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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,991 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 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #4

Apr 162012

Santa Fe

  • 26,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle hesistated when accelerating. The contact stated that after a brief hesitation the vehicle took off. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer four times, but the dealer had not been able to duplicate the failure. The contact believed the problem was related to the throttle, but the dealer would not replace it without diagnosing the problem. The failure mileage was 26,000 and the current mileage was 32,000.

- Fort Falley, GA, USA

problem #3

Oct 302012

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 21,800 miles
This has happened at last monthly since purchase in August 2011. When attempting to stop placement of accelerator and brake pedals causes my foot to press both pedals at same time. Yesterday when I attempted to stop at a "T" intersection the front end entered the intersection as another vehicle was approaching. Quick action by the other driver avoided a collision. My brother said he had same problem (foot on both pedals at same time) when test driving his wife's Santa Fe.

- Bourne, MA, USA

problem #2

Dec 192011

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 475 miles
On December 19,2011 I was slowing down coming to a stop sign and on or about the time as I put my foot on the brake pedal the motor started racing out of control. I put all my weight on the brake pedal to stop the car, then slammed the gear into park and turned the motor off. I then had the car towed to the dealership. The dealership did diagnostic testing and found nothing wrong with the car and said the car was safe to drive. Reluctantly, I accepted the car back. On February 6, 2012 the same incident of the motor racing out of control happened when I slowed down coming to a stop sign. I again put all my weight on the brake pedal and put the car in neutral and then turned off the motor. The car was again towed to the dealership. I called Hyundai corporate offices and advised them of the two incidents of the motor racing out of control. They suggested that the local dealership have a service technician drive the car for about 250 miles to see if this "racing motor" incident would happen again. I agreed to their recommendation. On February 11,2012 the local dealership technician who drove my the car for 250 miles called me and said the motor racing out of control not happen again. He said he did re-program the computer and I could pick up the car. He said the car was safe to drive, but I fear this unsafe incident could happen again and Hyundai needs to take action to remedy this serious problem and prevent any future injuries from happening.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #1

Dec 062011

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • miles
Stopped on a slope 5-20 ft. Long (up or down), remove right foot from brake pedal to accelerator pedal and attempt to accelerate into traffic- Santa Fe will barely move forward regardless how much accelerator pedal is depressed or "pumped" then: Suddenly will spin front tires-accelerating very rapidly. This has happened a minimum of 25 times. Very dangerous situation when attempting to enter a busy street, road or highway. Dealer unable to find code errors nor could they duplicate the problem. Complained to dealer service twice about this serious and dangerous situation. Manufacturer needs to get involved in this random, dangerous condition when owner/operator cannot feel safe and confident this SUV will reliably accelerate from a complete stop on a short slope as it should each and every time.

- Landrum, SC, USA

Not what you are looking for?