2004 Hyundai Santa FE complaints

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED MORE RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES MULTIPLE TIMES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE BEGAN WHEN THE HEAT OR THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON. THE DEALER REPLACED ONE OF THE SENSORS; HOWEVER, THE ACCELERATION CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 05/10/10 *BF UPDATED 05/12/10.*JB

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) PASSENGER WENT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND GOT THEIR HAND CUT BY A SHARP EDGE ON THE DOOR HANDLE. IT APPEARS THAT THE CHROME-PLATING HAS TURNED INTO A SHARP EDGE, SIMILAR TO A RAZOR-BLADE (IDENTICAL TO WHAT OCCURRED IN NHTSA ACTION # PE08071 ON THE HYUNDAI SONATA). I HAVE TEMPORARILY TAPED THE SHARP AREA, SINCE BOTH THE DEALER AND HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DANGER OF THIS PROBLEM, AND REFUSE TO REPLACE THE HANDLE AT NO CHARGE. THEY TELL ME THAT SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL AND THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WILL NOT CHANGE THE DEFECTIVE (UNSAFE) HANDLE EVEN THOUGH MY OTHER THREE HANDLES ARE PERFECTLY FINE. HYUNDAI COMPLAINT FILED (TWICE), LATEST DATE WAS 3/10/2010 CASE #[XXX]. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED AND RUNNING. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT EVERY TIME WHEN I EXIT THE SUV. I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING I KNOW OF THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED A PROBLEM WITH IT. AS I CALLED THEM ABOUT IT HOWEVER, THEY SAY I MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS 82,000 MILES ON IT. I AM THE SECOND OWNER HAVING PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 45,000 MILES ON IT ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO. I HAVE BEEN ON LINE AND NOTICED THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

EVERYTIME I REFUEL MY 04 HYUNDAI SANTE IT WILL NOT START. IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL STAY RUNNING AND I NEED TO CONSTANTLY GIVE IT GAS. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING OR NOT, IF ITS RUNNING IT SHUTS DOWN. ALSO TRIED USING DIFFERENT GAS BUT SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE STATED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE EXACT SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD RECALL IT TO FIX IT. *TR

WE OWN A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTE FE AND HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SUN VISORS. THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR HAS BROKEN TWICE. IT NO LONGER HAS ENOUGH FRICTION TO HOLD IT UP AND HANGS DOWN IN THE DRIVERS LINE OF SITE. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD, 70,000 MILES, AND REPLACEMENT PART IS A $170. THE DRIVERS VISOR BLOCKING THE DRIVERS VIEW IS SAFETY ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE A COMMON PROBLEM AFTER IT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR VEHICLE TWICE. AVAILABILITY OF USED PARTS IS SCARCE DUE TO SO MANY PROBLEMS AND I HAVE FOUND OTHER REMARKS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS. THESE VISORS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY HYUNDAI. *TR

MY 2004 SANTA FE HAS SERIOUS RUSTING ON THE UNDER FRAME. RUST IS ON THE WELD POINTS AND THE FUEL AND ENGINE COVERS ARE COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST AND HAVE CHUNKS MISSING. A RECALL OF 2001 THROUGH 2003 SANTE FE VEHICLES DOES NOT INCLUDE OURS. WE HAVE 64,000 MILES ON IT AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND WE OUR VERY CONCERNED THAT FURTHER RUSTING WILL CAUSE IMPORTANT PARTS TO GIVE WAY. I WAS TOLD BY HYUNDAI THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BUT I COULD WRITE A LETTER OF COMPLAINT TO HYUNDAI OF AMERICA. THIS I DID AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY RESPONSE AS OF 10/26/2009. MY VEHICLE '!@#$%. I AM SURE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED VEHICLE AND PROBABLY PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE THERE IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE LIKE OUR CAR, IT LOOKS GREAT UNTIL YOU PUT IT ON A HOIST. *TR

I'VE OWNED 2 SANTA FE'S IN A ROW (2001 & 2004). BOTH HAD ENGINE FAILURES AROUND 60,000 MILES (BOTH ON FREEWAY). THE 2004 FAILED AT NIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ARIZONA DESERT- THESE BOTH PRESENTED ME WITH A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE. I END UP GETTING TOWED OVER 150 MILES TO HYUNDAI DEALER. SMALL BLOCK FAILED AND WAS REPLACED IN BOTH- HYUNDAI COVERED THE 2001 BUT ONLY COVERED 35% OF THE 2004 (86 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY). NEVER BUY HYUNDAI'S AGAIN!!! *TR

THE AIRBAG SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT EVER HAVING BEEN USED IN A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY NOT FUNCTIONING IN THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE PROVIDER STATED THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF WE ARE IN AN ACCIDENT AND TOLD US IT WOULD COST $1800.00 TO FIX IT. *TR

THE CHROME PLATE ON THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS CRACKED AND SPLIT. EVERYTIME I OPEN THE DOOR TO LEAVE THE CAR THE HANDLE SLICES MY HAND. IT'S AS SHARP AS A RAZOR BLADE. I HAVE PUT TAPE AROUND IT BUT THIS IS JUST A TEMPORARY FIX. MY WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT OPTIONS I MAY HAVE. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE NEW IN FEBRUARY 2004. ALL OF THE BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 23000 MILES DUE TO RUSTED CALIPERS. HOWEVER, MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT SOMETHING MUCH MORE SERIOUS. THE COIL SPRINGS ON BOTH FRONT MCPHEARSON STRUTS BROKE AND PENETRATED THE TIRES. THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE IN FEBRUARY 2009 AT ABOUT 23000 MILES. THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE ON 6/9/09 AT APPROXIMATELY 24500 MILES. FORTUNATELY, THE SANTA FE WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE BOTH TIMES THE SPRINGS BROKE. HAD THE SPRINGS FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR ON THE THRUWAY, THERE'S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT I WOULD HAVE CRASHED OR ROLLED OVER. ALTHOUGH THE TOWS AND REPAIRS WERE MADE UNDER WARRANTY AT NO COST TO ME, I DON'T TRUST THE SANTA FE ANYMORE AND I DO NOT INTEND TO KEEP IT. *TR

MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAD A SLOW LEAK WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND I ALWAYS CARRIED A CAN OF FIX A FLAT.I THEN PROCEEDED TP A TIRE PLACE TO REPAIR THE TIRE BUT WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE I USED THE FIX A FLAT THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I HAVE WRITTEN TO FIX A FLAT TO EITHER CONFIRM OR DENY THIS STATEMENT BY THE TIRE COMPANY, BUT SO FAR I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY ANYONE FROM FIX A FLAT. CAN YOU PLEASE CONFIRM OR DENY THIS STATEMENT? THE TIRE PLACE TOLD ME THAT THE DOT HAS PUBLISHED A RULING TO THIS EFFECT, BUT I LOOKED ALL OVER AND CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ON IT. *TR

THE CHROME PLATE ON THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS WORN DOWN AND CRACKED. EVERYTIME THE DOOR HANDLE IS USED THAT CRACK SERVES AS A RAZOR BLADE AND CUTS MY PASSENGER'S HANDS. THIS CRACK IS ON THE TOP OF THE DOOR HANDLE. AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE RECALL OF THE 2002-2003 SONATAS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS RECALL MAY NEED TO BE EXPANDED TO OTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLES THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE SIMILAR TO LIQUID TOUCHING A HOT SURFACE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS LEAKING ONTO THE PIPES, THE RACK AND PINION, AND THE FUEL TANK COVER, WHICH HAS ALSO CAUSED THEM TO RUST. THE CONTACT HAS AN EXTENDED FIVE YEAR WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY MAKE REPAIRS WHEN THE STEERING FAILS COMPLETELY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. SHE INFORMED THE DEALER THAT A MECHANIC CHANGED THE FLUIDS AND STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT COULD HAVE SEIZED DUE TO THE RUST AND CAUSED A LOSS IN STEERING CONTROL. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECKS PER THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENTS. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, SERPENTINE BELT, TIMING BELT, AIR CONDITIONER BELT, AND POWER STEERING FLUID WERE REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2009. IN MARCH OF 2009, THE VEHICLE UNDERWENT FREQUENT OIL CHANGES AND TIRE REPLACEMENTS AT THE DEALER. AT THAT TIME, SHE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RUST BEING PRESENT. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE RUST OCCURRED OVER TIME. THE INVOICES FOR ALL REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE WORK IS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER TO SPEAK WITH THE MECHANIC FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE MAGNUSEN-MOFACT 1975 TITLE 15, CHAPTER 50 , SECTIONS 2301 -2312 OF THE U.S. FEDERAL CODE, WHICH AUTHORIZES HER TO HAVE REPAIRS PERFORMED BY A REPAIR FACILITY OTHER THAN THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

