Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
550–25K
2825–50K
5350–75K
7775–100K
54100–150K
11150K+
278 reports with mileage · 80 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 109 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
27 crash reports5 fire reports15 injury reports
What owners actually said
358 reports
40,000 miles · Apr 23, 2014
Power Train
MY 2009 SANTA FE HAS BEEN ACCELERATING DURING STOPPING (AROUND 20-30 MILES) I BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALER AND THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT DID IN FACT SURGE WHILE TRYING TO STOP. THEY DID AN "UPDATE" AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME TELLING ME IF IT DOES IT AGAIN BRING IT BACK. IT NOT ONLY CONTINUES TO DO THIS BUT WHAT…
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MY 2009 SANTA FE HAS BEEN ACCELERATING DURING STOPPING (AROUND 20-30 MILES) I BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALER AND THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT DID IN FACT SURGE WHILE TRYING TO STOP. THEY DID AN "UPDATE" AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME TELLING ME IF IT DOES IT AGAIN BRING IT BACK. IT NOT ONLY CONTINUES TO DO THIS BUT WHATEVER THEY DID MADE THE TRANSMISSION SWITCH HARD. I'M TAKING IT BACK TODAY. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10584364
95,800 miles · Apr 9, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING AN EMPTY READING WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENSORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING AN EMPTY READING WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENSORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,215.
NHTSA ODI #10578626
52,000 miles · Mar 20, 2014
Service Brakes
REAR BRAKE CALIBER LOCKED UP, BRAKES OVERHEATED. HAD TO HAVE BOTH CALIBERS REPLACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573713
62,400 miles · Mar 13, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD, GAS GAUGE WENT FROM FULL TO EMPTY AND BACK AGAIN. SINCE THAT DAY, GAUGE MOVES EVERY 5/10 MINUTES, DAILY. HAVE TO SET TRIP MILEAGE AFTER EACH FILL UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10569194
3,000 miles · Mar 6, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
ABOUT 6 TO 9 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING SANTA FE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD WITH 1/4 TANK OF GAS INDICATED. GAS WAS PUT IN CAR AND DRIVEN TO DEALERSHIP WITH CAR STALLING A SECOND TIME IN ROUTE. DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR STALLED ON INTERSTATE WHILE GOING 70MPH 3/2013 WI…
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ABOUT 6 TO 9 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING SANTA FE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD WITH 1/4 TANK OF GAS INDICATED. GAS WAS PUT IN CAR AND DRIVEN TO DEALERSHIP WITH CAR STALLING A SECOND TIME IN ROUTE. DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR STALLED ON INTERSTATE WHILE GOING 70MPH 3/2013 WITH 1/3 TANK OF GAS SHOWING. UPON ADDING GAS CAR RAN AGAIN. WAITED A FEW MONTHS UNTIL CAR STALLED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN WITH "PLENTY OF GAS." TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP 7/2013 AND THEY SAID IT WAS A FLUKE AND THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED AGAIN. ONCE AGAIN, 12/2013 CAR STALLED ON HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 WHILE GAUGE INDICATED 1/3 TANK OF GAS. FILLED WITH GAS AND CAR RAN. TOOK IT TO DEALER 12/2013 AND THEY SAID IT WAS JUST A FLUKE (SEEMS TO BE PARTY LINE) BUT THIS TIME THEY SAID THE FLOAT IN THE FUEL TANK WAS GETTING HUNG UP ON SOMETHING SO WAS GIVING A FALSE READING. DEALER SAID HOSE THAT GOT CAUGHT ON FLOAT HAD BEEN RECONNECTED AND SHOULD NOT CAUSE ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS. DRIVING AROUND TOWN TWO DAYS AGO WITH 1/4 TANK OF GAS CAR STALLED AGAIN. HAVE ADDED GAS BUT IT IS SPUTTERING. ASSUME IT WILL BE ANOTHER FLUKE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567630
82,000 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Visibility/wiper
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK ON VERY COLD WINTER DAYS (ALL DAY, MULTIPLE DAYS). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565928
90,000 miles · Dec 29, 2013
StructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash
ENTERED HORSESHOE CASINO PARKING GARAGE AND TURNED INTO PARKING LEVEL. AS I FOLLOWED FORD TAURUS, HYUNDAI ENGINE CHANGED FROM NORMAL SPEED TO A ROARING ACCELERATION IN AN INSTANCE. I COULDN'T BRAKE IT TO A STOP AND IT RAMMED THE REAR END OF THE TAURUS. DAMAGE TO THE SANTE FE WAS LIMITED TO FRONT BUMPER DAMAGE WHILE THE BACK END…
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ENTERED HORSESHOE CASINO PARKING GARAGE AND TURNED INTO PARKING LEVEL. AS I FOLLOWED FORD TAURUS, HYUNDAI ENGINE CHANGED FROM NORMAL SPEED TO A ROARING ACCELERATION IN AN INSTANCE. I COULDN'T BRAKE IT TO A STOP AND IT RAMMED THE REAR END OF THE TAURUS. DAMAGE TO THE SANTE FE WAS LIMITED TO FRONT BUMPER DAMAGE WHILE THE BACK END OF THE TAURUS WAS DRIVEN FORWARD AND TORN UP. MY HUSBAND THOUGHT THE CRUISE MIGHT HAVE GONE ON; BUT, HE DECIDED THE ACCELERATION WAS TOO RAPID FOR THE CRUISE. HE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WE DROVE HOME WITHOUT ANY FURTHER TROUBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557661
78,000 miles · Dec 4, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK AND IN ORDER TO RELEASE IT, THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE ENGAGED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK AND IN ORDER TO RELEASE IT, THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE ENGAGED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 01/07/14*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10554752
61,000 miles · Nov 6, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
DRIVING MY WIFE'S CAR AROUND 40 MPH AND FOR NO REASON THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND I HAD TO LAY ON THE BRAKE BUT WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE IT AGAIN STARTED ACCELERATING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE WAS RACING VERY HIGH I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND STARTED IT AGAI…
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DRIVING MY WIFE'S CAR AROUND 40 MPH AND FOR NO REASON THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND I HAD TO LAY ON THE BRAKE BUT WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE IT AGAIN STARTED ACCELERATING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE WAS RACING VERY HIGH I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN AND IT WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. TALKED TO HYUNDAI SERVICE AND THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME AN ANSWER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551176
81,705 miles · Oct 19, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL SENSOR FAILED AND REGISTERED EMPTY TANK WITH LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED. SINCE THEN THE FUEL GAUGE HAS NOT OPERATED CORRECTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE REMAINS LIT. FAULT HAS BEEN TRACED TO FUEL TANK SENSOR WHICH REQUIRES REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT. *TR
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.
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
1
DP21003 · 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.
2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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