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2011 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20262 Critical Recalls
Daniel Wilson
2011 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe has 266 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve engine and electrical system.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.2/ 10

Based on 266 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ENGINE

63 23.7%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

25 9.4%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

24 9%

STEERING

19 7.1%

POWER TRAIN

19 7.1%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ENGINE, accounting for 23.7% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 34 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe has 266 owner complaints in this dataset. ENGINE is the most common complaint category, representing about 24% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe are ENGINE (63), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (25), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (24).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 174 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2012 Santa Fe complaints2013 Santa Fe complaints2014 Santa Fe complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 33 of 33 systems

ENGINE

59 Reports24% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING IN FAILED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,500.

5/24/2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

6/5/2012

57 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

24 Reports10% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE REPORTED IN OTHER ODI COMPLAINTS. SPECIFICALLY, MY VEHICLE STALLS RANDOMLY WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS. ODI ID #10460671, #10453272, AND #10412636, ALL SEEM TO REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE. OCCASIONALLY, WHILE BRAKING OR ALLOWING THE CAR TO STOP, IT WILL STALL OUT. WHEN IT DOES, ACCELERATING, POWER STEERING, AND POWER BRAKING ARE ALL DISABLED. ONCE THE CAR GEAR IS SHIFTED TO PARK AND THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF, THE PROBLEM RESOLVES AFTER RE-STARTING THE CAR LATER. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD WORKED ON THIS CAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FOUR TIMES WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO 1. DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND 2. COME UP WITH AN ADEQUATE REMEDY. EVEN THOUGH THE TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE STALLING, THE FIRST THREE TIMES IT WAS IN THE SHOP, THREE DIFFERENT REPAIRS WERE MADE. THEY HAVE ALL INVOLVED COMPUTER FIXES, INCLUDING CHANGING OUT THE CONTACTS, REPLACING THE JUNCTION BOX, AND UPDATING SOFTWARE. HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF MY ISSUE AND THE PENDING LEMON LAW ARBITRATION CLAIM THAT I HAVE MADE. HYUNDAI HAS CURRENTLY MADE THE UNILATERAL DETERMINATION THAT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A LEMON, WHICH I DISPUTE BECAUSE 1. THIS DETERMINATION IS NOT CAPABLE OF BEING MADE UNILATERALLY, AND 2. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT AND MORE THAN A "REASONABLE" AMOUNT OF REPAIR ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. A MANAGING ENGINEER HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT FINDING ANY PROBLEMS, AND I'M CURRENTLY WORKING WITH HYUNDAI TO HAVE A "FLIGHT RECORDER" INSTALLED TO RECORD DATA WHEN THE CAR STALLS NEXT. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITHOUT A SHOULDER ON THE FREEWAY--A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. I CONSIDER THIS CAR TO BE AN UNRELIABLE SAFETY THREAT ON THE ROADWAYS AND HAVE COMMUNICATED THIS TO HYUNDAI, BUT ITS REPRESENTATIVE DO NOT HAVE THE SAME SENSE OF URGENCY I HAVE. *TR

7/18/2012

I WAS SHOWING MY NEW/USED 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TO SOME FRIENDS WHEN WE HEARD A POP AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. NO ONE ELSE WAS AROUND THE VEHICLE AND WHERE IT WAS PARKED THERE WAS NO WHERE SOMEONE COULD HAVE SHOT THE WINDOW WITH A PELLET GUN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. EARLIER IN THE MORNING I HAD THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER ON TO CLEAR LIGHT FOG OFF THE REAR WINDSHIELD. IT WAS ONLY ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES UNTIL I SHUT IT OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

10/13/2012

22 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

23 Reports9% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

STOPPED ON A SLOPE 5-20 FT. LONG (UP OR DOWN), REMOVE RIGHT FOOT FROM BRAKE PEDAL TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC- SANTA FE WILL BARELY MOVE FORWARD REGARDLESS HOW MUCH ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR "PUMPED" THEN: SUDDENLY WILL SPIN FRONT TIRES-ACCELERATING VERY RAPIDLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED A MINIMUM OF 25 TIMES. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A BUSY STREET, ROAD OR HIGHWAY. DEALER UNABLE TO FIND CODE ERRORS NOR COULD THEY DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. COMPLAINED TO DEALER SERVICE TWICE ABOUT THIS SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS RANDOM, DANGEROUS CONDITION WHEN OWNER/OPERATOR CANNOT FEEL SAFE AND CONFIDENT THIS SUV WILL RELIABLY ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP ON A SHORT SLOPE AS IT SHOULD EACH AND EVERY TIME. *TR

2/10/2012

ON DECEMBER 19,2011 I WAS SLOWING DOWN COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND ON OR ABOUT THE TIME AS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE MOTOR STARTED RACING OUT OF CONTROL. I PUT ALL MY WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR, THEN SLAMMED THE GEAR INTO PARK AND TURNED THE MOTOR OFF. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DID DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND SAID THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. RELUCTANTLY, I ACCEPTED THE CAR BACK. ON FEBRUARY 6, 2012 THE SAME INCIDENT OF THE MOTOR RACING OUT OF CONTROL HAPPENED WHEN I SLOWED DOWN COMING TO A STOP SIGN. I AGAIN PUT ALL MY WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN TURNED OFF THE MOTOR. THE CAR WAS AGAIN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I CALLED HYUNDAI CORPORATE OFFICES AND ADVISED THEM OF THE TWO INCIDENTS OF THE MOTOR RACING OUT OF CONTROL. THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAVE A SERVICE TECHNICIAN DRIVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 250 MILES TO SEE IF THIS "RACING MOTOR" INCIDENT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. I AGREED TO THEIR RECOMMENDATION. ON FEBRUARY 11,2012 THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN WHO DROVE MY THE CAR FOR 250 MILES CALLED ME AND SAID THE MOTOR RACING OUT OF CONTROL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN . HE SAID HE DID RE-PROGRAM THE COMPUTER AND I COULD PICK UP THE CAR. HE SAID THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT I FEAR THIS UNSAFE INCIDENT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND HYUNDAI NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION TO REMEDY THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM AND PREVENT ANY FUTURE INJURIES FROM HAPPENING. *TR