I HAVE DOCUMENTED 8 TIMES THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS FAILED IN MY CAR - TAKEN TO DEALER AND THEY KEEP SAYING DUE TO CORROSION ON WIRES BUT I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT EVERY 3-4 MTHS THAT HAPPENS - I DO NOT LIVE NEAR THE BEACH. THE CAR WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY END OF THIS YEAR AND I FEEL THE PROBLEM IS NOT BEING SOLVED. *TR

EVERYTIME I REFUEL MY 04 HYUNDAI SANTE FE IT WILL NOT START. IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL STAY RUNNING AND I NEED TO CONSTANTLY GIVE IT GAS. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I PUT IN 2 GALLONS OR I FILL THE TANK. AT LEAST ONE TIME WHEN I WENT TO SHUT IT OFF IT KEPT RUNNING. I HAVE GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE STATED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE EXACT SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY WIRING. DEALER GOT IT TO GO OUT, BUT IF IT COMES BACK ON AGAIN THEY SAY THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DEALER CANNOT SAY IF THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT AND SAYS THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT SAY EITHER. NOW, THE LIGHT IS OUT BEHIND THE HEATER CONTROL BUTTON. ONCE AGAIN DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY WIRING. FAULTY WIRING SOUNDS LIKE A FACTORY PROBLEM TO ME. ALL SERVICES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN DONE SINCE DAY ONE AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

I PURCHASED A USED 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN AUG/2005 FROM A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP (# ). IN AUG/2006, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE RESULTS WERE "CODE B1382 PSAB RESISTANCE HIGH - RESECURE CONNECTOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT/CLEAR CODE". IN FEB/2008, THE AIRBAG SENSOR AGAIN APPEARED. THE SAME TECHNICAL CODE WAS DETECTED, AND THE DEALERSHIP RESOLUTION WAS TO "REROUTE WIRE HARNESS". IN MAR/2008, THE AIRBAG LIGHT AGAIN APPEARED AND WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IN NOV/2008, THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARING. AT THE TIME OF SERVICE IN NOV/2008, THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE AIRBAG FREE OF CHARGE UNDER THE WARRANTY, AT WHICH TIME, THEY WERE INFORMED THAT A COMPLAINT WOULD BE FILED UNDER THE CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW DUE TO REPEAT FIXES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP THEN FIXED THE ISSUE. ON NOV. 26, 2008, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN A HIGH-SPEED REAR END COLLISION (~35MPH) WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND PUSHED INTO AN INTERSECTION, WHERE IT BROADSIDED A MOVING VEHICLE. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACTS, THE HYUNDAI WAS TOTALED, ALL REAR SEATED PASSENGERS SUSTAINED INJURY DUE TO THE SPARE TIRE BEING LIFTED FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT AND RAISING THE 60/40 SPLIT REAR SEAT AND PUSHING IT FORWARD, THE FRONT PASSENGER RECEIVED CHEST CONTUSIONS AND THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED UPPER BODY INJURIES. DESPITE BEING PUSHED FORWARD AND MAKING A STRONG IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A 7-ELEVEN STORE. THE DRIVER AND CUSTOMERS WERE UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED COSMETIC DAMAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEIR ESTABLISHMENT SO THEY COULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,000.

ENGINE- DEFECTIVE SHORT BLOCK ENGINE CAR IS BACK IN SHOP NOW FOR THE 5TH TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, LOUD RATTLING NOISES COMING FROM ENGINE. DEALER INFORMED ME IT'S A DEFECTIVE FACTORY ENGINE. BRAND NEW SHORT BLOCK ENGINE REPLACED TWICE AND CAR NOW BACK IN SHOP FOR SAME PROBLEM. NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE, AS TWICE I HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER B/C OF ENGINE FAILURE AND I HAD MY 2 YR OLD SON WITH ME. IN REVIEWING THIS WEBSITE, I SEE COUNTLESS NUMEROUS AND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS! THE ENGINE IS THE HEART OF A CAR SO HOW MANY NEW HEARTS IS HYUNDAI WILLING TO PUT IN THIS ONE CAR? IT COST MORE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAN TO JUST ACCEPT THE LOSS AND PROPERLY COMPENSATE ME! REPAIRS ARE AS FOLLOWS: NEW SHORT BLOCK ENGINE INSTALLED; RETURN CAR SAME DAY B/C ENGINE FELT "LOOSE"; TOLD IT WAS THE SWAY BAR LINKS- INSTALLED SAME DAY; CAR STILL FELT LOOSE, NEXT DAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON- CAR RETURNED. THIS TIME TOLD IT WAS STRUT TOP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED- DONE. PICKED UP CAR, 2 DAYS LATER BACK IN SHOP FOR SAME INITIAL LOUD ENGINE NOISE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN. TOLD SAME PROBLEM WITH SHORT BLOCK ENGINE TO BE DEFECTIVE. ORDERED BRAND NEW SHORT BLOCK ENGINE AND REPLACED AGAIN! PICKED UP CAR AFTER REPAIR AND AGAIN, SAME DAY, BROUGHT THE CAR BACK B/C CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN! CAR PRESENTLY STILL IN SHOP AND I'M FORCED TO CONTACT AN ATTORNEY B/C THE HYUNDAI'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS STATES AS LONG AS THE DEALER KEEPS FIXING THE PROBLEM, THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN OFFERIN

