2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Electrical System Problems

In November 2024, my car engine failed. I came out of a store, turned key, all the dash lights lit up, and loud clanging but unable to drive. Car towed several times and told by 2-3 places the engine was “out” and there was a Hyundai recall aon 2012 Santa Fe. A Hyundai dealer had my vehicle, contacted Hyundai and was told it “wasn’t in recall.” Had to pay repair entirely myself on disability income. The vehicle subsequent to this had electrical problems and the car shut off while driving countless times, even highway doing 65-70. Paid for alternator twice and new battery, two battery jump boxes, and car continues to have severe electrical issues and highly unsafe to drive. I am broke and facing losing the car altogether and suffered lack of housing for 2 months and inability to pay my bills. All invoices are not included with this complaint.

Windows issues multiple times. The first time the driver side front window would occasionally go up then automatically down when I tried to raise the window. Likewise when I tried to open the window it would go up and down. Dealer couldn’t identify a problem since it was occasionally an issue. Then when it finally no longer worked at all it was repaired. Now the driver side window has malfunctioned for the second time with no warning stuck in the closed position. I also had the driver side rear window malfunction. The window just dropped down into the door without warning and without trying to operate it at all. The dealer fixed the first two instances but not the third. I’m guessing it may have been covered under the 10 yr warranty in the past. My fault I guess I should have brought my car to the dealer in 2020 when it happened. (COVID and other reasons)

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The contact stated that the 12 Volts battery was replaced several times. Additionally, the contact stated the battery terminals were corroded only few weeks after the battery replacement. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, where the cause of the battery failures could not be determined. The battery was replaced; however the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. No further information was provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Mileage: 45,000

Purchased this used 2012 Santa Fe directly from Hyundai last January (2023) We have had to continually fill it up with oil. Two months ago, driving to work and the car stops accelerating and felt like the “power was going out”. I was on a busy highway early in the morning when it died on me. Took it to a nearby mechanic and it threw engine failure pins. There was no oil so we added more oil and it drives but will not exceed 50 mph and goes out at any given time.

Engine will RANDOMLY CUT OFF AND IT WOULD DO THAT EVEN WHEN IN DRIVE LIKE IT WASNT GETTING GAS. The dash board would light then continue going WOULD START RIGHT BACK AWAY AND HAS DONE THAT EVER SINCE.i purchased it I ALSO HAD THE O2 CENSOR REPLACED AS WELL. THE TIRES ARE AWFUL THE SUSPENSION. Electrical Problems I have to hit my headlight to come on before I leave when it's dark. Sometimes when I first start driving it pulls me to the right not like wheel balancing . But pulld then back to driving . One last thing I went in for recall update or something. The mechanic say hell do the update and drive the car if it has a problem going in drive they had to replace a sensor or something my car wouldn't move they were going to fix it and give me a loaner car . The guy said let me try something he did then the car started to drive. They were supposed to replace something and didn't. My engine light came on and stayed on I complained to him he just cleared the code it came back on and has been on every since. I told him it want on before I got here he said well it wasn't from anything they did. But it was.

coincidentally after 11-months after a software update for that knock sensor now I do have a problem with that knock sensor by having to be replaced. Total cost of repair: $643.90 (Vehicle broke down, my SUV went into limp mode meaning loss of power/acceleration, I needed a tow. The engine malfunction indicator light in the dashboard was blinking on & off.)

Per the mandated law in September of 2001 all vehicles sold in the United States are required to have a trunk release on the inside. The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe does not. The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe small SUV are very known for the lights to go out due to condensation in the tail lights. So needless to say it was built poorly as an owner like myself has to constantly change the tail lights or be rear-ended because I have NO brake lights. To me this is a serious issue. One that Hyundai has failed to correct. However, I recently took my vehicle in to be serviced and to have the tails lights changed. The dealership Lithia Hyundai of Alaska informed me they could not do them because I had to much water in the tail light cover and that they couldn't get into the trunk due to my junction box having failure. Well I suggested they fix the light cover and change the bulbs so I wouldn't get hit from the back. Service advise there was NO way to open the trunk from the inside. That I had to pay 5000.00 to fix one part to be able to open the trunk. I advised that was illegal per NHTSA and they stated they never heard of that. I would like to make this complaint because even though I cannot get one thing fix I should still be able to get my trunk open from the inside, to fix my brake light bulbs.

