2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the fifth of five times that it has happened so far.

While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the fourth of five times that it has happened so far.

While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the THIRD of five times that it has happened so far.

While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the SECOND of five times that it has happened.

While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the first of five times that it has happened.

Engine died suddenly at various speeds and a beeping alarm was activated along with the Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine), Engine Oil Pressure, and Charging System warning lights on the instrument panel. The instrument panel also read, "Engine off! Shift to N, then start engine”. The car must then be coasted off the road to safety. When the car was brought to a stop, the Parking Brake and Brake Fluid warning light was illuminated alongside the other warning lights on the instrument panel. The instrument panel also showed that the car was in Neutral; none of the gear shift buttons were operable. Pressing the start/stop engine button restarted the car, removed all alarms and warning lights, and the car operated normally until the next occurrence. This scenario occurred five times: 4.05.25, 4.15.25 (twice), 4.22.25, and 5.28.25. The odometer readings were 12,250, 12421 and 12,425, 12,454, and 12,976, respectively. I have videos or photos of the instrument panel for all events but the first one, frightened as I was by that initial experience. The car was taken to Hyundai of North Charleston (HONC) for analysis 3 times: 4.16.25, 04.22.25, and 5.29.25. On 4.16.2025 the service advisor told me that they found 2 diagnostic codes, one of which related to the front radar, so it was replaced. I picked the car up on 4.22.25 and drove less than 3 miles when the problem recurred. I immediately returned to HONC. On this visit the front upper camera was replaced. My car was at HONC for 3 weeks waiting on the part and completing the installation. The problem reoccurred on 5.28.25 and the car was taken to HONC on 5.29.25 for inspection. On 5.30.25 the service advisor told me they didn't find any diagnostic codes and could not replicate the problem. The advisor said I could leave the car at HONC or they could "release" to me. I picked the car up on 5.31.25. Afraid to drive the car now, its use has been limited to necessary local trips on roads that have pullover access.

On [XXX] I was on [XXX] in Houston, TX southbound in the Woodlands area when my vehicle warning light for overheating went on. I pulled over on [XXX] and contacted Vehicle Assistance and the vehicle was towed to my dealer, Northwest Houston Hyundai. There was damage to a tube in front of the radiator and a/c condenser. The damage to the tube was approximately 1/16 of an inch in diameter and supposedly was caused by debris entering through the front grille which is designed like a large egg carton. The dealer spokesperson informed me that they had seen many vehicles like mine (2023 Santa Fe) with the same type of damage. I have been trying to settle this with Hyundai but they feel it is normal road damage and that the wide open grille design that allows it is not their problem. I can't even get them to approve a third party screen to protect the engine radiator from further design. They will not answer the question as to whether or not installing this item will void the warranty or not. It's dangerous to break down on a manor highway in a manor city particularly for us senior citizens. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

On [XXX], a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL (VIN: [XXX] ) spontaneously caught fire ~8 hours after parking, per fire report (Walla Walla Fire Dept.). The fire destroyed the hyundai santa fe sel engine compartment and totaled 5 vehicles with a total value of over $400,000 not including personal property to the parties involved. I was not the Hyundai’s renter/operator; the vehicle was rented by a third party from Enterprise. Despite no active recall for this VIN, the vehicle contained: Mando ABS module, Mando EPS module similar to known defective parts of the same year, and Hyundai Mobis tow hitch harness, all of which have known defect/recall history in similar make/Model equivalent vehicles. This case may involve VIN exclusion errors or latent product defects similar to recent defects INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

On two separate occasions, I was a stop light in high traffic. I was unable to drive my vehicle when the light turn green because of  no power. A message display prompting me to "shift to P or N to start engine." Unfortunately, that didn't work. I had to sit there for a few mins, signaling other motorists to go around me. Eventually, I had to restart my vehicle. I panicked because I felt unsafe as I was blocking traffic. I took my vehicle to the dealer and was told that there were no code  after the diagnostic test but yet the technician told me the door on the driver side is not aligned and I need to take it to a mechanic. I never got any alert that my door is open so that diagnosis didn't make sense. I took my vehicle le to the mechanic to check the alignment of the door who in return told me that there was no issue with my alignment. I am scared to drive my vehicle because I don't want to cause an accident.

The purchase price was $35,800. As of today, I have paid a total of $24,590. The vehicle has a manufacturing defect that has significantly impacted its performance. The engine has been problematic, as it appears to be consuming oil, and it often fails to start on the first attempt, requiring me to press the button multiple times. The most concerning issue is that the car can unexpectedly shut off while I am driving. Additionally, there is an abnormal noise coming from the engine. I consider this situation serious, as it poses a significant risk to my safety. These symptoms appear on January 13/2025. I want to emphasize that I have completed all scheduled maintenance on time. I filled out reports regarding this issue, and I have attached two reports that confirm the vehicle is consuming 2 quarts of oil per 1,000 miles, vehicle is consuming oil due manufacturing defect. These reports were given to me by Safford Hyundai.