2005 Hyundai Santa Fe Complaint Log

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT BELT, AND COMPUTER PARTS IN ORDER TO RESET THE AIRBAG LIGHT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND EVENTHOUGH I WEAR MY SEAT BELT THE SYMBOL AND BEEPING NOISE COMES ON STATING I DO NOT HAVE MY SEATBELT ON. THE COST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS OVER $500.00. ALSO, THE DRIVER SEAT BELTS HAVE WORN AWAY WHICH HAS DAMAGED MY CLOTHING. *TR

THE CAR DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT ALL 4 TONE RINGS AND SPEED SENSORS ON MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE ARE BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. ONE WAS REPLACED 4 MONTHS AGO UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THEY SAY THAT THE OTHER 3 ARE BAD. I HAVE LESS THAN 53,000 MILES ON MY CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE STOPPED WITH THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT AN UNUSUALLY LARGE INCREASE IN RPMS. THE CONTACT APPLIED SLIGHT PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE ENGINE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED THE FOLLOWING DAY WHILE STOPPED, WITH PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,400.

THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY SURGE WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDDLE. THIS TIME IT SURGED AND I BACKED INTO MY FRIENDS VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY. ESTIMATED DAMGE WAS $4000.00 WITH BOTH CARS. AFTER THE BODY REPAIR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR AN HOUR THEN WENT OFF. THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 6 MONTHS AND THE DEALERS I WENT SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNLESS THERE WAS A ENGINE LIGHT ON. THE CODE TOLD THEM THEY HAD TO REPAIR THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY AND CENSOR. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT I COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT UNTIL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. NOW THE DEALER HAD TO ALSO REPLACE THE STEERING CHASSIS BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING ROUGH AND I AM STUCK WITH THAT UNTIL IT SEND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *TR

ENGINE RACES WHEN STARTED WHEN ENGINE IS COLD (FIRST TIME STARTED EVERY DAY.). WHILE DRIVING, CAR WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED TRANSMISSION SETTINGS PER A TSB, ENGINE STILL RACES WHEN STARTED AND THE SURGING HAS GOTTEN WORSE. SURGING OCCURS AT SPEEDS FROM 15 TO 65 MPH. *TR

2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 3.5 L ENGINE. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE ENGINE OFTEN SURGES, CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP FORWARD RAPIDLY. HAPPENS PERHAPS ONE TIME OUT OF 3, BUT INCIDENCE IS INCREASING. HARD TO CONTROL ACCELERATION. *TR

THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING ON MY 2005 HYUNDAI SANTE FE BROKE WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP CAUSING THE LEFT FRONT TIRE TO BLOW OUT AND THE BRAKE LINE TO BE DAMAGED. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER THE SPRING, ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN AS WELL. BOTH FRONT SPRINGS, LEFT TIRE AND BRAKE LINE WERE REPLACED. I ASKED THE SERVICE WRITER AT THE DEALER IF HE'S SEEN THIS BEFORE AND HE SAID HE HAD ONE OTHER TIME. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO WITH THE SANTE FE'S AS THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKE ON A VEHICLE WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT, AS WELL AS IF I WERE AT HIGHWAY SPEED I'M QUITE SURE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A BAD ACCIDENT. *TR

THROTTLE SENSOR FOR 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE TRAVELING AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ABS SYSTEM INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE G- SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

