Home · 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · Complaints

What 181 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (181)Crash / fire / injury (20)Engine (64)Electrical system (25)Speed control (24)Brakes (22)Transmission & drivetrain (21)Steering (20)Suspension (16)Lights (14)Body & structure (10)Engine & cooling (8)

Newest first · 181 complaints · page 7 of 8

Mar 22, 2013Transmission & drivetrainEngine

THIS COMPLAINT IS SIMILAR TO A COMPLAINT I ALREADY FILED IN DECEMBER 2012 AND IS A RECURRING ISSUE. ON 3/18/13, WAS TRAVELING APPROX 55 MPH UP A STEEP HILL WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IMMEDIATELY THE GAS PEDAL CEASED FUNCTIONING AS WELL. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING, HOWEVER PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DID NOTHING. THIS CREATED AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME WAS NOT AWARE MY VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN AND I HAD NO ABILITY TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WAITED A MINUTE, AND RESTARTED IT. AT THIS POINT THE GAS PEDAL WAS FUNCTIONING AS EXPECTED, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. WENT TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER THEY INDICATED THE FIX FOR THE ISSUE (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, #12-FL-004) HAD BEEN APPLIED AFTER THE 12/2012 INCIDENT AND THEY FOUND NOTHING NEW WRONG THIS TIME. ON 3/22/13, THE EXACT SAME ISSUE HAPPENED TWICE DURING ONE COMMUTE TO WORK. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER WHO HAS NO IDEA WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND FROM OTHER REPORTS SEEN ONLINE, A RECALL SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10504079

Mar 4, 2013Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngineCrash1 injury

I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND MADE CONTACT WITH SOMETHING WHICH I COULD NOT SEE FROM MY REAR VIEW OR SIDE VIEW MIRRORS. LATER, WHEN THE EMERGENCY WORKERS WERE LOADING ME INTO THE AMBULANCE, I WOULD SEE THAT THE OBJECT WAS A LOW, CEMENT POLE, WHICH PROTECTED A FIRE HYDRANT DIRECTLY BEHIND THE PARKING SPOT I PULLED OUT OF. AS I PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR (DRIVE) WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, TO PULL AWAY FROM WHATEVER I BACKED IN TO, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD (THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT IS THE WAY A PINBALL BOUNCES OFF OF A BUMPER ON A PINBALL MACHINE) AND CONTINUED MOVING FORWARD, EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE DROVE FORWARD INTO THE PARKING SPOT I HAD STARTED FROM, OVER A CURB AT THE FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT, THROUGH A PATCH OF LOW LYING PLANTS AND OVER A WALL WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY FOUR TO FIVE FEET IN HEIGHT. MY VEHICLE WAS AIRBORNE AND CAME TO REST IN THE LOWER LEVEL PARKING LOT, STRIKING A PARKED VEHICLE. IT WAS ONLY THEN THAT THE VEHICLE STOPPED ITS FORWARD MOTION. MY ARMS HAD BEEN LOCKED ON THE STEERING WHEEL, MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY LEFT LEG ABSORBED THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH INTO THE LOWER LEVEL PARKING LOT. I WAS TAKEN AWAY IN AN AMBULANCE WITH A BROKEN LEG AND SEVERELY DISLOCATED ANKLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE CARRIER. I WAS ADVISED THAT A CLAIMS INVESTIGATOR WAS SENT TO THE INSURANCE-COMPANY-AUTHORIZED COLLISION SHOP TO WHERE MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED. EVEN THOUGH THE EMERGENCY WORKERS ADVISED ON THE NIGHT OF THE ACCIDENT THAT THE CAR WAS NOT IN A DRIVABLE CONDITION, I WAS ADVISED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THE INVESTIGATOR DROVE THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE COLLISION SHOP AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10501225

Mar 3, 2013Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE DRIVING AFTER HEAVY SNOW I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES OVER A SNOW PILE. WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WENT OVER THE SNOW, THE SOFTWARE TOOK CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND TURNED TO VEHICLE 270 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED IN THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODE. I HAVE OVER 500,000 MILES DRIVING 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES IN OVER 50 YEARS AND HAVE LIVED AND WORKED IN HEAVY SNOW STATES. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY USED THE SAME TECHNIQUE TO GO OVER SNOW WITH NO PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SOFTWARE IS TO AGGRESSIVE. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS REPORTED AFTER THE SNOW STORM WHERE VEHICLES WERE REPORTED TO HAVE SPUN OUT. I WINDER HOW MANY WERE CAUSED BY THE SOFTWARE. I NOW TURN THE STABILITY CONTROL OFF DURING SNOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10501085

