Hyundai Santa Fe New Owners

mikes2

Just checked - January 29, 2007 - fresh from the factory! Sorry to hear about your SF - in another forum, someone posted the response from Hyundai, in which they said there wasn't a fix for already built cars.

jnt

Congratulations to Hyundai engineers on their constant use of Lexus vehicles for their benchmark target: they beat Lexus radio even with one antenna vs. two on RX350 's FM diversity system. Honda typically has lousy FM radio reception anyway. Hyundai typically beats them everytime.

jt

jnt

While I'm going here, the factory radio FM tuner has the worst sensitivity and blah sound I have ever heard. If I put my Sirius FM modulated unit in this car it sounds like there is cardboard over all the speakers. BTW, in all of my other cars the sound is crisp and bright on FM 87.9, so what to do, just pray they will come out with some sort of mini-jack adapter for this vehicle in the coming years.


The FM modulator approach is a hit or miss deal. In some vehicle, you get decent reception due to the relative location of the vehicle FM antenna and the FM modulator unit. In the case of the new Santa Fe, the FM antenna is on the roof of your vehicle. So between your FM modulator and the FM antenna, you have the metal roof. And guess what? metal shields and blocks Radio Frequency. Try this next time: make a cellphone call inside a metal container. So it is not the radio that is at fault. It is the vehicle antenna system that is not designed for the FM modulator inside the car. The roof antenna would do just fine receiving stations 50 miles away. I bet if you tape your FM modulator on the roof, the FM sound will be better since the signal is not blocked anymore. That is why people who tinted their rear glass window sometime had reception problem with AM/FM. The tin material sometime has metal particle in it. And some vehicles (like the current Sonata, Accord, Impala,..) has rear window antenna. In such case, they have themselves a RF shield again.

Next time, you should try your FM modulator out on vehicles that has similar AM/FM antenna on the roof. I have no doubt that you will be disappointed too.

jt

lv2drv

We are very close to buying a SF Limited Premium. I spoke with a salesman yesterday on the phone as the dealership is about two hours from here. I won't go up there until they have the color I want. Anyway, I asked him about the manufacture date because of the issue with the dome/map lights. He said there is a switch on one of the lights in the back by the hatch. Here is his explanation: "this switch gives you the option of having the lights come on when it's dark. After all, if you go t.p.ing, you don't want the lights to come on". :surprise: OK, laughter over. For those of you who have a clue what he is talking about, please check it out. I gathered it didn't matter when the vehicle was manufactured. BTW my husband is supposed to call and start negotiations. We'll see what happens.

slateblue

Ask your salesman to physically open the front door of the car you are considering to see if the map lights come on. The switch on the dome only activates the dome light to be on/off when the door is opened. This fix was done sometime in January or February. My Santa Fe was manufactured Feb 27 and the map lights come on when the door is open.

lv2drv

The Intrepid we own has map lights and theater lights on the doors, so there is plenty of light. There is no dome light. Someone please verify what I think: The SF comes with both dome and map lights? Is there only one dome light and it is in the back? Or is there an overhead dome light on the "ceiling" between front and passenger seats (like most cars) in addition to the dome light in back? This has been confusing for me. I like lots of interior lighting at night; I do feel safer. I don't think this will stop me from buying the SF. It is a good value, and I have looked at ALL the SUV's. And as long as I buy one with a late manufacture date, the problem should be solved? Thanks!

pelican19

Your salesman is confusing the issue. First generation 07 Santa Fe's have a dome light in the center of the truck and a light for the rear hatch. BOTH have the ability to go on when the doors are opened or have them stay off. The map lights in front are manually operated. Push the button and they go on until you turn them off. Second generation Santa Fe's allow the map lights to come on with the opening of the doors. Your question is valid. You want a second generation Santa Fe if the map light issue is a problem.

pelican19

The 07 Santa Fe comes with two map lights a center dome light, a rear hatch light on top and a cargo area light. First generation Santas do not allow the map lights to come on automatically when a door is opened. The center dome and rear hatch top have three settings, on/off/door. The cargo area light comes on with the opening of the rear hatch. Second generation Santas allow the map lights to come on when a door is opened. At this point it is unclear if you have the ability to set them like the dome and rear hatch.

slateblue

I have a SF Limited w/sunroof. The map lights are located between the rearview mirror and the front of the sunroof.
The ceiling dome light is located directly above the second row seat back. There is also a cargo light mounted on the right side below the rear window that comes on when the rear hatch is raised. I don't have the third row seating and that lighting may be different.

lv2drv

Pelican19 and Slateblue, thank you so much for the clarification. This helps me a lot. Buy a second generation! And, my husband is on the phone right now with the salesman. Wish us luck !!!!

pelican19

The very best of luck. Enjoy...

neeedvan

How to identify the first gen v/s 2nd gen? Is there a prod. cut off date? How can I find when my SantaFe was manufactured?

gizzer777

Prod date is on the driver's side ...look at the door pillar facing towards the rear and you will find it on a sticker....enjoy

kmwilson

I read that someone said there is now a first and second generation Santa Fe and that you could check the inside door panel. Mine was made August 2006, which I am assuming is a first generation. My map lights do not come on when opening the doors. Are there other differences that anyone is aware of between the two generations of vehicles?

Thanks,
Karen

slateblue

Karen - XM radio was added in the 'second generation', I'm not sure if there were any other changes.

gizzer777

Mine was built oct 06, has XM and the map light DO NOT come on either...I think that happened in Jan 07 builds.

lv2drv

The 2nd generation has map lights that come on when you open the door and XM radio. Mine has a production date of February 07. Was your SF a demo? It seems it sat on the lot a long time.

kmwilson

That is very interesting question you pose. I don't know if it was or not. It only had 92 miles on it when I purchased. Is there a way to tell if it was a demo or not?

lv2drv

Karen,
If it had only 92 miles on it, it probably was not a demo. It was likely taken for test drives. I thought SFs were moving faster than that. Sometimes curiosity gets the better of me. The map lights not coming on is an annoyance, and pretty dark at night, but it's not the end of the world.

Slate blue is a very pretty color. I hope you are enjoying your SF. I absolutely love to drive mine. I find excuses to go places! I just find it interesting that I can't get used to the windshield wipers. They are different than anything I've ever encountered. Mine is a golden beige limited fwd w/sunroof & xm. I love that, too and programmed it myself .

4pmg

My Santa Fe Limited was built in December 06. I Have XM. In fact, I had to wait a month after my purchase for my Santa Fe to come in. My dealer was great and gave me a Santa Fe limited to drive until mine came in. I basically had a month long test drive. My Santa Fe's map lights don't turn on when the doors are opened. This is a major safety issue for me.

As I stated in earlier posts I actually contacted Hyundai's corporate office and not Client Relations. Hyundai has agreed to adjust my Santa Fe so that the map lights will turn on when the doors are open. I was completely shocked when someone from Hyundai's Corporate office called me last week to confirm that the parts for this fix have been ordered. I explained that I had been monitoring an on-line blog any may owners were being told that Hyundai would not fix the map lights if asked. This is simply not true. I would be happy to share the names of my Hyundai contains if you are not getting this issue resolved.

On another note I have had my Santa Fe for almost two months and have 1300 miles on it. I have not once missed my 05 Audi A4.

proudnewdad

I just got my new Santa Fe. Manufactured 22 Feb 2007 and my map lights do NOT come on when doors are opened. So far, this is the only complaint I have with this vehicle. I live in Michigan and just got about 5 inches of snow today and took it out to see how it handled in the snow. Very impressed, did everything well and am glad I did not spent the extra money on a AWD.
Natural Khaki FWD Limited.

kmwilson

I would be very interested in your contact information from Hyundai. I would love to get my map lights fixed so that they come on. Being a female driver this is definately a security issue for me. Not to mention the fact that I paid lotsa money for a brand new vehicle and expect the little things to be working I would really appreciate your information if you are willing to share.

Thanks!
Karen

slateblue

Proudnewdad, my Santa Fe (LTD,FWD and sunroof) was manufactured on Feb 28, 2007 and has the light fix, so the change must have happened about then. I specified to my dealer I wanted the map light feature and he said they had a hard time locating one with the color, options I wanted.

Like you I have no complaints about my car and love to drive it.

jimsist

how did you get in touch with the office all i can get is consumer affers and they are no help. they said just a few min ago that they were no fix.but some of the one produced after dec have the fix. so if there is no fix then how does the new ones work as well as the new vercruse.i have a arctic white se with sunroof and beige interior love it but the light is the issue. had a 2005 with sunroof had no probleam. what about the lighted ring arround the switch that would help. could that be added? the ring is only 20.00 from my dealer.thanks jim

kmwilson

What kind of deal did you get on the cargo cover from your dealer? I thought one would be included and my dealer said that they would be able to give it to me at dealer cost. Does anyone know what the dealer cost is for a cargo cover. I went to the Hyundai Accesory store and saw they sold for 279.00. The salesman yesterday said they sell for 300.00. I would appreciate any knowledge anyone has on costs or deals you have gotten the cargo cover for.

thanks!

jdimaria

I also have a Santa Fe limited that was built in November 06. My map lights do not go on. Would you be so kind as to pass on the information for your Hyundai contacts so that I can get this fixed. It so dark in the vehicle at night without those lights.

Thanks

lv2drv

We just picked up our cargo cover last Saturday at Lujack's in Davenport, IA. We didn't pay over $260.00, including tax. I don't know if this was dealer cost. When I get home I will look at the invoice to see what I can find out.

colonel717

I had a big issue with my salesman on this accessory. He said oh its included with Limited. I'll be sure to take care of that for you if it isn't as it should be for the price of the vehicle.

I went and checked and there was an SE in the showroom that had one in it. List price on sticker said $100. Salesman wasn't around so I took his word for that he'd take care of it. Then the salesman says as we were signing all the papers, you cant get that with Ltd. I was baffled then showed him there are slots to put the cover. He then said well I can order one for you. I said fine do that.

Next day he calls and says the cover will cost $300. I was shocked and said how can it cost that much. I said look at the SE right in front of your desk it says $100 cost on there. He didn't believe me, so I said get off your butt and walk literally 7 feet from your desk He says, oh you are right. Then he calls parts and they tell him no its $300. Its only $100 if it is put in from factory. He says he can get it to me for $192. Not sure how they came up with that price, but I just said forget it. Not worth near that much.

kmwilson

It seems as though Hyundai should do a recall on the vehicles built in first generation and fix the map lights in all vehicles since it was their mistake to start with. Are recalls only done on major defects?

lv2drv

I feel the need to apologize for minimizing the map light issue. When I thought about it, I wouldn't want to get into a dark car at night. Society isn't what it used to be and I am just naive at times. Perhaps if enough people got together, Hyundai would issue a recall. As you said earlier, this is a safety issue. Also, if you are trying to buckle kids into car seats and can't see, how do you know they are buckled in safely? Maybe you know instinctively, but our kids are in their 20s now and I couldn't buckle a baby in a seat now ; they are too complicated for me. When I'm with my sister, she always does it.

Celeste

lv2drv

The cargo cover we picked up listed for $288. We paid $242.21 and the dealer installed it. I'm sure it didn't take long. They also enabled the auto locks for us. My SF Limited came with the cargo tray and floor mats. I knew from reading the forums that these aren't necessarily standard, so I didn't push for the cargo cover. I thought I got a good deal all around.

kmwilson

I contacted my dealer yesterday and he indicated that service thought the map light thing is covered under the warranty and could be fixed.....this seems very different from what everyone is saying on here. If it is an easy fix, then it would seem we would all have it fixed. I will let you know if it works that way.

gllund

Well ,I don't want to get anybody's hopes up but I just left the dealer and they are ordering the parts for the new front dome light fix under warranty. They will call me when they get the parts. As soon as I get it fixed, I'll inform everybody about the fix. Probably in about 2 weeks. I'm not going to rejoice until the fix is done. I will keep you posted. Gord

gizzer777

That would be good news indeed...PLEASE keep us posted...Part numbers would be great too!

There are so many stories about this...I am confused...and i got different ones from consumer affairs too...My poor dealer had no idea what it was even about!...if there is a TSB, perhaps you can get the # for the rest of us...darn...it really is dark up there!!!

