2007 Hyundai Santa FE complaints

RE: 2007 HYUD SANTA FE G. 49880 MILES (AT OIL CHANGE 11/02/2009). I DROVE MY CAR APPROX 90 MILES ON A SHOPPING TRIP. I PARKED THE CAR IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE APPROX 3 PM, WENT INSIDE THE HOUSE AND APPROX 5 MINUTES WENT TO THE CAR TO REMOVE THE ITEMS I BOUGHT. I FOUND THE CAR BURNING AT THE DASH BOARD IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I CALL 911 AND THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE CAR WAS BURNED. *TR

WE OWN A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON A FAULTY BRAKE LAMP SWITCH. WE HAD THAT REPLACED BY THE DEALER. OUR VEHICLE IS NOW ENCOUNTERING PROBLEMS WITH IT APPLYING BRAKES FOR NO REASON WHILE OPERATING IT ON THE ROADWAYS.WE HAVE YET TO HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE BRAKES AND SLOWS ON ITS OWN WITHOUT NOTICE AND FOR NO REASON. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE YAW SENSOR IS BAD. WE ARE LUCKY THAT NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED AS OF YET BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2005 HYUNDAI TUSCONS FOR THIS OR A SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE YAW SENSOR. IS THERE OR WILL THERE BE A RECALL ON THE SANTA FE'S NOW OR IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR THIS BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH IS UNSAFE? THE DEALER WANTS TO SELL US THE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS PART FOR $493.00 PLUS TAX AND BETWEEN $200.00 AND $300.00 LABOR TO INSTALL. YOU NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS DANGEROUS AND DEFECTIVE PART. THANKS, GREG JOHNSTON. *TR

I HAVE A 2007 SANTA FE WITH 33K MILES, ON WHICH THE REAR RIGHT BRAKES WORE THROUGH "METAL TO METAL" AND I WAS TOLD THE OTHER SIDE WAS JUST AS BAD & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS SEEMED TO BE INCREDIBLE SHORT LIFESPAN SO I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE 60% LIFE REMAINING ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. HYUNDAI SAID THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR, AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I THINK ITS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THERE WAS NO WARNING UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE CRUNCHING METAL TO METAL AND COMPLETELY GONE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS AND PADS, AT AN ASTRONOMICAL $480! BUT AS I'D HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED IN AND LIVE IN A REMOTE AREA, IT WOULD HAVE COST ME AS MUCH TO TOW IT ELSEWHERE AND GET IT FIXED. *TR

MY 2007 HYUNDAI SATA FE, WITH 15,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER-HAS SQUEALING REAR BRAKES. DEALER SAYS,THERE IS A CORROSION PROBLEM IN THE CALIPERS,AND THEY HAVE TO BE CLEANED OUT EVERY 8,000 THOUSAND MILES,AT A COST OF $90.DOLLARS WHICH IS RIDICULOUS. I BELIEVE POOR QUALITY METAL IS BEING USED IN THE BRAKE PARTS , A VERY DANGEROUS PRACTICE ! I GOT NO SATISFACTION FROM HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA, CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CNTR. ,TO PAY FOR THIS SO CALLED "BRAKE SERVICE". I, PAID FOR IT, MYSELF, PROBABLY LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER HYUNDAI OWNER'S. PLEASE,MAKE THEM RECALL THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES, AND INSTALL QUALITY BRAKE PARTS,AND SAVE THE OWNER'S FROM THE COST OF UNNECESSARY SERVICE, ON REAR BRAKES. *TR

