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2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Problems

34 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

34
Complaints
Jan 2020Dec 2014
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (34)

highENGINE
Filed: Feb 2026

Your engine's valve cover gaskets are leaking oil, which drips onto the pavement below your car. Your mechanic has identified the leak location and estimates the repair will cost around $700. This type of leak can potentially damage your alternator and create a fire hazard if oil contacts hot engine components. The repair will likely involve removing the valve covers and replacing the gaskets.

NHTSA #: 11718459
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2023

After an oil change and valve cover gasket replacement, your engine developed a chattering noise. The valve cover was leaking before the service, and manufacturer-recommended oil was used. The chattering started after the work was completed.

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NHTSA #: 11519131
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, excessive force was needed to depress the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle then stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact also stated that when he exited the vehicle, there was fluid leaking from underneath the engine compartment. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted and was then taken to an unknown local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,169.

NHTSA #: 11498386
mediumENGINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2022

In 2015 Hyundai issued service campaign 936 for 2007-2009 Santa Fe valve cover & alternator due to the valve cover leaking & dripping oil onto the alternator, potentially damaging the alternator resulting in the charging system becoming inoperative. My 2007 Santa Fe was repaired under this campaign. Now with less than 30K miles since the repair the same problem exists, the valve cover is leaking oil onto the alternator again. I've contacted my local Hyundai dealer but they refuse to repair the issue under the campaign a 2nd time. The issue was detected by the local dealership during a routine oil change & they advised me that the cost to replace the valve cover gasket & the alternator would be in excess of $1,000.

NHTSA #: 11497605
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2022

The contact’s mother-in-law owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated after charging the battery and at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a shopping center and purchased a quart of oil to add to the engine oil. When the contact opened the hood, oil had leaked all over the engine. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his residence. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The contact was concerned after doing research that oil had leaked onto the alternator and caused the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

NHTSA #: 11445984
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2021

Oilfilter cap leaks all over transmission and won't stay sealed all cleaned and put new stuff still a puddle on the the tranny had to Bondo my filter cap she runs poorly when it's not sealed but it's tight

NHTSA #: 11442615
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2021

VALVE COVER RECALL WAS REPAIRED BUT THE SAME ISSUE SHOWING UP AGAIN. THE FORUMS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINTS. IT IS LEAKING ONTO THE ALTERNATOR AGAIN. HAS NOT FAILED YET BUT WILL HAVE TO PAY SEVERAL HUNDRED TO REPAIR IT. IT IS ALSO LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST SHIELD COULD CATCH FIRE.

NHTSA #: 11385999
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2020

AFTER EXTENSIVE TRIPS TO THE MAINTENANCE SHOP (PEPBOYS) MY SANTA FE IS NOW NEEDING TO GET THE ENGINE REBUILT. THE CAUSE SO I AM TOLD IS A FAILED OIL PUMP IN THE ENGINE. I WAS PICKED UP AFTER HAVING TO GO BACK THE THE SHOP BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED IN TO PEPBOYS, AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A ONE OFF WITH THE STARTER AND ALL WAS GOOD NOW. I PICKED UP THE SUV AND DROVE IT OUT OF THE PARKING LOT DOWN THE STREET ONLY TO HAVE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF MID DRIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS TOWED BACK INTO PEPBOYS AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME IT IS A OIL PUMP FAILURE AND THE ENGIN IS LOCKED UP AND IT NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. IS THIS A FACTORY ISSUE

NHTSA #: 11292416
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL TAPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE SOUND MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO CONCENTRATE ON THE ROAD. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRED BEANS HYUNDAI (1106 E LINCOLN HWY, LANGHORNE, PA 19047), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

NHTSA #: 11176348
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CONSTANT OIL LEAK CONCERNING THE VALVE COVER GASKET. THE PREVIOUS VEHICLE OWNER HAD THE GASKET REPLACED AND RESEALED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF THE CONTACT OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE PART WAS REPLACED AND RESEALED BY THE DEALER (LITHIA RENO HYUNDAI, 2620 KIETZKE LN, RENO, NV 89502, (775) 800-5703) AND REPLACED UP TO SIX TIMES TOTAL. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR DUE TO THE FAILURE CAUSING OIL TO LEAK INTO THE PART. IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR, BUT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY PROVIDED A GOOD WILL SOLUTION OF COVERING THE REPLACEMENT AND RESEALING IT TWICE. IF THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 11052955
mediumENGINE
Filed: Nov 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA #: 10924122
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2016

