QuestionI just bought an '07 Santa Fe Limited & on the drive home, I noticed the radio reception was "spotty", it will fade in & out (but not completely) & occasionally I'll hear static. This happens on several stations that I've never had an issue with before. The dealer replaced the radio, but the problem continues. They say they've checked all of the antenna connections but it seems like that is the problem. Any ideas? Should I ask them to replace the antenna?
AnswerCheck the antenna itself. It should be in a detent and stick up at about a 65 degree angle with the horizontal.
If your antenna is properly positioned and you still have reception issues, go to the dealer and compare the reception in your vehicle with that in another Santa Fe with the same radio. If the second vehicle has the same reception problems, then the issue is that it's inherent in the design of the radio and/or the antenna system, and the dealer won't be able to change it. If the second vehicle has significantly better reception, you should feel comfortable with demanding that the dealer locate the problem, whatever it is, and repairing it.
Asking them to replace the antenna is likely to do little good for two reasons. First, it hasn't been demonstrated that the antenna is the problem. Second, the dealer doesn't seem to want to replace the antenna, considering they haven't done so already.
One would think that the dealer would have already compared your vehicle to another, but it's difficult to determine from your question whether they've done this or whether they think your reception is normal. If they indicate they've compared your vehicle to another and the reception is comparable, it's likely that's indeed the case.