WHEN MY PARTNER SITS ON PASSENGER SIDE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATOR REMAINS ON, INDICATING THAT AIR BAG IS OFF. SHE IS 54 YRS OLD, 5'2, 113 LBS. WHEN PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT TO DEALER, THEY STATE THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR & THE AIR BAG. THEY CALLED HYUNDAI, AND THEN TOLD ME THAT IT IS SET FOR 125-130 LBS BUT COULD NOT GIVE ME THAT IN WRITING. PLEASE, I'M AFRAID FOR HER SAFETY. HYUNDAI SHOULD REWIRE & PUT IN A SWITCH TO TURN AIR BAG OFF. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND, THE WAY IT IS NOW. I DON'T HAVE ANY CHILDREN SO TURNING OFF THE AIRBAG MANUALLY IS NOT A PROBLEM. TRAVELING IN THE CAR IS NOT ONLY NOT SAFE, BUT NOT ENJOYABLE. UNTIL YOU CAN FORCE HYUNDAI TO FIX THE PROBLEM, SHE WILL HAVE TO SIT IN THE BACK. IT IS NOT RIGHT. WHAT IS GOING TO TAKE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, SOMEONE'S DEATH. PLEASE, I HOPE IT IS CORRECTED BEFORE THAT HAPPENS. I HAVE BEEN ON NUMEROUS FORUMS THAT INDICATE MANY PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM & HYUNDAI WON'T FIX IT LIKE THEY DID WITH THE SONATA. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. *TR

2007 HYUNDAI SANTAFE - PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE SOMETIMES TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT WEIGHING 125 LBS IS IN THE SEAT. PROBLEM ALSO OCCURS PERIODICALLY WHEN A 150 LB ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WE HAVE REQUESTED THAT HYUNDAI REPAIR THIS DEFECT, BUT THEIR DEALER JUST RUNS A TEST AND TELLS US THAT IT "OPERATES AS DESIGNED". THE PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN THE SAME PASSENGER SITS IN A 2009 SANTAFE (AT THE SAME DEALER, WITH THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER WITNESSING FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT). *TR

AIRBAG SYSTEM (PASSENGER SIDE) DOESN'T ALWAYS "SENSE" THE OCCUPANT ACCURATELY, IN A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE VEHICLE'S FRONT-PASSENGER "AIRBAG OFF" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHENEVER A SMALL ADULT WAS IN THE SEAT, OR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY TURN OFF DEPENDING ON THE PERSON'S SITTING POSITION. THIS AFFECTS MY 125 POUND WIFE WHO BY HYUNDAI'S TEST IS CONSIDERED A PERSON OF "SMALLER STATURE." I WAS TOLD 130 LBS IS THE MINIMUM WEIGHT TO ENABLE THE AIRBAG BUT AGAIN DEPENDING ON HER SITTING POSITION, THE LIGHT WILL GO ON AND OFF. THE SAME SYSTEM WORKS FINE IN A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA IN WHICH SHE WOULD BE PROTECTED. WHY IS THERE A DIFFERENCE? *TR

I JUST HAD TO HAVE MY REAR BRAKES COMPLETELY DONE AT A COST OF 500 DOLLARS. I HEARD NO NOISE, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES EXCEPT THE FACT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON. I DRIVE 95% HIGHWAY AND CONSEQUENTLY VERY RARELY USE MY BRAKES. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE A FRONT END ALIGNMENT DONE AND NOW MY REAR ALIGNMENT IS OUT OF WHACK. *TR

PROBLEM WITH CALIPERS ON VEHICLE STICKING AND NOT RELEASING THE BRAKES FROM THE ROTOR, CAUSING THE ROTOR AND TIRE RIM TO REACH TEMPERATURES OVER 300 DEGREES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE PARKING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES SEIZED UP AND BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY PRIOR ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED AND THERE WAS RUST BUILD UP ON THE ROTORS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,282 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000.

REAR BRAKES SEIZED UP DUE TO RUST BUILD UP ON ROTORS. THIS CAUSED THE ROTORS TO GET VERY HOT. WE FEEL THAT THIS WAS DUE TO FAULTY METAL USED FOR THE ROTORS> HYUNDAI SAID IT WAS A ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE. WE FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HYUNDAI REPORTS A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A FOUL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE. HE ALSO NOTICED A SEVERE HEAT WAVE FROM THE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE ITSELF WAS EXTREMELY HOT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE PADS WERE RUBBING UP AGAINST THE ROTORS. THE DEALER CLEANED AND GREASED THE CALIPERS, WHICH CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME FAILURE HE WAS EXPERIENCING. HE BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARED TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 11,700. UPDATED 07/17/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ODOR FROM THE OVERHEATING PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS ONLY NOTICED AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO THE PADS FREEING UP AGAINST THE ROTORS DUE TO CORROSION AT THE PLACE WHERE THE PADS SET IN THE BRAKE CALIPER. UPDATED 07/17/09.*JB