2/12/2012

21 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

19 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

DRIVING SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC DOWN A HILL MY STEERING WHEEL, GEAR SHIFT AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. IMMEDIATELY MY GENERATOR LIGHT CAME ON MY DASHBOARD. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND SOMEHOW GET THE CAR IN PARK. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND REALIZED THROUGH MY MANUAL MY GENERATOR LIGHT WAS ON. I OPENED THE HOOD AND COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. WHEN TURNING THE CAR BACK ON THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THAT MONDAY I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY TOLD ME THEY CHECKED EVERYTHING. PUT THE CAR UP TO A COMPUTER, DROVE IT AROUND, TEST EVERYTHING COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. I HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM SINCE BUT SOMETHING HAD TO OCCUR FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I AM PLEASE WITH MY CAR OTHERWISE. JUST HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. IT COULDN'T BE WEATHER RELATED BECAUSE IT WAS NEITHER SUPER WARM OR SUPER COLD IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 50 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. FORTUNATELY I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC OTHERWISE IF I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT THIS COULD HAVE ENDED UP VERY BADLY POSSIBLY EVEN FATAL. *TR

3/27/2012

AFTER LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PUSHED ON THE PEDAL AND THE CAR DID NOT MOVE FOR SECONDS. CAR HESITATES ALL THE TIME. AFRAID TO MAKE LEFT TURN FROM A STOPPED POSITION BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE. VEHICLE ALSO HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS SLOW MOVING VEHICLES. REPORTED ISSUE TO DEALER AND DEALER WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. READ AND HEARD OF OTHER SANTA FE ACCELERATION ISSUES. *TR

7/27/2012

17 more complaints are available in this category.

STEERING

18 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT (THE SIDE I WANTED TO PASS ON) WHEN PASSING GEAR WAS USED. I CAME VERY CLOSE TO HITTING THE CAR TO MY LEFT. THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL DUE TO TORQUE KNUCKLE STEERING. (IT HAPPENED WHEN HE DROVE MY SUV AND HE TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET USED TO IT!!! WE ALSO TRIED ANOTHER SUV AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, PLEASE NOTE; THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT BIGGER TIRES WOULD PROBABLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT THE SUV IS UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD NOT PAY FOR THEM HE DROPPED THE SUBJECT). I HAVE TRIED THE MANEUVER INDICATED WHEN THERE IS NO TRAFFIC AND IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF ANYONE WITHOUT MY QUICK REFLEXES. I HAD NOTICED THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO THE PASSING INCIDENT ON A STRAIGHT ACCELERATION, BUT BELIEVED IT MIGHT BE AN UNEVEN PAVEMENT CAUSING IT. )I AM NOT A MECHANIC, BUT THINK THERE IS A CORRELATION BETWEEN THE STEERING AND THE DRIVE TRAIN THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 02/14/11 *BF THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. UPDATED PORTABLE 02/25/11

2/8/2011

ON MAY 26TH 2011 AROUND 6:20 PM WHEN I DROVE ON A LOCAL DOWN HILL ROAD WHICH IS ABOUT 400 YARD LONG, AT A SPEED ABOUT 20 MPH, MY CAR LOST BRAKE AND POWER STEERING. I SUPPOSED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND MAKE A LEFT TURN. WHEN I PRESSED MY BRAKE PEDAL, MY CAR CAN'T STOP AND THE PEDAL WAS VERY HEAVY, AND I CAN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER. MY CAR KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. I KEPT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD AND MY CAR FINALLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF STREET GRADUALLY. WHEN I LOOKED, I NOTICED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT WERE ON. I THEN TURN OFF MY CAR AND REST A WHILE. I THEN TURNED MY CAR BACK ON AND FOUND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT WENT OFF AND EVERYTHING SEEMED BACK TO NORMAL. WORTH TO NOTE THAT IT WAS HOT THAT DAY ABOUT 90 DEGREE AND I RIDE ON BRAKE SLIGHTLY FOR ABOUT 300 YARD ON THAT DOWN HILL ROAD BEFORE THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SLOWLY BACK HOME THAT DAY AND BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE CLOSEST HYUNDAI DEALER AT 7:30 AM THE NEXT MORNING. HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE FAILURE AND FOUND NOTHING. I THEN CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND HYUNDAI CREATED A CASE NUMBER AND SUGGESTED ME GO TO THE SELLING DEALER. ON JUNE 7TH, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE SELLING DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE FAILURE EITHER AND ASKED ME TO COME BACK TO THEM WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. HOWEVER, IT COULD BE DANGEROUS WHEN MY CAR LOSES BRAKE AGAIN WHEN I AM DRIVING. I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY OTHER WAY TO INVESTIGATE ROOT CAUSES OR STRESS MY CAR TO REPRODUCE THIS ISSUE. *TR

7/11/2011

16 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

16 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LAST MONTHLY SINCE PURCHASE IN AUGUST 2011. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP PLACEMENT OF ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS CAUSES MY FOOT TO PRESS BOTH PEDALS AT SAME TIME. YESTERDAY WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT A "T" INTERSECTION THE FRONT END ENTERED THE INTERSECTION AS ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING. QUICK ACTION BY THE OTHER DRIVER AVOIDED A COLLISION. MY BROTHER SAID HE HAD SAME PROBLEM (FOOT ON BOTH PEDALS AT SAME TIME) WHEN TEST DRIVING HIS WIFE'S SANTA FE. *TR

10/31/2012

2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE V6 LIMITED TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A STALL CONDITION. IMMEDIATELY LOST THE ABILITY TO SAFELY CONTROL THE VEHICLE, COMPLETE LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND POWER STEERING. ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ONCE THE VEHICLE HAD COASTED TO A STOP, SHIFTED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVE POSITION TO THE PARK POSITION. TURNED THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION. IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE IGNITION TO THE START POSITION AND ENGINE RESTARTED. ENGINE LIGHT INDICATOR IN DASH PANEL WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOCATE THE ROOT CAUSE. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE. FILED AN INCIDENT REPORT WITH HYUNDAI USA. *TR

4/14/2013

14 more complaints are available in this category.

