2008 Hyundai Santa FE complaints

I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN TO MOVE UP AND DOWN, SHOWING EMPTY, THEN OVER HALF FULL, THEN JUST UNDER HALF. I SWITCHED TO THE MODE INDICATING HOW MANY MILES LEFT UNTIL I WOULD BE OUT OF GAS, WHICH ALSO FLUCTUATED BY OVER 75 MILES. THIS FLUCTUATION IS CONSISTENT AND NOW IS BECOMING A BIG CONCERN IN REGARDS TO LONGER TRIPS MY YOUNG FAMILY TAKES. THIS OBVIOUSLY IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BASED ON THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGISTERED ABOUT THIS SAME MALFUNCTION. SHOULD MY FAMILY BE STRANDED ON A ROADSIDE, OR WORSE YET, GET INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, HYUNDAI WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR NEGLIGENCE ON THEIR PART TO ACT ON A KNOWN VEHICLE DEFECT. *TR

OUR USED SANTA FE'S WARRANTY EXPIRED ON APRIL 28TH, 2013. A MONTH LATER, THE FUEL GAUGE AND MILEAGE REPORTING STARTED TO FLUCTUATE WILDLY, AND FOR THE PAST MONTH WE'VE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE FUEL SENSOR ASSEMBLY IS FAULTY. THE ACCURATE REPORTING OF THE FUEL LEVEL IS NOW IMPOSSIBLE AND IT IS CLEAR TO US THAT THIS WILL BE AT LEAST A $600 REPAIR JOB. HYUNDAI DEFLECTED OUR E-MAILS TO THEM, SO I ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO ALSO WRITE A LETTER TO THEM BY POSTAL MAIL. THE ADDRESS THEY GAVE US IS HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA P. O. BOX 20850 FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA 92728-0850. IT IS RIDICULOUS TIMING THAT THIS OCCURS AFTER AN EXPENSIVE MAINTENANCE APPOINTMENT AND RIGHT AFTER THE SECOND-OWNER WARRANTY EXPIRED. A SYSTEM LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT FAIL WITH ONLY 44K MILES ON A VEHICLE, AND HYUNDAI CAN'T CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL, AND OWNERS WHO HAVE GONE AHEAD AND DONE THIS REPAIR FOR EXORBITANT FEES NEED TO BE REIMBURSED. IN RECENT NEWS, ASIANA AIRLINES REPRESENTED THE HONOR AND INTEGRITY OF KOREAN CORPORATE CULTURE, I'D EXPECT THE SAME FROM HYUNDAI WHO HAS THUS FAR FAILED IN THEIR DUTY TO THE CUSTOMER. *TR

AT APPROXIMATELY 60000 MILES,I NOTICED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT REGISTERING CORRECTLY. WOULD FILL IT UP AND THE GAUGE WOULD REGISTER A 1/4 TANK, PROBLEM GOT WORSE IN THE PROCEEDING WEEKS. CHECK ENGINE CAME ON TOOK IT TO AUTO PARTS PLACE AND THEY SAID THE FUEL SENSORS WERE BAD. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR $440. NO HELP FROM DEALER. EXTENDED WARRANTY NOT HELPFUL EITHER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ESC AND ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE RESUMED UPON RESTARTING; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EIGHT TIMES. IN ADDITION, ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HESITATION WOULD FOLLOW. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED ON TWO OCCASIONS AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER EACH REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,099.

AS NOTED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT REGISTER THE AMOUNT OF FUEL, IT FLUCTUATES FROM EMPTY TO A 1/4 TANK TO 3/4 TANK. THE FUEL SENSORS ARE BAD. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BASED ON NHTSA COMPLAINTS BUT YET IT APPEARS THAT HYUNDAI WILL NOT TAKE ACTION. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN RIGHT AFTER I HIT THE 60,000 MILE MARK. *TR

ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR THIS WHEN I CALLED DEALERSHIP. FUEL GAUGE WILL GO BELOW 'E' TO 1/2 TANK IN SECONDS. SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING THE CAR ON, THE GAUGE IS BELOW 'E' AND WILL STAY THERE FOR A WHILE THEN GO BACK UP TO GAS LEVEL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON SAYING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. CLEARED CODE. IT STAYED OFF FOR WEEK OR SO, AND HAS COME BACK ON. I HOPE THIS BECOMES A RECALL...TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM! *TR

WHILE DRIVING FROM MARSHALL, NC TO ASHEVILLE, NC, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THEN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL AND THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED TO ACT CRAZY TELLING ME THAT THE TANK WAS EMPTY. UPON NOTICING THIS PROBLEM, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED HYUNDAI AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN. WHEN I TOOK IT IN, THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC FOR $45.00 AND CAME BACK AND TOLD ME THAT BOTH FUEL SENSORS HAD GONE OUT. THEY PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT THE JOB WOULD COST AROUND $600.00 OR SO. I TOLD THEM THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS AND THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED ESPECIALLY ON A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT THAT OLD. I WENT HOME AND LOOKED THE PROBLEM UP ON LINE, ONLY TO FIND THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, SOME EVEN WITH NEWER HYUNDAI VEHICLES. MY WIFE AND I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND SAFETY ISSUE ITEM. IF THIS MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, THEN OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. THIS SITUATION IS NOT SAFE BECAUSE IF THIS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE WHEN THEIR FUEL MAY BE LOW, THEY MAY BE DRIVING ALONG AND STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY OR THEY MAY BE IN A REMOTE AREA. *TR

MY FUEL GAUGE IS VERY ERRATIC ;WE NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL WE HAVE.IT FLUCTUATES FROM FULL TO EMPTY AT WILL CAUSING US TO TRY TO JUDGE BY THE MILES DRIVEN OR FILL UP EVERY FEW DAYS. I WOULD HATE TO RUN OUT OF GAS ON AN INTERSTATE IN MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT BECAUSE OF A MISCALCULATION ON THE MILEAGE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THE COMPANY SEEMS AWARE OF IT. *TR

ON 5/15/13 I HAD MY STOP LAMP SWITCH REPLACED PER RECALL CAMPAIGN 110. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I NOTICED COLD ENGINE FLUCTUATION AND SURGING. THIS HAS HAPPENED REGULARLY, WITH THE ENGINE SOMETIMES FLUCTUATING UP TO NEARLY 2000RPM WHILE THE CAR IS IN PARK. GRADUALLY, THE ISSUE PROGRESSED TO DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING AND A SHAKING/HESITATION FEELING WHILE DOWNSHIFTING THAT FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE IS GOING TO STALL OUT, BUT IT DOES NOT. THIS BEGAN 6/20/13. ALSO ON 6/20/13 MY CHECK ENGINE DASH LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, EVEN THOUGH I HAD NOT SHUT THE ESC OFF. ADDITIONALLY, THE AWD SYSTEM LIGHT WAS FLASHING. UPON RESTART, ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO GRISMER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THEY FOUND ERROR CODES: C1513, C1611, P1295, P2106, AND P2135. I REVISITED MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER (VOSS HYUNDAI) AND THEY STATE THAT THEY BELIEVE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IS WORKING PROPERLY AND THAT THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY REFUSED TO COVER THIS COST DUE TO BEING OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD BY GRISMER THAT THE TPS ISSUE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE STOP LAMP SWITCH ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING ALSO RELATES DIRECTLY TO SERVICE BULLETIN #TSB-09-FL-003-1. *TR

SEE ATTACHED EMAIL UPDATED 06/04/2013*LJ THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OSC) DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY RECOGNIZE SMALL-STATURED ADULTS, CAUSING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEACTIVATE WHEN SUCH PERSON OCCUPY THE FRONT SEAT. ALSO, THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SHUTTING DOWN, AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE, AND A WHINING SOUND UPON ACCELERATION. *TR

