NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
The contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that on separate occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to Marco’s body shop where it was diagnosed that both struts, new tires, front passenger side wheel cylinder, wheel mount, tie rod, and wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the mechanic noticed that the driver’s side cross member had fractured and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and advised to take the vehicle to the dealer at a different location. The failure mileage was 140,000.
I live in Roy city utah and i drive a santa fe 2001 and my trailing arm in the rear driver side snaped while i was going 45 mph. when i took it in to a shop to have it looked at they said that my trailing arm had snaped do to the rust corrision under the car. I know that there are recalls on the santa fe for the rear suspention trailing arms but only if you live in a salt belt state and utah is not one of those states and i think it should be because of the salt we use on our roads as well as i live 20 mins from the great salt lake . i have bearly had my car 5 months befor it broke i paid 2000.00$ for it. i guess i didnt fully understand the saltbelt state thing and i called young hayndai in ogden utah and they called a tow truck and had my car towed to the dealer ship they had it like 12 days or something befor they diganosed it. when they said that its not on recal because of the salt belt state thing they are trying to charg me 274.00$ just for them to tell me what i already knew was wrong with it and for the towtruck. because of my broken car i just had lost 2 highpaying jobs and i have no money to pay the dealership so they said that i cant have my car till i pay them then they said that they can only hold my car for 10 days . idont know what to do cause my santa fe was not only my only ride but its where i lived. so now im back to sleeping in the street and i dont know where or what the dealership has done with my car. please help me and order a recall on my santa fe because of the rust from living utah and all the salt here. Thanks for your time.
The suv stalls while driving. This has happened multiple time. While driving, driving slow, taking a u turn. The battery, alternator, starter, power steering pump, water pump, rack and pinion, timing belt, serpentine belt, idler pulley, harmonic balancer, front axles, shocks, struts, some sensors, spark plugs/wires, gaskets, and many other parts are replaced in the last year. Don't know what is wrong but it is scary when it stalls suddenly.
The rear trailing arm cracked in half causing my wife to run off the road11
The contact's friend owns a 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while a friend was driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle began to veer off to the right without warning and the driver began losing control of the vehicle. Despite the failure, the contact's friend was able to drive the vehicle to her home at slow speeds. Another friend was able to inspect the vehicle and discovered that the rear passenger’s side trailing arm had fractured due to severe corrosion. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V123000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure and he was informed that his vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
MY WIFE WAS ACCELERATING TO 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE LEFT TO RIGHT RAPIDLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SHE COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS ALMOST TOUCHING THE INSIDE OF THE REAR FENDER. SHE WAS ABLE TO LIMP IT ABOUT A MILE HOME TO DRIVEWAY. SHE CONTACTED HYUNDAI & THEY TOLD HER TO TOW IT TO CLOSEST HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP & REAP SUSPENSION PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED UNDER RECALL. AFTER WE PAID TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR TRAILING ARM WAS CORRODED AND ALMOST BROKEN & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN CALLED MY WIFE THE NEXT DAY TO INFORM HER THAT HER SANTA FE REAR TRAILING ARMS HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED BY HYUNDAI. SHE IMMEDIATELY CALLED HYUNDAI TO SPEAK WITH PERSON THAT TOLD HER TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. HYUNDAI OPENED A CASE NUMBER FOR HER SANTA FE. HYUNDAI CALLED BACK COUPLE DAYS LATER SAYING THEY HAD RESEARCHED HER SANTA FE UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 090 AND THAT IT DID NOT QUALIFY BEING THAT IT HAD NOT REGISTERED WITHIN THE 20 SALT BELT STATES REQUIRED FOR RECALL. HYUNDAI CASE WORKER SAID THEY WERE NOT GOING TO REPAIR THE SANTA FE UNDER RECALL.& HYUNDAI WAS CLOSING THE CASE. AFTER A VERY EXTENSIVE SEARCH ON THE SANTA FE FRAME CORROSION RECALL SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME CORROSION RECALL HAD BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE EVERY SANTA FE WITHIN THE 50 STATES, ALTHOUGH HYUNDAI DID NOT SEND NOTICES TO ANYONE UNLESS THE SANTA FE HAD BEEN REGISTERED IN THE 20 SALT BELT STATES. WITH THIS NEW INFO SHE HAS BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CASE WORKER TO RE-OPEN HER CASE. AS IT STANDS HER SANTA FE WAS TOWED TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHERE IT SITS IN BACK LOT UNTOUCHED & UNDRIVEABLE. AFTER CLOSER LOOK AT TRAILING ARMS BOTH SIDES ARE RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT.