Mar 1, 2013SteeringSuspension

STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE IN THE STEERING COLUMN, MOVES AS IF IT LOOSE. I HAVE OWNED A TOTAL OF FOUR SANTA FE'S. THIS IS THE FIRST ONE THAT HAS A LOOSE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE. THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS THE STEERING SHAFT, OR A WORN OUT BEARING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10500999

Jan 3, 2013Transmission & drivetrainEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IN PARK ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR, CAUSING IT TO ROLL AWAY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10490879

Dec 26, 2012Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

WHILE TRAVELING APPROX 55 MPH, I HIT A FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT POTHOLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IMMEDIATELY CAME ON AND, AT THE VERY SAME INSTANT, THE GAS PEDAL CEASED TO FUNCTION. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING, HOWEVER THE GAS PEDAL HAD NO AFFECT - E.G. PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DID NOTHING. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO IDLE AND, AFTER LETTING UP ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD ON ITS OWN AT APPROX 20 MPH, MORE THAN EXPECTED UNDER NORMAL IDLE CONDITIONS. THIS CONDITION LASTED FOR APPROX 5 MIN UNTIL I COULD PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, WAITED A MOMENT, THEN RESTARTED IT. AT THIS POINT THE GAS PEDAL WAS FUNCTIONING AS EXPECTED, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER WHO NOTIFIED ME OF AN EXISTING TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, #12-FL-004, FROM HYUNDAI. THEY ALSO INDICATED THIS WAS A "KNOWN ISSUE" RELATING TO THE "ECM SOFTWARE." *TR

NHTSA ODI 10490074

Nov 20, 2012Speed control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESISTATED WHEN ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A BRIEF HESITATION THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES, BUT THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE THROTTLE, BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE IT WITHOUT DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ODI 10485254

Oct 31, 2012Body & structureSpeed controlBrakes

THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LAST MONTHLY SINCE PURCHASE IN AUGUST 2011. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP PLACEMENT OF ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS CAUSES MY FOOT TO PRESS BOTH PEDALS AT SAME TIME. YESTERDAY WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT A "T" INTERSECTION THE FRONT END ENTERED THE INTERSECTION AS ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING. QUICK ACTION BY THE OTHER DRIVER AVOIDED A COLLISION. MY BROTHER SAID HE HAD SAME PROBLEM (FOOT ON BOTH PEDALS AT SAME TIME) WHEN TEST DRIVING HIS WIFE'S SANTA FE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10482694

Oct 26, 2012SteeringCrash3 injuries1 death

DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY WHICH RESULTED IN THE DRIVERS FATALITY, PREVIOUS DRIVER OF VEHICLE INDICATED SOMETHING WAS "ODD" WITH THE STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10482407

Oct 13, 2012Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

I WAS SHOWING MY NEW/USED 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TO SOME FRIENDS WHEN WE HEARD A POP AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. NO ONE ELSE WAS AROUND THE VEHICLE AND WHERE IT WAS PARKED THERE WAS NO WHERE SOMEONE COULD HAVE SHOT THE WINDOW WITH A PELLET GUN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. EARLIER IN THE MORNING I HAD THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER ON TO CLEAR LIGHT FOG OFF THE REAR WINDSHIELD. IT WAS ONLY ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES UNTIL I SHUT IT OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10479985

Oct 9, 2012Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.

NHTSA ODI 10479449

Sep 18, 2012Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITIES. THERE WAS NO TENSION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND HE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A BOLT HAD BECOME LOOSE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT AND ALSO A CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF AN ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 34,000. ..UPDATED 09-28-12 *BF UPDATED 11/19/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BUT WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. UPDATED 11/20/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10475793

Sep 10, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LOCKED. AS A RESULT, IT FAILED TO SHIFT FROM TO OTHER GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,566.

NHTSA ODI 10474508

Aug 19, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN TWICE WHILE DRIVING IT. FIRST SHUT DOWN ON 5/8/2012: AFTER BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE FOR A LEFT TURN AFTER BEING IDLE AT A LEFT TURN RED LIGHT THE CAR'S ENGINE LOST POWER BEFORE THE TURN WAS COMPLETED. POWER STEERING WENT OUT. GOT HONKED AT AS CARS BEHIND NOTICED SOMETHING WRONG. COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN AND HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION TO TURN THE ENGINE BACK ON. SECOND SHUT DOWN ON 8/3/2012: WHILE TURNING LEFT IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT THE CAR'S ENGINE LOST POWER. POWER STEERING WENT OUT. AFTER COMING TO A STOP HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION TO TURN THE ENGINE BACK ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10471442

