2001 Hyundai Santa Fe Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING OVER 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO FELT THE VEHICLE JERKING WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE AND HE COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

AS MY WIFE WAS BACKING UP THE 2001 SANTA FE SUV AT A LOCAL PARK, SHE HEARD A LOUD THUMP. SHE THOUGHT SHE WENT OVER A POTHOLE, AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO LOOK. SHE DIDN'T SEE A POTHOLE, AND GOT BACK INTO THE CAR. AS SHE DROVE DOWN THE ROAD, A RHYTHMIC SCREECH BECAME VERY LOUD FROM THE RIGHT REAR SIDE. SHE STOPPED THE CAR, AND AGAIN GOT OUT TO TAKE A LOOK. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE LOOKED NORMAL. SHE GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME, SLOWLY. THE SCREECHING BECAME LOUDER AND LOUDER. WHEN SHE GOT HOME, SHE LOOKED AT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT IT WAS CAVED INWARD, AND A METAL PART WAS BROKEN AND HANGING DOWN. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE IN THIS CONDITION, AND A TOW TRUCK HAD TO COME TO OUR HOME AND LOAD THE CAR ONTO A FLATBED TRUCK AND TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER. THE HYUNDAI MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CENTER OF THE RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM HAD FULLY RUSTED OUT AND THE SUSPENSION HAD BROKEN THROUGH. THE RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM, THE LATERAL LINK, THE ABS SENSOR, CAM VOLT, AND NUT HAD TO BE REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE TOTAL COST WAS $1,549.22. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY OF THE CAR. I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED CASE. HOWEVER, AFTER DISCOVERING THERE WERE NUMEROUS CASES OF 2001 SANTA FE CONTROL ARMS RUSTING OUT, I DECIDED TO FILE AN NHTSA COMPLAINT. I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED ON THE TOLLWAY. IT IS MY OPINION THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POOR DESIGN OF THE CONTROL ARM. FURTHERMORE, IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT CONTROL ARM IS SHOWING THE SAME SIGNS OF RUST THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM. IT WILL SOON NEED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WILL BE EXPENSIVE. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE PART OF A SAFETY RECALL. *TR

FOR A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, I THOUGHT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. EVERYTIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE CAR WOULD SWERVE A LITTLE; THEN THERE WOULD BE A "THUMP" AT THE REAR OF THE CAR. ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT NOISE AT THE REAR OF THE CAR, SO I LOOKED IN THE BACK STORAGE AREA THINKING SOMETHING WAS ROLLING AROUND-FOUND NOTHING. I CONTINUED DRIVING A FEW MILES, HEARING THE THUMPING NOISE AGAIN, I STOPPED AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE THINKING THE SPARE TIRE BRACKET WAS BROKEN--SAW NOTHING. LATER IN THE DAY, AS I TURNED RIGHT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AT THE REAR. I TOLD MYSELF TO DRIVE SLOWLY--AND THEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BROKE CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. FORTUNATELY FOR MYSELF, OTHER DRIVERS AND HYUNDAI I WAS DRIVING SLOW. THE CAR WAS FLATBEDDED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER, WHO TOLD ME THAT THE REAR TRAILERING ARM "SNAPPED" OFF DUE TO AN IMPACT. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND WANTED TO WAIT FOR THE COMPANY REP BEFORE DECIDING WHAT TO DO. THE REP INSISTED THAT RUST HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PART BREAKING AND THAT I NEEDED TO PAY 1100.00 FOR THE REPAIR (WHICH INCLUDED A NEW BRAKE LINE AND SHOCK DUE TO THE FAULTY PART) THE DEALERSHIP THEN DID NOT WANT TO GIVE ME THE PART BECAUSE IT WAS "TOO RUSTY" TO PUT IN THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE 4TH VEHICLE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. I DO HAVE THE PART AND WILL BE GOING TO THE LOCAL NEWS MEDIA TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY THE COMPANY. *TR

