2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Service Brakes Problems

On January 16,2025 I was driving my Hyundai Santa Fe on the freeway with my three children when the automatic brake system suddenly failed, causing me to lose control of the vehicle. As a result, we spun off the road, and the vehicle flipped four times, causing us multiple injuries. Additionally, due to a known recall involving the failure of the airbag deployment system, the airbags did not deploy during the crash. These combined defects caused me and my children to suffer significant injuries, including broken cervical spine. Broken thoracic spine and Broken Sternum. My daughter has a fractured spine and sternum. And both my sons have serious bruising and head trauma. Both the automatic brake system and the airbag system on this vehicle are part of existing recalls issued by Hyundai Motors. These failures directly contributed to the severity of our accident and the injuries we sustained

The vehicle brakes would trigger randomly which is clearly extremely unsafe on: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] which Triple A can validate. The main issue was the vehicle did not pull a code and since the happened randomly without warning there was no way to get this issue repaired. I called the dealership twice. The dealership recommended I call Hyundai customer relations which did nothing because the car was not under warranty and would not even work with me, even though this issue was extremely dangerous The second time this happened almost caused a vehicle pileup, because it happened on the highway when the brakes where triggered. Luckily I was able to get off of the highway with my brakes engaged, which was obviously not good for the vehicle. The last time this happened on [XXX] is when the master cylinder blew costing us $1,703.22. I called Hyundai they assigned me to 3 different case workers because the first 2 were extremely rude as if I did something wrong and were not empathetic to the seriousness of the situation. Leanna was the new case manager. She wanted me to provide all of the receipts and everything that would be relevant. After an exhausting back and forth for months in which they were clearly trying to dissuade me from taking action they simply rejected any assistance and gave me a silly $50 gift card. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I am having a serious issue with my car that mechanics are unable to figure out. On multiple occasions, while driving at low speed in preparation for making a turn, my car has completely shut off, making it impossible for me to steer, brake or accelerate. I lost all control of my vehicle. I noticed the ‘check engine’ and ‘battery’ lights illuminated each time, but this information, along with incident descriptions, has proven less than helpful when I’ve taken it into a shop for inspection/repair as mechanics have been unable to reproduce the event or to accurately identify the problem. This has happened on the road (at intersections and once at a traffic circle) and on two occasions while I had a passenger in the vehicle with me. I currently have my vehicle back in an auto shop because it happened most recently about a week ago. However, since the problem has yet to be successfully identified and since I feel as though this is a serious safety issue that could impact others with the same type of vehicle, I am filing this official complaint.

I was decelarating after going highway speed on the highway and the car stalled electrical still worked but braking power steering acceleation all stopped working and engine lights turned on and esc and other lights i retarted the car and no engine lights turned on i went to my mechanic he said it dosnt show on diagnostics so he cant fix it this is just one incident its happend numerous times and it almost caused accident its dangerous and must be dealt with right away

Previously I taken my car in to be serviced June 6th 2022 due to two recalls at 110 stopwatch switch and the 947 underbody corrosion after leaving the service area it is now August 8th my abs and ESC light is illuminating at the same time and yesterday I called the dealership to schedule an appointment that is not until October 4th however when I pushed on the brakes yesterday it made a funny sound and it was hard for me to stop I'm confused if the dealership fix this why I'm having issues a month and a half later and it is important for my safety that this vehicle is running correctly as I have children and kids that commute in the car or ride with me everyday I'm afraid to continue to drive it however I need to get back and forth to work so I'm hoping the dealership provides a rental car until my appointment

THE FUEL GAGE IS BROKEN, IT READS EMPTY WHEN FULL. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK IT IN TO FIX IT. $400.00 LATER IT WAS FIXED. NOW I HEAR CLINKING SOUND FROM ENGINE. I THINK THE PISTONS RINGS ARE BAD. I'VE READ OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. NHTSA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE!

Mileage: 98,000

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SPEED UP, CRASHING INTO A STORE FRONT, BREAKING THE GLASS WINDOW AND KNOCKING OUT SOME BRICKS.

