NHTSA Complaint #766231 — 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

FROM THE FIRST DAY WE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE (6-01-01) THE KEYS STUCK IN THE IGNITION & WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET THEM OUT WITHOUT JIGGLING THE GEARSHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO PATTERSON'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON 10-25-01, 3-1-02, 7-5-02, & 8-7-02, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER REPAIRED. ON THE LAST OCCASION THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAUSED AN EVEN GREATER PROBLEM TO OCCUR. EVIDENTLY THEY HAVE DISCONNECTED THE SAFETY MECHANISM WHICH KEEPS ONE FROM REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION IN ALL GEARS EXCEPT PARK. NOW WE CAN TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION IN ANY GEAR. WHEN WE DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO OUR GARAGE THIS PAST FRIDAY, AUGUST 23RD, WE PUT THE GEARSHIFT INTO WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS PARK (THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO ANY FURTHER), TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND STARTED GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING OUT OF THE GARAGE. IT TURNED OUT THE GEARSHIFT WAS IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO PUT INTO PARK NOW ESPECIALLY IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT FULLY DEPRESSED PAST THE NORMAL STOPPING TENSION. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK