NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
FUEL FLOAT IN GAS TANK STUCK THEREFORE NO FUEL GAGE READING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY. I HAD JUST FILLED UP A DAY OR SO PRIOR. I TOOK TO MY MECHANIC HE SAID THAT IT IS THE FUEL SENSOR. SO I FILL UP THE CAR AND RESET MY TRIP TO 0 EVERY TIME I FILL UP NOW. OTHERWISE I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE CAR...THE FUEL GAUGE JUMPS AROUND...SOMETIMES IT SAYS HALF EMPTY...SOMETIMES IT SAYS LOW FUEL LIGHT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE SITUATION...THE FUEL SENSORS SHOULD NOT FAILING! I SEE THAT MAY OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM...ALTHOUGH THIS FIRST HAPPENED OVER THE SUMMER THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING AND APPARENTLY WIDE SPREAD.
AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK, THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY, ALONG WITH THE LOW-FUEL WARNING LIGHT. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES, THE GAUGE THEN APPEARED TO BE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE GAUGE CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION IF THE GAS TANK IS FILLED. WHEN THE TANK IS BELOW HALF FULL, THE GAUGE WILL RANDOMLY READ EMPTY OR HALF FULL. AN INTERNET SEARCH QUICKLY REVEALED THAT MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I HOPE HYUNDAI WILL INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL TOO CORRECT THE ISSUE.
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND LOW FUEL LIGHT COME ON EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS. I'VE RECEIVED SEVERAL ESTIMATES TO HAVE THE FUEL SENSOR REPLACED AND IT WILL COST ANYWHERE FROM $600 TO $700. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAFETY ISSUES.
CK ENGIN LIGHT COMES ON CODE P0464 NOT A LL UNCOMMON.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, THE INSPECTION TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO THE FUEL SENSOR GAUGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON MAY 28 2015, DEALER ADVISED FUEL SENSOR/PUMP ISSUE, REPAIRED IT $$$$ JUNE 5TH SAME ISSUE BACK AT DEALER, ALSO WILL NOT START AND FUEL GAUGE ACTING UP 33RD RECORD OF THE SAME ISSUE AT NTSHA FOR THIS 2009, OVER 100 FOR THE CUMULATIVE YEARS FOR THE SANTA FE SAME ISSUE
UPON TRYING TO SWITCH MY DAUGHTER FROM HER CAR SEAT TO A BOOSTER SEAT WE NOTICED OUT BACK SEAT SEATBELTS WERE FRAYED AND DAMAGED, LATER WE FOUND OUT IT WAS DO TO FAULTY SEATBELT TENTIONERS.
I WAS HEADING OUT AND THE ABS AND ESC LIGHTS CAME ON. DECIDED TO TURN AROUND AND GO BACK HOME, DUE TO FACT THAT I WAS WORRIED AND SCARED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH ABS BRAKES AND THE ESC CONTROL, THAT MAY OR MAY NOT CAUSE A CRASH OR ACCIDENT. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR END UP GETTING HURT OR HURT ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. READ IN MANUAL THAT IT COULD BE A FAULTY SWITCH OR SENSOR. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KID OF COSTLY MONEY TO FIX PROBLEM. I NEED MY CAR TO GET TO DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS AS I HAVE MANY HEALTH ISSUES. IF THERE IS A RECALL I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AND HAVE IT FIXED FREE OF CHARGE.
WE WERE EXITING A RAMP OFF RT 75 IN FLORIDA. OUR SPEED WAS ABOUT 30 MPH. SUDDENLY WE LOSS POWER STEERING AND BRAKING AND ACCELERATION. WE COASTED TO A STOP. WE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES...EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. IT WAS THE SECOND SUCH EXPERIENCE. THE FIRST WAS AUGUST 2013. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THROTTLE SENSOR AT THAT TIME. THIS LATEST EXPERIENCE IS THE EXACT DUPLICATE OF THE FIRST. I AM TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW MORNING.
