURE

LETTER REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HE HAS EXPERIENCED WITH HIS 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHENEVER HE PARKED NEAR ELECTRICAL TOWERS, THE LOCKS ON THE DOOR WOULD MALFUNCTION, THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT, THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO UP, THE GEAR BOX WOULD NOT DISPLAY WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS IN. THE CLIMATE CONTROL NEVER FUNCTIONED ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL. THE CRUISE CONTROL SOMETIME EXCEEDED THE SET SPEED OVER OR DOWN LONG INCLINES. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHICH WAS ELECTRONIC SAT UP TOO HIGH. THE ROOF RACK CROSS BAR WAS TOO FAR, WHICH ALLOWED AIR TO PULL OFF THE LOADS. THE TIRE JACK WAS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR THE VEHICLE

NHTSA complaint #10325278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,400 miles Smyrna, GA

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRONT GLASS HAS A CRACKED LINE IN IT FROM THE RIGHT FRONT PILLAR. NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING HITTING GLASS. NO PITS. IT IS ON GLASS ABOUT HALFWAY UP WENT LIKE A UTURN 6-12 INCHES FROM PILLAR. NO REPAIRS DONE. SUV PURCHASED 2007. NO ISSUE TILL NOW.

NHTSA complaint #10260803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20 miles National City, CA

STRUCTURE

I HAVE A HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I HAVE HAD THREE MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE CAR AND ONE SMALL COSMETIC ISSURE. THE MAJOR ISSUES HAVE BEEN WITH THE STRUCTURE OF THE CAR, THE WHEEL AXEL, THE ALIGNMENT, AND THE ENGINE BLOCK. ALL OF THESE ITEMS HAVE EITHER BEEN LOOSE, BROKEN, OR DEFECTIVE. YES, THEY KEEP FIXING THE CAR, BUT IT'S A NEW CAR. IF I WANTED A CAR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED WEEKLY I WOULD HAVE KEPT OR PURCHASED AN USED CAR. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY RIDING IN THIS CAR. WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CATCH THESE DEFECTS BEFORE WE'VE GOTTEN INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10195477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2007 Hyundai Santa FE problems

← Full 2007 Hyundai Santa FE report