By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
When you say it's "whiny", it sounds like a transmission problem. Maybe you could explain it better. I.e.,does this sound get louder when you accelerate and/or change when the transmission shifts gears? Is it apparent even when the vehicle is in park?
As for proving you have performed regular oil changes yourself, you may need to produce evidence of at least purchasing the appropriate oil and filters. Otherwise, if you've had the work done by a shop, they should be able to produce a record for you. In any case, I trust you did perform the required maintenance and checked fluids regularly?
The reason they tore the engine down was that they said they heard the whiney sound when they drove it too and that it sounded like an engine problem. So far everyone I've told their story to says the same thing you said-it sounds like a transmission problem. It's hard to describe the sound, but where most cars have just a normal hum when they're running-this one just recently started having a higher pitched hum. It sounds that way all the time but is more apparent when you accelerate. The sound doesn't change when the transmission shifts gears.
They have yet to address the other problems we took it in for. The not starting thing was just one. The same night it wouldn't restart, we had gone out to dinner earlier in the evening & the radio kept going off. As I said, they had just replaced the battery a few months ago. Another thing that has been happening is that the A/C will shut off if you drive it any amount of distance. This has happened on every trip we've taken. You have to turn it completely off, let it rest, then turn it back on. The service manager said that he thinks they've had a bulletin about that one.
Do you work for Hyundai or just know a lot about these cars?
It looks like your dealer's service department is part of the problem. Is there another dealer close enough for you to go to instead? Along with what Jkohler70 said, I'm getting the impression your dealer's techs aren't very experienced and/or bright.
The problem with the radio cutting on and off is usually battery related. When the A/C cuts off, I assume the A/C indicator light also goes off? When you try to restart the A/C does the light fail to stay on? Sounds like you may have an overheating compressor which can be an internal issue, a warped pulley, bad bearing (could cause a whine), or even a belt being too tight.
No, I don't work for Hyundai. I'm just a shade tree mechanic, of sorts, and a car nut. Unfortunately, I also tend to know more than a lot of service writers and so-called technicians. Not all, mind you. There a many very good mechanics out there. It just amazes me what level of competence some dealers are willing to accept. Part of it has to do with a general shortage of good techs and how much the dealers want to pay for experience.
They are saying that when they tore the engine down, there was no damage to the bottom end but that they could tell the car got a little hot. They're saying if we don't produce more oil change receipts, they're not going to perform any warranty work. Do I have any recourse here?
Number two: Demand to see a supervisor at Wal-Mart and, if necessary, have them print you up some form of receipt that shows the services were performed.
Now, as for the dealer saying they can see that the engine got a little hot...what engine doesn't? Ask them to explain what that has to do with oil changes and how, exactly, they could tell it got too hot, i.e., what needs replacing or repair?
Your co-workers are right, I believe. I can't believe you allowed them to tear the engine down already!! Good luck!
Hope your luck starts getting better with the SF!
Steve, Host
One thing I have noticed is a "thunk" or "clunk" sound when I take off from a dead stop. It almost sounds like the spare tire is loose and shifting when the vehicle takes off. Once at speed any further acceleration the sound is not there. Also on deceleration there is no sound either. Only on take off from a dead stop.
I searched the previous messages and didn't see something matching this exactly - has anyone experienced this? I was going to take it to the dealer and have them check it out, but was curious if anyone else has experienced this problem?
Thank you.
1)The repeated mention that this engine lacks power for all but the basic driving needs, such as with highway driving in the mountains and the steep inclines.
2)According to the 0-60 rating among SUV's in the same mid-sized class (CRV, Tribute, Vue, etc), the SF rated within about a second off of the others (Consumer Reports edition on new vehicles this year), yet comments on the "oomph" or pickup say that it lacks. I noticed something similar when test driving, but didn't find it that bad.
3)Handling: It's received decent reviews on ride and comfortability, yet reviews have mentioned that in corners or curvy road conditions, the handling is more sluggish and less responsive.
4)Gas Mileage: Most of the comments on the low mileage are from owners with the 3.5L AWD (rated at like 17/21 mpg as it is), but what have been the results for the 2.7L FWD? I live in L.A. now and am more interested in the mileage for commuting purposes (also why I'm looking at the FWD and not the AWD for the gas mileage). It says 20/26, but would it be closer to 18 or 22 mpg?
Any comments or recommendations on those points would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!
Take it on an extensive test drive yourself. YOU are the best judge of whether or not the 2.7L is adequate or not. Same for what you are worried about on turns.
I would suggest that you not drive the 3.5L unless you personally find the 2.7L lacking. Otherwise, you'll not be happy with the 2.7 because there is a good bit of difference in performance.
