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.
Air bags, Equipment, Feb 11, 2010
ON 01/02/2010, I BOUGHT A HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED FROM A CAR DEALER NAMED SOUTHERN STATES IMPORTS IN RALEIGH. A FEW DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF RED LIGHT STAYED ON OCCASIONALLY REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OR POSITION OF THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT. AROUND THE SAME TIME, I NOTICED THAT THE CD PLAYER OCCASIONALLY AUTOMATICALLY TRIPPED OVER TO THE RADIO AND VICE VERSA. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND RECEIVED CONFLICTING ADVICE ON WHAT I SHOULD DO AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER, I CHOSE THE ADVICE OF MY FIRST CONTACT PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP AND DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL EITHER OR BOTH MY COMPLAINTS OCCURRED AGAIN. TWO DAYS AFTER THIS DECISION, THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT DID NOT GO OFF AS I WAS TRAVELING TO DOWNTOWN RALEIGH, NC. THE NEXT MORNING, I NOTICED THAT INSTEAD OF THE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER OPENING TO A CD MUSIC SET (SINCE IT WAS LAST ON CD), MUSIC FROM A RADIO STATION STARTED PLAYING. THE NEXT DAY- MONDAY, I DROPPED THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. AFTER 2-3 DAYS OF TESTING, I WAS ASKED TO PICK UP MY CAR AND TOLD THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE MY COMPLAINTS. BOTH DEALERSHIP AND USA HYUNDAI ADVISED ME TO BRING IT INTO SERVICE AS SOON AS I NOTICE EITHER COMPLAINT HAPPENING AGAIN REGARDLESS OF TIME. A FEW DAYS LATER (2-3 DAYS) THE SAME COMPLAINTS (AIRBAG AND RADIO PROBLEMS) RE-OCCURRED AND I DROPPED THE SANTA FE AT SOUTHERN STATES HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP SERVICE STATION WITH ONE OF MY SONS AT ABOUT 10. 15 P.M. OFCOURSE, I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY BOTH DEALERSHIP AND US HYUNDAI THAT THEY PROBLEMS COULD NOT BE DETECTED OR DUPLICATED. AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS, I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE TO DRIVE THIS PARTICULAR HYUNDAI AND THE CAR IN QUESTION HAS REMAINED IN THE HANDS OF THE SOUTHERN STATES HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND/OR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 3, 2010
UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION BETWEEN 30 AND 35 MPH. THERE WAS NO FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ERROR TODAY. THIS WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Jan 27, 2010
HYUNDAI SANTA FE PURCHASED ON 12 SEPT 2009. DVD SCREEN NOT FUNCTIONING, COULD HEAR MOVIE NOT SEE IT. DEALERSHIP REPLACED SCREEN IN OCTOBER 2009. SINCE THEN, THE DVD RSE SYSTEM HAS INTERMITTENTLY CHANGED FROM DVD TO XM OR CD AT WILL. REAR PASSENGERS ARE NOT ABLE TO REACH THE DVD BUTTONS DUE TO AGE AND CHILD SAFETY SEATS. RSE IS LOCKED FROM FRONT CONTROLS. DVD SYSTEM CONTINUES TO SWITCH FROM DVD TO XM OR CD AT LEAST ONCE PER DAY CAUSING THE PASSENGERS TO BE BLASTED WITH HIGH VOLUME MUSIC. IN OCTOBER 2009, THE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM (FOR DOORS AND WINDOWS AND SUCH) WAS REPLACED AND THE ALARM SYSTEM WAS RESET (IT KEPT ARMING ITSELF RANDOMLY). IN NOVEMBER 2009, THE ALARM SYSTEM WAS RESET AGAIN AND THE DVD PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO MECHANICS ATTENTION AGAIN. ALARM SYSTEM WAS FIXED BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE DVD PROBLEM. TOOK CAR IN AGAIN 16 JANUARY 2010, WAS TOLD INTERTWINING OUTSIDE RADIO SIGNALS AND THE FACT I WORK ON A MILITARY BASE WERE CAUSING THE DVD TO SWITCH. FT SAM HOUSTON, TX IS MAINLY A MEDICAL TRAINING MILITARY BASE. MECHANIC REPLICATED PROBLEM BUT LATER TOLD SHOP MANAGER THAT HE COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH OUT DRIVING IN TOWN WHERE I NORMALLY DRIVE. MECHANIC AND REPAIR SHOP MANAGER STATED IT COULD NOT BE A LOOSE PLUG OR WIRING IT WAS THE RADIO SIGNALS. THIS OCCURS AT RANDOM AND I THOUGHT IT WAS FROM BUMPS IN THE ROAD UNTIL IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN WHEN DRIVER WAS NOT TOUCHING THE STEERING WHEEL OR RADIO CONTROLS, AT STOP LIGHTS, AND ON SMOOTH ROADS. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND A BLOG ON EDMUNDS STATING HYUNDAI HAS KNOW ABOUT THIS AND AUDIO PROBLEMS SINCE 2007 BUT NOTHING WILL FIX DVD PROBLEM.*CW
