One problem related to engine failure has been reported for the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe based on all problems reported for the 2001 Santa Fe.
The vehicle has stalled twice while driving up to speeds of 60 mph. There is no power, no gas, nothing. The second time it stalled I was in the caldecott tunnel, highway 24, berkeley CA. Driving at a speed of 60 mph. There is no place to pull over for safety. Thankfully the tunnel is on a downhill slope, and I was able to coast out of the tunnel and pull over to the side of the road. The tunnel is an extremely dangerous place for engine failure. The first time I experienced engine failure was on a two lane road outside of antioch, CA. At night driving by myself. It is an terrifying feeling to be driving at speeds of 55-60 mph and have the vehicle shut off completely. There is no warning. I have taken this vehicle in several times for service, whining timing chain, several times, and each time the vehicle was not repaired. Now with the engine stall problems I am very afraid that I or others driving with me as well as other vehicles on the road may injured or worse killed due to this major defect in this car. I babysit my grandchildren on a regular basis and fear for their safety as well. I tried contacting Hyundai at their 1800 number and there was no extension available to speak to someone in order to file a claim. Also after waiting 20 minutes to get through it sent me to voice mail. The car is now at Hyundai in concord, California waiting for service. I was without a car for one week the first time it was supposedly repaired after the first stall. Besides being fearful of my safety and the safety of others I will now have to go without a vehicle again for a length of time. Dt.