SUSPENSION

15 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT (THE SIDE I WANTED TO PASS ON) WHEN PASSING GEAR WAS USED. I CAME VERY CLOSE TO HITTING THE CAR TO MY LEFT. THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL DUE TO TORQUE KNUCKLE STEERING. (IT HAPPENED WHEN HE DROVE MY SUV AND HE TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET USED TO IT!!! WE ALSO TRIED ANOTHER SUV AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, PLEASE NOTE; THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT BIGGER TIRES WOULD PROBABLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT THE SUV IS UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD NOT PAY FOR THEM HE DROPPED THE SUBJECT). I HAVE TRIED THE MANEUVER INDICATED WHEN THERE IS NO TRAFFIC AND IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF ANYONE WITHOUT MY QUICK REFLEXES. I HAD NOTICED THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO THE PASSING INCIDENT ON A STRAIGHT ACCELERATION, BUT BELIEVED IT MIGHT BE AN UNEVEN PAVEMENT CAUSING IT. )I AM NOT A MECHANIC, BUT THINK THERE IS A CORRELATION BETWEEN THE STEERING AND THE DRIVE TRAIN THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 02/14/11 *BF THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. UPDATED PORTABLE 02/25/11

2/8/2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH , THERE WAS A LOUD POP HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE EXPLODED FROM THE IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER DIAGNOSED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

2/29/2012

13 more complaints are available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

9 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

4/29/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVEN OCCASIONS, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF DRIVE INTO REVERSE OR NEUTRAL UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED WAS NOT MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

5/20/2013

7 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

7 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHILE DRIVING AFTER HEAVY SNOW I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES OVER A SNOW PILE. WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WENT OVER THE SNOW, THE SOFTWARE TOOK CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND TURNED TO VEHICLE 270 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED IN THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODE. I HAVE OVER 500,000 MILES DRIVING 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES IN OVER 50 YEARS AND HAVE LIVED AND WORKED IN HEAVY SNOW STATES. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY USED THE SAME TECHNIQUE TO GO OVER SNOW WITH NO PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SOFTWARE IS TO AGGRESSIVE. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS REPORTED AFTER THE SNOW STORM WHERE VEHICLES WERE REPORTED TO HAVE SPUN OUT. I WINDER HOW MANY WERE CAUSED BY THE SOFTWARE. I NOW TURN THE STABILITY CONTROL OFF DURING SNOW. *TR

3/3/2013

SINCE I RECEIVED MY SUV IN 2011 I'VE EXPERIENCED 3 VEHICULAR CUT-OFFS WHILE DRIVING. THE CUT-OFF ALWAYS OCCURS DURING A SLOW MOVING TURN, WHETHER GOING LEFT OR RIGHT. I WOULD START TURNING OR SWITCHING LANES IN ONE CASE AND THE CAR WILL STALL. ALL PANEL LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, THE STEERING WOULD SHUT-DOWN SO I CANT CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES SHUT-DOWN AS WELL. I HAVE TO COAST TO A STOP AND PLACE IN PARK. THIS IS A VERY VULNERABLE SITUATION WHERE I'VE BEEN AT THE MERCY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THANK GOODNESS THAT MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WASN'T IN THE VEHICLE ANY OF THE TIMES. THE SUV ALWAYS STARTS BACK UP AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT A MINUTE. THIS PROBLEM IS SO RANDOM AND THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS, IT'S JUST HAPPENS. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT PERHAPS THEIR COULD HAVE BEEN AIR IN THE GAS LINE, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS TO BE TRUE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD LESS THEN A QUARTER TANK OF GAS, THE SECOND ABOUT A HALF TANK AND THE LAST A FULL TANK. CURRENTLY MY CAR IS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY'RE HOPING THAT THEY CAN ONCE AGAIN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY'VE HAD IT FOR 6 DAYS SO FAR. *TR

5/13/2013

5 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

7 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHILE DRIVING AT A RATE OF LESS THAN 5-10 MPG IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE 105 WEST FREEWAY. THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING ABILITIES AND ALL POWER IN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT NOTIFICATION LIGHTS OR ANY OTHER STRANGE PECULIARITIES. BOTH THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL LIGHTS WENT ON. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER WITH WHATEVER RESIDUAL POWER REMAINING AS NOT TO IMPEDE TRAFFIC BUT IT WAS A TERRIFYING STRUGGLE. THE GEARS WERE ALSO LOCKED AND UNABLE TO SHIFT. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD CLEARED AND THERE ARE NO DIAGNOSTICS ON THE COMPUTER THAT REFLECT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS UNKNOWN WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE. MONTHS PRIOR (6 MONTHS) I WAS DRIVING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED (APPROX 30 MPH) ON THE SAME FREEWAY, EARLY MORNING, AND THE SAME PROBLEM ALSO HAPPENED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO BE REAR ENDED BADLY OR WORSE.

11/18/2015

WHEN L WAS IN TRAFFIC WAITING FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TO CHANGE THE CAR CUT OFF AND I IMMEDIATELY PUT IT IN PARK TO RESTART THE CAR IT HAS DONE THIS FOR ABOUT 10 TIMES IT IS BACK IN THE SHOP THE DEALER CANNOT RESOLVES THE PROBLEM! THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY!!

