Page 10 of 11 · complaints 451–500 of 541

2008 Hyundai Santa FE complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2008 record →

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 29, 201165,342 milesPA

WAS DRIVING ON A 2 LANE ROAD APPROXIMATLY 20 MPH FOLLOWING A BACKHOE. AS BACKHOE MOVED TO BERM AND I WAS CONSIDERING PASSING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I PLACED ALL OF MY WEIGHT ON THE BRAKES AND WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A HALT AND FORCIBLE PUT IN PARK. AS I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AT A VERY FAST RATE. I CHECKED THE FLOOR MAT AND GAS PEDAL AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS NOTED. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE FLOOR MAT WAS A FACTOR IN THIS. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT NEEDS INVESTIGATED. THE VEHICLE IS WITH THE DEALER NOW. *TT

Vehicle Speed Control1 injured
Filed Sep 14, 201164,000 milesCT

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR BEGAN RACING. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN DRIVE WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, WHEN THE CAR RACED FORWARD, ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL. I HAD MY FEET ON THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND THE CAR CONTINUED ACCELERATING FORWARD CRASHING INTO A NEIGHBORS YARD AND DEMOLISHING THEIR LANDSCAPING BEFORE I MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT OFF. I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED, BUT IT COULD HAVE ENDED MUCH DIFFERENTLY AS I CROSSED A MAIN HIGHWAY BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO REST. BECAUSE I HAVE FLOOR MATS OTHER THAN THOSE ISSUED BY HYUNDAI, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE FLOOR MAT CAUSED THE GAS PEDAL TO BECOME STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. THIS IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED AND WOULD ALSO NOT EXPLAIN WHY THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AT ALL. *KB

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 4, 20111,000 milesOR

THE GAS MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE IS 14 MPG CITY DRIVING; TOTAL HIGHWAY DRIVING IS 18MPG AND COMBINED 15- 16 MPG. I AM A VERY CONSERVATIVE DRIVER AND HAVE DRIVEN FOR 47 YEARS. MY MILEAGE IS SO POOR I CONTACTED THE HYUNDAI CORP. REPEATEDLY ON THIS. I'VE SPOKEN ON A FEW OCCASIONS WITH THE CEO[XXX], AND CORRESPONDED WITH HIM AS WELL VIA EMAIL AFTER GETTING NO SATISFACTION/HELP FROM THE REGIONAL PERSON. THE CEO'S WIFE GREW UP IN MY AREA (LAKE OSWEGO, OR.) AND THAT IS WHY HE CALLED ME PERSONALLY. HOWEVER, THE BOTTOM LINE WAS NOTHING HAS HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF THIS CALL. HE OFFERED ME THE FOLLOWING: HE OFFERED TO EXCHANGE MY VEHICLE WHICH HAD ABOUT 8,000 MILES ON IT BY THE TIME HE GOT IN TOUCH WITH ME FOR A NEW 2009 SONATA FWD AND IT WAS THE OLD MODEL AS HYUNDAI WAS COMING OUT WITH A TOTALLY REVAMPED 2010 SONATA MODEL. I BOUGHT MY SANTA FE AWD BECAUSE I WANTED A SUV WITH AWD! IF I WANTED A SEDAN, I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT ONE! I BEGGED HIM TO GIVE ME ANOTHER COMPARABLY EQUIPPED SANTA FE AS THEY COULD FIND NO REASON MECHANICALLY WHY MY MILEAGE WAS SO LOW AND I ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK IT MANUALLY IN ADDITION TO THE COMPUTER OUTPUT. SO, I REFUSED TO ACCEPT THIS OFFER AND I SPEND A HUGE AMOUNT ON GAS AND I LIVE ON A SMALL FIXED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER SANTA FE! OTHERS I'VE QUESTIONED WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND EQUIPPED COMPARABLY GET 20 MPG OR MORE CITY DRIVING. READING HYUNDAI HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT SO MANY ISSUES BROUGHT UP IS ABOMINABLE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SO