PASSENGER AIR BAG RANDOMLY DISABLES AND ENABLES WHILE PASSENGERS ARE SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NOISE FROM DRIVERS SIDE REAR BRAKES IN LATE APRIL 2009. CHECKED BRAKES ROTORS EXTREMELY HOT-REAR ONLY. FRONT BRAKES FINE;HOWEVER, REAR WORN ALMOST TO METAL. MADE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER FOR MAY 13. CAR IS ONLY 17 MO OLD, 15,000 MILES (MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING). DEALER WILL REPLACE PADS BUT WILL CHARGE A REAR BRAKE SERVICE$150. I BELIEVE THERE IS A BRAKE DESIGN FLAW. DEALER WANTS $160/AXLE EVERY 15000 MILES TO "SERVICE" BRAKES- CLEAN CALIPERS. BRAKES SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 15,000 MILES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKES WERE WORN. THE CALIPER IS RUSTED SHUT AND THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE DESTROYED. HE MUST PURCHASE NEW CALIPERS, RODS, AND ROTORS AT THE COST OF $405. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,127. UPDATED 06/25/09 *BF UPDATED 06/26/09.*JB

MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTE FE WAS EXPERIENCING BRAKE OVERHEATING FROM DRIVERS SIDE REAR BRAKE AND MILD HEATING WITH PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKES. AT 28K MILES I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR THIS SITUATION. THE BRAKES HAD FAILED VERY PREMATURELY DUE TO THIS CONDITION. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE ROTORS AND CLEANED AND LUBED THE BRAKE SLIDES, AND REPLACED THE OVERHEATED DAMAGED PADS TO THE TUNE OF $389. I WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE 3YR 36K MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AS THERE WAS AN EXCEPTION TO THIS FOR THE BRAKES, THEY WERE ONLY 1 YR 12K FOR THE WARRANTY AS I AM IN A "SEVERE" OPERATING ZONE IN UPSTATE NY. I HAVE CHECKED MANY OTHER FORUMS ON THIS SUBJECT AND HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS TO BE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PREMATURE FAILURE WITH THE BRAKES AND ALMOST ALWAYS IT IS THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR CALIPER THAT FAILS. I FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM AND A SEVERE SAFETY PROBLEM AS THE BRAKES ALMOST CAUSED A FIRE WITH MY VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE A WHILE AND HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY HYUNDAI AMERICA. I PLACED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM AND WAS TOLD THAT BASICALLY THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PARTS AS THEY SAID THEY DISPOSED OF THEM PRIOR TO MY ARRIVAL. I HAVE ALWAYS SERVICED MY VEHICLE MYSELF ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATIONS AND NO WHERE DOES IT STATE THE BRAKES NEED TO BE LUBRICATED. *TR

2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED 27,300 MILE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE CALIPER IS STICKING TO THE DISC BRAKE CAUSING BURNING SMELL AND HEAT. *TR

BRAKE FAILURE ALMOST CAUSED ME TO SKID THROUGH A RED LIGHT THAT WAS AT 50 MILES A HOUR HIGHWAY INTERSECTION. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW 7/18/2007, AND WAS RECENTLY INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AS PART OF A 15,000 MILE CHECK UP AT THAT TIME I EXPRESSED A CONCERN ABOUT THE CAR'S HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION NOVEMBER 5, 2008 I WAS TOLD THAT MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAD IT'S REAR BRAKES LOCKED ON AND THE WHOLE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND I SKIDDED BECAUSE THEY HAD FAILED AND MY FRONT BRAKES WERE DOING ALL THE WORK. I WAS TOLD BY MANY CAR SPECIALISTS THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITH A VEHICLE UNDER 18 MONTHS WITH ONLY 15,198 MILES AND THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI'S INFERIOR BRAKE SYSTEM AND THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN! I FEAR THAT NEXT TIME, I WON'T BE ABLE TO STOP AND LOST OF LIFE MAY OCCUR. *TR

