NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
BRAKE SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING ESC OFF LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, CRUISE CONTROL NOT TO ENGAGE, AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE. CHECK ENGINE CODE OF P0405 BEING THROWN BY ONBOARD COMPUTER TO INDICATE FAILURE. *TR
PER THE NHTSA WEB SITE SERVICE BULLETIN 219304 ACTION NUMBER 10021136 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE REPORT DATE OCT 1,2006 SUMMARY DETAIL AUTOMATIC TRANS AXLE SHIFT LEVER WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. ON 2/7/2014 MY CALL WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AT 8006335151 TO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE REGARDING THIS SAFETY MATTER. WAS TOLD THIS MATTER WAS ONLY ASSISTED FOR SOME 2007 HYUNDAI VEHICLES AND MY VIN WAS NOT ONE. WAS ALSO TOLD ACCORDING TO WHEN MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED FEB 6,2007 AND THE REPORT DATE ACCORDING TO NHTSA OCT 1,2006 THE CAR HAD TO ME MANUFACTURED BETWEEN OCT 2006 THRU MARCH 2007. AT THAT POINT MY CAR WAS COVERED DURING THAT TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY COMPONENT AND THE MANUFACTURE WILL NOT COVER MY VEHICLE. I HAVE TO PAY THE DEALERSHIP OUT OF POCKET PER CUSTOMER SERVICE. MY CLAIM NUMBER IS 6413148. MY CAR IS AT WEB HYUNDAI FOR REPAIR AND THE HYUNDAI WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE. WEB HYUNDAI NUMBER IS 219 923-2277 AND MY SERVICE ADVISOR NAME IS [XXX] WHICH CONFIRMED TO ME THIS IS THE REPAIR DUE FEB 18,2014. PLEASE ASSIST. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
2 COMPLAINTS: 1. MY FUEL INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWICE WITHIN A YEAR. I DEAL WITH A LOCAL AUTOBODY AND THEY STATED THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR YEARS. THE ISSUE CAUSES YOUR GAS GAUGE TO BE INCORRECT AND THE CAR EVENTUALLY STOPS RUNNING. EXPENSIVE TO FIX. 2. THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE OFF AND HUNG BY WIRES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS, AGAIN, SEEMS TO BE A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE 2007 SANTA FE. WHY NO RECALLS FOR ANY OF THESE THINGS?? PLENTY OF FORUMS DISCUSSING THE SAME PROBLEMS FOR SO MANY CONSUMERS. *TR
FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. ALWAYS REGISTERED EMPTY, EVEN WHEN TANK WAS FULL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. REPAIR INVOLVED BOTH FUEL LEVEL SENSORS BE REPLACED, CALIBRATED, AND CLEARED CODES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE ENGINE WOULD OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DESPITE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE INITIAL INSURANCE COMPANY REPORT PUTS VISIBLE DAMAGE AT 65% OF VALUE AND ANTICIPATES ADDITIONAL, UNSEEN DAMAGE WILL PUSH COST ABOVE 75% AND RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING TOTALED. *TR
EXITING FROM A PARKING LOT ONTO 7TH ST IN PHOENIX AZ, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND, DESPITE BRAKE APPLICATION, ENTERED THE ROADWAY, HITTING A MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS IN THE SIDE. NOBODY WAS INJURED AND AIRBAGS DID NOT INFLATE. ONCE STOPPED, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT FROM NEUTRAL INTO PARK TO RELEASE THE KEY. VEHICLE TOWED AND, AS FRAME WAS DAMAGED AS WELL AS FRONT END AND RADIATOR, INSURANCE ARE WRITING THE VEHICLE OFF. *TR
I READ IN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, AND JUST PERSONALLY CONFIRMED IT MYSELF, THAT HYUNDAI ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V415000) FOR 2007-2012 VERACRUZ VEHICLES WITH THE LAMBDA MPI ENGINE TO CORRECT AN OIL LEAK FROM THE FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET THAT SATURATES THE ALTERNATOR AND CAUSES THE ALTERNATOR TO SHORT OUT. THE RECALL ALSO STATES THAT "AN UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE DRIVING INCREASES RISK OF A CRASH". THE SAME EXACT THING IS HAPPENING IN SANTA FE'S. MY CAR SHUT DOWN ON ME WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I FOUND OUT THAT MY CAR HAD AN OIL LEAK FROM THE FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET THAT SPILLED ONTO MY ALTERNATOR AND SHORTED OUT MY ALTERNATOR,WHICH NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND THIS ULTIMATELY KILLED MY BATTERY. SO NEW ALTERNATOR, NEW BATTERY, AND NEW GASKET COVER. THIS ENGINE OIL LEAK IS SO DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. THERE SHOULD ALSO BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE IN SANTA FE MODELS WHICH HAVE THE SAME ENGINE. *TR