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 9, 201129,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE WHICH CONNECTS INTO THE LOCK MECHANISM WOULD TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR CAUSING DIFFICULTY TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

Suspension › Front
Filed Jun 13, 20115 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND VIBRATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRES WERE CUPPLING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AXLE WAS BENT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 31, 201114,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ESC, CHECK ENGINE AND AWD WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH AN EXTREME LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 31, 201167,200 milesNY

SUDDEN DECLARATION OF AUTO . ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR JUST SLOWED TO A CRAW . THIS SUDDEN SLOWING ALMOST CAUSED A PILE UP AND I HAD TO LIMP TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAR IS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE A FLY BY WIRE SYSTEM . IT HAS 67,000 AT THE SHOP I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC NOT FOR PUBLICATION THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FLY BY WIRE CAR WHEN THEY REACH ABOUT 60,000 CARS 2008 SANTA FE'S, CARS ARE JUST REACHING THIS POINT AND THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE THIS SUDDEN DECELERATION CAUSES A DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 17, 201140,000 milesMI

I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF A REGULARLY MAINTAINED 2008 HYUNDAI SANTE FE (45,000 MILES). ON A JAN 2011 TRIP FROM TX TO MI THE CAR LOST POWER AT NIGHT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DID NOTHING, THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP AND EVENTUALLY STALLED COMPLETELY. MANEUVERING TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT POWER WAS VERY RISKY AND SCARY. ONCE STOPPED THE CAR EASILY RESTARTED ONLY TO LOSE POWER AGAIN 10 MILES DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE OIL LIGHT STAYED ON BETWEEN BOTH EPISODES. WE QUICKLY FOUND A HOTEL FOR THE NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE PROBLEM DIDN'T RESURFACE UNTIL NOW. IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS WE HAVE LOST POWER FIVE TIMES WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40 MPH AND 55 MPH. THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS HAD THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS AND DIAGNOSTICS IS NOT IDENTIFYING ANY PROBLEM AND SO WE'VE BEEN TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT THE COMPUTER ONBOARD SHOULD BE REGISTERING A "HISTORY" WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, BUT IT ISN'T. THERE IS NO "PROOF"! THE HYUNDAI REPAIR MANAGER IS TELLING US TO RETURN IF THE PROBLEM HAPPENS AGAIN. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND A SOLUTION NEEDS TO BE FOUND BEFORE IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 16, 201147,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD. DURING THE FAILURE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD MOVE BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO ANOTHER AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 27, 20118,640 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS ALL FAILED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHERE THE BULBS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED SEVERAL CITATIONS DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE BECAME WORSE UNTIL NO EXTERIOR LIGHTS WERE OPERABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,600 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,640.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 7, 201144,313 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOORS MATS AND HOLDERS WERE FRACTURING ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO AGREED WITH THE DEALER AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,313.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 30, 201135,729 milesNC

WHILE DRIVING HOME RECENTLY ON A 70 MPH 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT APPROX 11 PM OUR 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUDDENLY LOSS POWER WHILE CLIMBING A SMALL GRADE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ESC AND TRACTION LIGHTS ALL TURNED ON, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT WE COULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED, I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND LOOKED FOR SOMEWHERE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD UNFORTUNATELY I WAS ON THE INSIDE LANE JUST PASSING A SEMI-TRUCK AND TRAILER, THERE WAS A GUARDRAIL NEXT TO THE INSIDE LANE SO I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE SEMI TO PASS BEFORE I COULD MERGE TO THE OUTSIDE LANE TO PULL OFF TO THE RIGHT, BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE SEVERAL VEHICLES CAME FROM BEHIND AND TWO VEHICLE SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING OUR VEHICLE. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT BE REAR ENDED AND HAD JUST ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I NOTICED THAT THE VEHILE WAS NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I CHECKED ALL FLUIDS AND MADE SURE THAT ALL BELTS AND HOSES WERE IN GOOD ORDER, THERE WERE NO VISABLE ISSUES. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND ALL LIGHTS RESET EXCEPT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE CLOSEST EXIT AND THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME AS THE FIRST TIME CUTTING OUT AND LOSING POWER BUT I WAS OFF THE HIGHWAY BY NOW AND SAFELY IN A PARKING LOT. THIS VEHICLE WE HAVE OWNED SINCE NEW AND HAVE HAD ALL SERVICES DONE AT HYUNDAI DEALERS ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURE'S PRESCRIBED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES AND THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 35,700 MILES ON IT. THE VEHILCE WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALER AND TO MY S

