2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension6918.5%
- Brakes4311.5%
- Airbags4311.5%
- Driver assistance4111.0%
- Fuel system4010.7%
- Engine3810.2%
- Electrical184.8%
- Powertrain (other)123.2%
- Body & structure123.2%
- Steering112.9%
- Visibility92.4%
- Transmission92.4%
- Seat belts82.1%
- Other / unspecified82.1%
- Interior & seats61.6%
- Tires & wheels41.1%
- Exterior lighting10.3%
- Heating & air conditioning10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
IT HAD 124 RECALL NHTSA 14V43500 I CALL HYUNDAI OFF GOVERNMENT SITE TOLD THEM ABOUT 124 AND BROKEN SPRING THEY SET UP APPOINTMENT SO THEY ONLY PUT ON BRACKETS BUT NO SPRING WANTED $1004 FOR THE STRUT SPRING ON THEY TOLD ME ON CALL CENTER THEY REPLACE SPRING AS IT SAID ON NHTSA SITE THEY WOULD NOT DO IT CALL BACK TO HYUNDIA AS NUMBER ON GOVERNMENT SITE THEY MADE A CASE NUMBER 16604156 AMBER AT 714 594 1764 SHE SAID SPRING WAS NOT IN RECALL I SEND PICTURE OF IT BEFORE UP THERE TO DEALER SHE HAD NO CLUE WHAT WAS SO I DONT WHO RIGHT ON RECALL SHE SAID GOVERNMENT NHTSA SITE ARE NOT CORRECT BROWN LEESBURG HYUNDAI LEESBURG VA 20176
I JUST GOT IT A FEW MONTHS AGO AND HAPPENED TO LOOK UP RECALLS,AND SEEN 3 I TOOK IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WERE JUST 2 BUT ONE WAS SUSPENSION AND THEY HAVEN'T CALLED ME ABOUT IT IN AROUND A MONTH NOWB
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owned a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the son was driving approximately 25 MPH the braking system malfunctioned and when depressing the brake pedal the vehicle did not reduce speed or stop causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the rear driver-side passenger sustained a lacerated bottom lip and dental and oral injuries. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed and later deemed destroyed by the insurance company. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced for the same failure by the local mechanic. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 150,000.
driving in the rain hit brakes they locked up
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY AIR SBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. IT WON'T TURN OFF.I DON'T IF IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MY AIR BAGS OR JUST THE LIGHT.IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR YEARS.THERE WAS NOT REASON FOR IT TO TURN ON. I'VE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT,SO I DON'T IF IT WILL WORK WHEN NEEDED. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD FOR IT. I THINK THIS A MALFUNCTION AND SHOULD CHECKED BY A DEALER AT NO COST.
AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP ON THIS VEHICLE 15 YEARS OLD BRAKES ALSO NOT LIKE USE TO BE I AM OWN THIS SUV LAST 15 YEARS I NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT I AM WORRY NEED TO BE FIXED FOE MY SAFETY [XXX] OWNER, C [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITHOUT TITLE OR DISCLOSURE DEALERSHIP TOOK MONEY REFUSE TO HEAR COMPLAINTS. CONTACT ME AS I AM HANDICAPPED AND HAVE NO TITTLE TRYING TO RETURN VEHICLE IT VEERED TOWARD DITCH AS THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND DANGEROUS PER DMV
ABS TCS TRACKING SYSTEM TURNS OUT WHILE DRIVING
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
This was a recall for hundai santa fe vehicles from 2001-2006. For unknown reasons I was not aware of recall. It was for 15 years or 150 miles. It is a danger as my car leaks gas. I am at 135,000 miles. But my car is a 2004. I purchased the vehicle in the last 2 years. I believe the recall should extend till the repair is complete for the reasons as follows. 1. it can explode. 2. it is a polluter 3. Hyundai acknowledges it as faulty equipment. 4. Corporations must be resonsible or they are irresponsible. 5. Cars are expensive they must maintain as least minimum safety requirements.