3/20/2017

5 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

6 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

ON MAY 26TH 2011 AROUND 6:20 PM WHEN I DROVE ON A LOCAL DOWN HILL ROAD WHICH IS ABOUT 400 YARD LONG, AT A SPEED ABOUT 20 MPH, MY CAR LOST BRAKE AND POWER STEERING. I SUPPOSED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND MAKE A LEFT TURN. WHEN I PRESSED MY BRAKE PEDAL, MY CAR CAN'T STOP AND THE PEDAL WAS VERY HEAVY, AND I CAN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER. MY CAR KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. I KEPT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD AND MY CAR FINALLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF STREET GRADUALLY. WHEN I LOOKED, I NOTICED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT WERE ON. I THEN TURN OFF MY CAR AND REST A WHILE. I THEN TURNED MY CAR BACK ON AND FOUND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT WENT OFF AND EVERYTHING SEEMED BACK TO NORMAL. WORTH TO NOTE THAT IT WAS HOT THAT DAY ABOUT 90 DEGREE AND I RIDE ON BRAKE SLIGHTLY FOR ABOUT 300 YARD ON THAT DOWN HILL ROAD BEFORE THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SLOWLY BACK HOME THAT DAY AND BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE CLOSEST HYUNDAI DEALER AT 7:30 AM THE NEXT MORNING. HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE FAILURE AND FOUND NOTHING. I THEN CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND HYUNDAI CREATED A CASE NUMBER AND SUGGESTED ME GO TO THE SELLING DEALER. ON JUNE 7TH, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE SELLING DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE FAILURE EITHER AND ASKED ME TO COME BACK TO THEM WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. HOWEVER, IT COULD BE DANGEROUS WHEN MY CAR LOSES BRAKE AGAIN WHEN I AM DRIVING. I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY OTHER WAY TO INVESTIGATE ROOT CAUSES OR STRESS MY CAR TO REPRODUCE THIS ISSUE. *TR

7/11/2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EMIT A LOUD BANGING NOISE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. A STATE TROOPER APPEARED ON THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 673.

11/17/2011

4 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

ON MAY 26TH 2011 AROUND 6:20 PM WHEN I DROVE ON A LOCAL DOWN HILL ROAD WHICH IS ABOUT 400 YARD LONG, AT A SPEED ABOUT 20 MPH, MY CAR LOST BRAKE AND POWER STEERING. I SUPPOSED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND MAKE A LEFT TURN. WHEN I PRESSED MY BRAKE PEDAL, MY CAR CAN'T STOP AND THE PEDAL WAS VERY HEAVY, AND I CAN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER. MY CAR KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. I KEPT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD AND MY CAR FINALLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF STREET GRADUALLY. WHEN I LOOKED, I NOTICED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT WERE ON. I THEN TURN OFF MY CAR AND REST A WHILE. I THEN TURNED MY CAR BACK ON AND FOUND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT WENT OFF AND EVERYTHING SEEMED BACK TO NORMAL. WORTH TO NOTE THAT IT WAS HOT THAT DAY ABOUT 90 DEGREE AND I RIDE ON BRAKE SLIGHTLY FOR ABOUT 300 YARD ON THAT DOWN HILL ROAD BEFORE THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SLOWLY BACK HOME THAT DAY AND BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE CLOSEST HYUNDAI DEALER AT 7:30 AM THE NEXT MORNING. HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE FAILURE AND FOUND NOTHING. I THEN CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND HYUNDAI CREATED A CASE NUMBER AND SUGGESTED ME GO TO THE SELLING DEALER. ON JUNE 7TH, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE SELLING DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE FAILURE EITHER AND ASKED ME TO COME BACK TO THEM WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. HOWEVER, IT COULD BE DANGEROUS WHEN MY CAR LOSES BRAKE AGAIN WHEN I AM DRIVING. I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY OTHER WAY TO INVESTIGATE ROOT CAUSES OR STRESS MY CAR TO REPRODUCE THIS ISSUE. *TR

7/11/2011

DRIVING SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC DOWN A HILL MY STEERING WHEEL, GEAR SHIFT AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. IMMEDIATELY MY GENERATOR LIGHT CAME ON MY DASHBOARD. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND SOMEHOW GET THE CAR IN PARK. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND REALIZED THROUGH MY MANUAL MY GENERATOR LIGHT WAS ON. I OPENED THE HOOD AND COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. WHEN TURNING THE CAR BACK ON THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THAT MONDAY I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY TOLD ME THEY CHECKED EVERYTHING. PUT THE CAR UP TO A COMPUTER, DROVE IT AROUND, TEST EVERYTHING COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. I HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM SINCE BUT SOMETHING HAD TO OCCUR FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I AM PLEASE WITH MY CAR OTHERWISE. JUST HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. IT COULDN'T BE WEATHER RELATED BECAUSE IT WAS NEITHER SUPER WARM OR SUPER COLD IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 50 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. FORTUNATELY I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC OTHERWISE IF I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT THIS COULD HAVE ENDED UP VERY BADLY POSSIBLY EVEN FATAL. *TR

3/27/2012

3 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I BOUGHT THE CAR IN LATE MARCH 2013 AND THE MILEAGE WAS AROUND 50,800. EVERY SINCE THEN IT PERIODICALLY HESITATES TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS ROLLING FORWARD VERY SLOWLY. IN EVERY CASE THE GAS PEDDLE (THROTTLE) IS FULLY RELEASED AND WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PEDDLE, NOTHING HAPPENS. THE MOTOR DOES NOT SPEED UP, THE THROTTLE IS NOT ENGAGING ANYTHING. SEVERAL TIMES I PUSHED THE PEDDLE HALF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THEN ALL AT ONCE, IT CATCHES, AND THE CAR TAKES OFF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE CAR IS NOT "CODING" SO THE BRUNSWICK, GA HYUNDAI DEALING WILL NOT REPAIR WHAT IS WRONG. AND NATURALLY IT HAS NOT HAPPENED THE FEW TIME THEY HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR. THIS IS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD RESULT IN DEATH WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP ON TO A BUSY ROAD. IT IS NERVE RACKING TO THINK, THIS MIGHT BE THE TIME THE CAR WON'T MOVE! I TOOK A QUICK LOOK AT THE DATA BASE OF COMPLAINTS AND THIS SAME COMPLAINT IS IN YOUR DATA BASE. AGAIN IT IS A PERIODIC HAPPENING WHICH MAKES IT MORE DANGEROUS. *TR

