2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Complaint Log

OUR 2012 HYUNDAI SANTE FE HAS SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TWO TIMES WE WERE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, LOST POWER AND MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. THE DEALER INITIALLY DID AN ECM UPGRADE AND AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. A YEAR LATER (MARCH 2014) THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH. UNLIKE THE PREVIOUS EPISODES, THERE WAS NO CODE AND THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR BUT I REFUSED BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH A SAFETY PROBLEM. AFTER TWO WEEKS WITH THE CAR THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND TRIED TO WORK WITH THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE CAR BUT WITHOUT LUCK. I'VE SEEN ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR AND CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL. MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SCENARIO AS I DID AND ALSO BELIEVE THE NEXT TIME THEY COULD BE KILLED. *TR

ON FEB. 2, 2013 AFTER PULLING OUT AFTER A STOP LIGHT THE CAR RAN NORMALLY FOR A VERY SHORT TIME AND THEN ALL POWER LEFT. IT WOULD GO ONLY IN IDLE SPEED. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTING IT THE CAR WOULD RUN NORMALLY FOR A WHILE AND THEN DO THE SAME THING. A THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. ON, JAN. 28, 2014 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. ANOTHER THROTTLE BODY WAS INSTALLED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP NOR HYUNDAI COULD TELL US WHY THIS THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE NOR COULD THEY GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. WE COULD NOT FEEL SAVE DRIVING IT DOWN AN INTERSTATE OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HAVE THE CAR JUST BASICALLY STOP WITH NO WARNING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER AND DID NOT ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF FOR THE VEHICLE TO REGAIN ACCELERATION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS UPDATED. LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS AGAIN REPLACED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE RESULTS OF MORE TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS 9,805 ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES, AND EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. UPDATED 02/27/13

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO GENERATE A FAILURE CODE. THE DEALER ALSO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER RESET THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AS A PRECAUTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED HOWEVER, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL WHEN STOPPED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,766 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME SINCE THE PURCHASE IN APRIL, 2012. THE ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY AT A LOW SPEED. THE DEALER SHOP OBVIOUSLY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS TYPE OF HIGHLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY NHTSA URGENTLY. I SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE REPORTED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I HAVE TO RISK OUR FAMILY LIVES TO PROVE THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS FAULT WITH THIS VEHICLE! *TR

JUST GOT OUT OF A SHOPPING CENTER AND ONTO MIRA MESA BLVD, SAN DIEGO. CAR STALLED! I WAS GOING @ 30 MILES/HOUR OR SO. TOTAL MILES ON THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED WERE 5177 MILES. WHEN IT STALLS, IT BEHAVES AS IF KEY IS MOVED TO ON POSITION BUT CAR HAS NOT BEEN STARTED. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME CAR HAS STALLED SINCE I BOUGHT NEW IN AUGUST (YES, IN 5 MONTHS AND WITHIN @ 5,000 MILES). PRIOR TWO TIMES WERE JUST A BEFORE CHRISTMAS ON 12/23/2012 (ON THE SAME DAY, @ 1 MINUTE APART). AT THIS TIME I WAS GOING SLOW SPEED @ 25 MILES/HOUR ON A WINDY DOWN HILL ROAD. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO FAST MOVING CARS BEHIND ME IN ALL 4 CASES. I AM AFRAID THAT SOMEONE MAY HIT ME FROM BEHIND WHEN CAR STALLS LIKE THIS. CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER TWICE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THEY SEEMS TO HAVE NO CLUE. LAST TIME I WENT, JUST AFTER CHRISTMAS, THAT CHANGED THROTTLE BODY. I WAS HOPPING THAT IT WILL FIX THE ISSUE BUT I AM NOT THAT LUCKY AS IT CAME BACK IN JUST 3 WEEKS! I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH HYUNDAI ALREADY RIGHT AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, WILL HAVE TO FOLLOW UP WITH THEM AGAIN. *TR