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A LITTLE ST. IN FOSTORIA,OHIO ON OCT 16 AT APPROX. 4 PM. HER SPEED WAS AROUND 35 MPH AND THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD. SHE HAD A LARGE VEHICLE ON HER DRIVER SIDE AS THIS IS A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. A BLAZER/BRONCO CROSSED FROM THE ONCOMING LANE ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON A SIDE STREET (SOUTH UNION STREET, CUTTING RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE IMPACT STOPPED HER VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND DROVE HER CAR INTO A TRUCK WAITING TO TURN ONTO LITTLE STREET FROM THE SAME SIDE STREET. ALTHOUGH THE ACCIDENT CAUSED A FRONT END IMPACT TO OUR HYUNDAI, THE AIRBAG IN OUR HYUNDAI DID NOT DEPLOY. MY WIFE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER LEFT COLLARBONE AND SHOULDER, AND ALSO TO HER RIGHT KNEE, REQUIRING A TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND XRAYS. SHE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO WORK FOR A SHORT TIME DUE TO HER INJURIES. *TR

WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DOING FREEWAY SPEEDS AT 5:30 AM GOING TO WORK WHEN MY TRUCK JUST SHUT DOWN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I LOST ALL POWER COASTED ABOUT 300 FEET, PULLED OFF ON LEFT AND ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. COME TO FIND OUT, TIMING BELT WENT BAD, ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. I'VE GOT LESS THAN 75000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK AND AM VERY UPSET THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED ON THE WARRANTY AND THAT THE PARTS THEY USE TO PUT THESE TRUCKS TOGETHER ARE SO CHEAP! *TR

WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO GARY ROME HOLYOKE FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND COMPLAINT OF A AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS A UNIT UNDERNEATH THE SEAT THAT WAS BAD. THEY GOT THE LIGHT TO GO OFF AND WE WERE TOLD TO SELL OR TRADE THE CAR BEFORE THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WE WERE TOLD WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY,BY LESS THAN 1000 MILES AND TO REPLACE THIS PART WOULD BE IN THE $2000-$3000 RANGE. THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS THE SIDE AIRBAGS AND THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART ON OTHER MODELS AS WELL. MY WIFE WAS TOLD THE SAME BY THE MANUFACTURER WHEN SHE CALLED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ACCELERATES FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD RAPIDLY. HE MUST IMMEDIATELY APPLY THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,963 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

ONE MONTH AGO,WITH 40,600 MILES ON MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED MY TIRE WHICH THE HYUNDAI DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THREE WEEKS LATER THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED THAT TIRE ALSO. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE EXPRESS WAY, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE HERE TO TELL ABOUT IT. IN THE PAST FIFTY YEARS I HAVE OWNED 15 CARS AND NEVER HAD A FRONT SPRING BREAK DOWN MUCH LESS TWO IN THREE WEEKS. EVEN THOUGH THE HYUNDAI DEALER,PATRICK OF SCHAUMBURG, REPLACED THESE SPRINGS UNDER WARRANTY, I STILL INCURRED A $200.00 CAR RENTAL BILL. HYUNDAI DOESN'T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE IS OF THESE SPRING FAILURES AT ONLY 40,600 MILES. ANY HELP AS TO THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT HYUNDAI HAS NOT COME UP WITH A REASON WHY THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. CONSUMER BARELY MISSED AN ACCIDENT BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SLIDING TO A STOP. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE ABS, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE DEALER SUGGESTED ALL TYPES OF SCENARIO'S FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED THERE MAY BE A DEFECT IN THE ABS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND SLOWING THE VEHICLE NORMALLY WHEN THEY SUDDENLY DISENGAGED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS MANUALLY DISENGAGED BY PRESSING THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF BUTTON AFTER PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES FAILED TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM.

