NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
358 reportsMileage unknown · Jun 4, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL INDICATOR GAUGE FLUCTUATES SEVERELY AND DOES NOT SHOW CORRECT LEVEL. SINCE THE LEVEL IS INCORRECT, AND THE WARNING INDICATOR DOES NOT FUNCTION, THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY RUN OUT OF FUEL AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS…
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FUEL INDICATOR GAUGE FLUCTUATES SEVERELY AND DOES NOT SHOW CORRECT LEVEL. SINCE THE LEVEL IS INCORRECT, AND THE WARNING INDICATOR DOES NOT FUNCTION, THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY RUN OUT OF FUEL AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10993074
98,000 miles · May 30, 2017
Electrical System
MY FUEL GAUGE IS NO LONGER WORKING. IT DOESN'T REGISTER THE AMOUNT OF GAS. THE GAUGE GOES UP AND DOWN RANDOMLY AND MAINLY STAYS ON EMPTY.
NHTSA ODI #10992130
140,000 miles · May 26, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
GAS GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER AMOUNT OF GAS THAT IS IN THE TANK. FILL UP TANK AND GAUGE REMAINS A EMPTY OR GOES TO FULL AND THE QUICKLY MOVES TO EMPTY. MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME ISSUE WITH 2009 SANTA FE. SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE AND CAN VERY EASILY RUN OUT OF GAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY CAUSING A M…
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GAS GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER AMOUNT OF GAS THAT IS IN THE TANK. FILL UP TANK AND GAUGE REMAINS A EMPTY OR GOES TO FULL AND THE QUICKLY MOVES TO EMPTY. MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME ISSUE WITH 2009 SANTA FE. SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE AND CAN VERY EASILY RUN OUT OF GAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10991765
96,000 miles · May 23, 2017
StructureUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
PAINT COMES OFF THE CAR IN LARGE PIECES THAT, IF RAINING, WILL STICK TO WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR AND THE CAR BEHIND YOU, WHILE DRIVING. THIS BLOCKS THE VISIBILITY OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSES WIPER PROBLEMS AS THE LARGE PIECES GET STUCK TO THEM. AGAIN THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. THE LARGE PIECE O…
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PAINT COMES OFF THE CAR IN LARGE PIECES THAT, IF RAINING, WILL STICK TO WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR AND THE CAR BEHIND YOU, WHILE DRIVING. THIS BLOCKS THE VISIBILITY OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSES WIPER PROBLEMS AS THE LARGE PIECES GET STUCK TO THEM. AGAIN THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. THE LARGE PIECE OF PAINT WILL STILL COME OFF DURING NORMAL DRIVING, BUT THE SAFETY CONCERN IS WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. PIECES AS LARGE AS 1 INCH BY 1 INCH ARE NOT UNCOMMON, WITH THE LARGEST PIECE CURRENTLY MISSING IS ABOUT 8 INCHES BY 8 INCHES. PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING OVER 2 YEARS AGO. WHEN THE PIECES GET STUCK TO THE WINDSHIELD, YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER TO REMOVE THEM FROM BOTH THE WINDSHIELD AND WIPER BLADES. THIS IS ALSO DANGEROUS AS WE HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER ON A MAJOR FREEWAY BEFORE TO REMOVE THEM FROM PARTS OF THE VEHICLE, NAMELY THE WINDSHIELD AND WIPERS. THIS PROBLEM AGAIN CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH VISIBILITY OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR AND POSSIBLY THE CAR(S) BEHIND YOU WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT LARGE PIECES (SHEETS) OF PAINT SHOULD BE COMING OFF OF A CAR AND STICKING TO A WINDSHIELD OF THE AFFECTED CAR AND CARS AROUND IT, WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. TRULY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10991234
98,650 miles · May 5, 2017
Engine
MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE STALLED OUT AGAIN. THIS EVENT HAPPENED WHILE TURNING LEFT ONTO A BUSY STREET AFTER SITING AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT IN THE WAY OF OTHER DRIVERS. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THEN THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND I WAS AB…
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MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE STALLED OUT AGAIN. THIS EVENT HAPPENED WHILE TURNING LEFT ONTO A BUSY STREET AFTER SITING AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT IN THE WAY OF OTHER DRIVERS. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THEN THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY. THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS FORCED TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES, AS IT APPEARS THAT I HAVE JUST DECIDED TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED. VERY DANGEROUS AND COMPLETELY OUT OF MY CONTROL.
NHTSA ODI #10983790
97,500 miles · May 5, 2017
Engine
MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE KEEPS RANDOMLY STALLING OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, WHILE MAKING TURNS ONTO BUSY STREETS DURING RUSH HOUR AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A LIGHT, MAKING TURNS AFTER DECELERATING, NO PARTICULAR PATTERN. THERE IS ALSO NO WARNI…
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MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE KEEPS RANDOMLY STALLING OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, WHILE MAKING TURNS ONTO BUSY STREETS DURING RUSH HOUR AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A LIGHT, MAKING TURNS AFTER DECELERATING, NO PARTICULAR PATTERN. THERE IS ALSO NO WARNING WHATSOEVER! WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS OUT, I LOSE MY POWER STEERING, THUS BASICALLY HAVING MINIMAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY CAR DIRECTLY INTO THE DEALER AFTER THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE DAY. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE EVENT. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THEY COULD TRY REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT IT MAY FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY WERE NOT SURE BECAUSE THEY DID FIND A PROBLEM. AS I STATED BEFORE, THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. THERE IS A PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR MANY TIMES BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO STALL.
NHTSA ODI #10983788
125,000 miles · Apr 24, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
I NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS ERRATIC AND MOSTLY INCORRECT. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS IT QUIT WORKING AT ALL. IVE TRIED TO RESET THE TRIP ODOMETER AND KEEP UP WITH THE AMOUNT OF GAS I SHOULD HAVE IN THE TANK. I GAVE OUT OF GAS ON AN INTERSTATE AT 11PM IN SUB FREEZING WEATHER. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE FUEL SENSOR AS THE PROBLEM…
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I NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS ERRATIC AND MOSTLY INCORRECT. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS IT QUIT WORKING AT ALL. IVE TRIED TO RESET THE TRIP ODOMETER AND KEEP UP WITH THE AMOUNT OF GAS I SHOULD HAVE IN THE TANK. I GAVE OUT OF GAS ON AN INTERSTATE AT 11PM IN SUB FREEZING WEATHER. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE FUEL SENSOR AS THE PROBLEM. I'VE NOTICED SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS HERE. THE ESTIMATED FIX IS $500. ADDITIONALLY THERE IS A HISSING SOUND FROM THE TANK WHEN I STOP TO FILL UP. UPON FILLING THE TANK THE ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK INITIALLY. IT APPREARS TO BE FLOODING THE ENGINE WITH GASOLINE. IF IM PATIENT I WILL EVENTUALLY GET IT CRANKED. WHEN I PULL OFF IT SHUTS OFF. THIS CONTINUES AS I INTENTIONALLY DRIVE AROUND IN THE PARKING LOT DUE TO HAVING THIS HAPPEN ONCE AFTER PULLING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I AM A RETIREE ON FIXED INCOME. THE AUTO WILL NOT PASS NC EMISSIONS INSPECTION DUE THIS MONTH UNTIL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF.
NHTSA ODI #10980151
151,738 miles · Apr 22, 2017
Engine
DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED ONE BLOCK FROM HOME, ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN.
NHTSA ODI #10979939
60,000 miles · Apr 7, 2017
Engine
VEHICLE STALLED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. TOOK VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI DEALER, THEY COULD FIND REASON FOR THE STALLING. NO CODES CHECKED.
NHTSA ODI #10971160
120,000 miles · Apr 6, 2017
Service BrakesSteeringVehicle Speed Control
WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. POWER STEERING AND BREAKS ARE GONE. THE CAR WILL CRANK RIGHT BACK OFF BUT THIS US VERY DANGEROUS. I'M NOT SURE IF WEATHER IS A FACTOR BUT WHEN IT HAS HAPPENED WHICH GAS BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES, IT HAS BEEN IN THE 80'S. MECHANICS AND DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING…
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WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. POWER STEERING AND BREAKS ARE GONE. THE CAR WILL CRANK RIGHT BACK OFF BUT THIS US VERY DANGEROUS. I'M NOT SURE IF WEATHER IS A FACTOR BUT WHEN IT HAS HAPPENED WHICH GAS BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES, IT HAS BEEN IN THE 80'S. MECHANICS AND DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING AND NO CODES ARE RECORDED.
NHTSA ODI #10970982
Official recalls
2Apr 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.
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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