2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Engine Problems

My vehicle had an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover onto the alternator. the oil damaged the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. On 11/09/2021, the engine light came on and my car turned off. I had it towed to my mechanic and on 11/10/2021 he replaced the valve cover gaskets, alternator and belt. On 12/2023, I found out there was a manufacture recall related to the valve cover. I placed a claim in 12/2023. They have asked for several versions of documents and then stop communicating and eventually deny/close the account. I have filed approximately 4 claims and they stop communicating. The last claim was filed on 1/2/2025 and I have only received an email stating "Thank you for contacting Hyundai Motor America." I have tried to ask for an update and no response. I have called and it refers me to the recall portal. What do I have to do to get reimbursed for the towing and repair work I that I have paid for.

The E .C. M. PART# 39110-3C561 started faulting out, causing stalling abruptly while stop at an intersection an merging into traffic.This events were randomly happening causing higher risks of accidents. I took the vehicle for service an was informed that the "ECM" was causing this faults. The vehicle had the check engine light on during this time. The service shop advised me to bring the vehicle in to the Hyundai dealer, because the problem is likely to increase. The Hyundai dealer verify that the "ECM " is faulty an extremely difficult if not impossible to find. This faulting "ECM " part has literally but my vehicle totally useless.

The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds with the cruise control activated, the cruise control failed to disengage when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact pulled over, placed the vehicle in neutral, and restarted the vehicle for the cruise control to disengage. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed, but the brake lights failed to illuminate. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V122000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was 82,500. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 82,500

The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was "running lean on bank 1" and determined that the Engine Control Module needed to be reset. The vehicle had been repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated whenever gasoline gauge was below 1/2 tank full. The contact stated that the check engine warning was light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer, and it was determined that the timing belt, spark plugs, and fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with running lean on bank 1 and 2 and that there was a small leak on the manifold and the manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

My car has active recalls for the brake switch (prevents brake lights from working properly) and systems related to proper airbag deployment. In addition, there is a service recall (it doesn't show in your database, but it is Hyundai Service Campaign 936 [XXX] ) related to the valve gasket literally dumping oil out to the point that it destroys the alternator - it destroyed my AC Compressor, too! That's not the main point of this, but it's relevant in general. I have been attempting to schedule an appointment to get these issues resolved, but all local dealers tell me the recalls have "expired" and refuse to even look at the car. Some legitimately stop answering the phone when I call at this point, it just rings forever. The online tool to make an appointment from the official Hyundai site has you pick a time to bring the car in, but the dealers to not allot any slots to this so none are available to select. I contacted Hyundai Corporate Customer Service to resolve this, and was told I'd need to "continue trying to work with the dealers." It was no help at all. I am trying to fix the issues myself - my car is currently half-assembled in my garage, and I am technically proficient (I hope!), but it seems ridiculous to be denied service for active safety recalls - and keep in mind, I am only trying to do it myself because the dealers refuse to and I don't want to die in a fiery car crash. I shouldn't be forced to do this. Oh, in addition - Hyundai won't reimburse me for the repairs (I bought my own alternator/compressor once work was refused)... because they aren't being done at a dealership! It'd be hilarious if it wasn't so scummy. Thank you for any help you can offer. I am legitimately losing my mind at this point. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Did oil change. Valve cover was leaking. Put in manufacturer recommended oil. Engine chatter after oil change. Also did valve cover gaskets at said time of oil change.

Check Engine Light was lighting up on and off sporadically and fuel gage was showing E with light on and now both are not working properly. The check engine light stays on and fuel gage always shows empty even when it is full.

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.

Mileage: 200,169

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.