FRONT GLASS HAS A CRACKED LINE IN IT FROM THE RIGHT FRONT PILLAR. NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING HITTING GLASS. NO PITS. IT IS ON GLASS ABOUT HALFWAY UP WENT LIKE A UTURN 6-12 INCHES FROM PILLAR. NO REPAIRS DONE. SUV PURCHASED 2007. NO ISSUE TILL NOW. *TR

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST ON ROUTE 140 WEST IN WESTMINSTER, MD. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND NO LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD THIS TIME -- PREVIOUSLY THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT WOULD COME ON. AGAIN, THIS MORNING, FEBRUARY 24TH ON MY WAY DOWN A HILL TO WORK, THE CAR FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS GOING TO STALL. THIS TIME THE ESC LIGHT WAS FLICKERING. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE CAR AND WILL REPORT EACH INCIDENT. I AM ALSO SENDING A LETTER TO HYUNDAI MOTOR VEHICLES EASTERN REGION OFFICE. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. FIRST INCIDENT, MAY 2008. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR REPAIR OPERATIONS,AND A FEW MORE TIMES FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECKS,BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR HAVE INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIR BAG SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE. SOME OF THOSE REPAIR OPERATIONS SEEMED TO WORK FOR A WHILE,BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS RETURNING. *TR

THE WASHER FLUID DOES NOT SQUIRT ONTO THE WINDOW. AT BEST, THE FLUID SOMETIMES DRIBBLES OUT AND HITS THE LOWEST PART OF THE WINDOW, BUT ONLY AFTER HOLDING THE WASHER FLUID BUTTON FOR UP TO 30 SECONDS. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE LINE WAS PROBABLY FROZEN AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY RECOMMENDED I CHECK THE FLUID LINE FOR BLOCKAGE OR HEAT IT UP WITH A HAIR DRYER. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON TWO DIFFERENT CARS FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER, AND THE PROBLEM EXISTS IN ALL TYPES OF WEATHER. DURING LIGHT SNOW AND RAIN, THE WINDOW GETS DIRTY AND I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO CLEAN THE WINDOW IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. I THINK THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WAS IN A ROLLOVER CRASH ON 12/23. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS OPENED. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

WE BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ON 8/20/07. THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR THE PROBLEM WAS AT 765 MILES ON 9/13/07. A SPECIAL PART WAS ORDERED PER THE REPAIR ORDER. THE NEXT TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WAS ON 10/4/07 AT 1863 MILES. ON 9/4/08 AT 14721 MILES, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME I HAD AN INCIDENT RIGHT NEAR THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THANKFULLY I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE REPAIR ORDER STATES THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE CUSTOMER CONCERN. ON 10/2/08, AT 15462 MILES, I AGAIN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT ILLUMINATING ON THE DASH. THE REPAIR ORDER STATES A "TAB BROKEN?" ON 10/13/08, I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-95 IN CHERRY HILL, NJ (125 MILES FROM HOME) WHEN THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE CAR AGAIN MADE A SCRAPING NOISE UNDER THE ENGINE. THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON AND PULLED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AGAIN. THE SAME THING HAPPENED. IT WAS TOWED TO BURNS HYUNDAI IN CHERRY HILL. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS A BROKEN YAW RING. AFTER THAT IT SEEMED FINE FOR A WHILE BUT WITHIN THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS, THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT HAS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AT MILES 17697, 18948, 19292 AND 20076. I HAVEN'T HAD THE DRAGGING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD; HOWEVER, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS

UPDATE FOR MY 2007 SANTA FE STEERING, PULLING. I WENT TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU THE REPORT CAME BACK THERE IS A NORMAL PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONSUMER SHOULD BE TOLD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT AFFECTS THE TIRES WEARING OUT SOONER THAN THE TIRE MANUFACTURES STATES. THERE IS A HEAVY PULL WHEN YOU ACCELERATE HARD AT ABOUT 40 MPH. IS THIS NORMAL? THE WHEEL REALLY TURNS THE WHEEL TO A HALF A TURN TO THE RIGHT. OF COURSE YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE WHEEL BUT YOU FEEL IT PULLING. WHEN YOU TEST THE PULLING ON A SAFE AREA LET LOOSE OF THE WHEEL A LITTLE THEN YOU'LL FEEL IT MOVE. I'M AFRAID WHEN YOU TAP THE GAS PEDAL A LITTLE ON THE DAYS IT SNOWS; DO YOU PASS OR NOT PASS ,ANYONE OR WHAT? *TR

A CRACK APPEARED IN MY WINDSHIELD. IT LOOKS TO HAVE ORIGINATED FROM THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND NOTHING HAS DAMAGED MY WINDSHIELD PRIOR. IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S CRACKING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE GLASS. I HAVE TO GET AN ESTIMATE ON HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO COST TO REPAIR FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY TODAY. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY FRIENDS 2007 HYUNDAI SANTE FE A WHILE AFTER SHE BOUGHT IT LAST YEAR. *TR

THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT OF MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AT TIMES DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE THE RECEPTOR SLIDES DOWN DEEP INTO THE POCKET AND IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO RETRIEVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A DESIGN DEFECT AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE FEDERAL REGULATIONS PROHIBITED THEM. WE WERE COMING HOME TWO WEEKS AGO AND MY FRIEND COULD NOT BUCKLE UP AND WE WERE TRAVELING 60MPH AND I WAS NERVOUS. THE MANAGER PLACED A STYROFOAM PIECE IN THE SLIT AND SAID HE HOPED IT WORKED. HAVE YOU HAD ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS? *TR

2007 SANTA FE TAKEN IN FOR THE 2ND TIME TODAY AS THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY ON. THE 1ST TIME THIS HAPPENED (FEW MONTHS AGO) THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. AT THE SAME TIME, THE 'BEEP' WHEN LOCKING THE CAR DISAPPEARS. AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON FOR THE THIRD TIME IN TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, DEALER CLAIMS TO HAVE REPLACED A SENSOR ON THE SECOND VISIT. I AM CONCERNED IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. IT ALSO CAUSES THE ALARM TO GO OFF 15 SECONDS AFTER LOCKING DOORS. *TR

THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR LOCATED IN THE SEAT DOES NOT CORRECTLY CLASSIFY MY WIFE (130 LBS.) AS AN ADULT. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS ARE NOT CONSISTENTLY ACTIVATED. THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" INDICATOR LIGHT LOCATED ON THE DASH IS ON AT LEAST 30% OR MORE OF THE TIME OF TRAVEL. THIS SYSTEM IS NOT DEPENDABLE IN THE EVENT OF A FRONT OR SIDE IMPACT. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHEN THE SYSTEM WILL BE ACTIVATED AND PROTECTING MY WIFE. SHE WEIGHS 130 POUNDS IN BODY WEIGHT. I BELIEVE THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT IS POORLY DESIGNED AND ULTIMATELY UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE. *TR

HYUNDAI SANTA FE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DOES NOT RECOGNIZE SMALL ADULT (WEIGHT 100 - 125). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V272000 (EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS). HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR THE TOWING PACKAGE THAT WAS INCLUDED. THE RECALL REPAIRS WOULD CHANGE THE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT THE VEHICLE WAS ALLOTTED TO TOW. THE INITIAL LABEL INCORRECTLY LISTS THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS. THE INITIAL WEIGHT RATINGS WERE 2,976 FOR THE FRONT AND 3,197 FOR THE REAR. THE NEW RATING LABELS WOULD DROP THE WEIGHT TO 2,910 FOR THE FRONT AND 3,131 FOR THE REAR, CAUSING CONFLICT WITH THE EQUIPMENT WEIGHT NEEDING TO BE TOWED. THE DATABASE WOULD NOT TAKE THE VIN THAT THE CONTACT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 29,000. UPDATED 10-07-08 *BF UPDATED 10/09/08. *JB