ON 4/12/2010 WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH POWER STEERING PUMP (THIS IS WHAT THEY TOLD US AT THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN RENO NV). AT THAT TIME THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER GUARANTY SO THEY SERVICED IT AND CHANGED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, HOSE AND FLUID. AFTER APPROX. 27K MILES, WE STARTED NOTICING THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD GET HARD AND A SOUND WILL START. PARTICULARLY WHEN TURNING IT LEFT AND RIGHT. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER ON 4/12/2013. THEY TOLD US IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN, THAT THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. UNFORTUNATELY THIS TIME WE DIDN'T HAVE THE GUARANTY ANYMORE SO WE HAD TO PAY $482.22 TO GET IT REPLACED AGAIN. THEY CHANGED THE POWER STEERING PUMP ONLY. AFTER 10 DAYS WE HAD TO RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY TOLD US THAT THIS TIME THE ISSUE WAS THE RM GEAR AND LINKAGE ASSY, POWER STEERING FLUID, RESERVOIR ASSY AND SOME OTHER THINGS, FOR A TOTAL CHARGE OF $1,386.78. NOW, 3 YEARS LATER, 8/15/2016, WE STARTED HEARING THE SAME SOUNDS AGAIN, AND THE STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD AGAIN. SAME SITUATION AS THE PREVIOUS 2 THAT I HAVE DESCRIBED. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER ON 8/18/2016 BECAUSE AT SOME POINT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T LET US TURN AND IT TURNED OFF. WE WAITED A LITTLE AND TURNED IT ON AGAIN. THIS TIME, WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER (IN NC) THEY TOLD US THAT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP AGAIN. WE LEFT OUR CAR TO BE FIXED AND THEY CALLED US SAYING THAT THIS TIME IT WASN'T THE PUMP BUT THE POWER STEERING SUCTION HOSE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT AND ALSO REPLACE THE FLUIDS. WE'VE PAID $421.52. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED UPON BECAUSE I DON'T FIND ACCEPTABLE THAT EVERY 2 OR 3 YEARS WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS SITUATION AGAIN.

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON , TOOK CAR TO DEALER, PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF 400. DOLLERS. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND IS STILL ON. I CAN' AFFORD TO KEEP PAYING THAT KIND OF MONEY TO GET IT FIXED AGAIN. I UNDERSTAND HYUNDAI HAS BIG PROBLEMS WITH THEIR AIR BAG SYSTEMS. I ALSO HAVE A 2006 HYUNDAI ACCENT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *JS

THE BRAKES MAKE A NOISE WHEN STOPPING AND ALMOST EVER TIME WHEN THE MAKE THE NOISE THERE IS A PULSATING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKING SYSTEM HAS BEEN CHECKED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND HE IS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. *TR

PURCHASED 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV AUGUST 2009. HAVE FOUND THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND IT IS EASY TO GET THE WRONG PEDAL WHEN DRIVING. *TR

HYUNDAI, SANTA FE--2005. SOMETIMES AFTER STOPPING, WHEN YOU AGAIN PRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO RESUME DRIVING, THE CAR WILL SURGE AHEAD QUICKLY. THE SURGE IS NOT CONTINUOUS BUT DOES REQUIRE THE OPERATOR TO LET UP ON THE ACCELERATOR IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL (NOT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU). THIS PRIMARILY APPEARS TO HAPPEN AFTER MAKING A STOP THAT IS FOLLOWED BY AN IMMEDIATE RESUMPTION OF DRIVING. NO INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED THAT HAVE CAUSED ANY ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES AS OF THIS DATE. *TR

BRAKING SOMETIMES CAUSES THE MOTOR TO RACE AND HARD BRAKING MAKES IT WORST. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND I FELT LUCKY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENS WHEN STOPPING AT ABOUT 10-20 MILES PER HOUR. DEALER ALWAYS "CANNOT DUPLICATE SAME RESULT" I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON LINE SO IT IS NOT MY DRIVING. *TR

SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN A HYUNDAI SANTA FE CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT AT OUR HOUSE WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND PROPERTY, AND SOME PERSONAL INJURY. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPORTED AS HAVING OVER-REVVED ON OCCASION, BUT THE DEALER HAD BEEN UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAULT, AND THIS HAD NOT OCCURRED FOR SOME TIME. ON THIS OCCASION THE ENGINE STUCK IN MAXIMUM REVS, EVEN IN NEUTRAL, AND AN INDEPENDENT ENGINEER ATTRIBUTED THIS TO FAULTY CABLE POSITIONING, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT KNOW WHETHER THAT CAUSED THE ORIGINAL SUA OR JUST THE STICKING. THE AIRBAG FAILED TO INFLATE DESPITE MAJOR IMPACT. HYUNDAI HAVE BEEN SINGULARLY UNHELPFUL AND DENIED KNOWLEDGE OF THIS SORT OF THING OCCURRING BEFORE, WHICH IS CLEARLY UNTRUE. UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE NOT, AND THE INCIDENT WAS NOT, IN THE US, BUT WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO REPORT THIS TO YOU BY OTHERS IN THE US AFFECTED BY THE SAME PROBLEM, BECAUSE OF HYUNDAI'S DISINTEREST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. IN NOVEMBER OF 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WERE NOT WORKING WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL FUSE, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WILL NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,700.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE PEDAL STUCK AND ACCELERATED TO ALMOST 80 MPH. HE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. BEFORE HIS FAILURE, HIS WIFE TOLD HIM SHE NOTICED THE SAME FAILURE WITH THE STICKING PEDAL. HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND THE ACCELERATOR CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. HE WROTE A LETTER TO THE MANUFACTURER BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,390. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,549. UPDATED 3/17/10 *CN THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE THROTTLE CABLE FROM THE PEDAL TO THE ACCELERATOR JAMMED. UPDATED 07/15/10.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHEN THE CONTACT'S WIFE IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIS INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED. HIS WIFE WEIGHS APPROXIMATELY 125 LBS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 IS FOR THIS SAME FAILURE, BUT NOT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 11/10/08 *BF THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/13/08. *JB

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THIS VEHICLE HESITATES AND THEN LURCHES FORWARD WITH EXTREME UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. ON WET OR SLIPPERY PAVEMENT THIS VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE. I HAVE READ NHTSA WEB SITE AND CAN SEE COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT ON THIS VEHICLE, YET NO RECALLS ISSUED BY NHTSA. NOT SURE WHY WE ARE WASTING MY TIME, BUT AT LEAST WHEN I AM KILLED IN THIS VEHICLE MY WIFE WILL BE ABLE TO NOW INCLUDE NHSTA IN THE LAWSUIT AS YOU, THE GOVERNING BODY, HAVE NOW BEEN OFFICIALLY INFORMED OF A SAFETY DEFECT! *TR

MY 2005 SANTA FE (HYUNDAI) WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY 3 YEAR OLD SON GOT OUT OF MY SIGHT FOR 2 SECONDS GOT INTO THE CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND COASTED OUT OF MY DRIVE AND ACROSS THE STREET HITTING MY NEIGHBORS FORD EXPEDITION. NO KEYS AND HE IS TOO SMALL TO REACH ANY PEDALS. THIS WAS ALMOST A DEVASTATING ACCIDENT, THERE WHERE CHILDREN RIDING BIKES ON MY STREET AND A CAR DRIVING DOWN THE STREET .IT IS ALMOST A WEEK NOW AND I AM GETTING NOWHERE WITH HYUNDAI, AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL HYUNDAI INSPECTS THE CAR. SINCE THE INCIDENT, I CAN STILL PUT THE CAR IN ANY GEAR WITHOUT KEYS OR TOUCHING PEDALS. AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED SO YOU CANNOT STEER EITHER. *TR

DURING WINTER DRIVING IN SNOWSTORM WIPER CONTROL ARM ON DRIVER'S SIDE JUST FELL OFF - MAKING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE DUE TO SNOW BUILDUP ON WINDSHIELD. IT WAS LATER DISCOVERED THAT NUT HOLDING THAT ARM GOT LOOSE AND WAS LOST. SECOND ISSUE WAS THE WINDSHIELD THAT DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE BOTTOM WITH NO OBVIOUS REASONS - NOTHING WAS HIT/ VEHICLE IS ALWAYS DRIVEN WITH CARE. DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER A WARRANTY THOUGH IT WAS QUITE CLEAR THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS DEFECTIVE AND CRACK WAS GETTING BIGGER. 3-RD ISSUE - DURING WET WEATHER/WARM-UP THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ALTERNATOR LIGHT ARE ON. TOOK IT TO DEALER 4 TIMES - THEY COULD NOT FIND THE REASON - CHARGING IS OK/ BRAKES ARE FINE - THE LAST TIME THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED WITH NEW ONE, BUT THE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON. 4-TH ISSUE - BRAKE CALIPER ON REAR PASS. SIDE IS STICKING THAT CAUSES A CONSTANT NOISE AND EARLY WEAR OF BRAKE PADS/ROTOR ON THAT SIDE - IT WAS REPLACED TWICE ALREADY AND VEHICLE ONLY HAS LESS THAN 40K MILES ON IT. *TR

GAS PEDAL IS TO SENSITIVE. WHEELS SPIN WHEN YOU EXCELLERATE AT A SLOW SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO COLUMBIA HYUNDIA 2 TIMES AND THERE ISENT ANYTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX IT. I LIVE IN OHIO AND WE GET LOTS OF SNOW IM AFRAID IM GOING TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON THE ICE OR HAVE SOME REAREND ME. THERE IS NO WAY TO TAKE OFF FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND NOT HAVE THE WHEELS SPIN AND THE VEHICLE TO FISHTAIL. YOU HAVE TO LET OFF THE GAS THEN EXCELERATE AGAIN TO GET THIS TO STOP. *TR

SUDDEN ENGINE ACCELERATION WHEN PARKING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. MY WIFE WAS PARKING THE CAR AND WHEN SHE PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE (NOTE, SHE IS A VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND WAS NOT ACCIDENTALLY PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR, ALSO NOTHING ON THE FLOOR WAS TOUCHING IT.) THE ENGINE STARTED TO ACCELERATE TO FULL THROTTLE, SHE JAMMED ON THE BRAKE AND THROW IT INTO PARK AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE RACED FULL SPEED UNTIL SHE TURNED OFF THE KEY. IT WAS OK AFTER RESTARTING, THIS IS THE 2ND TIME WITHIN A MONTH. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION . *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V450000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHEEHY HYUNDAI OF WALDORF (LOCATED AT 2910 CRAIN HWY, WALDORF, MD 20601, (301) 812-3318) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,880. *TR CONSUMER STATED ISSUE WAS REPORTED IN 2010/11. IT IS ALSO RELATED TO BUCKLE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY AGREED THAT THEY HAVE THE NAME OF THE CONSUMER BUT THEIR SYSTEM CAN'T RETRIEVE SERVICE DETAILS. THE LIGHT IS STILL ON FOR AIR BAG. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,278 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,375.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THAT HE MAY HAVE BEEN DEPRESSING BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS SIMULTANEOUSLY, BUT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY. WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE JOLTED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED LOUDLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 12/11/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE, HIS FOOT WAS OFF THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE MOVED SLOWLY. ONCE HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP, THE ENGINE SURGED. UPDATED 12/11/08.*JB

FAST ACCELERATION FROM A STOP SIGN. NOT ALL THE TIME BUT EVERY SO OFTEN. IT SNAPS YOUR HEAD AND NECK BACK. HAVE HAD IT IN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A CENSOR ACCELERATOR VEHICLE. ALL NEW HYUNDAI'S ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE THIS BUT NO ONE ELSE SEEMS TO HAVE A PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE WARPED, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE ROTORS; HOWEVER, APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE ROTORS ONCE AGAIN; HOWEVER, APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED A THIRD TIME. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AND THE BRAKES PADS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2005 SANTA FE W/A 3.5L ENGINE. I'VE RECENTLY TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN TO HAVE SOME WARRANTY ITEMS TAKEN CARE OF. I ASKED THAT MY CAR ALSO BE FIXED IN REGARDS TO AN ACCELERATION CONCERN. FOR EXAMPLE: 1. WHILE DEPARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE CAR WILL VIOLENTLY JERK YOUR HEAD BACK. THIS OCCURS WHILE BARELY TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR. 2. WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION I CAN FEEL IT SURGING FORWARD AND BACK. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE DRIVE THE CAR TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T ME, AND THEY ALL EXPERIENCED THE SAME RESULTS. WHEN THE SERVICE MANAGER AT A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP DROVE THE CAR, HE AT FIRST SAID HE DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING. THEN, AFTER FURTHER COMPLAINT BY ME, HE ADMITTED THAT, "WELL, THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF SURGE, BUT THAT'S JUST BECAUSE IT'S THE TYPE OF ENGINE". I ASKED WHAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT AND HE TOLD ME, "NOTHING, THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS. THEY'VE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND NOW THEY DON'T USE THAT ENGINE ANYMORE." I SAID IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GETTING WORSE OVER TIME AND HE SAID, "IT PROBABLY IS, BUT THERE IS STILL NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT". HYUNDAI WAS APPARENTLY AWARE THAT THERE IS A CONCERN OF SAFETY WITH THIS ENGINE SINCE THEY NO LONGER USE THE ENGINE AND ARE MANUFACTURING THEIR SANTA FE'S WITH AN IMPROVED, SAFER ENGINE. I AM AT THE POINT WHERE I NO LONGER FEEL AS IF I AM DRIVING A SAFE VEHICLE AND I AM GETTING TIRED OF PEOPLE ASKING ME WHY MY CAR JERKS FORWARD. (THE CAR SNAPS YOUR HEAD BACK AND I DO NOT WANT TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE IF SOMEONE GETS HURT.) THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO THE NHTSA AND I DO NOT WANT TO BE KILLED OR KILL SOMEONE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE MY CAR CONCERNS WERE NOT ADDRESSED BY THE APPROPRIATE ADMINISTRATION OF HYUNDAI. IF THE NHTSA HAS YET TO FORMALLY FORCE HYUNDAI INTO FIXING THIS ISSUE, I AM REQUESTING THAT NOW IS THE TIME TO DO SO. HYUNDAI'S LACK OF INTEREST IN THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS UNACCEPTABLE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE ECU WAS REPLACED, AND THE FLOAT IN THE GAS TANK WAS REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. *AK

ON A FREQUENT BASIS I CAN SMELL GASOLINE FUMES IN THE VEHICLE INTERIOR WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE FUMES THEY ACTED LIKE IT WAS NORMAL, AND DID NOT INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. IF THE FIRE WALL AROUND THE VEHICLE IS INTACT HOW CAN FUMES GET INTO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR? THEY DID SUGGEST IT MAY BE CAUSED BY AN AIR LOCK IN THE SYSTEM. *TR

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE, PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD NOT USE FLOOR GEAR SHIFT OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AS THOUGH IT WERE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH OR LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,600.

I AM EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM THAT THREATENS MY SAFETY EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH DELAYED ACCELERATION WHEN APPLYING THE GAS PEDAL, WHICH CAUSES FEAR WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC OR MAKING A TURN AS OPPOSING TRAFFIC APPROACHES. THE DELAYED ACCELERATION IS THEN FOLLOWED BY A LUNGING ACCELERATION WHICH REDUCES THE FEELING OF CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER IN ELGIN, IL A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY BRUSHED IT OFF AS A COMMON CHARACTERISTIC OF HYUNDAI VEHICLES WITH THE 3.5 LITER ENGINE. THEY CLAIMED THAT AFTER SOME TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD ''ADJUST'' TO MY DRIVING HABITS AND THE SYMPTOMS WOULD GO AWAY. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A MONTH, I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE VEHICLE OVER. THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAD DESCRIBED PREVIOUSLY HAD NOT SUBSIDED AT ALL. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND I TOOK A RIDE AND HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE SYMPTOMS AS THEY OCCURRED AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD DO A VERY THOROUGH CHECK OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP'S NEW SERVICE MANAGER AND FROM A SALES PERSON WHO REPLACED THE SALES PERSON THAT I HAD BOUGHT THE VEHCLE FROM (HE WAS FIRED). I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, AND THEY HAD ME BRING IT IN. THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE ACCELERATION WAS SWAPPED WITH ONE FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM LESSENED IN SEVERITY, BUT CONTINUED TO BE QUITE NOTICEABLE. I NEVER DID GET A RESPONSE FROM HYUNDAI CORPORATION TO A MARCH 17, 2006 LETTER COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS. TO THIS DAY, THE ACCELERATION WAS STILL ERRATIC AND MAKES ME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR EVEN WHEN ACCELERATING ON THE EXPRESSWAY.THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO, BECAUSE NO OFFICIAL RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED.

A/C HAS HAD A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE HAD THE COMPRESSOR REPLACED, BECAUSE THE "MECHANIC" TURNED THE BOLT THE WRONG WAY AND WRUNG IT OFF, I HAD TO REPLACE. HYUNDAI WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THEIR MECHANIC. THIS REPAIR DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AS IT STILL HAPPENS NOW, 8 YEARS LATER. IT WILL COOL GOOD, THEN THE COMPRESSOR WILL OUT AND NOT COME BACK ON FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. HYUNDAI SAYS THIS IT NOT PROBLEM WITH THEIR PARTS OR PROCEDURES. FINALLY GOT TIRED OF THEIR LIES AND FAILURE TO TRY TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS MY ONLY AND LAST HYUNDAI, THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER BACKED CAR COMPANY IN THIS WORLD. *TR

2005 SANTA FE WHEELS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ROTATE THE TIRES. *TS THE DEALER SUGGESTED BEARING GREASE BE APPLIED EACH TIME THE TIRE ARE ROTATED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER EACH TIME FOR SERVICE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THERE IS A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, UPON INSPECTION THE VIBRATION WAS NOTICED HOWEVER A REPAIR COULD NOT BE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVE STATED THE HARMONIC BALANCER CAUSED THE PROBLEM.

DRIVING ON A DIRT ROAD, VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE, VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND WENT OVER DITCH, ROLLED AND HIT TREE. PASSENGER WAS THROWN FROM VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED SPINAL CORD INJURY. VEHICLE HAD FRONT END, RIGHT SIDE, AND TOP DAMAGE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 15 MPH, THE ABS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL NUMEROUS TIMES IT FINALLY STOPPED. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF WARPING, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. THE DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. UPDATED 4/11/2006 - THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT SHE DIDNT HAVE A PROBLEM WITHTHE BRAKES UNTIL THE ROTORS AND LEFT WHEEL SENSOR WERE REPLACED. *NM

2005 HYUNDAI SANTE FE INVOLVED IN A SEVERE ROLLOVER AND ALL AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER 6X WITH 3 PASSENGERS IN IT. ONE WAS EJECTED FROM THE BACK AND THE FRONT TWO SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. *NM

WHEN 2005 SANTA FE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED IT HAS A DELAYED REACTION. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE DELAYED ACCELERATION OCCURRED IT CAUSED THE TIRES TO SPIN ON WET OR SNOW COVERED PAVEMENT. THE STARTER HAD TO TURN OVER MUCH LONGER THAN IT SHOULD BEFORE THE ENGINE STARTS. THE BRAKES WOULD CATCH AS IF SOMETHING IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS LOOSE, THERE WAS A GRINDING/RUBBING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE PARTIALLY APPLIED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. *JB

2005 SANTA FE 3.5 BUCKS WHEN CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED AT ALL SPEEDS. DEALER ORDERED PARTS CORRECTED PROBLEM AT SPEEDS UNDER 60 BY REPLACING BODY ASSEMBLY THROTTLE AND GASKET THROTTLE B. STILL BUCKS AT SPEEDS OVER 60 MPH WHETHER HITTING BRAKE OR CANCEL BUTTON TO DISENGAGE CRUISE. DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER SAYS ALL SANTA FE 3.5'S DO THIS THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL THROTTLE. BUCKING OF CAR IS SO PRONOUNCED EVERY ONE IN THE CAR FEELS IT. I WILL NEVER FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE USING THE CRUISE OVER 60 AND WILL NEVER USE IT WHEN OTHER PEOPLE ARE IN THE VEHICLE. JUST BECAUSE IT WAS DESIGNED THIS WAY AND THEY ALL DO IT DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT. I FEEL THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. I WAS TOLD ONLY THE 3.5'S BUCK WHEN THE CRUISE IS DISENGAGED. *NM

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS) HAS TWICE NOW THROWN THE VEHICLE INTO VIOLENT AND UNCONTROLLABLE OUT OF CONTROL SKID ON HARD PACKED SNOW. THE TCS EXASERBATED WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A NORMAL SLOW SPEED CURVE TO THE RIGHT ON HARD PACKED SNOW. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH A CURVE TO THE RIGHT. THIS LAST INCIDENT WAS ON A SLIGHT DECLINE WITH A CURVE TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE 46 YEARS OF DRIVING ON SNOW AND ICE IN ALL SORTS OF VEHICLES WITHOUT INCIDENT AND WITHOUT TCS. (2WD REAR DRIVE, 2WD FRONT DRIVE, 4X4 CARS AND TRUCKS. THIS IS THE FIRST VEHICLE WITH TCS AND THERE IS NO SWITCH TO DISABLE IT. I FEEL THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO BE DISABLED AT THE DRIVER'S DISGRESSION. THE TCS ACCORDING TO ITS DESCRIPTION, AFFECTS THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. I FEEL THAT THE TCS IS CAUSING INAPPROPRIATE BRAKING ACTION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE THROWN INTO AN UNCONTROLLABLE AND DANGEROUS SKID.