Mileage: 107,000

I WAS COMING FROM FOOD SHOPPING, ON AUGUST, 26, 2019 AND WAS TRYING TO LEAVE OUT MY PARKING SPOT. WHILE ME BACKING OUT, MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARD AND WHILE I TRIED TO STOP MY VEHICLE IT TAPPED INTO A LIGHT POLE. I WAS TRYING TO GET MY SELF OUT OF THIS WEIRD SITUATION. I SWITCHED GEARS TO PARK MY CAR, AND MY CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD SLAMMING INTO A BRICK WALL AND ALSO RUBBING AGAINST IT. MY CAR THEN SLOWLY STARTED TO BACK UP NOT EVEN LETTING ME BE ABLE TO BREAK OR SWITCH GEARS. FOR THE LAST TIME IT ACCELERATED FORWARD SIDE SWIPING A LADY CAR AND HITTING THE BRICK WALL AGAIN. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF, LEAVING ME WITH AN CONCUSSION AND ALSO SEVER NECK AND HEAD PAIN. THIS ALL HAPPEN SO SUDDENLY AND RANDOMLY. I BARELY REMEMBERED WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL SEEING A VIDEO OFF OF THE CAMERA AT A NEAR BY GAS STATION. THIS SITUATION WENT FROM SOMETHING WEIRD HAPPENING INTO A VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY SITUATION. I CONTACTED NATIONAL CONSUMERS AFFAIRS HYUNDAI MOTOR VEHICLE, BECAUSE MY CAR HAD BEEN TOTALED, I WAS LEFT WITH HOSPITAL BILLS AND ALSO MY INSURANCE MAY GO UP, BECAUSE OF THE WHOLE SITUATIONS. I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE CAME TO SOME CLOSURE WHEN IT CAME TO THEM HELPING ME OUT WITH MY SITUATION, BUT THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR AND THERE WAS NO DEFECT OR ANYTHING. AFTER SENDING THESE PEOPLE PICTURES, THE VIDEO, AND EVEN PROOF OF ME GOING TO THE HOSPITAL MORE THAN ONCE,THEY MADE ME FEEL LIKE THIS WAS ALL MY FAULT. I SPOKE TO A "PRIVATE" CONTRACTOR FROM HYUNDAI THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO LOOK INTO MY CAR AND ALSO A SPECIALIST THAT DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE ME HIS LAST NAME WHILE LOOKING INTO MY CASE. ALSO A LADY FROM HYUNDAI CALLED ME FROM A PRIVATE NUMBER FROM THE COMPANY. THIS ALL SEEM SO WEIRD TO ME AS IF THEY WERE SCAMMING ME WHEN IT CAME TO A SERIOUS SITUATION LIKE THIS. I FEEL LIKE HYUNDAI IS RUNNING FAKE INVESTIGATIONS. I'M HOPING NHTSA DO SOMETHING ASAP.

Mileage: 43,000

BRAKES COMPLEXLY FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH BRAKES BEING PRESSED COMPLETELY TO FLOOR. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC BESIDE MY HOME IMMEDIATELY . BOTH BREAK LINES WERE LEAKING 'GUSHING' BRAKE FLUID. HYUNDAI RECALLED THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM ON THEIR 2011 SANTA FE BUT WHEN I NOTIFIED HYUNDAI OF MY BRAKE FAILURE THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. ALSO THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON WHEN THIS OCCURRED ! I WILL UPLOAD AN ACTUAL IMAGE OF LEAKING BRAKE LINES WHEN I RETURN TO THE REPAIR SHOP. VEHICLE PARTS REFERENCE NUMBERS PER HYUNDAI ARE 58722D AND 58718F. REPAIRS ESTIMATE IS APPROXIMATELY $665

Mileage: 185,000

MY CAR HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPAIRED IN 2013 BEFORE I OWNED THE VEHICLE UNDER RECALL 13V113000. NOW THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED AGAIN. I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR AND COULD NOT PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. THIS HAPPENED SEEMINGLY OUT OF NOWHERE AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AND OFF FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. MY BRAKE LIGHTS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, AND CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK AND I CANNOT SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I CALLED HYUNDAI I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS REPLACED IN 2013 SO THERE IS NO LONGER A RECALL OPTION, EVEN THOUGH THE PART IS FAILING AGAIN.

Mileage: 100,000

MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE VALVE COVER GASKETS ON THE 3.3 V6. HYUNDAI REPLACED TWICE UNDER RECALLS. GASKETS HAVE FAILED AGAIN AND HYUNDAI REFUSES TO REPLACE. REAR BRAKE CALIPERS ARE CONSTANTLY LOCKING UP. HAVE BEEN SINCE NEW. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WITH THIS.

