2004 Hyundai Santa Fe: engine failure

Filed Dec 11, 2020 · Engine · 125,000 miles · AZ

I have a 2004 hyundia santa fe and the engine started with loud knocking sounds in my driveway. I had it toll to avondale earnhardt hyundia's dealership. The diagostic was "found engine knock can be heard at bottom end of engine. Failure in rod bearings is causing excessive noise in bottom end. Engine required" replacement. The car has 125,000 miles which exceeds the 100,000 powertrain warranty. However, my engine failure is the same as the current "engine failure recalls (theta ii engines) caused by manufacturing processes. Except the 2004 hyundia santa fe was not included on the recall list. I spoke and submitted twice a compliant to hyundia customer care department to replace my engine and was denied an engine replacement. I have been without a car since november 20, 2020. Today, customer care department notified me by phone of the second rejection. I am an elderly woman and retired, so finances are limited. I feel that the engine should be replaced because that the "fair thing to do". The engine should not have failed so early in its life-cycle. I would appreciate your review and a solution to this problem. Perhaps a recall on my vehicle.

Filed Dec 18, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 161,516 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that while exiting a parking lot, the steering wheel and brakes seized as the vehicle veered to the left without warning. The failure caused the contact to slightly go over a curb however, the contact was able to apply force and pull the vehicle to the side and park. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 161,516.

Filed Jun 19, 2012 · 67,700 miles · AZ

Stopped at intersection, with my foot on the break, the SUV lurches forward and jerks. I placed it in park while waiting for the light to change. I was concerned that I would hit the car in front of me. I drove 2 hours and noticed continued misfiring and jerking while driving. It was ok when the engine was cool, but felt unsteady when up to temp. After being parked in grocery parking lot, while backing up the car stalled, I restarted and drove home. Took it to mechanics next day. At the hyundai dealer now. They could not get any codes and the engine failure light never showed. The mechanic, said that he was 90% sure that replacing the timing belt/crank shaft position sensor/balancer shaft belt/pick up plate would correct the problem...this didn't work and the dealer asked to keep it a 5th night. I have not heard from them as of yet. I'm concerned that my car will not be repaired and am afraid to drive it.

Filed Apr 3, 2011 · Engine, Suspension · 40,000 miles · ME

The driver's side coil spring broke on my 2004 hyundai santa fe at 40,000 miles. I was driving down a street and there was a loud explosion type sound, my vehicle actually felt like it jumped, all the dash lights came on and the engine died. I wrestled with the wheel to get the car over to the side of the road but I was still in the road. There was a woman in front of me getting out of her car with a toddler and I came close to hitting them as I tried to control my truck. I'm so glad I wasn't going faster than 10-15 MPH. The repair agent said he'd never seen this happen at less than 100k+ miles, and it took out the brake line and fuel line on that side as well. Total cost will be $1500. As the timing belt also needs changing. Not happy. I see many other complaints of this situation (coil spring going on hyundai santa fe at low mileage), but I don't see any kind of reparation offered by the company or any recall. There should be - this is not acceptable. I'm not likely to buy a hyundai again.

Filed Sep 16, 2009 · Engine · 60,086 miles · CA

I've owned 2 santa fe's in a row (2001 & 2004). Both had engine failures around 60,000 miles (both on freeway). The 2004 failed at night in the middle of the arizona desert- these both presented me with a very serious safety hazard. I was driving at 70 MPH when the engine lost power and made a terrible noise. I end up getting towed over 150 miles to hyundai dealer. Small block failed and was replaced in both- hyundai covered the 2001 but only covered 35% of the 2004 (86 miles out of warranty). Never buy hyundai's again!!!

Filed May 12, 2009 · Steering · 60,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 hyundai santa fe. The contact heard a noise similar to liquid touching a hot surface. An independent mechanic confirmed that the air conditioner was leaking onto the pipes, the rack and pinion, and the fuel tank cover, which has also caused them to rust. The contact has an extended five year warranty; however, the dealer stated that they would only make repairs when the steering fails completely, which could result in a crash. She informed the dealer that a mechanic changed the fluids and stated that the crankshaft could have seized due to the rust and caused a loss in steering control. The mechanic performed regular maintenance checks per the mileage requirements. The transmission fluid, serpentine belt, timing belt, air conditioner belt, and power steering fluid were replaced in april of 2009. In march of 2009, the vehicle underwent frequent oil changes and tire replacements at the dealer. At that time, she was never informed of any rust being present. The independent mechanic confirmed that the rust occurred over time. The invoices for all repairs and maintenance work is available. The contact asked the dealer to speak with the mechanic for specific details, but was unsuccessful. She is familiar with the magnusen-mofact 1975 title 15, chapter 50 , sections 2301 -2312 of the u.s. Federal code, which authorizes her to have repairs performed by a repair facility other than the dealer. The current mileage was 61,000 and failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Nov 24, 2008 · Engine · 48,600 miles · NY

Engine- defective short block engine car is back in shop now for the 5th time for the same problem. Check engine light on, loud rattling noises coming from engine. Dealer informed me it's a defective factory engine. Brand new short block engine replaced twice and car now back in shop for same problem. No longer feel safe in this vehicle, as twice I had to be towed to dealer b/c of engine failure and I had my 2 yr old son with me. In reviewing this website, I see countless numerous and similar complaints! The engine is the heart of a car so how many new hearts is hyundai willing to put in this one car? It cost more to fix this problem than to just accept the loss and properly compensate me! Repairs are as follows: new short block engine installed; return car same day b/c engine felt "loose"; told it was the sway bar links- installed same day; car still felt loose, next day check engine light on- car returned. This time told it was strut top needed to be replaced- done. Picked up car, 2 days later back in shop for same initial loud engine noise and check engine light on again. Told same problem with short block engine to be defective. Ordered brand new short block engine and replaced again! Picked up car after repair and again, same day, brought the car back b/c check engine light on again! Car presently still in shop and I'm forced to contact an attorney b/c the hyundai's consumer affairs states as long as the dealer keeps fixing the problem, they are not interested in offering me any compensation. How much more money are they willing to give this dealer before they realize this car is not worth another $6,500 repair bill?

Filed Oct 6, 2008 · Engine · 73,010 miles · AZ

Was driving on the freeway doing freeway speeds at 5:30 am going to work when my truck just shut down. Check engine light came on, I lost all power coasted about 300 feet, pulled off on left and engine died and would not restart. Come to find out, timing belt went bad, also had to replace the crank position sensor. I've got less than 75000 miles on this truck and am very upset that this is not covered on the warranty and that the parts they use to put these trucks together are so cheap!

Filed Nov 15, 2004 · Engine · 4,400 miles · VA

My husband and I purchased a 2004 hyundai santa fe in septmeber of this year (2004). 2 months later, the engine blew. Hyundai is offering only to replace the engine. However, their lack of customer service is appaling. No one returns my calls, I constantly have to follow up with them. We initally felt that a new comparable vehicle was more appropriate. They seem very unconcerned that the car died on a highway in the dark and that my husband and 6 month old son had no heat for an hour nor that they could have been involved in an accident when the engine died. Safety of their customers should be the #1 priority.