NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
358 reports10,000 miles · Oct 10, 2013
Service BrakesCrashInjury
I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING STRUCTURE. I WAS ALREADY PRESSING THE BRAKE AND JUST BEGAN TO PRESS IT A BIT HARDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING SPACE. JUST AS I GAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL A BIT MORE PRESSURE, MY CAR SPED FORWARD, JUMPING A CEMENT WHEEL STOP IN THE PARKING SPACE, CRASHING ME INTO THE WALL OF …
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I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING STRUCTURE. I WAS ALREADY PRESSING THE BRAKE AND JUST BEGAN TO PRESS IT A BIT HARDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING SPACE. JUST AS I GAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL A BIT MORE PRESSURE, MY CAR SPED FORWARD, JUMPING A CEMENT WHEEL STOP IN THE PARKING SPACE, CRASHING ME INTO THE WALL OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE. THE FORCE OF HITTING THE WALL THREW THE CAR BACKWARDS WHERE THE WHEELS GOT STUCK BETWEEN THE WHEEL STOP AND THE WALL. HITTING THE WHEEL STOP THEN SENT MY CAR BACK INTO THE CEMENT WALL; REBOUNDING OFF OF THE WALL THIS SECOND TIME, THE CAR WAS PROPELLED OVER THE WHEEL STOP AND FINALLY STOPPED MOVING.THE CEMENT WALL WAS CRACKED AND VERY PRECARIOUS TO THOSE USING THE SIDEWALKS UNDERNEATH. MY CAR HAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. TWO PEOPLE ON STAFF AT THE PARKING STRUCTURE SAW THE ENTIRE THING AND ASKED 'WHAT HAPPENED?" ONE OF THE WITNESSES SAID HE SAW MY BRAKE LIGHTS ON RIGHT BEFORE IT SPED UP AND FLEW INTO THE WALL. CALLED HYUNDAI AND LEARNED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON MY CAR. ALTHOUGH THIS RECALL STATES THAT IT IS TO REPLACE SOME SORT OF BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, THE LADY AT HYUNDAI SAID THAT THIS TYPE OF ACCELERATION WAS LISTED AS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THIS 'SWITCH' THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED. I TOLD HYUNDAI THAT I AM NOW SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR UNTIL IT IS CHECKED TO FIX ANY PROBLEMS THAT ARE GOING ON WITH THE BRAKES/ACCELERATION. THEY WERE SO NICE! THEY INVITED ME TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT ANY DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT INSPECTED - AT MY COST. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE SO UNCONCERNED. ANYWAY, THAT IS SANTA FE TALE OF WOE. WOULD APPRECIATE HELP WITH DEALING WITH HYUNDAI TO GET THIS RESOLVED; OR AT LEAST HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT FOR NO CHARGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547470
56,830 miles · Sep 28, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MPH AROUND TOPEKA KANSAS WHEN THE VEHICLE LURCHED, THEN THE ESC, ENGINE AND CHASSIS LIGHTS FLASHED. IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS THE CAR LOST ALL PROPULSION. FORTUNATELY I WAS BY AN OFF-RAMP, BUT COULD OF GOTTEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH SUCH A SUDDEN DECELERATION. MANAGED TO GET TO AN AUTOZONE STORE TO CHECK THE FAUL…
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WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MPH AROUND TOPEKA KANSAS WHEN THE VEHICLE LURCHED, THEN THE ESC, ENGINE AND CHASSIS LIGHTS FLASHED. IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS THE CAR LOST ALL PROPULSION. FORTUNATELY I WAS BY AN OFF-RAMP, BUT COULD OF GOTTEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH SUCH A SUDDEN DECELERATION. MANAGED TO GET TO AN AUTOZONE STORE TO CHECK THE FAULT. THE FAULT CAME UP AS THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TPS). MANAGED TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN TOPEKA. THEY FIXED IN WITHIN 10 MINUTES, BUT AFTER COMPLETING MY TRIP BACK TO COLORADO NOTICED THE CAR IS LURCHING AGAIN IN LOWER SPEED, IN-TOWN TRAFFIC...VERY DANGEROUS!!! WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP IN COLORADO ON MONDAY MORNING!! HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM TWO YEARS AGO, TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM WITH IT. GUESS THEY WON'T BE SATISFIED UNTIL THE WARRANTY PERIOD ENDS AND SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546038
32,000 miles · Sep 6, 2013
Service Brakes