2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR BRAKE PADS BEING WORN. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FROM THE DEALER UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT IT WAS STREET LEGAL AND SAFE TO DRIVE. AFTER 5 WEEKS, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE WORN TO 0% WEAR AND THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE AT 1% WEAR. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CALIPERS, ROTORS, AND PADS. *JS

MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 4D SPORT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. I APPLIED THE BREAK AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP OR SLOW. LUCKILY, I DIDN'T WRECK. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER WITH MY HAZARDS ON, PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP.

Mileage: 100,000

WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. POWER STEERING AND BREAKS ARE GONE. THE CAR WILL CRANK RIGHT BACK OFF BUT THIS US VERY DANGEROUS. I'M NOT SURE IF WEATHER IS A FACTOR BUT WHEN IT HAS HAPPENED WHICH GAS BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES, IT HAS BEEN IN THE 80'S. MECHANICS AND DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING AND NO CODES ARE RECORDED.

Mileage: 120,000

WHEN DRIVING THE 2009 SANTA FE THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. POWER TO BREAKS AND STEERING IS LOST. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL START AGAIN WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. IN BOTH INSTANCES THE CAR IS MOVING ON A HILLY ROAD. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE IS 09/20/2016

Mileage: 89,780

I'VE TAKEN MY 2009 SANTA FE TO THE RICK CASE ROSWELL, GA ON FRIDAY, 7/1/2016 AND AGAIN TODAY, 7/15/2016, BOTH FOR THE SAME ISSUE, MY CAR IS STALLING WHILE I DRIVE IT. ON 7/1 THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE BATTERY, SO HAD A NEW ONE INSTALLED WHILE THERE. BOTH TIMES, I'M BEEN TURNING INTO A CURVE (IT WAS A RIGHT HAND TURN ON 7/1 AND A LEFT HAND TURN ON 7/15). THE FIRST TIME I WAS LUCKY AS IT WAS JUST COMING OFF A STOP LIGHT. LAST NIGHT, HOWEVER, IT WAS A CURVE TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY WITH AN 18 WHEELER THUNDERING BEHIND ME WHEN MY CAR STALLED, AND I LOST THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING AND ALMOST BECAME AN 18 WHEELER HOOD ORNAMENT. AS I MENTIONED, THE DEALER IS PERPLEXED BY THE ISSUE, NOTHING IS SHOWING UP ON THE DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAD TO LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SENSE THAT I'M DRIVING AROUND IN A TICKING TIME BOMB. AS A WOMEN WHO FREQUENTLY DRIVES BY HERSELF IN THE CAR, AND ON THE HIGHWAY 99.9% OF THE TIME, I CAN'T TELL YOU THE FEAR THAT KNOWING THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AGAIN AT ANY MOMENT AND THAT THE NEXT TIME I MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY, INSTILLS IN ME. THIS IS MY SECOND HYUNDAI AND I HAVE ALWAYS CONSIDERED MYSELF TO BE A PROUD HYUNDAI OWNER, BUT I JUST DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT A) NOT ONLY AM I FAR FROM THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD THIS ISSUE, B) THERE HAS ACTUALLY BEEN A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT THAT HYUNDAI LOST REGARDING THE FREQUENT STALLING OF HYUNDAI VEHICLES. I NEED HYUNDAI TO FIX THIS ISSUE ASAP OR RISK BEING SUED BY MY FAMILY AFTER I'M KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT THAT IS THE DIRECT RESULT OF YOUR STALLING VEHICLES.

Mileage: 65,000

THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FOR SAFETY REASONS BUT IT DIDN'T INCLUDE MY VIN FOR SOME REASON, EVEN THOUGH THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED ON MY VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE RECALL WOULDN'T BE FOR MY CAR AS WELL AS IT'S THE SAME SAFETY CONCERN.

VEHICLE INSPECTION PERFORMED BY MANUFACTURE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. TWO ISSUES WERE RECOMMENDED BY THE TECHNICIAN: A) NEW TIRES. ALL 4 TIRES CURRENTLY ON THE VEHICLE ARE AROUND 5 YEARS OLD (BASED ON THE DOT DATE OF MANUFACTURE), AND HAVE BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER 100,000 MILES (BASED ON ODOMETER READINGS FROM 2010 AND CURRENT). B) NEW REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE INSPECTION REVEALED REAR PADS AROUND 3 MM, AND ROTORS SHOWING RUST. THESE ARE SAFETY ISSUES, WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SELLING THE VEHICLE. REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT EXISTING RECORDS DO NOT SPECIFY THAT RECOMMENDED FLUID/TIMING BELT REPLACEMENTS WERE PERFORMED.

