2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Electrical System Problems

I took the car to get this recall done: Hyundai has decided to conduct a service campaign to inspect (and if necessary replace) the alternator and replace the front valve cover gasket on certain 2007-2009 model year Santa Fe vehicles. The recall was done, replacing the gasket and alternator. 2 years later the car started to stall in the middle of traffic. I returned to the dealer, dealer inspected and reported "oil found on the new alternator and oil leak found on the real valve cover gasket". I have been going back and forth on the phone with Hyundai costumer care. They said they will not redo the recall. It was not done correctly and slowly leak again. the vehicle now cut off everyday specially when i stop and go at short drives. It has also cut off in traffic. making it very dangerous. But Hyundai is telling me nothing for them to do.

My speedometer has stopped working, I had the sensor replaced and fuses checked but it is still not working

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for an undisclosed recall repair, and the contact was informed that the valve cover gasket, and the alternator were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

Mileage: 88,000

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing difficulty charging. The contact stated that while driving 50-60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times while driving on the highway. The vehicle was able to be jump-started. The contact stated that a mobile mechanic had inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that there was oil leaking onto the spark plugs. The contact stated that the vehicle was chugging while driving. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in Hyundai Campaign Number: 976. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair. The dealer diagnosed that the valve cover gasket was leaking onto the alternator and onto other unknown parts. The dealer replaced the valve cover gasket and the alternator under Hyundai Campaign Number: 976. The contact stated after driving 7-8 minutes after picking up the vehicle from the dealer, the contact noticed an abnormal odor and smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact pulled into a gas station and parked the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The contact stated she drove to the nearby residence of a friend instead because she needed to report to work. The contact stated upon opening the hood and starting the vehicle the following day, the contact noticed flames in the engine compartment. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. No police report was filed. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the fire had occurred due to an old oil leak; however, the contact stated there was also a noticeable new oil leak under the hood. The dealer later informed the contact that the starter had failed, and that the fire had not caused any further damage to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and

Mileage: 87,000

Brought 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe to Carlsbad Hyundai dealership on 12/22/23 for Service Campaign 976, due to oil leaking from the front cylinder bank’s valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the vehicle is continually driven without recharging the battery, the engine will eventually shut off, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealership said the vehicle needed to be fixed but they needed to order parts and that it would take 2-3 wks. It has now been over 6 months. I have called the dealership and Hyundai America multiple times all to no avail.

In October 2021 the alternator failed due to an oil leak from the valve cover gasket. I paid the local Hyundai dealer to replace the alternator and they also said the battery was damaged because of the failed alternator so I paid for a new battery as well. The dealer never mentioned the recall on this vehicle for the leaking valve cover and did not disclose that the leak was known to cause alternator failure. I later learned of the recall and had the valve cover repair performed under the recall. However, Hyundai has refused to reimburse me for the alternator repair that I had already previously paid for, and likewise have refused to reimburse me for the battery. Clearly the problem was due to the known defect that resulted in the recall, so I am obviously entitled to compensation for the out if pocket repair expenses. Please advise me how to proceed.

My car has a recall, and the dealership is unable to fix it. There is also an issue with the oem control module that they are unable to get the part and unable to fix this because they do not have the correct software.

ON HIGHWAY, CAR WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE CAUSING ME TO SLOW TO 50 MPH AND NOT BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH SPEED IF TRAFFIC. PULLED OVER, DASH LIGHTS FLASHED AND CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. OIL HAD LEAKED OUT OF VALVE COVER GASKET ALL OVER THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING THE CAR TO MALFUNCTION AND BECOME INOPERABLE.

Mileage: 115,000

CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR DRIVERS AIRBAG. EXPERIENCING HIGH RESISTANCE CODE. RECALL 11V472000 COVERED SOME 2008 MODELS BUT NOT MINE. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER STARTING VEHICLE ON 08/03/2020

Mileage: 64,900

TL* THE CONTACT 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN IT WAS RAINING (THREE TIMES ON THE SAME DAY). THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER BENTLEY HYUNDAI, 3805 UNIVERSITY DRIVE, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35816, UNDER A CAMPAIGN GENERATED BY THE MANUFACTURER DECEMBER 2019. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT NUMBER: [XXX] WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000. *LN CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE WENT TO PICK UP VEHICLE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. ONE WEEK LATER VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER. ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

Mileage: 159,000

THE FUEL PUMP AND SENSORS WENT BAD. THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED GLITCHING AND GOING UP AND DOWN RANDOMLY. AFTER 1-2 MONTHS IT WAS SHOWING EMPTY AT ALL TIMES. I CHANGED THE SENSORS AND THE FUEL GAUGE WENT TO THE MIDDLE EVEN WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH SENSORS AND THE FUEL PUMP TO GET IT FIXED.

Mileage: 125,000

THE GAS GUAGE IN THIS VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING OVER A YEAR AGO AND WE HAVE RAN OUT OF GAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHEN WE KEEP OUR GAS GUAGE FILLED IN THIS VEHICLE ALL THE TIME CAUSING A DANGER TO OURSELVES AND OUR CHILDREN SOMEDAY SOMEBODY IS GOING TO HIT US DUE TO THIS ISSUE KEEPS HAPPENING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND THE ROAD AND INTERSTATE. IT CONSTANTLY KEEPS SHOWING US EMPTY WHEN WE ARE NOT. I HAVE READ MANY REVIEWS THAT THIS HAPPENS WITH MANY OF THESE VEHICLES AND IT HAS YET TO BE RECALLED.

Mileage: 142,000

GOING DOWN INTERSTATE AT 70 MILES AN HOUR AND CAR SHUT OFF PUT CAR IN NUTRAL AND RESTARTED . THEN THE NEXT DAY DRIVING TO WORK AND CAR CUT OFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING DID SAME AND RESTARTED . WENT ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THIS HAS BEN A PROBLEM IN THESE CARS FOR YEARS AND AM AFRAID FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN S LIVES

Mileage: 170,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DICK SMITH HYUNDAI (825 CONGAREE RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607, (864) 284-7777) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 15714282. THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED REIMBURSEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

Mileage: 165,000

2008 SANTA FE GAS GAUGE NOT READING PROPERLY. WHEN I FILL UP THE CAR AND THE GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY. AND CONSTANTLY FLUCTUATES. I HAVE TO CALCULATE HOW MANY MILES I DRIVE IN ORDER TO KNOW WHEN TO FILL UP AGAIN.