AT 32,000 MILE THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL SMELLED HOT, BRAKE DUST RESIDUE VISIBLE AND SQUEALING COMING FROM THIS DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL. FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR OUTSIDE BRAKE PAD WAS WORN DOWN TO METAL. DRIVER'S SIDE INSIDE PAD AND PASSENGER REAR PADS, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT WERE FINE WITH HARDLY ANY WEAR ON THEM.…
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AT 32,000 MILE THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL SMELLED HOT, BRAKE DUST RESIDUE VISIBLE AND SQUEALING COMING FROM THIS DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL. FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR OUTSIDE BRAKE PAD WAS WORN DOWN TO METAL. DRIVER'S SIDE INSIDE PAD AND PASSENGER REAR PADS, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT WERE FINE WITH HARDLY ANY WEAR ON THEM.. HYUNDAI DEALER SAID IT IS NORMAL FOR REAR DISC PAD TO WEAR THIS UNEVEN AND FOR CALIPER'S TO STICK ON CAUSING THIS. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT IN EITHER DESIGN OR QUALITY OF PARTS AS OTHER SANTA FE OWNERS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS AT EVEN LOWER MILEAGE. DEALER WANTS YOU TO PAY $60 TO HAVE YOUR DISC BRAKES CLEANED AND ADJUSTED (WHAT IS THERE TO ADJUST?) WHY DO ONLY HYUNDAI SANTA FE BRAKES NEED THIS UNHEARD OF SERVICE? WHY IS IT ONLY OCCURRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FOR ME AND OTHER OWNERS? DISC BRAKES SHOULD NOT ACT THIS WAY.
NHTSA ODI #10542362
49,400 miles · Aug 26, 2013
Engine
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY FORTY (40) MILES PER HOUR, IN TRAFFIC, WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT-OFF. I QUICKLY TURNED THE IGNITION TO "OFF" AND THEN BACK ON. THE ENGINE STARTED IMMEDIATELY. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, WHEN I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT. I QUICKLY TURNED THE IGNITI…
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I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY FORTY (40) MILES PER HOUR, IN TRAFFIC, WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT-OFF. I QUICKLY TURNED THE IGNITION TO "OFF" AND THEN BACK ON. THE ENGINE STARTED IMMEDIATELY. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, WHEN I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT. I QUICKLY TURNED THE IGNITION TO "OFF" AND THEN BACK ON. THE ENGINE STARTED IMMEDIATELY, ON BOTH OCCASIONS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO PLANET HYUNDAI IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, ON AUGUST 7, 2013. THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR SYSTEMS CHECK AND COULD NOT PRODUCE THE SAME ENGINE SHUT-OFF EVENT, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10537215
48,186 miles · Aug 25, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
WHEN ENTERING AN UP-RAMP TO A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY AT SLOW SPEED, LESS THAN 30 MPH, AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED AND POWER WAS LOST TO STEERING AND BRAKES. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART, BUT WERE JUST LUCKY THAT THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN ON A CURVE AT HIGH SPEED OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. TOOK THE …
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WHEN ENTERING AN UP-RAMP TO A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY AT SLOW SPEED, LESS THAN 30 MPH, AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED AND POWER WAS LOST TO STEERING AND BRAKES. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART, BUT WERE JUST LUCKY THAT THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN ON A CURVE AT HIGH SPEED OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10537149
53,504 miles · Aug 18, 2013
Service Brakes
WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL GENERATING A SCREECHING NOISE AND A BURNING SMELL. CHECKED TIRE AND BOTH THE TIRE AND WHEEL RIM WERE RED HOT. TOOK TO HYUNDAI DEALER. SAID CALIPERS NOT SLIDING PROPERLY. THEY CLAIM ON SANTA FE'S YOU HAVE TO BRING THEM IN FOR SERVICE (THE CALIPERS) EVERY 10K OR SO, AS THE REAR CALIPERS HAVE…