CAR HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING THREE TIMES, ALL AT LOW SPEEDS. 3/4 TANK OF GAS, NO LESS. CAR ALSO WON'T START AT TIMES UNLESS YOU MOVE SHIFT LEVER. CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY AND DEALER KEEPS SAYING NOTHING WRONG. NOT STARTING IS VERY MINOR. CAR STALLING IN TRAFFIC IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO COAST TOWARDS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS PATTERN HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MILES. I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR AND IN FACT, MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE EITHER, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE. I HAD JUST A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO TRY TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, TOWARDS THE SHOULDER, BUT I HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS BRAKING THE ENTIRE TIME, BUT IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO STOP THE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. MY LEFT BUMPER HIT HIS TRUCK ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF HIS BUMPER. MY RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED AND LEAKED ALL THE FLUID OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE BECAUSE OF THE RADIATOR. *TR

IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO COAST TOWARDS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS PATTERN HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MILES. I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR AND IN FACT, MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE EITHER, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE. I HAD JUST A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO TRY TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, TOWARDS THE SHOULDER, BUT I HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS BRAKING THE ENTIRE TIME, BUT IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO STOP THE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. MY LEFT BUMPER HIT HIS TRUCK ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF HIS BUMPER. MY RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED AND LEAKED ALL THE FLUID OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE BECAUSE OF THE RADIATOR. *TR

THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A SLOPING DRIVEWAY. THE KEYS WERE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WAS SHIFTED TO PARK. A 2 YEAR OLD CHILD ALONE IN THE CAR MANAGED TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION OR APPLYING ANY BRAKE PRESSURE. THE CAR THEN ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO TRAFFIC. BY SHEER LUCK AND ADRENALINE, I MANAGED TO RUN AFTER THE CAR, GET THE DOOR OPEN, DIVE IN, AND STOP THE CAR BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MY HAND BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AFTER THIS EVENT, I WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE SHIFT-FROM-PARK-TO-NEUTRAL-WITHOUT-KEY-OR-BRAKE BEHAVIOR 100% OF THE TIME. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.... MY KID COULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR WORSE. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

2012 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH TIRES ON VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT FRONT AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, WITHIN 1/4 MILE OF EACH OTHER. CONTROLLING THE SUV BECAME DIFFICULT, BUT SHE MANAGED TO PULL OVER SAFELY ON TWO MANGLED, DEAD FLAT, SHREDDED TIRES. THE ROADWAY SHE WAS TRAVELING WAS CLEAR OF DEBRIS, POTHOLES, ETC. THE SUV WAS DAMAGED AND THE TWO TIRES WERE UN-SALVAGEABLE. UPDATED 05/07/14 UPDATED 05/20/14

AS I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER ON A HIGHWAY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AGAIN THIS HAS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME NOW WITH 17000 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAID COMPUTER UPDATE THE FIRST TIME NOW THROTTLE BODY I DON'T THINK THERE IS AN ANSWER VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

DRIVING APROX 20 MPH, WITH NO WARNING ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, UNABLE TO STEER. SECOND TIME WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. DEALER CANNOT FIND OR REPRODUCE PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME SINCE THE PURCHASE, AND PLEASE ADVISE ANY WAY TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. I JUST KNOW THAT THE DEALER WILL JUST SAY THAT THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT, AND THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FIX THIS. DO I HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THE VISITS TO THE DEALER AND BUILD A CASE FOR A LEMON? WHERE CAN I GET HELP? *TR