Electrical System
Filed Mar 7, 201122,000 milesPA

IN NOVEMBER 2010, VEHICLE AT EST. 29,000 MI. CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION. WAS ABLE TO PULL OF ON SIDE OF SHOULDER ON HIGHWAY. CAR WOULD NOT REGAIN ACCELERATION DESPITE BEING TURNED OFF, ETC. THROTTLE SENSOR CHANGED. MARCH 2011, VEHICLE AT EST. 31,000 MI. SAME PROBLEM. WHILE ON HIGHWAY, CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION. RPMS JUMPED HIGH, ENGINE ROARED IN RESPONSE BUT CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AGAIN, TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 3, 201135,000 milesMD

I HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH 35,000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING AT 25 MILES/HR AND IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I TRIED TO BRAKE MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND IT STOPPED. OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENCES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE PRESSING LIGHTLY ON THE GAS AND AT OTHER TIMES WHILE LETTING UP ON THE BRAKE. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THER DEALER IN REISTERSTOWN, MARYLAND. THEY TESTED THE CAR AND DROVE IT AND INSIST THAT THE COMPUTER SAYS THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE AND THEY DROVE IT AND OF COURSE IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE THEY DROVE IT. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DONE. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THE CAR AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I SEE ONLINE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT THAT HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY HELP FROM THEIR DEALERS OR FROM HYUNDAI. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 20, 201112,000 milesCT

SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN TWO MONTHS.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 17, 201177,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT WOULD RUN ROUGH AND MAKE A LOT OF NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND THE BEARING FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,700. UPDATED 03/16/11 *BF UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 14, 201122,918 milesNY

REAR BRAKE LOCK ATLOW ( 21,000) MILES ROTOR GROOVED, EXCESSIVE HEAT POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD, OUT OF CONTROL STEERING HYUNDAI SAYS THE BRAKE SLIDES MUST BE LUBRICATED..HOWEVER, THEIR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE DOES NOT MENTION LUBRICATION OF BRAKE SLIDES AS PART OF SCHEDULE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 11, 201122,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 67 MPH. SHE WAS TRYING TO DECELERATE BY APPLYING EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED BY CONSTANTLY PUMPING THE BRAKE. AFTER SHE GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP SHE THEN CONTACTED THE NEAREST DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE THAT SHE EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 4, 201128,881 milesAL

DURING THE LAST FEW WEEKS THE VEHICLE HAD A SLIGHT ACCELERATION/DECELERATION. THEN WHILE MOVING THE CAR LOST ENGINE PWR.ACCELERATION WAS REDUCED TO ABOUT 5MPH HAD TO STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF THEN ON TO REGAIN FULL PWR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAIND ON.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 3, 201153,375 milesCT