The contact's daughter owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that her daughter informed her that the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds and also while the vehicle was idling. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced tire failures with the vehicle despite having the front-end aligned. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to a certified mechanic who aligned the wheels and replaced the tires. The contact was unsure if any other repairs had been performed on the vehicle. The failure had persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Park N Fly Mississauga Canada. Vehicle in parked position. Vehicle reversed from position and driven for 50-75 feet. Driver made a left turn and within two seconds the vehicle started accelerating on its own. Driver’s head and hands bounced off the steering for a brief moment and then returned. Engine could be heard revving continuously in an increasing manner. Nothing on the gas pedal nor was it manually depressed. The pedal felt stuck with no recoil like what is usually felt when ones foot is taken off the accelerator. Driver attempted to depress brakes to maximum capacity but the system would not override the acceleration and the motion the car was travelling. Car continued to pickup speed to about 70 km/hr. Attempted to slightly turn into a side lane. Cars were parked in facing each other position. Driver clipped the first vehicle, then deflected and ran into three other vehicles before becoming wedged. Passenger front tire continue to spin and burnt thread. Driver front tire intact

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

THE VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED AFTER BEING REPLACED UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL IN THE SAME MANNER AND OIL LEAKS DIRECTLY INTO THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING IT TO ULTIMATELY FAIL.

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.

POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD AND ENGINE FAILURE. OIL LEAKING FROM TOP, ANTERIOR, PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE AGAIN CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND ALTERNATOR FAILURE. MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES, CAR NOT STARTING, CLOCK RESETTING, DRAINING OF BATTERY. SOLUTION: REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKET AT OWNERS EXPENSE FIRST TIME AT 114900 MILES, BEFORE SERVICE CAMPAIGN 936 WAS KNOWN. MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AGAIN, CLOCK RESETTING, CAR NOT STARTING, TRIPOMETER RESETTING. SOLUTION: DEALERSHIP REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKET SECOND TIME AT 136,434 MILES, UNDER RECALL. DEALERSHIP ALSO REPLACED FAULTY, OIL COVERED ALTERNATOR. DEALERSHIP NOTED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN COVER WAS LEAKING OIL. THE TIMING CHAIN COVER IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN 936, BUT SHOULD BE AS THE LEAK IS THE SIMILAR ISSUE TO THE VALVE GASKET COVER. *TR

Mileage: 136,434

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

Mileage: 230,000

MY SON, [XXX] WAS DRIVING THE CAR. WHILE DECELERATING DOWN FROM 60 MPH ON APPROACH TO BRIDGE TOLL PLAZA, AT ABOUT 40 MPH THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO WORK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 119,000

2007 SANTE FE ALTERNATOR ISSUE. POST RECALL FIX, OIL LEAK STILL HAPPENING AND THIS TIME THE ALTERNATOR ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE. SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HAD TO PULL OVER AND POUR WATER ON THE ALTERNATOR TO KEEP IT FROM CATCHING ON FIRE. CAR BECAME DISABLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. FAMILY WAS IN CAR WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING.

Mileage: 120,000

FRONT CORNER OF VALVE COVER IS LEAKING OIL ONTO MY ALTERNATOR CAUSING IT TO BECOME SATURATED WITH OIL AND ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. THE SAME OIL IS SPREADING ALL AROUND MY DRIVE BELT FROM THE ALTERNATOR AND SATURATING ALL PULLIES AND THE ENTIRE DRIVE BELT AS WELL. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS CHARGING MY BATTERY ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWNS ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITH OTHER COMPONENTS SUCH AS STEERING, A/C AND BELT NOT WANTING TO GRIP THE PULLIES THAT IT RIDES ON. VERY DANGEROUS. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS SIMULAR TO THE SAME EXACT ENGINE ON THE HYUNDAI CROSSOVER THAT HAS THE SAME ENGINE TYPE BUT WAS RECALLED TO FIX. WHY ARE SANTA FE OWNERS LEFT OUT OF THIS RECALL IF IT IS THE SAME EXACT ENGING AS THE CROSSOVER THAT WAS RECALLED AND FIXED.

Mileage: 187,000

HYUNDAI RECALLS SANTA FE FOR ALTERNATOR OIL LEAK.SANTA FE CROSSOVER TO FIX AN OIL LEAK, CAUSED BY A FAULTY VALVE COVER GASKET, THAT COULD AFFECT ALTERNATOR PERFORMANCE..DEALER SAID THEY WONT HONOR THE RECALL CAUSE ITS OUT OF WARRANTY.ALSO THE COIL WAS NOT REPLACED AND A RECALL WAS SENT OUT ALSO ON COIL SPRING. THE WONT HONOR THAT.

Mileage: 189,000

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.

Mileage: 143,000

THE SUB FRAME THAT'S HOLDING THE ENGINE IS RUSTING APART ALMOST MISSING A HUGE PART OF IT WHICH IS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY CHILDREN. ESPECIALLY BEING THAT I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS ISSUE UPON PURCHASING THIS AS A "CERTIFIED VEHICLE". ONLY HAD IT FOR ONE YEAR.

Mileage: 90,000

THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VALVE COVER GASKET AS ITS POOR DESIGN CAUSED IT TO FAIL AND LEAK INTO THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR TO EVENTUALLY FAIL. I'VE HAD IT REPLACED TWICE AND THE THIRD GASKET HAS FAILED AND IS LEAKING INTO THE ALTERNATOR ONCE AGAIN. HYUNDAI HAS FAILED TO CREATE A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE GASKET AND ALTERNATOR IF NECESSARY UNTIL THEY DO.

Mileage: 165,000

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.

ON A JUNE 3, 2017, WE WERE EXITING THE HIGHWAY. DURING THE TURN IN TRAFFIC, THE CAR SLOWLY LOST ALL POWER. ALL OF THE LIGHTS LIT UP AND THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE AND RPM INDICATORS WERE MOVING BACK AND FORTH. WE WERE ABLE TO GLIDE TO THE LIGHT IN TRAFFIC AND MAKE IT TO A PARKING LOT SAFELY. I AM SO GLAD WE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT!! MY HUSBAND SHIFTED THE GEAR TO PARK AND THE CAR RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEMS. WE WILL BE TAKING IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALER BECAUSE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING. IS THERE A RECALL PUT THERE? THIS WAS OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE LIKE THIS WITH THE CAR.

Mileage: 133,000

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON A TWO LANE HWY MAKING MY WAY TO THE MAIN HWY THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE TRYING TO STEER THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. THE POWER STEERING WAS ALSO OUT, VERY HARD TO STEER. AFTER PULLING OVER I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRIED STARTING THE ENGINE. IT STARTED UP, I DROVE HOME IN THE SLOW LANE SO IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN I WOULD BE CLOSE TO THE SHOULDER. THIS WAS VERY SCARY, NOW I'M AFRAID TO GO ANYWHERE. AFTER SEARCHING GOOGLE TO SEE IF I COULD FIND SOMETHING THAT MAY HAVE CAUSE THIS, I READ ABOUT A RECALL THAT MAYBE THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE MY CAR HAS ALREADY HAD THE RECALL REPAIRED BUT FEEL IT MAYBE DEFECTIVE AGAIN.

Mileage: 80,000

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.

Mileage: 58,000

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

Mileage: 75,000

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH MY 2007 SANTA FE STARTED TO DECELERATE EVEN AS I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL REALIZING SOMETHING WAS WRONG STARTED LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO PULL OVER THEN ALL MY GAUGES WENT CRAZY FUEL GAUGE SHOWED EMPTY RPM GAUGE WAS SHOWING 3000 RPM(ENGINE WAS OFF) ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. OIL LEAKING FROM FRONT VALVE COVER HAD SHORTED OUT THE ALTERNATOR THERE FOR KILLING MY BATTERY. REPAIR WAS NOT CHEAP

Mileage: 171,000

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.

Mileage: 68,000

FRIDAY, AUG 12, I PARKED THE CAR AROUND 6:30 PM. AROUND 8:40 AM, SATURDAY AUG 13, NEIGHBORS RANG MY DOOR BELL AND BANGED ON THE MY DOOR. THE SANTA FE WAS ON FIRE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF ARSON. THE CAR PARKED FOR AROUND 14 HOURS CAUGHT FIRE. RESEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND NUMEROUS COMMENTS FROM OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS WHO FACED A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE.

Mileage: 157,000

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

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE ESC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

Mileage: 79,000

WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR BEFORE IT WAS RECALLED.

