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.

6.7

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,300
Average Mileage:
78,450 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace cvvt valve (2 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
2011 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments

problem #3

Aug 012020

Santa Fe 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,088 miles

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

At first start up every morning for 1 to 3 seconds the engine sounds like there is not a drop of oil in the top end after that the engine is quiet and runs perfect. The next morning it starts again. There is oil as my Hyundai dealer changed it.

Can anyone help me with the fix?

- wyliebc, Burnaby, BC, Canada

problem #2

Aug 162018

Santa Fe Limited 3.5L?

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,200 miles

Same as other complainant. I start it 1st thing in the morning and it sounds like the motor is going to blow up. After about 1 second it stops. If I pop the hood real quick I can hear the lifters fairly loudly. That, too, goes away after a few seconds. From there on it seems to run fine (until the next day). Mine is in the shop right now.

- Harry K., ASHEVILLE, NC, US

problem #1

Feb 052018

Santa Fe SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

My in-laws gifted their 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe to my husband and I last summer after my father in law passed away. Long before we had transferred the title into our name, the car would make this clunking sound when starting the car. (Both my mother and father in law were hard of hearing, and didn't notice this noise) The sound would go away after that when running. I wasn't in a rush to get it fixed because the car runs just fine otherwise.

There was a recall (under carriage rust) that needed to be fixed, so a few weeks ago, I asked them to check out that noise as well. As it turns out, they said it needs a new CVVT valve, at the cost of $4300, but it is supposed to be covered under 100,000 mile warranty. Well turns out that because we had the title transferred to us, they would NOT honor the warranty, even though it had been making that noise long before that!

We made a complaint to their corporate office to no avail. No exceptions, even with my mother in law calling the dealership. After looking this problem up online, this seems to be a common problem with Hyundai Santa Fe's, even having a huge recall, but not on this particular years model. If anyone has any ideas as to any recourse I may have, please let me know!! Bloomington Luther Hyundai would not do anything to help. We are so disappointed because the car is not really worth that much to get it fixed at that cost.

- Lisa B., Minneapolis, US

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