2011 Hyundai Santa FE engine problems

ENGINE

My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe (approx. 153,000 miles) developed a new stalling and engine-dying-at-idle condition immediately following a knock sensor replacement performed by a Hyundai dealership. Prior to this repair, the vehicle ran normally with no stalling or idle issues. The vehicle was originally brought in for diagnosis related to code P1326, which is covered under Hyundai Service Campaign T6G (engine rod bearing / knock sensor campaign). The dealership replaced the knock sensor but subsequently claimed my vehicle's P1326 condition did not qualify under Campaign T6G. Immediately after the knock sensor replacement, the vehicle began stalling and completely shutting off at idle — a condition that did not exist before the dealer's service. I returned the vehicle to the dealership to address this new issue. The vehicle has now been at the dealership for over three (3) weeks with no diagnosis update, no repair timeline, and no communication from the service department. I am filing this complaint for two reasons: 1. Safety concern: An engine that stalls and dies at idle presents a serious risk of loss of vehicle control, particularly in traffic or at intersections. 2. Service Campaign T6G: I believe the underlying condition and the dealer-caused stalling issue are both connected to the knock sensor system covered by this campaign. I request that NHTSA review whether this vehicle qualifies under Campaign T6G and whether dealer-caused damage following campaign-related service should be addressed under the campaign or a related recall. The dealership's failure to communicate for 3+ weeks and their claim that my vehicle is not covered under Campaign T6G warrants regulatory review.

NHTSA complaint #11730232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. With no prior indications, the engine seized while driving on side street at 25mph. Engine blew hole in block and dumped engine parts, including piston rod, piston and engine block remnants, and oil on street. Very dangerous as power steering stopped and was unable to turn. Very low miles, 40,680, with all maintenance performed by dealer. Filed a report with Hyundai USA, no action taken.

NHTSA complaint #11689997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that on six occasions over 12 months, the vehicle overheated while driving at various speeds. Additionally, the contact observed white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe on the rear passenger’s side and the front of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated during the last failure. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle was taken to the residence, and on other occasions, the vehicle was towed to an independent dealer where it was diagnosed that the thermostat housing and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred several times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA complaint #11582127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the charger indicator warning light illuminated and the engine seized. The battery was recharged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed valve cover gasket leak and that the valve cover gasket and the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was scheduled to be taken to the dealer for inspection within the week. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 126,600. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA complaint #11580615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I was driving the car on a 4 lane road when suddenly the engine shut off and the car was no longer functioning. I lost power steering and had to coast into a nearby parking lot, otherwise I would have caused a major accident in the middle of a busy intersection with another 4 lane road. Upon taking the car to Hyundai for evaluation, it was declared to be total engine failure. Given the other issues with Hyundai engines failing and the fact that I VERY NARROWLY AVOIDED A MASSIVE COLLISION, I would like NHTSA to be aware that this problem may go back farther than Hyundai has addressed so far.

NHTSA complaint #11548601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe had 75,000 miles on it in September 2022. It was bought and serviced by the same dealership and I am the original owner. It was last serviced at the end of June 2022. While returning from Corvallis, Oregon to Forest Grove, Oregon, the car's display light all turned on and a second late the car completely stopped. I am thankful that I decided to take the back road home, if I had been on the highway, I am positive I would have been in a serious accident. It has been determined by the dealership that there was a complete engine failure. It has been at the Hyundai dealership for four months now and there is no replacement engine available for it. Not only that, they can't get a reasonably priced replacement engine anywhere. This car would have been a valuable trade in on a new car. The Diagnosis was Engine crankshaft seized. Metal particles on Dipstick, large metal fragments on oil filter, Engine replacement required. The car is now worthless, expect for parts.