FOR THE PAST MONTH, CAR HAS PROBLEMS STARTING. USUALLY, IT DOES NOT START FOR THE FIRST TIME OR IT HAS A SLOW START. IN ADDITION, THERE'S AN OCCURRENCE THAT IT DID NOT START AT ALL, WHICH HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IN THEY REPROGRAMMED THE MODULE. WILL WAIT AND CHECK IF THIS FIXES THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR STARTS SLOWLY THAT MORNING. *LA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE BACK TO HER RESIDENCE WHERE HER HUSBAND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND DISCOVERED CORROSION ON THE REAR CONTROL ARM. DUE TO THE CORROSION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED HER FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000. *LN*JB
THERE'S A REALL ON THIS VEHICLE THAT I JUST PURCHASED THE DESCRIPTION SAYS: FRONT COIL SPRING PROTECTOR INSTALLATION HOW CAN THIS ISSUE BE RESOLVED? THIS ISSUE SHOULD BEEN TAKING CARE OF AND REPORTED TO YOU GUYS BUT OBVIOUSLY IT HASN'T. SO I NEED TO KNOW IS IT STILL AVAILABLE TO BE FREE OF CHARGE OR DO I HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET TO GET THIS REPAIRED? OR CAN I STILL GO TO A HYANDAI DEALER FOR FREE REPAIRS? I'M NOT SURE OF THE NOTIFICATION DATE. SO IN THE BOX BELOW I'LL PUT THIS YEAR AND DATE
I HAVE BEEN HEARING A CLANKING SOUND SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED MID NOVEMBER 2019 . THE SOUND SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE BACK PASSANGER SIDE WHEEL AREA IT APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND FEELS LIKE THE BACK PASSANGER SIDE WHEEL IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF ANYTIME THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION .AND LOOKS VERY RUSTED OUT
OUR MECHANIC HAS IDENTIFIED SIGNIFICANT CORROSION TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TRAILING ARM, A SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL VULNERABILITY CONSISTENT WITH NHTSA SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 09V123000. THE NHTSA SAFETY RECALL OBSERVES THE DANGER OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM FRACTURING, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER, HYUNDAI, ABOUT THE SAFETY VULNERABILITY, RESULTING FROM THE LATENT MANUFACTURING WEAKNESS. AS DETAILED IN THE ATTACHED FILE. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS INDIFFERENT TO THE FAULTY VEHICLE PART AND SAFETY VULNERABILITY, AND NO RESPONSE HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. WE ARE ATTACHING PHOTOS OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM CORROSION CONSISTENT WITH THE MANUFACTURING FAILURE IDENTIFIED IN THE NHTSA SAFETY RECALL.
WHEN GETTING GAS, THE PUMP ALWAYS 'CLICKS OFF' WHEN IM PUMPING GAS. DOES NOT MATTER HOW FULL. THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE A FULL TANK IS TO CONTINUE PUMPING UNTIL GAS COMES OUT THE TOP OF THE FILLER NECK. THIS USUALLY MEANS OVERRIDING AS MANY AS 50 PUMP 'CLICK OFFS'. I HAVE SEEN OTHER SANTA FE OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A MANUFACTURING FLAW & NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THIS METHOD OF GETTING A FULL TANK IS NOT DESIRABLE AND WHAT'S THE POINT OF HAVING A 17 GALLON GAS TANK IF IT TAKES 45MINUTES TO FILL UP. THANK YOU.
DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM RUSTED OUT IT HAS 2 RECALLS ON IT BUT NOT THE CONTROL ARM WHY IF THE TRAILING ARMS ARE RUSTED IT SHOULD BE ADDED TO???????? STARTED MAKING NOISE NO WARNING WHILE DRIVEING 55 MPH HAPPENED ON 8/23/2019
GAS PUMP PROBLEM KEEPS CLICKING AND I'VE REPLACE MANY PARTY BUT STILL LIKE ITS FULL OF GAS BUT I BE ON EMPTY.CAR ALSO JERKS LIKE I'VE BEEN REAR ENDED WHILE DRIVING LIKE IT HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND I'VE REPLACE TRANSMISSION 2 TIMES. GEARS ONLY WORK MANUAL IT'S LIKE THE CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN .ALSO MY TIRE FLEW OFF MY CAR ON THE BACK AND HAD TO TAKE TO DEALER SHIP AND THEY WAS SAYING IT'S SOME PROBLEM THEY CAN'T HELP .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE LEFT TO RIGHT RAPIDLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS ALMOST TOUCHING THE INSIDE OF THE REAR FENDER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR TRAILING ARM WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS EIGHTY MILES AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
REAR DRIVER SIDE TRAILING ARM BADLY RUSTED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL LEANED INWARD INTO THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING OF THE SUSPENSION WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. FRIENDSHIP HONDA IN JOHNSON CITY, TENESSEE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. *TT JOHNSON CITY HYUNDAI REPAIRED FOR FREE. TRADED IT IN 12/29/17. UPDATED 8/14/18*JB
REAR DRIVER SIDE SPRING RUSTED OUT CAUSING TIRE TO LEAN INTO CAR. ONLY BACKING OUT OF DRIVE WAY AT 2 MPH. WHY WAS ONLY RECALL SENT TO SO CALLED "SALT STATES"? I LIVE IN TENNESSEE AND SALT IS USED ON ROADS IN WINTER.
I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE CAR. THE SUBFRAME HAS RUSTED SO MUCH THAT I CAN'T DRIVE IT. HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE. THEY SAID NOT TO DRIVE IT AND YOU SHOULD HAVE IT TOWED TO OUR HOUSE. THEY SAID THE TIRE WOULD FALL OFF OR WORSE. THEY WOULDN'T TOUCH IT. SO I HAD IT TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THAT TO REPLACE THE SUB FRAME IN THE FRONT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, IT WOULD COST $2000. WHEN I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI, THEY SAID IT COULD COST UP TO $5000. I COULDN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT. I THEN TOWED IT HOME AND IT IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE. I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE I BOUGHT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE, IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
SUBFRAME/ENGINE CRADLE ROT TO POINT OF SEPARATION, LOSS OF STEERING AND VEHICLE CONTROL. MY NEWLY LICENSED GRAND-DAUGHTER TOOK IT FOR A SHORT ABOUT TOWN DRIVE, NOT GETTING MORE THAN A QUARTER MILE BEFORE THE WHEEL SNAPPED OUT OF HER HANDS AND THE VEHICLE HEADED FOR THE CENTER LINE. SHE MANAGED TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, MOVEMENT FORWARD WAS SLOPPY. AWEFUL NOISES COMING FROM BELOW. FLUIDS LEAKING. I KNEW THERE WAS RUST UNDERNEATH BUT NOT SUCH GREATLY WEAKENED PARTS. IMG_6087.JPG
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHEN RE-FUELING, THE FUEL LEAKED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S LOWER FRAME CONTROL ARM WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE A FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE BOLTS THAT HELD THE FRAME WERE RUSTED. THE A FRAME WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REMOVED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A PREVIOUS RECALL THAT WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE RECALL NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL TILTED LEAVING THE VEHICLE IMPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEAR BY FIRESTONE WHERE THE FAILURE WAS ASSESSED BY THE TECHNICIAN. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FRACTURED REAR AXEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WAS MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V030000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION AND SUBFRAME THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS MOUNTED TO WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,215.