Mileage: 12,000

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

Mileage: 90,164

HYUNDAI DEALER INFORMED ME THAT VALVE COVER GASKET IS LEAKING ONTO ALTERNATOR WHICH WILL CAUSE IT TO FAIL. ESTIMATED OUT OF POCKET COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $700. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE RECALL ON THE HYUNDAI VERA CRUZ. I'M AFRAID THAT THE ALTERNATOR WILL FAIL AT SPEED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER AND DIMINISH BRAKING AND STEERING CAPABILITY. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, ECS LIGHT, AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,100.

Mileage: 83,100

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

Mileage: 142,700

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

Mileage: 74,015

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

Mileage: 69,605

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

Mileage: 157,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED AN OIL LEAK THAT DAMAGED THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, AND COMPUTER CHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

Mileage: 78,000

2007 SANTA FE LIMITED 6 CYL 3.3L. OIL IS LEAKING FROM VALVE COVER GASKET KILLING THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AND THE MOTOR. LIGHTS FLASH ON DASH SEAT BELT LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, ESC , TPMS. REPLACED BATTERY IN THE DARK AT FIRST. I SAW THE SAME ISSUES WITH A NEW BATTERY. THEN RESEARCHED AND SAW SIMILAR ISSUES POINTING TO VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKING OIL ONTO ALTERNATOR. I CHECKED THE VALVE COVER IN THE LIGHT AND SAW THE LEAK IMMEDIATELY AND THE ALTERNATOR COVERED IN OIL. IF THE 2007 VERA CRUZ IS GETTING A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE AS OF AUG 1ST 2014, THEN THE 2007 SANTA FE SHOULD AS WELL AS OTHER YEARS OF SANTA FE'S. DEALERSHIP WANTS $900 PLUS TAX TO FIX THIS. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT -THAT WAS $700 IN JAN OF 2013 AND THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT ONE TOO. I STILL SMELL GAS WHEN I FILL THE TANK FULL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON DUE TO THIS. I CAN AND HAVE PROVEN IT USING A OBD CODE READER TO RESET THE CODE, FILL THE TANK AND BINGO CODE IS BACK LIKE THE FUEL CAP IS LOOSE BUT IT IS NOT AND THE INTERIOR SMELLS OF GASOLINE TILL THE FUEL LEVEL IS REDUCED. *TR

Mileage: 94,000

ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 30TH, 2014, I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH MY FAMILY AND CHILDREN ON BOARD AT 60 MPH WHEN ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHED ON AT THE SAME TIME. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE, THE ENGINE STALLED AND BOTH THE STEERING AND BRAKES SUDDENLY BECAME VERY HEAVY TO OPERATE. LUCKILY I MANAGED TO VEER OFF THE FREEWAY BEFORE IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON A LIVE HIGH SPEED LANE AND ORDERED A TOW TRUCK FROM MY AUTO CLUB. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN ADVISE THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS BREAKDOWN WAS AN OIL LEAK FROM A VALVE COVER GASKET ONTO THE ALTERNATOR, CAUSING IT TO FAIL. THE BATTERY WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY CHAIN OF EVENT. THIS CASCADING CHAIN OF BREAKDOWN IS A SYSTEMIC FAILURE AND THIS DEFECT IS NOT PARTICULAR TO ONLY MY CAR BUT IS RAMPANT WITH THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE OWNERS. ANY INTERNET SEARCH WITH " SANTA FE 2007 LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKET " WILL TURN UP COUNTLESS RESULTS. IT IS ALSO THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED FROM ANOTHER HYUNDAI SUV, THE VERACRUZ AS IT WAS BUILT ON A HYUNDAI SANTA FE PLATFORM. I WAS LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T COME TO A COMPLETE DEAD STOP WITHOUT WARNING ON A LIVE FREEWAY LANE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AS THE RESULT WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC FOR ALL INVOLVED. LINK TO HYUNDAI VERACRUZ RECALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/CS/JAXRS/DOWNLOAD/DOC/UCM459247/RCDNN-14V415-5243P.PDF KIND REGARDS, *TR