ON 12/26/2010,MY HUSBAND AND 2 CHILDREN WERE RETURNING FROM NJ TO CT VIA THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY, NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AND THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE. FOUR TIMES DURING THAT TRIP, OUR HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. EACH TIME THE LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED THERE WAS NO PRECIPITATING EVENT, JUST A SUDDEN AND RANDOM LOSS OF POWER FOLLOWED BY THE ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATING ON THE DASH. HE HAD TO COAST THRU TRAFFIC, FIND A SAFE PLACE TO STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN TO REGAIN POWER. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN MERIDEN CT AND THEY INTERROGATED THE COMPUTER. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD US THEY REPLACED THE TPS (THROTTLE POSITION) SENSOR. WE DID SOME AMATEUR RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF RESEARCHING, CAME ACROSS DOZENS OF SANTA FE OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME EVENT. WE ARE WONDERING WHY THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THE SANTA FE MODELS THAT ARE AFFECTED. WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PROPER AUTHORITIES ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION SO THAT NECESSARY ACTION CAN BE TAKEN. WE ARE SO FORTUNATE THAT THE DRIVERS NEAR US ALL FOUR TIMES WERE PAYING ATTENTION AND DIDN'T RAM US FROM BEHIND. THESE ARE HEAVILY TRAVELED ROADS WITH MANY TRUCKS, TRACTOR TRAILERS AND CARS, ALL TRAVELLING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND SOMETIMES FOLLOWING CLOSELY. THIS IS A POTENTIAL TRAGEDY FOR ANOTHER FAMILY WHO ISN'T AS LUCKY.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 27, 201025,300 milesTX

WE HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. SEVERAL TIMES NOW IT HAD UNEXPECTED BRAKE FAILURES. LAST TIME ON DECEMBER 19 2010. I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR IN THE INTERSECTION ON RED LIGHT. THE BRAKE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR ENTERED THE INTERSECTION. SECOND TIME I HIT THE PEDAL AND IT STOPPED. THEN WHEN I ARRIVED HOME I TRIED TO PARK AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THERE WERE SIMILAR PROBLEMS ALSO IN 2009. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I DRIVE MY CAR IN SCHOOL ZONES. AND THIS THING HAPPENED IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT TOO. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 9, 201051,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PUT BOTH FEET ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT IT CONTINUED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, REVERSE AND PARK WHICH STOPPED THE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD FIND NO SIMILAR FAILURES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES AND OTHER TIMES, THE PROBLEM STOPPED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 30, 201020,300 milesNJ

MY WIFE AND 2 SMALL CHILDREN WERE ON THE WAY TO THE MALL WHEN HER 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE STARTED ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN. SHE TRIED TO STEP ON THE BRAKES BUT IT WOULDN'T SLOW DOWN. IT WAS NOT A BUSY TIME OF DAY ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE RIGHT LANE AND STEP ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SLOWLY AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN. SHE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOWED TO THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. SHE ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF HYUNDAI HAD SENT OUT A NOTICE ABOUT THE COMPUTER NEEDING TO BE UPDATED AND HE SAID NO. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 29, 201039,000 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR, ELECTRONIC STABILITY AND AWD LOCK WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME FOR FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE FAILURE REOCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN TO THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 25, 20107,400 milesCA

WAS DRIVING FREEWAY, NOTED SUDDEN DECELERATION (ABOUT 20 MPH AND NOT MORE), CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS AND ESC OFF LIGHTS WERE ON. HAD TO PULL OVER THE LEFT SIDE OF LANE # 1. A POLICE CAR HAD TO STOP TRAFFIC TO SAFELY EXIT THE FREEWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR ASSY

Air Bags
Filed Oct 10, 201045,391 milesTN

ON OUR 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED WITH 45,391 MILES, VIN # [XXX], THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON WHEN IT WAS ABOUT 1 YEAR OLD. IT HAS NOW COME ON APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES.THE DEALER ALWAYS SAYS IT'S THE GAS CAP. WE HAVE TIGHTENED THE GAS CAP VARYING DEGREES AND IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW TIGHT IT IS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE REPLACED THE GAS CAP 3 TIMES OUT OF 10 TRIPS. WHETHER THAT IS TRUE OR NOT, I DON'T KNOW. ADDITIONALLY, THE RED "AIR BAG" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I UNDERSTAND HYUNDAI HAS A HISTORY OF AIRBAG PROBLEMS AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU CAN FORCE THEM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 20, 201025,000 milesMD