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that upon exiting the vehicle, all four doors and tailgate would lock independently. The contact stated that over some time, all four doors failed to unlock while outside the vehicle with the key fob. The contact was only able to unlock the driver’s side door with the key. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the door actuator needed to be replaced; however, after the repair, the failure persisted. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

Mileage: 84,000

I bought the car used and initially didn't have any issues with it. About a year into having the vehicle I saw that the battery light came on momentarily and then went off. Not noticing anything different with car I thought it was no issue initially. Got the car checked battery checked out after I noticed it happen a few more times but the battery passed testing. Eventually the right headlight stopped working. Thinking it was just an issue with the light I attempted to replace it but the light never came back on. Then the left turn signal stopped working. Got the car checked out and was told that the issue was more than likely an issue with the wiring, either a short or potentially burned wire. Took the car to my local dealer and was told the the headlight assembly was the issue and that it would about 1400 to 1500 dollars to replace. Told the dealer what I was told about the wiring issue and was told that I would have to pay for that and the headlight assembly if replacing the headlight assembly didn't fix the issue Managed to get the headlight assembly replaced on my own and the issue still persists. After initially changing the assembly the headlights worked, but on of the running lights wasn't as bright as it should have been. Here recently the right headlight is out again, along with the left taillight and left turn signal.

My car died after an engine recall and then another recall happened unknown at this time and today the car died again in the middle of driving. Lights flashing on dashboard and had to be towed into Holler Hyundai Winter Park for the 17th time. This car was purchased November 2021 and I have had nothing but PROBLEMS. My safety has always been put at risk Ever since it blew up going down the highway and liquid bursted out of the hood. Now today without warning it completely died.

when a bluetooth device is plugged into the available plug(auxillary plug) in the front dash of the vehicle the radio/CD/phone connections work on and off(mostly off) if lucky you might hear the stereo for a few minutes then it goes off again for days. when unplugged the radio keeps working. My drivers side power window has not worked a few times. The available connection for the cell phone does not work all the time. There is some kind of electrical problem in my vehicle. These ongoing problems have been going on for about 1 1/2 years after I bought the vehicle.

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WILL LURCH FORWARD. THIS COULD BE DONE AS I AM ACCELERATING, AS I AM BREAKING, OR AS I AM COASTING. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL THEN ALL COME ON INCLUDING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WILL START TO SHAKE AND UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. FORCING YOU TO PULL OFF AND PARK THE VEHICLE. WHEN YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON IT'S LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAS INSTANCES WHERE THE RPM GAGE REGISTERS ZERO, EVEN AFTER YOU ARE ACCELERATING. WE HAVE HAD THE SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, THE FUEL SYSTEM LINE CLEANED OUT, WE STARTED NOTICING THE PROBLEM IN FEBRUARY IS 2020 AND THE FREQUENCY OF THE PROBLEM HAS ONLY INCREASED. THIS NOW HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 3-4 DAYS. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IN THIS CAR WITH THEM. I BELIEVE THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE A PART OF THE RECALL NUMBER 20V746000, OR FROM HYAUNDAI'S RECALL NUMBER 198.

Mileage: 135,000

ALL THREE LIGHTS ABS, ESC, AND DBC ON DASH CAME ON SAME TIME AFTER REPLACING DRIVERS SIDE HEAD LIGHT BULB. WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND TRACTION CONTROL IMPACTING THE DRIVEABILITY.

Mileage: 130,000

MY ESC, DBC, AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME THIS MORNING. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING ON NUMEROUS HYUNDAI FORMS. FOLKS HAVE BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE HUBS, SENSORS AND ASSORTED OTHER PIECES. MOST DO NOT WORK COSTING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAD THE LIGHTS COME ON MAYBE 6 OR 8 MONTHS AGO. GO OFF AND COME ON AGAIN AND OFF AGAIN. I'VE IGNORED THEM NOT NOTICING ANY DRIVING IMPACT. BUT THE CAR IS WARNING ME THAT IT ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. THIS IS NOT A ONE OF OR TWO OR THREE ISSUE. THIS FROM ANOTHER OWNER;ALL THREE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON MY 2011 SANTA FE SO I CHANGED MY FRONT RIGHT ABS SPEED SENSOR WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE LIGHTS, BUT THE DASH LIGHTS ARE STILL ILLUMINATED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS A SHORT IN THE ABS SYSTEM WIRING HARNESS. WHAT'S THE COST TO FIX? $4500.00 REALLY! I THINK A RECALL IS DUE FOR THIS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 80,000