Mileage: 98,000

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND UNFUNCTIONAL OR INFUNCTIOMAL GAS GAUGE

LEAKING VALVE COVER IS ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK DOWN ONTO THE ALTERNATOR. CAR BE STATIONARY OR RUNNING. MOST NOTABLE WHEN CAR ENGINE IS RUNNING.

FUEL SENDING SENSOR IS ERRATIC CAUSING CHK ENGINE CODE P0464. UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION AND SHOULD BE RECALLED TO BE FIX.

Mileage: 120,000

MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WHILE DRIVING STALLS, TRUCK IS NO LONGER ON WHILE DRIVING. POWER STEERING AND CONTROL OVER STEERING WHEEL IS LOSS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING QUITE FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING. HAPPEN TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHICH, SCARED ME TO DEATH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON STAY FOR A FEW DAYS THEN TURNS OFF. MY FUEL GAGE K DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. I CAN FILL MY TANK UP ON FULL, THEN IT WILL DROP TO THE E LINE LIKE THERE IS NO GAS. THE YELLOW LIGHT COMES ON. NOT SAFE BECAUSE NOW I DON'T KNOW IF MY TRUCK IS FULL OR REALLY EMPTY. WHY HAVEN'T THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THESE ISSUES ESPECIALLY SINCE, THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BY OWNERS WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL.

Mileage: 23,456

FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILED....INACCURATE FUEL GAUGE CAUSING OWNERS TO NOT KNOW WHEN THE CARS FUEL TANK IS LOW, AND SOMETIMES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF FUEL WHILE DRIVING.

Mileage: 99,415

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND DISCOVERED THAT BATTERY FLUID WAS LEAKING. HYUNDAI OF WESLEY CHAPEL (27000 WESLEY CHAPEL BLVD, WESLEY CHAPEL, FL 33544, (813) 501-2736) WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO FUCCILLO KIA OF WESLEY CHAPEL (28555 FL-54, WESLEY CHAPEL, FL 33545, (813) 395-0347). FUCCILLO KIA HAD NOT SPECIFICALLY VERIFIED IF ANY OTHER COMPONENTS OR ELECTRICAL FAILURES CAUSED THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE OEM BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITH A TRIPLE A BATTERY, THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY MAY BE FAULTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD WAS DAMAGED WITH AN EXTENSIVE INDENTATION WHERE THE BATTERY HAD LODGED UPWARD WHEN IT EXPLODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *TT UPDATED 11/19/18*JB

Mileage: 65,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND DISCOVERED THAT BATTERY FLUID WAS LEAKING. HYUNDAI OF WESLEY CHAPEL (27000 WESLEY CHAPEL BLVD, WESLEY CHAPEL, FL 33544, (813) 501-2736) WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO FUCCILLO KIA OF WESLEY CHAPEL (28555 FL-54, WESLEY CHAPEL, FL 33545, (813) 395-0347). FUCCILLO KIA HAD NOT SPECIFICALLY VERIFIED IF ANY OTHER COMPONENTS OR ELECTRICAL FAILURES CAUSED THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE OEM BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITH A TRIPLE A BATTERY, THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY MAY BE FAULTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD WAS DAMAGED WITH AN EXTENSIVE INDENTATION WHERE THE BATTERY HAD LODGED UPWARD WHEN IT EXPLODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *TT UPDATED 11/19/18*JB

Mileage: 65,000

FUEL GAUGE ALWAYS READS AS EMPTY, REGARDLESS OF MOVEMENT OR AMOUNT OF GAS IN TANK, LEAVING DRIVER TO RUN OUT OF GAS IN UNDESIRABLE PLACES. REPAIR IS APPROX 600-800 DOLLARS. MANY COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE RECALLED. HAS TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENDING SENSOR OR SOMETHING I WAS TOLD.

Mileage: 120,000

I ACTUALLY HAVE 2 ISSUES OCCURRING. ONE OF THESE WAS DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED BY A PREVIOUS RECALL (CAMPAIGN 105/110 - FIXED /CLOSED JUN 23, 2014). HOWEVER, MY ESC OFF LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT ARE AGAIN LIGHTING UP. I HAVE (LUCKILY) NOT YET HAD LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OR CONTROL. THE SECOND ISSUE IS IN REGARDS TO CAMPAIGN 936. I'VE HAD THE FRONT ENGINE VALVE GASKET COVER FIXED, ALONG WITH MY ALTERNATOR REPLACED (AFTER MY HUSBAND AND I DID IT OURSELVES AFTER LOSING ALL POWER ON CHRISTMAS EVE IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD BEFORE BARELY COASTING INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO SORT OF PARK OUT OF THE WAY). WE CHANGED MY OIL THIS WEEKEND, HAVE HAD NO OTHER WORK DONE ON THE CAR SINCE (EXCEPT OIL CHANGES) AND MY HUSBAND NOTICED THAT THE ALTERNATOR IS AGAIN COVERED IN OIL. BETWEEN THE 2 ISSUES, IT IS MOST LIKELY A MATTER OF DAYS (IF I'M LUCKY) BEFORE MY CAR LOSES POWER IN SOME FORM AND I AM POTENTIALLY IN A WRECK WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO "RE-FIX" THE FIRST 2 CAMPAIGNS THAT SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN FIXED, BUT FOR JUST THE VALVE GASKET WORK, IT WOULD BE AT LEAST $500, NOT INCLUDING THE ALTERNATOR THAT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED WHEN THE CAR DOES GO OUT. APPARENTLY THE GASKET THAT IS LEAKING THIS TIME ISN'T THE FRONT ONE, IT IS THE REAR ONE. MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS ON THIS ARE THAT IF THE FRONT ONE IS FAULTY, THEN IT'S NOT A STRETCH TO GET TO THE REAR ONE BEING FAULTY. MY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP EVEN WARNED ME WHEN REPLACING THE FRONT ONE THAT MY REAR ONE WOULD MOST LIKELY NEED TO BE DONE TOO (FOR $500+). IF THE DEALERSHIPS KNOW, IT MAKES ME WONDER WHY THE RECALL DIDN'T INCLUDE BOTH VALVE COVER GASKETS OR A NEW ONE HASN'T BEEN ISSUED FOR THE REAR ONE. HOPEFULLY, BOTH OF THESE ISSUES CAN BE RE-ADDRESSED. THE DATE BELOW IS OF FIRST WARNING LIGHTS. THE LIGHTS COME ON FROM PARK OR WHILE DRIVING.

