Page 3 of 8 · complaints 101–150 of 359

2009 Hyundai Santa FE complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2009 record →

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 11, 2018112,300 milesFL

LONG BREAK LIGHT IN THE BACK ON TOP, FALLS OUT. USED SPECIAL TAKE TO SECURE IT

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 21, 201880,324 milesFL

THE FUEL SYSTEM LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, I PUT GAS IN IT BUT IT KEEPS TELLING ME THAT THE TRUCK IS EMPTY AND IT SOMETIMES STALLS. THEN IT I LET IT SIT A DAY OR 2, THEN THE GAS ARROW STARTS TO MOVE UP AND DOWN, I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT, MOST OF THE TIME IT DOESN'T SHOW IF I HAVE GAS OR NOT.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 30, 2018156,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT READING. THE DEALER (HATFIELD HYUNDAI, 1400 AUTO MALL PKWY, COLUMBUS, OH 43228) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY AND FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

Engine
Filed Apr 26, 2018122,000 milesCO

FIRST PROBLEM, GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. FLUCTUATED UP AND DOWN, THEN WOULD READ EMPTY RIGHT AFTER FILLING THE TANK. HAD TO HAVE 2 SENSORS AND FUEL PUMP CHANGED. VERY EXPENSIVE!! NOW THE CAR STALLS WHEN SLOWING DOWN. EVERY MORNING WHEN I LEAVE FOR WORK IT STALLS AT LEAST ONCE, IT HAS STARTED BACK UP, BUT THIS MORNING THE MOTOR FELT VERY GROGGY AND I DID NOT FEEL SAFE IN DRIVING IT ANYMORE. TOOK IT HOME. I'VE BROUGHT IT TO MECHANICS AND IT NEVER DIES FOR THEM AND THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT, DID IT TWO MORE TIMES AFTER THAT, TAKING IT TONIGHT TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIGURE IT OUT. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE!! IT DIED THE FIRST TIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET! I WAS SO AFRAID SOMEONE WAS GOING TO RUN INTO THE BACK OF ME! THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH OTHER SANTA FE OWNERS FOR THIS YEAR. I WANT HYUNDAI TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND RECALL THESE CARS! THEY ARE UNSAFE!!!

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 26, 2018127,000 milesCT

THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY STOPPED IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC ON AN EXIT RAMP. ANOTHER VEHICLE, TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED, FAILED TO NOTICE TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED AND STRUCK MY VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT CAUSED HEAVY DAMAGE TO MY REAR BUMPER, BENT THE FRAME AND CRUMPLED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE QUARTER PANEL, ETC. IT ALSO LAUNCHED MY VEHICLE DIAGONALLY INTO THE GUARD RAIL CAUSING HEAVY DAMAGE TO MY FRONT BUMPER AND DRIVER SIDE QUARTER PANEL, ETC. THE IMPACT LAUNCHED ME FORWARD AND MY FACE SMASHED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, BREAKING MY NOSE, INJURING MY EYE SOCKET, CAUSING A CONCUSSION AND WHIPLASH IN MY NECK. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. HAD THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, IT MAY HAVE SAVED MY FACE AND PREVENTING OTHER INJURIES.

Engine
Filed Apr 13, 201851,800 milesMD

ENGINE STALLED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS WITH NO BRAKES AND NO POWER STEERING.I AM SCARED TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPEND DRIVING AT 55MPH ON FREEWAY.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 2, 20183,600 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AGAINST A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN WRIST THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CAMELBACK HYUNDAI (1500 E CAMELBACK ROAD, PHOENIX, AZ 85014) AND WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,600.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 31, 20185,500 milesTX

DOOR PANELS HAVE BECOME GOOY, THE VINYL/LEATHER HAS BECOME GOOEY AND COMES OFF ON YOUR HANDS, ARMS, CLOTHING, ETC. IT IS VERY STRANGE AND IS NOT NORMAL. NEEDS TO BE FIXED BUT NOT BY ME. WHAT DO I DO AND WHERE DO I TAKE IT? THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

