17th Jun 2014, 23:34

I tend to agree with those who say this seat issue should have been noticed on a test drive. We recently bought a new small SUV and we test drove a number of brands. We always do long test drives (if a dealer won't let you, walk away... FAST). We subject the vehicles to hard cornering, panic braking, flat-out acceleration and high speed on the freeway. We tried all the controls, and especially those that involve our comfort.

After looking at a number of small SUVs, we opted for the Ford Escape due to superior ride, fastest acceleration, smoothest and quietest ride, and a quality feel way beyond its price range. However one of the main selling points was the almost infinitely adjustable power driver's seat. Long trips in it are as enjoyable as our Lincoln Town Cars.

Buyers who don't properly test drive a vehicle really have no one but themselves to blame. And any dealer who refuses to allow a proper test drive should be avoided like the plague. Dealers in my area simply give us the keys and allow us to take the car for an entire day or even a weekend. A five minute drive around the block is NOT a test drive.

27th Jul 2015, 05:57

Hi All,

I have the same issue with my 2014 Santa Fe. Any drive over 1 hour gives me back pain, and I am thinking of selling it now.

19th Aug 2015, 01:48

I recently purchased two new 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles (one for the wife, one for me) and I absolutely agree they have the worst driver's seat I have experienced in 40 years of driving.

As for test drives, I spent 3 hours driving 10 different Santa Fe's and took one home overnight before the purchases. Cannot get comfortable in any seat position with these electric seats. I've tried foam pads to sit on and one for the seat back. Even took one to an auto upholstery shop and had them shave the bottom cushion of the driver's seat to reduce the front pitch. Still terribly uncomfortable. The first thing I do when I get in the vehicle is start adjusting the seat and I never seem to stop trying to find a good position. I've had these vehicles about 3 months now and I hate driving them so much that neither one has 400 miles on the odometer. Intended on using these for long distance trips and they seem like nice vehicles. But I can't sit in them for more than 10 minutes without my legs going numb. I know I'm going to take a $10K bath on trade-ins, but I'm already looking to get something more comfortable.

14th Mar 2016, 20:26

I have back pain to the point I have to seek chiropractor weekly services. Thought it was just me, but have read many similar complaints.

3rd Aug 2016, 18:59

I have a new used Santa Fe 2014. I never had back pain, but have lower back pain when I drive the car more than 45 minutes. I am taking it to a car shop next week to build the bottom of the seat cushion about 1" and taper it forward. They need to have a few people sit in the seats before they make them.

4th Aug 2016, 13:04

Why on earth would you buy a Hyundai or Kia and then invest the money in having a "custom" seat made. You could have saved a lot of time and money by buying a better car.

22nd Mar 2018, 00:52

I have had the same experience. I rarely had back pain, and after driving my Hyundai Santa Fe for a couple months, I actually had such severe lower back pain I had to go to the doctor. The funny thing is we had no idea what was causing the pain. It wasn't till we traded the Hyundai in for a Chevy truck that my lower back pain is now nonexistent. I don't know what's up with their seats, but as soon as I stopped driving it, the pain went away.

18th Aug 2018, 23:02

Easy fix for Hyundai Santa Fe driver seat back pain; remove 2 screws at the bottom of back panel and then pull the panel out. Remove the lumbar plastic plate; you can also bend the spring tap so it wouldn't push on your lower back and irritate it. You can also swap the driver's seat with the passenger seat like I did. The passenger seat is so much comfortable. Not sure if this will work with an electric model.

I used to cry and wanted to sell this car cheap. Can't walk, missed work, bed rest and lots of Tylenol. After swapped out the seat now I'm good now; 2-3 hr drives are no problem. Still not the most comfortable because the front struts are worn out, alignment, and causes shaking.

19th Feb 2019, 02:27

I just bought a Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2018. After a week of heavy driving I have such debilitating neck and back pain that I can barely work. I’ve never had back issues until I drove this car. Worst car seats ever made! Such a shame too, otherwise such a decent ride. What laziness by Hyundai not to address something that is so obviously wrong and easily corrected in newer models.

27th Nov 2020, 03:33

Could not agree more! I test drove over 6 mid-sized SUV s and the 2016 Santa Fe was the best.

It wasn`t until I drove it on a 65 mile trip that my left leg started going numb and lower buttocks were burning! I have adjusted this seat in every possible configuration and still get the same result.

The crazy thing is that the passenger seat is very comfortable to sit in and I am going to look around junk yards and web sites to find another passenger seat and pitch that multi functional electric nightmare driver's seat! Maybe Hyundai should have concentrated on comfort over functionality!

I personally think that stupid left side foot rest was a bad idea and no one seems to know if or how to take it out!

I read where someone blames the buyers for not taking a longer test drive, but have never in 50 years of driving had a dealer allow someone to take the car all day?

What I should have done was rented one for a 100 mile trip, live and learn!

27th Nov 2020, 03:36

Thanks!

I think I figured that out too!

22nd Mar 2021, 00:59

Got the Hyundai Santa Fe 2020 Limited edition. I didn't realize that the car was giving me severe back pain. Took a 1 hour trip and neck is severely paining. My sciatica nerve hurts. My son said his back hurts too. Seems like a manufacturer defect. Anybody had any luck correcting this issue?

6th Apr 2021, 20:50

Totally challenged with the seats as well in my new 2020 Santa Fe. Back hurts, neck hurts, (headache), and now sciatica. I've tired a couple of different memory foam cushions, both for the back and the seat your buns sit on. Tried pillows and all kinds of things. I have full power adjustment as well as lumbar, but can't find a comfortable position. Something about the position the seat puts you in is stressful on the back. I absolutely love the car in every other way.

If you are looking at one of these, make sure to try to get the dealer to let you drive it for an extended time. I was planning on keeping this car for a long time, prepared to use it for travel at retirement. Now I'm just heartbroken at what to do.