2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

266 complaints filed with NHTSA.

266
Complaints
26
Crashes
10
Fires
17
Injuries
1
Deaths

NHTSA Safety Rating

Not Rated/5
Overall
Not Rated/5
Front Crash
Not Rated/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE63
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM25
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL24
STEERING19
POWER TRAIN19
SERVICE BRAKES17
SUSPENSION16
EXTERIOR LIGHTING11
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)7
AIR BAGS7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
STRUCTURE:BODY6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5

Recalls (3)

10V61300009/12/2010

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 28, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 25, 2010. SOME OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MACHINED.

11E04000006/10/2011

EQUIPMENT

CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 55538, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO T

13V11300001/04/2013

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburo

Recent Complaints

20250131FireENGINE

The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a burning odor and the vehicle stalled. The contact idled the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and exited the vehicle. The vehicle burst into flames after the occupants exited the vehicle. The contact's daughter and daughter's friend were occupants of the vehicle at the time of the failure. No injuries were sustained. The fire department arr

Mileage: 280,000

20240107CrashAIR BAGS

About this date had accidentair bags failed to go off for any off us

20240107CrashEXTERIOR LIGHTING

About this date had accidentair bags failed to go off for any off us

20240107CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

About this date had accidentair bags failed to go off for any off us

20230416CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I pulled up into my grandma's driveway, put the car in park. The car continued moving forward and when I depressed the brake pedal, the car accelerated for some unknown reason. So I put both feet on the brake and it still continued to accelerate. My car crashed into my grandparents garage door, then into their car, then pushed their car into their washer and dryer, causing those appliances to push against the wall, breaking the structure, busting water lines, smashing the washer and causing dama

20230416CrashAIR BAGS

I pulled up into my grandma's driveway, put the car in park. The car continued moving forward and when I depressed the brake pedal, the car accelerated for some unknown reason. So I put both feet on the brake and it still continued to accelerate. My car crashed into my grandparents garage door, then into their car, then pushed their car into their washer and dryer, causing those appliances to push against the wall, breaking the structure, busting water lines, smashing the washer and causing dama

20220721FireENGINE

UNKNOWN warning I’m the owner of a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe and a week ago at 185k mikes all of a sudden driving on the freeway it started hesitating and sounded like metal grinding and smoking really bad. Pulled to the side of the freeway on a ramp at that. Tried to restart the vehicle and I heard a bang noise which upon later discovery the engine blew a rod with no warning locked the steering wheel couldn’t get the keys out of the ignition DO NOT buy this car still owe 5k on the vehicle

20211005CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

The brakes on this Santa Fe have produced some unexplainable issues? A complete brake job was done approximately six months ago by a reputable brake shop because of similar issues with the brakes that occurred again last week and yesterday. Additionally, all fluids were normal during routine oil change and fluid check on Aug 13th. Last week while backing up the normal brake would not stop the vehicle and the car was stopped by using the emergency brake. On Oct 4, 2021 the brakes did not work

20210924FireENGINE

We have (had) a 2011 Hyundai Sante Fe. On 9/21/21, driving to Bozeman, just west of Livingston MT, on I-90, the car had a sudden stalling, loss of power (check engine light, oil light came on), then knocking sound that increased in volume and frequency. Smoke began pouring from under the hood as we pulled to the side of the highway, then very quickly accompanied by flames. We exited the vehicle. I opened the hood, the flames shot into the air. We moved away from the car. 911 had been called

20210323FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEIR RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER (HORNE HYUNDAI 1360 E AUTO CENTER DR, APACHE JUNCTION, AZ 85119 (480) 771-8213) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING TURN SIGNALS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT IN

Mileage: 106,000

20210323FireSTEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEIR RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER (HORNE HYUNDAI 1360 E AUTO CENTER DR, APACHE JUNCTION, AZ 85119 (480) 771-8213) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING TURN SIGNALS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT IN

Mileage: 106,000

20200925CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

ON JUNE 14,2020, I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN A LOT OUTSIDE A GROCERY STORE AND MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACK HITTING A BARRIER POLE. WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE, IT LEAPT FORWARD AND SPED BETWEEN A POKE AND A PARKED CAR, RACED DOWN A TEN-FOOT EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED INTO THE CORNER OF A BRICK BUILDING. I LATER LEARNED THAT THIS WAS CALLED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND THAT THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK WHEN SUA HAPPENS. IT WAS ALL OVER WITHIN SECONDS AND I HAD NO TIME TO ACT. MY CA

Mileage: 143,000

20181213FireENGINE

WHILE DRIVING HOME ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 12 2018 MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED UP THE WHOLE FRONT END.

Mileage: 100,000

20180322FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 10 MILES AND THEN PARKED INSIDE AN ATTACHED GARAGE. NO ISSUES WERE PRESENT DURING THE DRIVE. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND KEY REMOVED FROM VEHICLE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR HAD PASSED THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE. FLAMES WERE VISIBLE BEHIND THE FRONT RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND FRONT RIGHT WHEEL. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HARMED. THE FIRE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE AND HOME. FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT EXTERNAL TO THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 117,000

20180322FireENGINE

CAR WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 10 MILES AND THEN PARKED INSIDE AN ATTACHED GARAGE. NO ISSUES WERE PRESENT DURING THE DRIVE. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND KEY REMOVED FROM VEHICLE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR HAD PASSED THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE. FLAMES WERE VISIBLE BEHIND THE FRONT RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND FRONT RIGHT WHEEL. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HARMED. THE FIRE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE AND HOME. FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT EXTERNAL TO THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 117,000

20170904FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHILE DRIVING,I SIGNALED A TURN AND SMOKE CAME FROM BEHIND MY STEERING WHEEL.MY BLINKER WORKED BUT WAS MAKING A FAST CLICKING SOUND AS IF THE BLINKER WAS GOING OUT.THE NOISE WILL NOT STOP AND THE SMOKE IS INTERMITTENT.CONTACTED HYUNDAI BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM PER THE INTERNET BUT THEY ACTED LIKE THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT.

Mileage: 110,000

20151009CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PERIOD OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS FROM THE AIR BAG AND A NECK INJURY WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION

Mileage: 40,000

20151009CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PERIOD OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS FROM THE AIR BAG AND A NECK INJURY WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION

Mileage: 40,000

20151009CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PERIOD OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS FROM THE AIR BAG AND A NECK INJURY WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION

Mileage: 40,000

20151009CrashEXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PERIOD OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS FROM THE AIR BAG AND A NECK INJURY WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION

Mileage: 40,000