NHTSA complaint #11502716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ENGINE STALLS

NHTSA complaint #11474293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

AS I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY HOME FROM A SOCCER MATCH IN DENVER TO OUR HOME IN BRECKENRIDGE MY CAR(HYUNDAI, SANTA FE 2011) LOST ALL POWER WITH OUT THE ENGINE DYING. WE WERE HEADING WEST AND IN THE TUNNEL. IT WAS EXTREMELY SCARY AND PUT MY FAMILY IN DANGER. NO WARNING LIGHTS HAVE EVER COME UP ON MY CAR BEFORE OR AFTER. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME OF MANY INCIDENTS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AND NOT ONLY WHEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING BUT ALSO MY DAUGHTER, SHE HAS HER PERMIT! IT DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN ON THE INTERSTATE BUT ALSO AROUND OUR COMMUNITY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED IT OUT WITH MY MECHANIC AND THEY COULDN'T FIND THE ISSUE AS THE DIAGNOSTIC CAME UP WITH NOTHING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT MY FAMILY AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #11385612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

CAR SMOKING FROM EXAHUST SINCE AROUND 42000 MILES OIL SMOKE STARTED IN 2017 . I HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP ABOUT 8 TIMES IN 3 YEARS NOW OIL ALL IN THE SPARKPLUGS USING OVER A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES NOW HAS 56000 MILES AND UNABLE TO DRIVE IT. DEALSHIP TELLING ME THEY WILL HAVE CAR FOR ONE MONTH OR MORE WITH NO REPLACEMENT CAR GIVEN HAVE BEEN TOLD MAY NOT FIX REPLACE THE MOTOR I CALLED MAIN COMPANY EARLIER THIS YEAR. NOTHING WAS DONE.SMOKES AT START UP SMOKES OUT MY GARAGE . THEN CAR WAS SHIMMING WHEN DRIVING AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON .

NHTSA complaint #11374931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

CAR STARTED SMOKING BLUE SMOKE OUT OF THE EXHAUST AT 45,000 MILES WAS NEVER TREATED FOR AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS SUCH A THING WAS NOT ADVISED AT THAT TIME NOW 3 YEARS LATER SUV ONLY HAS 56,000 IT USED 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN 1700 MILES. SINCE I DON'T DRIVE IT MUCH THEY ARE SAYING I HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN SINCE I HAD NOT BEEN IN SINCE MAY 2020. IT IS NOW JULY DRIVEN IT 1300 MILE I WAS TOLD MUST START CONSUMPTION TEST FROM BEGINNING NOT WITH IN THE 1000 MILE RANGE . THEY NEVER FILED OUT ANY CONSUMPTION CHART TO START WITH . THIS CAR ONLY HAS ONE YEAR REMAINING ON WARRANTY AND THEY ARE TRYING TO RUN OUT THE WARRANTY WITHOUT FIXING IT. CAR SMOKES UP MY WHOLE GARAGE UPON STARTING , IT HAS COVERED PEOPLE UP WITH BLUE SMOKE IT THEY ARE BEHIND ME IN A PARKING LOT. I CAN NOT UPLOADED. A DOCUMENT

NHTSA complaint #11341922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ENGINE BLOWN SHORTLY AFTER 'SERVICE ENGINE' LIGHT CAME ON

