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2011 Hyundai Santa FE Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 181 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE, most often about the engine (40% of complaints, typically around 41,000 miles). It is 19th of 26 Santa FE model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2011 Hyundai Santa FE problems
Engine
72 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
I took it in for service after the engine hesitated and bucked forward sept, 2012. It had approx. 29,500 miles. Today june 21, 2013 while putting it in reverse, I heard a loud "clunk" and also heard same "clunk" when I changed it from reverse to drive. Engine then proceeded to hesitate and buck all the way home. It is…
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.
Electrical
25 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
My multi stalk switch is smoking and constantly clicking as if my blinker is on. It also causes my signal lights to come on and stick. This is happening the whole time the car is running. It first started smoking yesterday while I was driving on the highway, and it also smokes when the car is parked. I believe this to…
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa FE. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted after two attempts. A local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
Speed control
24 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles.
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…
Twice, the engine has shut off, while trying to accelerate from an idle or stopped position. Luckily, both incidents were in an empty parking lot. The engine simply stopped running and I had to put it into parking gear, and restart the engine.
Brakes
22 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 44,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated he noticed pieces of metal near the vehicle on the garage floor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the rotors had corroded and rusted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure…
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated that after depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle experienced a period of unintended acceleration. As a result, the contact crashed into a brick wall. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 13v113000 (exterior lighting…
Transmission
21 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 22,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
While traveling approx 55 MPH, I hit a fairly significant pothole. The check engine light immediately came on and, at the very same instant, the gas pedal ceased to function. The engine remained running, however the gas pedal had no affect - e.g. Pressing the gas pedal did nothing. I immediately pulled onto the…
This complaint is similar to a complaint I already filed in december 2012 and is a recurring issue. On 3/18/13, was traveling approx 55 MPH up a steep hill when the check engine light came on and immediately the gas pedal ceased functioning as well. The engine remained running, however pressing the gas pedal did…
Steering
20 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system.
Steering wheel is loose in the steering column, moves as if it loose. I have owned a total of four Santa FE's. This is the first one that has a loose steering wheel. I have taken it to the dealer twice. They say nothing is wrong. There is something wrong. I am not sure if it is the steering shaft, or a worn out…
While driving at a rate of less than 5-10 mpg in heavy traffic on the 105 west freeway. The car suddenly lost power steering abilities and all power in the vehicle without notification lights or any other strange peculiarities. Both the check engine and oil lights went on. I managed to pull over with whatever residual…
Suspension
16 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles.
I perched it on sept. 9. 214 I reported this in sept 214 problem the back wheels sound like I had a flat tire as soon as you pick up speed of 50 to 65 miles hour they replace tires and still no change I had the tech. Take a road trip to here it and how loud it was on highway. Then they thought it was out of liniment…
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa FE. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the tire pressure indicator illuminated and the contact heard noise from the front tires. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front coil springs punctured the front tires. The manufacturer was not made…
Lights
14 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights.
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated that after depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle experienced a period of unintended acceleration. As a result, the contact crashed into a brick wall. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 13v113000 (exterior lighting…
This is not about an incident. The car has very week head lights, I use my high beam at all time. Never got any signal from on coming car that my high beam are on, and it's been going on for over 2 years. I changes the bulbs and no change. I went to 2 dealerships, one in de and one in md , and the answer I got was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Hyundai Santa FE recalls
Lights: switch
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'on' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 22, 2013. Owners may contact hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Full defect summary
Hyundai motor company (hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 accent, model year 2007-2011 azera, sonata and sante fe,2006-2011 tucson, 2009-2011 elantra touring, 2007-2010 elantra, 2008-2011 veracruz, 2009-2011 genesis, 2010-2011 genesis coupe, 2007-2008 entourage, and 2006-2008 tiburon vehicles. Originally, in april 2013, hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 accent and tucson, model year 2007-2010 elantra, model year 2007-2011 santa fe, model year 2008-2009 veracruz, model year 2010-2011 genesis coupe, and model year 2011 sonata vehicles. In september 2013, hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to
Brakes: caliper
Risk: As a result, brake fluid will leak, followed by illumination of the malfunction indicator light indicating the brake fluid level is low and should be checked, then a soft or spongy brake pedal feel, and if not serviced, reduced braking power which could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear calipers and replace it if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on december 17, 2010. Owners may contact hyundai roadside assistance at 1-800-243-7766.
Full defect summary
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2011 santa fe vehicles manufactured from september 28, 2010, through november 25, 2010. Some of the rear brake calipers may not have been properly machined.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of motive power
Summary
The national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated july 13, 2022, petitioning the agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain hyundai motor america, inc. And kia america, inc. Vehicles spanning model years (my) 2005-2021. The petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) of the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated october 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (etc) system on certain kia vehicles resulting in the opening of dp21-003. Accordingly, model year (my) 2005-2016 kia optima/k5, my 2006-2015 kia sorento, my 2007-2016 hyundai elantra, my 2007-2016 hyundai santa fe, my 2006-2015 hyundai sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a vehicle owner questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (odi) number 11439675.on november 12, 2021, odi opened defec
Non-crash vehicle fires
Summary
During this preliminary evaluation (pe), the office of defects investigation (odi) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (my) 2011-2014 hyundai sonata and santa fe vehicles equipped with theta II and lambda II engines (approximately 1.3 million vehicles). Odi also reviewed field data of other hyundai vehicles equipped with theta II, gamma, nu and lambda engines (approximately 4.8 million). As a result of this pe, hyundai has issued NHTSA recalls 20v-746 and 21v-727 to address potential engine failures and fires in certain hyundai vehicles
Non-crash vehicle fires
Summary
In a letter dated june 11, 2018, the center for auto safety (cas) petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (my) 2011-2014 kia optima and sorento, and hyundai sonata and santa fe vehicles. In a letter dated july 24, 2018, cas requested that my 2010-2015 kia soul vehicles be added to the petition. Cas stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The office of defects investigation (odi) had already opened recall queries (rq17-003 and rq17-004) on all kia and hyundai vehicles equipped
Steering shaft universal joint failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe12-029 based on one complaint alleging that a fastener became loose in the steering shaft of a model year (my) 2011 hyundai santa fe vehicle and related early warning reporting field report data.in it's response to odi's information request letter for pe12-029, hyundai identified a total of four incidents of steering shaft universal joint failure in early production my 2011 santa fe vehicles, including the incidents that had been identified by odi. Two of the failures occurred at low mileage early in 2011, shortly after vehicle sale, leading to hyundai's initial investigation.hyundai attributed the failures to operator error at the vehicle a
Questions about the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (72 complaints, typically around 41,000 miles); electrical (25 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); speed control (24 complaints, typically around 26,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 1, 2013 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Hyundai Santa FE?
- It is 19th of 26 Santa FE model years by number of complaints, with 181 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.