Alternator/generator/regulator problems of the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe

Vehicle would not start when leaving from dealership after purchasing, cause according to dealer was defective battery. Battery was replaced. Eleven months later I experienced engine had slow cranking to start and lights dimmed when air compressor engaged and the car was at low rpms. Radio then turned off lights went out, and vehicle almost stalled. Turned off air, radio and lights (luckily it was sundown not dark yet) and proceeded home. Contacted dealership and once again problem was attributed to defective battery. Battery was replaced. It should be noted that Hyundai had increased the output of the alternator in the newer Santa Fe models to 110amp output. It would seem that they have noted the inadequate output of the earlier alternator. I would think this would warrant an investigation into the retrofitting of earlier vehicles to the higher output alternator. Also discussions with other Santa Fe owners that have this make and model have in some instances obtained a replacement for the upgraded alternator through warranty.

Battery charge indicator showed a long term "low" charge level, and during very hot weather, battery failed to start vehicle due to alternator not keeping battery charged up properly.

Will like this resolved by hyunday America as soon as possible. No safety defec tlisted.

Occasionaly as I drive at night the headlights will dim, clock will flash, and the windshield wipers will slow down because the alernator will not charge the battery. Occasionaly when I stop and turn the car off I will come back out to restart the car and it will not start because of the battery being dead and not being charged by the alternator. I have already had the battery and alternator replaced once on 7/26/02 and it is starting to do the same thing again. . Read more...

I had the same problem with the electrical system lights dimming wipers going slow radio going off also when I went through a puddle in the rain something got wet in the engine and started to smell . I went to Hyundai in manhattan and they fixed the problem. So far so good keeping my fingers crossed.

The first time it happened, we were stopped at light and the radio started to go out and the clock light dimmed. We took it to the local dealership and they replaced the battery (it sat on the ship too long and drained the battery). About a month later, the same thing happened and they said that the connections to the battery were corroded and that I must clean the connections every 3k miles. . . Yeah right! another month went by and the dome lights began fading, the car was very slow to turn over, and the a. C. Would barely work. This time they replaced the alternator. Finally, this weekend, the stupid thing wouldn't turn over, leaving my wife and 4 month old child stranded in 95+ degree texas heat. The dealership has left me a message right at business end today stating that the "new" alternator is expected in on Wednesday but that they have "interesting" news to report on this problem. I anxiously await to see what this might be. It is very frustrating to have our entire life rearranged 4 times, especially since this is a new vehicle. The worst part is that I love the way the Santa Fe drives, feels, looks. Just wish I didn't have to use the stupid warranty this much. Just hope this is not happening to every Santa Fe owner as I know these cars are big sellers! thanks for the opportunity to vent!.

Hyundai will not replace alternator with higher output.

The car "misses" so badly it will not accelerate. In addition, it periodically dies while idling. This vehicle has had numerous electrical issues. Hyundai has replaced the alternator and the battery with higher output equipment and the problems have worsened.

Alternator/battery problems: lights dim, windshield wiper delay changes speed, electric windows slow at times.

When the problem happened the first time, the radio started turned off by itself. I was in the parking lot of a store. I went in and did my shopping and then went to another store. When I got done at the 2nd store, the car wouldn't start. I had someone give me a jump start as the road side assistance was going to take 3 hours. I drove the car to the dealership and dropped it off. That was a Saturday and they were already closed. By the time they looked at it on Monday, the car started. The 2nd time it happened, I was on my lunch break. The radio started to go off by itself again and the interior lights began to dim out. I drove it again to the dealership so they could see what it was doing. They said it was the alternator. They replaced the alternator and 5 days later it began again. I was stopped at a stop light when my radio turned off and the lights dimmed out again. The car was wanting to stall out again. When I turned it off, it wouldn't start again. They replaced the battery. Another 5 days later, it happened again. They replace the alternator and the battery. It was in the shop a total of 4 times. They said the upgraded alternator and the gel battery they installed will keep it from happening again, but said the texas heat in August had some effect on it. We will see what happens again in August. So far so good. I just wanted to report it and just found out where to do it.

Vehicle dash brake and alternator lights come on when vehicle splashes through water puddles. On all occasions I also lose power steering constrol. The dealer's response to the problem reported is simply not to splash water while going over puddles. This is very difficult to do during thunder storms for which tampa bay is well known. Water is obviously getting into the alternator and wetting the power steering system. On one occasion I lost power steering as I was negotiating a right turn. Very dangerous situation. Mr.