I own a 2003 2.7L AWD LX and have found it perfectly fine, even loaded. True, it will kick down too much on it's own when loaded up with people and cargo, but using the manual Shiftronic, you can exercise a lot more control over unecessary downshifts. I might mention, too, that full throttle doesn't garner the same responsiveness that a progressive throttle does. I usually only need to depress the pedal halfway to get the best giddup and go. I consider the Santa Fe a very sporty feeling SUV compared to say...an Explorer. And I'm always leaving people behind at the lights using the 1/3 to 1/2 throttle technique.
Not trying to downplay Peggie Sue's problem in the least bit, but I am trying to explain that the dealer is not operating out of spite (hopefully!) but doing a thourough investigation. To that end, I hope that their SF is repaired under warranty and the whole situation works out for the best.
Regarding the comment about Wal-Mart and their lube techs, I couldn't agree more. 50% of my oil changes there have resulted in bad experiences, from spilling oil on the engine to leaving the dipstick partially inserted. It's not the technical ability of their techs I questions... changing oil is not rocket surgery. It is the attitude, and 'you get what you pay for' rings true here. Pay a guy (or gal) $6.50 an hour to do dirty, hot work under pressure and see what you get. I never, ever take a new car there for anything. I have my maintenance done by the dealership where I purchased for at least a couple of years if not the whole warranty period. That removes any sliver of doubt as to who is responsible for repair issues.
Any suggestions to improve mpg?????
Gas mileage on the new car is up to 21 mpg(last fill up) for almost all city type driving. The car started at 17mpg for the first tank and has improved each time.
Our older 2.7 FWD is two years old with about 40k miles on it. It has never needed any repairs- just oil changes. The original tires are still on it and still look great (that has never happened to us before!).
The sound comes from the left end side when I turn slowly left or when I am in slow traffic. It's a kind of a rubbing sound.
If your dealer is anything like ours, you better start finding your oil change receipts-especially if it's still under warranty. And stay on them. Hyuandai is not wanting to honor all these extended warranties they had to award in connection w/this big lawsuit they are involved in.
Good luck!
-Jason
-Jason
If your transmission has been leaking excessively and you've been driving it long before you noticed how much it was leaking....I'm afraid any transmission problems can be logically blamed on you. In spite of the fact that possibly your dealer didn't connect something properly, it is still the consumer's responsibility to notify the dealer promptly about any issues like this.
However, in your case, you'd be better off not to mention the leak at all, at least until after you get the vehicle back. That sounds disingenuous, but, since it appears the dealer or Hyundai really have a problem getting your issues resolved, I'd not hestiate to put it back on them. DO NOT mention this to them at this time. If they detect the problem while they have it, they should fix it then and inform you of this.
I would park it overnight outside your garage to see if it still leaks and check the tranny fluid level the day you get it back. If it is still abnormally low, but doesn't leak, call them and tell them you want the fluid topped off and the repair order commented to indicate that the fluid was low and by how much. That MIGHT cover you if the tranny dies within the warranty period. If it still leaks, THEN I would tell them it's leaking all over your garage and demand they tow it to the dealership.
Oh, and get a light in that garage if you're going to keep parking your car in there!
Hyundai put lights on these swiches very late in 2002, I believe, in response to customer complaints. So, it's resonable to suspect there are some 2003 models, built in 2002, that don't have that feature. If you've never had them, I'd guess yours is an early one. What's the manufactured date on yours?
That Alternator TSB has been out for 3 months. Your dealer sucks!
find anything wrong. The sound comes from the left back end side when I
turn slowly left or when I am in slow traffic. It's a kind of a rubbing
sound.
the problem is:
1) When car makes a low speed (10km/hr ) turn into e.g parking spots or
backing out of parking spots, there is a consistent rubbing noise from
under the carriage (left side).
2) When in slow moving traffic and I take foot off brake to move slowly the
noise is again there but louder.
3) When car is stationary and the steering turn from left to right,
magically there is no noise.
I have taken the car into 2 different dealerships on 4-5 different
occasions. They are not able to diagnose the noise. Every time I bring it
in they seem to get annoyed that it keeps coming back for the same thing.
Is there any ideas you have about what this could be. I have only had the
car since Sept 2004.
I drive an hour - hour-fifteen each way. This morning when I started out, my dashboard clock read 7:01. When I looked at it again about 10 minutes later -- it read 1:00.
I reset it, and kept an eye on it. 10 minutes after the reset - I watched it fade to black, and 2 seconds later -- 1:00 reappeared.
I hope it's not some time-consuming electrical problem..
(although..that would be preferable to having a haunted Hyundai!)
Thanks for any help..