2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Other Problems
29 owner-reported other complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (29)
Your vehicle's frame has rusted completely through in one or more places, which creates a serious safety hazard. A compromised frame can affect your car's structural integrity and ability to protect you in a collision. Fixing this will likely require professional inspection and frame repair or replacement, which is a major undertaking.
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You had your Santa Fe's frame treated for rust under recall, but the frame has now rusted through completely with a hole large enough to fit your fist. You're concerned that if the frame continues to deteriorate while driving, you could lose control of the vehicle and crash. The dealership said the car is too old and has too many miles to warrant frame repair. Addressing this would likely require frame reinforcement, welding, or potentially frame replacement depending on the extent of the damage.
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While braking to turn into a parking lot, your car initially slowed down but then suddenly lurched forward about 20 feet, forcing you past your intended turn. You had to brake hard to stop the car. This unexpected forward surge happened five weeks after the car was serviced at a dealership for a recall work, and you've never experienced this problem before. The issue likely involves the braking or acceleration system and should be inspected by a mechanic to determine if the dealership service may have affected these systems.
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While driving at a moderate speed suddenly my car accelerated a high rate of speed. As the motor accelerated I heard a very loud bang like metal . I applied the brakes but the car did not slow down, suddenly the car slowed down to the point that I thought the brakes had locked up. Parked the car and when I restarted the car, at a very slow speed I drove home. Mechanic took car and with his dianostic equipment the code for transmission problem was revealed. As a result I had the transmission replaced. Replacement of transmission has not taken care of acceleration problem and as a result because of it being a safety problem the car is only used for local use.
Break lights is not working and ESC lights is on in my dashboard.
DRIVING DOWN THE STREET THE ABS, BRAKE AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULDN'T GO OFF, THERE WAS ALSO A BUZZING SOUND GOING ON.TOOK THE CAR HOME AND TURNED IT OFF AND THE SENSOR FROM THAT UNIT STAYED ON MAKING A BUZZING SOUND EVEN AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF.
WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY OUT OF NOWHERE OUR MOON ROOF EXPLODED. I WAS VERY LUCKY GLASS DIDN'T GET IN THE FACE OF MY 3 YEAR OLD GODDAUGHTER WHO WAS IN CAR SEAT IN BACK. I WAS LUCKY AS I WAS CRUISING AROUND FOR A WHILE WITH THE GLASS CLOSED ALL DAY BUT THE SHADE OPEN TO ALLOW SUN. IM NOT SURE WHY I DECIDED TO CLOSE THE SHADE BUT AM VERY LUCKY I DID OR THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN ALOT WORSE.
THERE IS AN INCORRECT RECALL NOTICE ON MY VEHICLE FOR A TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS. I DO NOT HAVE A HITCH OR HARNESS. PLEASE REMOVE THIS RECALL NOTICE.
THE LEFT SUN VISOR BROKE AT THE TOP OF THE ARM AND CAN'T BE FIXED WITHOUT REPLACING THE WHOLE THING. WHEN I RESEARCHED IT THERE WERE HUMOROUS COMPLAINTS. IT FALLS DOWN AND HANGS IN FRONT OF MY FACE AS I'M TRYING TO DRIVE. IT'S INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS. I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH IT FOR A LONG TIME AS I DON'T HAVE THE $400 THAT THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO FIX IT.
TAKATA RECALL THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TAKATA INFLATORS HAD MY HYNDAI CHECKED OUT AT A GARAGE. TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT ON IT. ONLY HAVE 161000 MILES ON IT. THE FUEL SENSOR ALSO MESSED UP ON IT, DOES NOT READ RIGHT. HAVE TO GO BY THE ODOMETER TO BE ABLE TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE IN IT. I THINK IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL FOR THESE TWO THINGS.HAVE ALWAYS TOOK CARE OF MY VEHICLES, NEVER DROVE THEM HARD. JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED GOING OUT! THIS HAS REALLY DISAPPOINTED ME IN A HYNDAI. ALL THIS SHOULDN'T BE GOING WRONG WITH IT FOR TBE YEAR, MILES AND VEHICLE. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! THIS IS A EXPENSIVE VEHICLE! HMMM (AND THEY CALL IT A UNLIMITED EDITION)! I WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT GOT UP TO 40 MPH AND IT WOULD NOT GO IN OVER DRIVE. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH IT
PLASTIC INSIDE DOOR HANDLES FATIQUED AND SNAPPED OFF PREVENTING DOOR FROM BEING OPENED FROM INSIDE! (SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE) HOW DO YOU GET OUT OF THE CAR IF YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR?