Electrical System
Filed Mar 28, 201881,000 milesFL

GAS GAGE INDICATION SHOWS EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL OR EMPTY. THIS HAPPENED WITH OUR 2008 SANTA FE TOO.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Mar 13, 201890,000 milesCA

AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ON. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE. HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BUT CLEARED. CAR WAS PUT BACK TOGETHER AND NOT ON A SALVAGE TITLE. FUEL PUMP SENSORS ARE AT FAULT. NEED TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP SENSORS. ALL FAULT CODES APPEAR WHEN VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 13, 2018NJ

OIL LEAK FROM VALVE COVER GASKET WHICH HAS BEEN FIXED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. AND GAS METER IS NOT READING THE CORRECT LEVEL OF GAS.

Suspension
Filed Feb 26, 2018IL

MY CONTROL ARM AND AXLE BROKE AFTER THE JUNE 2017 UNDERCARRIAGE VEHICLE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED BECAUSE A HOLE WAS DISCOVERED BECAUSE OF CORROSION. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE AXLE BROKE APART FROM THE BALL JOINT

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 19, 2018100,000 milesNY

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND GAS GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY EVEN AFTER FILLING UP TANK.THE PROBLEM STARTED AT AROUND 100,000 MILES ( GIVE OR TAKE) MECHANIC SAID IT THE FUEL SENSOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE AS PER ELECTRONIC READING.A RECALL MUST BE ISSUED FOR THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT. ITS PLAIN TO SEE ITS A COMMON ISSUE. I ALREADY RAN OUT OF GAS DURING MY MORNING COMMUTE ON NYC WESTSIDE HIGHWAY & FDR DRIVE, I LITERALLY ALMOST DIED THE 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 10, 2018140,000 milesNH

2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE V6 3.3 LITER HAS EXPERIENCED OCCASIONAL, RANDOM STALLING OVER A FEW YEARS, ALWAYS WHILE BRAKING AND OFTEN WHILE TURNING. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN AFTER A PERIOD OF STEADY SPEED DRIVING AND THEN SLOWING DOWN AND TURNING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE STEERING INSTANTLY GETS VERY DIFFICULT AND BRAKING ABILITY LIKEWISE BECOMES INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT. AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, OR PULLING OVER AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT WILL ALWAYS START RIGHT BACK UP AND RUN FINE. THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I AM A 50 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CAN WRESTLE THE CAR TO SAFETY (SO FAR), BUT MY WIFE, CHILDREN, OR OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. THERE ARE REPEATED MENTIONS OF OTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS, AND THESE MOSTLY MENTION A TPS REPLACEMENT AND AN ACCOMPANYING ECU FIRMWARE UPDATE. THERE ARE NO APPARENT RECALLS OR TSBS WITH HYUNDAI THAT AFFECT THIS VEHICLE AND ENGINE COMBINATION, AND THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM FOR WHICH THERE APPEARS TO BE A REMEDY PATH.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 10, 201861,000 milesGA

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

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 3, 2018100,000 milesSC

SERIOUS FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION. GAUGE ALWAYS READS EMPTY, EVEN AFTER A FILL UP. GAUGE CONTINUES TO READ EMPTY WHETHER STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET, TURNING BRAKING, ETC. I BELIEVE THE CAUSE OF THE SAFETY RISK IS A FAILED FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY, LIKELY PARTS 94460-0W000 AND 94430-0W000. THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN THE 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE MODEL. DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD, AS I CANNOT TELL HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN MY TANK WHILE DRIVING. ANOTHER COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS A FAILURE OF THE PURGE VALVE. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED IN MY VEHICLE. THIS DEFECT WILL PROHIBIT THE CAR FROM STARTING IF YOU FILL UP A FULL TANK. SO, THE DRIVER IS FORCED TO FILL UP LESS THAN A FULL TANK SO THAT THEY CAN BE CONFIDENT THAT THE CAR WILL START AFTER PUTTING GAS IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A LESS SERIOUS HAZARD THAN THE FUEL GAUGE, BUT WORRISOME NONETHELESS.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 30, 2018WA

