Three problems related to engine head gasket leaking have been reported for the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe based on all problems reported for the 2007 Santa Fe.
Hyundai dealer informed me that valve cover gasket is leaking onto alternator which will cause it to fail. Estimated out of pocket cost to repair is over $700. This is the same problem that caused the recall on the Hyundai vera cruz. I'm afraid that the alternator will fail at speed causing loss of power and diminish braking and steering capability.
While travelling on expressway at 65 mph our 2007 Santa Fe suddenly lost all power and we had to pull over to the emergency lane. A defective valve cover gasket leaked oil on the alternator causing it to short out and be damaged beyond repair. Hyundai have a recall (#121) on the 2007-2012 veracruz for the exact same problem. Clearly the Santa Fe needs to be included in the 121 recall. My family and I were placed in danger as we were in the left lane on a busy expressway and had to quickly merge over to the emergency lane on the right side while quickly losing speed. Additionally, the cost of repair was $750 for the alternator and gasket cover replacement.
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. Consumer writes in regards to oil leak from front cylinder valve cover. The consumer stated a leak was formed, because the studs that held the valve cover in place were stripped, thus allowing oil to leak past the gasket, and then over the alternator. The consumer stated the failure occurred twice.