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WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL GENERATING A SCREECHING NOISE AND A BURNING SMELL. CHECKED TIRE AND BOTH THE TIRE AND WHEEL RIM WERE RED HOT. TOOK TO HYUNDAI DEALER. SAID CALIPERS NOT SLIDING PROPERLY. THEY CLAIM ON SANTA FE'S YOU HAVE TO BRING THEM IN FOR SERVICE (THE CALIPERS) EVERY 10K OR SO, AS THE REAR CALIPERS HAVE A TENDENCY TO FREEZE. I CHECKED THE INTERNET, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSTINGS ON HYUNDAI SANTA FE OWNERS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. ALSO AN ARTICLE IN THIS WEEK'S HARTFORD COURANT AUTO SECTION OF A CONSUMER WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. IF I HAD NOT PULLED THE CAR OVER AND CHECKED THIS OUT THOROUGHLY, I COULD HAVE HAD A BLOWOUT AS THE HOT TIRE WOULD HAVE EXPLODED. THERE MAY BE A DEFECT IN SANTA FE CALIPERS. A SAFETY RECALL MAY BE IN ORDER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535981
54,000 miles · Aug 9, 2013
EngineStructureUnknown Or OtherCrash
I WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A FIRE HYDRANT DOING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH. THE SEATBELT FAILED TO LOCK AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CAR HAS MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE UNDERBODY, FRONT-END, THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE DASH, THE MOTOR MOUNTS, ENGINE AND OTHER DAMAGES ARE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534413
30,000 miles · Aug 9, 2013
StructureCrashInjury
I WAS A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE ON THE WAY TO THE LICENSE BRANCH AND WAS SITTING STILL AT A STOP LIGHT, WHEN A VEHICLE REAR-ENDED MY CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534412
26,400 miles · Aug 4, 2013
EngineSteering
WHILE SLOWING DOWN, APPLYING BRAKES TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY INTO THE CLOVERLEAF OFF RAMP, STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT AND I WAS FORCED TO CONTINUE IN THE CURRENT DIRECTION OFF THE ROAD INTO THE GRASS. UPON STOPPING NOTICED DASH LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS HEADED INTO A GRASSY AREA AND N…
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WHILE SLOWING DOWN, APPLYING BRAKES TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY INTO THE CLOVERLEAF OFF RAMP, STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT AND I WAS FORCED TO CONTINUE IN THE CURRENT DIRECTION OFF THE ROAD INTO THE GRASS. UPON STOPPING NOTICED DASH LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS HEADED INTO A GRASSY AREA AND NOT INTO A WALL AS I COULDN'T STEER IN ANY OTHER DIRECTION FROM WHEN I LOST POWER. HYUNDAI FOUND NO ERROR CODES AND COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING LINKS FOR PAGES OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WITH HYUNDAI SANTA FE: 15 PAGES OF RELATED ISSUES - HTTP://WWW.HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM/187-CM-2007-2012-SANTA-FE/133580-2011-SANTA-FE-STALL-WHILE-DRIVING-13.HTML ANOTHER - HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/HYUNDAI/SANTAFE/ENGINE-STALL-PROBLEMS.PHP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533472
26,000 miles · Jul 8, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, ESC LIGHT & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CAR LOST POWER. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES, CAR RESTARTED AND RETAINED POWER FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. THIS YEAR, THE CAR HAS DUPLICATED THE SAME PROBLEM 4 TIMES WITHIN A MONTH, AND WHEN FOOT ON BRAKE IN DRIVE, THE CAR SURGES SO BADLY THAT AT TIMES I THOUGHT …
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DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, ESC LIGHT & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CAR LOST POWER. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES, CAR RESTARTED AND RETAINED POWER FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. THIS YEAR, THE CAR HAS DUPLICATED THE SAME PROBLEM 4 TIMES WITHIN A MONTH, AND WHEN FOOT ON BRAKE IN DRIVE, THE CAR SURGES SO BADLY THAT AT TIMES I THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD BUMPED THE REAR OF CAR. I TOOK TO DEALER TODAY AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR UNDER WARRANTY. THIS WAS VERY MUCH A SAFETY CONCERN , WOULD OFTEN HAPPEN THIS YEAR WHEN VEHICLE WAS SLOWING, SO THAT MAKING A LEFT TURN PUT ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION.THE REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE SENSOR SEEMS TO HAVE REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523792
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.