THE VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING IN THE ROAD WITHOUT WARNING AND IS UNABLE BE RESTARTED. ATTEMPTS TO CHARGE THE BATTERY FAIL. WHEN TAKEN TO BE EVALUATED BY THE BRAND DEALERSHIP, THEY ONLY CHANGE THE BATTERY AND SAY THAT IT HAS BEEN FIXED. WITHIN 3-4 WEEKS, IT WILL SHUT DOWN IN THE ROAD AGAIN. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES, AND EACH TIME, I TAKE TO BE SERVICED AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE FAILING ISSUE. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO CORPORATE, AND HAVE QUICKLY DISMISSED MY CASE. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2016 CONCERNING THE EXACT ISSUES I AM EXPERIENCING WITH THE VEHICLE. I WOULD THINK WITH THIS TYPE OF DOCUMENTED LIABILITY, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THE VEHICLES OR A WARNING NOTICE DEALERSHIPS WERE REQUIRED TO PRESENT WITH THE SALE. I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE TRADING THE CAR IN AS THE ISSUE WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER CONSUMER.

Mileage: 77,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED ENGINE WAS REPLACED.*JB

Mileage: 70,000

LOUD NOISE, FRONT RIGHT, RIGHT FRONT AXLE BOX. ALSO 3 WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON INCLUDING ABS,

Mileage: 104,000

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ALL THE GAGES STARTED TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE RADIO STARTED TO COME ON AND OFF AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT JUST STOPPED. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND EVERYTHING.

Mileage: 73,371

MY SON WAS DRIVING WITH 3 OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE CAR AT LOW SPEED AND THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN OVERPASS. HE HAD TO COAST BACKWARD OFF THE OVERPASS. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS BEHIND THEM OR THEY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! WHEN I CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY SAID THE 2012 HAD 'NO RECALLS' BUT WHEN I REVIEWED THE INFORMATION ON OTHER RECALLED VEHICLES DIFFERENT YEAR BUT SAME ISSUES. MY QUESTION IS ARE PEOPLE GOING TO HAVE TO DIE FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS? WHY AREN'T THESE 2012 SANTA FE'S BEING RECALLED LIKE THE OTHERS? PLEASE MAKE THIS A MANDATORY RECALL SO NO ONE IS KILLED BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. PLEASE! MOTHER'S LOVE FOR HER CHILD AND HIS FRIENDS. RECALL THIS CAR!! HE HAS NOT HAD THE CHANCE TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP YET AS HE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT WAS TOWED TO HIS APARTMENT BECAUSE IT WAS 9:30PM. HE IS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA BECAUSE HE'S IN COLLEGE FOR HIS MASTERS DEGREE. WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO? HELP PLEASE! ELECTRICAL LIGHTS CAME ON VEHICLE MADE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THE CAR STARTS BUT MAKES THE LOUD NOISE

Mileage: 170,000

RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY LEAKS WATER SHORTING OUT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT, THIS SHOULD BE A PRODUCT RECALL

Mileage: 60,000

CAME HOME 8 PM. SON CAME HOME SHORTLY AFTER 10 PM. JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT MY CAR ALARM STARTED GOING OFF (CAR LOCKED AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY), I GOT OUT OF BED LOOKED THROUGH BLINDS AND SAW MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I RAN TO KITCHEN GRABBED FIRE EXTINGUISHER ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT FIRE AND CALLED 911. FIRE DEPT DETERMINED FIRE STARTED INSIDE CAR AT WIRING AREA.

Mileage: 107,500

DOOR LOCKS KEEP LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. HAS NOT STOP DOING THIS

Mileage: 80,000

2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SAFETY RECALL DUE TO FIRES AND MELTNG WIRES AND QUESTIONS IF VEHICLE FALLS UDER RECALL. *AS *JS *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CHAPMAN SCOTTSDALE HYUNDAI (6601 E MCDOWELL RD #3, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85257, (480) 424-3558) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,143.