BOUGHT AN USED 2004 SANTA FE IN AUGUST FROM A DEALER. TWO WEEKS AGO I STARTED NOTICING A STRONG SMELL OF GAS AROUND MY VEHICLE AND LAST WEEK I BEGAN SEEING A SMALL DISCOLORED AREA ON THE CEMENT IN THE GARAGE. MOM CHECKED MY VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE MY FUEL TANK IS LEAKING. THE DISCOLORATION OF THE CEMENT UNDER MY VEHICLE IS IN FACT LEAKING GAS. TANK IS CORRODED AND I WILL NEED A NEW TANK INSTALLED.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
In transit, it began smoking and the engine light came on. After pulling to the side, flames erupted and it became fully engulfed, followed by a small explosion. The vehicle and it’s contents were a total loss.
LAST NIGHT MY MOTHERS 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE CAUGHT FIRE THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR HOURS, THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE CAR IT WAS COMPLETELY OFF. IT MADE ABSOLUTELY NO SINCE UNTILL I DONE SOME RESEARCH AND SEEN THE LAWSUIT FOR THIS SAME THING AND I WONDERED WHY THIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. I ALSO SEEN MULTIPLE PEOPLE WONDERING THE SAME THING ABOUT THEIR 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. MY FATHER WAS THE ONLY ONE IAT THE HOUSE AND IN THE HOUSE HE COULD HAVE LOST HIS LIFE AND EVERYTHING THEY OWN THE ONLY WAY HE KNEW IT WAS ON FIRE WAS A NEIGHBOR SAW AND STARTED SCREAMING AND STARTED BACKING UP TO THE VEHICLE TO PULL IT AWAY FROM THE HOUSE A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE BUT WHAT IS SHE SUPPOSED TO DO FOR A VEHICLE? WHEN NO ONE EVEN STARTED THE FIRE.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
LAST NIGHT MY MOTHERS 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE CAUGHT FIRE THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR HOURS, THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE CAR IT WAS COMPLETELY OFF. IT MADE ABSOLUTELY NO SINCE UNTILL I DONE SOME RESEARCH AND SEEN THE LAWSUIT FOR THIS SAME THING AND I WONDERED WHY THIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. I ALSO SEEN MULTIPLE PEOPLE WONDERING THE SAME THING ABOUT THEIR 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. MY FATHER WAS THE ONLY ONE IAT THE HOUSE AND IN THE HOUSE HE COULD HAVE LOST HIS LIFE AND EVERYTHING THEY OWN THE ONLY WAY HE KNEW IT WAS ON FIRE WAS A NEIGHBOR SAW AND STARTED SCREAMING AND STARTED BACKING UP TO THE VEHICLE TO PULL IT AWAY FROM THE HOUSE A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE BUT WHAT IS SHE SUPPOSED TO DO FOR A VEHICLE? WHEN NO ONE EVEN STARTED THE FIRE.
CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS OVER A YEAR AGO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN I5 GOING 70 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED. I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE NEXT EXIT. IT STARTED AFTER SITTING A FEW MINUTES. AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. I'VE RECEIVED CODES FOR CAMSHAFT SENSOR, MISFIRES, LOW CATALYST. I'VE CHANGED THE CAM AND CRANK SENSORS, COILS, SPARK PLUGS, TIMING BELT AND ASSEMBLY, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND FUEL PUMP OVER THE PAST YEAR. STILL HAVING THE ISSUE. CAR DRIVES FANTASTIC FOR ABOUT 10 MILES AND STALLS OUT. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 5 MIN. IT CAN BE DRIVEN FOR ANOTHER FEW MILES BEFORE STALLING OUT AGAIN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN IT STALLS NOW. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE IN TOWN OR ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL STALL OUT.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that on six separate occasions, the vehicle had independently accelerated without warning. On one occasion, the vehicle had accelerated through a red light with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard. On a separate occasion, the vehicle accelerated through the contact's garage door upon entering the driveway. The air bags did not deploy and no injuries were reported. A police report was not filed; the garage door was replaced after the crash. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who could not determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2.7 LITER ENGINE, HIGH IDLES AT 3,000 RPM ON START UP AND NEVER GOES DOWN EVEN WHEN ENGINE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT EVEN ACTING RIGHT SINCE THIS PROBLEM STARTED, THIS IS A HAZARD AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR SHOWS NO ENGINE CODES, OR TRANSMISSION CODES, IT HAS HAD LOWER INTAKE, UPPER INTAKE GASKETS CHANGED, IAC MOTOR CHANGED, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR CHANGED, TEMPERATURE SENSOR CHANGED, CLEANED THROTTLE BODY BORE WHERE THROTTLE PLATE CLOSES, CHANGED VACUUM HOSES, MADE SURE THROTTLE CABLE AND CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WERE BINDING OR HOLDING THROTTLE OPEN, AND NONE OFF THESE THINGS HAVE HELPED. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM, MANY ACCIDENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND HAVE READ A FORUM THAT SAID HYUNDAI DOES NOT HAVE A FAIL SAFE MODE BUILT INTO THERE COMPUTERS LIKE MOST CARS DO SO THIS KIND OF SITUATION DOES NOT OCCUR. VEHICLE STILL NOT FIXED, AND HYUNDAI NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THERE ARE ANY FATALITIES FROM NEGLECT OF A KNOWN PROBLEM.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT BACK IN DECEMBER 7, 2005 WITH MY 2004 HYUNDIA SANTE FE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND SCRAPPED THUS I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN NUMBER HANDY. I DO STILL HAVE THE PAPERWORK FROM THE HOSPITAL AND THE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON MY USUAL ROUTE ON EASTON AVENUE. I'M TOLD (REPORTS FROM WITNESSESS) A YOUNG GIRL CAME OUT OF A SIDE STREET AND HIT ME IN THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHICH IN TURN SPUN MY CAR INTO 2 OTHER VEHICHLES ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS TRAVELLING DOWN. AS STATED EARLIER I HAVE LITTLE RECALL SINCE THE IMPACT KNOCKED ME UNCONSCIOUS. I SUFFERED A BROKEN NOSE (SCAR STILL THERE) AND TORN LEFT SHOULDER- WHICH STILL BOTHER ME DAILY. I WAS HIT BLINDSIDE AND SPIN INTO 2 OTHER VEHICLES- KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS. I STILL SUFFER NIGHTMARES RESULTING FROM THIS ACCIDENT AND AM CURRENTLY SEEING A COUNSELOR SPECILIZING IN TRAUMA AND PTSD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE ISLAND HYUNDAI DEALER TO BE REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING ONE DAY WHILE ON THE FREEWAY(IN MOTION). I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC, THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER IT STARTED TO MESS UP AGAIN. PLEASE HELP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES SEIZED AS THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SLIGHTLY GO OVER A CURB HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO APPLY FORCE AND PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE AND PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,516.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE SUNROOF DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW SHATTERED INTO PIECES WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GLASS REPAIR CENTER WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,248. UPDATED 09/06/16*LJ *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE WERE BEHIND A CAR GOING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT WAITING FOR THE CAR AHEAD OF US TO TURN INTO A LANE AND INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN OUR CAR - A HYUNDAI 2004 SANTA FE - SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ONCE AND THEN AGAIN HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF US, TWICE. AFTER WE HIT THE CAR THE FIRST TIME WE TRIED TO BRAKE BUT EVEN THOUGH HE HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATED AGAIN. WE REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES - TOOK THE SUV TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP - REPORTING THE INCIDENT TO THEM - THEY DID SOME KIND OF A TEST AND TOLD US THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. WHEN THE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL THE RPMS RACE HIGH - AND SINCE THAT ACCIDENT I HAD THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD AGAIN. WE LOOKED ON THE IN INTERNET AND THERE ARE MANY OF THESE SAME COMPLAINTS SO WHY IS HYUNDAI DENYING THIS HAPPENS TO THE CAR? *TR