SYMPTOMS: "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. "LOW FUEL" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. FUEL GAUGE INDICATED NEARLY EMPTY EVEN THOUGH TANK WAS CLOSE TO HALF FULL. CAUSE: FUEL TANK LEVEL SENSOR FAILED. AFTER IT WAS REPLACED, ALL SYMPTOMS CLEARED. VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY. A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALED MANY OTHER SANTA FE OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. CONCERN: NOW WHENEVER THE TANK IS COMPLETELY FILLED, THERE IS A SLIGHT ODOR OF GAS IN THE CAR. SUSPECT THAT BREAKING THE SEAL ON THE TANK TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK LEVEL SENSOR DISRUPTED THAT SEAL SUCH THAT FUEL VAPORS CAN NOW LEAK THROUGH IT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE LAMP FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE HAD EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. ..UPDATED 02-28-14 *BF UPDATED 03/14/2014
THE FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE ENGINE HAS FAILED. ENGINE OIL IS LEAKING ONTO THE ALTERNATOR. THIS CREATES A SIGNIFICANT RISK FOR ALTERNATOR FAILURE AND POTENTIAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. *JS
OWN A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 94K MILES. GAS GAUGE ERRATIC. SENSORS BAD. ASKED HYUNDAI IF THEY WERE CONSIDERING A RECALL ON THE GAS SENSORS SINCE IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THEY BASICALLY GAVE ME THE" SORRY ABOUT YOUR LUCK, BUT NO..." RESPONSE. THE GAS TANK DOOR STOPPED WORKING AS WELL SO I USE THE MANUAL PULL IN THE BACK COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE TO ACCESS MY TANK. WOULD GET IT FIXED BUT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS HORRIBLE. TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CHANGE THEM MYSELF. THE TAIL LIGHT DESIGN ON THE 2007 IS NOT AS VISIBLE AS IT SHOULD BE. I GET MANY HONKS AND MIDDLE FINGERS WHEN TRYING TO TURN. HAD THE LIGHTS LOOKED AT MANY TIMES AND THEY PASSED INSPECTIONS. I DID NOTICE THE TAIL LIGHTS ARE NOW DIFFERENT ON THE NEWER MODELS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOUD CLICKING SOUND FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,595.
UNABLE TO TELL HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE CAR. THE FUEL SENSOR IS BROKEN. I'VE SEEN MANY POSTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE LOW FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 03/20/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE BODY FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 03/28/2014 *JS
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEARS OTHER THAN NEUTRAL AND DRIVE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ESC WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. PM *TR
I WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE RECALL ISSUES CORRECTED AND ANOTHER CUSTOMER BROUGHT HIS SAME YEAR VEHICLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES IN FOR HIS RECALLS. I HEARD HIM TELL THE SERVICE GUY THE EXACT SAME ISSUES I WAS HAVING. THEY PULLED MY CAR AROUND AND WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR THE ESC LIGHT WAS STILL ON SO I WENT BACK IN TO ASK ABOUT IT AND HE PULLS IT UP MY INFO AND TELLS ME THE PRODUCTION DATE DID NOT QUALIFY AND THAT IT'S THE BRAKE SWITCH. HE THEN SHOWS ME THE PRODUCTION DATE FOR THE OTHER CUSTOMER AND USES IT AS AN EXAMPLE AS TO HOW IT'S BASED ON WHEN THE CAR WAS BUILT. HE EXPLAINS WHY IT HAPPENS AND THE DANGER IN IT SO I STOP HIM AND ASK HIM IF IT'S JUST A COINCIDENCE THAT THERE'S