general problems of the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe

Rusted out subframe, less than 95k miles. No “salt belt” treatment offered to this vehicle. Vehicle in ohio since bought. Took to dealer for engine recall, found $1200 subframe replacement bill. Car was garage stored all of the time.

The rear and drive unit is having issues loud popping sound when driving this is a major safety concern, and seems to be a huge problem across the board as I’ve been reading about on Hyundai forums.

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while reversing out of his driveway at 1 mph, the front end on the passenger’s side of the vehicle collapsed almost causing the wheel to detach. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. There was no injury sustained. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the control arm and ball joint had shattered. The contact stated that the vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the arrival of the replacement part. The manufacturer was contacted and provided the contact a case number. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

I was backing up to turn around and as I was turning my steering wheel I heard and felt very loud pulsing thumps coming from the front of the vehicle. I got out and saw my drivers side front wheel was leaning out from the vehicle. The arm broke of from my wheel also I found out when I had it repaired the axel also broke!! good thing I wasn't on a highway or driving I or others might have been hurt or worse!!!.

Prior to contacting NHTSA we contacted Hyundai and informed them that the bottom of the vehicle has rusted through and we can see the bottom of the interior in this vehicle when the car is on a lift (this was pointed out to us by a third party repair shop and not the dealer). It appears that Hyundai may be concealing data from NHTSA regarding corrosion problems on its vehicles. What is clear is that Hyundai is shirking its safety obligations and will not cover corrosion, regardless of whether it is functional or safety, if the warranty has expired. Based on prior dealings with NHTSA I know that recalls are not limited to the warranty period if vehicle safety is in question. When we contacted Hyundai, their excuse for why the vehicle had a massive hole in the undercarriage was that the vehicle is driven primarily in illinois and illinois uses salt on the roads in winter. If I'm not mistaken, more than half of the vehicles in the us are driven on roads that are salted in the winter. This excuse is simply not acceptable and perhaps NHTSA needs to prohibit Hyundai from selling vehicles in the northern half of the us if this is going to be Hyundai's attitude. I've never had this problem with any other manufacturer.

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle began to hydroplane without warning. The contact stated that the steering failed and, due to the contact attempting to apply the brakes, the vehicle began to spin. The vehicle crashed into the road divider. The passenger side of the vehicle was damaged. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed. A police report was filed. The contact received shoulder and back injuries, which required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ball bearings on the front axle were worn out. The tie rods were replaced, but the calipers needed to be replaced also. The vehicle was repaired. The body of the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the esc and abs sensors illuminated. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tires and brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

My 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe limited has a vibration between 40 - 60 mph and Hyundai has not been able to locate the problem. I have been back to the dealer 4 times. They have eliminated the tires as being involved with the problem. Tires and wheels have been rebalanced a number of times including putting on a new set of tires with the same vibration. Most important the same problem has been observed by the Hyundai service department as well as myself on three other brand new 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe's. My car has approximately 1,400 miles. I am in touch with Hyundai consumer affairs but no resolution at this point.