NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V261000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,883.
ONLY 80000 ORIG MILES . HAVE TO FINANCE & PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. PUT IT IN DRIVE IT BANGS NOW STARTING TO DO IT WHEN PUTTING IT IN REVERSE . COST 3000.00 TO FIX DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT . I KNOW IF OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM . HEARD NOW THEY ARE OFFERING 2000 .00 TO OWNERS NOW BECAUSE OF A STALLING PROBLEM SOMETHING WITH THE ALTERNATOR BEING OVERHEATED LOSE EVERYTHING EVEN IF YOUR DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65-70 MPH . REALLY !!! . FEEL LIKE WE ARE DRIVING A DEATH TRAP VERY FRUSTRATING TO SPEND SO MUCH ON A USED VEHICLE THAT WE THOUGHT WE COULD TRUST . WISH SOMEONE WOULD HELP TO GET THIS RESOLVED .
PASSENGER REAR DOOR (RIGHT REAR) LOCK ACTUATOR MECHANISM FAILURE. DOOR IS LOCKED AND **CANNOT BE UNLOCKED OR OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE CAR**, WHETHER BY MANUAL OR KEY FOB METHOD. MANUAL DOOR LOCK BUTTON (ON RIGHT REAR DOOR) INSIDE CAR DIFFICULT TO ACTUATE, DOOR HANDLE ACTUATION (CABLE?) SEEMS LIKE IT MAY BE DETACHED (VERY EASY TO ACTUATE DOOR HANDLE, NO RESISTANCE). WORKED FINE, UNTIL IT FAILED WITH NO WARNING. TRIED TO OPEN RIGHT REAR DOOR AND WAS UNABLE TO. I RARELY USE THIS DOOR, SO IT MAY HAVE FAILED PRIOR TO WHEN I NOTICED IT. APPROX 59,000 MILES WHEN PROBLEM NOTICED. *SERIOUS* SAFETY ISSUE IF DOOR MALFUNCTIONS WITH PASSENGERS IN CAR--THE DOOR IS 100% USELESS--AND IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANY OF THE DOORS I ASSUME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A LOUD EXPLOSIVE SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE ROAD SIDE AND NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 40K MILES ON IT AND IT NOW HAS 63K MILES. SINCE I HAVE HAD IT, I HAVE REPLACED THE RADIO DISPLAY, SPEAKER, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CONTROLS, STARTER AND A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS. THE CLEAR COAT IS ALSO COMING OFF ALL THE DOOR HANDLES AND IT IS FADING THE PAINT. I NOTIFIED HYUNDAI AND THEY DID NOT ADDRESS ANY ISSUE.
THE ENGINE THREW A ROD AND IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THEY HAVE IN THEIR 2.4L ENGINE THAT WAS RECALLED. 470,000 OF THEM. NOW THEY WON'T FIX MY ENGINE.
1. STARTER GEAR HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE DEALER SHIP AND WAS TOLD MANY OF THESE CARS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. 2. WHEN RAINING AND DRIVING DOWN CITY STREETS, OR HIGHWAY MY CAR WILL TRY TO STALL OUT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN IT WILL LOSE STEERING, RPMS WILL FLUCTUATE. WHEN CHECKED IT SAID IT WAS THE ABSOLUTE PRESSURE SENSOR.
CAR RANDOMLY STALLS AND SLOWS DOWN TO A CRAWL UNDER ACCELERATION. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WHEN GOING UPHILL, MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. SOMETIMES IT'S JUST NORMAL DRIVING. IT IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT HAS HAPPENED OFF AND ON FOR THE LAST 2-3 YEARS. DEALER IS CLUELESS.
PURCHASED NEW A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, SE. THE PROBLEM THAT OCCURS RANDOMLY EVERY FEW DAYS IS WHEN ACCELERATING SLOWLY AT AROUND 20-30 MPH AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF 2ND GEAR EFFECTIVELY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND, AND THEN WILL HARD SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR MAKING A LOUD BANG NOISE. IT CAN FEEL AS THOUGH I WAS REAR ENDED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE NEW AND HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE THERE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THIS IS THE SAME COMPLAINT AS WITH ABOUT 10% OF THE 140 OR SO COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA SITE FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL. THERE ARE AT LEAST 2 AND POSSIBLY MORE TSB'S THAT APPEAR TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM (TSB-10-AT-006, 12-AT-012, 12-AT-009-2). I WILL ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AGAIN WITH THE DEALER ASKING HIM TO REVIEW THESE SPECIFIC TSB'S. AFTER SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT A VERY SPECIFIC PROBLEM TO A VITAL DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT, IT IS TIME FOR HYUNDAI TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND FIX IT! THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH SO MUCH HASSLE FOR A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE. HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND DON'T TAKE THE TIME TO REPORT IT?
DASHBOARD SEAT BELT LIGHT DIDN'T GO OFF AFTER NORMAL START UP. DIAGNOSTIC COMPLETED AT LOCAL SERVICE CENTER. DETERMINED IT WAS A FAULTY AIR BAG MODULE. MECHANIC PURCHASED MODULE FROM LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER. DEALER PARTS EMPLOYEE STATED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD MODULE PURCHASED THAT WEEK.
DRIVE AXLE BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER TO FRONT WHEELS. I HAD COME TO A STOP AT A RURAL HIGHWAY JUNCTION, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL AWAY IN PARK IF EMERGENCY BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED.
FUEL SENSOR / GAUGE NOT WORKING I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO OUR HYUNDAI , THEY ARE AWARE OF THESE ISSUES AND STATED NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. THE FUEL USUALLY SHOWS EMPTY OR 1/2 TANK. ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, MASKS ANY OTHER ISSUES WE MAY HAVE. I HAVE ALSO TAKE THIS TO OTHER MECHANICS WHO KNOW OF THIS ISSUE ALSO. DEALER SAID THIS WILL COST OVER $500
PURCHASED 2010 SANTA FE, 52,200 MILES FOR WIFE. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, SHE SAID CAR WAS ROUGH ON OCCASION ON WAY TO WORK. I DROVE CAR TO FIND OUT WHAT SHE MEANT. TURNING LEFT OUT OF DRIVEWAY CAR JUMPED WHILE SHIFTING, GOOD NO CAR WAS COMING FROM OTHER DIRECTION. I NOTED THAT DURING FIRST 5 MILES OR SO WHEN FIRST RUN FROM COLD START, SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST, 2ND, 3RD GEARS THAT THERE WERE OCCASIONAL ROUGH SHIFTS. THERE SEEMS TO BE HESITATION AND THEN ABRUBT SHIFT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN UP AND DOWNSHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. ON A FEW OCCAIONS, IT IS EXTREMELY HARD AND FEELS LIKE CAR HAS BEEN REAR ENDED. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO HYUNDAI AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM. THEY CHARGED US ALMOST $150 FOR 2 SOFTWARE UPDATES. THEN AFTER PAYING FOR THIS SERVICE, HYUNDAI TOLD US THAT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT WOULD COST US ANOTHER APROXIMATELY $2,800 SINCE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. JUST A FEW MONTHS OUT OF 5/60 WARRANTY, INSIDE 100,000 MILE 7 YEAR, BUT FIRST OWNER ONLY, WARRANTY. I CANNOT IMAGINE THE NERVE TO CHARGE SOMEONE FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE ON A KNOWN TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND SAY SORRY YOU HAVE TO PAY US MORE TO REALY FIX OUR DESIGN PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY I DID NOT JOIN A HYUNDAI FORUM THAT THIS COMMON PROBLEM IS TALKED ABOUT TILL AFTER THE PURCHASE. AND TO THINK HYUNDAI ADVERTISES THEIR GREAT AND WORTHLESS WARRANTY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS SHATTERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
I WAS DRIVING MY 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, THE BLINKER SWITCH STARTED FRANTICALLY CLICKING, I THAN HEARD ELECTRICAL SPARKS FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THAN SMOKE STARTING COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHERE THE BLINKER SHAFT WAS LOCATED. HYUNDAI HAS HAD MY VEHICLE FOR 2 WEEKS, LEAVING ME AND MY 8 MONTH OLD CARLESS. THE DEALERSHIP AND COOPERATE HAS SAID THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE, AND HAS NOT GIVEN ME A COURTESY CALL OR VEHICLE UPDATES. I LOOKED ON THIS WEBSITE, SAFECAR.ORG AND INDEED, I FOUND SOMEONE WHO HAS ENCOUNTERED THE SAME ISSUE (PLEASE SEE NHTSA ID NUMBER 10629458). I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY WITH THE OTHER RECALLS IN PLACE.