A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. ANY WAY YOU LOOK AT IT THE OTHER CUSTOMER HAD THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR AS MINE WITH THE SAME BRAKE SWITCH RECALL PROBLEM YET IT DIDN'T AFFECT MY CAR AND HE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID THE DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T GET PAID FOR THE WORK CAUSE IT WOULDN'T BE REIMBURSED BY HYUNDAI AND IF I CALL HYUNDAI AND WAS REAL NICE THAT THEY MAY ALLOW IT. I CALLED AND VERY NICELY EXPLAINED THAT MY CAR WAS HAVING THE ISSUES DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH AND THAT A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP HAD INSPECTED IT AND PRINTED ME COPIES STATING THAT IT WAS THE ISSUE FOR THE RECALL AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY TO ACCOUNT FOR EVERY SINGLE VEHICLE AFFECTED BY THERE MISTAKES AND FURTHER MORE AFTER EXPLAINING TO ME THE DANGER WITH IT THEY DON'T CARE ENOUGH ABOUT MY SAFETY AND HAVE NO PROBLEM SENDING ME BACK ON THE STREET WITH THE FAULTY VEHICLE THE SOLD ME. IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO LOOK INTO IT AND HELP OUT I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. THANKS *TR
THIS IS ACTUALLY MY THIRD COMPLAINT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO HYUNDAI NO ONE WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. FIRST MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A FUEL GAUGE SENSOR. I RECENTLY HAD THEM REPLACED NOW MY CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING AND THE CAR HAS STALLED ON ME SEVERAL TIMES WHILE IN TRAFFIC OR ON THE INTERSTATE. HYUNDAI IS IGNORING THIS. I THINK IT'S MY FUEL/ PROPOSITION SYSTEM. I HAD A TUNE-UP THE CAR SHAKES LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL CONSTANTLY. I CAN SMELL THE FUEL FROM INSIDE OF THE CAR. I CANNOT BELIEVE AFTER ALL THE COMPLAINTS THEY STILL SAY THAT THE CARS AFFECTED WERE EITHER ONLY 2006 MODELS OR WERE NEVER SOLD. THAT'S A LIE. THEY'VE HAD OVER FOUR HUNDRED COMPLAINTS AND THREE YEARS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.
SEVERAL DAYS AGO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED ACTING ERRATIC. IT WOULD READ PROPERLY THEN READ EMPTY THEN READ HALF FULL. THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE CAME UP THAT IT WAS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THIS IS A $4-500 REPAIR AND MY CAR IS JUST OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY. AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2007 SANTAFE AND SEEMS TO HAPPEN AROUND THIS MILEAGE. I THINK THAT A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED FOR THIS COMMON PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS THEY NOW USE FOR THE PROBLEM HAVE OBVIOUSLY BEEN UPGRADED SO THERE WAS A DEFINITE PROBLEM. *TR
SYMPTOMS: "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. "LOW FUEL" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. FUEL GAUGE INDICATED NEARLY EMPTY EVEN THOUGH TANK WAS CLOSE TO HALF FULL. CAUSE: FUEL TANK LEVEL SENSOR FAILED INDICATING FUEL IS ALWAYS EMPTY."CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ALWAYS ILLUMINATED. *TR
THE FUEL SENSOR UNIT INSIDE TANK IS DEFECTIVE. SOMETIMES IT IS CORRECT, OTHER TIMES THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY WHEN FULL, HALF FULL ETC. IT ALSO DISPLAYS LOW FUEL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON. IT IS A $ 650+ REPAIR JOB AT DEALER !!! I HAVE A FRIEND WITH SAME YEAR AND MODEL HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.....HOW MANY OTHERS ARE OUT THERE ? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE SUN VISOR FELL DOWN JUST HANGING BY THE WIRES BLOCKING MY SITE OF THE ROAD. I PUSHED THE POST BACK UP INTO THE HOLE AND IT FELL AGAIN. IT STAYS FOR A WHILE BUT I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL FALL AGAIN. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. DEALER SAYS THE VISOR MUST BE REPLACED. IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