2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR BRAKE PADS BEING WORN. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FROM THE DEALER UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT IT WAS STREET LEGAL AND SAFE TO DRIVE. AFTER 5 WEEKS, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE WORN TO 0% WEAR AND THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE AT 1% WEAR. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CALIPERS, ROTORS, AND PADS. *JS

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 22, 201883,000 milesPA

MY ESC,ABS& AWD SYMBOL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME & I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN HYUNDAIS & HAD THIS ISSUE IM GUESSING THIS IS SOMETHING MAJOR BECAUSE WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT THEY ALL CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 14, 2018102,500 milesNE

FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ PROPERLY WILL GO FROM FULL TO EMPTY LEADING TO RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WHILE DRIVING

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 9, 201852,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT READING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 24, 2017CA

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF NO STEERING NO GAS NOTHING QUITE DANGEROUS AND QUITE SCARY WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION ON THE STREET

Electrical System
Filed Nov 20, 201790,000 milesNM

AT AROUND 90,000 MILES, THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. EVIDENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. EVEN AFTER FILLING THE TANK WITH GAS, THE GAUGE SHOWS "EMPTY". THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE FUEL SENDING UNITS IN THE TANK - THE SENSOR BRUSHES BREAK OFF AND THE UNIT NO LONGER SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE GAUGE. THIS POSES SAFETY ISSUES TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T CAREFULLY TRACK THEIR CAR'S FUEL USE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CAR STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PROBLEM SETS TROUBLE CODES AND LIGHTS THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 11, 2017137,100 milesAR

AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD WILL NOT GO OFF.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 24, 201745,000 milesNY

OUR SUNROOF BURST WHILE DRIVING ON A CLEAR, SUNNY DAY. OUR SPEED WAS ABOUT 40MPH, THE SHADE ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS CLOSED AS WAS THE SUNROOF. WE HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND WHEN WE SLID THE INTERIOR SHADE OPEN A SHOWER OF GLASS FELL INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Oct 17, 201788,703 milesIL

TAKATA RECALL: ON JUNE 2 2017 I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO HAPPY HYUNDAI OF OAK LAWN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS A RECALL BECAUSE OF RUSTING OF MY CARS UNDERCARRIAGE. THEY KEPT MY VEHICLE UNTIL AUGUST 17,2017. ON OCTOBER 5TH, I WAS BACKING IN A PARKING SPOT, WHAT I KNOW NOW AS MY CONTROL ARM, LEFT AXLE AND LEFT BALL JOINT BROKE. HAD IT TOWED HOME, CALLED HAPPY HYUNDAI, HAS IT TOWED THERE. AFTER INSPECTIONING MY VEHICLE THEY DETERMINED THE CONTROL ARM & AXLE WERE A PART OF THE CAMPAIGN RECALL BUT THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX MY VEHICLE. REUBEN TOLD ME ON JUNE 2, THEY WERE CONFISCATING IT BECAUSE I COULD BE DRIVING AND THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE COULD FALL OFF. THANKFULLY I WASN'T DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. HYUNDAI RETURNSES AN UNSAFE VEHICLE TO ME AND ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY IN REPAIRING MY VEHICLE WHEN THEY SHOULD AT LEAST REPAIR THEY RECALL SINCE THE CONTROL ARM & AXLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I THINK AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE OPENED REGARDING THIS RECALL TO ENSURE HYUNDAI IS REPAIRING VEHICLES UP TO SAFETY STANDARDS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A STATUS UPDATE. UPDATED 12/07/2017*JS

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 3, 201799,000 milesMO

FUEL SENDERS ARE FAILING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND FUEL GAUGE SHOWS NEAR EMPTY EVEN WHEN VEHICLE HAS FULL TANK.

