2009 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Fuel/propulsion system is the leading concern among 358 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 27 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 26 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
EquipmentOct 6, 2011
CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 55538, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO THE CONVERTER MODULE AND DEFEAT THE MODULE'S INTERNAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION.
WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MANUFACTURING AT 1-715 831-8713.
Campaign 11E040000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
109 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 9, 2018
"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, AT APPROXIMATELY 110 MILES, DEVELOPED A PROBLEM, WHICH ACTUALLY RESULTS IN A SERIOUS/SAFETY PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL AVAILABLE IN THE TANK. I DON'T KNOW IF THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL PUMPS, OR THE FUEL SENSING UNITS IN THE GAS TANKS, OR WITH THE WIRING BETWEEN THE GAS TANK AND THE GAS GAUGE, OR WITH THE GAS GAUGE ITSELF. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING NOR IF THE VEHICLE IS SLANTED AT AN ANGLE. QUITE OFTEN THE PROBLEM RESULTS IN THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMING ON. SO FAR I'VE ONLY RUN OUT OF GAS ONCE, AND SINCE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS I LOST BOTH MY STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEMS. ANY MORE I STOP FOR FUEL AFTER ABOUT 120 MILES OR SO. MY HYUNDAI DEALER HAS QUOTED MY A PRICE OF AROUND $3,000.00 (THAT'S THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS) TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND HE SAID THAT THEY CAN'T EVEN GUARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM WON'T REOCCUR. AND HE SAID THAT THIS IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT "HYUNDAI" SHOULD TAKE CARE OF !!!
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 21, 2018
AFTER FILLING GAS TANK THE FUEL GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BAD FUEL SENSOR
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 11, 2018
GAS GAUGE AND LIGHT ALWAYS ON EMPTY WHEN TIGHT AFTER IT IS FULL OF GAS AND LOUD HUMMING SOUND FROM FUEL PUMP. STALLED OUT IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION MULTIPLE TIMES.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 21, 2018
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, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 30, 2018
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, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 13, 2018
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.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 28, 2018
GAS GAGE INDICATION SHOWS EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL OR EMPTY. THIS HAPPENED WITH OUR 2008 SANTA FE TOO.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 13, 2018
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.
Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 13, 2018, crash
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, Feb 19, 2018
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 3, 2018
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 14, 2018
FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ PROPERLY WILL GO FROM FULL TO EMPTY LEADING TO RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WHILE DRIVING
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 9, 2018
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 24, 2017
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 3, 2017
FUEL SENDERS ARE FAILING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND FUEL GAUGE SHOWS NEAR EMPTY EVEN WHEN VEHICLE HAS FULL TANK.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 30, 2017
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 29, 2017
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, Aug 16, 2017
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 4, 2017
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 26, 2017
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 24, 2017
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 2, 2017
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
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 29, 2017
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 30, 2016
MY FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ONE
Fuel system, Gasoline, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 5, 2016
FAULTY FUEL SENSOR GAUGE. WHEN TRYING TO FILL AN EMPTY TANK THE PUMP SHUTS OFF AFTER ONLY A COUPLE OF GALLONS. IF I WASN'T PAYING ATTENTION I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT WAS FULL. I'VE SEEN COMPLAINTS THAT THE FUEL GAUGE STOPS WORKING ON THIS CAR AT SIMILAR MILEAGE, IF THAT HAPPENS TOO I WON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY CAR. I COULD THEN RUN OUT OF GAS WHILE DRIVING AND LOSE POWER STEERING. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT HAZARD. *TR