WHILE DRIVING AND STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO APPLY EXTENSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO CLAIMED BRAKES WERE OKAY. THE SECOND PROBLEM INVOLVED REAR DOOR MISALIGNMENT. THE THIRD FAILURE WAS PAINT PEELING OFF UNDER THE HOOD. *AK

MY WIFE AND I ARE EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM THAT THREATENS OUR SAFETY EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH DELAYED ACCELERATION WHEN APPLYING THE GAS PEDAL, WHICH CAUSES FEAR WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC OR MAKING A TURN AS OPPOSING TRAFFIC APPROACHES. THE DELAYED ACCELERATION IS THEN FOLLOWED BY A LUNGING ACCELERATION WHICH REDUCES THE FEELING OF CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER IN ELGIN, IL A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY BRUSHED IT OFF AS A COMMON CHARACTERISTIC OF HYUNDAI VEHICLES WITH THE 3.5 LITER ENGINE. THEY CLAIMED THAT AFTER SOME TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD ??ADJUST?? TO MY DRIVING HABITS AND THE SYMPTOMS WOULD GO AWAY. THEIR CAVALIER ATTITUDE DID NOT SIT WELL WITH ME. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A MONTH, I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE VEHICLE OVER. THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAD DESCRIBED PREVIOUSLY HAD NOT SUBSIDED AT ALL. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND I TOOK A RIDE SO THAT I COULD DEMONSTRATE THE ACCELERATION AND OTHER PROBLEMS THAT I WAS EXPERIENCING WITH THE VEHICLE. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE SYMPTOMS AS THEY OCCURRED AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD DO A VERY THOROUGH CHECK OF THE VEHICLE. TO MY CHAGRIN, WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY WITH THE VEHICLE. I WAS ASSURED THAT THE ACCELERATION CHARACTERISTICS THAT I COMPLAINED ABOUT WERE NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THAT I WOULD JUST HAVE TO GET USED TO IT. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR ALMOST THREE ADDITIONAL MONTHS, BUT THE ACCELERATION IS STILL ERRATIC AND MAKES ME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR EVEN WHEN ACCELERATING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THIS VEHICLE IS COMPROMISING MY SAFETY, AND I CANNOT ACCEPT THE EXPLANATION THAT THIS IS NORMAL. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE MY WIFE OR I GET INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THE PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS OF THIS VEHICLE. *NM

DT: WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE THE VEHICLE SURGED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV ABOVE 6500 RPMS. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN. HE REPORTED HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE ABOVE INCIDENT. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER.*AK

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WE ARE WRITING TO YOU CONCERNING A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH OUR HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV THAT WE PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2005. WE HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AS WELL AS CONTACTED THE HYUNDAI CORPORATE USA HEADQUARTERS, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE PROBLEM RELATES TO THE GAS PEDAL AND ITS ACCELERATION. WHEN THE CAR IS AT A STOP AND YOU APPLY YOUR FOOT TO THE GAS PEDAL, IT HESITATES AND THEN LURCHES FORWARD. THIS IN ITSELF IS DANGEROUS ENOUGH, BUT IF THE ROADS ARE WET OR SNOW COVERED, THE CAR TENDS TO SLIP AND SKID. BY WAY OF EXPLANATION, THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS DELAY IN ACCELERATION IS DUE TO THE FLY-BY WIRE ACCELERATION SYSTEM. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THE DEALERSHIP AND THE HEAD QUARTERS ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, BUT STATE THAT IT IS MERELY A FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURS AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE THAT YOU COULD PROVIDE. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CONCERN AND HELP. SINCERELY, BRUCE AND LYNNE BLATT. *JB *NM

THE THROTTLE HANGS UP WHEN GOING FROM A DEAD STOP. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO LURCH AHEAD SO FAST IT SPINS THE TIRES. THIS WILL CAUSE YOU TO REAREND A CAR IN TRAFFIC , OR TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC TO LATE WHICH COULD ALSO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.*AK