PAINT IS PEELING ON THE LEFT HOOD AND ROOF OF CAR NEAR WINDOW. THERE HAS BEEN NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO CAUSE PEELING AND FLAKING OF PAINT
TURNED CAR ON, THERE WAS A BANG (AS IF GETTING REAR ENDED). PUT CAR IN REVERSE- CAR DOES NOT SHOW BEING IN GEAR. START BACKING UP, THERE IS ANOTHER LOUD SHIFT, CAR SLOWS DOWN, AND THEN GOES IN REVERSE. PUT CAR IN PARK, TURN OFF, RESTART, CAR STARTS NORMALLY AND GETS INTO GEAR. HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES IN SAME WEEK. LAST TIME HUGE CRASH SOUND AS IF GETTING REAR ENDED REALLY HARD.
RIGHT FRONT AXLE. .TIRE ROD BROKE AND I CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. IT'S THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE THAT IS DEFECTIVE.
PAINT IS PEELING ON THE LEFT HOOD AND ROOF OF 2010 SANTA FE
THE VEHICLE HAS A HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN DRIVEN 10 MPH IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HYUNDAI AND BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED THERE WAS NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION. I WAS TOLD IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON 3/21/15. *TR
ON JANUARY 15 2015 WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH FLORIDA FROM TEXAS. DRIVING A HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2010 OWNED FOR 3 YEARS. EXITING FROM HIGHWAY VIA SERVICE ROAD. STOPPED AT STOP SIGN. PROCEEDED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN ACROSS 4 LANES. ENGINE MAKES A WHIZZING NOISE AND STOPS IN MIDDLE OF THE FIRST LANE. TRIED TO SWITCH GEARS INTO REVERSE, PARK OR NEUTRAL. HYUNDAI WOULD NOT MOVE . GOT OUT OF CAR AND PUSHED IT BACK TO STOP SIGN. TRACTOR TRAILER CAME UP BEHIND US AND STOPPED HE COULD NOT GET BY. DRIVER OFFERED ASSISTANCE TO PUSH THE AUTO ASIDE. SAT IN CAR FOR SEVERAL HOURS UNTIL TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. BROUGHT TO NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALER. AUTO HAS LESS THAN 84,00 MILES , IT IS JUST SHY 20,000 OF THE 60,000/ FIVE YEAR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. DISCOVERED THE CAR HAS THREE RECALLS ("CAMPAIGNS") AGAINST IT. CAMPAIGN #102 SPECIFICALLY PERTAINS TO THE DRIVE-SHAFT COMPONENT AND COULD RESULT IN A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, IN WHICH CASE IT OBLIVIOUSLY DID. HOWEVER ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, HYUNDAI REGIONAL MANAGER AND HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE THE DEFECT PRODUCT DID NOT CAUSE THE PROBLEM. AT THIS POINT WE ARE STRANDED AND "HELD CAPTIVE". REBUILT " TRANNY " WITH 85K EXISTING MILEAGE, 12/12 WARRANTY, COST TO HYUNDAI CUSTOMER $2400.00. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE TOW, RENTAL OF CAR TO DRIVE HOME OR SHIPPING OF REPAIRED CAR. HYUNDAI BUYERS BEWARE. *TR
YESTERDAY WHILE DECELERATING AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP SIGN, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CAR WAS RESTARTED AND CONTINUED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE AGAIN. I TOOK TO MY DEALER TODAY (NEXT AM) DUE TO MY CONCERN. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND ASKED TO EXTEND MY WARRANTY AND MENTIONED MY CAR HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM DESCRIPTION MENTIONED IN THE ONLINE 929 HYUNDAI CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER SAID NO CODE HISTORY OR CODE IS SHOWING AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE BUT TO WAIT AND SEE IF PROBLEM REAPPEARS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS CAR IF AGAIN COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF WHILE IN OPERATION COULD BECOME MORE OF A FATAL RESULT. WOULD LIKE HYUNDAI TO EXTEND THE ONLINE 929 CAMPAIGN TO MY VEHICLE WHICH IS SAME YEAR AND MODEL OR SOME OTHER WAY TO CHECK THIS PROBLEM THANKS
MY TRANSMISSION BLEW UP,NO WARNING NO INDICATION WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER AND GAVE THEM MY VIN NUMBER THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY TRUCK ON THE TRANS THE ONLY RECALL IS ON THE REVERSE LIGHT, SO WHERE DO I GO FROM HEAR. *TR