5/29/2013

ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY VEHICLE WOULD REV UP THE RPM'S AND THEN SLOW WAY DOWN AND VEHICLE PAUSED FOR ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS THEN REENGAGED. ALSO, THE ENGINE SEEMS ACCELERATES AND SLOWS DOWN ON ITS OWN, DOESN'T FEEL LIKE TAKING FUEL AT TIMES. MY COMPLAINT SOUNDS SIMILAR TO NHTSA ID# 10744564, HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE DID NOT MAKE A LOUD SOUND FROM UNDERNEATH. I HAVE HAD MY 60000 MI SERVICE COMPLETED AND ISSUE PRESENTED AFTERWARDS. LUCKILY, THESE 3 INCIDENTS HAPPENED ON LOW VOLUME TRAFFIC STREETS. I HAVE HAD SERVICE AFTER AT DIFFERENT HYUNDAI DEALERS WITHOUT EXPLANATION.

9/23/2015

3 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

ON JUNE 11, 2013 I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING PLACE. I WAS STOPPED AND PUTTING MY CAR INTO PARK. AS I REACH NEUTRAL MY CAR ACCELERATED FAST...THIS WAS MORE THEN A LUNGE FORWARD, IT WAS MORE LIKE A POWER SURGE. MY CAR CONTINUED FORWARD AT A VERY FAST SPEED, DESPITE MY BRAKING ( THERE WERE SKID MARKS) AND HIT A WALL. I ENDED UP WITH LOTS OF MASSIVE BRUISING AND SPRAINED MUSCLES. PLUS I WAS VERY FRIGHTENED. THERE WAS LOTS OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE I PURCHASED IT. IT IS SILL IN THEIR BODY SHOP. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT I CHECKED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THERE WERE LOTS & LOTS OF EXAMPLES OF THIS, SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEM, WITH THE 2011 SANTA FE. I DON'T SEE ANY RESPONSES FROM HYUNDAI. THIS PROBLEM HAS TO BE DEALT WITH. *TR

6/24/2013

FIRST OF ALL I KNOW OUR 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IS NOT MADE IN USA, IT IS A KOREAN 2.4 L, 7 SEATER BOUGHT IN PANAMA. I WROTE TO THE HYUNDAI COMPLAINT WEBSITE AND THEY VERY POLITELY ANSWERED THAT THE CAR WAS A NON-US MODEL AND THEY SENT ME A LINK TO A WEBSITE WHERE I COULD FILE THE COMPLAINT. I DID IT BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN ANSWER, YET. MY FIRST PROBLEM AFTER THE CRASH WAS THE UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS FOR REPAIRING THE CAR. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH OUR LOCAL CONSUMER AUTHORITY HERE IN PANAMA. OUR CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR MORE THAN 9 MONTHS, ITS RUNNING NOW BUT STILL SOME PARTS MISSING. THE ISSUE IS THAT AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK FROM THE SHOP I RECEIVED A CALL FROM OUR LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER (PETROAUTOS) TELLING ME ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN OF THE FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH (JUST AS IN THE US MODELS) AND THAT I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. SO I LOOKED UP IN INTERNET AND I FIND SEVERAL RECALLS RELATED TO THE BRAKES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE SWITCH. SO IM WONDERING IF THIS WAS RELATED TO THE CRASH BECAUSE I ALWAYS HAD MY DOUBTS OF WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I BRAKED THAT DAY. FINALLY THERE WAS A CRASH AND ALTHOUGH I KNOW THIS MAY ONLY BE FOR YOUR INFORMATION OR FILES, AND THAT YOU CAN'T HELP ME; PLEASE TAKE THIS INTO ACCOUNT FOR YOUR EVALUATIONS. THANKS.

9/4/2013

3 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

FIRST OF ALL I KNOW OUR 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IS NOT MADE IN USA, IT IS A KOREAN 2.4 L, 7 SEATER BOUGHT IN PANAMA. I WROTE TO THE HYUNDAI COMPLAINT WEBSITE AND THEY VERY POLITELY ANSWERED THAT THE CAR WAS A NON-US MODEL AND THEY SENT ME A LINK TO A WEBSITE WHERE I COULD FILE THE COMPLAINT. I DID IT BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN ANSWER, YET. MY FIRST PROBLEM AFTER THE CRASH WAS THE UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS FOR REPAIRING THE CAR. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH OUR LOCAL CONSUMER AUTHORITY HERE IN PANAMA. OUR CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR MORE THAN 9 MONTHS, ITS RUNNING NOW BUT STILL SOME PARTS MISSING. THE ISSUE IS THAT AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK FROM THE SHOP I RECEIVED A CALL FROM OUR LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER (PETROAUTOS) TELLING ME ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN OF THE FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH (JUST AS IN THE US MODELS) AND THAT I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. SO I LOOKED UP IN INTERNET AND I FIND SEVERAL RECALLS RELATED TO THE BRAKES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE SWITCH. SO IM WONDERING IF THIS WAS RELATED TO THE CRASH BECAUSE I ALWAYS HAD MY DOUBTS OF WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I BRAKED THAT DAY. FINALLY THERE WAS A CRASH AND ALTHOUGH I KNOW THIS MAY ONLY BE FOR YOUR INFORMATION OR FILES, AND THAT YOU CAN'T HELP ME; PLEASE TAKE THIS INTO ACCOUNT FOR YOUR EVALUATIONS. THANKS.