WE HAVE A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG INDICATOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. MY WIFE (THE PASSENGER) IS 5' 3' AND 115 POUNDS. SHE SITS IN THE SEAT PROPERLY AS STATED IN THE MANUAL, HOWEVER SOMETIMES THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED "OFF" INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT ACTIVE (AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL NOT ENGAGE IN CASE OF A FRONTAL CRASH), OTHER TIMES (30%) IT WORKS PROPERLY. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES, 4379, 5767 AND 11,421 MILES. THEY REPLACED THE SEAT BUT IT DIDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING. THEY SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING ELSE AND MY WIFE SHOULD SIT IN THE BACK SEAT. WHEN WE TEST DROVE THIS VEHICLE EVERYTHING WORKED FINE, THREE WEEKS LATER THE PROBLEM STARTED. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BECOME RELUCTANT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. IF HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA CANNOT FIX THIS PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE STATED, THEY SHOULD REPLACE OR BUY THIS (THESE) VEHICLES BACK. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS VEHICLE RECEIVED A 5 STAR CRASH RATING WITH SO MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE INCLUDING GAS TANK DOOR LATCH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, CAR SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY, WHICH THE DEALER DIAGNOSED AS A COIL ISSUE. THE LAST PROBLEM LED TO THE CAR BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY ARE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION DUE A FAILURE OF THE CAR TO ACCELERATE AND THEN LURCH INTO GEAR, CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN A 150 LBS. OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG SENSOR STATES THAT THE AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE THE FIRST TIME. DURING THE SECOND VISIT TO THE DEALER, THE FAILURE WAS DUPLICATED; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANT SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN A 120 LBS. ADULT WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS OPERATING PROPERLY AND THERE WAS NO FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.

PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF INDICATOR LIGHT READS OFF, ALTHOUGH A 5'3", 125LB ADULT IS SEATED IN PASSENGER. BROUGHT TO DEALER SERVICE DEPT ATTENTION, TOLD I NEEDED TO WIGGLE IN THE SEAT TO GET ALL FOUR SENSORS TO ACTIVATE. OCCASIONALLY THIS TECHNIQUE WILL GET THE LIGHT TO NO LONGER ILLUMINATE, BUT IF YOU MOVE YOUR POSITION SLIGHTLY - THE LIGHT READ OFF ONCE AGAIN.*TR

AIR BAG OFF LIGHT STAY ON EVEN WHEN A SMALLER ADULT OF 120LBS IS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND PANIC ALARM GOES OFF BY ITSELF. AFTER EACH EVENT, ALARM WILL NOT FULLY RESET. *TR

P235/60R18 ON HYUNDAI SANTA FE LESS THAN 30,000 MILES AND WE HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES DUE TO UNEVEN WEAR .......... NOW WE RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE THAT TIRES ARE AFFECTED BY INCORRECT TIRE PRESSURE LABEL. DO WE HAVE ANY RECOURSE? WE EXPECTED TIRES TO LAST MUCH LONGER ON THIS CAR!!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION IN THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE ERUPTED FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, BUT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES. THE WINDSHIELD WAS DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETECT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/16/08 *JB