Mileage: 76,000

MY CAR HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES THIS PAST WEEK WITHOUT WARNING OR INDICATION THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG. THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY STOP AND LOSE POWER COMPLETELY WHILE I ANXIOUSLY TRY TO RESTART IT. IT HAS PUT ME AT RISK WITH OTHER DRIVERS WHERE I'VE HAD TO PUT MY HAZARDS ON AND HOPE VEHICLES ARE ABLE TO STOP IN TIME SO THEY DON'T HIT ME. I'VE TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NO ONE SEEMS TO BE HELPING ME. I FOUND INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT HYUNDAI GETTING SLAPPED WITH A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS I'M REPORTING, BUT THE SUIT APPEARS TO ONLY COVER 2010-2012 MODELS, MINE IS 2008. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!

Mileage: 143,000

1) FUEL TANK GAUGE IS INACCURATE. STARTS TO DROP RAPIDLY AFTER DRIVING 75-100 MILES AND EMPTY FUEL TANK LIGHT COMES ON AFTER ~125-150 MILES. WHEN I REFILL THE TANK, IT IS ONLY HALF EMPTY. NORMALLY, CAR WILL DRIVE 270-320 MILES BEFORE EMPTY. 2) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG WITH THE CAR(HAVE HAD IT CHECKED.) 3) ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF; SOMETIMES AT THE SAME TIME AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, SOMETIMES BY ITSELF. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED, NO PROBLEM; AND RESET. GOES ON - OFF AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER. THESE EVENTS HAVE BEEN OCCURRING OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS, APPROXIMATELY.

Mileage: 161,000

AFTER TURNING RIGHT TO ENTER AN ON-RAMP FOR THE HIGHWAY, THE TURN SIGNAL (NOW IN NEUTRAL POSITION) STARTING MAKING THE FAST CLICKING NOISE. IN ADDITION, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE TURN SIGNAL STICK AND YOU COULD SMELL (WHAT APPEARED TO BE) ELECTRICAL BURNING. THIS CONTINUED FOR 20 MILES UNTIL I GOT HOME AND BEGAN TO RESEARCH IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS (WHICH IT HAS). I AM WORRIED OF A FIRE DANGER ALONG WITH THE ANNOYING NON-STOP NOISE. IS THERE A RECALL ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS IF OTHERS HAVE ALSO REPORTED IT?

Mileage: 120,000

THE ISSUE STARTED SHORTLY AFTER MY VEHICLE SURPASSED 60,000 MILES. UPON TURNING ON THE ENGINE, THE GAS GAUGE LIGHT IS ON AND THE FUEL TANK IS DISPLAYED AS EMPTY. THE GAS GAUGE ON OCCASION ALSO SPORADICALLY FLUCTUATES UP AND DOWN, REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH GASOLINE IS IN THE TANK.

Mileage: 60,000

AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE I NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE ACTING ERRATICALLY (OCCASIONALLY WIDELY SWINGING) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVENTUALLY ILLUMINATED. DEALER SERVICE FOUND CODE P0464: "INSPECTED CLUSTER FOR ANY LOOSE CONNECTIONS OR DAMAGE, NO ISSUE FOUND WITH CLUSTER OR WIRING. REMOVED THE SENDING UNITS AND FOUND SEND UNITS OUT OF SPEC WHEN MOVING BY HAND AND OHM SENDERS. REPLACED BOTH SENDING UNITS AND CLEARED CODES." *TR

Mileage: 50,945

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. FUEL GAUGE WILL READ EMPTY EVEN AFTER JUST FUELING. FUEL GAUGE WILL OCCASIONALLY READ A RANDOM LEVEL THEN DROP TO EMPTY WITHIN SECONDS. OBD CODES STATES FUEL SENSOR ERRORS.

Mileage: 95,000

MY VEHICLE HAS HAD A FUEL GAUGE THAT WOULD MOVE UP AND DOWN WHILE CAR IS STILL. TODAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH A CODE P0464-FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THE FUEL IN VEHICLE IS AT HALF AND THE GAUGE WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO EMPTY (WITH EMPTY LIGHT COMING ON) THEN IT WOULD GO BACK TO HALF AND MOVE EVERY NOW AND THEN. THE VEHICLE IS AT 83000. SO FAR THE THE GAUGE IS SOMEWHAT WORKING BUT IS VERY FRUSTRATING KNOWING THAT THIS CAN BE A $500 REPAIR SINCE IT WILL INVOLVE THE GAS TANK. THIS CAN MAKE FOR A BAD SITUATION IF THE GAUGE COMPLETELY FAILS.

Mileage: 83,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDIA SANTA FE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR PROVIDED FALSE READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

Mileage: 143,000

A PROBLEM IS REGARDING FUEL GAUGE FAILURE /CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON ,GOES OFF ,FUEL GAUGE REGISTER ON EMPTY WITH LIGHT INDICATOR ANYTIME TANK IS LESS THAN FULL.

Mileage: 94,000

MY MOTHER PURCHASED A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, AWD 2.7L V6 MODEL BRAND NEW IN 2009. HER FUEL GAUGE FAILED AT AROUND 110,000 MILES APPROX. I NOTICED OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE...SO I THOUGHT I'D MENTION THAT HER FUEL GAUGE ALSO QUIT WORKING! SHE TOOK IT IN TO GET FIXED, AND I BELIEVE IT WAS A PRETTY COSTLY JOB! MAYBE WITH EVERYBODY PUTTING THEIR HEADS TOGETHER, THIS ISSUE CAN GET MORE ATTENTION AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO A RECALL. THANKS!