FAULTY GAS GAUGE. AFTER FILLING UP TO A FULL GAS TANK, GAS GAUGE WILL GO UP AND DOWN AND EVENTUALLY STOP AT AN INCORRECT READING. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE WHICH IS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS!!! WHEN THE GAUGE GETS BELOW HALF A TANK, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MONTHS AND NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF AT ALL NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS THE CAR HAS. THEN, CAR STARTED TO SMELL LIKE GAS INSIDE WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO FIX AND WAS QUOTED OVER $1,000. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED, THE GAS GAUGE ISSUE IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD RUN OUT OF GAS AND BE STRANDED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10917258
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2016

WHILE DRIVING, "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. "LOW FUEL" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. FUEL GAUGE INDICATED NEARLY EMPTY EVEN THOUGH TANK WAS CLOSE TO HALF FULL. CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ALWAYS ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA #: 10915381
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2015

WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR BEFORE IT WAS RECALLED.

NHTSA #: 10779357
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: May 2015

LEAVING MY HOME TO TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST COMPLETED I WAS TOLD THE SENSORS IN THE GAS TANK ARE MALFUNCTIONING (P0464) AND THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2007 HYUNDAI SANTE FE MODELS. THE GAUGE TELLING ME HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE IS NOT READING CORRECTLY DUE TO THE SENSOR MALFUNCTION AND CAN CAUSE ME TO RUN OUT OF GAS AT ANY TIME. THE DEALER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT WITHOUT CHARGING ME A $98 "DIAGNOSTIC FEE" EVEN THOUGH THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS DONE ELSEWHERE. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE BUT THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THAT AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10715413
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Feb 2015

WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE INDICATING AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME, BUT NEXT DAY CAR WOULD NOT START DUE TO DRAINED BATTERY. BATTERY WAS THEN RECHARGED AND CAR DRIVEN TO LOCAL FIRESTONE STORE FOR DIAGNOSIS. WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY DUE TO OIL THAT HAD LEAKED FROM THE FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET. THE ALTERNATOR WAS HEAVILY CAKED WITH THIS OIL/GRIME. AFTER INSTALLING NEW VALVE COVER GASKET AND ALTERNATOR TODAY, CAR NOW RUNS FINE. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO ME TO BE IDENTICAL TO THAT DESCRIBED IN HYUNDAI'S RECALL NUMBER 121 WHICH COVERED CERTAIN VERACRUZ MODELS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V415000) AND THEREFORE I BELIEVE THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER AT LEAST MY CAR AND PROBABLY OTHERS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10691289
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2015

I HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED TWO DAYS EARLIER AND CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ESC AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS. THIS WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM MY INTENDED EXIT. AFTER THE EXIT MORE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. IF I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, THE TACH AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO. AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE DIED. I LOOKED TO SEE IF I HAD BROKEN A BELT BUT SAW IT WAS INTACT. I DID NOTICE THAT THE ALTERNATOR SEEMED TO BE SHINY FROM OIL. I WENT ONLINE AND SEARCHED FOR THE SYMPTOMS AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE VERACRUZ WITH THE VERY SAME SYMPTOMS CAUSED BY A LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKET. THE RECALL IS NHTSA CAMPAIGN 14V415000. AS OTHERS HAVE STATED, IF IT'S THE SAME ENGINE WITH THE SAME ISSUE, IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE RECALL AND THE REPAIRS COVERED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10679621
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
Filed: Jan 2015

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

NHTSA #: 10670942
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 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

NHTSA #: 10668960
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2014

I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT HYUNDAI HAD 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. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR CAN QUIT ON THE DRIVER. OUR 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE USES THE SAME ENGINE AND WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS (I.E. OIL LEAKING FROM FRONT VALVE COVER ONTO THE ALTERNATOR), SO I CALLED HYUNDAI TO SEE ABOUT GETTING THIS ISSUE FIXED UNDER THIS RECALL. HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED THEY WOULD NOT COVER THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD HAVE TO CORRECT THIS FOR ALL VEHICLES THAT USE THE SAME LAMBDA V6 ENGINE, NOT JUST A SELECT FEW. IF IT IS DANGEROUS FOR VERACRUZ OWNERS, HOW IS IT NOT DANGEROUS FOR SANTA FE OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME ENGINE AND SYMPTOMS? I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS SAFETY RECALL EXPANDED TO COVER ALL VEHICLES THAT USE THIS SAME ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10667287
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2014