I WAS STOPPED IN A LEFT TURN LANE AND I BELIEVE I WAS THE 8TH OR 9TH VEHICLE IN LINE. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR! I TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AS FAR AS I COULD, BUT I TAPPED THE BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND VERY MINOR DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, AND VERY MINOR DAMAGE TO MY FRONT BUMPER. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED. I CALLED THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THAT MY BRAKES HAD FAILED AND HAD CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS PROBABLY NOT THE BRAKES, BUT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (CARL GREGORY HYUNDAI, AT NORTHLAKE, COLUMBUS, GA) THIS MORNING I CALLED TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR 200 MILES AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I HAD ALREADY TOLD THEM THAT I WAS STOPPED IN A TURN LANE WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED!! I WAS TOLD THAT THE HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE TOLD THEM TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE (MILEAGE APPROX. 13366) ON THE HIGHWAY IN FAIRLY HEAVY TRAFFIC AT AROUND 70 MPH AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR, SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. I HEARD A LITTLE "BLIP" NOISE AND FELT A VERY SLIGHT JERK, KIND OF LIKE A SUDDEN GEAR CHANGE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED DECELERATING. I BARELY MISSED GETTING REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND MANAGED TO COAST ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING HIT. I STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED IT OFF AND CALLED THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND ASKED THEM WHAT I SHOULD DO. I TOLD THEM THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT WAS ON. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF A VEHICLE DOING THIS BEFORE. THEY SAID IF THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT WASN'T BLINKING, THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND TO BRING IT IN AT MY EARLIEST CONVENIENCE. ON THE WAY HOME, THE DECELERATION ISSUE HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 3 OR 4 MORE TIMES.THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THE PAPERWORK SAID THEY FOUND ISSUE VIA TSB. THEY DID AN ECM UPGRADE. VEHICLE WORKED JUST FINE FOR A MONTH AND A HALF AND THEN THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. THIS TIME I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME, FORTUNATELY WITHOUT GETTING INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT. HAD TO STOP AND START THE CAR ABOUT 3 TIMES TO GET HOME. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIND THE REAL PROBLEM THIS TIME. AT THIS POINT, I'M NOT SURE IF I WILL EVER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. HOW WILL I KNOW IF THE ISSUE HAS REALLY BEEN FIXED? THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS, DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A TRAGIC ACCIDENT. IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ISSUED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

FIRST TIME AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN OFF A MAJOR ROADWAY. POWER SHUT OFF, ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT WENT ON. UNABLE TO PUT GEAR SHIFT IN PARK. AFTER A MINUTE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN RE-START CAR. MADE A COMPLAINT TO THE DEALERSHIP. A FEW MONTHS AFTER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK IT STRAIGHT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY KEPT IT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. DIAGNOSIS A LOOSE CONNECTION. AGAIN SAME SCENARIO A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER. WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG IT. AGAIN - A FEW MONTHS AFTER SAME THING. THIS TIME THE BATTERY WAS CHANGED. AGAIN IT HAPPENED. THIS PAST 2 WEEKS IT HAS BEEN OCCURRING MORE OFTEN. TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD THEY UPGRADED THE SYSTEM. EXACTLY 5 DAYS AFTER WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN ON A ONE-WAY STREET, THE POWER WENT OFF. I BARELY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. BY SHEER FORCE I WAS ABLE TO AVOID RUNNING RIGHT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS PARK BY STEERING THE CAR INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. WHAT WAS MOST UPSETTING THERE WAS A CHILD IN THE CAR WITH ME. THIS IS A LEASE VEHICLE AND I CAN'T GET OUT OF THE CONTRACT. *TR

AT 2 TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS THE CAR ENGINE HAS SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY ON LEVEL GROUND. LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. CAR RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. SO FAR DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO REPRODUCE OR HELP WITH PROBLEM. *TR

VEHICLE STALLED AS TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY OF SHOPPING COMPLEX. THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE AS I WAS TRYING TO TURN LEFT. IN THE DASHBOARD, NO LIGHTS ON EXCEPT "MALFUNCTION INDICATOR" LIGHT WAS LIT. RESTARTED CAR AND DROVE ON, THE "MALFUNCTION LIGHT" GOT TURNED OFF, CAME HOME AND THEN CALLED DEALER. DROVE TO DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE SINCE THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON AND SO NO CODE CAN BE FOUND. CAR IS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD AND NOT EVEN 3000 MILES ON THE CAR. I FEEL THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE UNLESS HYUNDAI TAKES CARE OF THE PROBLEM. NOT DIAGNOSING AND ADDRESSING THE ISSUE MAKES ME CONCERNED. IF CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING THEN THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SUCH AS CAR HITTING FROM BEHIND. I AM VERY MUCH CONCERN WITH SUCH A PROBLEM FOR CAR AS NEW AS MINE. *TR

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, ENGINE DIED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE ENGINE HAS DIED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. WHEN THE ENGINE DIES, THE CAR LOSES STEERING AND BRAKES AND IS VERY UNSAFE. *TR

WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITH THE GEAR IN D - DRIVING ON A FLAT ROAD NORMALLY. THIS ALSO HAPPENED AROUND 3500 MILES AROUND JULY 20, 2012. *TR

I WAS AT A MAJOR INTERSTATE INTERCHANGE, OVER 6 HOURS FROM HOME WHEN I HEARD A SLIGHT NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR DECELERATED, BUT I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AS I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, I HEARD THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVING, AS IF I WERE PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT SAT FOR A WEEK, WAITING FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE (I WAS TOLD) THE PART COULD NOT BE LOCATED ANYWHERE IN THE U.S. ON MONDAY MORNING, I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO INQUIRE ABOUT MY CAR AND I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE FIXED BY TUESDAY AFTERNOON AT THE LATEST. ON TUESDAY, I CALLED TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF MY CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY EXPECTED THE PART TO BE IN ON THE NEXT TRUCK. THIS SCENARIO WAS REPEATED TWICE MORE. AT THE END OF THE 3RD DAY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART COULD NOT BE LOCATED AND THAT MY CAR WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED.THE WARRANTY COVERS UP TO 3 DAYS OF TRIP INTERRUPTION SERVICE, SO I ASKED WHAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO TO GET HOME FOR WORK AND HOW TO GET BACK TO MY CAR. HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS TOLD ME MY SITUATION WAS A UNIQUE CASE AND THEY SET UP ANOTHER CASE # AND TOLD ME TO KEEP THE RENTAL AND FILE THE REMAINDER OF THE COST TO THE SECOND CASE AFTER THE TRIP INTERRUPTION CASE WAS SETTLED. I DROVE THE RENTAL CAR HOME AND BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AGAIN THE NEXT SATURDAY, WHEN MY CAR WAS FINALLY REPAIRED. I WAS OUT OVER $600, HAD A BOTCHED VACATION, LOST MY TRUST IN THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE AND, AS THE ICING ON THE CAKE, HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE SECOND CLAIM. IT SCARES ME TO KNOW, NOW, THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE 2007 MODEL OF THE SANTA FE, CAUSING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN DECELERATION, PUTTING INNOCENT PEOPLE AT RISK. IT ALSO SCARES ME THAT THIS COMPANY CONDUCTS THEMSELVES IN SUCH A DECEPTIVE MANNER WHEN DEALING WITH VULNERABLE PEOPLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND THERE WERE NOT INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO THAT THERE WAS STATIC ELECTRICITY BUILT UP CAUSINGTHE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,210.

STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. *TR

THIS IS THE 6TH ENGINE STALLING DURING DRIVING. THE ENGINE LIGHT, ENGINE OIL PRESSURE AND CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHTS WERE ON. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE OR FIX IT. *TR

MY SANTA FE HYUNDAI 2012 ACCELERATED UNINTENTIONALLY WHEN I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT. I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO THE PARKING SPOT WHEN IT LURCHED FULL THROTTLE OVER TWO BUSHES AND KNOCKED DOWN A BLACK IRON FENCE AND I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND I WAS ON THE SIDE WALK. I COULD HAVE HIT A PEDESTRIAN! IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUSH AND WENT THROUGH A FENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

