NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN EXTENSIVELY YEAR ROUND, INCLUDING SNOWY NORTHEAST OHIO WINTERS. ON A SOMEWHAT COLD DAY IN MARCH 2014, MY 2004 SANTA FE SAT OUTSIDE ON A SURFACE LOT FOR APPROXIMATELY 14 HOURS. AS I PULLED MY CAR OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, THE CAR LURCHED TO THE FRONT RIGHT AND CAME TO A HALT. I HAD PULLED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET, HAD TURNED THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT, AND JUST BEGAN TO HIT THE GAS TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. IT WAS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE HAD BLOWN VIOLENTLY. NO ACCIDENTS OCCURED WITH OTHER VEHICLES AND NO INJURIES OCCURED; HOWEVER, SHOULD SOMEONE HAVE BEEN STANDING NEAR THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE, SOMEONE MAY HAVE BEEN HURT. WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE THE TIRE, IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT THE SPRING HAD BROKEN AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TOWED ON A FLATBED AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. I STILL OWN THE VEHICLE, AND I AM NOW AWARE THAT THIS PART HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE SPRING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE AS IT IS CURRENTLY AN ORIGINAL PART. *TR
GOT INTO CAR MORNING OF THE TENTH. CAR WAS MAKING NOISE. PARKED CAR. HUSBAND TOOK LOOK AT IT NOTICE HEAT SHIELD LOSE. THAT DID NOT TURN OUT TO BE NOISE.ON CLOSER INSPECTION NOTICE BROKEN COIL SPRING FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. FUNNY THEY ARE RECALLING THIS MODEL CAR FOR THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM, BUT MY 2004 SANTA FE ACTUALLY HAD THIS FAILURE AND IT IS NOT COVERED ! *TR
GAS TANK LEAK NEAR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. CAUSE BELIEVED TO BE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE BOTTOM OF TANK WAS COVERED BY A POLY SHELL. THE SHELL TRAPPED MOISTURE AND SALT, ETC. BETWEEN BOTTOM OF METAL TANK AND POLY SHELL. THIS SET UP A CORROSION ENVIRONMENT AND RESULTED IN LEAK. NEW REPLACEMENT TANK FROM HYUNDAI DOES NOT HAVE THE POLY SHELL. NOTE: THE VEHICLE HAS NO RUST AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. *TR
I HAD MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTE FE AT THE DEALER'S FOR THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE AND WHEN WALKING BEHIND THE CAR. IT WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK IN THE GAS TANK DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE IS NOT 9.5 YEARS OLD HAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000 MILES ON IT - HAVE REGULAR SERVICE DONE ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE UNDERCARRIAGE OF CAR WASHED AFTER SNOW STORMS AS I LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND AND KNOW THE SALT FROM THE ROADS CAN RUST THE CAR. I WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $1,500 OR MORE - "CAN'T TELL UNTIL WE START TAKING THINGS APART HOW MUCH JOB WILL BE". THIS EVENING WENT TO GO TO THE STORE FOR MILK CAR STARTED RIGHT UP DROVE DOWN HILL AND CAR STARTED TO BUCK AND STOPPED. THANK GOD FOR AAA - CALLED FOR A TOW AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO START CAR - CAR STARTS BUT THEN STALLS SAID THERE MAY BE AN AIR BUBBLE IN FUEL LINE - COULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED WHEN DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHECKED FOR THE LEAK. (I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE A GAS TANK WHEN I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH THE COST WILL BE). HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE SERVICE PERSON INFORMED ME MY CAR WAS "OLD" I DON'T THINK 9.5 YEARS WITH 81,000 MILES A GAS TANK SHOULD RUST???????? ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS TAKEN CARE OF. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE SHUTS DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND WITHOUT WARNING. WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET IT AS IT WAS STILL ROLLING. NO INDICATIONS CAME ON AS TO WHAT THE ISSUE MAY POINT TO. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND WAITED FOR A TOW TO MY HOME WHICH I TOTAL TOOK ABOUT 45 MINUTES. ONCE AT HOME THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS MY VEHICLE WAS AT MY MECHANICS AND HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I WENT AHEAD AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION. FLUSHED AS HIM AND I HAD DISCUSSED AS ONE OF THE LAST THINGS TO GET SERVICED BEFORE WINTER. LATER THAT DAY I DROVE A LONGER DISTANCE WITH TOP SPEED ABOUT 65 MPH WITH NO ISSUES. JUST AS I WAS RETURNING HOME THE CAR SHUTDOWN AS I WAS CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION. LUCKILY, AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE ROLLING VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I ATTEMPTED TO START A FEW TIMES BUT AFTER A NOT SO PLEASANT SOUND LEFT IT OFF. AFTER BEING COMPLETELY OFF FOR 30 TO 45 MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AGAIN. THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE STAYED ON. MY SEARCH ON THE ISSUE POINTS TO A CRANKSHAFT PROTECTION SENSOR, BUT THIS IS NOT A CLEAR SOLUTION AND A COSTLY THING TO FIX IF THIS DOES NOT RESOLVE. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE ISSUE WITH NO DEFINITIVE RESOLUTION FOR HYUNDAI OWNERS EVEN BY HYUNDAI TECHNICIANS AS THEY TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SCARY THING TO HAVE HAPPEN AND SOME OF THE VEHICLE JERKS ARE RATHER HARD AND VIOLENT. BEFORE THESE SHUTDOWNS BECOME DEADLY PLEASE ADDRESS. MY LAST EXPERIENCE WAS 10/18 MY VEHICLE IS AT MY MECHANIC TODAY. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO PICK UP MY SON. I DID NOT CRASH MY CAR AT ALL. ALL OF SUDDEN. MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WONT SHUT OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND THE DEALERSHIP. THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC HE PUT IT UP TO THE COMPUTER IT READ RESISTANCE AIR BAG. ITS GOING TO COST ME A LOT OF MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. MY WARRANTY WAS UP A WHILE AGO. ITS A SAFETY ISSUSE. I JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY CAUSE I JUST GOT THE CAR 8 MONTHS AGO. ALREADY I PUT IN 1,000 INTO IT. I JUST GOT THE FOOT MODULE THE BRAKES AND NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WEIGH THE SUSPENSION.
CAME HOME FROM VACATION A FOUND THE CONTENTS OF MY FUEL TANK ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. LUCKY THERE WAS NO FIRE OR EXPLOSION. I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE GARAGE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE GAS TANK RUSTED THROUGH AND ALONG WITH THE PROTECTIVE PLATES, ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONTACTED HYUNDAI BUT THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL. *JB
ON DAY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ON THE VEHICLE AND HAS NEVER GONE OFF. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE REPAIR WOULD COST $450!. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT OVER $3000 ON REPAIRS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY IT TO. FROM THE NUMBER OF AIR BAG COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOWERED. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND PART OF THE SPRING HAD PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO DEFLATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE COIL SPRING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I HEARD A "CLUNK" SOUND IN THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND A "C" SHAPED PIECE OF METAL ON THE DRIVEWAY. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO MY MECHANIC'S SHOP, WHERE HE TOLD ME THAT THE COIL SPRING ON MY SANTA FE HAD BROKEN ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE COIL SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS ALSO CRACKED. HE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH COIL SPRINGS. HE LATER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS UNUSUAL TO HAVE THESE SPRINGS BREAK FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I DECIDED TO GO ONLINE TO SEE IF HYUNDAI HAD ISSUED A RECALL OR WHETHER THIS WAS A PROBLEM FOR OTHER CONSUMERS WHO OWNED THIS VEHICLE. I FOUND NUMEROUS SITES WHERE PEOPLE HAD WRITTEN IN STATING THAT THEY HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM - IN MOST CASES, THE COIL SPRING BROKE AS THE OPERATOR WAS PUTTING THE 2004-2006 CAR INTO GEAR TO EITHER BACK OR, PULL OUT OF A PARKED POSITION. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE, AND GETTING BACK TO ME ON ANY FURTHER INFORMATION YOU MAY NEED FROM ME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, HEARD A LOUD POPPING AND CRACKING SOUND. GOT OUT TO LOOK. THERE WAS A LARGE "C" SHAPED PIECE OF METAL LAYING IN DRIVEWAY WHERE DRIVERS SIDE WAS. TOOK CAR TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN. SPRING AND TIRE WAS REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. CONCERNED ABOUT PASSENGER SIDE NOW THAT UTE NOW HAS 88,000 MILES THAT WILL NOT BE COVERED IF OCCURS OUT OF 10 YEAR, 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. *TR
