CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe has a problem with the engine stalling while driving. Both our data & the NHTSA's complaint data show a significant defect trend at low mileage.

In a 2-page letter sent August 2014 to Santa Fe owners, Hyundai claims the engine stalling only occurs under a "specific set of operating conditions".

However a class action lawsuit filed around the same time details multiple claims from Sante Fe owners that claim the engine stalling happens at any time, under any conditions.

2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,800 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Hyundai Santa Fe brakes problems

brakes problem

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2011 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments

problem #7

Jul 062019

Santa Fe

  • 169,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Warning lights for ABS and ESC systems come on when vehicle is started and do not go off as they are suppose to. Appears to be an equipment failure. Lights stay on when vehicle in motion. Both lights came on while driving on a highway.

- Satsuma, FL, USA

problem #6

May 042018

Santa Fe

  • 134,300 miles
Traction control light comes on. Prevents shifter to go into park. Must rurn engine off on nuetral then turn car on to eliminate traction control error in order ro put shifter into park

- Murrieta, CA, USA

problem #5

Oct 042015

Santa Fe

  • 64,200 miles
In October of this year, my 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe lost all acceleration and the malfunction light came on while I was in the left lane of a major highway going the speed limit of 70 mph. I was able to pull over to the right and get to safety, but it was a very dangerous situation and I and many others could have been killed. The same thing happened in 2012 and they supposedly fixed it. Since the first incident, there have been a couple of recalls dealing with this issue. I think it deals with the throttle body and the idle system. Obviously it is still a very dangerous car to drive. I believe you need to investigate this before someone dies.

- Strawberry Plains, TN, USA

problem #4

Sep 182014

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • 56,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I perched it on Sept. 9. 214 I reported this in Sept 214 problem the back wheels sound like I had a flat tire as soon as you pick up speed of 50 to 65 miles hour they replace tires and still no change I had the tech. Take a road trip to here it and how loud it was on highway. Then they thought it was out of liniment so the did that, and still no change, they told me that the wheels are wobbly and it will continue.so. I was told to give it 2 weeks or so, but when you go on highway its louder then vibrates and when you hit the brakes you can feel it also and the tech. Also felt it, and at this point they still don't know what it is. I bought this truck do to a friend that recommend it and know they are having the same issue.as mine and they also complained I bought this do to, I am disabled and need a dependable vehicle and not big problems. I have not yet made a payment its not due until Oct. 29,2014.

- Derry, NH, USA

problem #3

Jan 192014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • miles
This is a follow up to the complaint I made on 5/13/2013. At that time my vehicle was at the dealership to try to duplicate the problem I had been having which was that my car would randomly stall while making a turn, whether left or right. When this happened the panel would light up like christmas and everything including the brakes would cease to work. I have to coast to a safe location (if possible) to turn off car and then restart it. I have been very fortunate that me or my family have not been hit when this happens. Update to last report: My car stayed at the dealership for 3 weeks however the problem was not duplicated. Their solution (Hyundai usa and my dealership) was to replace the throttle body. Everything was fine until the same problem occurred on 1/19/2014. I don't think hyndai usa will be satisfied until there's fatalities unfortunately.

- District Heights, MD, USA

problem #2

Apr 112012

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • miles
Since I received my SUV in 2011 I've experienced 3 vehicular cut-offs while driving. The cut-off always occurs during a slow moving turn, whether going left or right. I would start turning or switching lanes in one case and the car will stall. All panel lights would come on, the steering would shut-down so I cant control the vehicle and the brakes shut-down as well. I have to coast to a stop and place in park. This is a very vulnerable situation where I've been at the mercy of oncoming traffic. Thank goodness that my 2 year old daughter wasn't in the vehicle any of the times. The SUV always starts back up after sitting for about a minute. This problem is so random and there are no warning signs, it's just happens. It was suggested that perhaps their could have been air in the gas line, I don't believe this to be true. The first time it happened I had less then a quarter tank of gas, the second about a half tank and the last a full tank. Currently my car is back at the dealership where they're hoping that they can once again duplicate the problem. They've had it for 6 days so far.

- District Heights, MD, USA

problem #1

Feb 212013

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • 44,100 miles
While driving after heavy snow I attempted to change lanes over a snow pile. When the right front tire went over the snow, the software took control of the steering and turned to vehicle 270 degrees. The vehicle was locked in the 4 wheel drive mode. I have over 500,000 miles driving 4 wheel drive vehicles in over 50 years and have lived and worked in heavy snow states. I have previously used the same technique to go over snow with no problems. I believe the electronic stability control software is to aggressive. There were a number of accidents reported after the snow storm where vehicles were reported to have spun out. I winder how many were caused by the software. I now turn the stability control off during snow.

- O'fallon, MO, USA

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