NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
541 reports75,000 miles · Oct 29, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE AT TIMES BUT WHEN THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF THE GAUGE WOULD WORK PROPERLY. THEN THE LIGHT STAYED ON ALL THE TIME AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD WORK OFF AND ON. NOW NEITHER ONE WORKS AT ALL AND WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ESTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS WE HAVE,BUT THAT DOES NOT ALWAYS …
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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE AT TIMES BUT WHEN THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF THE GAUGE WOULD WORK PROPERLY. THEN THE LIGHT STAYED ON ALL THE TIME AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD WORK OFF AND ON. NOW NEITHER ONE WORKS AT ALL AND WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ESTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS WE HAVE,BUT THAT DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK OUT. MY HUSBAND IS DISABLED AND I HAVE TO TRAVEL A CURVY COUNTRY ROAD AT 430 AM BY MYSELF AND JUST RECENTLY I RAN OUT OF GAS WHILE GOING TO WORK. MY HUSBAND WAS UNABLE TO COME AND GET ME DUE TO HIS DISABILITY SO I SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FROM 430AM TO 630AM WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO HELP ME . THIS IS THE FIRST HYUNDAI I'VE EVER OWNED AND I WAS VERY SATISFIED UNTIL THIS PROBLEM ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW THERE WASN'T AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY OR EVEN A FATALITY,BY GRACE OF GOD,BUT THERE VERY WELL COULD HAVE BEEN ALL THOSE THINGS IT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO COME TO THAT.I HOPE YOU STEP UP TO THE PLATE HYUNDAI AND PROTECT YOUR GOOD NAME WHILE THERE IS TIME TO DO SO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10651259
111,900 miles · Oct 25, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. SHOWED EMPTY AT ALL TIMES EVEN WHEN FULL. HAD TO ALWAYS ESTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS WAS LEFT IN ORDER NOT TO RUN OUT. IT WAS VERY INCONVENIENT AND I HAD TO FINALLY TAKE IT TO HYUNDAI TO HAVE FIXED TO THE TUNE OF $550. I AGREE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AS IT SEEMS THERE ARE MANY OTHE…
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FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. SHOWED EMPTY AT ALL TIMES EVEN WHEN FULL. HAD TO ALWAYS ESTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS WAS LEFT IN ORDER NOT TO RUN OUT. IT WAS VERY INCONVENIENT AND I HAD TO FINALLY TAKE IT TO HYUNDAI TO HAVE FIXED TO THE TUNE OF $550. I AGREE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AS IT SEEMS THERE ARE MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10649912
98,000 miles · Oct 24, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN FAULTY SHOWING EMPTY ONLY TO SLOWLY CREEP UP TO THE CORRECT LEVEL OF GAS. IT NOW SHOWS EMPTY AT ALL TIMES. FULL TANK, EMPTY TANK, MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10649807
60,000 miles · Oct 24, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSORS BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION AS SOON AS THE 30 DAY WARRANTY FROM THE DEALERSHIP EXPIRED, RIGHT AROUND THE 60K MILE MARK IN 2012. WE BEGAN TO SEE THAT THE FUEL GAGE WOULD NOT INDICATE WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS ANY FUEL, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO COME ON, AND EVENTUALLY STAY ON. WE BEGAN TO HAVE TO COUNT MI…
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THE FUEL LEVEL SENSORS BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION AS SOON AS THE 30 DAY WARRANTY FROM THE DEALERSHIP EXPIRED, RIGHT AROUND THE 60K MILE MARK IN 2012. WE BEGAN TO SEE THAT THE FUEL GAGE WOULD NOT INDICATE WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS ANY FUEL, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO COME ON, AND EVENTUALLY STAY ON. WE BEGAN TO HAVE TO COUNT MILES TO ENSURE WE DIDN'T RUN OUT OF GAS AND BECOME STRANDED. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, YET NO RECALL FROM HYUNDAI. THIS YEAR, WE NEED TO HAVE A SMOG CHECK IN ORDER TO RENEW OUR DMV REGISTRATION. WELL, SINCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY LIT, THE CAR DID NOT PASS THE SMOG CHECK. THE ONLY REASONS LISTED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WERE THE 3 FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS: P0463, P0464 AND P2068. SO, NOW WE ARE FORCED TO PAY AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX IT IN ORDER TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION WITH THE DMV. NOT ONLY IS THE UNFAIR, IT IS UNETHICAL FOR HYUNDAI TO NOT ISSUE A RECALL FOR SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE, AND NOTHING TO DO WITH THE "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" THAT COMES WITH OWNING A VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONTINUOUS SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2012 UNTIL TODAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014. IF THEY DO NOT ISSUE A RECALL, I WILL BE PURSUING A LAWSUIT AGAINST HYUNDAI FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE COST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10649699
74,209 miles · Oct 13, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
THE FUEL SENSOR ON MY 2008 SANTA FE IS MALFUNCTIONING AND NOT REPORTING THE ACTUAL LEVEL OF FUEL IN THE TANK. IT IS ALSO CAUSING THE EMPTY FUEL INDICATOR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY LIT ALL THE TIME, SO NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO MANUALLY MEASURE MY FUEL USAGE BY MILES DRIVEN, I ALSO HAVE NO IDEA OF ANY POTENTIAL ENGINE PROBL…