I WAS DRIVING MY WHITE HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED, 3.3L, 6CYL SUV HOME FROM WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME. I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN AND I LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKES, VEERING ONTO A NARROW SHOULDER AND INTO A SLOPE THAT SENT MY SUV INTO A SWAMP DITCH, SUBMERGING THE SUV UP PAST THE FLOORBOARDS. MY INSURANCE CLAIM SPECIALIST NOTIFIED ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS, AND PAID A CLAIM PAYOUT AND SETTLEMENT FAR LESS THAN THE AMOUNT STILL OWED ON THE VEHICLE. IT IS MY OPINION THAT A CYBER-ATTACK SIGNAL SENT TO THE SUV'S ENGINE IMMOBILIZER SWITCH, SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING, ELECTRONICALLY. THIS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED FROM ANY HAND HELD DEVICE, MOBIL PHONE, LAP TOP COMPUTER, SATELLITE FEED, ETC. ALL THAT IS REQUIRED IS A VIN NUMBER, AND ANY SIGNAL TO THE ENGINE IMMOBILIZER SWITCH CAN SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE DANGEROUSLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LOWER SPEEDS OF 20MPH, WHERE I WOULD JUST TURN THE IGNITION KEY, THE SUV WOULD START THE ENGINE, AND I WOULD PROCEED. HOWEVER, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I DID NOT HAVE THIS OPTION.
NOTICED FUEL GAUGE STARTED TO FLUCTUATE WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A WHILE. STOPPED AT CHURCH SHOWED 1/4 TANK WITH A RANGE OF 90 MILES, STOPPED AT WALMART SHOWED BETWEEN 1/4 & 1/2 TANK AND A RANGE OF 147 MILES. ABOUT TO TAKE THIS VEHICLE ON THE ROAD AND REALLY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE IT FIXED. DROVE OLD VEHICLES FOR YEARS AND NEVER HAD A FUEL GAUGE GO BAD. THIS IS ONLY UNDER WARRANTY FOR 5/60K SO THANKS HYUNDAI, I AM CROSSING THEM OFF THE LIST OF MY NEXT CAR MODEL. BTW $600 BILL FOR THIS. PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW IF IT'S A SAFETY FACTOR. OF COURSE NOT, RUNNING OUT OF GAS ON THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSTATE CAN'T BE A SAFETY PROBLEM. TO ME IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN HAVING YOUR KEYS TURN YOUR IGNITION SWITCH OFF CAUSE THEY'RE TOO HEAVY. *TR
VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE IS ERRATIC. WITH A FULL TANK OF FUEL THE GAUGE SOMETIMES READS EMPTY WITH THE LOW FUEL LIGHT ON. OTHER TIMES IT MAY READ AS HALF OR ANYWHERE IN BETWEEN. PROBABLY DEFECTIVE FUEL SENDING UNIT. *TR
ONCE THE GAS GAGE REACHES 1/4 FULL, IT GOES TO EMPTY. AFTER FILLING WITH GAS, IT WILL TAKE OVER 1 HOUR TO RECORD A FULL TANK. CANNOT USE THE GAGE AS WE ARE NEVER SURE HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK. THE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO APPEARS AND STAYS ON UNTIL THE GAS SENSOR RECORDS FULL.
RPM JUMPED WITHOUT DRIVER INCREASING PEDAL PRESSURE, CAUSING SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ISSUE. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE IN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE A PROPER READING AND WOULD FLUCTUATE FROM FULL TO EMPTY AFTER THE TANK WAS REFUELED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER RECALL AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
I WAS PARKING MY CAR IN A SPACE AT A LOCAL STORE. THE CAR TOOK OFF. SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WENT FORWARD PROBABLY A GOOD 15 FEET BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE BOTH FUEL TANK SENSORS REPLACED. MY GAS GAUGE WOULD NOT REGISTER PROPERLY. FLUCTUATED UP AND DOWN AT RANDOM MOMENTS. COST ME $364.51! SEEMS TO BE A CONTINUING PROBLEM. *TR
FILLED UP GAS TANK AND A SHORT TIME LATER GAS GAUGE SHOWED HALF TANK. WE PAID PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO WATCHING GAUGE AND IT RANDOMLY WOULD GO UP AND DOWN. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WE WENT TO OUR MECHANIC WHO CHECKED FOR THE REASON FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE RESULT WAS A CODE INDICATING THAT THE FUEL TANK LEVEL SENSOR WAS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM AS WE'RE NOT SURE AT ANY TIME WHAT THE LEVEL OF FUEL IS SINCE IT GOES UP AND DOWN. IT IS OBVIOUS IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. WE LOVE OUR SANTA FE BUT THESE TYPES OF ISSUES WILL CERTAINLY WEIGH IN ON OUR CAR REPLACEMENT DECISION. *TR
THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES ALL THE TIME. SOMETIMES I GET A READING BUT MOST TIMES IT TURNS ON THE EMPTY LIGHT . I HAVE CONSULTED SEVERAL HYUNDAI DEALERS MECHANICS AND BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A BIG AND FREQUENT PROBLEM. I HAVE READ OF SO MANY COMPLAINTS , THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON SAID DEFECT. .IT IS AS YOU KNOW VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE AND VERY EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS FOR ME TO TRY TO FIX..I'VE RAN OUT OF GAS SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE BEEN IN HARMS WAY.
FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS IS IN TANK IT USUALLY REGISTERS EMPTY, AND OCCASIONALLY IT WILL RANDOMLY FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN. BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. THIS HAPPENS WHILE CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY HYUNDAI.
PULLED INTO GAS STATION WITH A HAIR UNDER A 1/4 TANK OF GAS, SHUT OFF ENGINE AND HAD THE ATTENDANT FILL THE TANK. AFTER THE FILL WAS COMPLETE I STARTED THE CAR ENGINE AND THE FUEL GAUGE READ "E" AND THE YELLOW LIGHT CAME ON. I MOVED THE CAR FORWARD, BACKWARD AND FORWARD AGAIN AND THE GAUGE MOVED SLIGHTLY OFF THE "E". I DROVE HOME THE GAUGE MOVE TO JUST UNDER HALF. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WHEN I STARTED IT THIS MORNING WITH THE REMOTE START THE GAUGE READ HALF A TANK BUT WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN AND TURNED IT THE GAUGE WENT TO "E" AGAIN AND THE YELLOW LIGHT WAS BACK. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES ON MY RIDE TO WORK THE GAUGE WENT TO 1/4 TANK AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND SO FAR TODAY IT HAS STAYED THERE. BY THE LOOKS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM HYUNDAI HAS. *TR
I OWN A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH ODBII CODE P0464, FUEL LEVEL SENDER(SENSOR) UNIT MALFUNCTION "INTERMITTENT OPERATION". I NORMALLY REPAIR MY OWN VEHICLES AND HAVE REPAIRED CARS FOR MANY YEARS. THE ISSUE I HAVE IS THAT, ONLY ON RARE OCCASIONS SHOULD THESE FUEL TANK PARTS GO BAD ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT. I'M NOW SEEING MORE AND MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE FUEL TANK ISSUES, CONSIDER A RECALL FOR HYUNDAI VEHICLES. *TR
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE SLOWING DOWN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, HEADLIGHTS AND POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ARE LOST, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT COME ON. IMAGINE DRIVING DOWN A DARK WINDY ROAD AT NIGHT AND LOSING POWER STEERING AND BRAKING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. THIS IS ACCURATE TO THE EXPERIENCE. IF I TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON, IT STARTS JUST FINE. IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE, ON THE FREEWAY, WHILE PARKING, ETC. EVERY PERSON I HAVE TALKED TO WITH SAME VEHICLE CONFIRMS THE SAME. I HAVE YET TO FIND ANYONE WITH A FIX. THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR 2010 AND ON FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE. THIS ISSUE STARTED HAPPENING IN 2015 WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, AND IT HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN FOR YEARS.
AS WITH MANY OTHER OWNERS, WE SHARE THE FUEL SENDER SENSOR PROBLEM WITH OUR 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE . THE CODES ARE FOR BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES, MEANING BOTH WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL GAUGE EMPTY LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS WELL. QUOTED FROM $350 TO $620 DOLLARS FROM LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS. WE FAILED NJ INSPECTION DUE TO ENGINE LIGHT, AND THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND COSTLY PROBLEM, AND WE RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE BUSY GARDEN STATE PARKWAY WITH OUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR, INCURRING TOWING CHARGES. IT IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HYUNDAI IS AVOIDING. I HAVE ANOTHER 2009 HYUNDAI (ACCENT) WITH NO PROBLEMS, SO IT IS SAFE TO ASSUME ( WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS ) THAT IT IS A SANTA FE PROBLEM. PLEASE HAVE HYUNDAI LOOK INTO THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM . THANK YOU. *TR
ENGINE AND FUEL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY, AND THE GAS GAUGE SHOWS THE TANK IS EMPTY EVEN AFTER WE FILLED IT. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK, AND IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND WAS TOLD THE 2 FUEL SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $600. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW WE ALSO PURCHASED A MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, BUT, OF COURSE, THE FUEL SENSORS ARE EXCLUDED FROM COVERAGE. UPON DOING ONLINE RESEARCH WE LEARNED THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. WE FEEL THAT BECAUSE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS IT MAY BE A PROBLEM THAT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO REPAIR AT NO COST TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. *TR
VEHICLE SLOWED WITHOUT WARNING ON FREEWAY AT FREEWAY SPEED, THEN WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WENT TO IDLE MODE. BEFORE SLOWDOWN, HAD MILD SURGING AT SPEED. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AT TPS OR THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. PROBLEM WITH SAME SENSOR REPORTED TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP PREVIOUS, DIAGNOSED AS LOOSE CONNECTION REPORTED FROM PERIODIC SURGING WHILE DRIVING. AFTER RECENT PROBLEM WITH ALTERNATOR, WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF PART, WITHIN ONE WEEK, TPS PARTIALLY FAILED. FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AS KIA DEALERSHIP (SISTER COMPANY TO HYUNDAI) WHEN UNDERWENT FIRST REPAIR. FAILURE REQUIRED HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO BE TOLD EXACT PROBLEM, WHEREBY THEY CONFIRMED DIAGNOSIS. PART REQUIRED REPLACEMENT WITH SOFTWARE UPDATES. PART PROBLEM LEADING TO FAILURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED UNDER FIRST ROUND OF TESTING, AND UNDER FIRST REPAIR A WEEK PRIOR. PARTS UNPREDICTABLE FAILURE IS BELIEVED TO PRESENT A SIGNIFICANT RISK WHILE VEHICLE IS OPERATING. *TR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY AFTER RECENT FILL UP, THEN IT SLOWLY RISES TO FULL, INDICATOR LIGHT THEN GOES OUT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, ABOUT 20 MILES LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OUT AND GAS GAUGE RESPONDS CORRECTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, CURRENTLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS OFF. *TR
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND FUEL GAUGE WENT DOWN TO EMPTY, EVEN THOUGH I HAD A FULL TANK. TOOK TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE CHECK ENGINE CODE INDICATED "P0464 - FUEL LEVEL SENSOR 'A' CKT INTERMITTENT" PROBLEM. HE INFORMED ME OF HIS PRICE, BUT RECOMMENDED I GO TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FIRST TO SEE IF COVERED UNDER THE 100K POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALER ON 11/10/14 AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T COVERED OR CONSIDERED A RECALL, AND IT WOULD COST OVER $800 TO REPAIR. MY MECHANIC SUGGESTED I USE A BOTTLE OR TWO OF CHEVRON TECHRON FUEL ADDITIVE WITH MY NEXT FILL UP BECAUSE IT MAY CLEAN THE SENDING UNIT, AS GASOLINE TENDS TO COAT THE GRID THAT CONTACTS PASS OVER CAUSING THE GAGE FAILURE. A 20 OZ AND 12 OZ BOTTLE WERE ADDED AND SHORTLY AFTER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE FUEL GAGE BEGAN TO REGISTER PROPERLY AGAIN. THIS LASTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS, BUT THEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN IN JANUARY AND GAGE WENT DOWN WHEN I STARTED UP THE CAR ONE MORNING. I TRIED THE SAME THING AGAIN WITH THE TECHRON, AND IT WORKED FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL MORE TIMES LATELY BUT THE GAGE PROBLEM IS INCONSISTENT. SOMETIMES EVERYTHING SEEMS GOOD THEN IF I HAPPEN TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY, EVERYTHING GOES HAYWIRE AGAIN. I DON'T WANT TO KEEP PAYING FOR BOTTLES OF TECHRON ON EVERY OTHER FILL-UP OR USE PREMIUM GAS (WHICH DIDN'T WORK BTW), AND I ALSO THINK THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON ENOUGH ON 2007-2009 SANTA FE'S ON INTERNET POSTINGS THAT ITS TIME FOR HYUNDAI TO STEP UP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AS A RECALL. SOME THINK IT'S NOT IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT HASN'T CAUSED A CRASH, FIRE, OR ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH, BUT IF SOMEONE IGNORES IT AND RUNS OUT OF GAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, IN A TUNNEL (I GO THROUGH ONE 2X PER DAY), OR ANOTHER DANGEROUS SPOT, IT VERY WELL COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR DEATH. DO THE RIGHT THING HYUNDAI AND ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE!! *TR
I ENTERED A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WILDLY WITH NO CONTROL OVER SPEED. I TRIED TO BRAKE THE CAR BUT IT KEPT ACCELERATING. I PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE WAS OVER-REVVING FRIGHTENINGLY SO I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION.I FELT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL COME UP OFF THE FLOOR AND TAP THE SOLE OF MY RIGHT FOOT. AT THIS POINT I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND PUT ON MY 4 WAY FLASHERS. I ESTIMATE MY TOP SPEED TO BE ABOUT 75 MPH DURING THIS INCIDENT. FORTUNATELY I DID NOT CONTACT ANY OTHER VEHICLES OR OBJECTS. MY WIFE WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. AFTER A FEW MINUTES,I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT BEHAVED NORMALLY. WHEN I REACHED HOME I CALLED THE DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY. *TR
FUEL LIGHT WAS ON. FILLED GAS TANK. FUEL LIGHT REMAINED ON AND FUEL GAGE DID NOT RISE TO FULL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING 20+ MILES THE FUEL GAGE ROSE BUT DROPS RAPIDLY. THE FUEL LIGHT WILL GO ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. HYUNDAI DEALER SAYS THEY KNOW IT IS AN ISSUE BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. THE DANGER ARISES IF I FAIL TO RESET THE MILEAGE AND SHOULD RUN OUT OF GAS WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
I WAS LEAVING TO GO TO WORK, MY HUSBAND WALKED ME OUT OF OUR HOUSE SAYING GOODBYE, I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY, TURNED MY WHEEL TO GO AROUND OUR OTHER CAR, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SANTA FE FORCEFULLY ACCELERATED (NOT BY ME HITTING THE GAS ON ACCIDENT) HITTING MY HUSBAND THROWING HIM TO GROUND (WHICH HE IS A STURDY GUY) AN THEN HITTING MY OTHER CAR, IT WOULD NOT STOP I HAD BRAKE PEDEL DOWN AND PUT ON EMERGENCY BRAKE ON PUT IN REVERSE AND YET NOTHING JUST GOING FULL FORCE IN THE BACK OF MY OTHER CAR. I EVEN TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO MAKE SURE IT WAS NOT THE GAS PEDEL. IT WAS SO SCARY I DID NOT KNOW IF MY HUSBAND WAS BEENING CRUSHED BETWEEN CARS. I WAS SO SCARED THAT MY KIDS WOULD COME OUT AND GET RAN OVER TRYING TO HELP. I TURNED OFF THE CAR (WISH I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT SOONER) AND FINALLY AFTER PUSHING MY OTHER CAR AT LEAST 5 FEET IT FINALLY STARTED WINDING DOWN AND MAKING A LOUD HISSING SOUND. I FOUND MY HUSBAND LYING ON THE GROUND THANKING GOD I DIDNT KILL HIM . I CALL THE POLICE TO REPORT WHAT HAD HAPPEND, TOOK PICTURES OF ALL THE DAMAGE THAT THE SANTA FE DID. WE TOOK THE SANTA FE BACK TO DEALERSHIP STILL UNDER WARRENTY JUST PURCHASED 8 MONTHS AGO ONLY 63,000 MILES ON IT, THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. ONLY THING THEY SAID WAS POWERSTEERING LINE CRUSH AND WHATEVER DAMAGE DONE FROM THE INCIDENT, AND TRIED TO CHARGE ME $120.00. SO NOW ITS AT A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, BUT SEEMS NO ONE CARES WHAT HAPPENED. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS PROBLEM, WHERE I WORK I PARK IN A COLLAGE CAMPUS AREA WITH LOTS OF PEOPLE WALKING AROUND ALL THE TIME, I"M AT MY KIDS SCHOOL AT LEASE 8 TIMES A WEEK, WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS AT THE SCHOOLS? SO WORRIED THAT THEY WILL SAY ITS OKAY NOTHING WRONG,( WHICH ALREADY HEARD THAT!) BUT NEXT TIME MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. NEED HELP PLEASE!!!! *TR
2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE EXPERIENCING WILD FUEL GAGE SPIKES, READS E WHEN TANK IS FULL, THEN READS 1/2 FULL AND IS ALL OVER THE MAP.. HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT INDICATED A RECALL.. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE PLACES ON RECALL AS IT IS A HAZARD, TO THE DRIVER, OCCUPANTS AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. GAUGE COULD READ FULL WHEN IT'S ACTUALLY EMPTY RESULTING IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.. THIS ISSUE ALSO RESULTS IN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TRIGGER, CAUSING FAILURES AT INSPECTION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL GAUGE READING FLUCTUATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500.
CAR HAD A DEFECTIVE BRAKE SO IT COULDN'T STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO THE LIGHT POLE AFTER PUMPED OTHER CAR. *TR
VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND PULLED IN TO DRIVEWAY OF HOME TO A CONTROLLED STOP BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. AT WHICH POINT, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH THE CLOSED GARAGE DOOR AND PROCEEDED AT ACCELERATING SPEED INTO GARAGE AND HIT A WALL (WOODEN BEAMS AND SHEETROCK WALLS) SEPARATING INTERIOR OF GARAGE AND INTERIOR OF KITCHEN AREA OF HOME. VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AGAINST THE WALL WITH BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUOUSLY PRESSED DOWN. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO PARK, IT RESISTED AND KEY ALSO WOULD NOT COME OUT. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PRESSED AT THIS TIME AND AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS, VEHICLE FINALLY WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO PARK AND KEY WAS ABLE TO COME OUT TO TURN VEHICLE OFF. VEHICLE CAUSED DAMAGE TO GARAGE DOOR AND INTERIOR WALL OF HOME. *TR
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK BETWEEN TWO CARS AND AS I WAS ABOUT TO CUT THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO FINISH THE PARK, MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (WITHOUT MY DOING) INTO THE CAR BEHIND ME. I HAD NO TIME TO COMPENSATE AND ULTIMATELY CRUSHED THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT/FRAME OF THE CAR BEHIND ME. *TR
UPON TAKE OFF FROM SIGNAL LIGHT, AT ABOUT 10-15 MILES AN HOUR, VEHICLE ENGINE HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. AT THE TIME WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURNED KEY OFF. WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND THEN RESTARTED ENGINE AND VEHICLE STARTED UP AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WITH THIS VEHICLE IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. ONLINE RESEARCH REVEALS SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH HYUNDAI VEHICLES ALONG WITH NO RESOLUTION FROM MANUFACTURER. *TR
WHEN I FIRST "TESTED" THE CAR I MENTIONED TO THE SALES PERSON THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. HE CONVINCED ME IT WASN'T. ON 7/31/19 I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES AND HAD A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. I TOOK IT BACK FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE ALIGNMENT 3 TIMES BEFORE THE COVID OUTBREAK (TWICE BEFORE JANUARY). IT IS NOW MAJORLY VEERING TO THE RIGHT AND I HAVE TO KEEP IT FROM GOING THAT WAY WHEN DRIVING. I DON'T DRIVE FAR TO WORK WHICH IS WHY IT WASN'T AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM BEFORE.