Mileage: 110,000

ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATES. CAR LOOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING, AND STALLS.

Mileage: 135,542

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO DISENGAGE AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND A BURNING ODOR WAS NOTICED. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM ALL FOUR TIRES. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE IDLING FOR AWHILE AND THE SMOKE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRICAL CONTROL UNITS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING EMPTY AND ALL OVER THE PLACE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 05/10/16*LJ *TR

Mileage: 54,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BECAME EXCESSIVELY HOT. THE PASSENGER OBSERVED THAT THE SEAT WAS ON FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BURN INJURIES TO HER HANDS AND BUTTOCKS BUT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,002.

Mileage: 120,002

WHEN DRIVING AND YOU HIT THE BREAKS, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTS TO STALL, OR IF YOU USE THE HIGH OR LOW BREAMS THE RADIO SHUTS OFF AND THE GPS TURNS ON OR YOU LOSES IT ALL, WHILE ON HIGH WAY WAY IF YOU USE YOUR HIGH OR LOW BEAMS THE ENGINE STARTS TO STALL THEN KEEPS GOING CAUSING THE VEHICLE BEHIND YOU HAVE TO BREAK QUICKLY TO AVOID HITTING YOU AS YOU LOOSE ALL POWER FOR A MATTER OF SECONDS THIS HAPPEN WHILE MOVING OR PARKED, I MHAVE INSTALLED TWO NEW ALTERNATORS IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS AND THE PROBLEM CONIINUES

Mileage: 134,000

2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, 78K MILES. FUEL GAGE READING STARTING BOUNCING AROUND. SHOWED HALF FULL ON A FRESHLY FILLED TANK. EVENTUALLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ERROR CODE P0464 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR 'A' ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WAS INTERMITTENT FOR A PREDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME.). FUEL SENSORS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. AN INACCURATE FUEL READING IS A SAFETY CONCERN, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER ISSUE THAT CAN LEAD TO UNEXPECTED VEHICLE SHUTDOWN. THE NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THE WEB CONCERNING THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL SENSORS IN THE 2008 SANTA FE SUGGESTS STRONGLY THAT A RECALL IS WARRANTED.

Mileage: 78,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL MILES, SEVERAL MORE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR BESIDES DRIVE AND NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

WHEN THE GAS TANK IS LESS THAN HALF FULL, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYS TANK AS NEARLY EMPTY AND THE AMBER LOW FUEL LIGHT APPEARS. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ALSO COMES ON. THE FUEL GAUGE SWINGS BACK UP TO NEARLY HALF FULL, DROPS DOWN TO 1/4 FULL, THEN DROPS DOWN TO ALMOST EMPTY, THEN SWING BACK TO HALF FULL. ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER THIS PROBLEM STARTED, THE FUEL GAUGE REMAINS NEAR EMPTY WITH THE AMBER LOW FUEL LIGHT LIT. WHEN I FILL UP THE GAS TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE IS ONCE AGAIN ACCURATE UNTIL THE TANK GOES BELOW 1/2 FULL. HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES AND CAN ONLY BE CLEARED BY A MECHANIC. I'VE HAD MY MECHANIC CLEAR IT TWICE. THIS IS A FUEL SENSOR ISSUE WITH THE TWO SENDERS IN THE GAS TANK. I WAS GOING TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED BY HAVING THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED BUT FOUND OUT IT WOULD COST $1000. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT SO I'M STUCK. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO RESET THE ODOMETER EVERY TIME I FILL UP AND MAKE SURE I FILL UP THE TANK EVERY 300 MILES. I'VE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THIS IS A KNOWN, WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH THE 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES. I SAW MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FILED ON THE NHSTA SO THIS AGENCY IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT HAS CHOSEN NOT TO RECALL THE SANTA FE FOR THE 2008 MODEL YEAR. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS: THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS A GROSS DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS. THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED BEHAVING ERRATICALLY A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AFTER WE BOUGHT IT IN MAY 2014, WHICH WOULD BE AROUND LATE JULY 2015. HE FIRST SIGN OF A PROBLEM OCCURRED AFTER I FILLED THE GAS TANK IN LATE JULY 2015. THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON EVEN THOUGH THE GAS TANK WAS FULL. I HAD MY MECHANIC CLEAR IT. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED ABOUT 6 WEEKS LATER. AFTER THAT THE ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE BEHAVIOR I DESCRIBED STARTED OCCURRING.

Mileage: 95,000

FUEL GAUGE HAS BEEN FAULTY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD TURN ON AND OFF AFTER REPLACING WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A BAD BATTERY ONE MONTH AGO. ONE WEEK AGO WHILE DRIVING, ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON (BATTERY, CHECK ENGINE, ABS, ESC...), ENGINE STARTED TO REV, ELECTRICAL AND POWER STEERING FAILED, AND CAR HAD TO BE TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED HOME. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING NOW. ISSUE IS FROM A FAILING/FAILED ALTERNATOR CAUSED BY OIL LEAK FROM FRONT VALVE COVER. THIS PROBLEM IS IDENTICAL TO ISSUES WITH '06-'12 VERACRUZ, RECALL #121.