YESTERDAY (SEPTEMBER 19, 2010) WHILE MERGING ONTO THE BELTWAY, THE FLOOR MAT OF MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE CAUSED THE CAR TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE AFTER I HAD TAKEN MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. I PUMPED THE BRAKE AND TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE PEDAL MUST HAVE COME FREE FROM THE FLOOR MAT. THE ACCELERATION LASTED FOR BETWEEN THREE AND FOUR SECONDS. AFTER I STOPPED THE CAR I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THE FLOOR MAT WAS PARTIALLY COVERING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I HAVE NOW REMOVED THE FLOOR MAT. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 13, 201046,700 milesCO

TWICE I HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (SUA) IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS. THE FIRST TIME I WAS TRAVELING ON A PRIMARY ROAD GOING THE SPEED LIMIT 45 MPH. WHILE MY FOOT WAS STEADY ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ME PUSHING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I TRIED PUTTING ON THE BRAKE AND THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO HELP ANY. I THOUGHT IT COULD BE MY SANDAL STUCK UNDER THE ACCELERATOR.....AFTER MOVING MY RIGHT FOOT AROUND, THAT DID NOTHING; THEN ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE MAT WITH MY RIGHT HAND, THAT DID NOTHING, AND I PUT ON THE BRAKE AND THAT SLOWED THE CAR DOWN AND I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO CARS NEAR ME TO CRASH INTO. THE SECOND TIME I EXPERIENCED SUA, I WAS TRAVELING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT THE START OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT APPROX 65 MPH (THE SPEED LIMIT) WHEN AGAIN THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I PUT ON THE BRAKE WHICH DID NOTHING, THEN TRIED THE BRAKE A SECOND TIME, WHICH DID NOTHING, AND THEN I WAS ABLE TO GRADUALLY DEPRESS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND GET THE CAR TO COME TO A STOP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AFTER CROSSING TWO LANES. AGAIN, I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THESE MANEUVERS WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. SINCE THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE CAR HAD SUA, I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE UNTIL I COULD HAVE THE HYUNDAI DEALER TAKE A LOOK AND FIND OUT WHAT WHY THIS WAS OCCURRING. AFTER TWO DAYS AT THE SERVICE CENTER AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY HAVE BEEN

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 9, 201017,500 milesDC

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR DIED (I.E., GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT WORK), CAUSING CAR TO LOSE SPEED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT SAME TIME. CAR ONLY HAD 17,000 MILES ON IT WITH NO PRIOR ISSUES. PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER, TURNED OFF CAR. RE-STARTED CAR AND TOOK IT TO A SERVICE STATION, WHICH IDENTIFIED (VIA COMPUTER HOOK-UP) A "THROTTLE POSITION" SENSOR ISSUE. *TR

Service Brakes, HydraulicFire
Filed Jul 6, 201030,731 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH A NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. UPON EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WAS VERY HOT AND SMELLED AS IF IT WAS BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE COVERED WITH RUST. HE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,731.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 21, 201017,345 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, GAS PEDAL STOP RESPONDING. I WAS ABLE TO GO TO THE CURB AND PUT CAR INTO PARKING, THEN I HAD PROBLEM TO SHUT ENGINE OFF, ONLY SECOND OR THIRD ATTEMPT WAS SUCCESSFUL. AFTER COUPLE OF MINUTES I START THE IGNITION AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COME ON . CAR IS DRIVABLE, BUT IT HESITATES WHEN I PUSH THE PEDAL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 11, 2010541 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT 80MPH THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOOSE POWER, THE STEERING FAILED, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SHE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE UNTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO RECREATE THE FAILURE. THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING DID NOT PRODUCE A FAILURE CODE, THEREFORE THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF GAS. ON JUNE 8, 2010 WHILE REVERSING FROM THE DRIVE WAY THE FAILURE RE-OCCURRED. THE GEAR DID NOT RELEASE FROM REVERSE AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE GARAGE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 541 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,817.

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed May 25, 201025,256 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE AIR BAGS WERE IDLE AND WOULD NOT ACTIVATE WITHOUT A PASSENGER OF AT LEAST 120 POUNDS OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE DEALER'S STATEMENT AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 25,256.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 20, 2010NY

2008 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE APPLIED THE BRAKE WITH SO MUCH FORCE, THAT THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY KNEW RIGHT AWAY THAT PROBLEM MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE THROTTLE SENSOR MODULE. THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 1, 201020,000 milesMO

I HAVE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE ON 2 OCCASIONS. I TOOK MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2010. THE BRAKES WERE CHECKED COMPLETELY, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ON SEVERAL TEST DRIVES. THE SERVICE TECH WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THEREFORE NOTHING WAS REPLACED OR REPAIRED. THE FIRST OCCASION OF BRAKE FAILURE WAS ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT, FEBRUARY 24TH, I WAS SLOWING DOWN AND GETTING READY TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, AS I APPROACHED THE DRIVEWAY I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PAD, AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND I COASTED PAST THE DRIVEWAY. WENT UP TURNED AROUND, WITH NO BRAKE PROBLEM. THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28TH, AS I PULLED INTO THE CHURCH PARKING LOT, I TAPPED THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN AND TURN TO PARK, AS I HIT THE BRAKE, MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND I AGAIN COASTED PAST WHERE I WANTED TO TURN. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE WALKING OR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS SOMEONE WILL GET HURT. AND, I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 24, 2010NY

THE BRAKES ON MY 2008 SANTA FE SEEM TO RUST EXCESSIVELY. I HAD LOST ALMOST ALL BRAKING ABILITY LAST SUMMER WHEN THE CALIPERS FROZE REQUIRING A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB. LATELY THE ROTORS ARE RUSTING SO BAD EACH NIGHT THAT THE BRAKES ALMOST FAIL TO STOP THE VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST MILE OR SO OF DRIVING. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 22, 201025,400 milesME

WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA ON THE HIGHWAY ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS LAST WEEK MY SANTA FE DECELERATED UNEXPECTED TO ~ 20 MPH. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL AND STARTED TO LOSE POWER, THE SECOND TIME I WAS ALSO USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. AT THE SAME TIME THE ESC WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE TEMPERATURE WAS COLD BUT THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THE THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX IT BY REPLACING A SENSOR. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SUV FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS ~ 25,400 MILES. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 16, 201012,300 milesTX

I HAVE TWICE EXPERIENCED A DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE DURING ACCELERATION. I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL BUT WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF TO DECELERATE, THE CAR CONTINUES TO GAIN SPEED AND BRAKING HAS NO EFFECT. IN EACH INSTANCE, THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE THE CAR SLOW DOWN OR STOP WAS TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND FIND A SAFE PLACE TO ALLOW IT TO COAST UNTIL I COULD TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE LAST OCCURRENCE I WAS GOING 75 MPH ON I-35, HAD TO SWERVE TO LEFT SHOULDER TO AVOID BEING SIDESWIPED. MY 5 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD BOTH TIMES THAT THE PEDAL MUST BE STICKING ON THE FLOOR MAT. AFTER THE SECOND EXPERIENCE, I LOOKED FOR SIMILAR STORIES ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND 5 RECENT POSTINGS OF THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. IF MORE THAN A COUPLE OF PEOPLE REPORT THE SAME ISSUE, SHOULDN'T HYUNDAI MAKE A DEDICATED EFFORT TO IDENTIFY AND CORRECT IT IMMEDIATELY OR RECALL THE VEHICLE ALTOGETHER? I DO NOT BELIEVE THE MAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE SECOND TIME IT OCCURRED I VISUALLY CHECKED THE MAT AND EVEN PULLED IT BACKWARDS WITH MY FEET WHILE TRYING TO FIND A WAY OUT OF TRAFFIC. IN ADDITION, IF THE PEDAL WAS STICKING ON THE MAT, WHY WOULD THE ONLY CORRECTIVE ACTION BE TO PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL OR TO TURN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY OFF ? THEORETICALLY, WOULDN'T THE ACCELERATOR STILL BE "STUCK ON THE MAT" IN THIS INSTANCE? LAST AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, EVEN IF THE CLAIM OF THE MATS BEING THE PROBLEM IS ACCURATE, THESE MATS ARE