9/4/2013

BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE CONTROL,AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE,BAD SMUDGE MARK ON WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE WHICH DEALER COULD NOT FIX AFTER SEVERAL TRIES BUT NEVER WROTE UP A SERVICE ORDER. WHEN CAR IS SET AT 50MPH AND WE ARE COMING TO A LEFT TURN I TURN ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL CAR LURCHES FORWARD AT VERY HIGH SPEED.DEALER CLAIMS BECAUSE ON INCLINE, BUT I DO IT WITHOUT TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT SPEED UP. AIRBAG PASSENGER SIDE INTERMITTENT DEALER CLAIMS CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. ALSO WHITE POWDER SHOWS UP ON DASHBOARD ABOVE GLOVE COMPARTMENT,WE WIPE IT OFF COMES BACK POSSIBLYLEAK IN AIRBAG PASSENGER SIDE DEALER CLAIMS NOT POSSIBLE. THOUGHT DEALER SHOULD HAVE FIXED WINDSHIELD UNDER 5 YR WARRANTY? ALSO NOTICED 2014 HYUNDAI SPORT THEY SCANNED ME INTO BUYING HAS PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG PASSENGER SIDE OFF LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR

4/9/2014

3 more complaints are available in this category.

WHEELS

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I PERCHED IT ON SEPT. 9. 214 I REPORTED THIS IN SEPT 214 PROBLEM THE BACK WHEELS SOUND LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE AS SOON AS YOU PICK UP SPEED OF 50 TO 65 MILES HOUR THEY REPLACE TIRES AND STILL NO CHANGE I HAD THE TECH. TAKE A ROAD TRIP TO HERE IT AND HOW LOUD IT WAS ON HIGHWAY. THEN THEY THOUGHT IT WAS OUT OF LINIMENT SO THE DID THAT, AND STILL NO CHANGE, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE WHEELS ARE WOBBLY AND IT WILL CONTINUE.SO. I WAS TOLD TO GIVE IT 2 WEEKS OR SO, BUT WHEN YOU GO ON HIGHWAY ITS LOUDER THEN VIBRATES AND WHEN YOU HIT THE BRAKES YOU CAN FEEL IT ALSO AND THE TECH. ALSO FELT IT, AND AT THIS POINT THEY STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK DO TO A FRIEND THAT RECOMMEND IT AND KNOW THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.AS MINE AND THEY ALSO COMPLAINED I BOUGHT THIS DO TO, I AM DISABLED AND NEED A DEPENDABLE VEHICLE AND NOT BIG PROBLEMS. I HAVE NOT YET MADE A PAYMENT ITS NOT DUE UNTIL OCT. 29,2014. *TR

10/15/2014

DURING MAINTENANCE I WAS INFORMED THAT MY REAR TIRES WERE DRY ROTTED. IS THIS A SAFTY PROBLEM?

10/21/2015

2 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I PURCHASED A HYUNDAI, NOT EVEN ONE MONTH AGO. DECEMBER 12TH 2010. VIN [XXX] HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2011 IT IS SUPPOSED TO GET 20-26 MILES PER GALLON. WHILE DRIVING THE HIGHWAY FROM FLORIDA TO NC IT GOT 15 MILES TO THE GALLON. ON THE WAY BACK THE SAME THING. IN ADDITION THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT RIGHT, THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT AND MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE SEVERAL TIMES. WE DID NOT THINK WE WOULD GET HOME. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER AND REPORTED IT TO HYUNDAI. THEY CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND THAT THE CAR JUST NEEDS TO BE BROKEN IN. I WENT ON LINE AND SAW MANY CONSUMERS HAD THE SAME COMPLAINTS AND HYUNDAI IGNORED THEIRS AS WELL. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN. I NEVER HEARD OF A CAR NEEDING TO BE BROKEN IN. THE MILEAGE IS A LIE. THE CAR IS NOT GETTING WHAT THEY CLAIM IT SHOULD AND OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME THING TO HYUNDAI. THERE APPEARS TO BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND WITH THOSE OF OTHER CONSUMERS AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP. CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

1/3/2011

2011 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ NEW VEHICLE HAS DISCHARGED HEAVY FUEL FUMES AND ODORS OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE CREATING A POSSIBLE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE/EXPLOSION AND CAUSING OBNOXIOUS IF NOT HAZARDOUS BREATHING. 12/31/2010 SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED 01/01/2011 AT START-UP, THERE WAS A "POP" AND ENGINE STARTED. REPLICATED AT DEALERSHIP AND RAW GAS WAS SMELLED. DEALER KEPT VEHICLE FOR SERVICE SHOP TO OPEN ON 01/03/2011. 01/03/2011 DEALER REPLACED PURGE CONTROL VALVE (P/N 28910-3C100). TOOK VEHICLE, SMELLED GAS FUMES IN GARAGE @ RESIDENCE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. 01/04/2011 RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. PART ORDERED AIR FREIGHT. 01/05/2011 DEALER INSTALLED FUEL TANK AIR FILTER (P/N 31543-3J501-R). TOOK VEHICLE HOME, SMELLED GAS FUMES IN GARAGE @ RESIDENCE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. 01/06/2011 FUMES IN GARAGE NOT PRESENT. THOUGHT ISSUE CORRECTED. FUELED VEHICLE, RAN ERRANDS, SMELLED FUEL OUTSIDE VEHICLE. HAD LUNCH, SMELLED FUEL INSIDE OF CAR. NOT PREVIOUSLY SMELLED INSIDE VEHICLE.RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP. 01/07/2011 DEALER ADVISES THAT THEY ARE DISMANTLING VEHICLE ABOUT THE FUEL FILL AREA TO EXPLORE FOR DEFECTS. *TR

1/9/2011

1 more complaint is available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING AREA AT 10 MPH, THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE AS THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A CRASH HOWEVER, CRASHED INTO AN ICE EMBANKMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO BOTH HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) LETTER WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

9/19/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WATER WAS COLLECTING IN THE REAR PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WINNER HYUNDAI (591 S DUPONT HWY, DOVER, DE 19901, (302) 877-2489) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SEAL FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.

9/16/2019

1 more complaint is available in this category.

