2001 Hyundai Santa Fe Complaint Log

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I NOTED A CRUNCHING SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING APPROX ONE MILE I INSPECTED THE REAR SUSPENSION. I FOUND THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER TRAILING ARM HAD RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT IT HAD COLLAPSED. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN KEPT IN A GARAGE IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA SINCE NEW. UP THROUGH DEC 2008 IT WAS USED FOR ONE WINTER TRIP TO EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHERN NEW JERSEY. SINCE I WAS AWARE OF ISSUES WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THIS VEHICLE I HAD INSPECTED THE LOWER TRAILING ARMS APPROX FOUR MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. AT THAT TIME I FOUND ONLY A HALF DOLLAR SIZED CIRCLE OF SCALE/RUST AND SOME SCALE/RUST ON THE WELDED SEAM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TRAILING ARM. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF AN IMPENDING FAILURE. I SURMISE THE COMPONENT RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND THUS A VISUAL INSPECTION WOULD NOT BE EFFECTIVE TO GIVE A WARNING OF POSSIBLE FAILURE. OWNERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT VISUAL INSPECTION, AT LEAST TO AN UNTRAINED EYE, MAY NOT BE EFFECTIVE TO INDICATE IMPENDING FAILURE. THE LAST DEALER MAINTENANCE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT WAS A REAR BRAKE JOB IN OCTOBER 2010 AT 111,000 MILES. PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT ARE AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO OVER 100 MPH WHILE THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. THE MECHANIC RE-CRIMPED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE EXTERIOR PAINTING ON MY VEHICLE IS OF POOR QUALITY. ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO, THE PAINT STARTED OXIDIZING IN MULTIPLE AREAS SUCH AS THE HOOD & ROOF- INITIALLY IN SMALL AREAS, BUT HAS NOW SPREAD TO COVER MOST OF THESE AREAS. I WAXED THE CAR AT LEAST 2X PER YEAR. THE PAINT JUST DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN OF A HIGH QUALITY. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE THAT HAD A RECALL UNDER CAMPAIGN # 09V123000 . THE RECALL STARTED IN AUGUST 2009, HOWEVER, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. IN DECEMBER, 2010 I NOTICED EXTREME PULLING IN MY VEHICLE WHEN I ALMOST DROVE INTO A DITCH. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED DRIVING MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS THEN INFORMED OF THE RECALL. I HAD MY CAR BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIRS, BUT DURING REPAIRS, WHERE MY TRAILING ARMS WERE NOT ONLY CORRODED BUT ALSO BENT, IT WAS NOTED THAT MY TIRES WHICH WERE ALL AT HALF LIFE (WHICH LEAVES ABOUT 40K MILES ON THEM) WERE ABNORMALLY WORN ON THE INSIDE OF THE REAR TIRES. WITH THE TYPE OF ABNORMAL WEAR, THIS IS MOST OFTEN BECAUSE OF MISALIGNMENT, WHICH IS NOTED AS SOMETHING THAT WILL HAPPEN IF REPAIRS ARE NOT MADE TO THE VEHICLE PER THE RECALL. I ASKED HYUNDAI TO REPLACE THE TIRES AS THIS WAS THEIR NEGLIGENCE IN NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL, THEY DENIED IT. I SPOKE TO THE HEAD OF THE DEALERSHIP, WHO SET UP A MEETING WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM HYUNDAI, WHO MADE IT VERY CLEAR THEY HYUNDAI, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, WARRANTIES TIRES. THIS "UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES" DOES NOT FIT, SINCE THEIR RECALL AND REAR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS CAUSED THE ISSUE AND I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES LONG BEFORE WOULD HAVE BEEN NECESSARY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT INFORM ME OF THE RECALL. THEY ALSO HAD PUT A NOTE OF THE RECALL ON A PREVIOUS WORK ORDER IN 2009, BUT HAD NOT MADE NOTE OF THIS TO ME WHEN I CHECKED OUT WITH THEM, NOR DID THEY TAKE CARE OF THE REPAIRS THAT DAY WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS ALREADY IN THE SHOP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICED A FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND STRAPS WERE CORRODED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A COMPLAINT BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 92,000.

CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILURE 2001 SANTA FE 4 CYL. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. *TR

2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE POWER STEERING LINES AND BRAKE LINES COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION. MAKES SENSE IF THEY DIDN'T PROTECT THAT PROPERLY, THEN THEY DIDN'T PROTECT THESE LINES PROPERLY. CAN NOT STOP VEHICLE. CAN NOT STEER VEHICLE. *TR

2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING THE HOOD FLEW UP AND SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAFETY RELEASE HOOD RUSTED OUT, ALSO THE PIECE THAT HELD THE SPARE TIRE RUSTED OUT. THE SPARE TIRE IS NOW HOUSED IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY PLASTIC GARBAGE BAG FLEW UNDER CAR CATCHING ON POWER STEERING LINES WHICH BROKE DUE TO RUST CORROSION. ONLY ONE LINE BROKE BUT REPLACED BOTH LINES AS PRECAUTION. HARD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. TOTAL COST $444.07 ( 277.15 PARTS + 166.92 LABOR- AAA MEMBERSHIP). MICHIGAN WINTERS! *TR

ON JUNE 30, 2010 AT APPROX 9:50 AM CDT, I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE AS IF ON A SHEET OF ICE. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE ACTUALLY OPTIMAL WITH NO WATER, ICE OR OTHER ADVERSE ROAD CONDITIONS. I WAS ABLE TO WRESTLE MY VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO AN EXIT WHILE GENTLY APPLYING MY BRAKES TO GRADUALLY REDUCE SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS CANTED ON THE ROADWAY (REAR END SIGNIFICANTLY DISPLACED TO RIGHT) AS I DROVE IT TO A NEARBY REPAIR SHOP. I WAS BASICALLY DRAGGING THE REAR END BEHIND ME. A FRIEND CONFIRMED THIS APPEARANCE AND THAT THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR TIRE WAS ALSO DEVIATED TOWARD THE RIGHT AND THAT BOTH TIRES WERE ANGLED INWARD AS HE FOLLOWED ME TO THE REPAIR SHOP. AT THIS TIME, I WAS UNAWARE OF A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA ACTION # EA08023, RECALL CAMPAIGN # 09V123000) THAT APPLIED TO MY VEHICLE. THE REAR TRAILING ARMS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION AND FAILURE. UNFORTUNATELY, ONLY OWNERS WHO HAD PURCHASED THAT VEHICLE IN A SALT-BELT STATE, OR WERE REGISTERED IN A SALT-BELT STATE AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL (APRIL 2009) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE DANGER. MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN PURCHASED IN OREGON AND I HAVE RESIDED IN OKLAHOMA FOR THE 4 YEARS. I DID SPEND 4 YEARS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN 2 SALT-BELT STATES, HOWEVER, EXPOSED TO THE CONDITIONS THAT ACCELERATED THE CORROSION OF THE FLAWED PARTS. AFTER I DISCOVERED THIS RECALL ON MY OWN ON 7/8/2010, I GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED TO EDMOND HYUNDAI IN EDMOND, OK AND BEGAN TRYING TO GET THIS RECALL WORK DONE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED THAT BOTH REAR TRAILING ARMS HAD FAILED AND HAD SIGNIFICANT CORROSION. HYUNDAI AGREED TO REPLACE THE REAR TRAILING ARMS, BUT HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR TOWING AND OTHER VEHICLE DAMAGES THAT RESULTED FROM THIS COMPONENT FAILURE. THEY ALSO REFUSED TO PROVIDE A VEHICLE WHILE MINE IS IN THE SHOP OR PAY FOR A COMPARABLE RENTAL VEHICLE. I HAVE ESCALATED THIS TO HYUNDAI'S NATIONAL OFFICE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH ON A GRAVEL ROAD DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE CAME OFF. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. HE CALLED THE DEALER WHERE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS PRE-OWNED AND PURCHASED IN APRIL 2010. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER PUT THE WRONG LUG NUTS ON THE TIRE. AFTER THE LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED A WEEK LATER THE BALL JOINTS ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FAILED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE TRAILING ARMS ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WERE COVERED WITH RUST AND BROKE IN HALF. MOST OF THE REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE BODY SHOP IS REPAIRING TIRE FAILURE AND THE REAR FENDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 01/06/11. *LJ UPDATED 02/28/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE; BOTH TRAILING ARMS FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED HER THAT RECALL 09V123000 (SUSPENSION: REAR) WAS IN EFFECT. THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS REPAIRED AND THE REAR AXLE REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. SINCE THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE SHAKES, SHIMMIES AND RATTLES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AS IT PULLED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 129,000.