FUEL GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY FLUCTUATES FROM EMPTY TO 1/4 TANK. DIGITAL DISPLAY ALSO NOT REGISTERING. AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF THIS, NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST IT SHOWED FUEL SENSORS NOT WORKING. GAS GAUGE NOT WORKING AT ALL AT THIS POINT, BECOMING QUITE A CONCERN BECAUSE WE NEVER KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH GAS IS LEFT AND FINDING THAT WE ARE FILLING IT UP EVERY OTHER DAY JUST TO BE SAFE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,500. UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ UPDATED 06/21/2013 *JS

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND GOING OFF. WHAT I NOTICED WAS THAT IT WAS IN CONJUNCTION WITH MY GAS GAUGE INDICATING THAT I HAD NO FUEL (LIGHT CAME ON AND THE GAUGE WAS ON E) EVEN AFTER I HAD FILLED THE TANK. THE SITUATION SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF UNTIL THIS WEEK- NOT ONLY DID THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON, BUT THE GAUGE CONTINUED TO INDICATE THAT I HAD NO FUEL. EVEN MORE WORRISOME WAS THE FACT THAT WHEN I WENT TO PUT FUEL IN THE TANK, THE GAS PUMP CUT OFF (INDICATING THAT THE TANK WAS FULL) AFTER 3 GALLONS OF GAS. I KNEW THAT IT SHOULD TAKE MORE THAN 3 GALLONS TO FILL MY TANK, AND SO I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC. DIAGNOSIS: BOTH FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED.... TO THE TUNE OF $650 WORTH OF PARTS/LABOR. I WAS ADVISED THAT FUEL SENSORS ARE NOT USUALLY FAULTY, AND SO CAME TO THIS WEBSITE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE THAT I MAY HAVE MISSED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT 70 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE DEALER REPLACED THE STOP LAMP SWITCH PER THE RECALL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES AND ALSO CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO GO ON AN OFF. *TR

FUEL GAUGE SHOWS DIFFERENT MEASUREMENTS AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. FULL TANK OF GAS MAY SHOW ON THE GAUGE AS EMPTY. THE NEXT TIME MAY SHOW 1/2 A TANK OF GAS. HAVE TO TRACK MILEAGE TO KNOW WHEN TO GAS UP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TR

MY 2008 SANTA FE LTD THAT SUFFERED A LOSS OF THE LEFT REAR QUARTER GLASS, INCLUDING THE FRAME MOLDING, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY A FEW DAYS AGO. THE GLASS COMPANY STATED THAT IT APPEARED TO HAVE ACTUALLY BREAK OFF OF THE BOLTS AND SIMPLY FLY OFF THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY THING LEFT ON THE VEHICLE WAS THE URETHANE ADHESIVE, WHICH WAS STRETCHED OUT AROUND THE BACK OF THE QUARTER PANEL. ANOTHER INTERESTING NOTE IS THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER GLASS, IT APPEARS TO BE SUFFERING FROM THE SAME PHENOMENON, AND MAY COME OFF AT ANY TIME. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH INFORMED ME THAT MY AUTO IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE AT THIS TIME. CONSIDERING THAT MY AUTO INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE IS $500, I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OUT OF POCKET FOR $338.55. *TR

OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS OR SO MY FUEL GAUGE KEEPS FLUCTUATING DRASTICALLY. IT STARTED ONCE I HIT APPROX 62,000 MILES. IT IS OFTEN INACCURATE AND FREQUENTLY DROPS 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 TANK FOR NO REASON. I CANNOT TRUST IT AT ALL. ITS DANGEROUS BECAUSE I COULD RUN OUT OF GAS AT ANY POINT WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT'S TRULY IN THE TANK. THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW IS TO TRACK THE MILEAGE WHICH BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT IF MORE THAN ONE PERSON IS DRIVING THE CAR. *TR

THE FUEL GUAGE INCLUDING RANGE AND MILEAGE FEATURES ARE ERRATIC AND CREATE A FALSE READING ON THE ODOMETER DASH READINGS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I CAN NOT TELL WHAT THE TRUE AMOUNT OF FUEL IS LEFT IN THE SUV. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHICH HYUNDAI CORP. HAS KNOWN ABOUT AND REFUSES TO ANNOUNCE A RECALL. *TR