SPEEDOMETER BEGAN BOUNCING AND THEN COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING; OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STUCK ON LOWEST TEMPERATURE READ OUTSIDE, MODE BUTTONS FOR HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING OPERATE ERRATICALLY. *TR
I ALSO AM HAVING MANY ISSUES WITH MY SUV. AS OTHERS HAVE STATES THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HAD TO CUT THE WIRE TO GET IT TO STOP DANGLING. I NOW HAVE NO DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR. I ALSO HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DUE TO MY FUEL SENSORS. MY GAS GAUGE FLUCTUATES. I HAVE TO GO BASED OFF MILEAGE WHEN TO GET GAS. I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT NONE OF THIS IS COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON ANYTHING THAT HAS AFFECTED MANY OR PEOPLE. *TR
AT A SLOW SPEED WHILE TURNING (EITHER DIRECTION, AS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED NOW 3 TIMES IN 10 WEEKS) VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER TO STEER AND BRAKE. FEELS LIKE THE CAR HAS DIED, HOWEVER THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON. WHEN IT RESOLVED, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BRAKES AND STEERING RESTORED. FIRST TWO TIMES THE POWER FAILURE WAS MOMENTARILY. THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE LOST POWER FOR 3-4 MINUTES AND STRANDED ME WHILE TURNING ONTO MAJOR ROAD FROM MY NEIGHBORHOOD WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAD CAR TOWED TO LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER WHO KEPT INSISTING THEY WOULD NEED TO SEE THE VEHICLE FAIL IN ORDER TO KNOW HOW TO REPAIR IT. I SAID NOT GOOD ENOUGH, THEY NEED TO FIND ANOTHER METHOD TO TROUBLE SHOOT AND REFUSED TO PICK UP VEHICLE. NOW THE DEALER IS BLAMING THE POWER LOSS ON WORN FRONT TIRES AND THE ESC SYSTEM CUTTING POWER TO THE ENGINE, STEERING AND BRAKES DUE TO IT SENSING SLIPPAGE. I'M NOT BUYING THIS EXPLANATION FROM THE DEALER, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF (1) THE SLOW SPEED (NO SLIPPING TIRES IN THESE THREE INSTANCES), AND (2) TIRES HAVE SLIPPED ON QUICK ACCELERATION BEFORE WITHOUT ESC SYSTEM CUTTING POWER TO BRAKES & STEERING, AND (3) IF THIS WERE THE CASE, I WOULD THINK ESC WOULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND NOT DESIGNED TO SAVE LIVES! WILL FILE COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI AMERICA BUT I DON'T HAVE MUCH FAITH THAT THEY WILL BE OF HELP. *TR
2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR SEAT BELT PASSENGER SIDE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THAT WAS NEVER RESOLVED. THE REAR SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WOULD RESCIND OR SLIDE BACK INTO THE OPENING AND THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO PULL THE SEAT BELT OUT. WHEN THE SEAT BELT WAS PULLED OUT BY THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER, IT WOULD NOT STAY OUT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, IT WAS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ESC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO DEACTIVATE THE ESC. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
THE PASSENGER SIDE SUNVISOR BROKE CAUSING THE SUNVISOR TO FALL OFF AND BLOCK VISION. ONE YEAR EARLIER THE DRIVER SIDE BROKE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS VISOR CAN BREAK WHILE DRIVING AND OBSTRUCT VISION. THE PLASTIC CLIP ON THE PIVOT BREAKS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VISOR WILL HANG BY THE ELECTRICAL CORD AND CAN NOT BE REMOVED UNLESS YOU UNSCREW AND DISMANTLE THE ENTIRE HOUSING ASSEMBLY-WHICH ISN'T POSSIBLE TO DO WHILE DRIVING. YOU WILL GET STUCK HOLDING THE VISOR OUT OF VIEW UNTIL YOU CAN PULL OVER AND EITHER RIG IT BACK UP TEMPORARILY OR GET LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE SOME SCREWDRIVERS WITH YOU TO FIX IT. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUDDER AND DECELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME ITS THE FUEL SENSORS. THE ONE ON THE FUEL PUMP AND ONE ON THE GAUGE. MY GAS GAUGE WILL FLUCTUATE TO FULL THEN EMPTY. I WAS TOLD EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN. COSTS ABOUT $500 TO REPAIR. I JUST PURCHASED MY VEHICLE 5 WEEKS PRIOR AS USED WITH 50320 ON THE ODOMETER. I HAVE A LIMITED WARRANTY THROUGH THE DEALER AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AS WELL. NEITHER WARRANTY COVERS THIS PROBLEM. I AM SEEING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK PLUS WHAT HAPPENS IF MY VEHICLE TOTALLY BREAKS DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. *TR
GAS FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. ESTIMATED REPAIRS FROM DEALER $550.00. NEEDED TO REMOVE REAR SEAT AND FUEL TANK. *TR
FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. THE FUEL GAUGE WILL REGISTER EMPTY AND THE FUEL LIGHT WILL COME ON AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. THE GAUGE WILL WAVER AND GIVE FAULTY REGISTERS WHILE DRIVING, EVEN CLIMBING BACK TO FULL AFTER REGISTERING "EMPTY" SECONDS BEFORE. ALSO WILL SHOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHEN IT IS HALF FULL THEN GO OFF WHEN COMPLETELY FULL. *TR
THE FUEL SENDERS HAVE FAILED IN BOTH TANKS. TANK SAYS EMPTY WHEN IT'S FULL BUT DOES NOT READ RIGHT WHEN EMPTY. HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS TWICE WHEN IT SAYS 1/2 FULL. REPLACED BOTH AND NOW THEY HAVE GONE OUT AGAIN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. COULD RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH. YOU CAN RUN OUT OF GAS ANYWHERE, DRIVING OR IDELING. FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE FROM HALF FULL TO EMPTY. IN ADDITION, THE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE SOFTWARE FOR THE ESC COMPUTER WAS UPDATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 1/29/14*CN UPDATED 01/29/14
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR MOUNT FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING THE SUN VISOR TO FALL DOWN AND DANGLE IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER BY THE ELECTRIC WIRE THAT RUNS INSIDE THE HINGE. THE VISOR DANGLED IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER BLOCKING THE VIEW, AND STARTLING THE DRIVER. HAD TO DISASSEMBLE THE VISOR HINGE TO REMOVE THE VISOR BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE SAFELY DRIVEN. UPON INSPECTION IT IS CLEAR THAT THE VISOR HINGE / BALL JOINT IS POORLY DESIGNED, WITH A PLASTIC TUBE LESS THAN 0.5MM THICK HOLDING THE ENTIRE VISOR AND FORCES WHILE IT IS MANIPULATED BY THE DRIVER. IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY ALL FAIL. WHILE PASSENGER SIDE FAILURE IS LESS DANGEROUS, DRIVER SIDE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND STARTLING IF OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. A GOOGLE SEARCH DEMONSTRATED THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY MANY HYUNDAI OWNERS OF VARIOUS MODELS. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART DESIGN, AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED SO MANUFACTURER CAN REPLACE THE VISORS WITH BETTER DESIGNED VERSIONS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, MY DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FELL FROM THE CEILING AND WAS DANGLING BY THE ELECTRICAL WIRE WHICH CONTROLS THE AUTOMATIC LIGHT WHEN THE VISOR IS OPENED. THIS NOT ONLY OBSTRUCTED MY VIEW, BUT ALSO CAUSED A KNEE-JERK REACTION TO BRAKE AS THE VISOR SWUNG TOWARD MY FACE. UPON INSPECTION, THE PLASTIC JOINT WHICH HOLDS THE VISOR IN PLACE HAD FAILED. THE VISOR HAD FALLEN DESPITE THE FACT THAT I WAS NOT ADJUSTING IT AT THE TIME, AND THERE WERE NO SIGNIFICANT BUMPS OR HAZARDS IN THE ROAD WHICH MAY HAVE JARRED IT LOOSE. *TR
THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE WHILE MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. IT CAME DOWN BLOCKING HER LINE OF SITE AND NEARLY WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AS IT WAS STOP AND GO RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. AFTER RESEARCHING, THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR YEARS BACK TO 2007 AND THERE ARE ENDLESS POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT APPEARS HYUNDAI HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT EXCEPT TAKE MONEY TO REPLACE IT WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. THE SONATA HAD A RECALL ON IT, SO CLEARLY THEY KNOW ITS AN ISSUE. IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW, THE PLASTIC IS VERY, VERY THIN. *TR
TWO WEEKS AGO, I STARTED MY CAR AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THE FUEL GAUGE WAY BELOW "E" AND THE LIGHT HAD TURNED ON, ALONG WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. I WAS AFRAID I HAD NEGLECTED TO GET GAS, EVEN THOUGHT I WAS PRETTY SURE THAT WHEN I LEFT THE CAR THE NIGHT BEFORE I WAS OVER A 1/4 OF A TANK. I MADE IT TO THE GAS STATION AND FUELED UP. I ONLY PUT $20 IN AT THE TIME, BECAUSE I WAS IN A HURRY. I GOT IN, STARTED THE CAR AND I WAS UP ALMOST FULL, WHICH IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE ON $20 IN A SANTA FE. IT TURNS OUT I HAD PLENTY OF GAS IN THE TANK AND THE GAUGE WASN'T REGISTERING IT PROPERLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE CAR NEEDS TO "WARM UP" BEFORE THE FUEL GAUGE ACTUALLY REGISTERS THE AMOUNT OF GAS CORRECTLY. AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I AM CONCERNED THAT PROBLEM COULD WORSEN WITH TIME AND WILL EFFECT OTHER SYSTEMS IN THE CAR. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT I MAY ACTUALLY RUN OF OUT GAS AND BE STUCK SOMEWHERE WITH MY CHILD BECAUSE THE GAUGE ISN'T ACCURATE AND LIKE ALL HUMAN BEINGS..I CAN'T ALWAYS REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I FUELED UP. *TR
FUEL GAUGE CEASED TO WORK PROPERLY. FALSE READINGS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF FUEL SENSORS LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS EXCEEDS $525.00. HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM ON SANTA FE MODELS FROM 2007 - 2010 BUT, HAS YET TO INITIATE A RECALL OR REIMBURSE REPAIR COSTS IF VEHICLE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FRACTURED AND WOULD HANG ABNORMALLY, BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S VISION OF THE ROADWAY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
THE BRAKES LIGHT WAS FUNCTIONING (NOT ON) WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE ESC OFF LIGHT START TO STAY ON. *TR
SUNVISOR FELL OFF. SMALL PLASTIC RING HOLDING THE SUNVISOR POST BROKE ALLOWING THE VISOR TO FALL AND BLOCK VISIBILITY. THERE ARE MANY POSTS ON LINE COMMENTING ON THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
SIMILAR FUEL GAUGE PROB I HAVE READ ON THIS SITE-----FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY AND INDICATOR LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED WHEN TANK GETS BELOW HALF FULL. *TT
"CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. "LOW FUEL" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. FUEL GAUGE INDICATED NEARLY EMPTY EVEN THOUGH TANK WAS CLOSE TO HALF FULL. CAUSE: FUEL TANK LEVEL SENSOR FAILED INDICATING FUEL IS ALWAYS EMPTY."CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ALWAYS ILLUMINATED. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 295 IN NEW JERSEY DURING THE MORNING RUSH HOUR, THE DRIVERSIDE SUN VISOR DETACHED FROM ITS MOUNTING POINT AND DROPPED INTO MY LINE OF DRIVING VISION. THIS EVENT STARTLED ME AND PREVENTED ME FROM SEEING WHERE I WAS DRIVING. I MOVED TO THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER AND TEMPORARILY PROPPED-UP THE SUN VISOR TO PREVENT MY VISION BEING BLOCKED AGAIN. THIS COULD VERY WELL HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF I HAD DRIFTED INTO ANOTHER LANE OF THE INTERSTATE AND SIDESWIPED AN 18-WHEELER. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR ALL 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. HAVING RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET, I SEE MANY INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING. AS AN ENGINEER, I SEE THE SUN VISOR SUPPORT AS BOTH INADEQUATE AND POORLY DESIGNED. CONSIDERING THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES FROM A BLOCKING OF VISION, I WOULD FIND HYUNDAI TO BE BOTH NEGLIGENT AND IRRESPONSIBLE IF A RECALL WERE NOT IMMEDIATELY ISSUED FOR THE DEFECT. *TR
PURCHASED USED VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2013 AT 32700 MILES. 4 MOS LATER AT 43000 MILES REAR BRAKES BEGAN GRINDING SEVERELY. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THE REAR CALIPER GOT STUCK/FROZE AND THE GRINDING DAMAGED THE ROTOR. BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR ON REAR DRIVER SIDE MUST BE REPLACED AND BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR ON PASSENGER SIDE NEEDS RESURFACING. ALSO ESC LIGHT HAS BEEN TURNING OFF AND ON AND DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE BRAKE SWITCH DESPITE THE NHTSA HAVING THE BRAKE SWITCH LISTED AS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSING ISSUES WITH THE ESC. *TR
FUEL SENSOR NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. AFTER FILLING UP FUEL LEVEL READS ZERO. FUEL LEVEL FLUCTUATES BETWEEN FULL AND EMPTY. AFTER CODE TESTING IT IS REVEALED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSORS ARE BAD. JUST ABOUT EVERYONE I KNOW SEEMS TO BE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. *TR
HELLO, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2007 SANTA FE. I WAS DRIVING LAST WEEK TO PICK UP MY 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION I HAD NO POWER WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL. I COASTED INTO THE PARKING LOT, NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, SHUT OFF THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY GRABBED MY MANUAL TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. WHEN RETURNING TO THE CAR AFTER GETTING MY DAUGHTER FROM CAMP, THE CAR STARTED AND WE MADE IT HOME. I AM FORTUNATE THAT MY WORK, CAMP, AND OUR HOME ARE VERY CLOSE. THE NEXT MORNING I CALLED MY HYUNDAI DEALER AND DISCUSSED WHAT THEY THOUGHT MAY HAVE HAPPENED. THEY AND I AGREED IT WAS BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY TO BRING IT IN TO BE CHECKED. I JUST RETURNED FROM THE APPOINTMENT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE "THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR", WHICH IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART CONSIDERING YOU CAN JUST LOSE POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OR A HIGHWAY. I ONLY HAVE 49,000 MILES ON MY CAR, WHICH IS GREAT FOR A 2007. I WOULD EXPECT THESE IMPORTANT PARTS TO HOLD UP MUCH LONGER THAN THAT. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOU INVESTIGATING THIS VERY IMPORTANT MATTER. I AND MANY OTHER FAMILIES HAVE VERY PRECIOUS CARGO WE CARRY IN OUR CARS...OUR KIDS. THANK YOU! *TR
WHEN PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND TRAVELING UP THE RESIDENTIAL STREET, THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FELL OUT OF THE ROOFTOP AND HIT ME IN THE HEAD. IT APPEARS BROKEN AND I CAN NOT RE-INSERT IT WITHOUT IT FALLING OUT AGAIN. I RARELY USE THE VISOR, AND IT FELL OUT WITHOUT MY ATTEMPTING TO LOWER IT. IT APPEARS MANY ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2007 SANTA FE. IF HYUNDAI WON'T RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE, FINE. I'M STILL WORKING ON A SOLUTION TO PREVENT THE VISOR FROM HITTING ME IN THE HEAD WHILE I'M DRIVING AND THEN DANGLING IN FRONT OF ME AND BLOCKING MY VISION. THE FRONT LEFT TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A FEW MONTHS AGO. I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE DEALER DID NOT RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM A YEAR AGO WHEN THE WARRANTY WAS STILL ACTIVE. THE MECHANIC WHO EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE TIE ROD TOLD ME HE THINKS THIS ISSUE WAS LONG-STANDING, AND PERHAPS EXISTED WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. DEALER COST TO REPAIR: $700+. MY MECHANIC REPAIRED FOR $180 (INCLUDING FRONT-END ALIGNMENT. NOW MY BRAKES ARE SQUEALING, AND THE PADS ARE FINE. MY MECHANIC TOOK PHOTOS OF RUST ON THE ROTORS. HE IS AMAZED AT THE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH A CAR @ 16,000 MILES. I THINK I BOUGHT A PIECE OF JUNK WITHOUT KNOWING IT. *TR
ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE APPROPRIATE. *TR