Mileage: 115,000

I LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN GOING UP A VERY STEEP GRADE. I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK SO THAT I COULD TURN MY CAR OFF. I HAD TO LAY ON THE BRAKE WITH ALL MY WEIGHT TO KEEP FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS INTO CARS BEHIND ME. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. AFTER A MINUTE, WHICH FELT LIKE MUCH LONGER, I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO PARK AND TURN MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON. THE SECOND TIME I LOST ALL POWER, WAS A COUPLE MONTHS LATER. I WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH ON A CURVY HILLY ROAD. I WAS UNABLE TO STEER, ACCELERATE, DECELERATE, OR APPLY THE BRAKES. THERE WERE CARS BEHIND ME AND I WAS TERRIFIED I WOULD END UP OFF THE ROAD OR HEADING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO MAKE IT UP A HILL. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. BOTH TIMES MY INFANT WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. THANK GOODNESS BOTH OF US WERE UNHARMED, BECAUSE WE COULD HAVE VERY EASILY BEEN HURT OR HURT OTHERS. I WAS IN A SEVERAL THOUSAND POUND VEHICLE WHICH WAS OUT OF CONTROL. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AS I REFUSED TO DRIVE IT. THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO THINK IT WAS A BIG DEAL AND SAID I NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR. LUCKILY, I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH COVERED THE ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENT.

Mileage: 101,356

FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET KEEP LEAKING OIL ON TO THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR TO GO OUT . THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPEN THE CORE OF THE ALTERNATOR BURNED .I HAVE REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR 3 TIMES AND VALVE COVER GASKET TWICE. HYUNDAI HAVE A RECALL ON THE VERACRUZ FOR THIS SOME ISSUES BUT WILL NOT RECALL THE SANTA FE FOR THIS ISSUES .

Mileage: 75,000

SAFETY ISSUE: FAILURE OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT PERMANENTLY TURNS ON THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" WHICH DENIES THE USE OF THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" FOR OTHER SERIOUS CONDITIONS. MANY CONSUMERS HAVE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THESE UNITS COST BETWEEN $800 TO $1200 TO FIX SO MOST DRIVERS DO NOT FIX IT AND INSTEAD USE THE ODOMETER READING TO DETERMINE WHEN FUEL IS NEEDED. UNFORTUNATELY, DRIVING WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ON AT ALL TIMES PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM SEEING THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ILLUMINATE WHEN A SERIOUS CONDITION EXISTS. THEREFORE, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF CONSUMER REPORTS ALREADY SENT TO NHTSA REGARDING FAILED FUEL SENDING UNITS, HYUNDAI SHOULD IMMEDIATELY ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL TO FIX THESE UNITS.

Mileage: 98,000

MY GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY, GOING UP AND DOWN BUT NEVER PASSING ONE HALF A TANK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON ALL THE TIME. THE MECHANIC SAID THE SEATS WOULD NEED TO BE TAKEN OUT TO GET TO THE SENSOR, THAT IT WAS PROBABLY BAD AND WOULD NEED A NEW ONE. I TRIED TO ESTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS I HAD IN THE TANK BY USING THE ODOMETER AND RESETTING AT 0 FOR A GAS FILLUP TILL I GOT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. THE TANK WOULD KICK THE GAS BACK AT HALF A TANK SO I WAS GETTING ONLY 8 GALLONS IN. ON TUESDAY I RAN OUT OF GAS ON A HIGHWAY GOING 55, WHICH WAS DANGEROUS, AS THERE WAS A TRUCK BEHIND ME AND HE HAD TO SWERVE INTO THE MEDIAN TO AVOID HITTING ME WHEN MY CAR DIED. I WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CHECKED BYTAKING THE SEATS OUT AND PUTTING IN A NEW SENSOR. HE FILLED THE GAS TANK UP (19.9 GALLONS) AND YET WITH THE NEW SENSOR IN, THE GAUGE STILL READS ONLY HALF A TANK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. SOMETHING ELSE IS WRONG AND I SEE THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED OR RESOLVED EFFECTIVELY. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FIRST? ARE WE SURE SOMEONE HAS NOT ALREADY? *TR

Mileage: 106,000

I FILLED UP THE TANK AND THE GAS GAUGE LEVEL READ EMPTY. CONTINUED AND HAS BEEN ON EMPTY. SOMETIMES IT WILL RISE GRADUALLY TO CORRECT LEVEL. AND WHEN YOU TURN OFF ENGINE THEN IT GOES BACK TO EMPTY. I FIND THIS TO BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF THE CAR WILL STOP. I HAVE READ MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. A RECALL IS IN ORDER TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL. *TR

Mileage: 71,230

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT GASKET LEAKED OIL INTO THE ALTERNATOR AND THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 82,000

LEAKING OIL FROM FRONT VALVE COVER AND CAUSING ALTERNATOR TO FAIL, JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER SANTA FE AND VARACRUZ. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

AFTER ENGINE START AND WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED THE BATTERY LIGHT AND SEATBELT LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY. I SEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND IT LOOKS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL CHARGING ISSUE, NAMELY THE ALTERNATOR IS BAD. I SEARCHED MORE AND FOUND THE REASON FOR THIS IS THE FRONT VALVE COVER IS LEAKING OIL AND DRIPPING ONTO THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTION. A RECALL HAS BEEN MADE ( #121) ON THE 07-12 VERACRUZ FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *JS

Mileage: 55,000

THE FUEL SENSOR ON MY 2008 SANTA FE IS MALFUNCTIONING AND NOT REPORTING THE ACTUAL LEVEL OF FUEL IN THE TANK. IT IS ALSO CAUSING THE EMPTY FUEL INDICATOR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY LIT ALL THE TIME, SO NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO MANUALLY MEASURE MY FUEL USAGE BY MILES DRIVEN, I ALSO HAVE NO IDEA OF ANY POTENTIAL ENGINE PROBLEMS SINCE THAT LIGHT/WARNING SYSTEM HAS EFFECTIVELY BEEN RENDERED USELESS. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS ARE CURRENTLY OFFERING TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT $800.00 AND HAVE THE PARTS READILY ON HAND SINCE THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING SO FREQUENTLY NOW. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE EARLIER SANTA FE MODELS AND CONSIDERING THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF ACCIDENTALLY RUNNING OUT OF FUEL OR HAVING AN ENGINE PROBLEM AND NOT KNOWING IT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR

Mileage: 74,209

9/19/12 VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ON THE ALTERNATOR RESULTING IN ALTERNATOR NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. 10/2/12 NEW BATTERY NEEDED DUE TO BEING WORN DOWN FROM BAD ALTERNATOR. 10/3/14 76,589 MILES VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ON THE ALTERNATOR RESULTING IN ALTERNATOR NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AGAIN!! NEW BATTERY NEEDED SINCE COULD NO LONGER HOLD A CHARGE. ALSO MULTIPLE TIMES THE LUMBAR SWITCH ON DRIVER'S SEAT REPLACED: 2/3/10, 3/15/11, 9/19/12, 1/19/13, 10/3/14. *TR

Mileage: 48,600

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIVE ABNORMALLY ROUGH. THE CONTACT MERGED THE VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK FROM THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK VALVE COVER GASKET AND THERE WAS SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF OIL IN THE ALTERNATOR. THE LEAK HAD CAUSED THE ALTERNATOR TO DAMAGE THE CHARGING SYSTEM AND TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,271.