AT ABOUT 62,000 MILES THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED TO ACT ERRATICALLY. IT WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT WAS IN THE TANK. FINALLY, IT READS EMPTY ALL OF THE TIME AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED. I WAS QUOTED UPWARDS OF $800 FROM FUCILLO HYUNDAI OF SYRACUSE NY. NOW I HAVE TO RELY ON THE TRIP ODOMETER TO CALCULATE THE AMOUNT OF FUEL I HAVE. THIS ISN'T SO MUCH FUN WITH 3 CHILDREN ON BOARD. *TR

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 2009. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY 2013, THE FUEL GAUGE IS WORKING OFF AND ON. WHEN I FILL MY TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE STOPS WORKING FOR DAYS. EVERYTIME THE GAUGE IS NOT WORKING THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE TO RELY ON MILEAGE TO DETERMINE FUEL USAGE. *TR

FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE TRAVELING 65 MPH, MY SANTE FE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND SHUT DOWN ALMOST CAUSING A MULTICAR ACCIDENT. *TR

THE FUEL GAUGE ON OUR '08 HYUNDAI SANTE FE HAS RECENTLY BECOME ERRATIC. IT FLUCTUATES WIDELY (25-50%) OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW MINUTES WITH THE CHECK ENGINE AND LOW FUEL INDICATORS ALSO PERIODICALLY LIGHTING. IT HAS BECOME SO UNRELIABLE THAT WE ARE NOW RELYING ON THE ODOMETER READINGS TO ESTIMATE FUEL LEVELS. SEARCHING THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND RELATES TO WEAK PINS IN THE ORIGINALLY INSTALLED FUEL SENDERS. THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS THAT THE APPARENT PROBLEM IS FIXED IN THE REPLACEMENT PART (VISIBLY LARGER PINS) WHICH MAKES ME QUESTION WHY THE COMPANY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING A CLEARLY DEFECTIVE PART. OUR VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

I TURNED ON THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE GAS GAUGE WAS SHOWING EMPTY AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON - I HAD JUST FILLED THE TANK UP THAT MORNING SO I KNEW I HAD PLENTY OF GAS. THE RANGE INDICATOR WAS JUST DASHES -NOT NUMERIC AS IT SHOULD BE. THE GAUGE THEN WOULD RISE UP AND THE RANGE WOULD CHANGE AND THEN IT WOULD GO DOWN AND THE RANGE WOULD CHANGE - THIS CONTINUALLY HAPPENED. I WENT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID TO ZERO OUT THE ERROR AND KEEP AN EYE ON IT. THE NEXT MORNING THE SAME THING. NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IS NOT WORKING AND IT WILL COST BETWEEN 600-700 TO FIX THIS! I TOO HAVE READ ON MANY WEBSITES THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT OCCURS BETWEEN THE 60K - 70K MILEAGE RANGE AND THE PARTS GUY AT HEALEY HYUNDAI IN BEACON, NY TOLD ME - OH YEAH WE ARE GETTING TONS OF THESE COMPLAINTS, THAT IS WHY WE STOCK THIS ITEM! IF HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, WHY AREN'T THEY RECALLING THESE VEHICLES? ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO NOT BE AWARE OF THEIR ACTUAL GAS GAUGE AND HAVE THEIR CAR STALL OUT AT 55 MILES AN HOUR?? COME ON HYUNDAI - WE ARE LOYAL BRAND BUYERS AND THIS IS OUR 4TH HYUNDAI (SECOND SANTA FE) DON'T BECOME LIKE THE REST OF THE CAR COMPANIES AND NOT GIVE A [XXX] - FIX YOUR PROBLEMS AND YOUR CONSUMERS WILL STAND BY YOU! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

FAN KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. DEALER SAID THERE IS A "SHORT IN THE A/C CONTROL HEAD". *TR

WE RECENTLY NOTICED THAT THE GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SOMETIMES IT READS EMPTY AFTER WE JUST FILLED THE TANK. IN ADDITION THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FROM TIME TO TIME. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST $580. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, NUMEROUS 2008 (AS WELL AS OTHER YEARS) HYUNDAI SANTE FE OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR AS SOON AS THE WARRANTY ENDS (60,000 MILES). I BELIEVE HYUNDAI KNOWS THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IN THESE CARS ARE IN FACT INFERIOR AND WILL FAIL AFTER 60,000 MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 12V354000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL: SENSOR/ CONTROL MODULE) AND 11V472000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR WIRING HARNESS CLIP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,784. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,550. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

