# 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe - I don't like the grill **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** hyundai\ **Created:** [August 25, 2024, 2:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947 "2024-08-25T14:42:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HarryC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@HarryC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/HarryC)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 2:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/1 "2024-08-25T14:42:53Z")
Grille design is such that road debris enters and damages radiator and/or air conditioning condenser ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/2 "2024-08-25T16:11:57Z")
> [@HarryC](#): > > Grille design is such that road debris enters and damages radiator and/or air conditioning condenser Yup, you are correct… Now with that said, did you have a question for us??? ---
**Author:** ![HarryC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@HarryC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/HarryC)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 4:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/3 "2024-08-25T16:25:30Z")
Has anyone experienced damage to the radiator because of this design? ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 4:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/4 "2024-08-25T16:39:00Z")
I don’t know, but my **guess** , very few. My truck has an air scoop arrangement below the front bumper. Truck is 11 years old, no damage yet. If you are really concerned, attach screen between grill and radiator. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/5 "2024-08-25T17:12:11Z")
Had a customer in a high end newer but out of warranty Lexus or Infinity car that had a rock hit the condenser and put a hole in it, bad part is the radiator and condenser/dryer is made as an assembly, dealer only part and was over $600 wholesale… This happened around 2016… Does it happen, yes, but on normal road, not often… but I have seen it many times… ---
**Author:** ![HarryC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@HarryC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/HarryC)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2024, 6:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/6 "2024-08-25T18:45:28Z")
With 2454 miles on my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe on I-45 here in Houston I got a very small piece of debris that went through the grille and damaged a tube in my radiator. Had to replace at my expense ($2800) as it is not warranted. The design of the large eggcrate grille without factory installed protection is the problem, IMHO! Some research has indicated it is more of a problem than Hyundai is admitting to the consumer. I have purchased a set of third party screens to be installed behind the grille but I’m having a hard time finding someone to do it as they are concerned about possibly disconnecting a sensor that will require a new calibration. I ordered the screens from this company if anyone is interested. [Hyundai Santa Fe (weebly.com)](https://voltshelf.weebly.com/hyundai-santa-fe.html) ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 2:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/7 "2024-08-26T14:16:17Z")
I’d think many, if not most, vehicles can have this damage, and I’ve not seen one with ‘factory installed protection’. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 2:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/8 "2024-08-26T14:19:36Z")
You have glass coverage for rocks but no coverage for rock damage to new condenser? This is not due to rust or corrosion. I’d blame your insurance co not covering damage? It’s not broke. It has damage from road debris. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 3:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/9 "2024-08-26T15:39:21Z")
Hey, if they buy a high end car, they need to expect high end parts and repair prices. ---
**Author:** ![LoudThunder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loudthunder/32/27769_2.png) [@LoudThunder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LoudThunder)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/10 "2024-08-26T16:42:19Z")
If you are going to add “screen” behind the grill, I would advise against plain old house/window screen, especially the nylon type… Use the steal 1/4" stuff, it goes by various names: “Steel Mesh Sheet”, “Hardware Cloth”, “1/4’ Mesh Screen”, among other variations. It is available at many sources, your local hardware store, ACE, Lowes, Home Depot, and others… ![screen](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/c/4/c4a9cf29c7c55da646e12837d3e3eed313d83c4f.jpeg) I have seen stones dropped off dump trucks that took out a section of the plastic grill before damaging the radiator. Anything that gets through this screen is too small to damage anything… And if you are of the “Mad Max” mentality, get some for your windshield… L 🤣 L . . . ---
**Author:** ![HarryC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@HarryC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/HarryC)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 5:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/11 "2024-08-26T17:04:54Z")
The stone that damaged my radiator tube was about .125 inch in diameter. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 5:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/12 "2024-08-26T17:08:59Z")
I have replaced a few A/C condensers for customers due to stone damage, the customer usually makes an insurance claim. Vehicle manufactures place style ahead of function these days, some vehicles have very poor cooling system protection. I would use nylon screen in the grill for protection. Metal screen might cause interference with the radar sensor (Pre-Collision/Auto braking). ![Air conditioner condenser leak](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/7/170ce0cc4c1c54e64e523ad2efa3255363899919.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/13 "2024-08-26T17:41:13Z")
> [@HarryC](#): > > The stone that damaged my radiator tube was about .125 inch in diameter. What kind of car have you ever had that had a grille that would prevent a 1/8" rock from traveling through it? ![1970_Cadillac_Coupe_Deville_front](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/3/6/363ca966e7da896e791b22cca2075f30c0afc465.jpeg) One of the favorite front ends of the cars I’ve owned wouldn’t come near to preventing your damage. Why didn’t your insurance pay for the road debris damage? Did they somehow think you intentionally hit a 1/8" rock? ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 5:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/14 "2024-08-26T17:52:44Z")
> [@asemaster](#): > > What kind of car have you ever had that had a grille that would prevent a 1/8" rock from traveling through it? I was thinking that as well. I don’t think this is anything special to Hyundai. It’s just bad luck, like catching one on the windshield. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 11:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/15 "2024-08-26T23:14:16Z")
you’re overthinking this . . . Yes, it happens from time to time, on lots of different brands Just move on with your life ---
**Author:** ![LoudThunder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loudthunder/32/27769_2.png) [@LoudThunder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LoudThunder)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 11:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/16 "2024-08-26T23:32:26Z")
> [@HarryC](#): > > The stone that damaged my radiator tube was about .125 inch in diameter. I cannot imagine that a “stone” so small could have been traveling so fast with such force to penetrate your radiator, but I am not the "“All Seeing Oz…” I am not saying it did not happen, I just cannot imagine it… I cannot imagine “Space Aliens” either, but I believe they exists, otherwise the vastness of the Universe is a huge waste of space… (like that trunk in your Caddie… L 🤣 L . . .) But back on the Screen, even though the screen has openings of 1/4", the wire takes up space and it is entirely possible that the stone might have hit or even nicked the screen and would have been deflected away harmlessly… One might say, it’s too late now, the cow has gotten out of the barn, but there are still lots of “cows” (stones…) still out there… ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 12:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/17 "2024-08-27T12:29:27Z")
> [@asemaster](#): > > Why didn’t your insurance pay for the road debris damage? +1 to this and @Cavell’s similar post. I put this in the same category as tire damage from road debris. It doesn’t happen often but isn’t remarkable in its rarity. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 1:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/18 "2024-08-27T13:44:48Z")
Like to see how ac condenser is assembled to coolant radiator to form 1 piece assy. But Hyundai is talented. I’d have requested old assy since it’s yours. Sell it on FB. Only 1 small hole. Easy fix. ---
**Author:** ![HarryC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@HarryC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/HarryC)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 2:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/19 "2024-08-27T14:30:50Z")
We were in the middle of putting on a new roof that was being covered by the insurance. I didn’t want to file a claim for this. Believe what you want the rock was as described and I didn’t believe it either until they showed me the damage. These radiators aren’t like the old days where you could take them out and solder them. The tubes are very thin aluminum, and they can’t be brazed, either. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 2:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947/20 "2024-08-27T14:47:58Z")
> [@Cavell](#): > > Like to see how ac condenser is assembled to coolant radiator t Just has welded brackets holding them together, simple, just stupid, but I am sure it is to help save the planet somehow… [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2023-hyundai-santa-fe-i-dont-like-the-grill/195947.md?page=2)