FUEL GAGE ALWAYS CHANGES LEVELS. CONSTANTLY MAKING THE LOW GAS LIGHT TO TURN ON EVEN AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK UP AT THE GAS STATION. ITS VERY DANGEROUS TO NOT KNOW WHERE YOU GAS LEVEL IS WHEN MANY USE THE SANTA FE AS THEIR FAMILY CAR TO TRANSPORT THEIR CHILDREN. ITS BEEN HAPPENING THE PAST WEEK
MY DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE WHEN PULLING IT DOWN AS I WAS DRIVING, LITERALLY HUNG IN MY FACE AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. 2 WEEKS LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE. READING ON LINE, SEVERAL SIMILAR PROBLEMS REPORTED.
MY ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL SENSOR 2 TIMES AND FUEL PUMP I DO NOT EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY CAR BECAUSE THE GAUGE IS NOT CORRECT. NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON IT FAILED THE E CHECK ?????? THERE HAS BEEN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM
WHEN STARTING OUR 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE YESTERDAY, THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH. I TRIED TO PRESS THE BUTTON TO SEE IF IT WOULD ENGAGE, BUT IT HAD NO REACTION. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND WAITED A WHILE AND RESTARTED AND THE LIGHT WAS GONE. HOWEVER 10 MINUTES LATER WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH ON THE HWY, THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND SUDDENLY THE FRONT END FELT LIKE IT WAS PULLING AND BEGAN TO MAKE SORT OF A WHISTLING SOUND LIKE THE BRAKES WERE RUBBING ON SOMETHING. IT ALSO FELT LIKE THE REAR END WAS FISH TAILING. WE STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF AGAIN. WE STARTED BACK ON THE HWY AND AGAIN SHORTLY INTO THE DRIVE, SAME ISSUE. WE DROPPED THE SPEED DOWN TO 60 / 65 AND GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND TOOK SIDE ROADS HOME. I LOOKED UP SOME OF THE INFORMATION AND SAW OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND A RECALL FOR A STOP LAMP SWITCH, BUT WHEN CALLING HYUNDAI AMERICA THEY SAID THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL, SO AT THIS POINT WHAT'S CREATING THE PROBLEM IS UNKNOWN. I FELT THIS NEEDED TO BE REPORTED BECAUSE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN, NOT ONLY THE PULLING OF THE VEHICLE THAT CAUSED US TO DECELERATE, BUT THE INSTABILITY OF THE REAR END COULD HAVE EASILY CREATED A MAJOR WRECK IMPACTING ME, MY FAMILY AND THOSE AROUND US.
I MOVED TO USA FROM CANADA 8 MONTHS AGO AND I HAVE IMPORTED MY SANTE FE 2007 AT THE SAME TIME. LATER I RECEIVED A CAMPAIGN NOTIFICATION 50CA07 (C0260) FROM CANADA. I HAVE JUST CONTACTED A HUYNDAI DEALER HERE IN GEORGIA USA AND HE TOLD ME THAT MY SANTE HAS TO BE REGISTERED WITH HYUNDAI USA EVEN IF THE CAR WAS IMPORTED. HE SAID THAT UNTIL THEN, HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI USA AND THEY REPLIED: THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA. WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOUR INQUIRY REGARDING YOUR IMPORTED 2007 SANTA FE FROM CANADA INTO THE US, AND HAVING THE RECALL CAMPAIGN C0091 COMPLETED. WE UNDERSTAND YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP YOU CONTACTED MAY IMPACT HOW YOU PERCEIVE HYUNDAI'S VIEW OF CUSTOMER VALUE AND APPRECIATION. WHILE WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASSIST YOU, WE MUST ADVISE THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO DIRECTLY PROVIDE YOU WITH ASSISTANCE DUE TO OUR SCOPE OF SUPPORT BEING SOLELY LIMITED TO THE DEALERSHIPS LOCATED WITHIN, AND THE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR SALE AND OPERATION WITHIN THE 50 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. DUE TO THIS, WE MUST REQUEST THAT YOU PLEASE CONTACT HYUNDAI AUTO CANADA FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE, AS THEY WILL BE IN THE BEST POSITION TO ASSIST YOU. THE CANADIAN BORDER IS AT 2 DAYS DRIVE + 2 DAYS TO COME BACK + A DAY TO HAVE THE JOB DONE. I EXPECT THEM TO TELL ME THAT MY CAR (WHICH WAS MANUFACTURED IN ALABAMA USA) IS NOT A CANADIAN CAR ANYMORE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT CAR SHUTS OFF. HAPPENED ON THE STREET AND HIGHWAY. ALSO WHILE COMING TO A STOP TRANNY KEEPS TRYING TO PUSH FORWARD WHILE TRYING COME TO A STOP. WENT TO DEALER I WAS COMPLETELY IGNORED ME LIKE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT
DRIVING 55 MPH ON TWO LANE ROAD WITH ONCOMING AND CROSS TRAFFIC, OUR DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR PIVOT ARM FELL OUT OF CEILING MOUNT CAUSING VISOR TO DANGLE BY WIRES (FOR MAKE-UP LIGHT) IN FRONT OF DRIVER OBSTRUCTING VIEW OF ROAD AND CAUSING PANIC. WIRES EVENTUALLY BROKE. FAILURE IS CAUSED BY POOR PART DESIGN WERE A VERY THIN PLASTIC RIM HOLDS PIVOT ARM IN CEILING. IT WEARS WITH USE, CRACKS, AND FAILS CAUSING VISOR TO FALL OUT AND DANGLE. PASSENGER SIDE VISOR HAS SAME DESIGN FLAW AND ALSO PRESENTS A SAFETY RISK. THERE ARE LOTS OF INTERNET REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM IN VARIOUS 2007 & 2008 HYUNDAI MODELS INCLUDING OUR 2007 SANTA FE. IN BEST CASES, THE VISOR INSTANTLY BECOMES UNUSABLE CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF ITS SUN SHADING CAPABILITY. IN WORST CASES, DRIVER VISION OF ROAD IS INSTANTLY IMPAIRED PROVOKING PANIC AND POSSIBLE CRASH SITUATION. ALL OF THESE FAILURES COMPROMISE VEHICLE AND PASSENGER SAFETY POTENTIALLY LEADING TO INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE ALONG WITH PROPERTY DAMAGE. BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUS SAFETY RISKS, AND DUE TO THE CAUSE BEING INADEQUATE DESIGN, A RECALL ORDER WOULD BE WISE ON THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE GIVE INVESTIGATION OF THIS PROBLEM DUE PRIORITY AS IT PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. I CAN BUY AND INSTALL A REPLACEMENT VISOR. INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THOUGH. IF HYUNDAI HAS UPGRADED TO A BETTER DESIGN OF THIS PART, THEY SHOULD BE REPLACING THE EXISTING FLAWED DESIGN PARTS.
DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW VISOR RELEASED & FLOPPED UP 7 BACK IN FRONT OF DRIVERS FACE-UNABLE TO SEAT VISOR AS SOMETHING BROKE IN ATTACHMENT TO PIVOT PONT.HAD TO DRIVE HOLDING UP WITH ONE HAND AS HORRIBLE DISTRACTION FRON ROAD. TRIED HOLDING UP ON RETURN TRIP BACK TO MD-DIDNT WORK.GOING UP NICE BRIDGE & FACING 30-40 CARS COMING DOWN TOWARDS ME-ENTIRE VISOR FAILED & WENT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF MY FACE BEFORE COULD GRAB & GET OUT OF MY VISION.ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR.WENT TO DEALER & TOLD OF SAFETY HAZARD & WAS TOLD BY DEALER OWNER-NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY ITEM AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. HAD MECH GO ONLINE TO LOOK GETTING ME A NEW VISER. HE SAID-HIS RESEARCH REVEALED WIDESPREAD DRIVERS VISOR FAILURES IN 2006-2007-& 2008 SANTFE-ELANTRA & SONNATA.IN FACT ONE AFTER MARKER SUPPLIER HAD SOLD OVER 400 VISORS IN THOSE YEARS SONATAS.FRIEND AT CHURCH HAD SAME FILURE EXCEPT HIS WAS "INSTANTANEOUS & BLOCKED HIS VISION. ALL OTHER FOLKS I HAF TALKED TO SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A VISOR FAIL IN ANY CAR IN THEIR LIFETIME INCLUDING CARS WITH OVER 200000 MILES. WHEN EXAMINING MY VISOR AFTER THE TRIP-THE DEFECT IS READILY OBVIOUS-THE PART HOLDING THE VISOR ON THE PIVOT SIDE IS MADE OF A VERY THIN PLASTIC OR COMPOSITE. IVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 60 YEARS-NAVY TEST PILOT FOR OVER 20 YEARS & SR MEMBER OF SEVERAL AVIATION CRSHES IN THE NAVY & OFTEN "LITTLE THINGS" ARE OFTEN THE CAUSE OF CRASHES. ORIGINALLT TRIED REPORTING THIS OVER PHONE TO NICE LADY ON HOT LINE BUT OBVIOSLY-SEVERITY OF INCIDENT WASNT TRANSMITTED FORWARD. IT APPEARS THE RESOLUTION WAS ONLY FILED AS A COMPLAINT FOR A DATA BASE.THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED AS A VISABILITY WIPER -& A DRIVERS SUN VISER. DOES NOT WIPE. SOOO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME ONE OPEN THIS TO INVESTIGATIVE STATUS BEFORE SOME GETS KILLED.THE OTHER GENTLEMAN WHO HAD THIS HORRIBLE & SCARY FAILURE ARE BOTH WILLING TO GIVE SWORN TESTIMONY AS WE KNOW THIS IS SAFETY.