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:
2 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,438 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

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2011 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #40

Mar 132018

Santa Fe

  • 75,019 miles

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

Engine shutdown and I cannot steer the wheel.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #39

Jun 242017

Santa Fe

  • miles
Several months ago the fan in engine continued running after vehicle was turned off. Ran battery down. We could hear the fan running but had no idea how to stop it. No problems until yesterday when the same thing happened. Only difference was we could not hear the fan running until we popped the hood to jump start the car.

- Odenton, MD, USA

problem #38

Jun 032017

Santa Fe

  • 60,000 miles
On Saturday 6/3/17 I was driving home from a baby shower when I heard a metal sounding noise towards the front of my car after hitting a bump. The noise only happened once and when I pulled in the driveway and turned my car off it sounded like metal parts falling out under my car but when I crawled under my car nothing looked abnormal, so I got back in the car to start it and it would not start. Monday 6/5/17 I had my car towed to kelley radiator to be looked at, after them checking everything they told me my engine is seized. The owner of kelley radiator cannot figure out why my engine seized, he has checked everything such as fluids to mechanical parts and everything checks out good. I did some research and found engine failure is a common problem with certain Hyundai cars. I have contacted Hyundai but no response. I have had this car for 2 years, faithfully getting oil changes and I still owe $12,366.67 on this car. I cannot afford a new engine without applying for a loan and really cannot afford a lawyer so any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #37

May 232017

Santa Fe

  • 62,376 miles

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

Engine stalled twice during 35mph drive home this eve, making steering away from oncoming traffic extremely challenging and terrifying. Occurred on #3 and #4 of 6 right turns.

- North Charleston, SC, USA

problem #36

Mar 312017

Santa Fe

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V226000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was unable to confirm when the parts would be available. The VIN was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #35

Dec 252016

Santa Fe

  • 72,150 miles
2011 Hyundai Santa Fe stalls, loses power, will not accelerate, gives no warning. This could cause a major accident and multiple deaths. This happens suddenly while driving along city streets and highways and while turning.

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #34

Sep 062016

Santa Fe

  • 101,000 miles

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

Multiple times the engine just shuts off. This has happened at idle and at speed. Full loss of power, all lights on dash illuminate, loud bang when at speed. If you put in neutral and re-engage ignition car will start. This has happened multiple times. Last was 9/6

- Desert Hills, AZ, USA

problem #33

Oct 012015

Santa Fe

  • 71,187 miles
While driving the motor locked up with no warning. No oil left in the pan but no lights came on.

- Wellsville, OH, USA

problem #32

Aug 012015

Santa Fe

  • 64,000 miles
On 3 separate occasions my vehicle would rev up the RPM's and then slow way down and vehicle paused for about 5-10 seconds then reengaged. Also, the engine seems accelerates and slows down on its own, doesn't feel like taking fuel at times. My complaint sounds similar to NHTSA id# 10744564, however, my vehicle did not make a loud sound from underneath. I have had my 60000 mi service completed and issue presented afterwards. Luckily, these 3 incidents happened on low volume traffic streets. I have had service after at different Hyundai dealers without explanation.

- Ft. Myers, FL, USA

problem #31

May 302015

Santa Fe

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving at high speeds, there was a sudden increase and sudden decrease in engine rpms. The contact stated that the electrical functions of the vehicle failed and a loud noise emitted from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine stalled briefly, but was able to resume normal operation. While driving at low speeds, the failure recurred; however, the engine stalled completely. The contact maneuvered to the emergency lane and was able to restart the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed for hesitation of the motor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 09/18/15

- North Port, AL, USA

problem #30

Oct 152014

Santa Fe

  • 60,000 miles

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

I was stopped at a red light with my foot on the brake, when the engine suddenly revved very quickly and lurched forward towards the car in front of me. I turned the engine off and the car stopped. Fortunately there was enough room between my car and the one in front of me that I didn't hit it. When I restarted it, it worked fine.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #29