MAINLY THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR AND ONCE IN AWHILE THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR WILL LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AND THE REST OF THE OTHER DOORS REMAIN UNLOCKED. I CAN NOT GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED UNLESS I USE THE ELECTRONIC KEY. HOWEVER, I HAVE TO FIRST LOCK ALL THE DOORS AND UNLOCK THEM FOR THIS TO UNLOCK. THE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK EVERYTIME, BUT IT HAPPENS ENOUGH THAT I AM VERY WORRIED. LUCKILY, THERE HAS ONLY BEEN A FEW "EMERGENCY" SITUATIONS THAT I HAD TO QUICKLY GET TO MY SON AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET THERE BECAUSE THE DOOR LOCKED. HE THREW UP ONE TIME AND STARTED CHOKING, I HAD TO GO THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND HOP THE SEAT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS FAST ENOUGH AND HE WAS OK. IF I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY SON TO SAFETY BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET THE DOOR OPENED. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AT TIMES IN THE CAR AND A HANDY CAPPED FATHER WHO HAS TO SIT ON THAT SIDE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ON THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD AND FAMILY MEMBERS. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER SHIP I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM SINCE DAY ONE, ON UNCOUNTABLE AMOUNT OF TIMES AND I KEPT GETTING TOLD, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THIS. I HAD KNOW IDEA WHAT TO DO AS NOBODY WAS HELPFUL. I WANTED TO BUY A NEW CAR, BUT I CAN NOT AFFORD IT. MY SON GOT THE "CARS" MOVIE FOR CHRISTMAS AND WITHIN IT WAS THIS "BROCHURE" AND I FOUND THIS SITE. PLEASE HELP. *TR

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS SANTA FE IN 04 THERE HAVE BEEN SIX TIMES WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD AND DIED. I HAVE BEEN SCARED FOR MY AND MY SON'S LIFE AS THIS JUST HAPPENED ON AN INTERSTATE AND IF IT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE I WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN HOW TO REACT BUT I BARELY PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. HYUNDAI SAID THE PROBLEM WAS UNBALANCED TIRE PRESSURE...OBVIOUSLY THEY DON'T RESPECT WOMEN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE BACKING UP AT 3 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED BACK END DAMAGE. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. SHE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. HYUNDAI STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RELEVANT RECALL FOR THAT FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE ). THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 26,603.

FAILURE OF DRIVER'S SIDE FRONTAL AIRBAG TO DEPLOY ON A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER SANTA FE ON A TWO-LANE COUNTRY ROAD IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL, WITH NO ICE, SNOW, OR OTHER SLIPPING HAZARDS ON THE ROAD. AS SHE ROUNDED A CURVE A CAR WAS STOPPED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HER AND BECAUSE HER VISION WAS OBSTRUCTED BY LANDSCALE ALONG THE ROAD SHE COULD NOT SEE THE OTHER VEHICLE (A 1988 JEEP TRUCK) BEFORE SHE STRUCK IT. DAMAGE TO THE JEEP WAS MINIMAL (BROKEN REAR WINDOW AND BENT BUMPER), BUT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF HER SANTA FE WAS EXTENSIVE, ESTIMATED ABOUT $9,500. I CALLED OUR LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA TO URGE THEM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT A POTENTIAL AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY WAS NOT UNUSUAL BECAUSE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SENSORS ARE LOCATED WELL BACK FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. GIVEN THE SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE CAR (THE FRONT IS EXTENSIVELY CRUSHED) AND THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE TROOPERS OBSERVATION THAT HE WAS SURPRISED THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, HYUNDAI SHOULD ADDRESS THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING ALMOST HITTING A PEDESTRIAN. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC OR AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 11,600. THE CONSUMER EXPERICED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. UPDATED 11/06/07. *JB

UPON RETURN FROM VACATION, POWER STEERING WAS MOANING, LOSS OF FLUID FROM UNDER FRONT OF VEHICLE. EXAMINATION REVEALED LOSS DUE TO FLUID COOLER LINE BENEATH RADIATOR. FLUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER INCHES TO THE REAR OF THE LINE. EXAMINATION REVEALED BLACK STAINING ON SURFACE OF CONVERTER DUE TO SKIN TEMPERATURE OF APPROXIMATELY 1200 DEG. FIX WAS TO REPLACE COOLER LINE. THIS IS POTENTIAL CAUSE OF LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND/OR VEHICULAR FIRE. *TR

DRIVERS SEAT BELT STUCK IN BUCKLED POSITION. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR SEAT BELT. CAR IS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUALLY COMES ON, DEALER MUST MAKE REPAIRS. WHEN LIGHT IS ON, AIR BAGS DO NOT FUNCTION. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER SHUT OFF. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 39,995.