WE EXPERIENCE A FEELING OF LOSS OF POWER AND ALMOST STALLS WHILE TRYING TO MAKE LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURNS FROM A COMPLETE STOP. IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE WE PURCHASED CAR IN 2012 BUT SO INTERMEDIATELY THAT WE WOULD JUST TRY AND EXPLAIN IT AWAY (WE CAME UP WITH OH - WE ARE TRAVELING IN THE MOUNTAINS, GOT BAD GAS, WEATHER HOT, WEATHER COLD, MAYBE I IMAGINED IT) BUT WHEN I ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE SIDE TOOK IT IN TO DEALER AGAIN. THEY HAVE HAD IT 4 TIMES FOR THE SAME TROUBLE AND UNTIL THE LAST VISIT COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT - DEALER IN JUNE 2014 KEPT CAR MANY DAYS AND THEN I RECEIVED A CALL FROM SERVICE MANAGER WHO ASKED IF I BRAKED LEFT FOOTED - WELL YES I DO AS MY HUSBAND DOES. HE SAID THEY COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM ONLY WHEN THEY LEFT FOOTED BRAKED AND THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO NOT DO THAT. I ASKED SOME MORE QUESTIONS, BASICALLY WHY THAT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE SINCE WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE IT. HE SAID SINCE THE TOYOTA PROBLEMS THE SENSORS IN CARS ARE MORE SENSITIVE? I TOLD HIM THERE ARE OVER 80 COMPLAINTS WITH THE ODI FOR SAME PROBLEM IN 2012 SANTA FE - HE SAID OH THAT IS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM - I READ ALL OF THEM - TROUBLE SOUNDS THE SAME TO ME. WE RESEARCHED THIS CAR BEFORE BUYING - NOTHING IN THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS, PAPERWORK OR ON THE NET SAID LEFT FOOTED BRAKING WILL CAUSE YOUR CAR TO STALL - WE WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT HOWEVER, I AM NOT EVEN POSITIVE THAT IS THE PROBLEM. I DID ALSO OPEN A COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI - THEY DENIED A CLAIM OF A LEMON CAR AND SAID TO JUST TO STOP BRAKING LEFT FOOTED. THE LETTER SAID THEY DROVE IT 200 MILES WITH NO DUPLICATION OF TROUBLE WHICH IS NOT WHAT THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME - THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. WE NOW HAVE A CAR I WILL NOT DRIVE BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS AND WHO WOULD BUY IT SINCE WE WOULD HAVE TO DISCLOSE THIS HESITATION PROBLEM. JUST REC. LETTER FROM LAWYER ASKING US TO CALL HIM - HAVE NOT YET. *TR

THE ENGINE STALLED THE 5TH TIME DURING DRIVING! ALMOST CAUSED ANOTHER ACCIDENT! *TR

ENGINE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY RUN ROUGH, SPUTTER AND CHOKE WHILE DRIVING. *TR

THE VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED RANDOMLY DURING DRIVING, TOTAL 4 TIMES, ALMOST CAUSING 4 ACCIDENTS. THE DEALER MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEREFORE WAS UNABLE TO FIX IT, LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN A STATUS WITH TREMENDOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR

THE ENGINE STALLED THE 4TH TIME. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REACH A DIAGNOSIS AND UNABLE TO FIX IT.. *TR

AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 7500 MILES I NOTICE AN UNPLEASANT ODOR THAT SMELLS LIKE MELTED PLASTIC. IT'S NOT THE NEW CAR SMELL AND AT TIMES IT CAN MAKE ONE NAUSEOUS. IT IS INTENSIFIED WHEN ACCELERATED. AUGUST 2012 (PURCHASED THE VEHICLE JUNE 2012) REPORTED THE SMELL TO THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT SPORT DURST. I WAS INFORMED THAT POSSIBLY A "PLASTIC BAG" HAS GOTTEN STUCK ON THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR AND WILL BURN OFF. DECEMBER 2012, I ONCE AGAIN INFORMED THEM OF THIS UNCOMFORTABLE SMELL. I CAN NOT RIDE IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE OUTSIDE AIR COMING IN BECAUSE I CAN SMELL THE MELTED PLASTIC NO MATTER WHAT STATE, CITY, OR TIME OF DAY THE NAUSEATING SMELL IS THERE. THE CABIN AIR FILTER HAS BEEN CHANGED, THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED AND THE WAY I DRIVE HAS BEEN CHANGED AND EVEN UNDER VERY SLOW ACCELERATION THE SMELL IS THERE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN JUNE 2013 AND STILL NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I NOR OTHER PASSENGERS OR OTHER DRIVERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SMELL THIS BURNT SMELL. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AND NOTICED A TICKING SOUND. OVER 2 MILES IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE UNTIL IT WAS A LOUD KNOCKING. I HAD TO EXIT ONE FREEWAY, AND MERGE TO ANOTHER, BEFORE I COULD GET TO AN ACTUAL EXIT. UPON TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO SPEED TO MERGE, THE KNOCK BECAME SEVERE, I LOST COMPRESSION, AND THE SUV DIED. THERE WAS A PUFF OF SMOKE OUT OF THE EXHAUST AND I ROLLED TO THE SHOULDER. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP I FOUND OUT THAT THE #4 ROCKER ARM HAD SHOT THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK CAUSING A HOLE IN THE ENGINE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING I SMELLED ELECTRICAL SMOKE, PARKED CAR SHUT OFF ENGINE, OPENED HOOD AND FOUND AN ELECTRICAL MOTOR OF SORTS ON FIRE. *TR