Dec 052014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 56,128 miles
We own a 2011 hynudai Santa Fe and had an incident last night pulling into a parking spot, which appears to be something others have experienced: Sua sudden unintended acceleration. I was pulling into the parking space with my foot on the brake and the motor just started racing full throttle for no apparent reason. I mashed on the brake and felt it fade out under the force of the increased motor RPM. I quickly shifted into neutral and the engine continued to race but I had my foot completely removed from the brake or accelerator pedals. I then shut the engine off. My wife and I were shaken but uninjured. After completing our reason for the stop, the vehicle started normally and we returned home with no further incident. But our confidence in the vehicle has gone to zero. This was the first and only time this has occurred so far on this vehicle.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #28

Nov 252014

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • 51,000 miles
Vehicle stalled when leaving stop light lost speed would not accelerate have read other complaints on line some are afraid to drive vehicles I agree saftey is an issue dealer or manufacture cannot find solution to problem.

- Elmwood Park, IL, USA

problem #27

Aug 202014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 38,550 miles
Driving on interstate 1 hour East of asheville, nc in heavy traffic. At approximately 230 pm on 8/20/2014 the check engine light came on, the car shuddered and lost all acceleration. Complete loss of power managed to coast to the side of the road and turned car off. Restarted and drove to Hyundai dealership in asheville, nc about 30 miles away. They performed a software update and stated problem was resolved. Continued driving on highway (traveling back to dayton oh), and within 1 hour check engine light came on, at about 700 pm, a complete loss of power and no acceleration, and had to coast to the side of the road, restart the engine, etc. Again, incredibly dangerous situation on a busy interstate. The same exact situation happened 2 more times on our way home on the interstate, until we could finally take it to our dealer where they replaced the throttle control assembly and did another software update. This was incredibly dangerous, could easily have resulted in a very bad accident and merits investigation. Please contact me if I can provide additional information. Thank you for your consideration.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #26

Jun 192014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 34,000 miles
Engine shuts off after taking foot off gas, slowing down and then applying gas to accelerate. After a short pause aproximately 15 to 20 seconds, the engine will restart and resume normal operation. No check engine light appears. The engine has three times in the last 14 months. Car was brough to dealer after first time and no codes or issues could be found. I will bring car back to dealer now after the third time. This is last stall resulted in a close call in heavy traffic.

- Succasunna, NJ, USA

problem #25

Dec 072011

Santa Fe

  • 50 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 50.

- Santa Monica, CA, USA

problem #24

Aug 012013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 24,000 miles
While driving the engine died suddenly, I was able to restart the engine. This has happened multiple times and is very dangerous for a rear end collision, I have taken the car to Hyundai dealerships but they are unable to duplicate the problem and say that they can't find anything wrong with the vehicle. I have notified Hyundai of the problem and they just tell me to take it to a different dealership. I have researched this issue on the internet and there seems to be many Hyundai owners having the same issue with the same year and make of vehicle. There doesn't seem to be a fix for this problem that Hyundai is aware of. Please help! thank you

- Dyer, IN, USA

problem #23

Jan 012014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • miles
2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. Consumer writes in regards to while driving vehicle engine shut off and car died. The consumer stated when he slowed down to go around a curve, the vehicle shut off. He could barely get the vehicle to the side of the roadway, because there was no power steering or power brakes. Tech support, recommended replacing the throttle body, since the dealer could not find a problem. However, on March 1, 2014, while driving in a parking lot at 10 mph, the engine shut off again. The power steering and brakes were not operable. He let the vehicle sit for several minutes before re-starting it. The consumer returned to the dealer, and after a thorough examination, they were unable to duplicate the problem.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #22

Apr 022013

Santa Fe

  • 38,800 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacture was not notified. The failure mileage was 38,800 and the current mileage was 38,920.

- Notrhridge, CA, USA

problem #21

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

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