43 complaints reported

2011 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
43
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Sep 2025

CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. With no prior indications, the engine seized while driving on side street at 25mph. Engine blew hole in block and dumped engine parts, including piston rod, piston and engine block remnants, and oil on street. Very dangerous as power steering stopped and was unable to turn. Very low miles, 40,680, with all maintenance performed by dealer. Filed a report with Hyundai USA, no action taken.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2025
Jan 2025 Fire

The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a burning odor and the vehicle stalled. The contact idled the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and exited the vehicle. The vehicle burst into flames after the occupants exited the vehicle. The contact's daughter and daughter's friend were occupants of the vehicle at the time of the failure. No injuries were sustained. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned to total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 280,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2024
Oct 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that on six occasions over 12 months, the vehicle overheated while driving at various speeds. Additionally, the contact observed white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe on the rear passenger’s side and the front of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated during the last failure. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle was taken to the residence, and on other occasions, the vehicle was towed to an independent dealer where it was diagnosed that the thermostat housing and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred several times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2022
Feb 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the charger indicator warning light illuminated and the engine seized. The battery was recharged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed valve cover gasket leak and that the valve cover gasket and the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was scheduled to be taken to the dealer for inspection within the week. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 126,600. The VIN was unavailable.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2024
Jun 2023

I was driving the car on a 4 lane road when suddenly the engine shut off and the car was no longer functioning. I lost power steering and had to coast into a nearby parking lot, otherwise I would have caused a major accident in the middle of a busy intersection with another 4 lane road. Upon taking the car to Hyundai for evaluation, it was declared to be total engine failure. Given the other issues with Hyundai engines failing and the fact that I VERY NARROWLY AVOIDED A MASSIVE COLLISION, I would like NHTSA to be aware that this problem may go back farther than Hyundai has addressed so far.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2023
Jan 2023

My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe had 75,000 miles on it in September 2022. It was bought and serviced by the same dealership and I am the original owner. It was last serviced at the end of June 2022. While returning from Corvallis, Oregon to Forest Grove, Oregon, the car's display light all turned on and a second late the car completely stopped. I am thankful that I decided to take the back road home, if I had been on the highway, I am positive I would have been in a serious accident. It has been determined by the dealership that there was a complete engine failure. It has been at the Hyundai dealership for four months now and there is no replacement engine available for it. Not only that, they can't get a reasonably priced replacement engine anywhere. This car would have been a valuable trade in on a new car. The Diagnosis was Engine crankshaft seized. Metal particles on Dipstick, large metal fragments on oil filter, Engine replacement required. The car is now worthless, expect for parts.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2022
Jul 2022 Fire

UNKNOWN warning I’m the owner of a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe and a week ago at 185k mikes all of a sudden driving on the freeway it started hesitating and sounded like metal grinding and smoking really bad. Pulled to the side of the freeway on a ramp at that. Tried to restart the vehicle and I heard a bang noise which upon later discovery the engine blew a rod with no warning locked the steering wheel couldn’t get the keys out of the ignition DO NOT buy this car still owe 5k on the vehicle

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2022
Jul 2022

ENGINE STALLS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2022
Sep 2021 Fire

We have (had) a 2011 Hyundai Sante Fe. On 9/21/21, driving to Bozeman, just west of Livingston MT, on I-90, the car had a sudden stalling, loss of power (check engine light, oil light came on), then knocking sound that increased in volume and frequency. Smoke began pouring from under the hood as we pulled to the side of the highway, then very quickly accompanied by flames. We exited the vehicle. I opened the hood, the flames shot into the air. We moved away from the car. 911 had been called and the local fire department arrived within 10-15 minutes. Fire extinguished after about 20-30 minutes, but engulfed (destroyed) the entire engine compartment. Flames did not spread to passenger area of the vehicle. No one injured from the fire (although possible smoke inhalation before and as we exited vehicle). Car totaled, towed from highway. 1. Component: engine, all components in engine compartment (available for inspection, see photos uploaded); 2. Safety threat: smoke, fire quickly engulfed engine compartment, threat of spread to passenger area of vehicle; 3. Not yet confirmed by dealer or independent service center; 4. Inspection: by police/fire department that responded to the incident indicating mechanical malfunction, without further detail; 5. Warnings: check engine light and oil light occurred prior to or at time of incident and before severe knocking sounds began, but at same time as stalling/power loss.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2021
Nov 2020