Mileage: 48,143

I WAS AT A FOUR WAY-YEAR-OLD AND STOP WHERE I HAD TO YIELD AS I WAS DOING THE SANTA FE CUT OFF AND I LOST ALL POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T CONTROL VEHICLE TURN THE KEY OFF AND THEN TURN THE KEY BACK ON THE TRUCK STARTED 20 MINUTES LATER THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START IT WHEN YOU RETURN ON THE ANTITHEFT ALARM KEEPS BEEPING

Mileage: 150,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH NO WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

Mileage: 51,000

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED, CAR SHUT DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY, AND RESTARTED. DURING INTERIM 20 SECONDS, ATTEMPTED TO PULL VEHICLE TO LEFT SHOULDER AS I WAS DRIVING IN FAR LEFT LANE. I FELT "ENGINE DROP" OR A FEELING WHEREAS THE CAR NO LONGER FELT POWERED, CUE THAT THE ENGINE HAD WENT OFF. POWER STEERING WENT MANUAL ALONG WITH OTHER POWER ASSIST DEVICES LIKE POWER STEERING. ON DIRT SHOULDER OF FREEWAY ATTEMPTING WITH MANUAL BRAKES AND STEERING TO BRING VEHICLE OFF ROADWAY. VEHICLE RESTARTED DURING MANEUVER. STILL MOVING AT SAFE SPEED ATTEMPTED TO MERGE BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY, HAVING NOT YET DECELERATED ENOUGH YET TO CONTINUE TO PULL OVER....CLEAR AND DRY CONDITIONS IN NORTH LA COUNTY. THIS VEHICLE HOWEVER HAS ALWAYS HAD "OVERLY RESPONSIVE" OR "VERY TIGHT" STEERING, FOR LACK OF BETTER TERMINOLOGY. I LEASED THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT FULLY REALIZE, UNTIL SOME TIME PASSED, WHAT THIS 'STEERING CHARACTERISTIC' WOULD MEAN IN THE FUTURE, IN AN EVENT REQUIRING ACCURATE AND RESPONSIVE STEERING COMBINED WITH THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. THE SUDDEN ENGINE POWER RESUMING, COMBINED WITH, WHAT THIS WRITER WOULD DESCRIBE AS "TIGHT STEERING" TO BEGIN WITH, MADE THE VEHICLE ROLL. THE VEHICLE, WITH WHAT FELT LIKE A "HIGH CENTER OF GRAVITY" ALWAYS FELT LIKE IT WOULD ROLL IF ONE WERE TO HAVE TO MOVE QUICKLY TO AVOID SOMETHING IN THE ROAD FOR EXAMPLE. I DID NOT REALIZE THIS FEATURE DURING MY TEST DRIVE. BEING A LESSEE I WAS OBLIGATED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS. THE VEHICLE ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE CROSSING 3 LANES OF AN OCCUPIED NORTHBOUND HIGHWAY 14. A SUDDEN JOLT RESULTED IN A FRACTURE OF L1 VERTEBRAE. DURING ROLL, JACK BECAME UNDONE FROM WHERE IT WAS FACTORY MOUNTED UNDERNEATH LIFT UP COVER, AND HAD NEVER BEEN REMOVED. FLAILING AROUND IN THE VEHICLE NOW WAS THIS HEAVY SCISSOR JACK BOUNCING AROUND IN THE VEHICLE COMPARTMENT WITH ME. I AM GLAD TO BE ALIVE. *TR

Mileage: 32,000

WHILE DRIVING A/C TURNED ITSELF ON, WOULD NOT TURN OFF WITH THE OFF BUTTON, HAD TO SELECT HEAD/FOOT AIRFLOW BUTTON TO GET SYSTEM TO TURN OFF. SECOND INCIDENT ON MARCH 30TH A/C WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK PRIOR TO ENGINE SHUT OFF, HAD TO SELECT SEVERAL DIFFERENT SETTINGS BEFORE A/C WOULD SHUT OFF. THIRD INCIDENT TODAY AGAIN A/C TURNED ITSELF ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF PRIOR TO ENGINE SHUT OFF - HAD TO AGAIN SELECT SEVERAL DIFFERENT SETTINGS TO TURN OFF A/C. *TR

Mileage: 68,523

VEHICLE INEXPLICABLY LURCHED AHEAD WHEN FOOT ON BRAKE, WENT OVER A CURB, THROUGH SOME GRASS AND INTO AND OVER A FIRE HYDRANT. WAS UNABLE TO STOP/CONTROL THE VEHICLE,. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDRIVEABLE AND AT THE BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *TR

ON 2/4/15, MY 2012 SANTA FE HAD AN UNEXPECTED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND ME, THE DRIVER. I HAD BACKED INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK FACING A BUSY ROAD AND WHILE RE-POSITIONING VEHICLE, GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR PROPELLED FORWARD, GOING THROUGH A 4 FOOT SNOW BANK AND INTO A STONE WALL. THE DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HIT ME DIRECT IN CENTER CHEST. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED IN ABOUT 2 SECONDS AND I HAD MY FOOT DOWN HARD ON THE BRAKE AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PUT MY LEFT FOOT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *JS IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I DID NOT HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR OTHER VEHICLE, WHICH WHEN I LATER PROCESSED THIS, WAS THE MOST FRIGHTENING PART.. AFTER GOOGLING THIS COMPLAINT, I WAS STUNNED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR INCIDENTS.

