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
358 reports, newest first.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 5, 2015
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
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 10, 2015
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 10, 2015
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.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, May 8, 2015, crash
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 24, 2015
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.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 20, 2015
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 8, 2015
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 28, 2015
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,700.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 18, 2015
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 6, 2015
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
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 20, 2015
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 15, 2015
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 10, 2015
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
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 2, 2015
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, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 3, 2014
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN FUEL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON EVEN THOUGH I HAD A LEAST 1/2 TANK OF GAS. FILLED UP MY GAS TANK, ALL LIGHTS WERE OUT. WHEN I HAD APPROXIMATELY 1/2 TANK AGAIN, THE ENGINE AND FUEL LIGHTS CAME ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE 2 FUEL SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $350.00. UPON ONLINE RESEARCHING, I LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT BECAUSE THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS, IT IS A PROBLEM THAT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO REPAIR AT NO COST TO THE OWNER OF THESE VEHICLES. IN MY CASE, I NEED TO BE REIMBURSE THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 11, 2014
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 speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 11, 2014
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 11, 2014
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 9, 2014
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
Service brakes, Nov 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER, THE CALIPERS AND BRACKETS CORRODED AND JAMMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 25, 2014
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 system, Gasoline, Sep 30, 2014
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.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 28, 2014, crash
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 20, 2014
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