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.
I took my vehicle into the dealership in may to fix two recalls, one of which was the air bag recalibration on the passenger seat. Approximately two weeks after the recall was done, my air bag light came in. I took it to the same dealership that had performed the recalls and they said it was the seat belt pretensioner in the passenger seat & would cost $491 to fix. I told them they should pay for it because it had something to do with the recall they had just performed but they refused and now I am out the money. I had no choice but to fix it because in case of an accident my passenger would be unprotected. Hyundai America should reimburse me the money!
Air bag light warning light remains on when vehicle is running. Took to dealer they said is clock spring assembly needs replacing. I told them it was a recall and they said there is no recall on it. I declined the repair because I knew there was a recall but I didn't take paperwork with me thinking they would know about it. Upon returning home and finding paperwork on recall (camp103) I called back and they now said there was a recall and they replaced that part in November 2012. I do not remember them replacing it but I'll take them at their word on that. My issue is, did they replace the recalled part with another defective part if it only lasted 18 months! I've had many cars over the years some a decade old or older never this air bag issue. I feel they should replace this recall again if they repaired it with another short lived defective part......updated 07/21/15
The 2008 Hyundai sante fe has a recall on faulty airbag clocksprings. Coincidentally my 2008 sante fe clock spring now needs to be replaced. The Hyundai service dealership and Hyundai customer care tells me that I am not covered because my VIN is not listed in the "recall campaign" my confusion is I own a 2008 the recalls are for the 2008....how do I get my car included in this "recall campaign"? please help. I will have to pay $400 to get this fixed when it should be under Hyundai faulty warranty. Please help the little guy/consumer!! thank you
Clock spring contact had to be replaced on the driver side of my Hyundai sante fe 2008 built on April 03, 2008. The NHTSA recall did not go far enough and ended March 20,2008. The driver side air bag continuously lit up indicating a problem. The clock spring contact had to be replaced and I was charged for the replacement. The recall should be extended beyond March 20,2008 so that my car is included in the recall since this is a severe safety issue which may have caused multiple deaths...... updated 06/30/15 updated 8/30/2017
I took my vehicle to the dealership to perform two recalls: (1) stop lamp switch and (2) pods recalibration. I was informed the air bag light in the dashboard had come on and stayed on after the recalibration of the pods. I never had an issue with the pods system or an air warning light in the dash prior to the recall. I was told Hyundai would pay to either replace the passenger front seat belt tensioner or the entire seat. They did not allow me to drive my vehicle because they said it was a safety issue and rented me a car for 4 days. Replacing the seat belt tensioner fixed the problem, but less than a year later (4-15-14) the air light has come on and now they tell me that it's the scale in the seat and the entire seat needs to be replaced at a cost to me of $2400+. the service advisor told me that the driver's side air bags were not affected -- only the passenger's and I would be safe to drive the car. The service tech quickly returned the car and we didn't receive any paperwork resulting from the inspection. My husband and I did not elect to replace the seat at this time while we research the issue. However, my husband and I did notice that the pods "off" light turns off when a passenger is in the seat which is confusing since the advisor said the scale isn't working. Now we are left with a 6-year-old car that has an expensive safety issue. We can't sell it to a private party because of the safety issue and the trade-in value has dramatically declined.
- Patterson, CA, USA
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The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection however the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V472000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
Back in April, my Santa Fe also had the fuel gauge issue. It also began fluctuating wildly and the range computer was all over the place. The dealer told me it was part of the fuel pump and that I had to replace both of them, who knew it had two. It cost me $1,583.80 to fix. They told me if I didn't fix it, the car could just lose power and we would be stuck on the side of the road. This should definitely be a recall!!!! now, my Santa Fe has the air bag light on. There was a recall for this back in 2011, which I definitely received literature from Hyundai about it. Yesterday, the dealer first told me that recall didn't exist. Then they told me it didn't apply to my make or model, nor did it apply to my VIN. They wanted to charge $350 to fix the clock spring assembly. I refused since I know this was recalled. I'm going to try and contact the corporate office of Hyundai about this. In the meantime, I don't have a driver side air bag in the event of an accident. Thanks Hyundai. Stay away from Hyundai vehicles!!!!
See attached email updated 06/04/2013 the occupant classification system (osc) does not consistently recognize small-statured adults, causing the passenger side air bag to deactivate when such person occupy the front seat. Also, there were problems with the transmission, a knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle, the vehicle shutting down, an issue with the throttle cable, and a whining sound upon acceleration.
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated sporadically. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the driver's seat would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not ben repaired. The failure and current mileage was 24,500. Updated 06/18/13 updated 06/21/2013
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id numbers 12V354000 (air bags: Frontal: Sensor/ control module) and 11V472000 (air bags:frontal). The contact also stated that after the repairs, the air bag warning light illuminated without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the front passenger seat belt tension sensor wiring harness clip failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,784. The current mileage was approximately 62,550. The VIN was unavailable.
Work under the recall to repair faulty sensors that failed to detect small statured adults (95 lb wife). For failure to detect didn't resolve issue, and efforts to determine what the new trigger weight was got nowhere with either local or hq reps. So now driving a vehicle that mfr has acknowledged safety defects yet refuses to fix.
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning lamp illuminated, indicating that the air bag was turned off while the seat was occupied. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the passenger side air bag sensor needed to be re-calibrated to the lowest weight limit. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 12V354000 (air bags:frontal:sensor/control module). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 41,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag off warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that they had to recalibrate the air bag. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the vehicle was not covered under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V354000 (air bags: Frontal:sensor/control module). The failure mileage was 13,000 and the current mileage was 56,000.
