2004 Hyundai Santa FE complaints

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

RECEIVED A NOTICE OF RECALL FOR FRONT COIL SPRING ISSUE IN MAIL, MY FRONT COIL SPRIG IS CURRENTLY BROKEN. CALLED DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND TOLD THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT OR A REMEDY FOR ME TO HAVE A DRIVABLE CAR UNTIL IT CAN BE FIXED. NO TIME FRAME CAN BE GIVEN WHEN THEY CAN FIX THE ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, CHEST, AND BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

THE VEHICLE HAD A STRONG SENT OF GASOLINE WHEN PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC, I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A GAS LEAK AND THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE GAS TANK WAS REPLACED, THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE TANK HAD RUSTED AND THAT WAS THE REASON FOR THE LEAK. HE SHOWED ME THE GAS TANK AND THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST ON IT. THERE WAS A PLASTIC PART UNDER THE TANK THAT RETAINED WATER AND ROAD SALT AND CAUSED THE TANK TO PREMATURELY RUST. THERE IS NO REASON FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS GARAGED AND WASHED REGULARLY TO HAVE A RUSTED OUT GAS TANK. CLEARLY, THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWED THE PLASTIC PART UNDER THE TANK TO COLLECT WATER AND RUST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ERRONEOUSLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

I WAS IN TN WHEN I HEARD A SLIGHT "THUNK" AND THEN A CONTINUOUS RATTLE UNDER THE VEHICLE. I ASSUMED A BROKEN EXHAUST BRACKET AND LEFT TN ON 8/17/2014 TO RETURN TO MY HOME IN SAINT LOUIS MO. I TRAVELED I55 IN SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 75 MPH AND LISTENED TO THE RATTLE FOR ABOUT 100 MILES. AND THEN THE RATTLE STOPPED AND I ASSUMED THAT THE BROKEN BRACKET HAD FINALLY COME LOOSE AND IS NOW LOCATED SOMEWHERE ON I55. I TOOK MY CAR TO FIRESTONE AND WAS STUNNED TO LEARN THAT MY RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING WAS MISSING AND MY RIGHT FRONT STRUT WAS BROKEN. AN INSPECTION OF THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING ALSO INDICATED SIGNIFICANT CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR SAFETY. HYUNDAI HAS RECALLED 419,000 VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE IN DC AND 20 OTHER STATES SPECIFICALLY STATING EXCESSIVE CORROSION AS A RESULT OF ROAD SALT--THIS LIST EXCLUDED THE STATE OF MO WHICH HAPPENS TO ALSO USE ROAD SALT. MY HYUNDAI HAS BEEN IN MO FOR 12 YEARS. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING AND EXPAND ITS RECALL TO ALL STATES THAT USE SALT AND PERHAPS TO COASTAL STATES THAT HAVE OCEAN SALT. *TR

2004 HYUNDAI SANTAFE BROKEN COIL SPRING RUBBING AGAINST THE FRONT TIRE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN. I WENT OUT TO INVESTIGATE BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE NEXT MORNING I ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE FOR WORK WHEN I NOTICED A STRANGE NOISE. I COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE SOUND SO I TURNED AROUND AN PARKED THE VEHICLE BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY. IT WAS THEN I NOTICED A CURVED SHAPE PIECE ON THE GROUND WHICH LOOKED LIKE A HOTDOG WHERE MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED. I PICKED THE HOTDOG SHAPED PIECE OF STEEL APPROXIMATELY 3/4" DIAMETER. IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN BROKEN ON ONE END. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND IT TO BE A PIECE OF THE COIL SPRING ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE STRUT. THE COIL SPRING WAS NOW RUBBING AGAINST THE FRONT TIRE. LUCK FOR ME THIS DID NO HAPPEN WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM MY VEHICLE - IT CONSUMES BOTH THE INTERIOR AND THE AROUND THE ENTIRE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. LOOKING AT ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL?? HYUNDAI - ARE YOU DOING ANYTHING TO HELP YOUR CUSTOMERS????? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

DIES IN THE MIDDLE IF ROAD! ALMOST DIE. ALL THE TIME!!!!!! DIES IN THE MIDDLE IF ROAD! ALL THE TIME!!!ALMOST DIED. *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

AFTER PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, I LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR WHEN I REACHED MY DESIRED SPEED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I APPLIED THE BRAKE, AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV FOR 1 OR 2 SECONDS. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT ON THIS OCCASION, BUT IT WAS TERRIFYING, AND I HAD MY CHILD IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