Mileage: 9,200

WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING IDLE OR DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE AC IS MANUALLY TURNED OFF WITHIN 30 TO 60 SECONDS THE AC WILL TURN ON BY ITSELF. THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE, PROPERTY DAMAGE, A CRASH, OR FATALITY AND SHOULD BE ADDRESS BY THE MANUFACTURE. *TR

Mileage: 69,500

WAS MAKING LEFT HAND TURN, CAR JUST DIED, NO WARNING AND NO LIGHTS CAME ON. COASTED TO STOP AND CAR STARTED RIGHT UP[. ANOTHER TIME LEAVING PARKING LOT CAR STARTED WAS RUNING FINE THEN LOST SPEED, COULDN'T GO OVER 25 MPH TOOK CAR TO HYUNDAI SHOP AND THEY CKECK CAR AND THEY DID ALL THE CHECKS AND REPAIRS AND SAID CAR SHOULD BE OK. TICKET #[XXX]. ALSO CALLED HYUNDAI COMPANY AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THEM,, CASE #[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 43,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

Mileage: 8,000

WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AT SLOW SPEED THE CARS STALLS OUT. TODAY 7/16 IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE SAME EVENT HAPPENED TWICE IN THE SAME WEEK ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO THEN NOT AGAIN. THIS SOUNDS TOO SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEMS W/ GM CARS. *TR

Mileage: 44,332

AFTER DRIVING TO WORK (APPROXIMATELY 27 MINUTES AT SPEEDS UP TO 70+) I PULLED INTO MY WORK PARKING LOT LIKE I HAVE DOWN THOUSANDS OF TIMES BEFORE. I PROCEEDED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND ALL POWER FAILED ON VEHICLE. THE RADIO DISPLAY WENT DEAD AND THE CAR STOPPED MID TURN. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE WHEN YOUR POWER GOES OUT AT HOME DURING A STORM. I TRIED SHIFT THE CAR TO SEE IF IT WOULD WANT TO START BACK UP BUT IT DIDN'T LET THE KEY GO ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT LIKE YOU WOULD TO NORMALLY CRANK A VEHICLE. THE PANEL ILLUMINATED ALL ICONS AND LIGHTS (SIMILAR TO A POWER OUTAGE). I TRIED TO START THE CAR A FEW MORE TIMES WHEN FINALLY IT TURNED OVER AND I PULLED TO THE NEAREST PARKING SPACE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. I HAD ROADSIDE TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (SPORT DURST). AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE ALL DAY, I ARRIVED THERE SLIGHTLY BEFORE 5PM TO DISCUSS WHAT WAS FOUND. THEY PROCEEDED TO SHOW ME A PRINT OUT OF THE COMPUTER READING WHERE IT HAD NO "CODES" PRESENT. I WAS THEN TOLD IF THEY DON'T HAVE A CODE, THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO LOOK FOR THE ISSUE. I THEN EXPLAINED THAT I WAS LUCKY THIS TIME THAT I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC OR THAT ANOTHER CAR WASN'T BEHIND ME OR THAT IT WASN'T AT NIGHT IN AN UNSAFE AREA BUT AS A CAR OWNER WHY AM I EXPECTED TO ROLL THE DICE WITH MY SAFETY?? WHY CAN'T THEY DO WHAT IT TAKES TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE ISSUE. I DON'T LIKE BEING AT ANY DEALERSHIP WASTING MY EVENING HAGGLING WITH THEM MORE THEN THEY DO. THEREFORE I HAVE NO REASON TO MAKE IT UP. THE SERVICE MANAGER TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT HIS HANDS WERE TIED AND THAT FOR THE WARRANTY TO BE USED TO CHECK ALL POTENTIAL ISSUES (WITHOUT ANY "CODES") I WOULD HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BILL UNLESS THEY FIND SOMETHING WHICH I FEEL IS UNFAIR WHEN THE CAR IS 2 YEARS OLD WITH 40,000 MILES. I WAS THEN TOLD WHEN IT HAPPENS NEXT TIME... RECORD IT... *TR

