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2011 Hyundai Santa Fe electrical problems
25 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 80,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 25
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- typical mileage
- 80,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Instrument cluster/panel1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Hyundai Santa Fe electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles equipped with Theta II and Lambda II engines (approximately 1.3 million vehicles). ODI also reviewed field data of other Hyundai vehicles equipped with Theta II, Gamma, Nu and Lambda engines (approximately 4.8 million). As a result of this PE, Hyundai has issued the federal safety agency Recalls 20V‑746 and 21V‑727 to address potential engine failures and fires in certain Hyundai vehicles equipped with various engine types. Additional information on these and other related recall actions is available in the downloadable version of this resume available at In addition, ODI has upgraded this PE to an Engineering Analysis (EA) 21-003 which will focus on potential recall scope concerns and recall remedy concerns related to the engine failure rewlated recalls mentioned above and conducted previously. See the EA21-003 Opening Resume available at for more information. Also available in the downloadable version of this resume is a list of the reference numbers for the 302 ODI reports, or Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs), cited above which ODI received through mid-November 2021. Note that the Manufacturer reports cited above are customer complaints received through March 2019.
PE19003
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the federal safety agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition. CAS stated that there is a higher number of complaints to the federal safety agency regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) had already opened Recall Queries (RQ17-003 and RQ17-004) on all Kia and Hyundai vehicles equipped with Theta II engines for engine failures that may cause stalling and fires.The queries cover most of the petition subject Optima, Sorento, Sonata, and Santa Fe vehicles but not any of the subject Soul vehicles.On August 21, 2018, ODI opened a Defect Petition (DP18-003) to evaluate whether to grant or deny the CAS petition. ODI sent Information Request letters to Kia and Hyundai (September and October 2018) requesting information on all engine and non-engine related fires in the petition vehicles.ODI performed extensive analysis on the information obtained from Kia and Hyundai. During the DP18-003 analysis, Kia and Hyundai each initiated three additional safety recalls related to engine compartment fires on certain petitioned and non-petitioned vehicles (nearly 740,000 total vehicles: Recalls 18V‑907, 18V‑934, 19V‑101, 19V‑063, 19V‑120, and 19V‑204). Based on ODI?s review of the applicable materials, including responses to Information Requests sent to multiple manufacturers, Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ), and Early Warning Data, the federal safety agency decided to grant the petition.The CAS petition was granted on March 29, 2019. Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) have been opened to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety-related consequences of alleged defects relating to non-collision vehicle fires in the 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe, and 2010-2015 Kia Soul.Attached is a list of the reference numbers for the 404 VOQs cited above.
DP18003
What 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While driving about 35mph a fast ticking sound came from the turn signal/steering column area then it started smoking so I turned on the turn signal and it stopped ticking I almost panicked. Incident has happened 2 more time's but I put on the turn signal quickly before it overheated and it did not smoke. The car has not been to a service center or dealer and there we no warning lights on or prior symptoms
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, the contact stated smoke was coming from the steering column. The contact drove the vehicle back to their residence. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to local dealer (horne hyundai 1360 e auto center dr, apache junction, az 85119 (480) 771-8213) where it was diagnosed with needing turn signals to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
When trying to start the truck using the remote starter the area where the turning switch is stared to smoke and the smell of burning wire was smelt and the sound like my hazard light was heard I turned the truck off then turn it back on the noise was gone. The truck was stationary( park) and the turning switch was not being used, and the headlight was off . I was trying to warm the truck up.
Normal driving turn signal lever started ticking began smoking from the base continues to tick intermittently and smokes in motion while driving on highway
This is to make aware of potential/ possible engine fire cause in some hyundai vehicles. I own a 2011 santa fe. At less than 70k miles the oil light began to flicker and leak oil. Dealership indicated I ruined engine and I was responsible for all repair costs due to bla bla bla. I took vehicle to independent shop and they found and replaced defective oil pressure switch hyundai #9475037000 which leaked oil onto top engine, created a large pool of hot oil that sat there hidden under other components. ( fire hazard ). Then- at 130k miles it happened again. Repeat replacement of genuine defective oil pressure switch and hot oil on engine (fire hazard) contacted hyundai to explain the fire hazard defective oil switch issue. All they could say was take it to dealership. Well I did just that the first time this happened so why go back and go thru the same bs. The 2 switches failing and hidden oil pools on a hot engine should be a red flag and maybe an answer to all the past car fires reported here. Included is photo of the defective parts that where replaced. Note- the switch location is in the v cavity under the intake manifold. Impossible to see and if it starts spewing hot oil out there's no way see it.
Something in the engine , harness or module , allows the computer to overheat suddenly , through 3 batters and 2 alternators in 4 months last alternator lasted 2 drives... Car dies nancy depressive light show and died then the battery and alternator is fried. Hyundia dealership refusing to check harness or module because my VIN number isn't listed in recall although my car is in the recall. The car has died 4 times requiring towing. The car died when driving after about 10 miles . Car has brand new battery. Starter works fine. It died in the middle if a streetceach time twice was at night. And I am a disabled woman who uses a wheelchair. Monday june 24th was the most recent time at 1 pm in 104 degree heat for 5 hours with a heart condition which was doubly dangerous situation. The battery died eventually leaving me with no hazards. What to charge me to replace a 3 rd alternator without checking harness or module a scam!
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that after the brake pedal was released, the brakes became stuck. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear brakes and brake pads needed to be replaced. The brakes were replaced three times; however, the failure recurred. In addition, the contact stated that the battery warning indicator illuminated continuously. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Blinkers keep going on by themselves. Smoke coming from steering column. Happens when car is running whether driving or in park.
After signaling lane change/turn from highway, turn signal switch continued clicking when turn was completed and turn signal was in off position. Smoke was coming from the left front vent. The following day, started the vehicle, clicking continued, turn signals were in the off position, left signal was flashing. I removed fuse box cover inside vehicle and smelled the odor of something burning. Contacted hyundai and was advised there is no recall involving signals.
Questions about the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe electrical
Does the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 25 complaints about the electrical of the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe, 14% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 80,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe electrical?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Hyundai Santa Fe have the most electrical problems?
The Hyundai Santa Fe model years with the most electrical complaints are 2007 (97 complaints), 2008 (74 complaints) and 2017 (70 complaints).
Other 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Engine 72Acceleration 24Brakes 22Transmission 21Steering 20Suspension 16Lights 14Body 10Fuel system 8Airbags 7Driver assistance 7Visibility 6Wheels 4Locks 1Seat belts 1Tires 1
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