[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF. AFTER PUTTING INTO PARK IT STARTED UP AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAD 97K+ ON THE ODOMETER.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FREEWAY AT 65 MPH, THE POST SECURING THE VISOR TO THE HEADLINER BROKE FREE, LEAVING THE VISOR HANGING DIRECTLY IN MY FIELD OF VISION. I DIDN'T EVEN TOUCH THE VISOR, IT FELL FROM THE VIBRATION OF TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. IT HAS HAPPENED OTHER TIMES AS WELL, INCLUDING ON A DANGEROUS MOUNTAIN ROAD.
I WAS TRAVELING TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE ON WYDA WAY IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY. I WAS GETTING READY TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. SUDDENLY, I FELT MY CAR BEING PUSHED FROM BEHIND, AND THEN I HEARD A LOUD ACCELERATION NOISE. RIGHT AFTER THAT MOMENT, MY CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND WOULD NOT STOP. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME AND ALSO TRIED MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER. IT WOULD NOT MOVE AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE.THE NEXT THING THAT OCCURRED WAS A HORRIBLE COLLISION, RESULTING IN MY CAR HITTING ANOTHER CAR WHICH HIT ANOTHER CAR. I SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES AS WELL AS TWO FATALITIES AND OTHER INJURIES IN THE TWO CARS THAT WERE HIT. I WAS TAKEN TO UC DAVIS HOSPITAL IN SACRAMENTO WHERE I STAYED IN THE ICU FOR TWO DAYS AND THEN FOR AN ADDITIONAL TWO DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL. I WAS DRIVING A RUNAWAY CAR WITH NO WAY TO STOP IT.*BF *JS
THE ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON AND PUSHING THE ON/OFF SWITCH DOES NOT PUT IT OUT. AND THE CAR HAS NO FORWARD MOMENTUM EVEN IF I FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL. IF I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RE START, THE DASH LIGHT GOES OUT SOMETIMES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. IN MOTION ON THE HIWAY
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR CAME LOOSE AND DROPPED IN FRONT OF MY FACE CAUSING LOSS OF VISIBILITY. THE PLASTIC HUB THAT HOLDS THE VISOR SHAFT INTO THE CEILING OF THE CAR BROKE.
MY ESC OFF LIGHT COMES OFF AND ON, INTERMITTENTLY WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THEY BOTH GO OFF AND ON RANDOMLY. THE ESC OFF LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF WHEN PUSHED. I CANNOT TELL IF THE ESC FEATURE IS ENGAGED OR NOT. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW. IT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND IN THE SHOP WHENEVER A FIX WAS NEEDED. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, IT'S BEEN A COMMON COMPLAIN WITH VARIOUS HYUNDAI MODELS, INCLUDING MINE. UPON SPEAKING WITH HYUNDAI USA, VARIOUS CARS ON THIS LINE HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. MINE WAS NOT ONE ON LINE THAT WAS NOTED, HOWEVER THE ISSUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI USA LAST WEEK. MY ONLY RECOURSE IS TO TAKE IT TO A NEARBY DEALER AND PAY THEM TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC WORK UP OUT OF POCKET. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM HAS POTENTIAL FOR SAFETY ISSUES. I BOUGHT MY CAR WITH THE ESC SAFETY FEATURE. NOW I CAN'T TELL IF IT'S ENGAGED OR NOT AS I CANNOT GET THE LIGHT TO GO OFF.