Engine
Filed Sep 30, 2017115,000 milesNC

WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING RIGHT TURN ENGINE STALLED LOST BRAKES AND STEERING, WAS ABLE TO STOP IN MIDDLE OF ROAD WITH TRAFFIC COMING UP FAST, PUT IN PARK RE-STARTED. THIS SECOND TIME WITHIN A YEAR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 13, 2017100,000 milesIL

MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 4D SPORT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. I APPLIED THE BREAK AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP OR SLOW. LUCKILY, I DIDN'T WRECK. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER WITH MY HAZARDS ON, PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 29, 2017100,000 milesNY

LIKE THE OTHER POSTED COMPLAINTS, MY 2009 SANTA FE IS HAVING FUEL GAUGE ISSUES. IT NEVER SHOWS THE CORRECT LEVEL. I CHANGED THE FUEL CAP BUT THIS DID NOTHING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE READOUT COMES BACK: "FUEL LEVEL SENSOR". THIS CAN BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND WILL PREVENT ME FROM PASSING A STATE INSPECTION. I USE MY TRIP ODOMETER TO GAUGE WHERE I AM WITH FUEL TANK LEVEL. I HAVE TO SET MY TRIP TO ZERO AT EVERY FILL-UP. AT 144 MILES I KNOW I'M AT 1/2 A TANK ROUGHLY. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HYUNDAI IS REFUSING TO ADMIT TO SO THEY CAN SAVE MONEY. MAYBE THIS ISN'T AN AIR BAG, BUT, IF I LOAN MY CAR TO MY DAUGHTER AND SHE RUNS OUT OF FUEL ON A HIGHWAY......I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT. FORCE HYUNDAI TO FIX THIS!

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 16, 2017CO

THE FUEL GAUGE SLOWLY OSCILLATES BETWEEN THE (ASSUMED) CORRECT VALUE AND ZERO, OFTEN TRIGGERING THE LOW-LEVEL LIGHT. IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO BE CONFIDENT ABOUT HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE IN THE VEHICLE. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, IN MOTION, OR WHAT KIND OF DRIVING CONDITION YOU ARE IN, OR WHETHER THE ENGINE IS RUNNING OR NOT. IT SEEMS TO BE A MALFUNCTION IN THE SENSOR OR ELECTRONIC CONTROLS. MY LOCAL DEALER SAID THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE (~$400 TO FIX) BUT HYUNDAI HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL BECAUSE IT'S NOT A "SAFETY ISSUE". THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU ARE NEVER SURE WHETHER IT IS CORRECTLY INDICATING A LOW FUEL LEVEL OR NOT... I WORRY ABOUT MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVING BY HERSELF AT NIGHT WITHOUT KNOWING WHETHER SHE HAS ENOUGH GAS OR NOT TO MAKE IT HOME! IF THIS IS A KNOWN/COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY HYUNDAI.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 19, 2017GA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD POP SOUND AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 08/23/17*LJ *CN

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 4, 2017GA

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.

Electrical System
Filed May 30, 201798,000 milesFL

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 26, 2017140,000 milesNJ

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.

Structure › Body
Filed May 23, 201796,000 milesOR

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.

Engine
Filed May 5, 201797,500 milesAZ

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.

Engine
Filed May 5, 201798,650 milesAZ

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 24, 2017125,000 milesNC

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.

Engine
Filed Apr 22, 2017151,738 milesCA

DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED ONE BLOCK FROM HOME, ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN.

Engine
Filed Apr 7, 201760,000 milesFL

VEHICLE STALLED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. TOOK VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI DEALER, THEY COULD FIND REASON FOR THE STALLING. NO CODES CHECKED.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 6, 2017120,000 milesFL

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.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 2, 201742,500 milesAZ

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE TURNING ON TO A BUSY INTERSECTION, TWO OTHER INSTANCES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON CITY STREETS. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. VERY LEARY OF DRIVING CAR.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 28, 2017110,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD AN AIR BAG SENSOR FAILURE AND THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 27, 2017110,000 milesWI

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD AND DOES NOT GO OFF.CODE READ 1490B WHICH IS THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR.APPARENTLY THE 2007 AND 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT THE 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE YET. DEALERSHIP IN LACROSSE WISCONSIN SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER A WHOLE.NEW SEAT AT A COST OF $2000.VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.HYUNDAI SHOULD HAVE TO FIX FOR FREE. THIS MUST BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS NOW I DON'T KNOW IF MY AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IF I'M AM IN AN ACCIDENT. IS IT POSSIBLE THIS MODEL YEAR MIGHT ALSO BE RECALLED. SOUNDS LIKE SAME PROBLEM AS PREVIOUS YEARS. A $2000 REPAIR IS RIDICULOUS!

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Mar 16, 2017115,000 milesMS

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR, BETWEEN 20-25 MPH, LESS THAN HALF A MILE FROM MY DESTINATION AND I HEARD THIS VERY LOUD BANG. IT SCARED ME, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GUN SHOT. I PULLED OVER AND SOMETHING TOLD ME TO SLIDE MY SUNROOF COVER BACK, THAT'S WHEN I SAW THAT MY SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED. THERE WAS NOTHING AROUND TO HIT IT, NO CARS, OVERPASSES ROCKS, NOTHING. I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE TOP AND ALL OF THE GLASS WAS BOWED UPWARDS. IT CAME FROM THE INSIDE, IT EXPLODED. I'D NEVER HEARD OF SUCH. IT WAS ABOUT 47 DEGREES WHEN THIS HAPPEND. NOW I'M SOON TO BE OUT OVER 600 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS FOR SOMETHING AT NO FAULT OF MY OWN.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 13, 2017NY

WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED, THE FRONT COURTESY LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON DUE TO A BAD DIODE. THE MAP LIGHTS WILL WORK. I UNDERSTAND THIS A COMMON PROBLEM.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 2, 201719,804 milesMA

THE FUEL READING FLUCTUATES CONTINUOUSLY WITH INCORRECT READINGS SOMETIMES IT SAYS EMPTY WHEN IT'S FULL OR HAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF GAS IN IT. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO CARE SHOP TO HAVE THEM USE THEIR COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM TO SEE WHY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. IT SHOWED THE CODES P0464 AND P0463. THIS IS THE FUEL SENSOR CIRCUIT AND IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU COULD BE DRIVING AND THE GAGE SUDDENLY READS EMPTY AND YOUR CAR SHUTS DOWN. IF YOUR ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS HAPPENS YOUR DEAD! THIS IS HAPPENING TO SO MANY HYUNDAI SANTA FE'S YET NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP OR THERE WILL BE EXTREME CONSEQUENCES! THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN IT'S STATIONARY AND EVERYTIME YOU START THE CAR! IT IS SO DANGEROUS AND I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW

Seat Belts
Filed Feb 9, 201757,541 milesFL

DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES HAVE BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AGREED THAT THE SEAT BELTS SHOULD BE REPLACED, HOWEVER HYUNDAI DID NOT AGREE TO PAYING FOR REPLACEMENT. I BELIEVE THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE DEFECTIVE AND A SAFETY HAZARD. I THINK THAT THEY ARE DEFECTIVE FOR HAVING FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STILL BELOW 60,000 MILES. I THINK THAT THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT, I AM NOT SURE WHETHER WE COULD GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. BBB WOULD NOT TAKE OUR CASE IN ARBITRATION SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF THE 5 YEAR AUTO MANUFACTURER BUMP-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD REIMBURSE US FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF OUR SEAT BELTS.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 29, 2017100,500 milesWI

FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, IT WILL GO FROM SHOWING THERE IS GAS IN THE TANK TO COMPLETELY EMPTY, THEN BACK TO GAS IN THE TANK. THIS HAS LEAD TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I DON'T WANT TO GET STUCK OUT IN THIS COLD WEATHER WITH AN EMPTY TANK DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE

Engine
Filed Jan 10, 201753,500 milesVA

2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED WITH A 3.3 LITER ENGINE WITH APPROXIMATELY 53,500 MI. I WAS SETTING STOPPED ON A CITY STREET WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED REVVING UP AS FAST IT COULD GO (APP 6K TO 7K RPM'S). IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM TAKING OFF AND SLAMMING INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. IT WAS CREEPING ALONG AND TAPPED THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I GOT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHICH NOT TO MY SURPRISE CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. AFTER I TALKED TO THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP THEY CONTACTED HYUNDAI WHO IS SUPPOSEDLY LOOKING INTO IT. NOT THAT I BLAME HER MY WIFE IS VERY RELUCTANT TO DRIVE IT UNLESS THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE → · Every Santa FE year → · How the figures are calculated →