VISIBILITY

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY A HEAVY RAINSTORM BEGAN. IT WAS VERY HUMID AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS MODERATE. WITHIN A FEW MOMENTS THE DEFROST BECAME OVERWHELMED AND OUR VISIBLITY DECREASED TO A DANGEROUS LEVEL. WE HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN IN ORDER TO GET ENOUGH AIR MOVING TO REMOVE THE CONDENSATION FROM THE FRONT WINDOW. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OTHER OCCASSIONS SINCE. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS US NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TT

10/27/2011

ABOUT 10 MINUTES IN TO A TRIP ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WINDSHIELD STARTED FOGGING UP. THE CLIMATE CONTROL PANEL WAS IN AUTO, BLEND WITH PART OF THE AIR GOING TO WINDSHIELD, PART TO FLOORBOARD, TEMP SET TO 72DEGREES ENGINE WAS FULLY WARM, AND WE WERE AT 55MPH. THE FOGGING WAS NOT GRADUAL, FROM THE TIME I NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD STARTING TO FOG, UNTIL VISIBILITY WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED ALL THE WAY TO THE DASH WAS LESS THAN 2 MINUTES. IT WAS IF A SYSTEM HAD SHUT OFF. I ACTIVATED THE FRONT DEFROST BUTTON,, HIGH FAN TO CLEAR THE WINDOW AND IT ACTUALLY WAS WORSE FOR A FEW SECONDS. I TURNED UP THE HEAT TO 85, AND THE WINDSHIELD STARTED CLEARING. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS. WEATHER OUTSIDE TEMP ABOUT 45 DEGREES, LIGHT RAIN. WHEN THE TRIP STARTED THE WINDSHIELD WAS PERFECTLY CLEAN AND CLEAR OF ANY INTERIOR FOG. *TR

1/23/2012

VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I WAS SHOWING MY NEW/USED 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TO SOME FRIENDS WHEN WE HEARD A POP AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. NO ONE ELSE WAS AROUND THE VEHICLE AND WHERE IT WAS PARKED THERE WAS NO WHERE SOMEONE COULD HAVE SHOT THE WINDOW WITH A PELLET GUN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. EARLIER IN THE MORNING I HAD THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER ON TO CLEAR LIGHT FOG OFF THE REAR WINDSHIELD. IT WAS ONLY ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES UNTIL I SHUT IT OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

10/13/2012

TWO DIFFERENT TIMES IN 1 YR OUR BACK GLASS SHATTERED WHILE PARKED ONCE AT HOME ONCE WHILE AT WORK

5/31/2018

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I PURCHASED A HYUNDAI, NOT EVEN ONE MONTH AGO. DECEMBER 12TH 2010. VIN [XXX] HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2011 IT IS SUPPOSED TO GET 20-26 MILES PER GALLON. WHILE DRIVING THE HIGHWAY FROM FLORIDA TO NC IT GOT 15 MILES TO THE GALLON. ON THE WAY BACK THE SAME THING. IN ADDITION THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT RIGHT, THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT AND MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE SEVERAL TIMES. WE DID NOT THINK WE WOULD GET HOME. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER AND REPORTED IT TO HYUNDAI. THEY CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND THAT THE CAR JUST NEEDS TO BE BROKEN IN. I WENT ON LINE AND SAW MANY CONSUMERS HAD THE SAME COMPLAINTS AND HYUNDAI IGNORED THEIRS AS WELL. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN. I NEVER HEARD OF A CAR NEEDING TO BE BROKEN IN. THE MILEAGE IS A LIE. THE CAR IS NOT GETTING WHAT THEY CLAIM IT SHOULD AND OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME THING TO HYUNDAI. THERE APPEARS TO BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND WITH THOSE OF OTHER CONSUMERS AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP. CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

1/3/2011

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT (THE SIDE I WANTED TO PASS ON) WHEN PASSING GEAR WAS USED. I CAME VERY CLOSE TO HITTING THE CAR TO MY LEFT. THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL DUE TO TORQUE KNUCKLE STEERING. (IT HAPPENED WHEN HE DROVE MY SUV AND HE TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET USED TO IT!!! WE ALSO TRIED ANOTHER SUV AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, PLEASE NOTE; THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT BIGGER TIRES WOULD PROBABLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT THE SUV IS UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD NOT PAY FOR THEM HE DROPPED THE SUBJECT). I HAVE TRIED THE MANEUVER INDICATED WHEN THERE IS NO TRAFFIC AND IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF ANYONE WITHOUT MY QUICK REFLEXES. I HAD NOTICED THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO THE PASSING INCIDENT ON A STRAIGHT ACCELERATION, BUT BELIEVED IT MIGHT BE AN UNEVEN PAVEMENT CAUSING IT. )I AM NOT A MECHANIC, BUT THINK THERE IS A CORRELATION BETWEEN THE STEERING AND THE DRIVE TRAIN THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 02/14/11 *BF THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. UPDATED PORTABLE 02/25/11

2/8/2011

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PARKED ON A SNOW BANK, THE DRIVER SIDE BUMPER COVER POPPED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO FIX THE COVER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE COVER BACK IN TEMPORARILY BUT IT WAS NOT FULLY REPAIRED. UPDATED 03/29/11 *BF UPDATED 04/06/11 UPDATED 04/06/11

3/7/2011

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

NEW SANTA FE, 45 DAYS OLD, SCREECHING / METAL ON METAL GRINDING SOUND. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. AT 3 MONTHS OLD, CAR ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. DO NOT TRUST CAR. *TR

6/30/2011

STRUCTURE

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LAST MONTHLY SINCE PURCHASE IN AUGUST 2011. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP PLACEMENT OF ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS CAUSES MY FOOT TO PRESS BOTH PEDALS AT SAME TIME. YESTERDAY WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT A "T" INTERSECTION THE FRONT END ENTERED THE INTERSECTION AS ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING. QUICK ACTION BY THE OTHER DRIVER AVOIDED A COLLISION. MY BROTHER SAID HE HAD SAME PROBLEM (FOOT ON BOTH PEDALS AT SAME TIME) WHEN TEST DRIVING HIS WIFE'S SANTA FE. *TR

