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.
The first thing that happened was a pain in the ass. My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe drove beautifully for 9 years, and then it didn't. One day in March of 2026 - everytime I hit a bump in the road, the back end went clunk. Took it to a mechanic immediately and was told that a part on the rear sub frame was rusted and broke off the sub frame. The only way to fix it was to get a new sub frame (or used from a state from the south) where rust doesn't accumilate on your vehicle. I live in Michigan near Lake Michigan. So the mechanic started looking and finally found one 2 weeks later. Unfortunately in that week the secondary thing happened where I will explain in my next report.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The first thing that happened was a pain in the ass. My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe drove beautifully for 9 years, and then it didn't. One day in March of 2026 - everytime I hit a bump in the road, the back end went clunk. Took it to a mechanic immediately and was told that a part on the rear sub frame was rusted and broke off the sub frame. The only way to fix it was to get a new sub frame (or used from a state from the south) where rust doesn't accumilate on your vehicle. I live in Michigan near Lake Michigan. So the mechanic started looking and finally found one 2 weeks later. Unfortunately in that week the secondary thing happened where I will explain in my next report.
- Deborah H., Holland, MI, US