WHILE BRAKING NORMAL TO LIGHT PRESSURE FROM 25-5MPH ON DRY PAVED ROAD, ABS SYSTEM WILL TURN ON AND GREATLY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE. THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN ONE INSTANCE THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP BEFORE A STOP LIGHT OR STOPPED TRAFFIC. THERE ARE NO ABS CODES OR ABS IDIOT LIGHTS ON IN THE DASH WHICH INDICATE THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG. SAFETY IS A LARGE CONCERN. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER AND NO ISSUE WAS FOUND, WITHOUT BEING REQUESTED TO PAY $1500+ FOR AN ENTIRE NEW ABS. THIS WAS AFTER THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND SOURCE TO THE PROBLEM. I SEE THIS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MANY FORUMS AND THERE IS A RECALL ON 2003-2005 SANTA FE'S FOR A SAME/SIMILAR ISSUE. *TR

CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILED ON MY 2001 4 CYLINDER HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I WAS DRIVING ON BUSY STREET IN THE WINTER EVENING AND, AT THE TIME, WAS ON CRUTCHES AND UNABLE TO NAVIGATE ON FOOT. I WAITED IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES UNTIL A POLICE PERSON RESCUED ME. *TR

I WAS COMING TO A RED LIGHT AND LET OFF THE GAS TO COAST BEFORE PUTTING ON MY BRAKES(MY DAD TAUGHT ME WELL TO DO THIS INSTEAD OF BEING A QUICK BRAKER TO MAKE MY BRAKES LAST LONGER). AT ABOUT 25MPH MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE BACK UP TO 30, THEN 35, THEN 40. I PANICKED. I PRESSED THE BRAKES VERY HARD BUT THE RPM'S WERE STILL RISING AND I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE STILL ACCELERATING. I TRIED PUTTING IT INTO PARK, NO LUCK. I THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF WHILE IN PARK. SCARY!!!! MY KIDS WERE WITH ME. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP WE'D HAVE BEEN KILLED WHILE PLOWING INTO CROSS TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT 55MPH OR MORE! AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, IT SEEMED BETTER. THEN 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD IT DID IT AGAIN. I DROVE IT BACK HOME (8MILES) WITH NO INCIDENT. 2 DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING MY SON HOME FROM SCHOOL, THIS EPISODE REPEATED 4 TIMES. WITH EACH "RESTART" IT BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO START THE CAR AND I HAD TO WAIT (YES, IN TRAFFIC) 5 MINUTES BEFORE STARTING THE CAR AGAIN. I NEEDED TRANSMISSION WORK, TOOK IT IN, $2000 REBUILD. TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING BUT HOT MAYBE AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WORK WAS DONE IT WOULD RESOLVE. NOT A CHANCE. THEY ARE STUMPED AS TO WHAT'S WRONG. THEY'VE CHECKED THE THROTTLE BODY AND PARTS. NO CODES COME UP. THEY'VE UNHOOKED THE CRUISE CONTROL. MY HUSBAND DROVE IT HOME THIS PAST WEEKEND SO A FRIEND COULD LOOK AT IT AND SEE WHAT HE THOUGHT AND MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON A LONG STRETCH OF ROAD WITH NO STOPS AND THE CAR WAS DRIVING AT 50MPH WITH HIM NOT PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. HELP!!! THIS IS GOING TO HURT OR KILL SOMEBODY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AND AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DRAMATICALLY ACCELERATED. THE RPM'S SURGED TO APPROXIMATELY 3,000. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT REMEDY. AS OF OCTOBER 8, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ON MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAVE FADED OVER TIME FROM THE SUN. THE SUN HAS FADED THE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES SO MUCH, THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT VISIBLE THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY IS GREATLY REDUCED. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, DUE TO THE WAY THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT COMING THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY IS GREATLY REDUCED DUE TO THE FADING OF THE PLASTIC BY THE SUN. *TR