2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH AIR BAG SAFETY CONCERNS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE REPAIR OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT A SAFETY DEVICE SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 69,000 AND HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PAYING FOR THE REPAIR. *JB

NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR CONDITIONS EXISTED PRIOR TO FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY A FELLOW COWORKER TO BE THE FUEL PUMP. AAA WAS CALLED TO TOW THE VEHICLE , AND UPON ARRIVAL, PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TO BACK IT UP IN ORDER TO TOW. IMMEDIATELY, THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE WHEN FLAT, AND IT WAS A RESULT OF THE FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY BREAKING AND CAUSING THE COIL SPRING TO SNAP AND PIERCE THE FRONT TIRE. IT HAS BEEN 6 DAYS , AND I WAS STILL WITHOUT THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS OLD WITH 65,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY AND REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED QUICKLY I HAD TO ACCEPT PARTS FROM A 2006 VEHICLE.*AK

I AM SUSPICIOUS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM OF THE 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. ONCE, WHEN DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS AND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, I TRIED TO STOP QUICKLY AND THE BRAKES MADE A STRANGE CLUMPING NOISE AND DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE. I ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WITH CROSSING TRAFFIC COMING AT ME. IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, WHILE SIMPLY DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD, ONE OF THE TIRES RAN OVER A SHALLOW IMPRESSION IN THE ROAD , NOT EVEN THE SIZE OF A POT HOLE, AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM IMMEDIATELY LOST HYDRAULIC PRESSURE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSING TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT RESISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING DOWN A HILL AND LOST BRAKING ABILITY FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-5 SECONDS. LUCKILY NOTHING MORE SERIOUS OCCURRED.*AK

BRAKE FAILURE. THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER FROZE/LOCKED WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON CAR SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED NEW.*AK

I HAVE A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE.12/9/06 MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT WERE NEITHER FRONT AIR BAGS WENT OFF. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE DRIVERS FRONT LEFT. PARAMEDICS AS WELL AS MYSELF WERE CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM

6/11/06: UPON BREAKING OFF HIGHWAY, VEHICLE MADE A CRUNCHING NOISE, THEN A HARD SCREECHING STOP, PROCEEDED TO IDLE, MAKE A HARD STOP. THE VEHICLE WASN'T RECOGNIZING GEARS, CONTINUING TO THRUST THE CAR INTO HARD STOPS, JERKING REPEATEDLY AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. HEADING HOME, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE NEXT DAY TOOK IT TO OUR DEALERSHIP. AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN REVERSE, THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THEY REPLACED THE ABS MODULE, TEST DROVE IT AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. 6/25: SAME PROBLEM (SAME DISTANCE: 75 MILES). THE DEALERSHIP TEST DROVE, SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM TO DRIVE IT SOME DISTANCE. SERVICE ADVISOR DROVE IT AND NOTHING. THEY DROVE IT AGAIN, DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM, RECORDED DATA. CALLED THEIR TECH LINE, UNHOOKED REAR COUPLER TO SEE IF THAT WAS IT. THEY REPLACED THE REAR COUPLER, TEST DROVE IT AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. I QUESTIONED IF IT COULD BE THE TRANSMISSION. WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T REPLACE THINGS ON A WHIM. 10/26: PROBLEM OCCURRED (SAME DISTANCE). WIFE PHONED SERVICE ADVISOR,HE TOLD HER THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED PREVIOUSLY. TOWED IT TO A NEARBY DEALER. THEY CHECKED THE FLUIDS, RESET THE COMPUTER, COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SINCE THIS TIME, THE FOLLOWING HAS OCCURRED: 10/31: WROTE A DETAILED LETTER AND SENT IT TO HYUNDAI. 11/04: LETTER WAS RECEIVED. 11/20: DIDN'T HEAR BACK, I PHONED HYUNDAI. 11/22: REPRESENTATIVE PHONED (I WAS UNAVAILABLE). 11/27: SPOKE WITH REP; TOLD TO CONTACT SERVICE MANAGER TO SET UP APPT WITH A FACTORY REP NEXT TIME THEY ARE AT DEALERSHIP. 11