Mileage: 40,000

ON FEB. 2, 2013 AFTER PULLING OUT AFTER A STOP LIGHT THE CAR RAN NORMALLY FOR A VERY SHORT TIME AND THEN ALL POWER LEFT. IT WOULD GO ONLY IN IDLE SPEED. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTING IT THE CAR WOULD RUN NORMALLY FOR A WHILE AND THEN DO THE SAME THING. A THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. ON, JAN. 28, 2014 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. ANOTHER THROTTLE BODY WAS INSTALLED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP NOR HYUNDAI COULD TELL US WHY THIS THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE NOR COULD THEY GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. WE COULD NOT FEEL SAVE DRIVING IT DOWN AN INTERSTATE OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HAVE THE CAR JUST BASICALLY STOP WITH NO WARNING. *TR

Mileage: 8,000

THIS IS MY LATEST ISSUE WITH MY 2012 SANTA FE (THE PREVIOUS BEING A BAD TRANSFER CASE WHICH MADE IT SPUTTER, A BAD 4WD COUPLING ASSEMBLY WHICH MADE IT CLUNK WHILE TURNING & A BAD TRANSMISSION RANGE SHAFT WHICH CAUSED IT TO NOT START OCCASIONALLY)...IT NOW JUST TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENED TWICE IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS. THE FIRST TIME, 2/5/14, I WAS TURNING ACROSS 2 LANES OF CROSS TRAFFIC AROUND 20 MPH AND IT JUST TURNED OFF AND DRIFTED! AT FIRST I DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE WHAT HAPPENED... THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC! ON 2/22/14 IT HAPPENED AGAIN AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A HILL COMING TO A STOP! FORTUNATELY THE BRAKES STILL WORKED BUT AGAIN IT JUST TURNED OFF WITH NO WARNING... BOTH TIMES THERE WAS SUFFICIENT GAS IN THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. IT IS GOING TO THE SHOP THIS WEEK, BUT I REALLY FEEL LIKE I GOT A LEMON OF A VEHICLE! I OWNED 3 OTHER HYUNDAIS PREVIOUSLY AND NEVER ANY PROBLEM AND NOW IT IS CONSTANT!!! I DON'T WANT THIS VEHICLE AS I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT AT ALL BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THERE'S NO WAY TO GET OUT OF THIS LEASE! *TR

Mileage: 21,000

CAR HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING THREE TIMES, ALL AT LOW SPEEDS. 3/4 TANK OF GAS, NO LESS. CAR ALSO WON'T START AT TIMES UNLESS YOU MOVE SHIFT LEVER. CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY AND DEALER KEEPS SAYING NOTHING WRONG. NOT STARTING IS VERY MINOR. CAR STALLING IN TRAFFIC IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME SINCE THE PURCHASE IN APRIL, 2012. THE ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY AT A LOW SPEED. THE DEALER SHOP OBVIOUSLY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS TYPE OF HIGHLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY NHTSA URGENTLY. I SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE REPORTED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I HAVE TO RISK OUR FAMILY LIVES TO PROVE THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS FAULT WITH THIS VEHICLE! *TR

Mileage: 11,000

AT 2 TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS THE CAR ENGINE HAS SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY ON LEVEL GROUND. LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. CAR RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. SO FAR DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO REPRODUCE OR HELP WITH PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

VEHICLE STALLED AS TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY OF SHOPPING COMPLEX. THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE AS I WAS TRYING TO TURN LEFT. IN THE DASHBOARD, NO LIGHTS ON EXCEPT "MALFUNCTION INDICATOR" LIGHT WAS LIT. RESTARTED CAR AND DROVE ON, THE "MALFUNCTION LIGHT" GOT TURNED OFF, CAME HOME AND THEN CALLED DEALER. DROVE TO DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE SINCE THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON AND SO NO CODE CAN BE FOUND. CAR IS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD AND NOT EVEN 3000 MILES ON THE CAR. I FEEL THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE UNLESS HYUNDAI TAKES CARE OF THE PROBLEM. NOT DIAGNOSING AND ADDRESSING THE ISSUE MAKES ME CONCERNED. IF CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING THEN THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SUCH AS CAR HITTING FROM BEHIND. I AM VERY MUCH CONCERN WITH SUCH A PROBLEM FOR CAR AS NEW AS MINE. *TR

Mileage: 2,600

WHILE DRIVING I SMELLED ELECTRICAL SMOKE, PARKED CAR SHUT OFF ENGINE, OPENED HOOD AND FOUND AN ELECTRICAL MOTOR OF SORTS ON FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 2,700