2003 Hyundai Santa Fe acceleration problems

Filed May 4, 2018 · Acceleration · 53,521 miles · OH

While driving or stopped the vehicle would accelerate to the highest rate of speed, on it's own, and I had to put it in neutral to stop an accident from happening. This happened more than once, almost fatally injuring several pedestrians. We took it to the dealer for repair and it was so unsafe due to the acceleration problem they wouldn't even drive it ! I had to have it towed back and forth to the dealer twice before they could even figure out what the problem was. Now they are saying it is the throttle body assembly. $1,753.11 for a vehicle that was garaged and only driven in the winter. 53,567 miles on it. For a part that regulates your speed? This is not the first time this is reported - there was a case in japan where people actually died - after going to court they said it was driver error - stepping on the gas instead of the brake. I highly doubt it now - there are many more cases and repairs like this one - someone needs to do a little research. I for one would like a little help - I'm 73 years old and bought this car new - it's always been taken care of - the dealer has the records.

Filed Oct 11, 2016 · Acceleration · 67,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai santa fe. While at a completed stop, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The contact had to depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing;, however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.

Filed Jun 3, 2016 · Acceleration · 110,000 miles · MA

Random unintended gradual acelleration. Happens at any speed. Feels like when you resume cruise control to a higher speed. Except it doesn"t stop and continues acellerating. Though it may not be related to the cruise control at all. Pumping the gas pedal once stops the acelleration. Although last time it took 2 tries. Can live with it. So far anyway. But don't want to sell it without fixing the problem. The hyundai dealership is no help. Happens maybe 3 or 4 times a week (100 miles).

Filed May 16, 2014 · Acceleration · 95,000 miles · CA

The accelerator pedal position sensor had just been replaced. Three blocks from the mechanic, while stopped at a red light, the vehicle unexpectedly increased acceleration. The brake pedal was applied to no avail. The e-brake was applied. Vehicle kept lurching forward against the restraint, then died. Ten minutes later, vehicle started and was returned to mechanic to avoid accident or injury. No cause has yet been found. Approximate mileage was 95,000.

Filed Jan 16, 2013 · Acceleration · 70,000 miles · IL · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle and applying the brakes, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a building. The contact was not injured however, a police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was not inspected for the cause of the acceleration failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Dec 10, 2012 · Acceleration · 99,606 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact then engaged the emergency brake, causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the failure recurred. The vehicle was diagnosed with a stuck throttle. The throttle, brakes and rotors were all replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure and current mileage was 99,606.

Filed Jul 16, 2012 · Acceleration · 80,000 miles · PA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly increased acceleration. The brake pedal was applied repeatedly; however failed to reduce speed and crashed into the proceeding vehicle. There were no personal injuries and a police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle sustained minor damage to the front end bumper and was not towed. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Nov 28, 2011 · Acceleration · 99,714 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was caused by a fractured cruise control cable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 99,714.

Filed Nov 1, 2011 · Acceleration · 84,500 miles · AZ

My vehicle experienced unintended acceleration while traveling down a busy road traveling at a speed of 55 MPH. The vehicle did not slow down while applying the brakes at full force. The vehicle did eventually slow down to a speed of about 40-45 MPH at which point I was able to successfully make a right hand turn at that speed! Once off the main highway, I was able to shift the car into neutral and turn it off to a complete stop! The vehicle was towed to the nearest hyundai dealership. A diagnosis was made that the accelerator cable assembly was damaged and needed to be replaced. At this time, the repair has not been completed as the dealership cannot have the part there until thursday, which is 3 days after the incident occurred! I cannot stress enough how dangerous and scary this situation was! Luckily, this time, no one was injured or killed, but the potential for that outcome was definitely there. I have seen other reports of this occurring with this model vehicle. I hope hyundai takes responsibility to permanently correct this potentially live threatening issue!

Filed Sep 6, 2011 · Acceleration · MN

Please reference the original complaint that was filed in june 2010. The ref. No. Is 10351059. The above vehicle is still exhibiting "unintended acceleration" and hyundai refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem with this vehicle and other like vehicles. Since the original complaint the vehicle has had "unintended acceleration" about 10 times. Whoever drives the vehicle always keeps their hand on the shift control and shifts into neutral when coming to a stop at an intersection. We may be contacted by phone for more information concerning this problem.