MY SANTA FE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE DURING WHICH TIME THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED. I HAD IT CHECKED BY MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE HAD FAILED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR COST WAS GOING TO BE $450. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO SPEND OVER $4000 FOR OTHER REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND ANY MORE. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF AIR BAG MODULE FAILURES ON MANY DIFFERENT MODELS OF HYUNDAI'S. SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE I THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO REPAIR THE FAULTY AIR BAG MODULES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, SHE HEARD A POPPING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,425. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, 2.7 LITER ENGINE, 4WD. FRONT SPRING ON PASSENGER SIDE BROKE YESTERDAY, WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE, CAUSING MY TIRE TO PUNCTURE. THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FLAT BUT IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A TIRE STORE THAT I LEARNED THE SPRING HAD SIMPLY SNAPPED IN HALF. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND THIS IS, CLEARLY, A FAULTY PART. AFTER SEEING DOZENS AND DOZENS OF SIMILAR CONSUMER COMPLAINTS I AM ASTOUNDED THAT HYUNDAI HAS NOT RECALLED THESE VEHICLES (APPEARS TO SPAN 2001 TO 2006) OR BEEN SUED BY SOMEONE SERIOUSLY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT. THANK GOD I WAS NOT DRIVING MY CAR AT THE TIME. I WONDER HOW MANY FATAL ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY HYUNDAI'S NEGLIGENCE IN NOT BEING FORTHCOMING IN REPLACING THIS PART. MY CURRENT REPAIR COST ESTIMATE IS $521. BUT IT'S NOT CLEAR IF OTHER DAMAGE FROM THE SPRING BREAKAGE HAS OCCURRED. WILL KNOW TOMORROW. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE STERNUM. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
I LEFT MY CAR PARKED IN THE PARKING GARAGE AT SCHOOL. WHEN I CAME BACK TO MY CAR AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE CAR WAS ON AND RUNNING. I HAD MY KEYS WITH ME. IT HAD SOMEHOW SPONTANEOUSLY TURNED ON WHILE I WAS AWAY FROM IT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PENETRATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO STATED THAT EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE NORMAL AND NO CAUSE FOR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE AND SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, A LOUD POPPING AND GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S TIRE HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE COIL SPRING AND DEFECTIVE TIRE WERE REPLACED. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED MOST RECENTLY WHERE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
I DROVE TO WORK WITHOUT INCIDENT ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE AT 6AM. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A SECURE LOT FOR 8.5 HOURS. WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE FOR THE DAY, I STARTED THE CAR, PUT IT DRIVE AND BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD. WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE I HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND HAD HIM LISTEN TO IT BY PHONE. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO OUT LOCAL HYUNDAI DEAL WHO INFORMED US THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SPRING HAD BROKEN WHICH BROKE THE STRUT, PINCHED THE BRAKE LINE AND BENT THE SWAY BAR. TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS 1053.31 WITH TAX. WE OPTED TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND STRUTS BECAUSE WE FELT THIS WAS THE SAFEST THING TO DO AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERING THAT THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT IN ALL SANTA FE'S NO MATTER WHAT THE YEAR ESPECIALLY AFTER READING THAT MANY OF THEM OCCURRED ON AN INTERSTATE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH RESULTING IN FURTHER DAMAGE AND INJURY ACCIDENTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND RUBBED AGAINST THE TIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
MY WIFE'S SANTA FE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER COIL SPRING OVER THE WEEKEND WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS THAT IT WAS ABOUT TO FAIL AND WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT SHE WAS NOT DRIVING IT AT THE TIME. IT DOES HAVE 131,000 MILES ON IT, BUT I HAVE NEVER HAD A COIL SPRING SNAP LIKE THIS ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, HYUNDAI NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. RIGHT NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT APPROXIMATELY $1500 (STILL GETTING QUOTES) FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED SOME TIME AGO. *TR
NOISE COMES FROM FRONTED LIKE SOMETHING CRACKED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,326 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,800. UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE COIL SPRING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE PUNCTURED A TIRE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE 4 NEW TIRES. UPDATED 06/25/2013 *JS
ON 12/31/2012, THE COIL SPRING ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OF THE VEHICLE. I PAID UPWARDS OF $2000 ON 1/7/2013 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. I HAVE SINCE TRADED IN THE VEHICLE AND NO LONGER OWN IT. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM HYUNDAI USA DESCRIBING THE SAME COIL SPRING FRACTURE THAT I EXPERIENCED A COUPLE OF YEARS EARLIER. THIS RECALL IS CALLED 'CAMPAIGN124' BY HYUNDAI. TODAY (11/4/2014), I CALLED TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY FOR SOME REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR I HAD PERFORMED AFTER MY INCIDENT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE SINCE I NO LONGER OWNED THE VEHICLE AND THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE INSPECTED BY HYUNDAI, I DON'T FEEL THAT THIS IS RIGHT AND I SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO SOME REIMBURSEMENT. IF REQUESTED, I WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE DETAIL OF THE WORK PERFORMED BY THE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE SERVICE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO GREATER SPEEDS. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AS THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
I BOUGHT THE HYUNDAI LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT, I STARTED SMELLING GAS. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP, AND WAS TOLD THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING. AFTER PAYING AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT TO REPLACE IT, IT WORKED FINE. NOW LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SHOP FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY NEW GAS TANK IS LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHAT'S THE PROBLEM, HYUNDAI? THIS IS RIDICULOUS! *TR
THE LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) QUARTER PANEL GLASS (NON OPENING) DROPPED OUT OF THE CAR WHILE IT WAS SITTING STATIONARY IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE GLASS DID NOT BREAK WHEN IT DROPPED OUT, IT SIMPLE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE SEALANT AND CAR BODY. THIS QUARTER OF THE AUTO HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT (HIT WHILE PARKED IN A HOSPITAL PARKING LOT.) APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO. REPAIR AT THAT TIME CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE LEFT REAR LIGHT BOX AND SOME MINOR BODYWORK PRIOR TO PAINTING. THERE HAS BEEN NO INDICATION OF AN ISSUE WITH THE WINDOW PRIOR TO IT'S FALLING OUT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). AFTER THE REPAIRS AS THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE AND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH ANY REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,600. UPDATED 10/11/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AN ACCIDENT ALMOST OCCURRED AGAIN DUE TO THIS FAILURE. UPDATED 10/11/2012 *JS