V EHICLE CAUGH T ON FIRE IN MOTION CLAIM NUMBER 870190.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP, THE VEHICLE'S WEIGHT SHIFTED, AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE CAVED INTO THE WHEEL WELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TRAILING ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS TWICE. THE FIRST TIME WAS SEVEN YEARS AGO AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES AND RECENTLY IN JUNE 2016 AT 84,000 MILES. SINCE IT IS A UNIQUE SUSPENSION WITHOUT ALIGNMENT ADJUSTMENTS, THE DESIGN COULD BE CAUSING UNUSUAL STRESS ON THE BALL JOINTS.
WHILE DRIVING HOME WITH FAMILY IN VEHICLE THE CONTROL ARMS BROKE, BALL JOINTS BROKE AND THE SWAY BAR BROKE.
REAR TRAILING ON ON BOTH SIDES HAVE CORRODED THROUGH. DRIVER SIDE REAR CONTROL CASE HAS DISINTEGRATED, PASSENGER SIDE IS SEVERELY CORRODED. - MARCH 18, 2010: VEHICLE HAD SERVICE PREFORMED ON TO ADDRESS "RECALL #090 REAR TRAILING ARMS AND FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION TREATMENT", RUST PREVENTATIVE V AND PLUG KIT SERVICE PERFORMED BY DEALER. - MAY 16, 2012: VEHICLE HAD SUBFAME REPLACED DUE TO RUST HOLE AT RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONNECTION, REPLACEMENT OF RACK & PINION AND TRANSFER CASE FOR $2777. - DEC 12, 2014: VEHICLE HAD SERVICE PERFORMED TO ADDRESS "TSB# 14-01-141-1 - FRONT COIL SPRING PROTECTOR. THERE IS A FAULT WITH HOW THE RECALLS AND SERVICE REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH THIS VEHICLE. IF THE RECALL AND PRESCRIBED SERVICE WERE PROPERLY DONE, HAVING TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUB-FRAME JUST OVER 2 YEARS OF HAVING SERVICE TO PREVENT SUB-FRAME CORROSION PERFORMED WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN REQUIRED. THE SUB-FRAME WAS SO DAMAGED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. NOR WOULD 4 MONTHS AFTER HAVING RECALL SERVICE PERFORMED AND VEHICLE INSPECTED BY DEALER, THE REAR CONTROL CASE AND ARMS HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED MAKING THE CAR NOT ONLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE BUT NOT EVEN DRIVABLE NOW BECAUSE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL IS POSITIONED AT AN ANGLE WITH STRUCTURAL SUPPORT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ON A SECOND OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,592.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWAYED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR END WAS LOWER THAN NORMAL. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR-TRAILING ARM AND STRUTS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIR WERE UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. DJR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT, THE REAR TIRES TURNED RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WENT SIDEWAYS BLOCKING TWO LANES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TRAIL ARM WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
HI, I'VE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OVER A ISSUE THAT I'M STARTING TO HAVE AND THE OUT COMES HAS NOT BEEN GOOD AND I FEAR FOR MY FAMILY DRIVING IN THIS VEHICLE. I'M HEARING A SCRATCHY RUBBING SOUND IN THE REAR SO I JACKED IT UP TO FIND MY TRAIL ARMS ARE RUSTED SO BAD THEIRS HUGE HOLES IN THE TRAIL ARMS AND ROTOR COVER ARE RUSTED ALMOST OFF. I SURE DON'T WANT TO RECEIVE A CALL MY FAMILY HAS BEEN HURT IN A ACCIDENT SO IS WHY I'M CONTACTING YOU OVER THIS MATTER. I WOULD APPRECIATE TO BE CONTACTED TO KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO BEFORE IT'S TO LATE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUTTER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. AN ONLOOKER ASSISTED WITH EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE WITH WATER. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE TIME THE FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED. NEITHER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATOR NOR THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER CAR AND IT STARTED SWAYING ON THE ROAD. SHE HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE CONTROLLING THE CAR AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO PULL IN SOMEONES DRIVE. UPON INSPECTING THE CAR WE NOTICED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK RIGHT TIRE. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THE TRAILING ARM HAD SPLIT AND HAD RUSTED OUT. I HAD NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL IN CERTAIN STATES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS WRONG WITH HER CAR BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER HER CAR DID NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS. WE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THE CAR. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW HYUNDAI CAN ONLY LIMITED THIS TYPE OF RECALL TO CERTAIN STATES, WHEN KENTUCKY DOES USE A LOT OF ROAD SALT THAT SEEMS TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF WE COULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE IF MY DAUGHTER HAD BEEN GOING FASTER OR ON THE INTERSTATE.WE DO HAVE PICTURES IF YOU NEED THOSE PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT TIRES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WAS BENT DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 255,000.