Vehicle speed control, Dec 16, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 75-80 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT INTENTION. EVEN AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. HE HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL TO DECELERATE. 5 DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-35 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NOT INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE FLOOR MAT AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE TECHNICIAN HAVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Tires, Equipment, Nov 19, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FACTORY DECAL INDICATING THAT THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY WAS REDUCED. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT PUT THE DECALS ON THE VEHICLE AND HAD NO KNOWLEDGE HOW TO UPDATE THEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO UNABLE TO ASSIST THE CONTACT ON HOW TO CORRECT THE DECAL. THE VEHICLE ALSO HYDROPLANED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN WHICH CAUSED HIM TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/T TIRES SIZE P235/60/R18. THE DOT CODE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,400. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Sep 15, 2009, fire
MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTE FE JUST PURCHASED WITH 50 MILES ON IN 07/29/09, BLEW UP ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND TOTALLY BURNED THE FRONT AND ENGINE. I HAVE AN EVALUATION FROM 21ST CENTURY APPRAISERS REQUIRED BY GEICO WHOM DIAGNOSED A TOTAL LOSS. VALUESCOPE GEICO CLAIM SERVICES MARKET REPORT REPORT REFERENCE NUMBER: 42157015 ADJUSTER: HUFFMAN-PARENT, BRAD CLAIM REFERENCE: 0180834550101087-01 GEICO C-CODE: CAG605 LOSS INCIDENT DATE: 09/04/2009 DATE SUBMITTED: 09/10/2009 INSURED: LAWSON OWNER: CLEO LAWSON POLICY NUMBER: 0311588404 APPRAISER: HUFFMAN-PARENT, BRAD INTRODUCTION GEICO HAS CONDUCTED AN INSPECTION OF YOUR 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 4X2 GLS 4 DOOR SPORTS UTILITY LOCATED IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. THE INSPECTION INFORMATION WAS THEN USED TO CONDUCT RESEARCH IN YOUR LOCAL MARKET TO DETERMINE THE MARKET VALUE OF YOUR VEHICLE. THE LOCAL MARKET VALUE OF YOUR VEHICLE WAS DEFINED BY THE ZIP CODE 73114 -- OKLAHOMA CITY, OK THE RECOMMENDED SETTLEMENT AMOUNT BASED ON THE LOSS VEHICLE DESCRIPTION PROVIDED BY GEICO IS $18,369.00. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 15, 2009
THE RANGE OF VISION ON THE LOW BEAMS IS SUB-STANDARD. GOING UP HILLS, THEY SEEM TO SHINE INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE HILL AS IF THEIR LONG RANGE AIM WAS DOWN, NOT UP. GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL , THEY APPEAR TO SHINE ON A HORIZONTAL PLANE - NOT DOWN ON THE ROAD. THE HIGH BEAMS ARE FINE, BUT IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE USING JUST THE LOW BEAMS. HYUNDAI SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FOCUS OF THE LIGHT EMITTED BY THE LAMPS OR WITH THEIR AIM. HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT FIT FOR NIGHTTIME DRIVING. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 13, 2009
THE LIGHT EMITTED BY THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS SO FOCUSED AS TO CREATE A TUNNEL EFFECT. THIS NON-DIFFUSED LIGHT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR ANY ILLUMINATION OTHER THAN STRAIGHT AHEAD AND NO HIGHER THAN THE LEVEL OF THE HEADLAMP. IN CONDITIONS OF TOTAL DARKNESS, IT IS AS IF YOU ARE WEARING A LONG BRIMMED CAP AND BLINDERS. AS YOU DRIVE UP OR DOWN A HILL, THE LIGHT SHINES "INTO" THE RISE OR DIP IN THE ROAD. WHEN GOING AROUND A CORNER, THE LIGHT DOES NOT "LEAD" THE VEHICLE AROUND THE BEND, IT "LAGS" BEHIND CREATING A DARK ZONE AS THE CAR GOES AROUND THE TURN. WHEN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ARE SWITCHED ON, THE TUNNEL EFFECT DISAPPEARS. HYUNDAI HAS SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LAMPS OR THEIR ADJUSTMENT. THEY CONTEND THAT IT IS A DESIGN FEATURE OF THESE PARTICULAR LAMPS AND THAT THEY ARE EFFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE DARK. *TR