VEHICLE SEAT BACK DOES NOT STAY LOCKED, 2ND ROW. CHILD SEAT MUST BE INSTALLED IN THIS SEATING POSITION. VEHICLE SEAT BACK DOES NOT STAY ENGAGED IN ANY UPRIGHT POSITION. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTE FE EASTBOUND ON INTERSTATE 275 IN WILDER KENTUCKY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES PER HOUR AT APPROXIMATELY 10PM , WHEN I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN AGES 8 AND 11 WERE IN OUR SUV WITH ME. THE CAR SWERVED OVER THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND THE MEDIAN STRIP VEERING WILDLY FROM LANE TO LANE. THE VEHICLE ALMOST TIPPED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. FORTUNATELY, NO OTHER CARS WERE NEARBY AND I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEWPORT FIRESTONE STORE ON CAROTHERS ROAD. 859-491-1400. THE WHEEL WAS TURNED OUT APPROXIMATELY 10 DEGREES. THE SHOP FOUND THAT THE SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND HAD ALMOST COMPLETELY SEPARATED INTO TWO PIECES. WE COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. I SAVED THE PART. THE WHEEL WAS LITERALLY HANGING ON BY A THREAD. THE REPAIRS COSTS APPROXIMATELY $800. I CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WERE COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. THIS IS NOT WHAT A CONSUMER WOULD EXPECT FROM A SIX YEAR OLD VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT OTHER CARS OUT THERE ARE TICKING TIME BOMBS. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CRACKING SOUND COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BECAME WORSE WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL, BUT GRADUALLY DECELERATED TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL LOOKED AS IF IT WERE TURNED AT A 15 DEGREE ANGLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 103,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS SINCE 2006 THE LUG NUTS HAVE COME LOOSE ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. EACH TIME THERE HAD BEEN SOMEONE DIFFERENT ROTATING THE TIRES. OWNER, DEALER, TIRE SHOP. EVERY TIME IT HAS BEEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. NONE OF THE OTHER WHEEL POSITIONS HAVE COME LOOSE. THE LAST INSTANCE WAS 12/7/2011, THE LAST TIME THE TIRES WERE REMOVED OR REPLACES WAS 4/19/2011 AT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TOPEKA. *TR

TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TURN TO THE RIGHT AND LUNGED DOWNWARD TO A POINT THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO FLIP OVER. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND THE RIGHT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE PART IF NEEDED. WHEN THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED THE HYUNDAI PARTS DEPARTMENT THE PERSON ANSWERING THE PHONE SAID THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WAS COMMON PROBLEM WITH SANTA FE SUVS. THAT NEXT THING THAT MADE ME THINK THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT HYUNDAI WAS AWARE OF, WAS THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART HAD BE REDESIGNED AND NOW HAS WEEP HOLES SO NOT TO RETAIN WATER OR MOISTURE. THE REPAIR SHOP TESTED THE REMAINING CONTROL ARMS ON THE VEHICLE TO FIND THE LEFT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME DEGREE OF RUST ON THESE PARTS THAT A TEN YEAR OLD CAR WOULD HAVE. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY SIX YEARS OLD AND HAS BEEN GARAGED DURING THIS TIME. HYUNDAI SEEMS TO BE AWARE OF THE DEFECT DUE TO THE REDESIGN OF THE PART IN QUESTION AND THAT HYUNDAI PARTS DEPARTMENT IS AWARE OF THE NUMBER OF FAILURES. IS HYUNDAI WAITING UNTIL THERE IS A SERIOUS INJURY OR A DEATH? *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A THUMPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED ON FOUR OTHER OCCASIONS AND THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED EACH TIME.

VEHICLE- HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2001 2.4L 58000 MILES SUDDEN CLUTCH FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE SLIPPAGE CAUSED BY HYDRAULIC PROBLEM IN THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER. INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A PERVASIVE PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI CLUTCHES IN GENERAL. MANUFACTURER APPARENTLY IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM. IN EXCESS OF $2000 IN QUOTED REPAIRS. *JB