THERE IS A SAFETY DEFECT (THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS LIGHTLY DEPRESSED) WITH OUR 2004 HYUNDAI SANTE FE WHICH WE HAVE REPORTED TO POHANKA, 5200 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408 ON MORE THAN THREE OCCASIONS: DATEINVOICE NO.DEALER COMMENT OCTOBER 6, 2005353592CAUSE: C40, 39106F00 PCM REPROGRAMMING (04-36-012) MARCH 6, 2006364047OPERATING PER SPECIFICATIONS APRIL 20, 2006367165COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONCERN THE REPROGRAMMING DONE IN 2005 SEEMED TO HELP FOR ABOUT A MONTH. SINCE THAT TIME THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. WE THINK THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE BECAUSE IT CAN RAPIDLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. *NM UPDATED 12/15/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED DOWN TO 0 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER PICKED BACK UP BETWEEN 2-5 MINUTES. THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM OCCURRED 2-3 TIMES A DAY.*AK UPDATED 10/17/2006 - THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *NM

LAST WEEK, MY HUSBAND WAS SLOWLY PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES AS A GROUP OF PEOPLE PASSED IN FRONT OF HIM. THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY LURCHED FORWARD AND REVVED TO 4-5,000 RPM. MY HUSBAND WAS STANDING ON THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD; THE PASSENGER TURNED THE CAR OFF AT WHICH POINT THE VEHICLE STOPPED GOING FORWARD--THE PEOPLE IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BARELY ESCAPED BEING RUN OVER BY OUR SANTA FE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE FOR ALL INVOLVED--DRIVER, PASSENGERS, OTHER CARS, PEDESTRIANS, ETC. WE WERE 100 MILES AWAY FROM HOME ON VACATION AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THAT DEALERSHIP (PORTER CHEVROLET/HYUNDAI, NEWARK, DELAWARE) HAS HAD THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A WEEK AND IS TELLING US THAT NO CODES ARE APPEARING AND THEY CAN DO NOTHING TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE AND/OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB

ALLSTATE FOUND THAT THERE WAS 1) WATER PUMP FAILURE 2) SOME FORM OF DRIVE BELT FAILURE, AND 3) THE INTERFERENCE ENGINE HAD PARTS COLLIDE WITHIN THE ENGINE LEADING TO A FIRE. THIS OCCURRED AS MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. HYUNDAI IS CURRENTLY NEGOTIATING WITH ME TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE TOTAL LOSS. OF COURSE, THEY ARE NOT OFFERING ME WHAT I LOST ON THE INVESTMENT AT THIS POINT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS FOUND TO NOT BE LIABLE BY THE BBB; THEREFORE I AM COMMUNICATING DIRECTLY WITH REPRESENTATIVES AT HYUNDAI MOTOR CO. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE, AND I AM CURIOUS ABOUT WHETHER WE ARE THE ONLY FAMILY THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. I CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH THE 12 PAGE INSURANCE COMPANY REPORT; I LACK ANY KNOWLEDGE OF ENGINES AND HOW THEY WORK, BUT IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THIS IS AN EXTREME DANGER TO CONSUMERS. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. SINCE HYUNDAI IS WILLING TO SETTLE WITH ME, IT CAN ONLY BE RECOGNIZED THAT THEY KNOW THIS PRODUCT WAS UNSAFE. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA AND NUMEROUS OTHER SITES. IN FACT, I HAVE CREATED MY OWN BLOG: WWW.FLAMINGHYUNDAI.BLOGSPOT.COM, WHICH HAS LINKS TO 5 OTHER BLOG PAGES DESCRIBING MY STORY. WHAT IS SO CRAZY ABOUT ALL OF THIS IS YOU CAN FIND 50 STUPID & PETTY THINGS RECALLED AT WALMART EVERYDAY, BUT A VEHICLE CATCHES FIRE AND YOUR TOLD "IT'S AN ACT OF GOD." PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT ANYTIME; I WELCOME YOUR RESPONSE. THANK YOU. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE PARKING WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 2-3 MPH. THERE WAS DAMAGE DONE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE BRAKE PROBLEM. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. *AK

CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE TIRE THAT FAILED WAS A BRIDGESTONE DUELLER P225/70 R16 THAT WAS AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SPARE ON A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE SUV WAS PURCHASED NEW IN MARCH 2005, IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE SPARE WAS PLACED ON THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR IN DEC. 2005 AND HAS APPROX. 5000 MILES ON IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON I-95 IN SOUTH CAROLINA. IT WAS DAYTIME AND VISIBILITY WAS EXCELLENT. NO ROAD HAZARDS WERE OBSERVED AT ANY TIME. THE CAR HAD RECENTLY BEEN SERVICED AND ALL TIRES WERE FULLY INFLATED. THE CAR SHOWED NO SIGNS OF POOR OR ERRATIC HANDLING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND WITH AN IMMEDIATE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TIRE. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL WITH SOME DIFFICULTY. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH. THE TIRE WAS EXAMINED BY GARAGE PERSONNEL IN SC AND IN TALLAHASSEE, FL. IN BOTH CASES, NO SIGN OF ROAD HAZARD DAMAGE COULD BE FOUND. FURTHER, THERE WAS GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT THE TIRE HAD APPARENTLY FAILED DUE TO A SIDEWALL FLAW WHERE IT MET THE TREAD. I HAVE RETAINED THE DAMAGED TIRE FOR YOUR EXAMINATION. YOU SHOULD NOTE THAT IN 2004, BRIDGESTONE RECALLED A DIFFERENT SIZE OF THIS TIRE THAT WAS BEING USED AS A SPARE FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM. I SUSPECT THAT THERE IS A LARGER PROBLEM THAT BRIDGESTONE IS COVERING UP DUE TO FIRESTONE'S WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS. *JB

THE 1ST -DEC. 23 2004. MY HUSBAND AND I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. MY HUSBAND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. AFTER GETTING OUT AND INSPECTING FOR PROBLEMS WE GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO PROCEED FORWARD AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. WE CALLED THE TOW TRUCK. BY THE TIME CAR GOT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WHEN THEY DID THEIR INSPECTION, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. WE WENT A WEEK LATER AND PICK THE CAR UP AND DROVE AWAY. WITHIN 2 WEEKS, A SIMILAR PROBLEM AROSE, BUT THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE; THEREFORE WE DID NOT TAKE IT IN, BUT DID CALL TO INFORM THE DEALERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM. IN FEBRUARY 2006, THE PROBLEM CAME AGAIN AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. INITIALLY THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOUND, BUT I REQUESTED THEY CHECK THE BRAKES AND IT WAS A FAULTY MASTER CYLINDER. THIS WAS REPLACED. WITHIN 2 MONTHS, WE WERE PULLING FROM THE DRIVEWAY AND IT APPEARED MY HUSBAND HAD MISTAKENLY PUT HIS FOOT ON THE GAS, HOWEVER WE WERE SURE IT WAS THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. WE CALLED AND REPORTED AND THEY SAID WE COULD BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE., HOWEVER THEY RELY ON THE COMPUTER TO INDICATE THE PROBLEM. NO PROBLEM EXISTED BASED ON THE COMPUTER. AS RECENT AS SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2006, MY SON AND I WAS DRIVING AND I WAS PULLING BEHIND A LINE OF CARS THAT WERE STOPPING AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE ENGINE REVVED AS I PUT MY FOOT O

MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS BEFORE IT WAS TO LATE. WIFE SAW SMOKE COMING UP FROM THE ENGINE OF OUR 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE (ODO 24,000 MILES). SHE PULLED OVER TO THE CURB. THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE. MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS PULLED OUT OF THE BURNING VEHICLE BY A PASSERBY. WIFE SUFFERED A CONTUSION TO HER RIGHT CHEEK DURING THIS INCIDENT. SHE DID NOT KNOW THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. SHE NOTIFIED 911 WHO SENT A FIRE TRUCK AND POLICE OFFICER. THE VEHICLE EXPLODED AT LEAST 3 TIMES AS SHE WAITED OUTSIDE IN THE COLD, FRENZIED BY THE DISASTER. THE FIRE WAS SO INTENSE THAT THE FRONT WHEELS WERE MELTED. A POLICEMAN AND 2 FIRE TRUCKS RESPONDED TO THE BLAZE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY ALLSTATE. RELIABLE IMPORTS (SPRINGFIELD, MO.) WOULD NOT EVEN HELP US OBTAIN A RENTAL CAR. THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THIS HYUNDAI VEHICLE WERE PROUDLY ACCLAIMED BY THE CAR SALESMAN AND MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP. BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALERSHIP HAVE BEEN UNHELPFUL IN HELPING US IN ANY WAY. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER A FULL BUMPER-TO-BUMPER, NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY. THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FIRE, AND DO NOT OFFER TO CONDUCT THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION ON THE VEHICLE. HYUNDAI AND RELIABLE IMPORTS SHOW COMPLETE DISINTEREST IN THE VEHICLE'S SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION, AND SHOW THE WORLD NO CONCERN OVER THE FACT THAT THIS MAY PROVE TO BE A NON-ISOLATED EVENT. SINCE THEN, RELIABLE IMPORTS IN SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI