2007 Hyundai Santa FE

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Fuel/propulsion system is the leading concern among 683 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 683

Of the 2007 reports, 30 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 32 people were injured and 2 people died.

Primary concernFuel/propulsion system121 reports · 18% of complaints
Owner complaints683Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship9 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Fuel/propulsion system121
  2. Air bags102
  3. Electrical system97
  4. Service brakes86
  5. Electronic stability control (ESC)68
  6. Vehicle speed control58
  7. Engine53
  8. Other or unspecified44

Recalls and investigations

  1. Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleFeb 4, 2020

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

    An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

    Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.

    Campaign 20V061000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 13V113000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJul 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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 12V354000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Air bags, frontalSep 9, 2011

    HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 26, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 19, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 20, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.

    IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

    HYUNDAI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CONNECT CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 11V472000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 15, 2009

    HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 532,633 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

    ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 09V122000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Trailer hitchesSep 3, 2008

    HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,387 TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESSES EITHER INCLUDED WITH A TRAILER HITCH OR SOLD AS A SERVICE PART MANUFACTURED BY THULE TOWING SYSTEMS AND DISTRIBUTED BY HYUNDAI FOR INSTALLATION ON MY 2007-2008 SANTA FE AND VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE ACCESSORY TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE IS MOUNTED TO THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT. SOME CIRCUIT BOARD COMPONENTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY SEALED TO PREVENT MOISTURE CONTACT. THE MOISTURE MAY RESULT IN CIRCUIT BOARD CORROSION POSSIBLY CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.

    A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE TO THE CONVERTER MODULE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

    THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES A PREVIOUS RECALL CONDUCTED BY HYUNDAI AFFECTING THE SAME TRAILER HITCH WIRING COMPONENTS CONCERNING HIGH CURRENT LEAKAGE OR A SHORT CIRCUIT OF CAPACITOR C1. (PLEASE SEE 08E016). OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD THEIR TRAILER HITCH REPAIRED UNDER THE INITIAL CAMPAIGN WILL RECEIVE A SECOND NOTICE FROM HYUNDAI TO HAVE THE NEWLY DESIGNED HARNESS INSTALLED. HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY ALL OWNERS AND WILL REPAIR THE AFFECTED HARNESSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANT CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 08E055000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Equipment, other, labelsJun 19, 2008

    HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 88,943 MY 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH P235/60R18 TIRES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE BLACK CERTIFICATION LABEL AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE CENTER PILLAR, INCORRECTLY LISTS THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR).

    OVERLOADING YOUR VEHICLE MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT HANDLING AND BRAKING AND MAY CAUSE TIRE DAMAGE, RESULTING IN TIRE FAILURE AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    HYUNDAI WILL MAIL CORRECTED CERTIFICATION LABELS ALONG WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE AFFECTED OWNERS. THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 08V272000 on NHTSA.gov

  8. Trailer hitchesFeb 7, 2008

    THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY RECALL 08E-055. HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,387 TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESSES EITHER INCLUDED WITH A TRAILER HITCH OR SOLD AS A SERVICE PART MANUFACTURED BY THULE TOWING SYSTEMS AND DISTRIBUTED BY HYUNDAI FOR INSTALLATION ON MY 2007-2008 SANTA FE AND VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE ACCESSORY TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE IS MOUNTED TO THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT. HIGH CURRENT LEAKAGE OR A SHORT CIRCUIT OF CAPACITOR C1 COULD CAUSE HEAT RELATED DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE.

    EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER AREA AND MAY POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

    HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 08E016000 on NHTSA.gov

  9. Fuel system, gasoline, storageAug 31, 2006

    ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WALL THICKNESS OF THE RIGHT FORWARD BAFFLE OF THE FUEL TANK MAY BE BELOW SPECIFICATIONS.

    FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANKS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. ALL VEHICLES ARE EITHER STILL AT THE MANUFACTURING PLANT OR IN DEALERSHIPS. NO VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SOLD TO CONSUMERS.

    Campaign 06V317000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: vehicle speed control

58 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Vehicle speed control, Electrical system, Jul 15, 2010

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATE. THE CONTACT MOVED FROM THE ROADWAY AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE INTERNAL THROTTLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO HIS AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,900.