AS I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH GOING UP A HILL, MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND PUSHING THE BRAKES AT FULL PRESSURE ONLY SLOWED THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT STOP AND THE ENGINE REVVED. I WAS IN A PANIC BECAUSE VEHICLES WERE IN FRONT OF ME AND I ALMOST SLAMMED INTO THEM. I MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND TRAVEL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TRYING TO STOP MY VEHICLE. I FINALLY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL ALL THE WHILE PUSHING THE BRAKES AND GOT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO SCARED IN MY LIFE AND FORTUNATELY DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO MY GARAGE BECAUSE I WAS TO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I AM AWAITING DIAGNOSIS.. UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND THE GARAGE WAS CLOSED. THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LOOK AT UNTIL MONDAY. *TR

THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED FLUCTUATION FROM 1/4 TANK TO EMPTY THEN BACK UP AGAIN. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER SOME TIME, AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF ONLY TO TURN BACK ON INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER HAVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM INVESTIGATED, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM AND IT WOULD BE SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPAIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED WHENEVER THE FUEL VEHICLE WAS BEING FILLED WITH FUEL THE GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW THE FULL IT ONLY SHOWS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE TWO DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE COMPUTER THAT OPERATE THE FUEL GAUGE. THE DEALER STATED THE REPAIR COST WAS $800. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

THE ARE THREE LAYERS OF FLOOR COVERING ON THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST IS THE WALL TO WALL CARPET. THE SECOND IS A FLOOR MAT, MADE OF CARPET MATERIAL WHICH IS SECURELY ANCHORED TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE THIRD LAYER OF FLOOR COVERING IS A THICK RUBBER MAT. THE RUBBER MAT RESTS ATOP THE CARPETED FLOOR MAT UNANCHORED. IT SLIDES AROUND ON TOP OF THE CARPETED FLOOR MAT AND PREVENTS A SEVERE HAZARD BECAUSE IT OCCASIONALLY LODGES ITSELF UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING THE PEDAL TO JAM. THIS DANGER CAN BE EXTREME BECAUSE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL JAMS IN AN INTERMEDIATE THROTTLE SETTING, IT LENGTHENS THE STOPPING DISTANCE AND HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. *TR

THE GAS GAUGE START ACTING FUNNY AND DID DOES NOT SHOW THE CORRECT READING, AFTER DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM, WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY A PART CALLED FUEL LEVEL SENSOR A CKT INTERMITTENT. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE FOR SANTA FE OWNERS AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPANIES ONLINE INVOLVING THE SECOND GENERATION OF THIS HYUNDAI 2007 AND 2008. THIS ISSUE WILL COST $600 TO $700 TO REPAIR , WHICH HYUNDAI SHOW TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR IDENTIFYING AND CORRECTING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE WRONG GAS READING, THE VEHICLE MAY STOP SUDDENLY IF THERE WAS NO FUEL AND THE GAUGE IS READING WRONG. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,120. UPDATED 12/5/12 *CN

WORK UNDER THE RECALL TO REPAIR FAULTY SENSORS THAT FAILED TO DETECT SMALL STATURED ADULTS (95 LB WIFE). FOR FAILURE TO DETECT DIDN'T RESOLVE ISSUE, AND EFFORTS TO DETERMINE WHAT THE NEW TRIGGER WEIGHT WAS GOT NOWHERE WITH EITHER LOCAL OR HQ REPS. SO NOW DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT MFR HAS ACKNOWLEDGED SAFETY DEFECTS YET REFUSES TO FIX. *TR