Mileage: 65,271

WHILE DRIVING ON I-95, THE CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THEN ENGINE STOPPED COMPLETELY. WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MAKE IT TO THE ROAD SIDE. DEALER DIAGNOSED A DEFECTIVE VALVE COVER GASKET ALLOWED OIL TO LEAK WHICH DRIPPED ON AND INTO THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING IT TO FAIL. SECOND IDENTICAL FAILURE ON VEHICLE IN TWO YEARS. V-6, AUTOMATIC, 2WD. FOUND MANUFACTURER JUST ISSUED A RECALL ON VERACRUZ MODEL WHICH SHARES THE SAME PLATFORM FOR IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS AND FAILURES. *TR

Mileage: 169,748

I WAS DRIVING APPROX 30 MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROADWAY WHEN ALL ELECTRICAL SEIZED. POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ECT....I HAD TO PULL OVER AND HAD MY 17 MONTH OLD SON IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. I HAD TO PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON AND FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY, WE MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS AN URGENT SAFETY ISSUE!! WE BROUGHT OUR VEHICLE TO OUR LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, IN WHICH THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG......TO BE CONTINUED!! I SMELL A RECALL DOWN THE ROAD. HOPING IT'S BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED, OR WORSE KILLED. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

THE DASH LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A DOWN POUR, THE LIGHTS WENT DIM. THE TRACTION SYSTEM STARTED DETUNING THE ENGINE. ALL DASH LIGHTS ON. WE FIND THAT IT IS A LEAKY VALUE COVER GASKET. DRIPS ON THE ALTERNATOR AND CAUSES IT TO GO BAD. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID "THEY ARE ALL STARTING TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT'S $700.00. IF I WAS THE ORGINAL OWNER HYUNDAI WOULD REPLACE THE GASKET, BUT I WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR THE ALTENATOR. $600.00 UHGG!!! NOW FOR THE FUEL GUAGE. TWO SENSORS UNDER THE BACK SEAT AND GOOD AS NEW. $200.00. *TR

Mileage: 85,209

THE SANTA FE GAS GAUGE BEHAVES ERRATICALLY! AS YOU DRIVE, THE FUEL INDICATOR NEEDLE MOVES UP AND DOWN SO THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW ACCURATELY HOW MUCH FUEL REMAINS IN THE GAS TANK. THE NEEDLE MAY ALSO INDICATE A VERY LOW FUEL LEVEL BY ILLUMINATING THE "LOW FUEL" WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD AS WELL. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS DRIVE TIME GOES ON AS THE NEEDLE MOVEMENTS INCREASE THE LONGER TIME THE SUV IS DRIVEN AND THE VOLUME OF FUEL DECREASES IN THE FUEL TANK. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL ALSO ILLUMINATE TO WARN OF A VEHICLE ENGINE / DRIVE-TRAIN PROBLEM. IN MY CASE I HAVE RESET THE CHECK ENGINE MANUALLY AND AFTER A NUMBER OF TRIPS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL REAPPEAR. THIS LOW FUEL WARNING CYCLE HAS BEEN REPEATED NUMEROUS TIMES AND MAY CAUSE A DRIVER TO BE DISTRACTED TO SEE THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT, WHEN IN FACT THERE MAY BE SUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE GAS TANK. I FIND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DISCONCERTING AS YOU DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU MAY BE RUNNING OUT OF GASOLINE. *JS

Mileage: 61,700

I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PERFORM TWO RECALLS: (1) STOP LAMP SWITCH AND (2) PODS RECALIBRATION. I WAS INFORMED THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD HAD COME ON AND STAYED ON AFTER THE RECALIBRATION OF THE PODS. I NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE PODS SYSTEM OR AN AIR WARNING LIGHT IN THE DASH PRIOR TO THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD HYUNDAI WOULD PAY TO EITHER REPLACE THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT TENSIONER OR THE ENTIRE SEAT. THEY DID NOT ALLOW ME TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND RENTED ME A CAR FOR 4 DAYS. REPLACING THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT LESS THAN A YEAR LATER (4-15-14) THE AIR LIGHT HAS COME ON AND NOW THEY TELL ME THAT IT'S THE SCALE IN THE SEAT AND THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $2400+. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS WERE NOT AFFECTED -- ONLY THE PASSENGER'S AND I WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE SERVICE TECH QUICKLY RETURNED THE CAR AND WE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY PAPERWORK RESULTING FROM THE INSPECTION. MY HUSBAND AND I DID NOT ELECT TO REPLACE THE SEAT AT THIS TIME WHILE WE RESEARCH THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, MY HUSBAND AND I DID NOTICE THAT THE PODS "OFF" LIGHT TURNS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT WHICH IS CONFUSING SINCE THE ADVISOR SAID THE SCALE ISN'T WORKING. NOW WE ARE LEFT WITH A 6-YEAR-OLD CAR THAT HAS AN EXPENSIVE SAFETY ISSUE. WE CAN'T SELL IT TO A PRIVATE PARTY BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUE AND THE TRADE-IN VALUE HAS DRAMATICALLY DECLINED. *TR

Mileage: 71,364

CAR PARKED IN PARKING LOT AT MY OFFICE. NO ONE IN VECHILE. PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES...APPPEARED TO BE ELECTRICAL BOX AT REAR OF CAR FOR HITCH. *TR

Mileage: 116,000

THE FUEL GAUGE ON DASH HAS BEGUN FLUCTUATING WILDLY EVEN WITH FULL TANK OF GAS. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT YET BUT BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ I AM ANTICIPATING A PROBLEM CODE COMING SOON. MY RESEARCH IS POINTING TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ATTACHED TO THE FUEL PUMP. HOWEVER, ONLY THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY APPEARS TO BE AVAILABLE AND AS SUCH, IT IS HIGHLY COSTLY TO CORRECT. HYUNDAI SHOULD PROVIDE A RECALL FOR THIS DUE TO THE HUGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAS ALSO BEEN NOTED THAT THIS HAS CAUSED VEHICLES TO STALL WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY CREATING A HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MYSELF. WHEN THE CAR RAN OUT OF GAS, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING WEB SITE FOR A CURRENT LIST OF MANY OTHER SANTA FE OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2008/HYUNDAI/SANTA+FE/FUEL+SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 46,128

THE SENSOR FOR THE GAS TANK WENT BAD, IN OUR OPINION, PREMATURELY. WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE, AND LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SANTA FES, EVEN THOSE NEWER THAN OURS. IMPACT: WHEN THE SENSOR FAILS, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYS 'EMPTY' NO MATTER WHAT AMOUNT OF FUEL IS IN THE TANK, RENDERING THE FUEL GAUGE TOTALLY UNRELIABLE TO THE DRIVER. THE CAR COULD RUN OUT OF GAS ANYWHERE-- FOR EXAMPLE, ON A HIGHWAY--POTENTIALLY CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD TO NOT JUST THE DRIVER BUT ALSO TO OTHER DRIVERS AROUND HIM. WE WONDER WHETHER A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THIS SENSOR. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 71,550

MY FUEL GAUGE IS VERY ERRATIC ;WE NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL WE HAVE.IT FLUCTUATES FROM FULL TO EMPTY AT WILL CAUSING US TO TRY TO JUDGE BY THE MILES DRIVEN OR FILL UP EVERY FEW DAYS. I WOULD HATE TO RUN OUT OF GAS ON AN INTERSTATE IN MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT BECAUSE OF A MISCALCULATION ON THE MILEAGE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THE COMPANY SEEMS AWARE OF IT. *TR

Mileage: 81,000

THE FUEL GAUGE ON OUR '08 HYUNDAI SANTE FE HAS RECENTLY BECOME ERRATIC. IT FLUCTUATES WIDELY (25-50%) OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW MINUTES WITH THE CHECK ENGINE AND LOW FUEL INDICATORS ALSO PERIODICALLY LIGHTING. IT HAS BECOME SO UNRELIABLE THAT WE ARE NOW RELYING ON THE ODOMETER READINGS TO ESTIMATE FUEL LEVELS. SEARCHING THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND RELATES TO WEAK PINS IN THE ORIGINALLY INSTALLED FUEL SENDERS. THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS THAT THE APPARENT PROBLEM IS FIXED IN THE REPLACEMENT PART (VISIBLY LARGER PINS) WHICH MAKES ME QUESTION WHY THE COMPANY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING A CLEARLY DEFECTIVE PART. OUR VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

I TURNED ON THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE GAS GAUGE WAS SHOWING EMPTY AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON - I HAD JUST FILLED THE TANK UP THAT MORNING SO I KNEW I HAD PLENTY OF GAS. THE RANGE INDICATOR WAS JUST DASHES -NOT NUMERIC AS IT SHOULD BE. THE GAUGE THEN WOULD RISE UP AND THE RANGE WOULD CHANGE AND THEN IT WOULD GO DOWN AND THE RANGE WOULD CHANGE - THIS CONTINUALLY HAPPENED. I WENT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID TO ZERO OUT THE ERROR AND KEEP AN EYE ON IT. THE NEXT MORNING THE SAME THING. NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IS NOT WORKING AND IT WILL COST BETWEEN 600-700 TO FIX THIS! I TOO HAVE READ ON MANY WEBSITES THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT OCCURS BETWEEN THE 60K - 70K MILEAGE RANGE AND THE PARTS GUY AT HEALEY HYUNDAI IN BEACON, NY TOLD ME - OH YEAH WE ARE GETTING TONS OF THESE COMPLAINTS, THAT IS WHY WE STOCK THIS ITEM! IF HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, WHY AREN'T THEY RECALLING THESE VEHICLES? ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO NOT BE AWARE OF THEIR ACTUAL GAS GAUGE AND HAVE THEIR CAR STALL OUT AT 55 MILES AN HOUR?? COME ON HYUNDAI - WE ARE LOYAL BRAND BUYERS AND THIS IS OUR 4TH HYUNDAI (SECOND SANTA FE) DON'T BECOME LIKE THE REST OF THE CAR COMPANIES AND NOT GIVE A [XXX] - FIX YOUR PROBLEMS AND YOUR CONSUMERS WILL STAND BY YOU! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 67,000

FAN KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. DEALER SAID THERE IS A "SHORT IN THE A/C CONTROL HEAD". *TR

Mileage: 79,974

AT 59,000 MILES LEFT SIDE RUNNING LIGHTS INOP. SENT TO DEALER THEY SAID THEY ADJUSTED THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS STATED AT 50,000 MILES. WORKED GOOD FOR 3 WEEKS TOOK ON A TRIP PUT 10,000 MILES ON IT. NOW AT 70,000.. ELECTRICAL ISSUES STARTED BACK UP.NO TAILLIGHTS LEFT BACK,TOUCH BRAKE DASHBOARD LEFT TURN GLOWS 1/2 BRIGHTNESS.PUT LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT ON WORKS. TOUCH BRAKE LEFT SIDE BLINK ACTS LIKE BURNED OUT LIGHT. FILL WITH FUEL READS CORRECT MOST OF THE TIME. WENT TO STOP STARTED CAR BACK UP GAUGE READ EMPTY WITH LIGHT ON, STOPPED FOR GAS 30 MILES LATER PUT GAS IN TOOK 1 GAL GAUGE WENT TO 1/2 TANK. LET SET OVERNIGHT NEXT DAY READ 3/4. DROVE THE REST OF THE DAY . NEXT DAY READ CORRECT. THIS HAPPENED 2 TIMES ALREADY. DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS RELATED THE LEFT SIDE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 59,000