SUSPENSION /CHECK ENGINE LIGHT /LOWER BALL JOINT: DEALER REPLACE @54,353 MILES, LOWER ARM IN 2004 AND 8/2006 REPLACEMENT IS NEEDED I HAVE TAKEN MY 2001 SANTA FE TO DEALER 8 PLUS TIMES FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WAS TOLD FOUND TETHER ON GAS CAP NOT LETTING CAP CLOSE TIGHT ENOUGH /MOVED TETHER AND RAN EVAP TEST AND CHECK OUT OK . I WAS TOLD CAP LOOSE 8 PLUS TIMES THIS PROBLEM IS ON GOING. RETURN TO DEALER FOR JERK TRANSMISSION ISSUES I HAVE TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND IT TAKES OFF SLOW AND ONCE GETS POWER THE CAR JERKS STARTS AS IF THE GEARS OR NOT SWITCHING OVER. DEALER SAID DO THE PRESSURE IN GAS CAP AND GAS CAP NOT CLOSED TIGHT ENOUGH EVAL TEST WAS DONE. BACK AT DEALER AFTER ROAD TRIP MY CAR WAS RUNNING AFTER BEGIN PARKED WITH A/C RUNNING AND I TURN CAR OFF AND CAR WOULD NOT START THOUGHT MAY BATTERY CHECK AND NO WATER WAS IN BATTERY I PUT WATER IN BATTERY AND LET CAR SIT FOR ABOUT HOUR AND CAR RESTARTED BACK AT DEALER EXPLAIN THIS ISSUE MY BATTERY WAS REPLACE I WAS TOLD FACTORY BATTERY WASN'T STRONG ENOUGH WAS FOR SANTA FE THIS IS 3RD BATTERY WITH IN FIVE YEARS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V030000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STARTER ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

ON MAY 7TH MY CAR WAS TOWED INTO THE MAXON DEALERSHIP WITH COMPLAINTS OF CLUNKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD AND LOST OF POWER. THE SERVICE ON MY VEHICLE WAS COMPLETED ON MAY 9TH. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY DRIVER BELTS AND A COMPUTERIZED PROBLEM WAS THE CAUSE OF POWER. ON MAY 28TH (MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND) WHILE COMING HOME FROM VIRGINIA I SUDDENLY LOST STEERING POWER ON INTERSTATE 95 IN MARYLAND. I HAD MY THREE CHILDREN IN THE CAR ALONG WITH MY COUSIN AND HER DAUGHTER. WE WERE ALL VERY SCARED! MY CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN LAUREL, MD. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE ADVISOR WHO ADVISED ME THAT WHEN MY DRIVER BELTS WERE REPLACED THEY WERE TOO TIGHT WHICH IN TURN CRACKED MY PULLEY AND DAMAGE MY POWER STEERING PUMP. HE ADVISED ME THAT THE BOTH WILL HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AND THAT A TENSIONER WILL BE ADDED. I CONTACTED MAXON HYUNDAI, WHO SIMPLY STATED " THE REPAIRS WILL BE DONE UNDER MY WARRANTY" END OF STORY. WE AND MY FAMILY COULD HAVE LOST OUR LIVES IN AN INSTANT BECAUSE OF THE TECHNICIANS ERROR AND FOR MAXON TO NOT RECOGNIZE THAT ERROR IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. I WAS NOT OFFERED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE ORIGINAL REPAIRS MADE, NOR DID THEY OFFER TO REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE RENTAL, NOR DID THEY OFFER TO BRING MY CAR FROM MARYLAND TO NEW JERSEY, THEY OFFERED ME NOTHING. MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THEM ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND ALWAYS SEEM TO GO BACK WITHIN TWO MONTHS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. DO THE OWNERS OF MAXON REALIZE HOW PRECIOUS A LIFE IS? MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF MY CHILDREN WERE SPARED THIS TIME, BUT WHAT HAPPENS TO THEIR NEXT CUSTOMER WHERE THEY DECIDE TO CUT CORNERS? *NM

DT*:THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE VIBRATES DUE TO THE ROTORS BEING WARPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT THE CONTACT BEGAN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE VIBRATING. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE TURNED. THE SECOND TIME THE FRONT PASSENGER ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. THE LAST TIME THE FRONT PASSENGER ROTOR WAS WARPED HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP RESURFACED THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ROTORS. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN RESURFACED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST THIRTEEN MONTHS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS IS DUE TO THE WAY THE CONTACT DRIVES THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CLAIMED DEALER REPLACED ROTORS ON 04/18/2006, AND TURNED THEM 3 TIMES IN 13 MONTHS.

MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAD A VERY BAD ODOR LIKE WIRES WERE BURNING IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN THAT OCCURRED MY POWER DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK AND MY REAR WIPER WOULD NOT WORK. THE SMELL WAS SO BAD I HAD TO LOWER ALL THE WINDOWS SO I WOULD NOT PASS OUT. I STOP TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A FIRE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM, BECAUSE IT DID NOT OCCUR WHEN THEY CHECKED IT. I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR BACK IMMEDIATELY WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WERE ANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH 2001 SANTA FE'S. *JB

2001 SANTA FE AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES, FRONT DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT CAUSED STEERING PROBLEM MARCH 2006, PART REPLACED. THEN MARCH 2009 FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT BROKEN, AS BEFORE PART REPLACED. IN BOTH CASES THE STEERING CAUSED THE CAR TO PULL SEVERLY TO THE RIGHT. *TR

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE THEN DRIVE AND THE TACHOMETER WENT TO THE RED ZONE. ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE MOVED APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET FORWARD IN 30 SECONDS. THEN, HE THEN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, AND THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. THIS REPEATED A WEEK LATER. HE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY WAS RUN DOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THEY RULED OUT A CRUISE CONTROL BECAUSE IT HAS NEVER BEEN USED. *AK UPDATE 1/4/2006 - *NM

DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE CPS CAPACITOR THAT IS WITH THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE FREEWAY. THE DEALERSHIP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THIS PROBLEM CAME UP AS A CRITICAL CODE. THE CONSUMER FOUND NHTSA RECALL 03V030000 FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM

I HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT AS MANY SANTA FE OWNERS. PROBLEMS OF ACCELERATION AT 40, ALONG WITH SHIFTING ISSUES. ON SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALER, LEAVING THE CAR THERE FOR SOMETIMES 7-15 DAYS AT A TIME. IT HAS HAD 4 THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS, AN ALTERNATOR AND 2 BATTERIES. MY MILEAGE IS 100,386 AND THE VEHICLE NEEDS 3000.00 WORTH OF TRANSMISSION WORK. HYUNDAI SIMPLY STATES MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THESE ISSUES DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH MY TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A SIGNED STATEMENT FROM THE TRANSMISSION SHOP MANAGER THAT STATES A TPS PROBLEM ABSOLUTELY WILL AFFECT THE TRANSMISSION. *NM

DT: 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS AUTOMATIC/STANDARD TRANSMISSION WHICH WOULD DOWNSHIFT ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER FIRST NOTICED THIS PROBLEM WHEN GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF THIRD GEAR. WHEN CONSUMER EXITED THE HIGHWAY HE NOTICED HE ONLY HAD SECOND AND THIRD GEARS. HE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. *AK

WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHS APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IT STUTTERS. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS I TAKEMY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THEN PUTTING YOUR FOOT BACK ON THIS FIXES THE PROBLEM. IF I PUSH THROUGH 40 MPH THEN I DO NOT GET THE STUTTER. I HAVE TAKING THE CAR IN TO HYUNDAI AND THEY FIXED THE BALL JOINT ON THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL, THEY SAID THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM; BUT HAS NOT FIXED IT. I WENT BACK UP TO HYUNDAI AND NOW THEY SAY THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT COULD BE. ANYTHING FROM TRANSMISSION FLUSH TO THE BALANCE OF THE WHEELS.*AK

VEHICLE TENDED TO GO INTO NEUTRAL AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE BEING DRIVEN, AND DID NOT ACCELERATE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR TESTING, AND TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK

IN DEC 04, JAN 05 AND FEB 05, MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE V-6, EXPERIENCED ARCING OF SPARK PLUG WIRES, REQUIRING THE WIRES TO BE REPLACED BY DEALER 3 SEPARATE TIMES. *JB

2001 SANTA FE 4 CYLINDER REPEATEDLY STALLED, WOULDN'T START. DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED HAD CAR FOR 2 FULL DAYS, COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. PRIVATE MECHANIC REPLACED CRANKCASE SENSOR, PROBLEM SOLVED. FAULTY CRANKCASE SENSOR SUBJECT OF RECALL FOR 6 CYLINDER ENGINE ON SAME MODEL. *NM

2001 SANTA FE 4 CYLINDER CAR STALLED,WOULDN'T START, HAD TO REPLACE CRANKCASE POSITION SENSOR, OLD PART NOT AVAILABLE, EXACT SAME PROBLEM SUBJECT OF RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR 6 CYLINDER ENGINE OF SAME MODEL CAR, HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ASSIST. *NM

THE LATCH ON MY LEFT BACK PASSENGER DOOR IS LOOSE. IT LOOKS AS IF THE DOOR IS NOT CLOSED ALL THE WAY. THE SCREWS THAT HOLD THE LATCH IN PLACE INSIDE THE CAR IS LOOSE. I HAVE HAD TO TIGHTEN IT WITH A SCREW DRIVER SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE CHILDREN RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR AND IF THAT LATCH EVER CAME TOTALLY OFF IT WOULD BE DISASTROUS. *JB

COMPLAINED OF CLUTCH NOT BEING RIGHT 10-3-01 15000 MILES, NO PROBLEM FOUND, ALWAYS FELT WRONG, CLUTCH/PRESSURE PLATE/FLYWHEEL IN PIECES NOW AT 64000 NOTHING COVERED UNDER "AMERICA'S BEST WARRANTY" CAR ONLY 3 YRS OLD. WAS TOLD FLYWHEEL COST IS $1114. + $975 +TAX TO REPAIR AT DEALER BUT DIDN'T TRUST SALES PITCH SEVICE REP WAS GIVING ABOUT FLYWHEEL NOT BEING ABLE TO BE RESURFACED BEFORE CAR WAS EVEN LOOKED AT ONLY CAN BE REPLACED. DECIDED TO HAVE CAR FIXED ELSEWHERE FOR A COST OF APPROX. $2000. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE FRONT WHEELS WERE STRIPPED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED EVERY 6 MONTHS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON 3 OCCASIONS, AND JUST RECENTLY RECURRED. *AK

VEHICLE STALLED AT ANY SPEED WHILE DRIVING. INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

THE PAINT FADES VERY BADLY ON THIS VEHICLE, DEPRECIATES THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE TREMENDOUSLY. ALSO THE DRIVER SEAT DOES NOT CLICK IN PLACE, IT MOVES AROUND A SMALL AMOUNT. *JB

THIS VEHICLE IS AN "ALL WHEEL DRIVE". THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION UNEVENLY DISTRIBUTES POWER AT AROUND 35-40 MPH - CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL DANGEROUSLY TO THE RIGHT. THIS "JERK" OF POWER TO THE RIGHT OCCASIONALLY CAUSES ME TO ALMOST SWERVE OUT OF MY LANE OF TRAFFIC!! *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD A SCREECHING SOUND THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY A LOUD BUMPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE SOON STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK THE BALL JOINT AND THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED. *SC *JB

DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AXLE SNAPPED AND OIL LEAK ONTO THE ALTERNATOR. *AK *SC *JB

ON JUNE 12TH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO RATTLE AND PROCEEDED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BUT INSTEAD DECELERATED ON 695 TOWARDS TOWSON. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIFTING AT 25 MPH. I THEN PROCEEDED TO THE NEAREST EXIT WHICH WAS BEL AIR ROAD. I PROCEEDED ONTO THIS EXIT WHEN MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF LOSING ALL POWER. AT THIS TIME MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE ON. I HAD NO POWER BUT MY VEHICLE WAS STILL IN GEAR AND I SAFELY STOPPED MY VEHICLE IN A SHOPPING PLAZA. ENGINE FAILURE NEW ENGINE PLACED INTO MY VEHICLE JULY 5TH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THOMPSON HYUNDAI BY MY FATHER. THE MILEAGE OUT WAS 25,593. THOMPSON HYUNDAI FORGOT TO SCREW DOWN THE ENGINE PROPERLY RESULTING IN LOUD NOISES FROM THE ENGINE. I PLACED ANOTHER CALL TO THOMPSON ASKING FOR DOCUMENTATION OF THE SERVICE RENDERED. I THEN NOTICED ANOTHER SCREW WHICH WAS NOT SECURE ON THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, I WOULD BE BRINGING THE VEHICLE BACK TO GET THE DOCUMENTATION AND TO GET THE STEERING CHECKED. THOMPSON NEVER WROTE UP A SERVICE SLIP FOR THE SCREWS. JULY 8TH THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED INTO THOMPSON AGAIN. I PLACED A CALL TO THOMPSON AND SPOKE WITH GARY WELCH. GARY STATES THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. WE CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH YOU VEHICLE. HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE PAID MY VEHICLE PAYMENT FOR THE MONTH MY CAR WAS IN SERVICE. APRIL 1, 2004 THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN AFTER STOPPING ON 695 TOWARD ESSEX 2 MILES BEFORE THE 95 NORTH EXIT TO NEW YORK IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND PROCEEDED TO SLOW AT A RAPID SPEED. WARRANTY CLAIM SUBMITTED. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND SHIFTING GEARS,THE GEAR STUCK FROM FOURTH TO THIRD GEAR. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURRED DURING RAINY OR DAMP CONDITIONS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A CRACKED CRANKSHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, AND THE CRANKSHAFT WAS REPLACED ON MARCH 30, 2004. AFTER THE CRANKSHAFT WAS REPLACED THERE WERE NO OCCURRENCES UNTIL MAY 2005 AND AUGUST 2005, WHEN THE COIL WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY UNTIL NOVEMBER 2006. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.*AK THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED A RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PERTAINING TO THE CRANKSHAFT POSITIONER AND INVOICES FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SPEED SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED. UPDATE 5/3/07*TR

VEHICLE WILL DOWNSHIFT TO THIRD GEAR AT HIGH SPEEDS CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK AND SWERVE. DEALER CHECKED CPU AND SHOWED NO FAULTS. SENT BACK TO HUYNDI FOR CHECK UP. SAID THE PROBLEM WAS IN A SPEED SENSOR. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DAMAGE TO TRANSMISION AFTER THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED. WILL TRADE IN ASAP.*AK

TIMING BELT REPLACED IN SEPT. 2003 UNDER WARRANTY. I PAID FOR 3 DAYS RENTAL VEHICLE DURING THIS SERVICE. TIMING BELT DISCOVERED TO BE DEFECTIVE IN FEBRUARY 2004, AND WAS REPLACED AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY, BUT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE 2 DAYS RENTAL CAR, CLAIMING THIS IS A WARRANTY ITEM AND (NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THEY REPLACE A DEFECTIVE PART), THEY WILL NOT COVERR A RENTAL.*AK

TIMING BELT FAILURE, CAUSING ENGINE TO SEIZE AND DAMAGED ENGINE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AND UNDER ANY BRAKING CONDITIONS WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL IS DELAYED, RESULTING IN EXTENED STOPPING DISTANCE.*AK

FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS STARTED TO FAIL AFTER 42,000 MILES. *LA

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND SHUT DOWN, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE SUV WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ANALYSIS. DRIVER PICKED UP THE TRUCK FROM THE DEALER THAT DAY, BUT WITHOUT WARNING THE SUV SHUT DOWN ON THE WAY HOME. *AK

NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION. WE HAVE GONE 3 TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR FOR SERVICE AND THE NOISE KEEP COMING BACK . THEY CHANGE MANY PARTS BUT THEY HAVE NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE ANY MOORE IN THE CAR. I HAVE CALL DIFFERENT PLACES BUT ALL THEY TELL ME TAKE IT BACK FOR REPAIRS, HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK? OR THEY ARE JUST WAITING FOR US TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT TO DO SOMETHING. I NEED HELP. THANK YOU. *LA

EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED ABOUT 6 INCHES RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. DISCOVERED WHEN CAR HAD ABOUT 42,000 MILES. ORIGINAL OWNER. I BELIEVE THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A FIRE HAZARD.

TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE THE OIL FILTER IS AT ON THE 2001 HYUNDAI SANTE FE'S. THE OIL FILTERS ARE VERY WEAK AND CAN BUST EASILY. ALL IT TAKES IS A BIG ROCK OR ANY FOREIGN OBJECT TO HIT IT ON THE ROAD AND ALL YOUR OIL IS OUT. THE FILTERS ARE RIGHT IN THE FRONT AND ARE OPEN TO ANY OBJECTS.*AK