10/31/2012

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

MY DAUGHTERS AND I PULLED INTO OUR DRIVEWAY, PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. BEFORE GETTING OUT, THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF AND TOOK A CHUNK OF GLASS FROM THE WINDSHIELD. MY CAR STILL HAS MANUFACTURE WARRANTY, SO I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MONDAY JULY 29. I WENT TO BURLINGAME HYUNDAI WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID "NO WAY DID THAT MIRROR FALL OFF. HYUNDAI WON'T COVER IT." I THEN CALLED HYUNDAI CORPORATE WHO SAID IT'S UP TO THE SERVICE PERSONNEL TO DECIDE IF THE WARRANTY COVERS THE WORK. THEY SUGGESTED I TAKE THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. I WENT TO SERRAMONTE HYUNDAI AND THEY SAID THAT MY MIRROR WAS NOT ORIGINAL MANUFACTURE INSTALLED MIRROR AND WOULD NOT COVER THE COST TO REPLACE THE GLASS.I THEN WENT BACK TO ENTERPRISE CAR SALES WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THEY DETERMINED IN THEIR RECORDS THAT THE MIRROR WAS ORIGINAL AND NOT REPLACED. ENTERPRISE TALKED TO SERRAMONTE HYUNDAI ABOUT WARRANTY REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER THEY ALSO SAID "THE MIRROR CAME OFF WITH A FORCEFUL PULL." I AM COMPLAINING THAT THE GLASS AND OR GLUE USED ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR CAUSED THE MIRROR TO FALL OFF AND DAMAGE THE WINDSHIELD. I BELIEVE THE HYUNDAI WARRANTY SHOULD REPLACE IT. I DID NOT PULL IN ANY FASHION ON THE MIRROR. I HAVE READ VIA GOOGLE SEARCH THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE IN VARIOUS CAR MAKES. THIS OCCURRENCE IS NOT THE FIRST TIME A MIRROR HAS FALLEN OFF THE GLASS LEFT A CHUNK OF GLASS MISSING. IT IS MOST LIKELY A GLASS MANUFACTURE DEFECT. PLEASE HELP MAKE HYUNDAI HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. *TR

8/14/2013

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

NOTE: IT IS AT PRETTY MUCH ALL SPEEDS AND NOT JUST 55 THAT THE VARIATION CAN BE SEEN BETWEEN DEVICES AND THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THIS USED WITH 29K MILES ON IT. I NOTICED ON THE DRIVE BACK FROM MD TO PA THAT THE SPEED ON THE SPEEDOMETER WAS DIFFERENT THAN MY TOMTOM GPS. A FRIEND WAS DRIVING IN A SEPARATE CAR AND SO I CALLED THEM AND TRIED TO IDENTIFY THEIR SPEED TO MINE AND IT SEEMED OFF TO THEIRS AS WELL. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO TO ASK THEM TO ADJUST THE SPEEDOMETER TO WHICH I WAS TOLD IT CANNOT BE ALTERED. WELL HERE I AM OVER A YEAR LATER AND EVERY SINGLE GPS BASED SYSTEM I HAVE PUT INTO MY CAR, ANOTHER TOMTOM, MY SONS GARMIN, MY WIFE'S GARMIN, MY NEW GARMIN AND MY PHONE ALL ARE IN SYNCH WITH EACH OTHER. THE PROBLEM IS THAT MY SANTA FE IS ALWAYS STATING I AM TRAVELING ABOUT 3 MPH FASTER THAN ALL THESE OTHER DEVICES. IF THIS IS THE CASE THEN THIS WOULD SHOW A HIGHER NUMBER OF MILES BEING DRIVEN THAT WHAT IS ACTUALLY OCCURRING. I DRIVE 20-25K MILES A YEAR AND THIS WOULD MOST DEFINITELY ADD UP OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE THUS SHOWING ME TO BE OUT OF WARRANTY SOONER THAN WOULD BE EXPECTED. WHY DOES EVERY ELECTRONIC DEVICE SHOW THE SAME SPEED BUT MY CAR IS TELLING ME I'M GOING FASTER? *TR

11/18/2013

TIRES

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

KUMHO TIRE KL21 P235/65R/17 PURCHASE 2013, SLOW AIR LEAKED AND TIRE HAS LESS 10K MILES AND CHECKED BY DEALER/TIRE CENTER WITH NO APPARENT PUNCTURE ON TIRE. *TR

10/26/2014

SEAT BELTS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I GOT IN MAKE VEHICLE TO GO TO THE STORE AND MY SEAT BELT WOULD NOT FASTEN I TRIED EVERYTHING AFTER AN HOUR I GAVE UP

1/6/2015

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THERE WERE NOT ANY OTHER CARS NEAR ME. MY SUNROOF LITERALLY EXPLODED! IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT WENT OFF. THE GLASS SEEMED TO HAVE DISAPPEARED INTO THIN AIR! I POSTED ON FACEBOOK HOW CRAZY THIS IS AND I STARTED RECEIVING INFORMATION FROM FRIENDS HOW THIS IS COMMON WITH HYUNDAIS. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT EVEN CONSIDER THAT IT MAY BE A DEFECT, DESPITE ME FINDING SEVERAL SANTA FE OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THEIR SUNROOFS REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

2/27/2015

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE FLUID WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V613000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

11/10/2016

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TT UPDATED 10/5/18*JB

6/14/2018

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while taking the vehicle to the yearly inspection, the vehicle failed the inspection due to a hole in the rear driver’s side subframe. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 170,000.

11/29/2022

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The most reported complaint category for the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe is ENGINE, with 63 owner reports. That is about 24% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

Are complaints about the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 174 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe severe?

174 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Hyundai Santa Fe: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
266
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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