I PURCHASED THE CAR USED ON AUG. 10, 2012. I WENT TO GAS STATION ON AUG. 12, 2012 TO FILL IT UP WITH GAS, AND HAD TROUBLE STARTING IT AFTERWARD. I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM EVERYTIME I HAVE PUT GAS IN IT SINCE, AND IT DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHICH GAS STATION I GO TO, I HAVE THE SAME TROUBLE. I EVEN TRIED TO LEAVE IT RUNNING ONE TIME AND IT ENDED UP DYING AND HAD TROUBLE RESTARTING. I HAVE TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND HOLD IT THERE TO START IT AND KEEP PUMPING THE GAS PEDAL AS I PULL AWAY FROM THE GAS PUMP AND FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER I PULL AWAY IT IS STILL TRYING TO DIE. I HAVE FILLED UP WITH GAS ABOUT 5 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND EVERY TIME I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ONLY TIME IT HAS A PROBLEM STARTING IS WHILE I AM SITTING AT THE GAS PUMP. ONCE I LEAVE THERE, IT STARTS FINE EVERYTIME UNTIL I STOP TO GET GAS AGAIN. I AM WRITING THIS ON SEPT. 24, 2012. *TR
IT HAD JUST RAINED AND IN SOME PLACES ON THE CITY STREET THERE WAS STANDING WATER. THE WATER WAS PROBABLY BETWEEN 1 AND 2 INCHES DEEP AT THE MOST. AS I DROVE IN THE WATER NO MORE THAN 30MPH THE STEERING WITHOUT WARNING LOCKED UP. IT STAYED LOCKED UP FOR AROUND 10 SECONDS. THIS IS WHAT ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH AT THE INTERSECTION. I COULD NOT BUDGE THE STEERING WITH BOTH HANDS. THEN AFTER THE 10 SECONDS GIVE OR TAKE, THERE WAS A SMALL SQUEAL AND THE STEERING UNLOCKED. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IN ANY STANDING WATER. *TR
AIR BAG TROUBLE INDICATOR LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER STARTING ENGINE. QUESTIONED DEALER, THEY ARE AWARE OF KNOWN PROBLEM WITH DRIVER SEAT AIR BAG SWITCH AND WIRING CAUSING AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT TO COME. HYUNDAI WILL NOT MAKE REPAIR TO THIS SAFETY DEFECT AT THEIR COST. COST IS WELL OVER $1000.00. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED A GASOLINE FUEL ODOR WHILE STANDING NEAR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE WHEN BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK CONTROL UNIT MODULE), BUT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK, THE SUV LURCHES FORWARD AND JERKS. I PLACED IT IN PARK WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. I WAS CONCERNED THAT I WOULD HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I DROVE 2 HOURS AND NOTICED CONTINUED MISFIRING AND JERKING WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS OK WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COOL, BUT FELT UNSTEADY WHEN UP TO TEMP. AFTER BEING PARKED IN GROCERY PARKING LOT, WHILE BACKING UP THE CAR STALLED, I RESTARTED AND DROVE HOME. TOOK IT TO MECHANICS NEXT DAY. AT THE HYUNDAI DEALER NOW. THEY COULD NOT GET ANY CODES AND THE ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT NEVER SHOWED. THE MECHANIC, SAID THAT HE WAS 90% SURE THAT REPLACING THE TIMING BELT/CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR/BALANCER SHAFT BELT/PICK UP PLATE WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM...THIS DIDN'T WORK AND THE DEALER ASKED TO KEEP IT A 5TH NIGHT. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM AS OF YET. I'M CONCERNED THAT MY CAR WILL NOT BE REPAIRED AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING IT WILL STALL AND THEN TAKE OFF. *TR
I BEGAN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I HEARD A CRUNCHING TYPE SOUND, AND THEN IT STOPPED BRIEFLY. I CONTINUED TO BACK UP AND THE SOUND HAPPENED AGAIN FOLLOWED BY A LOUD NOISE AND AIR GUSHING OUT OF MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. THE TIRE WENT COMPLETELY FLAT. ONCE THE TIRE WAS REMOVED WE DISCOVERED THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND SLICED THE TIRE ALL THE WAY AROUND. IT APPEARS FROM MY RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. LUCKILY I WAS NOT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ,THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND, OFFERING NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,800.