LOWER CONTROL ARM RUSTED THROUGH WHEEL DETACHED FROM ROTOR WHEEL HANG OFF. WHEEL NOT STRAIGHT. *TR
BECAME 2ND OWNER IN JUNE 2005. IN MARCH 2010, HYUNDAI RECALLED VEHICLE FOR SUSPENSION COMPONENT RUSTING/CORROSION, SPECIFICALLY REAR TRAILING ARMS & FRONT SUB-FRAME. [ HYUNDAI HAS HAD NUMEROUS (8-9 ??) SIMILAR SUSPENSION RECALLS OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS FOR ELANTRA, SONATA, TIBURON, AZERA AND OTHER MODELS.] IN MARCH 2010, RESPONDING TO RECALL, VEHICLE TAKEN TO AUTHORIZED HYUNDAI DEALER, WHERE DEALER ELECTED TO REPAIR, RATHER THAN REPLACE AFFECTED FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. THE PRESCRIBED RECALL REPAIR CONSISTED OF DRILLING (DRAIN) HOLES IN ALL FRONT & REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, REMOVING EXCESS RUST FROM INSIDE COMPONENTS, THEN SPRAYING WITH ANTI-CORROSIVE WAX. AUGUST 7, 2013, RIGHT REAR TRAILING ARM FAILED DUE TO CONTINUED EXCESSIVE CORROSION, CAUSING STEERING LOSS AND NEAR WHEEL COLLAPSE. HYUNDAI DEALER REVEALED CAUSE OF SUSPENSION FAILURE. HYUNDAI CORROSION SPECIALIST CONCLUDED THAT HYUNDAI WOULD REPLACE BOTH REAR TRAILING ARMS ONLY (NOT FRONT SUB-FRAME COMPONENTS, WHICH ARE ALSO EXCESSIVELY RUSTED/CORRODED), BUT THAT BECAUSE OF VEHICLE'S 10+ YEAR AGE, OWNER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL "INCIDENTAL AND RELATED SUSPENSION PARTS AND LABOR" EXPENSES INCURRED WHILE THE REAR TRAILING ARM REPLACEMENTS WERE BEING MADE. I AM APPEALING THIS HYUNDAI DECISION TO NHTSA BECAUSE THE REPAIR THAT HYUNDAI ELECTED TO PERFORM (VS A FULL COMPONENTS REPLACEMENT) IN MARCH 2010, WHEN VEHICLE WAS ONLY 9 YEARS OLD, HAS PROVEN TO BE TOTALLY INEFFECTIVE, AND THAT OWNER HAS NOT CONTRIBUTED, IN ANY WAY, TO THIS SUSPENSION DEFECT. GIVEN HYUNDAI'S CORROSION VULNERABILITIES, THEIR INABILITY TO EFFECT A REPAIR IN 2010, AND THE OWNER'S NON-CONTRIBUTORY ROLE HERE, HYUNDAI SHOULD NOW REPLACE ALL FRONT & REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, AS THEY SHOULD HAVE IN 2010, AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE TIRES BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS BENT INTO THE FRAME. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO CORROSION. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,390.
MY TEENAGE SON WAS DRIVING HIS VEHICLE, WHEN IT SUDDENLY FELT LIKE HE WAS DRIVING ON BLACK ICE. THE WHEELS FELT LIKE THEY WERE ALL OVER THE ROAD, AND HE HEARD SOME TYPE OF LOUD NOISES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. LUCKILY HE KNEW BETTER AND PULLED OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE WHEEL ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE LOOKED COMPLETELY TURNED IN AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC. LATER THAT NIGHT I DID SOME RESEARCH AND SAW THAT THEY HAD A RECALL FOR THE 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE BECAUSE OF THE TRAILING ARMS RUSTING OUT. I CALLED THE CORPORATION FOR HYUNDAI REFERENCE MY SITUATION AND ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL. THEY SAID THAT SINCE I DID NOT LIVE IN A SALT BELT STATE, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I THEN CALLED MY LOCAL HYUNDAI AND ASKED THEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT I COULD BRING IT IN AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND SEE WHAT THEY COULD DO, BUT THEY WOULD NOT MAKE ANY PROMISES. OUR LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP HAS A HORRIBLE REPUTATION, AND I KNEW IF I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEM, NOT ONLY WOULD THEY TELL ME THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL, THEY WOULD CHARGE ME AND ARM AND LEG TO FIX IT. I CHOSE TO STAY WITH MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO I TRUST. THAT MECHANIC TOLD ME THE ARM WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. . HE HAD PULLED UP THE RECALL AS WELL, AND AGREED WITH ME THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD FIX THIS FREE OF CHARGE, SINCE OBVIOUSLY IT WAS A DEFECT ON THEIR PART. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE SALT BELT STATE RULE FOR THE RECALL MADE NO SENSE SINCE OTHER THINGS CAN CAUSE RUST. AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS FIXED I TOOK THE TRAILING ARM TO MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND SHOWED THEM. I TOLD THEM I EXPECTED THEM TO PAY AT LEAST FOR THE ARM WHICH COST ME 189.00 PLUS TAX, SINCE THIS WAS THEIR DEFECT. I HAD ALSO BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM THEM ON APRIL 30. THEY SAID NO AND SHOWED ME THE DOOR. MY SON COULD HAVE CRASHED AND DIED. HYUNDAI SHOULD BE ASHAMED.
I WAS ENTERING MY APARTMENT COMPLEX WHEN MY CAR MADE A NOISE. IT FELT LIKE WE HAD A FLAT TIRE AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I PARKED THE CAR AND THEN SAW THAT THE REAR TRAILING ARM WAS FRACTURED. I LOOKED IN THE INTERNET AND SAW CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V123000. THIS CAMPAIGN MENTIONS ALL CARS MANUFACTURED FROM 2001-2003. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2001 AND WAS SOLD IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. I CALLED THE HYUNDAI AND THEY SAY MY VIN DOES NOT FALL ONTO THIS CAMPAIGN YET IT HAS ALL THE SYMPTOMS AND CHARACTERISTICS TO BE INCLUDED. PLEASE HELP! *TR
WHEN APPROACHING A STOP (<5MPH) AND BRAKING, THE CAR ENGAGES IN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE ENGINE WILL TACH TO OVER 3000 RPM AND IF YOU ARE NOT HARD ON THE BRAKES, THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE. AT LEAST ONE TIME THE CAR HAD TO BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND THE IGNITION TURNED OFF TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER CONTROL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL LEAKED FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL TANK TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING AND HAD BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER (HYUNDAI EAST, 11200 E CENTRAL AVE, WICHITA, KS 67206, (316) 977-7800). IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL CAMPAIGNS. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXHIBIT THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
DRIVING STRAIGHT ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55 MPH. CAR HOOD BLEW WIDE OPEN AND WAS LAYING UP, OVER MY WINDSHIELD. LEFT ME ALMOST BLINDED; ABLE TO SEE OUT A SMALL OPENING, ABOUT 2-4 INCHES AT BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD WHERE HOOD IS RAISED UP BY HINGES. WAS ABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER OF ROAD SAFELY. BOTH HOOD LATCH AND SAFETY LATCH FAILED. CAR IS IN EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD CONDITION EXCEPT FOR MY NOW BENT AND DAMAGED HOOD. I AM VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. THANK YOU G-D. I HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS HOOD FAILURE TO HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY. HOPE THIS HELPS TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM GETTING SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026