This problem is true of our 2007 and 2008 Santa Fe's and has existed since we purchased the cars. I have finally come to the conclusion that this is a safety issue for not only my wife but also many other people who are of slight build. It is a problem that is easily correctable by the manufacturer. I have created case#[xxx] with Hyundai America --they have responded that they will pass along the information to engineering --but they have noted that I will not be contacted by Hyundai regarding deposition of the issue. The problem -- my wife weighs about 95 lbs. She frequently does not activate the air bag system on the passenger side of the vehicle. She is essentially unprotected in case of an accident. She just doesn't weigh enough to reliably activate the air bag system. Hyundai spends quite a few pages in their manual to cover themselves legally. They comment that if all else fails just sit in the back seat. I would imagine few husbands and wives opt for this solution. Most consumers probably haven't read the manual, ignore the off sign or don't know what it means, or don't care and risk the safety of their passenger. This is a safety issue to the general public. The sensor in the passenger seat should activate the air bag system for say anyone over 66 lbs. I believe another manufacturer has recently done so. It is stupid that I have waited this long to complain -- but I kept thinking their would eventually be a recall and I normally just don't complain about things. Hyundai could make an alternate sensor available to those who needed it. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On our 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe limited with 45,391 miles, VIN # [xxx], the check engine light started coming on when it was about 1 year old. It has now come on approximately 10 times.the dealer always says it's the gas cap. We have tightened the gas cap varying degrees and it does not matter how tight it is. The check engine light continues to come on. They claim to have replaced the gas cap 3 times out of 10 trips. Whether that is true or not, I don't know. Additionally, the red "air bag" warning light came on about a week ago and will not go off. I understand Hyundai has a history of airbag problems and would like to know if you can force them to fix this problem as well as the check engine light. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
In my 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe the front passenger air bag does not work properly. It intermittently works when my daughter and I (115 & 120 lbs) sit in the seat. I can sit perfectly still and it will be engaged, and then it will disengage, and then engage, again or visa versa. It has been to the dealer to be repaired 4 times, but they say they cannot reproduce. They just hook it up to a computer and say it works as designed. Humble Hyundai service manager even told me to sit in the back seat (I'm 51 years old). I am afraid if we are in an accident that the airbags will not deploy. I have notified Hyundai Consumer Affairs and Hyundai pr as well. Does someone have to be killed in an accident for NHTSA and Hyundai to issue a recall" I have been given weights of 30, 80, 150, 115 and 120 lbs to activate the airbag sensor by humble Hyundai. Also given 35, 45, 150, 130, 135, 145, 40, 100 & 105 lbs by service departments of other dealerships. Also talked to Consumer Affairs about this, why can't Hyundai tell anyone what the actual weight to activate is" there was a safety recall issued for sonatas for this exact problem why can't one be issued for Santa fes. There are 48 complaints listed on www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2008/Hyundai/santa+fe and they all say they were filed with NHTSA. The initial problem began on 8/21/08 with 300 miles on odometer and continues to be a problem until today 10/19/09 with almost 18000 miles on the car. The speed I am driving is not a function of the problem as it happens at varying speeds.
Since I bought my 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe and pulled it off the lot the passenger side airbag does not register me. I am 5'3" 105 lbs. Rarely does it ever work and if it does its only for a minute. Took to dealership and they state there is nothing they can do about it. Lady stated she has heard complaint numerous time and Hyundai wont do anything about it. They tell you to restart the car and sit with perfect posture. This still does not work and even if it does move an inch and it turns back off. I feel very unsafe in the passenger side and I have read numerous complaints about this from other consumers. Its like Hyundai is waiting for someone to die before they do anything about it!
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving at an unknown speed, the passenger side air bag light would illuminate, even when the passenger seat was occupied. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current mileage was 8,391 and failure mileage was 2,000. Updated 08/04/09. Updated 08/06/09.
My husband and I just purchased this 2008 Santa Fe gls (used with 10,000 miles) about two weeks ago. We noticed this issue two days later. The passenger airbag will not turn on when I, a 120 lb, 5' 7", 31 year old adult female sit in the seat. I took it in to the Hyundai service center and was simply told that I was not heavy enough to activate the seat so there was nothing I could do. I was also told that it is set to activate for anyone over 110 lbs. I am definitely heavier than that. This seems to me to be a safety issue which should be resolved quickly as I have read of many other customers with similar issues.
2008 Hyundai Santa Fe - passenger side front airbag light indicates that the airbag is not working when a passenger, who weighs around 170 lbs is in the seat. I have brought this car to two different dealerships for repair, on four separate occasions. The first time, they couldn't recreate the issue, I left the dealership, the problem happened again within 10 minutes. I took pictures and video of the passenger in the seat with the "air bag off" light illuminated. Brought it back the next day, they replaced a weight sensor. Issue was still happening, brought it back the third time and was told they couldn't recreate the issue. Again, I drove off the lot, and the issue happened again. Called Hyundai customer service, and was told to bring it in again. This time I brought it to another dealership, and today was told that they couldn't recreate the issue, but they will try again tomorrow. One of the main reasons I bought this car was safety. I will not ride with a passenger in the front seat, because, chances are that the airbag will not work or will not work properly. Hyundai needs to address this as there are many many complaints online from Santa Fe owners.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Conroe, TX, USA