CAR WAS IS GARAGE. WENT TO BACK OUT AND HAD BARELY MOVED AN INCH IN REVERSE WHEN I HEARD A POP AND A WHOOSHING NOISE OF THE FRONT LEFT TIRE DEFLATING. CAR WAS THEN SLANTED/LOPSIDED TO THE LEFT BECAUSE THE TIRE WAS SO DEFLATED. TRIED TO REMOVE TIRE AND COULDN'T GET IT OFF. DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED OFF AND IT WAS LODGED IN THE TIRE. THE SHARP JAGGED END OF THE SPRING IS WHAT POPPED THE TIRE. LUCKY I WASN'T DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED! *TR
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT COIL SPRING RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, WHEN THE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY CAME TO STOP WITH THE COIL SPRING PUSHING AGAINST THE RIGHT TIRE . THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE DECEMBER 19, 2011 INCIDENT. *JB
SO MANY THINGS GOING WRONG BACK SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK, WASHER PUMP DON'T WORK TRIED TO ORDER PART FROM DEALER DO NOT HAVE ANY IN US THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR PIGTAIL DISINTEGRATED FROM BEING TO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE AND NO ONE SELLS THE PART HAVE TO BUY THE COMPLETE ENGINE WIRING KIT FOR ONE LITTLE PLASTIC PIECE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS I READ ONLINE THAT EVERYONE WITH THIS CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
I ARRIVED AT WORK AND TWO PEOPLE MENTIONED THAT THEY SMELLED GASOLINE UPON WALKING BEHIND MY CAR..NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT UNTIL I NOTICED TWO DAYS LATER THAT I SEEMED TO BE GOING THROUGH ALOT OF GAS..I DRIVE 6 MILES FROM MY HOME TO WORK EVERY DAY...I NOW SMELL GAS IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR EVERY DAY..WAS TOLD TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY TANK OR FUEL LINE...DO NOT KNOW WHO TO CHECK WITH INREGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM..AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO BOYS SO I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS FIXED..ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
UNINITIATED ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING, TRYING TO STOP AND IDLING. *TR
MY AIR BAGS LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE SUSPENSION IS HORRIBLE, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID" THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. AND SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN MY VEHICLE ON THE ENGINE REVELS UP AND SOUNDS AS IF THE ACCELERATION IS STUCK. SCARES ME TO DEATH. *TR
ON 9/13/2011, IN SAN JUAN, PR, AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 P.M., MY MOTHER (74 YEARS OLD) WAS DRIVING HER 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AT A VERY SLOW RATE OF SPEED ON A WET CONCRETE ROAD. WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, AND WHILE STILL FAR AWAY FROM IT, SHE APPLIED HER VEHICLE'S BRAKES WITH NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD AND STOP ONLY AFTER HITTING A CAR WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE GREEN. THAT IMPACT CAUSED THIS VEHICLE (V-1) TO MOVE FORWARD AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE (V-2) WHICH WAS ALSO WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGED. MY MOTHER RECEIVED A HEAVY IMPACT FORCE TO HER CHEST, SHOULDERS, AND NECK AREA PRODUCED NOT ONLY BY IMPACTING THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF HER BUT ALSO BECAUSE HER VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. HER SANTA FE WAS ALSO BADLY DAMAGED. *TR
WAS HAVING WINTER TIRES PUT ON MY CAR WHEN MEHANIC SAID HAD A GAS TANK LEAK...HE SAID IT WAS THE 5TH CAR OF HYUNDAI WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT HE SAW...SAID HE NEVER SAW A CAR THIS YOUNG (7YRS) WITH THIS PROBLEM...AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH THIS CAR..I HAVE HAD NO OTHER PROBLEMS..I SMELL GASOLINE WHEN I WALK AROUND THIS CAR AND WHEN I ENTER MY CAR...PLEASE TELL ME THERE IS HELP...I DO NOT HAVE MONEY AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE..PLEASE HELP ME. *TT
WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC AT A LOCAL GAS STATION, MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SURGED TO THE POINT WHERE I COULD BARELY CONTROL THE VEHICLE FROM CRASHING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I IMMEDIATELY PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE SPEED SURGED TO NEARLY 6000 RPM. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED AGAIN WITHOUT INCIDENT. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, BUT IT WAS A VERY SCARY AND UNCONTROLLED MANNER FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE OPERATED IN. *TT