  2. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, May 18, 2010, crash

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IN THE REVERSE POSITION, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE VEHICLE CRASHED REAR END INTO A LOADING DOCK AND SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL REAR BODY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000. UPDATED 07/19/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES FAILED. UPDATED 07/21/10*JB

  3. Vehicle speed control, May 10, 2010

    VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS. *TR

  4. Vehicle speed control, Mar 6, 2010

    DRIVING ON THE GARDEN STATE PKWY IN NJ, THE CAR ACCELERATED TO 80MPH AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP. DESPITE BOTH FEET ON BRAKE, THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THE INCIDENT LASTED FOR 5-10 MINUTES AND DISENGAGED BY ITSELF. SERVICED FOR ABOVE BY DEALER ON 5/2/09-REMAINED UNTIL 5/6/10 AND IT WAS REPORTED THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL ISSUE-"IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE FLOOR MAT". CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS INVOLVED, GOING UP TO REGIONAL REP, WHO REITERATED THERE WAS NOTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG WITH THE CAR-IT WAS DRIVER ERROR. THEY ALSO SUGGESTED IT MAY HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENTAL CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGEMENT BY DRIVER, BUT HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR WHY IT DID NOT DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THEY MAINTAINED IT WAS DRIVER ERROR, PROBABLY THE FLOOR MAT. THE INCIDENT SEEMS SIMILAR TO THE RECENT TOYOTA PROBLEM. *TR

  5. Vehicle speed control, Feb 10, 2010

    2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. WE TOOK IT TO BOUCHER FOR REPAIR. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG BUT THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER BOX. THE CAR STILL HAS PROBLEMS IN COLD WEATHER. THIS ALSO LEAD TO BRAKE PAD FAILURE. *TR

  6. Vehicle speed control, Apr 29, 2008

    THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR ON THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2007 VERSION. AFTER THE SECOND REPAIR ATTEMPT THE DEALER CALLED THE REGIONAL PERSON AND THEY OFFERED A THIRD SOLUTION BECAUSE THAT PERSON "HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE". THE THIRD SOLUTION DID NOT WORK AS WELL. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WITHOUT NOTICE YOU SIMPLY HAVE NO ACCELERATION. ENGINE RUNS AND THERE SEEMS TO BE POWER BUT THERE'S NO ACCELERATION. IT'S HAPPENED TO MY WIFE 3 TIMES PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC. THEY HAVE REPLACED: A PEDAL SENSOR AND ENTIRE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY, REPAIRED A CONNECTION TO THE APS SENSOR, AND AS DIRECTED BY THE REGIONAL PERSON THEY REPLACED THE "THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY" AND TODAY, 4/29, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT A STOP LIGHT AND THEN VIOLENTLY LUNGED FORWARD. *TR

  7. Vehicle speed control, Apr 7, 2008

    WAS DRIVING 2007 HYUNDAI SANTE FE AT 90KM PER HOUR ON HIGHWAY. WENT TO ACCELERATE TO 110KM PER HOUR AND IMMEDIATELY FELT ACCELERATOR MOVE AWAY FROM MY FOOT WHERE IT REMAINED PINNED AGAINST THE FLOOR. NOTICED THAT CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT HAD COME ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BUT I DID NOT ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I TURNED THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON OFF AND TAPPED BRAKES. VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND ACCELERATOR REMAINED PRESSED TO MAT. APPLIED FULL FORCE TO BRAKES AND MANAGED TO SLOW DOWN TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK. VEHICLE BEGAN REVVING VERY HIGH SO I PUT VEHICLE BACK INTO DRIVE AND IT BEGAN MOVING ON IT'S OWN SINCE ACCELERATOR WAS STILL FULLY DEPRESSED. I DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKES AGAIN, PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF, WAITED 30 SECONDS AND RESTARTED ENGINE. ACCELERATOR HAS WORKED NORMALLY SINCE AND VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. THERE WERE NO LOADS ON THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN LIGHTS BEING ON AND THE TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS WERE COOL WITH AVERAGE HUMIDITY FOR THE AREA. OVERALL, A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. *TR

  8. Vehicle speed control, Aug 13, 2007

    CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. *TR