CAR SMOKING FROM EXAHUST SINCE AROUND 42000 MILES OIL SMOKE STARTED IN 2017 . I HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP ABOUT 8 TIMES IN 3 YEARS NOW OIL ALL IN THE SPARKPLUGS USING OVER A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES NOW HAS 56000 MILES AND UNABLE TO DRIVE IT. DEALSHIP TELLING ME THEY WILL HAVE CAR FOR ONE MONTH OR MORE WITH NO REPLACEMENT CAR GIVEN HAVE BEEN TOLD MAY NOT FIX REPLACE THE MOTOR I CALLED MAIN COMPANY EARLIER THIS YEAR. NOTHING WAS DONE.SMOKES AT START UP SMOKES OUT MY GARAGE . THEN CAR WAS SHIMMING WHEN DRIVING AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON .

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2017
Jul 2020

CAR STARTED SMOKING BLUE SMOKE OUT OF THE EXHAUST AT 45,000 MILES WAS NEVER TREATED FOR AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS SUCH A THING WAS NOT ADVISED AT THAT TIME NOW 3 YEARS LATER SUV ONLY HAS 56,000 IT USED 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN 1700 MILES. SINCE I DON'T DRIVE IT MUCH THEY ARE SAYING I HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN SINCE I HAD NOT BEEN IN SINCE MAY 2020. IT IS NOW JULY DRIVEN IT 1300 MILE I WAS TOLD MUST START CONSUMPTION TEST FROM BEGINNING NOT WITH IN THE 1000 MILE RANGE . THEY NEVER FILED OUT ANY CONSUMPTION CHART TO START WITH . THIS CAR ONLY HAS ONE YEAR REMAINING ON WARRANTY AND THEY ARE TRYING TO RUN OUT THE WARRANTY WITHOUT FIXING IT. CAR SMOKES UP MY WHOLE GARAGE UPON STARTING , IT HAS COVERED PEOPLE UP WITH BLUE SMOKE IT THEY ARE BEHIND ME IN A PARKING LOT. I CAN NOT UPLOADED. A DOCUMENT

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2017
Apr 2020

ENGINE BLOWN SHORTLY AFTER 'SERVICE ENGINE' LIGHT CAME ON

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2020
Jun 2019

THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A LOW END ENGINE RATTLE DURING IDLE. THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY ON ACCELERATION. TODAY THE ENGINE FAILED. IT WON'T TURN OVER AT ALL. IT'S SEIZED UP. I CHECKED THE OIL AND THE OIL IS FULL. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS 2 YEARS OLD. I'VE USED SYNTHETIC OIL AND CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3 - 4,000 MILES. THE SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THE ONES ON THE SONATA AND OTHER VARIOUS MODELS. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED HERE IN THE STATES. AN ENGINE IS A HUGE EXPENSE. ESPECIALLY IF IT'S DUE TO MANUFACTURER NEGLIGENCE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HYUNDAI OR KIA AGAIN AT THIS POINT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2019
May 2019

MY 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE CITY STREETS AT A SPEED OF APPROX. 30MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STARTING MAKING A LOUD NOISE IN THE ENGINE. FOUND THE ENGINE HAS A BENT ROD. THE CAR HAS 110,000 MILES AND HAS HAD A REGULAR OIL CHANGE EVER SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM. ALL OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED OR OWN NOW LAST WELL OVER 200,000 MILES. HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE HOME 80 MILES. HOPE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. NEVER HAD A WARNING THIS WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. THANK GOODNESS HE WAS ON A CITY STREET..