Mileage: 58,075

THE DRIVE AXEL BROKE WHILE THE CAR WAS DOING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. WHEN IT BROKE, THE BALL JOINT PULLED OUT OF THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL, A PIECE OF METAL FLEW UP AND TORE THE SERPENTINE BELT. THERE IS A RECALL #112 FOR THE 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE THAT THE DRIVE AXEL CAN BREAK BUT I WAS TOLD IT DOES NOT AFFECT MY CAR. HOW DOES THE DRIVE AXEL JUST BREAK. THE RECALL AFFECTS THE FRONT RIGHT AXEL. PRIOR TO IT BREAKING, I WAS GOING DOWN I70 AT 70MPH, THANKFULLY, IT DIDN'T BREAK AT THAT TIME. *TR

Mileage: 134,000

WHILE TRAVELING ON EXPRESSWAY AT 65 MPH OUR 2007 SANTA FE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND WE HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. A DEFECTIVE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ON THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING IT TO SHORT OUT AND BE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. HYUNDAI HAVE A RECALL (#121) ON THE 2007-2012 VERACRUZ FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. CLEARLY THE SANTA FE NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE 121 RECALL. MY FAMILY AND I WERE PLACED IN DANGER AS WE WERE IN THE LEFT LANE ON A BUSY EXPRESSWAY AND HAD TO QUICKLY MERGE OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHILE QUICKLY LOSING SPEED. ADDITIONALLY, THE COST OF REPAIR WAS $750 FOR THE ALTERNATOR AND GASKET COVER REPLACEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 92,263

AS I WAS DRIVING IS A RAIN STORM, MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. I LOST MY WINDOW DEFROSTING CAPABILITY, MY LIGHTS DIMMED AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I AM NOT SURE WHAT ELSE WAS AFFECTED AT THIS TIME AS I WAS JUST CONCENTRATING ON GETTING HOME ALIVE. WHEN HOME, I OPENED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND FOUND THAT THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY HAD COME APART. LUCKY, IT WAS LAYING ON A SMALL LEDGE IN THE CAR. THIS COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF, DAMAGED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, FALLEN TO THE STREET AND BECOME A ROLLING PIECE OF METAL. IF A WOMAN HAD BEEN DRIVING(THIS IS ACTUALLY MY GIRLFRIENDS CAR), THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

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

Mileage: 140,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE ENGINE WOULD OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

AT A SLOW SPEED WHILE TURNING (EITHER DIRECTION, AS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED NOW 3 TIMES IN 10 WEEKS) VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER TO STEER AND BRAKE. FEELS LIKE THE CAR HAS DIED, HOWEVER THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON. WHEN IT RESOLVED, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BRAKES AND STEERING RESTORED. FIRST TWO TIMES THE POWER FAILURE WAS MOMENTARILY. THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE LOST POWER FOR 3-4 MINUTES AND STRANDED ME WHILE TURNING ONTO MAJOR ROAD FROM MY NEIGHBORHOOD WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAD CAR TOWED TO LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER WHO KEPT INSISTING THEY WOULD NEED TO SEE THE VEHICLE FAIL IN ORDER TO KNOW HOW TO REPAIR IT. I SAID NOT GOOD ENOUGH, THEY NEED TO FIND ANOTHER METHOD TO TROUBLE SHOOT AND REFUSED TO PICK UP VEHICLE. NOW THE DEALER IS BLAMING THE POWER LOSS ON WORN FRONT TIRES AND THE ESC SYSTEM CUTTING POWER TO THE ENGINE, STEERING AND BRAKES DUE TO IT SENSING SLIPPAGE. I'M NOT BUYING THIS EXPLANATION FROM THE DEALER, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF (1) THE SLOW SPEED (NO SLIPPING TIRES IN THESE THREE INSTANCES), AND (2) TIRES HAVE SLIPPED ON QUICK ACCELERATION BEFORE WITHOUT ESC SYSTEM CUTTING POWER TO BRAKES & STEERING, AND (3) IF THIS WERE THE CASE, I WOULD THINK ESC WOULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND NOT DESIGNED TO SAVE LIVES! WILL FILE COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI AMERICA BUT I DON'T HAVE MUCH FAITH THAT THEY WILL BE OF HELP. *TR

Mileage: 90,100

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES POWER. PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR HAS NO EFFECT EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING AND IN DRIVE. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. SO FAR I HAVE MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND ON MULTIPLE TIMES RESTORES POWER AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 80,000