WHILE BEING IN PARK - ENGINE WILL SURGE - RPMS JUMP TO ABOUT 6,000 AND ACCELERATES LIKE IT WANTS TO GO. I WILL PUT CAR IN DRIVE AND RPMS COME DOWN BUT STILL WANTS TO ACCELERATE. THIS SAME THING HAPPENS EVEN AT STOP SIGN - WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. CAR UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATES ON ITS ON ONCE FOOT COMES OFF BRAKE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY OR MAY NOT BE ON. VERY SCARY SITUATION AND ALMOST SCARED TO DRIVE IT. THIS HAPPENS EVERY NOW AND THEN BUT LATELY IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS. NOTICED THE PROBLEM ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. *TR

THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND BEGAN LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE CONTACTS MECHANIC DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE FOUND THAT RECALL 09V123000, SUSPENSION REAR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT WAIT SEVERAL WEEKS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED OR TRAVEL TO A DEALER WHICH IS 30 MILES AWAY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

AT ABOUT 11:00AM ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2010, I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE OUTBOUND ON ROOSEVELT BRIDGE IN WASHINGTON, DC. SPEED WAS ABOUT 30-40 MPH WHEN, WITHOUT WARNING, I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, WHICH BEGAN TO FISHTAIL FIRST LEFT THEN RIGHT. MIRACULOUSLY HIT NOTHING AND WAS ABLE TO REGAIN STEERING CONTROL AND BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP AFTER ABOUT 3/10 OF A MILE. I LATER LEARNED THAT THIS EVENT WAS CAUSED BY A TOTAL FRACTURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TRAILING ARM OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAD FRACTURED AS THE RESULT OF EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE PART. VEHICLE WAS CARRYING NO LOAD BUT ME AS DRIVER AND DID NOT HIT A POTHOLE OR OTHER OBSTRUCTION. COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY SERIOUS AT A HIGHER SPEED WITH TRAFFIC ON EITHER SIDE OF VEHICLE. I HAVE 50 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE, MUCH OF IT IN SNOW AND ICE IN NEW ENGLAND, AND NEVER EXPERIENCED TOTALLY SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF CONTROL LIKE THIS. I UNDERSTAND THAT NHTSA HAS STUDIED THIS SITUATION AND THAT HYUNDAI HAS A RECALL IN "SALT BELT" STATES ONLY (INCLUDES DC AND MARYLAND BUT REMARKABLY NOT NORTHERN VIRGINIA WHICH IS THE AREA OF VIRGINIA IN WHICH I LIVE). SEEMS RIDICULOUS THAT DC AND MD ARE INCLUDED, BUT NOT NORTHERN VIRGINIA DESPITE THE FACT THAT SO MANY NORTHERN VIRGINIANS DRIVE IN DC AND MARYLAND EVERY DAY. I HAVE RETAINED THE FRACTURED PART WHICH I HAD REPLACED. HYUNDAI IS NOW TELLING ME THAT PASSENGER SIDE REAR TRAILING ARM HAS NO RUST. THIS SEEMS STRANGE AND IS HARD TO BELIEVE GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PART THAT IS ABOUT 6 FEET AWAY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR AND GIVEN THAT BOTH ARE ORIGINAL PARTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BROKE. THE WHEELS ARE TILTED INWARD WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE DEALER THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

AS I WAS BACKING UP THE 2001 SANTA FE SUV AT MY PARENTS DRIVE WAY, I HEARD A LOUD THUMP. I THOUGHT I WENT OVER A BIKE OR SOMETHING ELSE, AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO LOOK. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS CAVED INWARD, AND A METAL PART WAS BROKEN AND HANGING DOWN. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE IN THIS CONDITION, AND A TOW TRUCK HAD TO COME TO OUR HOME AND LOAD THE CAR ONTO A FLATBED. AFTER DISCOVERING THERE WERE NUMEROUS CASES OF 2001 SANTA FE CONTROL ARMS RUSTING OUT, I DECIDED TO FILE AN NHTSA COMPLAINT. I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AS I WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED. IT IS MY OPINION THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POOR DESIGN OF THE CONTROL ARM. FURTHERMORE, IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT CONTROL ARM IS SHOWING THE SAME SIGNS OF RUST THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM. IT WILL SOON NEED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WILL BE EXPENSIVE. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE PART OF A SAFETY RECALL. *TR

I HAD FAILURE OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM ON MY 2001 SANTA FE. ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN. I HAVE YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL BY THE HYUNDAI CORPORATION. WHY? THIS RECALL IS 6 MONTHS OLD AND THIS IS THE FIRST I HEAR ABOUT IT. HOW MANY OTHERS DON'T KNOW? THIS COMPANY HAS BEEN SLOW TO RESPOND. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS ABNORMALLY LEANING INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE TRAILING ARMS WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000. UPDATED 1/129/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRAILING ARMS WERE ALSO RUSTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UPDATED 2/6/2013 *JS

REGULAR INTERSTATE DRIVING, I THEN SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL, AND CROSSED THREE LANES, DARTING BACK AND FORTH ACROSS TRAFFIC AND GOT IT UNDER CONTROL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE IS WHERE I DISCOVERED THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WAS HANGING OFF. *TR

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM CAR MART LESS THAN A YEAR AGO.FIRST MY STEERING WAS VERY SHAKY. IT GOT RAPIDLY WORSE. I WENT THROUGH 3 SETS OF NEW TIRES IN ONE YEAR PLUS 2 ALIGNMENTS. I RECENTLY HAD TROUBLE AGAIN AND MY CAR IS IN THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN FAYETTEVILLE. FIRST THE BEARINGS WERE RUSTED IN. BOTH BALL JOINTS WERE NEARLY OUT. THE CONTROL ARM IS GOING OUT. THE STEERING LINKAGE AND THE CRADLE ABOVE THE DRIVELINE IS RUSTED AND FALLING APART LITERALLY. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM THE CADILLAC CONVERTER IS RUSTED APART FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER WAS RUSTED CLOSED AND HAD TO BE BROKE OFF TO GET MY SPARE OUT. ALSO THE REAR SEAT BELT JUST STOPPED WORKING . TALK ABOUT A BAD DAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL SEVERELY TOWARDS THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THE DRIVER REDUCED THE SPEED RATE AND CONTINUED IN OPERATION WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THERE WAS FRONT SUB-FRAME PERFORATION WHICH WAS A RESULT OF SEVERE INTERNAL CORROSION. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,000. UPDATED 01/20/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. A RUSTED HOLE IN THE SUB-FRAME OCCURRED WHERE THE UPPER A-ARM WAS SECURED. FAILURE OF RETAINING BOLT WOULD RESULT IN SUSPENSION COLLAPSE AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE SUSPENSION WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SAME MAKE, BUT DIFFERENT MODEL. UPDATED 01/22/10.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. DURING STATE INSPECTION HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT MOTOR CONTROL ARM WAS LOOSE . A TECHNICIAN FROM A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY REPLACED THE COMPONENT AT AN EXPENSE OF $190.00. AFTER THE REPAIR HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE REAR TRAILING ARM. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126000.

MY 01 HYUNDAI SANTA FE DOWNSHIFTS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A LOUD POP AND DECELERATES THE VEHICLE SUBSTANTIALLY CAUSING A TRAFFIC/SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS CORRECTED MOMENTARILY WHEN I STOP AND RESTART THE ENGINE AS IF IT RESETS SOMETHING, THEN OF COURSE WHEN I GET BACK ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES IT ALL OVER AGAIN. OTHER 01 SANTA FE OWNERS SUFFER THE SAME DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES. WHY NOT RECALL THE VEHICLE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE? THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO BEND. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT NUMBER 3632527. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 108,000.

AFTER TURNING A CORNER @ 15 MPH I HAD TO LEAVE THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE 9 O-CLOCK POSITION IN ORDER TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. I NOTICED THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I THOUGHT I HAD AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM SO I SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE LOCAL TIRE REPAIR SHOP. ONCE THEY LIFTED THE VEHICLE UP FOR INSPECTION THEY NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE MECHANIC I FELL VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THE 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IS CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM SO I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP STATED I WAS THE 3RD VEHICLE THEY HAVE REPAIRED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP IS MAKING THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WITH NO COST TO ME. I FELL THAT ALL 2001 SANTA FE'S SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR AN INSPECTION AT THE LEAST. WE SHOULD NOT BE WAITING FOR A SEVERE ACCIDENT BEFORE THE NECESSARY STEPS ARE TAKEN. THERE ARE ONLY 30,000 PEOPLE LIVING IN THE TOWN WHERE I HAD MY VEHICLE TAKEN FOR SERVICE, 3 REPAIRS WOULD INDICATE TO ME THAT OVER THE ENTIRE USA THERE ARE A LOT MORE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2001 SANTA FE, MY STEPSON EXPERIENCED DRIVING DIFFICULTY WHEN HE COULD NOT EASILY CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS BENT OUTWARD APPROXIMATELY 30 DEGREES LATERALLY. WHEN THE WHEEL WAS REMOVED I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT, REAR TRAILING ARM HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND COLLAPSED. THE LEFT, REAR TRAILING ARM IS ALSO SHOWING SIGNS OF RUST-THROUGH. I HAVE DEEMED THIS VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND AM THANKFUL THAT NOBODY WAS HURT. *TR

MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE ON THEIR WAY HOME AND WENT ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACKS WHEN MY WIFE HEARD A CLUNK AND THOUGHT A CHUNK OF ICE FELL OFF THE CAR. SHE SAID THE CAR THEN HANDLED AS IF IT WERE ON BLACK ICE ALL OVER THE ROAD. I PULLED THE CAR IN THE SHOP AND FOUND THE LEFT REAR TRAILING BROKE NEXT TO THE SPRING MOUNT TOWARDS THE WHEEL. NOT HAVING DISMANTLED ANY COMPONENTS, USING A VISUAL INSPECTION THE PART HAD ONLY A FEW SPOTS THAT HAD BEEN HOLDING JUDGING BY THE RUST ON THE BROKEN PART. THE CAR IS STILL IN MY SHOP AND I WILL BE CALLING HYUNDAI MONDAY TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS PART. MY CONCERN IS IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, MY WIFE AND 17 MONTH DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. PLEASE REVIEW THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER SEEN TRAILING ARMS, CONTROL ARMS OR MAJOR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS BREAK LIKE THIS ONE DID WITHOUT HAVING BEEN IN SOME TYPE OF ACCIDENT. THIS PART FAILED FROM THE TOP DOWN. *TR

I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO A PROBLEM WITH A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I BORROWED THE CAR FROM MY GIRLFRIEND TO RUN AN ERRAND. BEING 6 FOOT TALL AND HAVING A SIZE 13 FOOT I MUST SAY THE CAR WASN'T VERY COMFORTABLE EVEN WITH THE DRIVERS SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK. IT SEEMED TO RESPOND AND HANDLE SMOOTHLY BUT AS I EASED ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW FOR A RAILROAD CROSSING, THE TOE OF MY WORK BOOT BECAME WEDGED BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LAUNCHED LIKE A ROCKET AND MY IMPULSE WAS TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MY FREE (LEFT) FOOT. THIS ONLY DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR FURTHER TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO SPEED OUT OF CONTROL. IT WENT FROM 30 MPH TO NEARLY 90 MPH IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND IN A MOMENT OF CLARITY I REACHED FOR THE IGNITION KEY. I SWITCHED THE IGNITION OFF LOSING ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKING CAPABILITIES BUT WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. AT THIS POINT I WAS ABLE TO FREE MY RIGHT FOOT FROM IT'S TRAPPED POSITION BETWEEN THE TWO CONTROL PEDALS AND SAT IN A STATE OF SHOCK. IT WAS 2 DAYS LATER THAT I REALLY CAME BACK TO A SOMEWHAT LOGICAL STATE OF MIND AND DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND HOPEFULLY ALERT OTHER DRIVERS TO THIS POTENTIAL DEADLY PROBLEM. MUCH TO MY HORROR, I FIND THAT I'M NOT THE FIRST ONE TO EXPERIENCE THIS AND BEING MECHANICAL MYSELF CAN SEE THAT THESE CARS ARE NOT DESIGNED BY 6 FOOT ENGINEERS WITH SIZE 13 BOOTS. I FOUND A SIMILAR COMPLAINT ON THE ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM FORUM WHILE SEARCHING THE 2001 SANTA FE ( COMPLAINT NUMBER 754795) AND AGREE THAT THESE VEHICLES HAVE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE PROXIMITY OF THE BRAKE / ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONFIGURATION. FOR A PERSON OF MY STATURE, THEY CAN BE POTENTIAL DEATH TRAPS ! *TR

THE BACK WINDOW OF MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE JUST BLEW OUT LAST NIGHT, NO ACCIDENT. *TR

REAR SUSPENSION: LOST STEERING GOING OVER A BRIDGE. LOOKED UNDER CAR AND ALL RODS AND SPRINGS ARE RUSTED OUT WITH HUGE RUSTED HOLES. CRACKED AND RUSTED, ENTIRE REAR SUSPENSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

RUSTING OF LOWER SUB-FRAME ON A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CAUSE STEERING PROBLEMS LEADING VEHICLE TO BE UNDRIVABLE. *TR

LEFT REAR OF VEHICLE DROPPED CAUSING LANE CHANGE , LEFT REAR TIRE RUBBING ON STRUT-SHOCK , TRAILING ARM BROKE LEFT REAR. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE I NOTICED THAT MY VEHICLE WOULD SWAY TO THE RIGHT AND I HAD TO COMPENSATE BY STEERING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. A PRELIMINARY INSPECTION SHOWED THAT I NEEDED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRES DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE WEAR TO THE TIRES CAUSED BY THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ALIGNED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A LOCAL TIRE SHOP FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. UPON INSPECTION BY THE MECHANIC IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS ATTACHED HAS A RUST HOLE WHERE THE RIGHT BOLT ATTACHES TO THE SUB FRAME. IN FACT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS ONLY ATTACHED WITH ONE BOLT. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TIE ROD REPLACEMENT AND WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT CAUSED BY THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NOT BEING PROPERLY ATTACHED TO THE SUB FRAME. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO ALIGN THE VEHICLE OR CHANGE THE WHEEL BEARINGS DUE TO THIS CONDITION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE SUB FRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. DAMAGE RESULTING = I AM UNABLE TO USE THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. COST TO REPLACE THE SUB FRAME IS APPROXIMATELY $2000.00 DOLLARS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN THE EVENING ON THE SOUTHERN STATE PARKWAY (55 MPH, LEFT LANE, PKWY TRAFFIC HEAVY BUT MOVING WELL), STEERING SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHIMMY, FOLLOWED BY GRINDING NOISE EMANATING FROM RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. ASSUMED A FLAT, PULLED FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL, PUT HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND BEGAN TO PULL OVER TO RIGHT LANE. STEERING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL AS STEERING WHEEL WAS WHIPPING FROM RIGHT TO LEFT, GRINDING NOISE INCREASED - AS I SLOWED ENOUGH TO PULL ONTO DIRT SHOULDER, RIGHT FRONT OF CAR COLLAPSED, RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BROKE OFF AND BOUNCED ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC BEFORE LANDING ON OPPOSITE SHOULDER OF PARKWAY. THAT THE WHEEL DIDN'T FLY OFF WHILE DRIVING AT FULL 55 MPH AND WHEN IT DID FAIL, THAT IT BOUNCED BETWEEN ONCOMING CARS, AND DID NOT HIT ONE OF THEM AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, WAS ASTOUNDING. THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR HINT OF A PROBLEM, MY CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THE WHEEL LITERALLY RUSTED OFF - HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. MECHANIC STATES 3 OTHER WHEELS HAVE MORE RUST THAN HE HAS EVER SEEN ON A VEHICLE, HOWEVER, HE DIDN'T FEEL THERE WAS DANGER OF AN IMMEDIATE FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE TIRES RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DUE TO THE STEERING COLUMN VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A TIRE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINTS WERE RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP OR HER RESIDENCE BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,785.

IN APRIL 2008, THE RIGHT TRAILING ARM OF MY 2001HYUNDAI SANTA FE RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO DROP. REPLACEMENT WAS $712. LAT WEEK (NOVEMBER 2008) THE LEFT TRAILING ARM RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE REAR OF THE CAR TO DROP, CRASHING THROUGH THE STRUT, WHEEL BALANCING AGAINST SIDE. THIS REPLACEMENT COST $762. HYUNDAI NEVER ALLOWED FOR DRAINAGE IN THE TRAILING ARMS FROM 2001 TO 2004. NO RECALL AS IT HAPPENS IN HIGH SALT STATES. I BELIEVE THEY ARE BEING INVESTIGATED FOR THIS NOW. VERY DANGEROUS. WE WERE LUCKY BOTH TIMES, BUT THIS HAS CAUSED OTHER VEHICLES TO FLIP OVER AND CAUSED DEATHS. *TR

THE REAR TRAILING ARMS ROTTED AND ONE BROKE AS I WAS DRIVING. II TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC, WHO WAS TOLD BY HIS PARTS CONTACT THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE WITH HYUNDAI SANTA FE'S. BOTH THE REAR TRAILING ARMS NEEDED REPLACING. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND THEY REFUSE TO LOOK INTO IT. THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE I DIDN'T TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER, THEY COULDN'T CONFIRM IT AND THEY DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO INVESTIGATE IT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT MAKES ANY DIFFERENCE AS TO WHICH SERVICE PLACE I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO. THE BOTTOM LINE IS - THE VEHICLE NEEDED REPAIR. I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH HYUNDAI FOR NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. CLEARLY, STATING THAT IT NEEDED TO GO TO A HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER IS JUST AN EXCUSE FOR THEM TO DENY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE OR THE PART. I FEEL THERE IS A PUBLIC SAFETY RISK. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN WITH THE VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT - OR WORSE. MY TEENAGE SON COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER VEHICLES ARE DRIVING AROUND WITH THE SAME DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION TO BE SURE THAT OTHER'S DON'T EXPERIENCE WHAT I EXPERIENCED OR WORSE. IF THE PART HAD BROKEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT COULD HAVE HARMED OTHERS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND HELP PROTECT OTHERS. *TR

AS I BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY MY FRONT BRAKES FAILED. THE FRONT DRIVER BRAKE PAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY . THE PAD WAS ON THE DRIVEWAY. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE BONDING AGENT HAD FAILED. THE JENKINS HYUNDAI OF BRADENTON CONFIRMED THE DEFECT IN THE BONDING AGENT-BUT STATED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS NOT COVERED BY HYUNDAI WARRANTY. ALL BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. I RETAINED THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE PAD. *TR UPDATED 02/01/10.*JB UPDATED 03/08/10 *BF UPDATED 04/29/10.*JB

MY DAUGHTER WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND THE RIGHT REAR TRAILING ARM FAILED BECAUSE IT HAD RUSTED AND BROKE CAUSING THE REAR TIRE TO TURN OUT AND THERE WAS NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SHE JUST GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE RUNNING 70 MILES PER HOUR, THIS COULD HAVE HAD A REAL SAD OUT COME. WE ARE HAVING BOTH TRAILING ARMS REPLACED. *TR

AFTER DRIVING OVER A POT HOLE THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AS IT WAS DRIVEN. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE SHOP SAID THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT AS THERE WAS A FIST SIZE HOLE IN THE FRAME WHERE IT HAD RUSTED THROUGH WHERE THE CONTROL ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. WHILE RESEARCHING THE INTERNET I LEARNED OF MANY SIMILAR DEFECTS REPORTED TO NHTSA I BELIEVE SOME HYUNDAI MODELS SHARE THE FRAME. *TR

2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LOWER CONTROL ARE COMPLETED ROTTED OUT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. CALLED HYUNDAI THEY SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SAVE THE CONTROL ARM WHICH I DID. THE COST OF REPAIRS WERE $500+. NOW THE RIGHT HAND SIDE IS ROTTED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED IN A FEW MONTHS. MY MECHANIC SAID THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. *TR

OIL LIGHT CAME ON .SO I CARRY TO THE PEOPLE THAT DID MY OIL CHANGE THEY CHECKED IT OUT THEY DID NOT SEE WHERE IT WAS LEAKING FROM. THEY REFILL IT AND THEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ,SO THIS TIME I CARRY IT TO THE DEALER ON THAT MONDAY THEY GAVE ME AN APP. FOR THAT WEDNESDAY THE 13TH KEPT IT OVERNITE AND RETURNED BACK THE 14TH MAN IN PARTS DEPT SAID IT WAS BLOWING OUT THE TAIL PIPE. NO LEAKS ON THE GROUND. OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND NOW THEY SAID THE B.B.B.SAID MY CAR IS TO OLD AND THAT THE PEOPLE THAT DID MY OIL CHANGE DID NOT PUT OIL IN ,WHICH IS A LIE. START TO BURN OIL AT LITTLE OVER 85000 MILE. I CARRY IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT BUT THEY DID NOT. *TR

MY 2001 SANTE FE WAS MAKING " CREAKING" NOISE BY THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR IT, BUT BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT I HEARD A LOUD THUD AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ONLY GOING 35 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO SKID INTO A DRIVEWAY. THE REAR CONTROL ARM SNAPPED OFF DUE TO AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST. THE OTHER SIDE IS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. THE REPAIR SHOP HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH (2001 SANTA FE), I FELT A BIG JERK WHICH I NEVER FELT IT BEFORE WITH THIS CAR. AFTER THAT I MADE A RIGHT TURN AND MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN I RE-STARTED THE CAR, IT STARTED FINE. *TR

RETURNING FROM 2 HOUR HIGHWAY TRIP, TURNED INTO DEVELOPMENT, HEARD LOUD SNAPPING NOISE. TOOK TO DEALER NEXT DAY, INFORMED DRIVER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARMS RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKEN, PASSENGER SIDE WELL ON WAY. AXLE WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. ONLY AXLE UNDER WARRANTY--HAD DEALER REPLACE SUCH. TOOK VEHICLE TO REGULAR GARAGE FOR REMAINDER OF REPAIRS. GARAGE EXTREMELY SURPRISED AT AMOUNT OF RUST CONTAINED IN REAR SUSPENSION----PAPER THIN. HAVE SAVED PARTS FOR ANYONE WISHING TO LOOK AT THEM. HAVE NOTED ON-GOING COMPLAINTS ABOUT 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRAS WITH SAME PROBLEM--MUST BE A HYUNDAI ISSUE--AS MINE IS A SANTA FE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND COULD CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS AND/OR DEATHS SHOULD CONTROL FAIL DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. WAS TOLD CONTROL ARM IS DEFECTIVE, AS THERE IS NO HOLES FOR ANY WATER/CONDENSATION TO DRAIN, THEREFORE WATER SITS AND RUSTS THEM OUT. *TR

VEHICLE: 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF A KEY SUSPENSION COMPONENT: THE RIGHT REAR BEARING ARM. THIS COMPONENT, WHICH ATTACHES THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AXLE TO THE CHASSIS COMPLETELY FAILED DURING A DRIVE ON A SECONDARY ROAD AT SPEEDS UNDER 55 MPH ON APRIL 9, 2008. THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT A QUARTER OF A TURN, AND THE VEHICLE ALMOST FLIPPED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. MY MECHANIC INFORMS ME THAT THIS COMPONENT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IN MY CASE, IT IS COMPLETELY CORRODED TO THE POINT WHERE IT COULD NO LONGER SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED A STRUCTURAL FAILURE. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS, AND HAVE NEVER SEEN A WEIGHT BEARING SUSPENSION COMPONENT FAIL UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. HAD THIS FAILURE HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, I AM SURE THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WOULD HAVE COMPLETED DEPARTED THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LACK OF CONTROL AND PROBABLE DISASTER. WE CONSIDER OURSELVES VERY FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE WAS HURT. HOWEVER, THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS EXPENSIVE. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS NEARLY $1,000. THE COST OF THE SUSPENSION COMPONENT ALONE WAS $567.79. I CONSIDER THIS FAILURE NOT A NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCE AND WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE PART AND VEHICLE FOR COMPLETE ANALYSIS. I HAVE THE OLD PART AS WELL AS DIGITAL PHOTOS OF THE FAILED COMPONENT FOR YOUR REVIEW AS WELL AS REPAIR DOCUMENTATION. I WOULD LIKE HYUNDAI TO COVER THE COST OF THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. IN MY OPINION, THIS COMPONENT SHOULD NEVER FAIL UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND CERTAINLY NEVER FAIL IN A VEHICLE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS FAILURE HAS REALLY SHAKEN MY CONFIDENCE IN HYUNDAI'S DESIGN AND ENGINEERING QUALITY. IF WE HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, I AM CERTAIN THAT AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN INEVITABLE. *TR

OUR 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE...GOING ALONG THE HIGHWAY WE HEARD A THUNK AND THE SUV ALMOST WENT OUT OF CONTROL...FISHTAILING...FINALLY BROUGHT IT TO A SAFE STOP AND TOWED....MY MECHANIC COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW THIN THE REAR CONTROL ARM WAS ( WHICH IS WHAT BROKE) STATING IT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, MAINLY BECAUSE THERE IS NO PLACE FOR THE WATER TO DRAIN CAUSING PREMATURE AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS...THE OTHER SIDE WAS READY TO BREAK THROUGH TOO HE OBSERVED. LUCKILY THERE WAS TRAFFIC THAT NIGHT AND WE WERE NOT GOING THAT FAST, HAD THAT HAPPEN AT 65, THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE BEEN APT TO ROLL OVER. *TR

A-FRAME OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR RUSTED THROUGH AND MY TIRE AND WHEEL FELL OFF. *TR