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2019
Feb 2019

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING OR SYMPTOMS. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. IT NEEDED TO BE TOWED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2019
Jan 2019

MY 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE BEGAN TO DRIVE ROUGH ON THE FREEWAY, SLIGHT TUGGING, RATTLING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 60MPH, CHECK ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND IT STALLED AT RED LIGHT. STARTED IT UP AND THEN STALLED 3 MORE TIMES AT EVERY RED LIGHT ON THE WAY HOME. I ADDED OIL AND MADE SERVICE APPT. BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE DIED ONCE ON THE WAY AND AGAIN AT THE SERVICE CENTER BUT DID NOT START BACK UP. MECHANIC SAID ENGINE FAILED DUE TO CRANK SHAFT SPUN BEARING. SENSORS DID NOT APPEAR IN ADVANCE SENSORS APPEARED TOO LATE CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE. MY CAR IS ONLY 7 YEARS BOUGHT BRAND NEW OUT OF SHOW ROOM NO PREVIOUS MAJOR ISSUES. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON LINE SHOWING SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHERS. UNACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2019
Dec 2018 Fire

WHILE DRIVING HOME ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 12 2018 MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED UP THE WHOLE FRONT END.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2018
Jul 2018

ENGINE NOISE AT COLD START. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT FOR OVER AN HOUR, A LOUD RATTLE NOISE IS HEARD FOR 3-5 SECONDS. THE NOISE IS COMING FROM OIL STARVATION. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED THAT IS A TIMING CHAIN AND GUIDE ISSUE. SEVERAL PEOPLE ONLINE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Feb 2018
Mar 2018

ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND I CANNOT STEER THE WHEEL.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2018
Aug 2017

ON SATURDAY 6/3/17 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A BABY SHOWER WHEN I HEARD A METAL SOUNDING NOISE TOWARDS THE FRONT OF MY CAR AFTER HITTING A BUMP. THE NOISE ONLY HAPPENED ONCE AND WHEN I PULLED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNED MY CAR OFF IT SOUNDED LIKE METAL PARTS FALLING OUT UNDER MY CAR BUT WHEN I CRAWLED UNDER MY CAR NOTHING LOOKED ABNORMAL, SO I GOT BACK IN THE CAR TO START IT AND IT WOULD NOT START. MONDAY 6/5/17 I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO KELLEY RADIATOR TO BE LOOKED AT, AFTER THEM CHECKING EVERYTHING THEY TOLD ME MY ENGINE IS SEIZED. THE OWNER OF KELLEY RADIATOR CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY MY ENGINE SEIZED, HE HAS CHECKED EVERYTHING SUCH AS FLUIDS TO MECHANICAL PARTS AND EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT GOOD. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND ENGINE FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN HYUNDAI CARS. I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI BUT NO RESPONSE . I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS ,FAITHFULLY GETTING OIL CHANGES AND I STILL OWE $12,366.67 ON THIS CAR. I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW ENGINE WITHOUT APPLYING FOR A LOAN AND REALLY CANNOT AFFORD A LAWYER SO ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2017
Jun 2017

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THE FAN IN ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING AFTER VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. RAN BATTERY DOWN. WE COULD HEAR THE FAN RUNNING BUT HAD NO IDEA HOW TO STOP IT. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL YESTERDAY WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS WE COULD NOT HEAR THE FAN RUNNING UNTIL WE POPPED THE HOOD TO JUMP START THE CAR.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2017
May 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V226000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2017
Oct 2016

MULTIPLE TIMES THE ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT IDLE AND AT SPEED. FULL LOSS OF POWER, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH ILLUMINATE, LOUD BANG WHEN AT SPEED. IF YOU PUT IN NEUTRAL AND RE-ENGAGE IGNITION CAR WILL START. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. LAST WAS 9/6

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2016
Oct 2015

WHILE DRIVING THE MOTOR LOCKED UP WITH NO WARNING. NO OIL LEFT IN THE PAN BUT NO LIGHTS CAME ON.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2015
Jul 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE AND SUDDEN DECREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLE FAILED AND A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED BRIEFLY, BUT WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE FAILURE RECURRED; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE STALLED COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED FOR HESITATION OF THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/18/15*LJ

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2015

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe has 43 Engine complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.