MY CAR HAS BEEN IN TWO ACCIDENT ONE WAS YESTERDAY WHEN A DEER JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND I HIT HER STRAIGHT ON GOING ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR. THE FRONT OF MY CAR IS DESTROYED BUT YET MY AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF. THE FIRST ACCIDENT I WAS IN WAS IN THE WINTER AND A CAR PLOWED INTO ME AS I PULLED OVER BECAUSE I NOTICED SHE WAS OUT OF CONTROL, SHE WAS COMING DOWN A LARGE HILL AND WAS GOING AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN SHE HIT THE DRIVE SIDE BACK DOOR WHICH CAVED IN AND THE DOOR WAS IN THE BACK SEAT. THE BACK END FRAME OF MY CAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS UPSET THINKING WHAT IF ONE OF MY CHILDREN WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME BUT I WAS TOLD THE REASON THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF BECAUSE IT WASN'T A FLAT HIT TO THE SIDE OF MY CAR. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IF THESE AIRBAGS DON'T GO OFF WHEN THEY SHOULD. *TR
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS FILLING UP MY VEHICLE. ONCE I FILLED IT, I COULD NOT GET IT TO START. TOOK TWO TO THREE TRIES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO TURN OVER. I HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED AND MY BATTERY IS GOOD. MY FUEL GAUGE SITS AT EMPTY FOR THE FIRST 100 MILES AFTER FILLING UP WITH THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT ON. I HAVE HAD THE CAR CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS TOLD I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENSOR. I HAD ONE REPLACED FOR $250 IN 2014. CAR WORKED FINE. THEN AFTER 500 MILES, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. WHEN IS HYUNDAI GOING TO REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE! I CAN'T EVEN GET A FAIR TRADE IN VALUE FOR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE PROBLEM.
THE PAINT ON OUR VEHICLE KEEPS BUBBLING UP AND PEELING OFF CAUSING THE EXTERIOR METAL ON THE CAR TO RUST IN THOSE SPOTS. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE 2012 AND IS OCCURRING IN MULTIPLE RANDOM SPOTS ON THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE OTHER SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. WE CALLED THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHO RECOMMENDED A BODY SHOP TO FIX THE PAINT ISSUES. THE OWNER OF THE BODY SHOP SAID IT WAS SUCH A REOCCURRING PROBLEM, HE DIDN'T NEED US TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR A QUOTE, ONLY TELL HIM WHERE THE PAINT WAS BUBBLING AND PEELING AND GAVE US A PRICE OVER THE PHONE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE OVER TIME. WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, WHETHER IT IS CERTAIN WEATHER , ROAD CONDITIONS OR ENVIRONMENT.
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED (70 MPH), CAR STOPPED RESPONDING TO THROTTLE WITH NO WARNING. AS I MERGED TO RIGHT LANE, CAR DIED COMPLETELY AND I HAD TO MANEUVER TO SHOULDER WITH NO POWER. STUCK HERE WITH WIFE AND 2 TODDLERS UNTIL TOWED TO MECHANIC. THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER, SAME THING (LUCKILY NOT ON INTERSTATE THIS TIME, AND WARNING LIGHT DID COME ON THIS TIME). ALTERNATOR REPLACED AGAIN. LATER IN 2015, HYUNDAI ANNOUNCED A MAINTENANCE CAMPAIGN (#936), AND I WAS REIMBURSED FOR INITIAL 2 EVENTS, AND LOCAL DEALER COMPLETED THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE IN NOV 2015. 2 YEARS LATER, SAME THING: WARNING LIGHTS, OIL ON ALTERNATOR, ETC. LOCAL DEALER AGAIN COMPLETES THE WORK (THANKFULLY AT NO CHARGE TO ME). AS OF TODAY, OIL IS ON THE ALTERNATOR AGAIN, AND I FEEL IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE ISSUE OCCURS AGAIN. AS MY WIFE IS TYPICALLY DRIVING THE KIDS AROUND IN THIS VEHICLE, I DO NOT LIKE THE THOUGHT THAT IT COULD CUT OFF AT ANY MOMENT. I AM HOPING HYUNDAI WILL ANNOUNCE A PERMANENT FIX OR RECALL. I AM REACHING OUT TO THEM FOR ADVICE ON THE LATEST RECURRENCE. INITIAL EVENT: 6/28/14 (MILEAGE: 61020) 2ND EVENT: 6/1/15 (MILEAGE: 79800) HYUNDAI CAMPAIGN COMPLETED: 11/19/15 (MILEAGE: 89512) 3RD EVENT: 08/30/17 (MILEAGE: 119929) FEB 2018 (MILEAGE: 127177) - NOTICE OIL BUILDING ON ALTERNATOR AGAIN
REAR LEFT WHEEL HAD HIGH PITCH SCREECHING SOUND AT 50-55 MPH TAP THE BRAKES AND IT WOULD QUIT MOMENTARILY AND THEN START SCREECHING AGAIN. STOPPED AND CHECKED WHEEL ON RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE. RIGHT SIDE WAS LUKEWARM TO THE TOUCH AND LEFT WHEEL WAS TOO HOT TO KEEP HAND ON IT. I TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE SHOWED ME THE PADS ON THE LEFT WHEEL AND THEY WAS WHITE FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT RELEASED BACK FROM THE ROTOR. PADS HAD TO BE PRIED OUT INSTEAD OF NORMALLY COMING OUT EASY. EXTREMELY RUST CORRODED CLEANED UP ALL RUST ON PADS AND BRACKET AND THEY WORK FINE NOW. I DROVE SANTA FE ABOUT 60 MILES AND NEVER HEARD IT NO MORE. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 6 MILES AT 55 MPH AND I HEARD A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAK. IT CHANGED WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I LATER STOPPED AND FELT THE WHEELS AND THE RIGHT REAR WAS HOT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS BRAKE PADS THAT WERE CORRODED/STUCK. THEY WANTED $100 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I GOT THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. I THINK IT IS DANGEROUS. IN MY OPINION THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE BRAKES ARE NOT MADE TO RUN THIS HOT. IT SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED UNDER THEIR 5 YEAR/ 50,000 MILE WARRANTY AND THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT. *TR
I'M EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENSOR FAILING. THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY AND THEN SLOWLY RISES TO INDICATE I HAVE FUEL. SOMETIMES THE FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AFTER I'VE JUST FILLED UP AND STAYS ON FOR A DAY OR SO. I CALLED MY DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THEY SAID AT THIS TIME THERE'S NO RECALL OUT FOR THIS REPAIR, BUT AGREED THAT THERE SHOULD BE. THIS CAN BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. I FEEL THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD STEP UP AND THAT CARE OF THIS FAULTY PART. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,900. UPDATED 09/15/14*LJ UPDATED 1/7/2015 *JS
THE FUEL INDICATOR ON OUR SANTA FE IS ONLY ACCURATE FOR THE FIRST 1/4 OF A TANK, AFTER THAT IT INDICATES THE TANK IS EMPTY AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT APPEARS. WE HAVE TO KEEP TRACK OF OUR MILEAGE IN ORDER TO KNOW WHEN WE ARE LOW ON FUEL. VERY ANNOYING TO HAVE TO DO THIS. WHAT IF THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT IS ON FOR ANOTHER REASON? HOW WILL WE KNOW? THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI,WHO HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE ISSUE, AND IT WILL COST $300-$700 TO REPAIR! WE ARE THINKING OF SELLING OUR SANTA FE BUT WE KNOW WE CAN'T SELL IT WITH A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON! HYUNDAI SHOULD OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM AND RECALL THEIR VEHICLES. WE HAVE OWNED 5 HYUNDAI'S IN THE PAST 15 YEARS AND THIS WILL MAKE US RECONSIDER EVER BUYING ANOTHER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN REFUELING TO CAPACITY, THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD SHOE EMPTY WITHIN 50 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS CARBON BUILD UP IN THE THROTTLE BODY CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO STICK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,956. UPDATED 8/12/14*CN