6/11/06: UPON BREAKING OFF HIGHWAY, VEHICLE MADE A CRUNCHING NOISE, THEN A HARD SCREECHING STOP, PROCEEDED TO IDLE, MAKE A HARD STOP. THE VEHICLE WASN'T RECOGNIZING GEARS, CONTINUING TO THRUST THE CAR INTO HARD STOPS, JERKING REPEATEDLY AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. HEADING HOME, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE NEXT DAY TOOK IT TO OUR DEALERSHIP. AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN REVERSE, THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THEY REPLACED THE ABS MODULE, TEST DROVE IT AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. 6/25: SAME PROBLEM (SAME DISTANCE: 75 MILES). THE DEALERSHIP TEST DROVE, SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM TO DRIVE IT SOME DISTANCE. SERVICE ADVISOR DROVE IT AND NOTHING. THEY DROVE IT AGAIN, DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM, RECORDED DATA. CALLED THEIR TECH LINE, UNHOOKED REAR COUPLER TO SEE IF THAT WAS IT. THEY REPLACED THE REAR COUPLER, TEST DROVE IT AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. I QUESTIONED IF IT COULD BE THE TRANSMISSION. WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T REPLACE THINGS ON A WHIM. 10/26: PROBLEM OCCURRED (SAME DISTANCE). WIFE PHONED SERVICE ADVISOR,HE TOLD HER THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED PREVIOUSLY. TOWED IT TO A NEARBY DEALER. THEY CHECKED THE FLUIDS, RESET THE COMPUTER, COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SINCE THIS TIME, THE FOLLOWING HAS OCCURRED: 10/31: WROTE A DETAILED LETTER AND SENT IT TO HYUNDAI. 11/04: LETTER WAS RECEIVED. 11/20: DIDN'T HEAR BACK, I PHONED HYUNDAI. 11/22: REPRESENTATIVE PHONED (I WAS UNAVAILABLE). 11/27: SPOKE WITH REP; TOLD TO CONTACT SERVICE MANAGER TO SET UP APPT WITH A FACTORY REP NEXT TIME THEY ARE AT DEALERSHIP. 11/28: SENT EMAIL WITH LETTER TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HYUNDAI, ASKING FOR A CALL BACK. 11/29: RECEIVED SURVEY FROM HYUNDAI, I RESPONDED UNFAVORABLY. 12/06: RECEIVED EMAIL FROM HYUNDAI, AGAIN REFERRING ME TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. THIS IS A GENUINE A LACK OF SERVICE FROM OUR DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI ITSELF. MOST IMPORTANTLY IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN. I ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE ASSIST ME IN ANY WAY THAT YOU CAN. RESPECTFULLY, BRANDAN PIERARD. *NM
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET IN PLANO, TEXAS. A TRUCK PULLED OUT TO GET INTO THE MIDDLE LANE AND WAS CAUGHT OFF AND FORCED TO PULL INTO MY LANE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. MY BRAKES LOCKED UP AFTER TRYING TO STOP, WHICH ISN'T A PROBLEM BECAUSE I KNOW IT IS NORMAL. WHAT OCCURRED WAS THAT AS I STRUCK THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME, MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND MY SEAT BELT HAD FAILED TO LOCK. WHICH CAUSED ME TO COLLIDE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SPEED I STRUCK THE TRUCK, WHICH WAS GOING ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN WE COLLIDED, WAS ABOUT 45 MPH.
CATALYST CONVERTER CALIFORNIA
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP ON THIS VEHICLE 15 YEARS OLD BRAKES ALSO NOT LIKE USE TO BE I AM OWN THIS SUV LAST 15 YEARS I NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT I AM WORRY NEED TO BE FIXED FOE MY SAFETY [XXX] OWNER, C [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITHOUT TITLE OR DISCLOSURE DEALERSHIP TOOK MONEY REFUSE TO HEAR COMPLAINTS. CONTACT ME AS I AM HANDICAPPED AND HAVE NO TITTLE TRYING TO RETURN VEHICLE IT VEERED TOWARD DITCH AS THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND DANGEROUS PER DMV
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE LOOKING FOR A PARKING PLACE, THE AIR BAG IN THE BACK OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED, INJURING MY BACK AND MY LEFT KNEE. MY CHIROPRACTOR GOT MY BACK SOMEWHAT REPAIRED, BUT MY KNEE ENDED UP HAVING A MENISCUS TEAR THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. HYUNDAI IS WILLING TO REPLACE WHAT MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAID OUT FOR MEDICAL CARE AND TO FIX MY CAR. I WILL BE HAVING MEDICAL ISSUES FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE THANKS TO THIS AIR BAG INCIDENT. I BELIEVE HYUNDAI SHOULD PAY FOR ALL FUTURE MEDICAL ISSUES RESULTING FROM THIS INCIDENT BUT .... THEY INVESTIGATED AND ARE SAYING THAT THE "COMPUTER SHOWS AN IMPACT SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE DEPLOYMENT" SO THEY ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND REIMBURSE ONLY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THEY SAY FUTURE MEDICAL ISSUES ARE MY RESPONSIBILITY. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE THIS WAY. THEIR PRODUCT CAUSED IT, THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES WERE DESIGNED AS CHROME OVER PLASTIC AND THE CHROME FRACTURED.. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSING THE EDGES TO BE EXPOSED, WHICH WERE EXTREMELY SHARP. WHEN THE CONTACT'S ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SHE CUT HER HAND WHEN SHE GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR HANDLES WERE DESIGNED AS CHROME OVER A NON-METALLIC SUBSTRATE. OVER TIME, THE CHROME CRACKED AND CURLED UP, THUS FORMING RAZOR SHARP EDGES WHICH COULD NOT BE OBSERVED WHEN THE HANDLE WAS IN ITS NORMAL POSITION. UPDATED 05.11.11
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAD A SLOW LEAK WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND I ALWAYS CARRIED A CAN OF FIX A FLAT.I THEN PROCEEDED TP A TIRE PLACE TO REPAIR THE TIRE BUT WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE I USED THE FIX A FLAT THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I HAVE WRITTEN TO FIX A FLAT TO EITHER CONFIRM OR DENY THIS STATEMENT BY THE TIRE COMPANY, BUT SO FAR I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY ANYONE FROM FIX A FLAT. CAN YOU PLEASE CONFIRM OR DENY THIS STATEMENT? THE TIRE PLACE TOLD ME THAT THE DOT HAS PUBLISHED A RULING TO THIS EFFECT, BUT I LOOKED ALL OVER AND CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ON IT. *TR
NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR CONDITIONS EXISTED PRIOR TO FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY A FELLOW COWORKER TO BE THE FUEL PUMP. AAA WAS CALLED TO TOW THE VEHICLE , AND UPON ARRIVAL, PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TO BACK IT UP IN ORDER TO TOW. IMMEDIATELY, THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE WHEN FLAT, AND IT WAS A RESULT OF THE FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY BREAKING AND CAUSING THE COIL SPRING TO SNAP AND PIERCE THE FRONT TIRE. IT HAS BEEN 6 DAYS , AND I WAS STILL WITHOUT THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS OLD WITH 65,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY AND REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED QUICKLY I HAD TO ACCEPT PARTS FROM A 2006 VEHICLE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAG LIGHT ON NOISE WHEN I START CAR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE SIMILAR TO LIQUID TOUCHING A HOT SURFACE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS LEAKING ONTO THE PIPES, THE RACK AND PINION, AND THE FUEL TANK COVER, WHICH HAS ALSO CAUSED THEM TO RUST. THE CONTACT HAS AN EXTENDED FIVE YEAR WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY MAKE REPAIRS WHEN THE STEERING FAILS COMPLETELY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. SHE INFORMED THE DEALER THAT A MECHANIC CHANGED THE FLUIDS AND STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT COULD HAVE SEIZED DUE TO THE RUST AND CAUSED A LOSS IN STEERING CONTROL. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECKS PER THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENTS. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, SERPENTINE BELT, TIMING BELT, AIR CONDITIONER BELT, AND POWER STEERING FLUID WERE REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2009. IN MARCH OF 2009, THE VEHICLE UNDERWENT FREQUENT OIL CHANGES AND TIRE REPLACEMENTS AT THE DEALER. AT THAT TIME, SHE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RUST BEING PRESENT. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE RUST OCCURRED OVER TIME. THE INVOICES FOR ALL REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE WORK IS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER TO SPEAK WITH THE MECHANIC FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE MAGNUSEN-MOFACT 1975 TITLE 15, CHAPTER 50 , SECTIONS 2301 -2312 OF THE U.S. FEDERAL CODE, WHICH AUTHORIZES HER TO HAVE REPAIRS PERFORMED BY A REPAIR FACILITY OTHER THAN THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .