The 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe has 12 recalls, the most serious being fire risks from three separate sources: engine oil leaking onto the alternator, a moisture-related short in the ABS module, and a fuel tank wall that may be too thin and can leak fuel.
The engine oil leak can also cause the charging system to fail and the engine to stall and not restart while driving. The ABS module short can start a fire in the engine compartment even with the vehicle off. The fuel tank defect means a fuel leak can ignite if a spark or flame is nearby. There is also a recall affecting vehicles sold with an accessory trailer wiring harness kit, where the harness can short and overheat the control module, creating a fire risk even when parked.
On the airbag side, two related issues affect the front passenger: the passenger seat sensor may misclassify a small adult as a child and turn off the passenger airbag, and a separate recalibration may be needed to correct the same type of misclassification. The driver's airbag clockspring can wear and fail over time, preventing the driver's airbag from deploying in a crash.
Rounding out the list, the certification label on vehicles equipped with P235/60R18 tires lists incorrect axle weight ratings, which can lead to overloading, poor handling and braking, and tire failure.