Mileage: 129,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,880. UPDATED 02/12/16*L CONSUMER STATED MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY FOR PARTS AND TO REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH. HAD MANY SENSOR FAILURES. UPDATED 5/21/18*JB

Mileage: 138,880

I WAS HEADING OUT AND THE ABS AND ESC LIGHTS CAME ON. DECIDED TO TURN AROUND AND GO BACK HOME, DUE TO FACT THAT I WAS WORRIED AND SCARED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH ABS BRAKES AND THE ESC CONTROL, THAT MAY OR MAY NOT CAUSE A CRASH OR ACCIDENT. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR END UP GETTING HURT OR HURT ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. READ IN MANUAL THAT IT COULD BE A FAULTY SWITCH OR SENSOR. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KID OF COSTLY MONEY TO FIX PROBLEM. I NEED MY CAR TO GET TO DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS AS I HAVE MANY HEALTH ISSUES. IF THERE IS A RECALL I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AND HAVE IT FIXED FREE OF CHARGE.

Mileage: 79,500

WE WERE EXITING A RAMP OFF RT 75 IN FLORIDA. OUR SPEED WAS ABOUT 30 MPH. SUDDENLY WE LOSS POWER STEERING AND BRAKING AND ACCELERATION. WE COASTED TO A STOP. WE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES...EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. IT WAS THE SECOND SUCH EXPERIENCE. THE FIRST WAS AUGUST 2013. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THROTTLE SENSOR AT THAT TIME. THIS LATEST EXPERIENCE IS THE EXACT DUPLICATE OF THE FIRST. I AM TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW MORNING.

Mileage: 21,000

I WAS DRIVING MY WHITE HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED, 3.3L, 6CYL SUV HOME FROM WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME. I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN AND I LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKES, VEERING ONTO A NARROW SHOULDER AND INTO A SLOPE THAT SENT MY SUV INTO A SWAMP DITCH, SUBMERGING THE SUV UP PAST THE FLOORBOARDS. MY INSURANCE CLAIM SPECIALIST NOTIFIED ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS, AND PAID A CLAIM PAYOUT AND SETTLEMENT FAR LESS THAN THE AMOUNT STILL OWED ON THE VEHICLE. IT IS MY OPINION THAT A CYBER-ATTACK SIGNAL SENT TO THE SUV'S ENGINE IMMOBILIZER SWITCH, SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING, ELECTRONICALLY. THIS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED FROM ANY HAND HELD DEVICE, MOBIL PHONE, LAP TOP COMPUTER, SATELLITE FEED, ETC. ALL THAT IS REQUIRED IS A VIN NUMBER, AND ANY SIGNAL TO THE ENGINE IMMOBILIZER SWITCH CAN SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE DANGEROUSLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LOWER SPEEDS OF 20MPH, WHERE I WOULD JUST TURN THE IGNITION KEY, THE SUV WOULD START THE ENGINE, AND I WOULD PROCEED. HOWEVER, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I DID NOT HAVE THIS OPTION.

Mileage: 112,833

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER, THE CALIPERS AND BRACKETS CORRODED AND JAMMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 20,000

CAR HAD A DEFECTIVE BRAKE SO IT COULDN'T STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO THE LIGHT POLE AFTER PUMPED OTHER CAR. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND PULLED IN TO DRIVEWAY OF HOME TO A CONTROLLED STOP BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. AT WHICH POINT, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH THE CLOSED GARAGE DOOR AND PROCEEDED AT ACCELERATING SPEED INTO GARAGE AND HIT A WALL (WOODEN BEAMS AND SHEETROCK WALLS) SEPARATING INTERIOR OF GARAGE AND INTERIOR OF KITCHEN AREA OF HOME. VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AGAINST THE WALL WITH BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUOUSLY PRESSED DOWN. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO PARK, IT RESISTED AND KEY ALSO WOULD NOT COME OUT. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PRESSED AT THIS TIME AND AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS, VEHICLE FINALLY WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO PARK AND KEY WAS ABLE TO COME OUT TO TURN VEHICLE OFF. VEHICLE CAUSED DAMAGE TO GARAGE DOOR AND INTERIOR WALL OF HOME. *TR