Structure › BodyCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 9, 200936,500 milesAZ

2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE OFF CENTER HEAD ON COLLISION RESULTING IN SEVERE LEG TRAUMA. INTEGRITY OF THE FIRE WALL FAILED RESULTING IN METAL PUSHING PAST THE FIREWALL IN TO THE DRIVERS SIDE AREA ENTRAPPING THE LEG ON THE FEMUR. THIS INJURY RESULTED IN A DANGEROUS AMOUNT OF BLOOD LOSS IN TO THE CAVITY OF THE THIGH. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Dec 3, 200924,300 milesIN

2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ACCELERATOR SENSOR WENT BAD WHILE ENTERING THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR ONLY WENT 20 MPH. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE, I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED AND CAUSED A MAJOR PILE UP, OR BEEN KILLED. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND A NEW PART WAS INSTALLED, BUT FOUND OUT THERE IS NOT A CABLE CONNECTED TO THE ACCELERATOR. THE SENSOR RUNS THE GAS INPUT, WITHOUT A BACK UP IN CASE OF FAILURE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 10, 20091,500 milesTN

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING OUR 2008 HYUNDAI SANTE FE LIMITED WE BEGAN HAVING A PROBLEM WHICH STILL EXIST TO THIS DAY. AFTER FILLING WITH GAS, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY LIT. THE FIRST SEVERAL TIMES OF THIS EVENT, I WAS TRULY CONCERNED THAT I HAD AN ENGINE PROBLEM AND RETURNED TO THE DEALER ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE GAS CAP NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED FURTHER. I HAVE TIGHTENED THE CAP AT TIMES SO MUCH SO THAT I VERY NEARLY WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE IT.*TR

Tires
Filed Nov 10, 200951,541 milesFL

KUMHO SOLUS KR-21 TIRES ARE MISSING DATE OF MANUFACTURE ON THE DOT LINE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 19, 2009300 milesTX

IN MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT INTERMITTENTLY WORKS WHEN MY DAUGHTER AND I (115 & 120 LBS) SIT IN THE SEAT. I CAN SIT PERFECTLY STILL AND IT WILL BE ENGAGED, AND THEN IT WILL DISENGAGE, AND THEN ENGAGE, AGAIN OR VISA VERSA. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED 4 TIMES, BUT THEY SAY THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE. THEY JUST HOOK IT UP TO A COMPUTER AND SAY IT WORKS AS DESIGNED. HUMBLE HYUNDAI SERVICE MANAGER EVEN TOLD ME TO SIT IN THE BACK SEAT (I'M 51 YEARS OLD). I AM AFRAID IF WE ARE IN AN ACCIDENT THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE NOTIFIED HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND HYUNDAI PR AS WELL. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT FOR NHTSA AND HYUNDAI TO ISSUE A RECALL? I HAVE BEEN GIVEN WEIGHTS OF 30, 80, 150, 115 AND 120 LBS TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG SENSOR BY HUMBLE HYUNDAI. ALSO GIVEN 35, 45, 150, 130, 135, 145, 40, 100 & 105 LBS BY SERVICE DEPARTMENTS OF OTHER DEALERSHIPS. ALSO TALKED TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT THIS, WHY CAN'T HYUNDAI TELL ANYONE WHAT THE ACTUAL WEIGHT TO ACTIVATE IS? THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED FOR SONATAS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM WHY CAN'T ONE BE ISSUED FOR SANTA FES. THERE ARE 48 COMPLAINTS LISTED ON HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2008/HYUNDAI/SANTA+FE AND THEY ALL SAY THEY WERE FILED WITH NHTSA. THE INITIAL PROBLEM BEGAN ON 8/21/08 WITH 300 MILES ON ODOMETER AND CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM UNTIL TODAY 10/19/09 WITH ALMOST 18000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE SPEED I AM DRIVING IS NOT A FUNCTION

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Oct 1, 2009100 milesNE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE AIR BAG SENSOR DOES NOT DETECT AN ADULT OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED AND RE-CALIBRATED THE SEAT MODULE. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9100. UPDATED 11/17/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED IT WOULD DETECT HEAVIER ADULTS. UPDATED 11/1/8/09

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 1, 20098,452 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST WITH CAUTION INTO A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE THROTTLE SENSOR ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,452.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Sep 18, 200910,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL, INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE IN A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS THE AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE IS CAUSED BY A WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION FAILURE. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. UPON CONTACT A REPRESENTATIVE ADVISED HER TO SIT IN THE REAR SEAT, BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS ARE SECONDARY SAFETY METHODS; SEAT BELTS ARE THE FIRST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000. BL UPDATED 10/13/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO WITHDRAW THE COMPLAINT. THE CONSUMER WANTS ALL INFORMATION DELETED. UPDATED 10/13/09

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Sep 17, 20092,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED WITH A SMALL STATURE ADULT. THE AIR BAG SENSOR DOES NOT DETECT A CERTAIN WEIGHT POSITIONED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DESIGN AND THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE CONTACT HAS CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,500. UPDATED 10/13/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE WEIGHED ROUGHLY 125. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS OFF NO MATTER HOW SHE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. UPDATED 10/15/09

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Aug 23, 20091,000 milesNY

MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CAR IS GREAT RUNNING VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR ONE SAFETY PROBLEM: THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR DOES NOT DETECTS MY WIFE AS AN ADULT AND TOGGLES ON AND OFF AT WILL. IT IS REALLY FRIGHTENING TO BE TRAVELING DOWN AN HIGHWAY OR ANY ROAD AND REALIZE THAT I HAVE NO AIRBAG. MY WIFE IS 5' 3 " AND WEIGHS ABOUT 120 LBS AND AT TIMES I NEEDED TO HAVE HER REPOSITION SEAT TO THE TOTAL UPRIGHT POSITION TO RESET THE AIRBAG INDICATION LIGHT. THIS DOES NOT GIVE ME A SENSE OF SECURITY SINCE I DON'T FEEL CONFIDENT THAT IT WOULD DEPLOY IF NEEDED .I CALLED TWO HYUNDAI DEALERS AND WAS ADVISED THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED FOR ME TO COME IN FOR A CHECKUP. I AT THIS TIME HAVE NOT MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER BUT WILL CERTAINLY MAKE ONE ASAP. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 17, 200911,500 milesMA

MY DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE STARTED SQUEALING. I PULLED OVER AND REALIZED THE BRAKE WAS SCORCHING HOT. IT HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES AFTER THAT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID BRING IT IN. IT WAS FROZEN PADS IN CALIPER SLIDES. I WAS ALSO TOLD I SHOULD HAVE THE BRAKES CLEANED ONCE A YEAR?! I WAS ALSO CHARGED $89.95. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jul 31, 20095,148 milesIA

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, INDICATING THAT THERE IS NO PASSENGER AIR BAG ACTIVE WHILE MY WIFE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS MIGHT HAPPEN 2 OR 3 TIMES IN A 100 MILE TRIP. I HAVE BEEN TO THREE HYUNDAI DEALERS AND ALSO TALKED WITH HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS 3 TIMES. ALL THREE DEALERS WERE ABLE TO SEE THE PROBLEM WITH MY WIFE SITTING SQUARELY IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, BUT ALL DEALERS SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERS SAY THAT THE LOAD CELLS UNDER THE SEAT ARE SET TO REQUIRE 80 LB OF FORCE BEFORE THE AIR BAG WILL FUNCTION, TO PREVENT POSSIBLE INJURY TO A SMALL CHILD. THE HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS PEOPLE ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE, AND AGREE THAT THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED, BUT ARE NOT ABLE TO HELP. MY WIFE IS 5'-6" TALL AND WEIGHS 120 LB. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE → · Every Santa FE year → · How the figures are calculated →