2006 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Problems

I was driving my 2006 Subaru forester vin #[XXX] around 5 PM. I was waiting in an offramp lane to make a left turn, behind numerous cars. Suddenly, a car pulled up next to me and told me to pull over because my car was on fire. I pulled over to the shoulder and as I did so the car lost power. I looked back once I got out of the car and sure enough if it was on fire. I have no idea how this happened. I want it investigated. The car is currently at a tow yard and available for inspection. I do have pictures and video of the car fire as well as video from when the fire department put it out. I also have witnesses names and numbers. About 23 days prior, I had noticed a lack of power when climbing hills. I took it into firestone and they told me that there was a third cylinder issue, but that it wasn’t dangerous. He assured me it was not. Clearly that was not the case. This car, your vehicle, could’ve killed me. If you have any additional questions feel free to contact me at [XXX] . Thanks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11639443

Incident

Jan 5, 2025

LETTER FROM SENATOR SCHUMER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TIMING BELT ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10882220

Incident

May 1, 2015

I BOUGHT A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ON JUNE 22, 2006 . IN JULY 2006 I TOOK A TRIP TO SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. WHILE I WAS OUT THERE, MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF A FEW DAYS LATER. AFTER A FEW MONTHS WHEN IT CAME BACK ON I TOOK IT TO RAY BRYANT SERVICE CENTER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THEY CHECKED IT AND GOT THE LIGHT TO GO OFF. AS I WAS ON MY WAY HOME THE LIGHT CAME BACK. EVERY TIME I BROUGHT IT BACK THE LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON AND IS STILL ON. SOMETIMES AS I'M DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE IT LOSES POWER . I ALSO BROUGHT IT IN FOR THE FRONT END BECAUSE IT ALWAYS FEEL LIKE I HAVE AN EGG IN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. INSTEAD OF THE SERVICE WORKER DIDN'T CHECK IT OUT HE SAID HE HAD A SANTA FE JUST LIKE MINE AND THAT HIS DIDN'T DO THAT AND NEVER DID A THING ABOUT IT. I'VE BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. I'VE BOUGHT NEW TIRES AND THE SAME PROBLEM, SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TELLING THEM THAT IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE AN EGG IN THE TIRE THEY CHECKED IT AND CAN' FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. AS TIME GOES BY THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORST. I FEEL REALLY EMBARRASSED WHEN I HAVE SOMEONE IN MY TRUCK AND IT RIDES LIKE THAT. I DO HOPE THAT THERE'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I AM ON DISABILITY AND CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I REALLY LOVE MY SANTA FE.

NHTSA ID

10650168

Incident

Jul 1, 2006

WHILE TRAVELING @ 50 MPH, REMOVE FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR AND CAR FAILED TO SLOW. DEPRESSED BRAKE AN CAR STILL FAILED TO SLOW. TURNED KEY TO OFF AND PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD TO FULL STOP. RESTARTED ENGINE AN IT AGAIN OVER ACCELERATED SO TURNED IT OFF. DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR SEVERAL TIMES AND RESTARTED, DROVE TO WORK AREA TO HAVE INSPECTION OF PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10594534

Incident

May 28, 2014

Mileage

155,000 mi

STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, FOOT ON BRAKE, ENGINE BEGAN REVVING, THEN DECELERATED, BUT REVVED AGAIN, THIS TIME FORCING MY CAR FORWARD. ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING FROM THE LEFT, SO I STEERED RIGHT. IMPACT ON LEFT FRONT WHEEL, CAR CAREENED INTO A LIGHTWEIGHT PLASTIC TYPE FENCE AND STOPPED. MY FOOT REMAINED ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT AND WAS NOT INJURED. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED BY THE SAME INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND TOTALED. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI, BUT SO FAR, THEY HAVE NOT SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO CHECK OUT THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10577027

Incident

Mar 28, 2014

Mileage

97,000 mi

I WAS TRAVELING ON I-295 AND APPROXIMATELY HALF MILE FROM THE EXIT I NEEDED, MY BATTERY LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I NEARED THE OFF RAMP AND SLOWED DOWN TO 60 MPH, I STARTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND I HAD LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN ADEQUATELY, AND WITH BOTH HANDS CONTINUALLY FIGHTING WITH THE STEERING, I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO AN AREA SAFELY WHERE I COULD CONTACT MY MECHANIC AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THEIR PREMISES. UPON HIS INSPECTION THE FOLLOWING DAY, HE CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNTING BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF IN FRONT OF THE BLOCK, AND THE HOLES ARE DAMAGED. I DID CONTACT HYUNDAI, AND THEY SEEMED VERY UNCONCERNED BY THE INCIDENT. I WOULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT THAT BOLTS BREAKING AT ONLY 52,000 MILES WITHOUT REASON WOULD BE AN ISSUE THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE. EVEN THOUGH I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR USED, AT THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE CARFAX REPORT TO INDICATE THAT THERE WERE ANY PROBLEMS, AND OF COURSE, THE CAR WARRANTY UNDER HYUNDAI EXPIRED IN APRIL. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS A ONE OFF INCIDENT, OR A POSSIBLE PATTERN. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10417312

Incident

Jul 25, 2011

Mileage

52,312 mi

2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS FOR ENGINE DAMAGE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GOODYEAR AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THE ENGINE WAS COVERED IN SLUDGE AND ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE ENGINE BEING NEGLECTED DUE TO NOT HAVING PROPER OIL CHANGES. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD PROOF OF ALL THE OIL CHANGES. HYUNDAI REFUSED TO HONOR THE CONSUMERS WARRANTY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10391934

Incident

Dec 29, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON START-UP, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY STALL. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE MASTER CYLINDER BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY ATTEMPT TO START THE ENGINE BEFORE IT WOULD POWER ON AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE WARNING PANEL. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO STALL AND CRASHED INTO A BARRIER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPAIR THE BODY DAMAGE BEFORE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST COULD BE PERFORMED OR ANY TECHNICAL REPAIRS COULD BE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. SHE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE ALTHOUGH IT WAS MAKING AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE SHE WAS AWAITING AN ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGES. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 26,000.

NHTSA ID

10322912

Incident

Feb 21, 2010

Mileage

26,000 mi