Mileage: 40,486

REAR LEFT WHEEL HAD HIGH PITCH SCREECHING SOUND AT 50-55 MPH TAP THE BRAKES AND IT WOULD QUIT MOMENTARILY AND THEN START SCREECHING AGAIN. STOPPED AND CHECKED WHEEL ON RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE. RIGHT SIDE WAS LUKEWARM TO THE TOUCH AND LEFT WHEEL WAS TOO HOT TO KEEP HAND ON IT. I TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE SHOWED ME THE PADS ON THE LEFT WHEEL AND THEY WAS WHITE FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT RELEASED BACK FROM THE ROTOR. PADS HAD TO BE PRIED OUT INSTEAD OF NORMALLY COMING OUT EASY. EXTREMELY RUST CORRODED CLEANED UP ALL RUST ON PADS AND BRACKET AND THEY WORK FINE NOW. I DROVE SANTA FE ABOUT 60 MILES AND NEVER HEARD IT NO MORE. *TR

Mileage: 50,669

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 6 MILES AT 55 MPH AND I HEARD A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAK. IT CHANGED WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I LATER STOPPED AND FELT THE WHEELS AND THE RIGHT REAR WAS HOT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS BRAKE PADS THAT WERE CORRODED/STUCK. THEY WANTED $100 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I GOT THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. I THINK IT IS DANGEROUS. IN MY OPINION THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE BRAKES ARE NOT MADE TO RUN THIS HOT. IT SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED UNDER THEIR 5 YEAR/ 50,000 MILE WARRANTY AND THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT. *TR

Mileage: 24,300

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,900. UPDATED 09/15/14*LJ UPDATED 1/7/2015 *JS

Mileage: 8,900

REAR BRAKE CALIBER LOCKED UP, BRAKES OVERHEATED. HAD TO HAVE BOTH CALIBERS REPLACE. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING STRUCTURE. I WAS ALREADY PRESSING THE BRAKE AND JUST BEGAN TO PRESS IT A BIT HARDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING SPACE. JUST AS I GAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL A BIT MORE PRESSURE, MY CAR SPED FORWARD, JUMPING A CEMENT WHEEL STOP IN THE PARKING SPACE, CRASHING ME INTO THE WALL OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE. THE FORCE OF HITTING THE WALL THREW THE CAR BACKWARDS WHERE THE WHEELS GOT STUCK BETWEEN THE WHEEL STOP AND THE WALL. HITTING THE WHEEL STOP THEN SENT MY CAR BACK INTO THE CEMENT WALL; REBOUNDING OFF OF THE WALL THIS SECOND TIME, THE CAR WAS PROPELLED OVER THE WHEEL STOP AND FINALLY STOPPED MOVING.THE CEMENT WALL WAS CRACKED AND VERY PRECARIOUS TO THOSE USING THE SIDEWALKS UNDERNEATH. MY CAR HAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. TWO PEOPLE ON STAFF AT THE PARKING STRUCTURE SAW THE ENTIRE THING AND ASKED 'WHAT HAPPENED?" ONE OF THE WITNESSES SAID HE SAW MY BRAKE LIGHTS ON RIGHT BEFORE IT SPED UP AND FLEW INTO THE WALL. CALLED HYUNDAI AND LEARNED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON MY CAR. ALTHOUGH THIS RECALL STATES THAT IT IS TO REPLACE SOME SORT OF BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, THE LADY AT HYUNDAI SAID THAT THIS TYPE OF ACCELERATION WAS LISTED AS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THIS 'SWITCH' THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED. I TOLD HYUNDAI THAT I AM NOW SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR UNTIL IT IS CHECKED TO FIX ANY PROBLEMS THAT ARE GOING ON WITH THE BRAKES/ACCELERATION. THEY WERE SO NICE! THEY INVITED ME TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT ANY DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT INSPECTED - AT MY COST. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE SO UNCONCERNED. ANYWAY, THAT IS SANTA FE TALE OF WOE. WOULD APPRECIATE HELP WITH DEALING WITH HYUNDAI TO GET THIS RESOLVED; OR AT LEAST HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT FOR NO CHARGE. *TR

Mileage: 10,000

AT 32,000 MILE THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL SMELLED HOT, BRAKE DUST RESIDUE VISIBLE AND SQUEALING COMING FROM THIS DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL. FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR OUTSIDE BRAKE PAD WAS WORN DOWN TO METAL. DRIVER'S SIDE INSIDE PAD AND PASSENGER REAR PADS, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT WERE FINE WITH HARDLY ANY WEAR ON THEM.. HYUNDAI DEALER SAID IT IS NORMAL FOR REAR DISC PAD TO WEAR THIS UNEVEN AND FOR CALIPER'S TO STICK ON CAUSING THIS. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT IN EITHER DESIGN OR QUALITY OF PARTS AS OTHER SANTA FE OWNERS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS AT EVEN LOWER MILEAGE. DEALER WANTS YOU TO PAY $60 TO HAVE YOUR DISC BRAKES CLEANED AND ADJUSTED (WHAT IS THERE TO ADJUST?) WHY DO ONLY HYUNDAI SANTA FE BRAKES NEED THIS UNHEARD OF SERVICE? WHY IS IT ONLY OCCURRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FOR ME AND OTHER OWNERS? DISC BRAKES SHOULD NOT ACT THIS WAY.

Mileage: 32,000

WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL GENERATING A SCREECHING NOISE AND A BURNING SMELL. CHECKED TIRE AND BOTH THE TIRE AND WHEEL RIM WERE RED HOT. TOOK TO HYUNDAI DEALER. SAID CALIPERS NOT SLIDING PROPERLY. THEY CLAIM ON SANTA FE'S YOU HAVE TO BRING THEM IN FOR SERVICE (THE CALIPERS) EVERY 10K OR SO, AS THE REAR CALIPERS HAVE A TENDENCY TO FREEZE. I CHECKED THE INTERNET, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSTINGS ON HYUNDAI SANTA FE OWNERS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. ALSO AN ARTICLE IN THIS WEEK'S HARTFORD COURANT AUTO SECTION OF A CONSUMER WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. IF I HAD NOT PULLED THE CAR OVER AND CHECKED THIS OUT THOROUGHLY, I COULD HAVE HAD A BLOWOUT AS THE HOT TIRE WOULD HAVE EXPLODED. THERE MAY BE A DEFECT IN SANTA FE CALIPERS. A SAFETY RECALL MAY BE IN ORDER. *TR

Mileage: 53,504

WHILE TRAVELING I HEARD A HIGH PITCH SQUEALING NOISE. UNSURE OF WHAT THE NOISE WAS, I TOOK THE SANTA FE TO MY MECHANIC. HE CHECKED THE BRAKES AND SHOWED ME THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE HOUSING DID NOT MOVE AS FREELY AS THE OTHERS. HIS SUGGESTION WAS TO NOT DRIVE MORE THAN ABOUT 2 HOURS AT A TIME BECAUSE THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM HEATING UP AND CATCHING FIRE. SINCE THE TIRE IS RIGHT BY THE GAS TANK, THAT TELLS ME THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. ANY FIRE NEAR GASOLINE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO... I HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON LINE AND FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 34,000

THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AT NIGHT TIME. ABOUT 10 MIN FROM A COLD START, I TURNED ONTO THE 210 FWY. THERE WAS A 270 DEGREE DOWNHILL TURN (A STEEP CURVE) SO I HAD THE BRAKES ON WHILE DOING 15 MPH. HALF WAY INTO THE TURN, I SUDDENLY LOST BRAKE AND STEERING WHEEL FROZE. WITH SOME EFFORT, I MANAGED TO TURN THE STEERING AND STOP THE CAR. THE ENGINE DIED WITHOUT WARNING. LATER I SENT THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP BUT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE EVENT. *TR

Mileage: 7,800

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE SHOES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

Mileage: 19,000

VEHICLE HAS BEEN OWNED FOR 35 MONTHS AND HAS 25,968 MILES. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPAIR/REPLACE METAL TO METAL CONTACT OF LR BRAKES UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS 2ND OCCURRENCE. 1ST OCCURRENCE WAS RR ON 6/13/2011 @ 15,771 MILES WHICH WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. ROTOR TURNED AND NEW BRAKE PADS INSTALLED. A RUSTY (DEFECTIVE MFGR) RATTLE CLIP WHICH SNAPS INTO THE CALIPER BRACKET CAUSES BRAKE PADS TO HANG UP OR NOT RETRACT AFTER APPLYING PRESSURE AND DRAG EXCESSIVELY CAUSING PREMATURE BRAKE PAD WEAR/FAILURE AT HALF OF NORMAL PAD LIFE EXPECTANCY. THIS SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION CASE NATIONWIDE. MAKE HYUNDAI REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY THE DEFECTIVE RUSTY PART TO PREVENT PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR AND/OR FAILURE. REAR DISC BRAKES SHOULD EASILY LAST 50,000 MILES OR MORE. *TR

Mileage: 15,771

WE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN MAKING NOISE WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE PEDAL. WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS THE "BREAKING IN" PERIOD. THE BRAKES WERE MAKING LOUD NOISES AND NOT WORKING CORRECTLY WHEN WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON SEPT 12, 2011.THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE STICKING TO THE ROTORS OVERHEATING THE ROTORS. THE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE JUST BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN AGAIN FOR SERVICE AND THE INDICATION IS THE ALL THE BRAKES MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS AT 22,000 MILES. THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES IN THE CAR AND THE DEALER CAN ONLY EXPLAIN THAT IT IS DUE TO THE HILLS IN OUR TOWN AND THAT THE BRAKES ARE NO LONGER MADE OF ASBESTOS. I NEVER REPLACED MY BRAKES IN OTHER CARS UNTIL I HAD BETWEEN 35K & 45K MILES AND I HAVE LIVED IN THIS TOWN FOR 30 YEARS. I BELIEVE THE "BREAKING IN" PERIOD FOR THE BRAKES IS BROKEN! HYUNDAI SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THERE SEEMS TO BE A MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE REAR BRAKES. *TR

Mileage: 15,292

MY 2009 SANTA FE WOULD SQUEAK WHILE DRIVING, BUT THE NOISE STOPPED WHEN BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE HANGING AND THE ROTORS WERE RUSTED. MY CAR ONLY HAD 26,627 MILES. I HAVE HAD MANY CARS WITH A LOT MORE MILEAGE AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED AND THE DEALERSHIP DID THE FOLLOWING: MACHINED REAR ROTORS AND LUBRICATED SLIDE RAILS, REMACHINED REAR ROTORS, REMOVED AND CLEANED CALIPERS AND ALL HARDWARE. THIS WAS ON 10/4/2011. FAST FORWARD TO THE END OF JULY 2012 AND MY CAR IS MAKING NOISE WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE. ON 08/9/12 WITH ONLY 37,843 (APPROX 10,000 MILES LATER) THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE SHOT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I AM NOW FINDING THAT THESE CARS HAVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT REAR BRAKES BUT NONE OF IT IS COVERED. I ALSO NEED NEW TIRES AND FROM WHAT I AM READING ABOUT THE REAR BRAKE PROBLEMS THIS IS ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO THE WEARING OUT OF THE TIRES. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS AND SINCE THE 2011 SANTA FE HAS BRAKE RECALLS, I FEEL THAT THE EARLIER MODELS WITH THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF AND PAID FOR BY THE MANUFACTURER. BRAKES ARE IMPORTANT AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A BODILY HARM. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE IGNORED. *TR

Mileage: 26,627

REAR BRAKE PADS ARE STICKING DUE TO KNOWN ISSUE WITH HYUNDAI. PARTS ARE CORRODED CAUSING REAR PADS TO RIDE AGAINST ROTORS CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR AND HEAT WHEEL/TIRES ARE RUNNING EXCESSIVELY HOT AND PADS ARE WEARING OUT WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES. DEALER TOLD CUSTOMER OF KIT TO REPLACE PROBLEM BUT NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Mileage: 45,469

RIGHT REAR BREAK STARTED TO SQUEAL WHEN APPLIED FOR SLOW DOWN TO STOP. WHEN STARTING TO PROCEED IT WILL DRAG FOR A COUPLE HUNDRED FEET AND STOP. AGAIN WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED, SAME THING STARTED OVER. WHILE CHECKING ON THE COMPUTER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I WILL BRING BACK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND SEE WHAT THERE BULL[XXX] ANSWER WILL BE. I WILL ALSO BE BRINGING THIS LETTER, AS I HAVE NEVER GOTTEN ANY RECALL NOTICES OF THIS. SUV HAS ONLY 24,600 MILES. ALSO JUST A ADDED COMPLAINT THE TIRES HAVE WORN DOWN ON INSIDE EDGE AS VEHICLE IS FOR LONG STRAIGHT TRIPS MOSTLY AND HAVE BEEN ROTATED AND BALANCED EVERY 5,000 MILES. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 24,065