2013 Santa Fe "Wind Noise"

[a300zxguy]

While all of this information is good, I still think you guys should call Hyundai and start a case and get it recored in their system. suggestion from Hyundai customer service before the 12K miles or 12 months
I do not have a bug screen on mine and I have folded the mirror up and still hear the wind at 40mph on both sides. I have taped up everthing and I just can't pin point it.
Of course the sales/service are not going to admit anything, it's not their dept.

[bjwhite]

The dealership was really great about the process. On the first day I took it in, they definitely heard the noise and actually thought the window was cracked open a bit. I was relieved. Anyway, they had me schedule a different day to drop it off.

They had the vehicle for 3 work days and did several things (all recommended by Hyundai engineering central command) including adding some extra double-sided table between the door metal and the rubber seal. This effectively raised the seal a pinch, tightening the seal with the window. They also added gaskets around the mounting screws (?) for the driver side mirror. I believe they tried a few other things small. My service contact felt it was considerably improved but still there and wanted me to pick it up and get back with him with my opinion. He's willing to bring an outside expert in to analyze it if I'm still not happy.

Anyway, the sound used to start at 35 to 40mph, but now it's closer to 50-55.

At this point, I'm wondering what is reasonable to expect from a vehicle traveling at 55+ MPH. Obviously there will be road noise and wind gusts, but is it reasonable to have some aerodynamic wind noise at those faster speeds? I'm a pretty reasonable guy, so I'm going to have to drive it more and see how I feel.

What do you think? On ultra-quiet pavement and traveling at highway sppeds, is it reasonable to hear some wind swirling by your left ear?

[a300zxguy]

I'm pleased to know some one at the dealership is admitting it !
Some wind noise can be reasonable but not even at 55mph. I guess I expected mine to be quiter because of new glass and compared to how quite a 2006 Sonata is and all the hype about the Genesis. Let's face it, this model is going to be around for the next 5 years and it's going get louder as things settle thru the bumps. And if one more person tells me to turn up the radio, I'll deck em.

[EHadesh]

My expectation is as little noise as possible. I paid a lot of hard earned money for the vehicle and I'll accept nothing less. Especially when my 2004 Santa Fe was whisper quiet and had absolutely no wind noise. This along with the gas gauge, and creaky dash are still on my 'waiting for the dealer to get off their butts and do something rather than have me keep prodding them, short of contacting Hyundai and filing formal complaints' list.

[golfermack]

Originally Posted by bjwhite

At this point, I'm wondering what is reasonable to expect from a vehicle traveling at 55+ MPH.

Compare it to other cars. How does it compare to what you drove before? Test drive another 2013 Sport for comparison.
John

[seh0041]

Originally Posted by bjwhite

The dealership was really great about the process. On the first day I took it in, they definitely heard the noise and actually thought the window was cracked open a bit. I was relieved. Anyway, they had me schedule a different day to drop it off.

They had the vehicle for 3 work days and did several things (all recommended by Hyundai engineering central command) including adding some extra double-sided table between the door metal and the rubber seal. This effectively raised the seal a pinch, tightening the seal with the window. They also added gaskets around the mounting screws (?) for the driver side mirror. I believe they tried a few other things small. My service contact felt it was considerably improved but still there and wanted me to pick it up and get back with him with my opinion. He's willing to bring an outside expert in to analyze it if I'm still not happy.

Anyway, the sound used to start at 35 to 40mph, but now it's closer to 50-55.

At this point, I'm wondering what is reasonable to expect from a vehicle traveling at 55+ MPH. Obviously there will be road noise and wind gusts, but is it reasonable to have some aerodynamic wind noise at those faster speeds? I'm a pretty reasonable guy, so I'm going to have to drive it more and see how I feel.

What do you think? On ultra-quiet pavement and traveling at highway sppeds, is it reasonable to hear some wind swirling by your left ear?

I feel like some road noise is just going to be there, but if it's a high-pitched whistle, like ours is...it's too much. I have a few issues that I'm going to bring up to the dealer (either at the 1st service check, or sooner if I can't hold out), and the road noise is one of them. In ours, it only happens on the passenger side, and it gets pretty loud, to the point where you're turning up the radio in an attempt to compete with it. It still doesn't drown out the squealy-whistle. It's not present on every drive, probably about 30% of the time. It tends to start at higher speeds of 60-80, and it's much worse when it's windy. Last night we drove about an hour in pretty windy conditions and both of our right ears were ringing from it. I wasn't too concerned about it before, but last night put me over the edge, so I've added it to my list for the dealer. This would be highly distracting on a long road trip.

bjwhite, I'm hoping our dealer's service department is willing to try some of the things your dealer did. Also, check out the earlier post from suveges77. He/she said their dealer redid either the window or windshield, and that fixed the road noise problem.

[seh0041]

Originally Posted by suveges77

It ended up being the rubber seal around the window not being seated properly. They reseated the window and sealed up the leak. I have had no wind noise since..

Just so I have it straight, your dealer reseated the window, but did not have to replace the windshield, correct? Just want to let my dealer know what worked for others when we take it in.

[bjwhite]

My Sante Fe is going in again on Wednesday for a wind/leak expert to examine it. I am hearing the same air turbulence at 55MPH+ and they're wanting to examine it further. They acknowledge it doesn't happen on all vehicles, so they'd love to get to the bottom of it.
The dealer hasn't done anything to my windshield -- only working with the side window seal as well as the side mirror.
I'll post an update on Thursday, once I get the vehicle back. Dealer has really been great on this and they give me the impression that Hyundai would love to have answers.

[seh0041]

Originally Posted by bjwhite

My Sante Fe is going in again on Wednesday for a wind/leak expert to examine it. I am hearing the same air turbulence at 55MPH+ and they're wanting to examine it further. They acknowledge it doesn't happen on all vehicles, so they'd love to get to the bottom of it.
The dealer hasn't done anything to my windshield -- only working with the side window seal as well as the side mirror.
I'll post an update on Thursday, once I get the vehicle back. Dealer has really been great on this and they give me the impression that Hyundai would love to have answers.

That's great news. Good luck!

[bjwhite]

Well -- not good news. Santa Fe was seen today by a wind expert (and leak expert) who did lots of taping and analysis of the vehicle. He came to the conclusion that it's a design flaw but can't be sure exactly where the turbulence is coming from. I guess there is a chrome molding on the windshield trim as well as the shape of the mirror that could create problems. I will pick it up tomorrow and post any further details if I missed something here.

I believe I will lodge a formal complaint to Hyundai, even though the dealer tells me it they would simply get info about the complaint since they're the "home dealer." No idea if a design flaw can be fixed or if I'm just stuck with what I have. I wonder if the product was fast-tracked through the wind tunnel testing?