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THE FUEL SENSOR ON MY 2008 SANTA FE IS MALFUNCTIONING AND NOT REPORTING THE ACTUAL LEVEL OF FUEL IN THE TANK. IT IS ALSO CAUSING THE EMPTY FUEL INDICATOR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY LIT ALL THE TIME, SO NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO MANUALLY MEASURE MY FUEL USAGE BY MILES DRIVEN, I ALSO HAVE NO IDEA OF ANY POTENTIAL ENGINE PROBLEMS SINCE THAT LIGHT/WARNING SYSTEM HAS EFFECTIVELY BEEN RENDERED USELESS. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS ARE CURRENTLY OFFERING TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT $800.00 AND HAVE THE PARTS READILY ON HAND SINCE THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING SO FREQUENTLY NOW. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE EARLIER SANTA FE MODELS AND CONSIDERING THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF ACCIDENTALLY RUNNING OUT OF FUEL OR HAVING AN ENGINE PROBLEM AND NOT KNOWING IT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10644351
75,000 miles · Oct 13, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
AS IS THE CASE WITH MANY OTHERS FILING COMPLAINTS, WE TOO HAVE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN OUR 2008 SANTA FE. IT HAS ALSO RESULTED IN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON AT ALL TIMES. THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS AN EMPTY TANK AT ALL TIMES. WE ARE FORCED TO RELY ON THE TRIP ODOMETER TO KNOW WHEN WE NEED FUEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10644291
115,000 miles · Oct 12, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE WARNING LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF REGARDLESS OF AMOUNT OF FUEL IN TANK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10644154
48,600 miles · Oct 10, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train
9/19/12 VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ON THE ALTERNATOR RESULTING IN ALTERNATOR NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. 10/2/12 NEW BATTERY NEEDED DUE TO BEING WORN DOWN FROM BAD ALTERNATOR. 10/3/14 76,589 MILES VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ON THE ALTERNATOR RESULTING IN ALTERNATOR NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AGAIN!! NEW BATTERY NEEDED SINCE …
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9/19/12 VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ON THE ALTERNATOR RESULTING IN ALTERNATOR NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. 10/2/12 NEW BATTERY NEEDED DUE TO BEING WORN DOWN FROM BAD ALTERNATOR. 10/3/14 76,589 MILES VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ON THE ALTERNATOR RESULTING IN ALTERNATOR NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AGAIN!! NEW BATTERY NEEDED SINCE COULD NO LONGER HOLD A CHARGE. ALSO MULTIPLE TIMES THE LUMBAR SWITCH ON DRIVER'S SEAT REPLACED: 2/3/10, 3/15/11, 9/19/12, 1/19/13, 10/3/14. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10643952
72,869 miles · Oct 4, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
GAS GAUGE WOULD NOT REGISTER THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE TANK. READING ON THIS THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF FAILURES ON THE SANTA FE AROUND THE 72,000 MARK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10641386
57,000 miles · Sep 27, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED BOUNCING FROM FULL TO EMPTY AND WE KEEP OUR TANK ABOVE HALF MOST OF THE TIME. WE WENT IN TO OUR LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS "NORMAL" FOR FUEL SENSORS TO GO OUT THIS EARLY. UPON FURTHER PRESSING THEY SAID THAT IT IS HAPPENING ON A LOT OF THE SANTA FE'S, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. 500-600 DOL…
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THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED BOUNCING FROM FULL TO EMPTY AND WE KEEP OUR TANK ABOVE HALF MOST OF THE TIME. WE WENT IN TO OUR LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS "NORMAL" FOR FUEL SENSORS TO GO OUT THIS EARLY. UPON FURTHER PRESSING THEY SAID THAT IT IS HAPPENING ON A LOT OF THE SANTA FE'S, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. 500-600 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE SENSORS. FOR NOW WE ARE JUST RUNNING IT WHILE FILLING UP EVERY TIME AND KEEPING TRACK OF OUR MILEAGE. THESE NEED TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639522
Official recalls
4Apr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Jul 25, 2012
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from April 19, 2006, through July 7, 2008. The occupant classification system (OCS) may need recalibration to accurately detect small statured adults.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Improper classification or detection may cause the front passenger airbag not to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the classification software free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Sep 9, 2011
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 26, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 19, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 20, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: HYUNDAI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CONNECT CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Jun 19, 2008
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 88,943 MY 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH P235/60R18 TIRES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE BLACK CERTIFICATION LABEL AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE CENTER PILLAR, INCORRECTLY LISTS THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERLOADING YOUR VEHICLE MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT HANDLING AND BRAKING AND MAY CAUSE TIRE DAMAGE, RESULTING IN TIRE FAILURE AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: HYUNDAI WILL MAIL CORRECTED CERTIFICATION LABELS ALONG WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE AFFECTED OWNERS. THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
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