MY OIL CHANGING PLACE THOUGHT I HAD A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK. THE REAL PROBLEM WAS THE FRONT RIGHT AXLE BOOT WAS LEAKING BADLY (COVERED BY THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY), BUT THEY FOUND THAT THE RIGHT AND LEFT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS HAD COLLAPSED AND THE SENSORS WERE FROZEN IN PLACE. AFTER THEY FIXED THESE, THE MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE, AND DURING THE TEST DRIVE, THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SNAPPED. I AM TOLD THAT I MUST NOW REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT COILS AND HAVE THE CAR RE-ALIGNED. THE COILS SHOULD BE ON RECALL, AS OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING. *TR

WHENEVER I GET GAS AND WHICH I DREAD , ONCE I FILL UP THE TANK OR JUST PUT A FEW GALLONS AND I TURN THE IGNITION IT GRINDS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO START . EVENTUALLY IT WILL TURN OVER OR I WILL HEAR A POP. I AM AFRAID AT SOME POINT WITH THAT POP THAT IT WILL CATCH ON FIRE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I FILL THE VEHICLE WITH GAS. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT THE RESOLUTION IS. *JS

NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS COMING FROM CAR. COULD SEE GAS LEAKING FROM UNDER CAR. THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER SAYS THE GAS TANK HAS CORRODED, AND MUST BE REPLACED. CONTACTED HYUNDAI USA AND WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY ON THE GAS TANK HAD EXPIRED, AND THAT I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY ASSISTANCE (TOUGH LUCK). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, HE HEARD A POPPING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 06/17/14 MA UPDATED 8/17/17*CN

DEAR NHTSA - MY SANTA FE HAD A MALFUNCTION AT 65 MPH THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO ABRUPTLY SLOW DOWN AND RUN IN ONLY THIRD GEAR. THIS IS A HUGE DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CODES ARE P0121 AND P0733 WHICH HAVE TO DO WITH A THROTTLE/ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR AND A THIRD GEAR RATIO MISMATCH. I BELIEVE THE WAY THIS WORKS IS THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM MODULE WHICH ACTIVATES AN ETS MOTOR ON THE THROTTLE BODY WHICH OPENS/CLOSES THE THROTTLE BUTTERFLY DAMPER BASED ON A COMPUTED ERROR SIGNAL. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ON HYUNDAI FORUMS IT WAS VERY APPARENT THAT THIS MALFUNCTION IS VERY COMMON AND VERY DANGEROUS. I SEARCHED THE CURRENT RECALLS AND THIS IS NOT ONE OF THE TWO RECALLS I COULD FIND FOR THIS VEHICLE. BUT IN 50% OF THE CASES I READ ABOUT IT APPEARED THAT EITHER THE ACCELERATOR SENSOR OR THROTTLE SENSOR IS A COMMON FAILURE. I REALLY THINK THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THERE ARE ALSO SOME OTHER ITEMS THAT CAN CAUSE THESE SENSORS TO SEE THIS MISMATCH AND GIVE THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION THE FAULT CODE WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO EITHER GO INTO "LIMP" MODE OR SINGLE GEAR MODE. ALTHOUGH BOTH ARE AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS IT BASICALLY LIMITS THE CAR TO A MAXIMUM RPM AND CAUSES IT TO EITHER RUN IN ONE GEAR OR NOT SHIFT ABOVE A GEAR, FOR EXAMPLE 3RD GEAR INTO OVERDRIVE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAULT THAT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN RUNNING AT OR NEAR HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED NATURE OF THE EVENT AND TH

PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE WHEN CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WENT UP ONTO A 6 INCH SIDEWALK BARRIER. DRIVERS FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE BUT CAR ACCELERATED ANYWAY . DRIVER PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TO KEEP FROM GOING FORWARD AND STOP. VERY VERY SCARY AND THANKFUL NO ONE WAS WALKING IN FRONT OF US. *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. 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.

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 EXPERIE

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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 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 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

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 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

NOISE COMES FROM FRONTED LIKE SOMETHING CRACKED.

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 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 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

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.

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

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 AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT MOST TIMES THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT TWICE HAD MINOR ACCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND EACH TIME EITHER THERE WERE NO CODES OR THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. ..UPDATED 09-21-12*BF

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.

VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING IT WILL STALL AND THEN TAKE OFF. *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

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.