DRIVING FROM MY MOTHER'S HOME, WHERE I WAS VISITING, TO THE GROCERY STORE NOT THREE MILES AWAY MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ALL OF SUDDEN LOST POWER AND STARTED OVERHEATING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL IT OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR ASSISTANCE. THIS BEING THE FOURTH OF JULY LONG WEEKEND, THE ORLANDO DEALERSHIP WAS NOT OPEN. THE FOLLOWING DAY I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE ASSISTANT AT ORLANDO HYUNDAI. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED AND NOT A WARRANTY ITEM, THE REPAIR WAS $700. BEING FROM OUT OF THE AREA I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY THE MONEY AND GET THE CAR FIXED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, WAS SOME ITEM DAMAGED THE RADIATOR AND USING HIS WORDS "PROBABLY ROAD DEBRIS" PASSING THROUGH THE GRILL. HE CONTINUED THE EXPLANATION THAT THERE ARE NOT BARRIERS THAT WOULD PREVENT SMALL ITEMS FROM PASSING THROUGH THE GRILL AND DAMAGING THE CONDENSER AND RADIATOR WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAYS. ASKING THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, HE REPLIED YES. THE FAILURE OF HYUNDAI TO FORESEE, DESIGN AND PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF SCREEN BARRIER BEHIND THE GRILL ALLOWS ANY TYPE OF DEBRIS TO CAUSE HARM TO THE CONDENSER OR RADIATOR AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON JULY 5, 2008 BY ORLANDO HYUNDAI IN ORLANDO FL. I DISPUTED THIS CLAIM AS SUBJECTIVE TO HYUNDAI OF AMERICA AS SOON AS I RETURNED. THEY SENT ME TO MY LOCAL DEALER, JENKINS HYUNDAI OF BRADENTON. THE SERVICE MANAGER THERE TOLD ME HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. I WAS GIVEN TH

MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED (16,600 MILES) BEGAN MAKING A VERY LOUD SCREECHING/SQUEALING NOISE AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING THAT GOES AWAY WHEN YOU EVEN LIGHTLY TAP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I TOOK IT TO THE NATICK, MA HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WHO SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT SUGGESTED THAT I PAY $89 FOR A REAR BRAKE SERVICING, WHICH THEY EXPLAINED WILL CLEAN ANY RUST/CORROSION ON MY ROTORS AND WILL ADJUST THE REAR BRAKES. I ASKED IF THEY SAW ANY SIGNS OF RUST OR CORROSION ON MY REAR BRAKES WHEN THEY WERE INVESTIGATING THE NOISE, AND THEY COULDN'T ANSWER THAT. I ASKED IF IT IS NORMAL TO HAVE RUST OR CORROSION OR TO REQUIRE AN ADJUSTMENT OF THE REAR BRAKES IN A CAR THAT IS 1 YEAR OLD, AND THEY SAID NO. I ELECTED TO SKIP THE REAR BRAKE SERVICE, AND TOOK THE CAR HOME, AT WHICH TIME IT STARTED MAKING THE NOISE AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK AND HAD THE MECHANIC GO FOR A DRIVE WITH ME AND HE SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE THE REAR BRAKE PAD ON THE DRIVER SIDE SLIPPED AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. HE SAID IT IS VERY COMMON IN THE 2007 SANTA FE. I LEFT THE CAR TO BE FIXED, AND WHEN THEY CALLED TO LET ME KNOW IT WAS READY, THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $89 FOR THE REAR BRAKE SERVICE. IF MY BRAKE PADS SLIPPED AND IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR, WHY WAS A FORCED TO PAY $89 TO CLEAN AND ADJUST THE ROTORS? AFTER SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND SPEAKING WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE CALIPER FRAME IS MACHINED WRONG AND HYUNDAI IS CRAMMING THE BRAKES IN, CAUSING THE BRAKE

PASSENGER AIR BAG GOES ON AND OFF WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT. OFF MORE THAN ON. IT OCCURS EVERYTIME PASSENGER IS IN SEAT. PASSENGER WEIGHS APPROX 115 LBS. DEALER SAYS THAT AIR BAG SENOR IS SENSITIVE TO WEIGHT OF PASSENGER. DEALER DID NOT FIX. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