TIA!!!

rukiddingme

Today I took a test drive in a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. I liked the styling, however I was stunned by the abundant torque steer and the kickback steering. This condition was evident in moderate acceleration and frankly I consider this engineering flaw to be dangerous and fatal to my purchase of this vehicle.
I cannot understand why Hyundai would allow the manufacture of the 07 Santa Fe with this serious flaw.
I am curious though about how new owners feel about this problem? :confuse:

skagwaypilot

Doesn't happen on my Santa Fe...

slateblue

I have never noticed this problem with my Santa Fe

gllund

Never had a problem like that with my Santa Fe. Are you flooring the gas pedal?

lv2drv

I don't have this problem, either. Test drive another one. We just came home from a sixteen hundred mile round trip. We were in urban and rural traffic; stop and go; switching lanes and never had one problem.

tenpin288

Something doesn't sound right here. I don't own a Santa Fe, but I have a Tucson and it has a similar setup with traction and stability control. The behavior you are describing really should not be possible if those systems are functioning properly. Does the Santa Fe have the ability to turn off the TCS/ESP manually? If so, you may be able to induce torque steer with that system off, otherwise it shouldn't happen. I would go for another test drive in a different SF and try to reproduce the problem with the systems on and then off.

wiltse

i have found a nice ride,,and bought it!

wiltse

and now im selling the car, after 13 years driving truck.

technikal

Seems to me if someone were to hide in the car to attack, they'd hide in the cargo area. Otherwise, they'd have to be a contortionist, bending themselves into incredibly small shapes in order to fit into the floor board foot wells, then have the flexibility and dexterity to uncurl from that position and attack quickly. Where if they hid in the back, they'd have plenty of room to lay down and easy access from behind when you weren't looking.

So, Hyundai's 'feature' actually -improves- saftey by lighting the rear seats and cargo area better than a traditionally mounted dome light.

Not that I don't think Hyundai should fix it. It looks stupid. However, I think it's a bit overboard to consider it a saftey issue.

bcme136

Mine is like that. Thought I was going to flip it avoiding a car coming off an off ramp at 60mph. Quick turn to the left then back to the right I thought it was going to swap ends. Very unusual/dangerous.

drwoodr

After reading these posts about the map light not going on when the door is opened, I called my dealer today, and they never heard of this, and checked Hyundai for a TSB and said there wasn't one. I also e-mailed Hyundai, and got this reply "To confirm, the light not coming on when the door is opened you have described are normal characteristics of the vehicle and not considered a defect or a safety issue. We currently have no fix for this since this is how the vehicle was designed." Looking forward to your follow-up.

gllund

At my second oil change I mentioned it to the service writer. She couldn't find anything either. She got me a number to call at Hyundai Canada and as soon as I mentioned the problem she faxed the TSB to the dealership. I asked for a copy but she said the installer had it and I could have a copy when I get the work done. Unfortunately, I had emergency eye surgery on Monday and haven't talked to her since. All I can say is if it happens, I will have a copy of the TSB and give it to you guys. She should have called this week but didn't, so will have to wait and see. Gord

trailblazer7

Help, We just bought a new 2007 Santa Fe, we did not notice that the key code/ tag was missing until the next day. The general Mgr said that the sister dealership lost it. Then agreed to replace the locks for security reasons "their idea". Now dealership has changed their mind, we contacted Hyundai client services but got nowhere. What do you suggest we do next. We sure don't feel we have a secure security system or vehicle now. No one knows where our key tag/code went to. Any suggestions. Thank you.

drwoodr

I was looking for info on a TSB for getting the map lights to come on when the door is open, and I came accross this site http://www.hmaservice.com where you can look up the TSB for all Hyundai vehicles. Found one that says you can have the doors automatically lock (TSB 06-90-022), and you can even select the speed at which they lock. Only problem is it's not something you can do yourself, the dealer must do it, and it says it's "not a warranty item" so they will probably charge you. I recall seeing a post complaining about not having the auto door lock feature, so I thought I'd pass this along.

lv2drv

A lot of new owners have had the auto door locks engaged when they go for their first oil change. We had ours taken care of when we picked up the cargo cover; free of charge. Our dealer has an exceptional service department. New Owners: make sure the dealer takes care of this upon delivery. Most will ask, mine didn't, but it was after hours, too. I forgot to ask.

davesuv

Having been made aware of the auto door lock feature (thanks to the forum ), I had my dealer activate it when I took delivery last October. It's simple and only takes a few minutes for them to program. This is a good test to see how accommodating your dealer will be with your new purchase. I believe Hyundai's position is that it should be considered part of the delivery process.

Anyone who is considering purchasing a new Santa Fe would be well served by reading through all the posts found in the pertinent Santa Fe forums on CarSpace. There are many gems tucked away that you can use. I know they have helped me multiple times both before and after my purchase. It's also refreshing to see how polite people are on this forum.

2007 Santa Fe Limited AWD with Premium and Touring packages
Dark Cherry Red with beige leather interior