NHTSA complaint #11322428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THIS IS TO MAKE AWARE OF POTENTIAL/ POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE CAUSE IN SOME HYUNDAI VEHICLES. I OWN A 2011 SANTA FE. AT LESS THAN 70K MILES THE OIL LIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER AND LEAK OIL. DEALERSHIP INDICATED I RUINED ENGINE AND I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL REPAIR COSTS DUE TO BLA BLA BLA. I TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THEY FOUND AND REPLACED DEFECTIVE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH HYUNDAI #9475037000 WHICH LEAKED OIL ONTO TOP ENGINE, CREATED A LARGE POOL OF HOT OIL THAT SAT THERE HIDDEN UNDER OTHER COMPONENTS. ( FIRE HAZARD ). THEN- AT 130K MILES IT HAPPENED AGAIN. REPEAT REPLACEMENT OF GENUINE DEFECTIVE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH AND HOT OIL ON ENGINE (FIRE HAZARD) CONTACTED HYUNDAI TO EXPLAIN THE FIRE HAZARD DEFECTIVE OIL SWITCH ISSUE. ALL THEY COULD SAY WAS TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP. WELL I DID JUST THAT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED SO WHY GO BACK AND GO THRU THE SAME BS. THE 2 SWITCHES FAILING AND HIDDEN OIL POOLS ON A HOT ENGINE SHOULD BE A RED FLAG AND MAYBE AN ANSWER TO ALL THE PAST CAR FIRES REPORTED HERE. INCLUDED IS PHOTO OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT WHERE REPLACED. NOTE- THE SWITCH LOCATION IS IN THE V CAVITY UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AND IF IT STARTS SPEWING HOT OIL OUT THERE'S NO WAY SEE IT.

NHTSA complaint #11297907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY CAR STARTED RUNNING HOT PERIODICALLY, THE THERMOSTAT GAUGE KEPT GOING UP AND DOWN. THERE WAS A BUBBLING SOUND IN RADIATOR RESERVE CONTAINER. MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY CRANKED.

NHTSA complaint #11235040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE , HARNESS OR MODULE , ALLOWS THE COMPUTER TO OVERHEAT SUDDENLY , THROUGH 3 BATTERS AND 2 ALTERNATORS IN 4 MONTHS LAST ALTERNATOR LASTED 2 DRIVES... CAR DIES NANCY DEPRESSIVE LIGHT SHOW AND DIED THEN THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR IS FRIED. HYUNDIA DEALERSHIP REFUSING TO CHECK HARNESS OR MODULE BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER ISN'T LISTED IN RECALL ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS IN THE RECALL. THE CAR HAS DIED 4 TIMES REQUIRING TOWING. THE CAR DIED WHEN DRIVING AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES . CAR HAS BRAND NEW BATTERY. STARTER WORKS FINE. IT DIED IN THE MIDDLE IF A STREETCEACH TIME TWICE WAS AT NIGHT. AND I AM A DISABLED WOMAN WHO USES A WHEELCHAIR. MONDAY JUNE 24TH WAS THE MOST RECENT TIME AT 1 PM IN 104 DEGREE HEAT FOR 5 HOURS WITH A HEART CONDITION WHICH WAS DOUBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE BATTERY DIED EVENTUALLY LEAVING ME WITH NO HAZARDS. WHAT TO CHARGE ME TO REPLACE A 3 RD ALTERNATOR WITHOUT CHECKING HARNESS OR MODULE A SCAM!

NHTSA complaint #11228755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A LOW END ENGINE RATTLE DURING IDLE. THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY ON ACCELERATION. TODAY THE ENGINE FAILED. IT WON'T TURN OVER AT ALL. IT'S SEIZED UP. I CHECKED THE OIL AND THE OIL IS FULL. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS 2 YEARS OLD. I'VE USED SYNTHETIC OIL AND CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3 - 4,000 MILES. THE SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THE ONES ON THE SONATA AND OTHER VARIOUS MODELS. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED HERE IN THE STATES. AN ENGINE IS A HUGE EXPENSE. ESPECIALLY IF IT'S DUE TO MANUFACTURER NEGLIGENCE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HYUNDAI OR KIA AGAIN AT THIS POINT.

NHTSA complaint #11228497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE CITY STREETS AT A SPEED OF APPROX. 30MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STARTING MAKING A LOUD NOISE IN THE ENGINE. FOUND THE ENGINE HAS A BENT ROD. THE CAR HAS 110,000 MILES AND HAS HAD A REGULAR OIL CHANGE EVER SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM. ALL OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED OR OWN NOW LAST WELL OVER 200,000 MILES. HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE HOME 80 MILES. HOPE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. NEVER HAD A WARNING THIS WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. THANK GOODNESS HE WAS ON A CITY STREET..

NHTSA complaint #11207901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING OR SYMPTOMS. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. IT NEEDED TO BE TOWED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED.

NHTSA complaint #11181449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE BEGAN TO DRIVE ROUGH ON THE FREEWAY, SLIGHT TUGGING, RATTLING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 60MPH, CHECK ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND IT STALLED AT RED LIGHT. STARTED IT UP AND THEN STALLED 3 MORE TIMES AT EVERY RED LIGHT ON THE WAY HOME. I ADDED OIL AND MADE SERVICE APPT. BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE DIED ONCE ON THE WAY AND AGAIN AT THE SERVICE CENTER BUT DID NOT START BACK UP. MECHANIC SAID ENGINE FAILED DUE TO CRANK SHAFT SPUN BEARING. SENSORS DID NOT APPEAR IN ADVANCE SENSORS APPEARED TOO LATE CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE. MY CAR IS ONLY 7 YEARS BOUGHT BRAND NEW OUT OF SHOW ROOM NO PREVIOUS MAJOR ISSUES. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON LINE SHOWING SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHERS. UNACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS

NHTSA complaint #11169989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED VERY HIGH, THE RPMS INCREASED, AND THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING FORWARD AND CRASHING INTO A WALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,279.

NHTSA complaint #11152555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ENGINE NOISE AT COLD START. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT FOR OVER AN HOUR, A LOUD RATTLE NOISE IS HEARD FOR 3-5 SECONDS. THE NOISE IS COMING FROM OIL STARVATION. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED THAT IS A TIMING CHAIN AND GUIDE ISSUE. SEVERAL PEOPLE ONLINE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11114433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND I CANNOT STEER THE WHEEL.

NHTSA complaint #11079936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THE FAN IN ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING AFTER VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. RAN BATTERY DOWN. WE COULD HEAR THE FAN RUNNING BUT HAD NO IDEA HOW TO STOP IT. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL YESTERDAY WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS WE COULD NOT HEAR THE FAN RUNNING UNTIL WE POPPED THE HOOD TO JUMP START THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11001246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ON SATURDAY 6/3/17 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A BABY SHOWER WHEN I HEARD A METAL SOUNDING NOISE TOWARDS THE FRONT OF MY CAR AFTER HITTING A BUMP. THE NOISE ONLY HAPPENED ONCE AND WHEN I PULLED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNED MY CAR OFF IT SOUNDED LIKE METAL PARTS FALLING OUT UNDER MY CAR BUT WHEN I CRAWLED UNDER MY CAR NOTHING LOOKED ABNORMAL, SO I GOT BACK IN THE CAR TO START IT AND IT WOULD NOT START. MONDAY 6/5/17 I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO KELLEY RADIATOR TO BE LOOKED AT, AFTER THEM CHECKING EVERYTHING THEY TOLD ME MY ENGINE IS SEIZED. THE OWNER OF KELLEY RADIATOR CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY MY ENGINE SEIZED, HE HAS CHECKED EVERYTHING SUCH AS FLUIDS TO MECHANICAL PARTS AND EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT GOOD. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND ENGINE FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN HYUNDAI CARS. I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI BUT NO RESPONSE . I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS ,FAITHFULLY GETTING OIL CHANGES AND I STILL OWE $12,366.67 ON THIS CAR. I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW ENGINE WITHOUT APPLYING FOR A LOAN AND REALLY CANNOT AFFORD A LAWYER SO ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

NHTSA complaint #10994011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V226000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10991188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ENGINE STALLED TWICE DURING 35MPH DRIVE HOME THIS EVE, MAKING STEERING AWAY FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC EXTREMELY CHALLENGING AND TERRIFYING. OCCURRED ON #3 AND #4 OF 6 RIGHT TURNS.

NHTSA complaint #10991302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.