I HAVE ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM ON MY 2007 SANTA FE LIMITED (THE AIRBAG INDICATOR AND THE ALARM SOUNDING FOR NO REASON AT THE SAME TIME). THEY BOTH STARTED HAPPENING AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE THE AIRBAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED IN THE LOWER RIGHT HAND CORNER OF THE DASHBOARD CONTROL PANEL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THIS PAST MONDAY (23 JUNE 2008) AND THEY WERE ABLE TO SEE THE ERROR CODE. BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT THE ACTUAL PROBLEM IS. SO THEY CLEARED THE ERROR CODE, CHANGED THE OIL, AND WASHED IT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO COME BACK IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THE FUNNY THING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IS THAT IT COMES AND GOES. AS I WAS DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE INDICATOR WENT OFF. BUT ONCE I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WENT TO CHECK IT, IT CAME BACK ON AND STAYED ON. WELL, IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE VERY NEXT DAY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE INSTRUCTED ME TO BRING IT IN BECAUSE THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. THEY HAVE OFFERED TO PUT ME IN A LOANER CAR WHILE THEY INVESTIGATE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY TRUCK. OH I FORGOT TO TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THEY CLEARED THE CODE. AFTER THEY CLEARED THE CODE ON THE 23RD, THE ALARM DOES NOT SOUND WHEN YOU PRESS THE CONTROL BUTTON TWICE. THEY DISARMED SOMETHING ON THE OTHER DAY. I'M THINKING THAT THEY SHOULD DO A WHOLE SYSTEM RESET OR SOMETHING. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON WHAT THEY FIND DURING MY VISIT THIS EVENING OR WHENEVER MY TRUCK IS RETURNED TO ME. HERE'S THE TRICK TO THE SOUNDING ALARM PROBLEM THAT I FIGURED OUT. 1. ARM THE ALARM.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT ACCELERATED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE STEERING FELT LIGHT, AS IF IT WERE LIFTING OFF THE GROUND. THE STEERING WHEEL PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND HE MUST OVERCOMPENSATE TO THE LEFT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE FAILURE STOPPED. HE CALLED THE DEALER ONCE HE ARRIVED TO HIS RESIDENCE AND ASKED SOMEONE TO RETURN HIS CALL; HOWEVER, NO ONE HAS YET RESPONDED. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SIMILAR FAILURES AND THEY ROTATED THE TIRES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUES. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED TWO COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CORRECT ACCORDING TO THE MONITORING SYSTEM. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,100.

CAR PULLS TO RIGHT SIDE WHEN ACCELERATING HEAVY. HAVE TO PULL WHEEL TO LEFT,THEN I HAVE OVER STEER. *TR

FRONT BRAKE CALIPER STICKS AND WILL TURN ROTOR A VERY HOT RED COLOR, WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND INCREASES THE TIME NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 WEEKS AND SAYS THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THE CALIPER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, WHICH IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I BELIEVE IT GOES DEEPER THAN JUST REPLACING A CALIPER, WHICH TAKES ABOUT HALF AN HOUR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED AIR BAG LIGHT FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, BUT NOT THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES WITH OR WITHOUT AN OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE SEAT. THEY REPLACED THE SEAT WITH A NEW ONE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS STILL PRESENT. THE DEALER THEN REINSTALLED THE OLD SEAT, BUT REPLACED THE SEAT MODULE. THIS ALSO DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000. UPDATED 08/01/08

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR ON THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2007 VERSION. AFTER THE SECOND REPAIR ATTEMPT THE DEALER CALLED THE REGIONAL PERSON AND THEY OFFERED A THIRD SOLUTION BECAUSE THAT PERSON "HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE". THE THIRD SOLUTION DID NOT WORK AS WELL. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WITHOUT NOTICE YOU SIMPLY HAVE NO ACCELERATION. ENGINE RUNS AND THERE SEEMS TO BE POWER BUT THERE'S NO ACCELERATION. IT'S HAPPENED TO MY WIFE 3 TIMES PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC. THEY HAVE REPLACED: A PEDAL SENSOR AND ENTIRE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY, REPAIRED A CONNECTION TO THE APS SENSOR, AND AS DIRECTED BY THE REGIONAL PERSON THEY REPLACED THE "THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY" AND TODAY, 4/29, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT A STOP LIGHT AND THEN VIOLENTLY LUNGED FORWARD. *TR