I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, IN FRONT OF A BAKERY, AND STOPPED TO ALLOW A CAR TO LEAVE A PARKING SPOT. I THEN PROCEEDED TO PULL INTO THE VACANT PARKING SPOT AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ACTUALLY GUNNING INTO A HIGHER GEAR, AND AS I WAS PUSHING HARDER DOWN ON THE BRAKE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE BAKERY. I PROCEEDED TO APPLY BOTH MY FEET TO THE BRAKES IN HOPES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP, AND IT DID. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED BEFORE ENTERING THE BAKERY WINDOW. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND ARRANGED FOR THEM TO TOW IT TO THEIR MECHANICS DEPARTMENT. *TR

ENGINE DIED WHEN SLOWING DOWN - COMING TO A STOP OR MAKING TURNS APPROXIMATELY 8 TIMES SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE. FIRST TIME WAS WHEN COMING DOWN AN INCLINE TO A STOP SIGN. THE NEXT TIME HAPPENED WHEN MAKING A TURN AROUND A CORNER ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. SINCE THAT FIRST TIME, SERVICE DEALER CHECKED FOR RECALLS, BUT THERE WERE NONE., IT RANDOMLY HAPPENS, NORMALLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM TRAVELING SPEEDS OF 45 MI/HR OR SLOWER. I HAVE BEEN DOING MORE HIGHWAY DRIVING AND I AM STARTING TO GET SCARED THAT THIS COULD BE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. THE NEXT TIME I BROUGHT THIS UP TO THE DEALER, MAY 2013, THE SERVICE DEALER CHECK COMPUTER FOR CODES BUT DIDN'T FIND ANY. NOW, WHEN I BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE IN AUGUST 2013, SAME THING, MENTIONED IT HAD DIED 2 TIMES SINCE MAY 2013, ALL IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS AND RANDOMLY/COMPUTER CHECKED AND NO CODES.. TODAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2013. IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN AND THIS TIME AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A BUSY STREET (45 MILES/HR WHEN IT DIED- NO POWER STEERING. GOOD THING I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP BEFORE CROSSING THE MEDIAN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND NO ONE WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND DROVE VERY CAUTIOUSLY HOME! PLAN ON BRINGING IT IN AND LEAVING IT WITH THE DEALER ASAP.

THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND MAKING A RIGHT-HAND TURN, AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I LOST POWER STEERING AND WOUND UP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD; FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN AN EVEN MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND CONTINUE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT SEE A DIAGNOSTIC CODE RECORDED. THEY WERE ALSO NOT ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 9,000 MILES, AND MOST RECENTLY AT 24,184 MILES. IN ALL CASES THE SCENARIO IS SIMILAR: DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, EITHER TURNING OR ON A CURVY ROAD. THE VEHICLE HAS RESTARTED WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT THE COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKING MAKES THIS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIND A DIAGNOSTIC CODE FOR THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT. *TR

ON THURSDAY MAR 22 2012 I WAS DRIVING MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE SE AWD WITH 2400 MILES ON IT IN TWO WAY DOWN HILL ROAD WITH A SPEED OF 20 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR THAN ALL OF SUDDEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR ANY SIGN THE CAR JUST DIE ON ME I TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON IT DID TURN ON SO NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO HYUNDAI DELEAR IN SAN JOSE CALIFORNIA THEEY CHECKED IT AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH SO I AM KIND OF CONCERN ABOUT MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILY IF THIS DOES HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

WHILE CHANGING LANES, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LACK OF RESPONSE WHILE I WAS PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THIS ONLY LASTED A MILLISECOND BUT WAS ENOUGH THAT I STARTED TO PRESS DOWN TO COMPLETE THE CHANGE WHEN THROTTLE RESPONSE RETURNED. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES IN THE 3 MONTHS SINCE PURCHASING THIS AUTO. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITY. WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE DOWN A HILL, SHE STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS PROVIDED LIMITED VIEW. THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAD TO BE ILLUMINATED IN ORDER TO SEE THE ROAD CLEARLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO SPECIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. UPDATED 08/23/12*LJ UPDATED 08/23/12

THE MIDDLE SEAT (PASSENGER) DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT CAME APART WHEN A PASSENGER TRIED TO BUCKLE UP. THE PASSENGER PULLED THE SHOULDER STRAP OUT TO PULL AROUND AND BUCKLE TO THE SEAT LATCH WHEN THE LATCH PLATE JUST SLIDE RIGHT OFF OF THE BELT. THERE WAS NOTHING SECURING THE SHOULDER STRAP. IT JUST CAME APART. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT AND FIXED AS I WAS CERTAIN IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE CAR'S WARRANTY. I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A COUPLE OF HUNDRED DOLLARS TO HAVE THE SEAT-BELT FIXED! HOW COULD THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A SEAT-BELT MALFUNCTION? I STILL HAVE THE SEAT-BELT PROBLEM AS I BELIEVE THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD FIX IT AND NOT CHARGE ME. IF THIS HAPPENED TO ME, THEN I FEEL THAT IT PROBABLY HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS SO I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THIS IS A WIDER SPREAD PROBLEM THAN JUST A FLUKE WITH ME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE WITH BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BREAK PEDAL ENGAGED THE VEHICLE LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING UP TO STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000. UPDATED 12/20/12 *CN

IMPOSSIBLE TO SIT WITH BACK FULLY UP AGAINST THE SEAT BACK BECAUSE THE HEADREST PUSHES MY HEAD FORWARD SO THAT I AM LOOKING DOWN AT MY LAP INSTEAD OF STRAIGHT AHEAD. PAINFUL AND UNSAFE. I HAVE REMOVED THE HEADRESTS AND TURNED THEM AROUND.

WHILE DRIVING ON AN OVERPASS AND TURNING TO THE LEFT, I HAD JUST APPLIED THE BRAKES AND WAS APPLYING THE GAS AS I HAD TO GET ONTO THE INTERSTATE. I NOTICED THE CAR DECELERATED, I HAD NO BRAKING POWER AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR SO I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY SEVERAL CARS BEHIND ME. ALL THE LIGHTS WERE ON THE CAR BUT IT SEEMED DEAD. I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. WHILE TALKING TO MY HUSBAND, I TURNED THE CAR ON AND IT STARTED AND OFF I DROVE OFF WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. WHAT'S WORSE IS THAT DAY I HAD MY TWO LITTLE GIRLS AND MY MOTHER IN THE CAR. I HAD TO CONTINUE TO DRIVING SINCE WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO AN IMPORTANT DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. I CAN'T IMAGINE IF I WERE ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MILES AN HOUR. WHEN I CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH HYUNDAI SERVICE THEY ACTED LIKE IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED; THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE AND SHE ALSO HEARD A SQUEAKY NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR ABRUPTLY AND THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE DEFECT WAS A COMMON ISSUE. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2011 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V613000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION DISC: CALIPER). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,100.

MY CAR DOES NOT EVER STOP WHEN I TRY TO STOP. I CAN BE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE AND THE CAR WILL ROLL OUT IN THE MAIN ROAD AND WILL NOT GO IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THEN ALL AT ONCE IT WILL TAKE OFF AT A FAST SPEED AND I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT MANY TIMES BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY CANT FIND THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. MY CAR HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT NOW, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN NOW. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY FAMILY TO DRIVE. I NEED YOUR HELP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Getting occasional knocking sound while vehicle is running and immediately even when the vehicle is turned off. Sound is emanating from the rear of the vehicle (gas tank).

DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN SANTA FE SUDDENLY SURGED OR LUNGED FORWARD AND TO THE RIGHT CAUSING CAR TO JUMP OVER A CONCRETE BUMPER AND INTO ANOTHER CAR PARKED AT A 90-DEGREE ANGLE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION WAS CLEARED DRIVER PROCEEDED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. ENROUTE THE SANTA FE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF LOW GEAR. DEALER CLAIMED THE EVENTS COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *TR