SAME OIL LEAK AS PROPOSED RECALL FOR OUR 2010 VERA CRUZ WITH THE SAME ENGINE (V6). *TR

NHTSA #: 10637035
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2014

2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO OIL LEAK FROM FRONT CYLINDER VALVE COVER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A LEAK WAS FORMED, BECAUSE THE STUDS THAT HELD THE VALVE COVER IN PLACE WERE STRIPPED, THUS ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK PAST THE GASKET, AND THEN OVER THE ALTERNATOR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. *JB......UPDATED 09-03-14 *BF UPDATED 11/26/2014 *JS

NHTSA #: 10625675
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2014

MY CRANKSHAFT VIBRATION DAMPER FAILED. IT LITERALLY BROKE INTO TWO PIECES. IT LEFT ME UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT ON A TWO LANE (EACH SIDE = 4) ROAD. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE, HOWEVER, AND HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT AND OFF THE ROAD. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 70 WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ITEM IN MY OPINION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10577633
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Mar 2014

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

NHTSA #: 10575472
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2013

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

NHTSA #: 10546512
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE BELT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE OWNERS MANUAL STATED THAT THE BELT SHOULD LAST FOR 67,000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 09/12/12 *BF UPDATED 09/18/2012 *JS

NHTSA #: 10469689
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2010

I OWN A 2007 SANTA FE HYUNDAI. MY POWER SYSTEM WENT OUT ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO. LUCKILY, I HAD JUST LEFT THE GROCERY STORE AND WAS STILL IN THE PARKING LOT. MY CAR AT THE TIME HAD 26,334 MILES ON IT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT I HAD SOMEONE JUMP START MY CAR, AND AFTER I DROVE IT ABOUT THREE FEET, I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I COULDN'T STEER IT AND COASTED TO A STOP BY A WENDY'S RESTAURANT. I CALLED MY SON AND WHEN HE LIFTED THE HOOD, HE SAW A ROUND PART JUST HANGING THERE. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A DEALER IN WALDORF, MARYLAND. APPARENTLY, THE DAMPER PULLEY CAME APART. THEY REPLACED DAMPER PULLEY AND BELT. I WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I STILL WORRY ABOUT IT HAPPENING AGAIN EVERY TIME I HAVE TO DRIVE IT ON A MAIN HIGHWAY AND IN A LOT OF TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA #: 10353067
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2010

THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE. ONCE WITH 850 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND AGAIN WITH 46,000 MILES. HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2007. TRAVELING AT 70 MPH THE ENGINE TOTALLY SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AUTO WAS TOWED TO DEALER EACH TIME AND RESTARTED UPON UNLOAD. HYUNDAI CANNOT FIND PROBLEM NOR DOES DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER INDICATE ANY PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT 7 HOURS OF TIME AND FORCED HOTEL STAYS WERE A RESULT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10350167
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 45- 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED FOLLOWED BY THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,909.

NHTSA #: 10349711
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2009

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST ON ROUTE 140 WEST IN WESTMINSTER, MD. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND NO LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD THIS TIME -- PREVIOUSLY THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT WOULD COME ON. AGAIN, THIS MORNING, FEBRUARY 24TH ON MY WAY DOWN A HILL TO WORK, THE CAR FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS GOING TO STALL. THIS TIME THE ESC LIGHT WAS FLICKERING. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE CAR AND WILL REPORT EACH INCIDENT. I AM ALSO SENDING A LETTER TO HYUNDAI MOTOR VEHICLES EASTERN REGION OFFICE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10259826
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2008