2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WILL NOT GO OVER 20 MPH. AFTER PRESSING ON THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES IT STARTS TO MOVE AGAIN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME DURING THIS ORDEAL. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT IT HAS REAR ITS UGLY HEAD AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND IT WILL NOT GO OVER 20 MPH. I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE CONTACT THE HYUNDAI MANUFACTURER TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE IT CAN LEAD TO A SERIOUS TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IF IT'S NOT FIXED. LET'S BE PROACTIVE THIS TIME INSTEAD OF WAITING UNTIL SOMEONE IS IN A FATAL ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE FROM ONE READING TO ANOTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN THE FUEL TANK HAD FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDS GAS ON A DAILY BASIS. THE MILEAGE RANGE FAILS TO SHOW; WHEREAS IT JUST BLINKS. THE VEHICLE BURNS FUEL. UPDATED 11/19/2012 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS TURNED OFF WHILE THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RE-CALIBRATED TO THE LOWEST WEIGHT LIMIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V354000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY HAD TO RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V354000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT THEN EXPERIENCED A FAILURE IN WHICH THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE THEN JERKED FORWARD AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

THIS PROBLEM IS TRUE OF OUR 2007 AND 2008 SANTA FE'S AND HAS EXISTED SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CARS. I HAVE FINALLY COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR NOT ONLY MY WIFE BUT ALSO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE OF SLIGHT BUILD. IT IS A PROBLEM THAT IS EASILY CORRECTABLE BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE CREATED CASE#[XXX] WITH HYUNDAI AMERICA --THEY HAVE RESPONDED THAT THEY WILL PASS ALONG THE INFORMATION TO ENGINEERING --BUT THEY HAVE NOTED THAT I WILL NOT BE CONTACTED BY HYUNDAI REGARDING DEPOSITION OF THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEM -- MY WIFE WEIGHS ABOUT 95 LBS. SHE FREQUENTLY DOES NOT ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE IS ESSENTIALLY UNPROTECTED IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. SHE JUST DOESN'T WEIGH ENOUGH TO RELIABLY ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. HYUNDAI SPENDS QUITE A FEW PAGES IN THEIR MANUAL TO COVER THEMSELVES LEGALLY. THEY COMMENT THAT IF ALL ELSE FAILS JUST SIT IN THE BACK SEAT. I WOULD IMAGINE FEW HUSBANDS AND WIVES OPT FOR THIS SOLUTION. MOST CONSUMERS PROBABLY HAVEN'T READ THE MANUAL, IGNORE THE OFF SIGN OR DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS, OR DON'T CARE AND RISK THE SAFETY OF THEIR PASSENGER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SHOULD ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM FOR SAY ANYONE OVER 66 LBS. I BELIEVE ANOTHER MANUFACTURER HAS RECENTLY DONE SO. IT IS STUPID THAT I HAVE WAITED THIS LONG TO COMPLAIN -- BUT I KEPT THINKING THEIR WOULD EVENTUALLY BE A RECALL AND I NORMALLY JUST DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THINGS. HYUND

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED A TWO YEAR OLD CHILD WAS SEATED IN A FORWARD FACING CHILD RESTRAINT BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE CHILD WAS ABLE TO REACH FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT AND WRAP IT AROUND HIS NECK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE SEAT BELT FROM THE CHILD'S NECK WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CHILD WAS UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

AT 59,000 MILES LEFT SIDE RUNNING LIGHTS INOP. SENT TO DEALER THEY SAID THEY ADJUSTED THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS STATED AT 50,000 MILES. WORKED GOOD FOR 3 WEEKS TOOK ON A TRIP PUT 10,000 MILES ON IT. NOW AT 70,000.. ELECTRICAL ISSUES STARTED BACK UP.NO TAILLIGHTS LEFT BACK,TOUCH BRAKE DASHBOARD LEFT TURN GLOWS 1/2 BRIGHTNESS.PUT LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT ON WORKS. TOUCH BRAKE LEFT SIDE BLINK ACTS LIKE BURNED OUT LIGHT. FILL WITH FUEL READS CORRECT MOST OF THE TIME. WENT TO STOP STARTED CAR BACK UP GAUGE READ EMPTY WITH LIGHT ON, STOPPED FOR GAS 30 MILES LATER PUT GAS IN TOOK 1 GAL GAUGE WENT TO 1/2 TANK. LET SET OVERNIGHT NEXT DAY READ 3/4. DROVE THE REST OF THE DAY . NEXT DAY READ CORRECT. THIS HAPPENED 2 TIMES ALREADY. DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS RELATED THE LEFT SIDE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TR