VEHICLE STALLED AT LOW SPEED OR TURNING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS .STALLS AND THEN WILL START BACK UP. MOST RECENT INCIDENT, 12-13-2014, IT STALLED 3 TIMES WITHIN 25 MINUTES WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP. I'VE TAKEN TO HYUNDAI IN THE PAST, THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY AND ISSUE, CHARGED ME $50.00 TO ADJUST BREAK LIGHT SWITCH, WHICH THEY STATED SHOULD FIX IT. I CHECKED ON-LINE & LOCATED THE 3.5 SANTE FE LOW SPEED ENGINE RPM LOGIC REVISION SERVICE CAMPAIGN WHICH THEY WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLES ECM IN CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH 3.5 ENGINES. I TRIED TO USE THE ON-LINE VIN VERIFICATION & GUESS WHAT ,IT STATES MINE WAS NOT ONE OF THE ONE WITH ISSUES, IT WAS MADE IN ALABAMA, 2010 & 3.5, SAME STALLING ISSUES AS EVERYONE ELSE. I WANT MY VEHICLE COVERED BY THIS SERVICE CAMPAIGN. *TR
SANTA FE BLINKER SWITCH ON STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING. I HAVE A VIDEO AS EVIDENCE OF THE SMOKE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. HYUNDAI REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO COST EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER TO ME AND MY FAMILY. BLINKERS STARTED STAYING ON AT ALL TIMES WHEN IGNITION WAS ON. BLINKERS WOULD GO LEFT AND GO RIGHT, BUT WHEN IN THE CENTER POSITION THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL STAYED ON OR THE AUDIBLE PART OF THE BLINKERS COULD BE HEARD WITH NO SIGNAL LIGHT. SMOKE CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE VEHICLE SMELLED AND STILL SMELLS OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I TOOK A VIDEO THAT CLEARLY SHOWS SMOKE COMING FROM THE BLINKER SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN. PLEASE ASK IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY OF THE VIDEO. I CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TOLD THEM AND I ALSO ASKED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO TAKE CARE OF IT. BOTH REFUSED AND SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 4,755 MILES AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING EVEN THOUGH MY FAMILY WAS IN CLEAR DANGER. THEY CHARGED ME $179 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN THEIR PARTS AND IS A DANGER IN BOTH BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT FROM FAULTY SIGNALS AND INTENTIONS BEING SENT TO OTHER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOAD NOISE IN THE FRONT LEFT OF THE CAR, THEN A RUBBING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT LEFT SPRING COIL HAD BROKEN. THE TIP OF THE BROKEN SPRING WAS RIGHT UP AGAINST MY TIRE. IF DRIVEN ANY FURTHER THE SPRING COULD HAVE SHREDDED THE TIRE AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR
I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, WHEN THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. NO POWER STEERING, NO POWER BRAKES. WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN AND PULL OVER. PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND CONTINUE DRIVING WITH NO PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE WE GOT THE CAR. SINCE IT IS SPORADIC, DEALER CANNOT FIND WHAT IS WRONG. WORRIED THAT INCIDENT MIGHT OCCUR WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND GET REAR-ENDED. *TR
ON MONDAY, JULY 14, 2014, MY WIFE RODE HER SANTA FE ON A STRAIGHT ROAD ACCELERATING SLIGHTLY UPHILL WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. ON THURS. DEC. 5, 2013, I HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE, WHICH I REPORTED TO YOU AT THE TIME. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS CAR. AGAIN NOBODY TOUCHED THE IGNITION KEY WHICH HAS NOTHING HANGING ON IT EXCEPT THE ALARM AND DOOR LOCK DONGLE. MY WIFE ALSO SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES, AND LUCKILY THERE WAS NO OTHER TRAFFIC, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A SAFE STOP AND THEN WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND CONTINUE HER TRIP. THE 2010 CAR HAD A FULL TANK OF GAS AND HAS ABOUT 50000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT'S AWD AND HAS A 6 CYL. ENGINE. COULD THIS BE RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM THAT