DRIVING FROM MY MOTHER'S HOME, WHERE I WAS VISITING, TO THE GROCERY STORE NOT THREE MILES AWAY MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ALL OF SUDDEN LOST POWER AND STARTED OVERHEATING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL IT OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR ASSISTANCE. THIS BEING THE FOURTH OF JULY LONG WEEKEND, THE ORLANDO DEALERSHIP WAS NOT OPEN. THE FOLLOWING DAY I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE ASSISTANT AT ORLANDO HYUNDAI. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED AND NOT A WARRANTY ITEM, THE REPAIR WAS $700. BEING FROM OUT OF THE AREA I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY THE MONEY AND GET THE CAR FIXED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, WAS SOME ITEM DAMAGED THE RADIATOR AND USING HIS WORDS "PROBABLY ROAD DEBRIS" PASSING THROUGH THE GRILL. HE CONTINUED THE EXPLANATION THAT THERE ARE NOT BARRIERS THAT WOULD PREVENT SMALL ITEMS FROM PASSING THROUGH THE GRILL AND DAMAGING THE CONDENSER AND RADIATOR WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAYS. ASKING THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, HE REPLIED YES. THE FAILURE OF HYUNDAI TO FORESEE, DESIGN AND PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF SCREEN BARRIER BEHIND THE GRILL ALLOWS ANY TYPE OF DEBRIS TO CAUSE HARM TO THE CONDENSER OR RADIATOR AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON JULY 5, 2008 BY ORLANDO HYUNDAI IN ORLANDO FL. I DISPUTED THIS CLAIM AS SUBJECTIVE TO HYUNDAI OF AMERICA AS SOON AS I RETURNED. THEY SENT ME TO MY LOCAL DEALER, JENKINS HYUNDAI OF BRADENTON. THE SERVICE MANAGER THERE TOLD ME HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. I WAS GIVEN THE RUNAROUND. I SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING SOLUTION, SENT IN BY ANOTHER COMPLIANT, SHOULD BE LISTENED TO. A SMALL AMOUNT OF HARDWARE CLOTH ATTACHED TO THE BACK OF THE GRILL WOULD DEFLECT MOST ALL DEBRIS AND PROTECT THE CONDENSER AND RADIATOR FROM DAMAGE WHILE STILL ALLOWING AMPLE AIR FLOW. TODAY, MY CAR OVERHEATED AGAIN! I WILL BRING IT TO THE DEALER TOMORROW WITHOUT CONFIDENCE IN THIS PRODUCT OR THE WARRANTY WHICH IS WHY I BOUGHT THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10236785
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER HAS NOW DECLARED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18,000. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR

NHTSA #: 10221195
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE
Filed: Jul 2007

I HAVE A HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I HAVE HAD THREE MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE CAR AND ONE SMALL COSMETIC ISSURE. THE MAJOR ISSUES HAVE BEEN WITH THE STRUCTURE OF THE CAR, THE WHEEL AXEL, THE ALIGNMENT, AND THE ENGINE BLOCK. ALL OF THESE ITEMS HAVE EITHER BEEN LOOSE, BROKEN, OR DEFECTIVE. YES, THEY KEEP FIXING THE CAR, BUT IT'S A NEW CAR. IF I WANTED A CAR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED WEEKLY I WOULD HAVE KEPT OR PURCHASED AN USED CAR. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY RIDING IN THIS CAR. WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CATCH THESE DEFECTS BEFORE WE'VE GOTTEN INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10195477
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2007

DRIVING I-75 SOUTH IN GEORGIA, SUNDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 10, 2007, THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING, TRAVELING TO JACKSONVILLE, FL. CALLING FROM THE HIGHWAY ON A CELL PHONE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WE WERE INSTRUCTED TO CALL THE HYUNDAI ASSISTANCE 800 NUMBER. UPON CONNECTION WAS GIVEN THE NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS OF TWO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS IN JACKSONVILLE, FL. ON MONDAY, JUNE 11 AM, TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KEY BUICK, HYUNDAY IN JACKSONVILLE FOR SERVICE. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE AC CONDENSER WAS DAMAGED AND NOT A WARRANTY ITEM, THE REPAIR WAS ESTIMATED AT $750. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, WAS SOME ITEM DAMAGED THE CONDENSER AND USING HIS WORDS "PROBABLY ROAD DEBRIS" PASSING THROUGH THE GRILL. HE CONTINUED THE EXPLANATION THAT THERE ARE NOT BARRIERS THAT WOULD PREVENT SMALL ITEMS FROM PASSING THROUGH THE GRILL AND DAMAGING THE CONDENSER AND RADIATOR WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAYS. ASKING THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, HE REPLIED YES. THE FAILURE OF HYUNDAI TO FORESEE, DESIGN AND PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF SCREEN BARRIER BEHIND THE GRILL ALLOWS ANY TYPE OF DEBRIS TO CAUSE HARM TO THE CONDENSER OR RADIATOR AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON JUNE 14 BY KEY BUICK HYUNDAI IN JACKSONVILLE, FL. I OFFER A SOLUTION THAT A SMALL AMOUNT OF HARDWARE CLOTH ATTACHED TO THE BACK OF THE GRILL WOULD DEFLECT MOST ALL DEBRIS AND PROTECT THE CONDENSER AND RADIATOR FROM DAMAGE WHILE STILL ALLOWING AMPLE AIR FLOW. HARDLY A HAPPY TRAVELING PERIOD WITH 3 DAYS OF NEGOTIATING WITH TWO DEALERSHIPS RICK CASE HYUNDAI IN DULUTH, GA. & KEY BUICK HYUNDAI IN JACKSONVILLE, NO VEHICLE AVAILABILITY AND FRUSTRATING EXPENSES. *AK

NHTSA #: 10193421

Other 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Issues