WHEN TRYING TO PARK THE CAR, THE CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN PARK. THEREFORE, YOU CANNOT TURN YOUR CAR COMPLETELY OFF OR REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED 6 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 3 YEARS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 6,820

I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF A REGULARLY MAINTAINED 2008 HYUNDAI SANTE FE (45,000 MILES). ON A JAN 2011 TRIP FROM TX TO MI THE CAR LOST POWER AT NIGHT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DID NOTHING, THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP AND EVENTUALLY STALLED COMPLETELY. MANEUVERING TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT POWER WAS VERY RISKY AND SCARY. ONCE STOPPED THE CAR EASILY RESTARTED ONLY TO LOSE POWER AGAIN 10 MILES DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE OIL LIGHT STAYED ON BETWEEN BOTH EPISODES. WE QUICKLY FOUND A HOTEL FOR THE NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE PROBLEM DIDN'T RESURFACE UNTIL NOW. IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS WE HAVE LOST POWER FIVE TIMES WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40 MPH AND 55 MPH. THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS HAD THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS AND DIAGNOSTICS IS NOT IDENTIFYING ANY PROBLEM AND SO WE'VE BEEN TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT THE COMPUTER ONBOARD SHOULD BE REGISTERING A "HISTORY" WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, BUT IT ISN'T. THERE IS NO "PROOF"! THE HYUNDAI REPAIR MANAGER IS TELLING US TO RETURN IF THE PROBLEM HAPPENS AGAIN. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND A SOLUTION NEEDS TO BE FOUND BEFORE IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

WHILE DRIVING HOME RECENTLY ON A 70 MPH 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT APPROX 11 PM OUR 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUDDENLY LOSS POWER WHILE CLIMBING A SMALL GRADE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ESC AND TRACTION LIGHTS ALL TURNED ON, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT WE COULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED, I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND LOOKED FOR SOMEWHERE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD UNFORTUNATELY I WAS ON THE INSIDE LANE JUST PASSING A SEMI-TRUCK AND TRAILER, THERE WAS A GUARDRAIL NEXT TO THE INSIDE LANE SO I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE SEMI TO PASS BEFORE I COULD MERGE TO THE OUTSIDE LANE TO PULL OFF TO THE RIGHT, BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE SEVERAL VEHICLES CAME FROM BEHIND AND TWO VEHICLE SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING OUR VEHICLE. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT BE REAR ENDED AND HAD JUST ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I NOTICED THAT THE VEHILE WAS NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I CHECKED ALL FLUIDS AND MADE SURE THAT ALL BELTS AND HOSES WERE IN GOOD ORDER, THERE WERE NO VISABLE ISSUES. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND ALL LIGHTS RESET EXCEPT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE CLOSEST EXIT AND THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME AS THE FIRST TIME CUTTING OUT AND LOSING POWER BUT I WAS OFF THE HIGHWAY BY NOW AND SAFELY IN A PARKING LOT. THIS VEHICLE WE HAVE OWNED SINCE NEW AND HAVE HAD ALL SERVICES DONE AT HYUNDAI DEALERS ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURE'S PRESCRIBED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES AND THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 35,700 MILES ON IT. THE VEHILCE WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALER AND TO MY SURPRISE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE OF 2 TSBS (TSB09-FL-003-2, TSB-10-FL-010)(NHTSA ITEM NUMBERS: 10032793,10034649) THAT WERE EXISTING ON THIS VEHICLE THAT CAN CAUSE THIS FAILURE. I SERIOUSLY THINK THAT THIS KIND OF FAILURE SHOULD BE A RECALL RATHER THAN JUST A TSB IF IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CRASHES IN THE FUTURE. *TR

Mileage: 35,729

IN NOVEMBER 2010, VEHICLE AT EST. 29,000 MI. CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION. WAS ABLE TO PULL OF ON SIDE OF SHOULDER ON HIGHWAY. CAR WOULD NOT REGAIN ACCELERATION DESPITE BEING TURNED OFF, ETC. THROTTLE SENSOR CHANGED. MARCH 2011, VEHICLE AT EST. 31,000 MI. SAME PROBLEM. WHILE ON HIGHWAY, CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION. RPMS JUMPED HIGH, ENGINE ROARED IN RESPONSE BUT CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AGAIN, TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. *TR

Mileage: 22,000

SAFETY DEFECT WITH HORN ACTIVATION IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. EXCESSIVE PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL HORN PAD IS NEED TO ACTIVATE THE HORN. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN A POTENTIAL COLLISION /CLOSE CALL SITUATION OCCURRED. THE CENTRAL AREA OF THE STEERING WHEEL CONTAINS THE DRIVER AIR BAG INTEGRATED WITH THE HORN ACTIVATION SUBSYSTEM. THE MANUAL PRESSURE NEEDED TO ACTIVATE THE HORN IS WHAT I BELIEVE IS EXCESSIVE AND APPEARS TO BE GREATER AS YOU MOVE AWAY FROM THE CENTER OF THE HORN-PAD TO THE EDGE OF THE PAD. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT FIXING THIS BUT HE CLAIMS THIS IN NOT POSSIBLE. THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT AVAILABLE ON THIS EQUIPMENT. I'VE COMPARED THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE NEEDED ON MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE TO MY 1999 LEXUS RX 300 AND THE SANTA FE REQUIRES MUCH MORE PRESSURE THAN THE RX300. BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAVE REQUESTED THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGERS TO DO SOMETHING TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE BUT THEY HAVE RESPONDED W/ THE COMMENT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. *TR

Mileage: 8,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR TWO MONTHS BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND DOOR LOCKS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY STATING THAT THEY HAVE TO REWIRE THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO BE REPAIRED. THE PART WAS ORDERED, BUT IT DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE DOORS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED UNSUCCESSFULLY APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

Mileage: 300