HAS PLAGUED SO MANY GM CARS? NEEDLESS TO SAY WE ARE WORRIED DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE IF THIS INCIDENT OCCURS AT HIGH SPEED, A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD BE THE RESULT. DO YOU KNOW OF ANY SIMILAR EXPERIENCE? WHAT DO YOU ADVISE? [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I HAVE HAD THE ENGINE STALLMENT ISSUE WITH MY 2010 SANTA FE LIMITED SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2010. MY LAST 4 INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE NOR FIND ANY CODES FOR IT. THEY HAVE PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING FIXES ON MY CAR IN 4 SEPARATE ATTEMPTS WITH NO LUCK: - REPLACE THROTTLE BODY (2013) - REPLACE MAIN POWER CABLE - REPLACE COMPUTER'S MAIN BOARD - UPDATE SOFTWARE THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE. LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A DOWNHILL RAMP TO ENTER THE FREEWAY WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. I CAN STILL HEAR THE CONCRETE TRUCK'S BRAKE SOUND IN MY EARS WHEN IT DESPERATELY MANAGED TO STOP AND AVOID COLLISION. I DON'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR ANYMORE. I HAVE ALSO LOST MY CONFIDENCE IN THE DEALER'S ABILITY TO PERMANENTLY FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR
THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR SHUTS OFF WHEN IT RAINS. WARM AIR BLOWS THROUGH THE VENTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH NO WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO NEITHER REPLICATE NOR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,800. UPDATED 08/11/14*LJ THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/19/14
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V261000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN 2011, VEHICLE HAS STALLED, LOSING POWER WITHOUT WARNING IN 6 SEPARATE INCIDENTS. ROAD SURFACES WERE LEVEL AND SPEEDS RANGED FROM 0-50 MPH. DURING EACH MALFUNCTION, SPEED DECREASED TO 0 MPH OR DID NOT ACCELERATE IF ALREADY AT 0 MPH. LOSS OF SPEED IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRESENCE OF ENGINE, BATTERY, AND OIL INDICATOR LIGHTS. I AM ABLE TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK MODE, COMPLETELY TURN OFF ENGINE, AND RESTART IGNITION. VEHICLE APPEARS TO OPERATE NORMALLY AFTER EACH INCIDENT UNTIL NEXT ONE OCCURS. ALL BUT TWO INCIDENTS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY MONTHS APART ON METROPOLITAN INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. TWO MOST RECENT INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON SAME DAY WITHIN MINUTES OF EACH OTHER. EVERY TIME VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR EVALUATION, TYPICALLY WITHIN HOUR OF INCIDENT, TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM OR DIAGNOSE MALFUNCTION. CONSEQUENTLY, VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. ACCORDING TO 4 AUTHORIZED DEALERS AND HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS, TROUBLE CODE IS NECESSARY TO REPAIR MALFUNCTION. TWO AUTHORIZED DEALERS HAVE EVALUATED VEHICLE WITHOUT DIAGNOSING MALFUNCTION. NEITHER HAS BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM OR FIND TROUBLE CODE, DESPITE MAINTAINING POSSESSION OF VEHICLE FOR DAYS. BASED ON MY HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME SAFETY CONCERN, HOWEVER, TECHLINE ADVISED AUTHORIZED DEALER TO REPLACE ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL MOTOR: PROCEDURE DONE IN OCTOBER 2013, YET STALLING/LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED AGAIN--TWICE--IN APRIL 2014. SPORADICALLY RECURRING MALFUNCTION REMAINS UNRESOLVED. I HAVE TWO SEPARATE CASES FILED WITH HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS. VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY, UP-TO-DATE ON MAINTENANCE, AND HAS ACCUMULATED RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE TO DATE AT APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILES.**4/16/2014**STALLED/LOST POWER TWICE, 2-3 MINUTES BETWEEN INCIDENTS. TOWED TO AUTHORIZED DEALER; CURRENTLY AWAITING INSTRUCTIONS FROM TECHLINE. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,176.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE FROM THE REAR END. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE DURING COLDER TEMPERATURES AFTER START UP THE TRANSMISSION "STICKS" IN A LOW GEAR AND ULTIMATELY RELEASES AND THRUSTS FORWARD WITH A LOUD BANG. THIS HAPPENS CONSTANTLY AND I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHO HAS STATED THERE IS NO PROBLEM. THIS IS A HAZARD AND MAY CAUSE POTENTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR
VEHICLE WHEN STARTING FROM STOP, HESITATES THEN ACCLERATES FAST. SOMETIMES MORE SO LEFT TURN BUT ALSO STRAIGHT AHEAD. ALMOST RAN THROUGH GARAGE DOOR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. ALSO LAST NIGHT I TRIED TO ACCLERARATE TURNING LEFT FROM STOP SIGN. VEHICLE SCARES ME, THE WAY IT IS WORKING. APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE. THANK YOU. I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN RESET THE AIR BAGS SENSOR. WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF RESETTING THE AIR BAG SENSOR, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A WEEK LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR OR THE SEAT BELT LATCH MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
MY SANTA FE STALLED WHILE MAKING A LOW SPEED RIGHT TURN. NO WARNING THE STEERING BECAME HARD AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WENT ON AND ENGINE OFF. STARTED RIGHT UP AFTERWARDS. IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AND UPDATED COMPUTER. NO ERROR CODES. *TR
WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN AND HIGH HUMIDITY, GOING SOUTH ON ROUTE 95, A/C COOLING STOPPED WORKING AND ONLY WARM AIR WAS BLOWING THROUGH THE VENTS. STOPPED WORKING FOR OVER AN HOUR, UNTIL I STOPPED FOR GAS IN FT. PIECE. WHEN I RESTARTED, IT BEGAN TO WORK AND WORKED FOR ANOTHER 20 MINUTES BEFORE IT STOPPED. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER ON JUNE 3. DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND WOULD DO NOTHING. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON JUNE 13 WHILE DRIVING. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND HE AGAIN SAID HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE IT AND WOULD DO NOTHING. I REPORTED IT HYUNDAI WOULD SAID IT COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED AND WOULD DO NOTHING. I FOUND NUMEROUS INSTANCES, ON THE INTERNET, OF PEOPLE REPORTING THIS PROBLEM, BUT WAS TOLD UNLESS I COULD REPRODUCE ON MY VEHICLE, NOTHING WOULD BE DONE. I HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND HOPE THE CAR DEALER IS OPEN. *TR
I HAD JUST PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY OF A HOUSE I OWN THAT I RENT; I WAS THERE TO MEET MY TENANTS TO DISCUSS A COUPLE OF REPAIRS THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE IN THE HOUSE. I WAS SLOWING THE CAR WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AS I APPROACHED THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY BY THE SIDE DOOR OF THE HOUSE. THEN I HEARD A SUDDEN, EXTREMELY LOUD ENGINE NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE REVVING VERY FAST AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I WAS PROPELLED FORWARD ABOUT 50 FEET INTO THE BACK YARD AND CRASHED INTO SOME LILAC BUSHES DIRECTLY AHEAD OF ME AND INTO THE STEEP DIRT BANK BEHIND THE BUSHES, WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. THERE IS NO GARAGE AND THE DRIVEWAY ENDS WHERE THE LAWN BEGINS. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS QUITE DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTLY IN THE DEALER'S REPAIR GARAGE. ON THE INTERNET, MY SON FOUND MANY REPORTS OF INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION FOR THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE FOR MY MODEL YEAR AND FOR OTHER RECENT YEARS AND HE SUGGESTED I FILE THIS REPORT WITH THE NHTSA. *TR