MY VEH HAD AN OIL LEAK WE NOTICED IN JUNE OF 2013. WE TOOK IT TO A CERTIFIED HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WITH A WARRANTY THE VEH STILL HAD AND HAD BOTH VALVE COVER GASKETS REPLACED AND THE OIL PAN WAS ALSO LEAKING. A YEAR LATER JUNE 20, 2014 WHEN I WAS PARKED AT A FRIENDS HOUSE WE NOTICED OIL ON HER DRIVEWAY. I GUESS THE VEH WAS LEAKING OIL AGAIN, I JUST DIDN'T NOTICE SINCE OUR GARAGE IS STAINED WITH OIL. I TOOK IT BACK AND WAS TOLD BOTH VALVE COVER GASKETS AND THE OIL PAN WERE ALL LEAKING AGAIN, HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR SINCE IT WAS JUST OVER A YEAR. SEEMS LIKE AN ODD PROBLEM TO HAVE THE EXACT SAME LEAK IN 1 YEAR. EITHER THERE IS A FLAW IN THIS YEAR SANTA FE OR GURLY LEEP IN MISHAWAKA DID NOT DO A PROPER FIX ON MY VEH. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORUMS FOR THESE 07 SANTA FE'S WITH THE SAME TYPE OF LEAK THAT OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. BECAUSE OF THIS OIL LEAK, MY ALTERNATOR HAS GONE OUT THIS MORNING, THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WENT BAD FROM BEING SATURATED WITH OIL. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE FUEL SENSOR WENT OUT WHICH NOW THE TRUCK DOESN'T REGISTER ANY GAS IN THE VEH. THIS IS ANOTHER COMMON COMPLANT I AM FINDING ON FORUMS FOR THIS 07 SANTA FE. I AM STARTING TO WONDER IF THESE ITEMS SHOULD BE IN SOME SORT OF A RECALL.
ACCIDENT INVOLVED SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND OWNERS SUSPECT ELECTRONIC DEFECT IN THE CAR. FORTUNATELY DESPITE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE STORE AND VEHICLE, NO ONE INJURED. OWNERS ARE WORKING WITH BOTH INSURER AND VEHICLE MANUFACTURER TO REQUEST APPROPRIATE INVESTIGATION. DRIVER'S STATEMENT: "I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SLOT AT LOCAL STORE. EVERYTHING WAS GOING NORMALLY. I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE CAR RESPONDED AND SLOWED. BUT JUST AS I WAS ABOUT TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE REVVED UP SOME AND THE CAR KEPT MOVING FORWARD. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES HARDER, BUT THE CAR MOVED FORWARD EVEN FASTER. I HAD NO TIME TO SLIP INTO NEUTRAL OR CUT THE ENGINE. I FINALLY LIFTED MY FOOT FOR SECOND AND STOMPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD, BUT MOMENTUM CAUSED THE CAR TO JUMP THE CURB AND I SHATTERED A HUGE PLATE GLASS WINDOW IN THE FRONT OF THE STORE. THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO A STOP IN A HAIL OF GLASS SHARDS PARTIALLY INSIDE THE STORE, THE ENGINE STILL REVVING HIGHER THAN AT "IDLE" SPEED. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. AND THAT'S WHAT I RECOLLECT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FEW SECONDS IT TOOK FOR THE CAR'S FAILURE TO STOP AND RUNNING THROUGH THE WINDOW.
THE 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED WAS DESIGNED WITHOUT A FRONT DOME LIGHT THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE ACTUATED VIA KEYLESS REMOTE OR BY UNLOCKING OR BY OPENING ANY OF THE DOORS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN APPROACHING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT. SUCH DEVICES HAVE BEEN STANDARD EQUIPMENT IN VEHICLES FOR MANY YEARS. WHY HAS HYUNDAI CHOSEN TO FOREGO THIS BASIC SAFETY ITEM? *JB