2003 Hyundai Santa Fe power train problems

“WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN JUNE OF 2014 WITH 62,450 MILES ON IT. THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR WERE IN GREAT SHAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A HYUNDAI DEALER IN JULY FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE REAR SUSPENSION PER A RECALL. AT THAT TIME A COMPLETE INSPECTION WAS DONE, WITH ONLY A SMALL OIL LEAK FOUND ON ONE AXLE SHAFT. TWO MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL FOR A BROKEN SPRING. AT THIS TIME A SECOND INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED. THIS TIME SEVERAL ISSUES WERE FOUND FROM CORROSION INCLUDING LEAKING TRANSMISSION LINES, LEAKING ENGINE OIL PAN, LEAKING BOOTS AT THE FRONT DRIVE AXLES REQUIRING THEM BOTH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE HYUNDAI DEALER STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE WITH THIS LEVEL OF CORROSION. ALL COMPONENTS UNDER THE VEHICLE HAVE EXTENSIVE CORROSION WITH APPARENTLY A RAPID RATE OF DETERIORATION. THE VEHICLE IS USED ONLY ON-ROAD BEING DRIVEN BY OUR SON TO AND FROM COLLEGE. THE DEALER HAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE RAPID DETERIORATION. ALL UNDER BODY COMPONENTS APPEAR TO BE VULNERABLE TO THIS HIGH LEVEL OF DETERIORATION. THE DEALER IS WILLING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT THE DEALER…”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN IGNITION KEY WAS REMOVED, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE GEAR WAS IN PARK BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SLOWLY MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION PIN CONTROLLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000. UPDATED 7/7/14*CN UPDATED 07/14/2014 *JS”

“3 TIMES THIS HAPPENED ON SAID DAY. DRIVING ON FREEWAY. WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON CAR LURCHED FORWARD JERKING ALL THREE OF US. A COUPLE DAYS LATER SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE GREEN. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AGAIN. TOSSING ME BACK CAUSING MY FOOT TO COME OFF THE BRAKE! LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET MY FOOT BACK ON THE BRAKE BEFORE I MOVED TOO MANY FEET INTO THE CROSSWALK. I SPOKE TO BEAVERTON HYUNDAI AND THEY SAID THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THIS... I MENTIONED IT WAS OUT ON THE INTERNET AND ON THE HYUNDAI FORUM. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THEIR FORUM THEREFORE THEY DON'T LOOK AT IT... I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 10 YEARS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THROUGH THE YEARS I HAVE DRIVEN THIS CAR BUT IT IS GETTING WORSE AND SCARIER!! *TR”

“THE PASSENGER FROM SUB FRAME BROKE DROPPING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BENDING THE WHEEL OUT. THIS WAS AT BIG O TIRES CHECKING ALIGNMENT. I SEE THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT ON THIS MATTER COVERING 2001-2003 SANTAFE'S. THE FRONT SUB FRAME MUST BE REPLACED. *TR”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE INTO GEAR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.”

“CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NEW SHOCKS, STRUTS, AND FRONT DRIVE AXLES. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO SEEMS TO ENGAGE SUDDENLY WHEN MOVING FORWARD FROM COMPLETE STOP. REGULAR MAINT. AND TRANSMISSION INSPECTION PERFORMED. *TR”