THE BACK SEAT (PASSENGER SIDE) SEAT BELT - THE CONNECTION IN THE SEAT, ALWAYS GOES DOWN IN THE OPENING AND IS VERY HARD TO GET UP, I DO THINK THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, SINCE SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T GET IT OUT TO CLIP THE SEAT BELT INTO. THE HOLE WHERE THE CONNECTION IS, IS TOO BIG, AND WHEN YOU TRY TO CONNECT THE SEAT BELT INTO IT, IT GOES DOWN. I HAVE GONE TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES, AND THEY TAKE IT OUT. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE HYUNDAI CORP., BUT WAS TOLD MY SANTA FE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. THE DEALERSHIP, ALSO CLAIMS THE SAME THING EVERY TIME I AM THERE. I WAS JUST THERE ON 2/29/2012, AND WAS TOLD THAT MAYBE I SHOULD TRY GIRLS HAIR BAND AND GET A BIG ONE A WRAP IT AROUND A FEW TIMES, AND THAT SHOULD HOLD IT UP. CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO A SOLUTION THAT MIGHT MAKE THEM CORRECT IT. ALSO I KNOW OF 3 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON THERE CARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FURTHER BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE THROTTLE SENSOR WAS REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

WHEN TRYING TO PARK THE CAR, THE CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN PARK. THEREFORE, YOU CANNOT TURN YOUR CAR COMPLETELY OFF OR REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED 6 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 3 YEARS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

I WAS BACKING UP AND AS I TURNED THE WHEEL THE CAR ENGAGED IN A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AS THE MOTOR STARTED TO REV. I APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL IT PLOWED THROUGH A BRICK WALL AT MY SCHOOL. *TR

THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CAUGHT ON FIRE. I HEARD A CLUNK ON ENTERING REVERSE IN THE MORNING. AFTER 35 MILES OTHER DRIVERS ALERTED ME THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD US 90 IN NEWTON MA THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED AFTER THE FIRE WENT OUT ON IT'S OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE HOWEVER, THE ESC AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS AND WAS COASTED OFF ROAD AND SHUT OFF. AFTER WAITING A FEW MOMENTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I ACCELERATED AND MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY BY ITSELF. I WAS GOING APPROX. 65MPH, AND WITHIN A FEW SECONDS MY CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN TO 80 OR MORE MPH. I APPLIED MY BRAKES BUT THEY COULDN'T COUNTERACT THE ACCELERATION VERY WELL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. WHEN THE CAR EVENTUALLY SLOWED DOWN, THE GAS PEDAL MADE A LOUD SOUND LIKE IT HAD RELEASED ITSELF. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD THIS VERY SCARY EVENT IN TWO MONTHS, BOTH ON THE FREEWAY. THE FIRST TIME I WAS SO SHAKEN AND SHOCKED THAT I FELT I HADN'T HAD TIME TO OBSERVE WHAT WAS HAPPENING AT THE TIME. THIS LAST TIME I WAS ABLE TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THERE WAS NO INTERFERENCE WITH MY FLOOR MAT. IT WAS PURE AND SIMPLE: MY GAS PEDAL WAS DANGEROUSLY ACCELERATING BY ITSELF. I TOOK MY SANTE FE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND GAVE THEM A COPY OF MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER SANTE FE OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT INCIDENT, SOME RESULTING IN ACCIDENTS. IN ALL CASES THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED NOR EXPLAINED. SURE ENOUGH, IN MY CASE THE DEALERSHIP COULD NEITHER DUPLICATE, EXPLAIN, NOR REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I AM NOW FEARFUL TO DRIVE MY CAR, AND I WILL SELL IT SOON. *TR