EVENT HAS OCCURRED ON 2 OCCASIONS. FIRST EVENT: WHILE BACKING UP IN A PARKING LOT, WITH NO FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND VERY SLIGHT FORCE ON GAS PEDAL, THE CAR SURGED MUCH MORE THAN TYPICAL WITH SUCH A LIGHT CONTACT WITH THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARD SUDDENLY, UNTIL THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. SECOND EVENT: WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT VERY LOW SPEED. THE SAME EVENT OCCURRED, BUT THIS TIME WHILE IN FORWARD DRIVE. WITH NO FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND VERY SLIGHT FORCE ON GAS PEDAL, THE CAR SURGED MUCH MORE THAN TYPICAL WITH SUCH A LIGHT CONTACT WITH THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD SUDDENLY, UNTIL THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FACE AND HEAD INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. *TR
MY 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WHITE PEARL PAINT STARTED PEELING 3 YEARS AGO AND HAS ACCELERATED RAPIDLY IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I HAVE 2 LARGE SPOTS ON THE HOOD GETTING BIGGER EVERY DAY, LIFTING ON THE DOOR HANDLES SEVERAL SPOTS ON THE SIDE PANELS AND NOW A VERY LARGE PATCH OVER THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH TONS OF OWNERS SHARING SIMILAR STORIES ALL OVER THE INTERNET. PLEASE ADVISE OF ANY OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO JOIN A CLASS ACTION SUIT OR GET HYUNDAI TO STEP UP AND REPAIR THIS MESS!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE UPHILL, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. AS THE CONTACT APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
REAR TIRES EXHIBIT EXTENSIVE "CUPPING" WHICH SUGGESTS DEFECTIVE SUSPENSION PARTS AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. INFERIOR PARTS OR DESIGN ARE SUSPECTED AS THE DEFECT APPEARS BILATERALLY. *TR
IN NOV 2012 AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED WITH 38,000 MILES, WE NOTICE THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SHORTLINE HYUNDAI IN AURORA, CO. TO HAVE THEM INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND TEST DRIVE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE DURING THEIR INSPECTION, NO CODES. WE STILL NOTICED THE ISSUE FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS. FAST FORWARD TO NOV. 2014 - WE DECIDED TO TRY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP IN CENTENNIAL, CO. ARAPAHOE HYUNDAI. THE VEHICLE HAD 52,000 AT THIS POINT. THEY CONFIRMED THE TRANSMISSION HAD A HARSH ENGAGEMENT IN HIGHER GEARS, STILL NO CODES. THEY STATED THE FLUID WAS LOW AND TOPPED OFF THE FLUID. THROUGH THE FOLLOWING YEARS THE ISSUE WAS STILL PRESENT. FEB 2018 THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRES AND THE ISSUE AT THIS POINT IS VERY NOTICEABLE. 5TH GEAR WOULD HESITATE UP SIFTING TO 6TH GEAR, ALONG WITH A DELAYED REACTION ON A DOWNSHIFT FROM 5TH TO 4TH. ONCE THE DOWNSHIFT ENGAGED THERE WAS A HARD BAND INTO 4TH.JUNE 2018, 79,850 MILES - FEELING BRUSHED OFF BY THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERS, WE DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS IN NEED OF CHANGE, SO WE CHANGED THE FLUID. THE FLUID CHANGE EASED THE HARSH SHIFTING SLIGHTLY. AS OF TODAY FEB. 2020, 91,150 MILES - THE TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE DRIVE FINE UNTIL IT HITS 5TH GEAR. THE DOWNSHIFT IS NOW VERY HESITANT WITH AN EXTREME BANG ONCE IT ENGAGES 4TH. THERE HAS BEEN AN KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERN. HYUNDAI HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, OTHER THAN PUTTING A BAND-AID ON THE ISSUE.
VEHICLE HESITATES AND HAS NO FORWARD MOTION FOR PERHAPS 2-3 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AFTER SLOWING DOWN AND THEN ACCELARATING, THEN BACKING OFF AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES OVER THE YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE RISK IS THAT YOU CAN NOT MOVE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. CITY DRIVING, ON AND OFF THE THROTTLE MOST OF THE TIME DURING A SLOW SPEED LEFT TURN. TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO GO INTO NATURAL BECAUSE IT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR TO GO INTO, SUSPECT IT IS A SOFTWARE ISSUE/ DRIVING STYLE AS WIFE DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM . LOCAL DEALER WAS PROVIDED INFORMATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ISSUE STILL EXISTS. COMMENTS ON INVOICES: 100371 / 101673 / HYCS414425