Jul 27, 2012Transmission & drivetrainEngine

AFTER LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PUSHED ON THE PEDAL AND THE CAR DID NOT MOVE FOR SECONDS. CAR HESITATES ALL THE TIME. AFRAID TO MAKE LEFT TURN FROM A STOPPED POSITION BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE. VEHICLE ALSO HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS SLOW MOVING VEHICLES. REPORTED ISSUE TO DEALER AND DEALER WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. READ AND HEARD OF OTHER SANTA FE ACCELERATION ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10467962

Jul 18, 2012Electrical systemEngine

I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE REPORTED IN OTHER ODI COMPLAINTS. SPECIFICALLY, MY VEHICLE STALLS RANDOMLY WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS. ODI ID #10460671, #10453272, AND #10412636, ALL SEEM TO REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE. OCCASIONALLY, WHILE BRAKING OR ALLOWING THE CAR TO STOP, IT WILL STALL OUT. WHEN IT DOES, ACCELERATING, POWER STEERING, AND POWER BRAKING ARE ALL DISABLED. ONCE THE CAR GEAR IS SHIFTED TO PARK AND THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF, THE PROBLEM RESOLVES AFTER RE-STARTING THE CAR LATER. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD WORKED ON THIS CAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FOUR TIMES WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO 1. DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND 2. COME UP WITH AN ADEQUATE REMEDY. EVEN THOUGH THE TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE STALLING, THE FIRST THREE TIMES IT WAS IN THE SHOP, THREE DIFFERENT REPAIRS WERE MADE. THEY HAVE ALL INVOLVED COMPUTER FIXES, INCLUDING CHANGING OUT THE CONTACTS, REPLACING THE JUNCTION BOX, AND UPDATING SOFTWARE. HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF MY ISSUE AND THE PENDING LEMON LAW ARBITRATION CLAIM THAT I HAVE MADE. HYUNDAI HAS CURRENTLY MADE THE UNILATERAL DETERMINATION THAT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A LEMON, WHICH I DISPUTE BECAUSE 1. THIS DETERMINATION IS NOT CAPABLE OF BEING MADE UNILATERALLY, AND 2. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT AND MORE THAN A "REASONABLE" AMOUNT OF REPAIR ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. A MANAGING ENGINEER HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT FINDING ANY PROBLEMS, AND I'M CURRENTLY WORKING WITH HYUNDAI TO HAVE A "FLIGHT RECORDER" INSTALLED TO RECORD DATA WHEN THE CAR STALLS NEXT. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITHOUT A SHOULDER ON THE FREEWAY--A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. I CONSIDER THIS CAR TO BE AN UNRELIABLE SAFETY THREAT ON THE ROADWAYS AND HAVE COMMUNICATED THIS TO HYUNDAI, BUT ITS REPRESENTATIVE DO NOT HAVE THE SAME SENSE OF URGENCY I HAVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10466481

Jun 5, 2012Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10460671

May 24, 2012Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING IN FAILED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,500.

NHTSA ODI 10459579

Mar 27, 2012SteeringBrakesEngine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

DRIVING SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC DOWN A HILL MY STEERING WHEEL, GEAR SHIFT AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. IMMEDIATELY MY GENERATOR LIGHT CAME ON MY DASHBOARD. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND SOMEHOW GET THE CAR IN PARK. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND REALIZED THROUGH MY MANUAL MY GENERATOR LIGHT WAS ON. I OPENED THE HOOD AND COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. WHEN TURNING THE CAR BACK ON THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THAT MONDAY I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY TOLD ME THEY CHECKED EVERYTHING. PUT THE CAR UP TO A COMPUTER, DROVE IT AROUND, TEST EVERYTHING COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. I HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM SINCE BUT SOMETHING HAD TO OCCUR FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I AM PLEASE WITH MY CAR OTHERWISE. JUST HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. IT COULDN'T BE WEATHER RELATED BECAUSE IT WAS NEITHER SUPER WARM OR SUPER COLD IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 50 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. FORTUNATELY I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC OTHERWISE IF I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT THIS COULD HAVE ENDED UP VERY BADLY POSSIBLY EVEN FATAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10453272

Feb 29, 2012SuspensionCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH , THERE WAS A LOUD POP HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE EXPLODED FROM THE IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER DIAGNOSED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 10449746

Feb 12, 2012Speed control

ON DECEMBER 19,2011 I WAS SLOWING DOWN COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND ON OR ABOUT THE TIME AS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE MOTOR STARTED RACING OUT OF CONTROL. I PUT ALL MY WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR, THEN SLAMMED THE GEAR INTO PARK AND TURNED THE MOTOR OFF. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DID DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND SAID THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. RELUCTANTLY, I ACCEPTED THE CAR BACK. ON FEBRUARY 6, 2012 THE SAME INCIDENT OF THE MOTOR RACING OUT OF CONTROL HAPPENED WHEN I SLOWED DOWN COMING TO A STOP SIGN. I AGAIN PUT ALL MY WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN TURNED OFF THE MOTOR. THE CAR WAS AGAIN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I CALLED HYUNDAI CORPORATE OFFICES AND ADVISED THEM OF THE TWO INCIDENTS OF THE MOTOR RACING OUT OF CONTROL. THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAVE A SERVICE TECHNICIAN DRIVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 250 MILES TO SEE IF THIS "RACING MOTOR" INCIDENT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. I AGREED TO THEIR RECOMMENDATION. ON FEBRUARY 11,2012 THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN WHO DROVE MY THE CAR FOR 250 MILES CALLED ME AND SAID THE MOTOR RACING OUT OF CONTROL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN . HE SAID HE DID RE-PROGRAM THE COMPUTER AND I COULD PICK UP THE CAR. HE SAID THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT I FEAR THIS UNSAFE INCIDENT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND HYUNDAI NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION TO REMEDY THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM AND PREVENT ANY FUTURE INJURIES FROM HAPPENING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10447708

Feb 10, 2012Speed control

STOPPED ON A SLOPE 5-20 FT. LONG (UP OR DOWN), REMOVE RIGHT FOOT FROM BRAKE PEDAL TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC- SANTA FE WILL BARELY MOVE FORWARD REGARDLESS HOW MUCH ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR "PUMPED" THEN: SUDDENLY WILL SPIN FRONT TIRES-ACCELERATING VERY RAPIDLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED A MINIMUM OF 25 TIMES. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A BUSY STREET, ROAD OR HIGHWAY. DEALER UNABLE TO FIND CODE ERRORS NOR COULD THEY DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. COMPLAINED TO DEALER SERVICE TWICE ABOUT THIS SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS RANDOM, DANGEROUS CONDITION WHEN OWNER/OPERATOR CANNOT FEEL SAFE AND CONFIDENT THIS SUV WILL RELIABLY ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP ON A SHORT SLOPE AS IT SHOULD EACH AND EVERY TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10447468

Jan 23, 2012Visibility & wipers

ABOUT 10 MINUTES IN TO A TRIP ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WINDSHIELD STARTED FOGGING UP. THE CLIMATE CONTROL PANEL WAS IN AUTO, BLEND WITH PART OF THE AIR GOING TO WINDSHIELD, PART TO FLOORBOARD, TEMP SET TO 72DEGREES ENGINE WAS FULLY WARM, AND WE WERE AT 55MPH. THE FOGGING WAS NOT GRADUAL, FROM THE TIME I NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD STARTING TO FOG, UNTIL VISIBILITY WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED ALL THE WAY TO THE DASH WAS LESS THAN 2 MINUTES. IT WAS IF A SYSTEM HAD SHUT OFF. I ACTIVATED THE FRONT DEFROST BUTTON,, HIGH FAN TO CLEAR THE WINDOW AND IT ACTUALLY WAS WORSE FOR A FEW SECONDS. I TURNED UP THE HEAT TO 85, AND THE WINDSHIELD STARTED CLEARING. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS. WEATHER OUTSIDE TEMP ABOUT 45 DEGREES, LIGHT RAIN. WHEN THE TRIP STARTED THE WINDSHIELD WAS PERFECTLY CLEAN AND CLEAR OF ANY INTERIOR FOG. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10444974

Nov 17, 2011Engine & coolingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EMIT A LOUD BANGING NOISE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. A STATE TROOPER APPEARED ON THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 673.

NHTSA ODI 10436180

Oct 27, 2011Visibility & wipers

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY A HEAVY RAINSTORM BEGAN. IT WAS VERY HUMID AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS MODERATE. WITHIN A FEW MOMENTS THE DEFROST BECAME OVERWHELMED AND OUR VISIBLITY DECREASED TO A DANGEROUS LEVEL. WE HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN IN ORDER TO GET ENOUGH AIR MOVING TO REMOVE THE CONDENSATION FROM THE FRONT WINDOW. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OTHER OCCASSIONS SINCE. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS US NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TT

NHTSA ODI 10432983

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Working with the data? Download all 181 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 23, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport verdict →