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 21, 2016
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND LOW FUEL LIGHT COME ON EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS. I'VE RECEIVED SEVERAL ESTIMATES TO HAVE THE FUEL SENSOR REPLACED AND IT WILL COST ANYWHERE FROM $600 TO $700. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAFETY ISSUES.
Structure, Jun 13, 2016
THE PAINT ON OUR VEHICLE KEEPS BUBBLING UP AND PEELING OFF CAUSING THE EXTERIOR METAL ON THE CAR TO RUST IN THOSE SPOTS. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE 2012 AND IS OCCURRING IN MULTIPLE RANDOM SPOTS ON THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE OTHER SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. WE CALLED THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHO RECOMMENDED A BODY SHOP TO FIX THE PAINT ISSUES. THE OWNER OF THE BODY SHOP SAID IT WAS SUCH A REOCCURRING PROBLEM, HE DIDN'T NEED US TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR A QUOTE, ONLY TELL HIM WHERE THE PAINT WAS BUBBLING AND PEELING AND GAVE US A PRICE OVER THE PHONE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE OVER TIME. WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, WHETHER IT IS CERTAIN WEATHER , ROAD CONDITIONS OR ENVIRONMENT.
Electrical system, Jun 12, 2016
FUEL LEVEL GAUGE BECOMES ERRATIC AND NON-RESPONSIVE TO ACTUAL FUEL LEVELS. MOST OF THE TIME THE LEVEL GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL READ AN EMPTY TANK WITH THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT LIT, EVEN AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK WITH GAS. FIRST SYMPTOMS OCCURED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 9, 2016
ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND EVERY TIME I FILLED THE TANK WITH GAS THE CAR WONT START UNLESS I KEEP THE FOOT ON THE GAS WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION KEY THEN I HAVE TO SWITCH THE GEAR TO DRIVE WITH A FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ONE ON THE GAS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD TO REPLACE THE PURGE VALVE AND THE PURGE HOSE. NOT EVEN A WEEK I WENT TO FILL THE TANK AND MY GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY AND WHILE I DRIVE IT STARTS TO GO UP AND DOWN CONSTANTLY IT IS HARD TO TELL HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, I NOTICE IS VERY COMMON ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD.
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 11, 2016
MY ADDRESS IS [XXX]. MY NAME IS [XXX]. THE PROBLEM IN MY CAR IS FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WHEN I DRIVE IN HIGHWAY MY FUEL GAUGE IS GOES CRAZY THEIR GOING UP THEN DOWN THEN WARNING LIGHT NO FUEL IN TANK BUT FUEL IS FULL THAT THE PROBLEM IN MY CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, May 9, 2016
THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FOR SAFETY REASONS BUT IT DIDN'T INCLUDE MY VIN FOR SOME REASON, EVEN THOUGH THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED ON MY VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE RECALL WOULDN'T BE FOR MY CAR AS WELL AS IT'S THE SAME SAFETY CONCERN.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 9, 2016
AFTER FUELING MY CAR, THE GAS GAUGE IMMEDIATELY DROPPED TO EMPTY AND THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. WHILE DRIVING IT WOULD THEN SLOWLY CREEP UP TO ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK. AT THE HALF WAY MARK, IT WOULD GO UP AND DOWN GRADUALLY SO THAT I COULD NEVER TRUST HOW MUCH GAS WAS TRULY IN MY TANK, LEADING ME TO ALWAYS WANT TO REFUEL AT THE HALFWAY MARK. THIS HAPPENED CONTINUALLY IN BETWEEN FUELING AND NEVER CORRECTED ITSELF.
Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2016
THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS INSTANCES WHEN MY VEHICLE HAS A FULL TANK AND DURING DRIVING THE GAUGE SUDDENLY INDICATE AN EMPTY TANK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE VEHICLE. I AM AFRAID OF TRAVELLING I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS IT COULD CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVERS WHO MAKE THE ASSUMPTION THAT THIS IS ONLY A SENSOR PROBLEM AND CONTINUE DRIVING AND SUDDENLY STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 28, 2016
AT APPROX 65000 MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING FUEL GAUGE BECAME ERRATIC AND UNRELIABLE. GUAGE READS ANYWHERE FROM FULL TO ONE EIGHTH AND FLUCTUATES ALMOST CONSTANTLY REGARDLESS OF ACTUAL FUEL LEVEL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON PRODUCED ERROR CODE P0464. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Air bags, Mar 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 5, 2016
CK ENGIN LIGHT COMES ON CODE P0464 NOT A LL UNCOMMON.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 28, 2016
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY. I HAD JUST FILLED UP A DAY OR SO PRIOR. I TOOK TO MY MECHANIC HE SAID THAT IT IS THE FUEL SENSOR. SO I FILL UP THE CAR AND RESET MY TRIP TO 0 EVERY TIME I FILL UP NOW. OTHERWISE I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE CAR...THE FUEL GAUGE JUMPS AROUND...SOMETIMES IT SAYS HALF EMPTY...SOMETIMES IT SAYS LOW FUEL LIGHT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE SITUATION...THE FUEL SENSORS SHOULD NOT FAILING! I SEE THAT MAY OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM...ALTHOUGH THIS FIRST HAPPENED OVER THE SUMMER THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING AND APPARENTLY WIDE SPREAD.
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 29, 2015
VEHICLE INSPECTION PERFORMED BY MANUFACTURE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. TWO ISSUES WERE RECOMMENDED BY THE TECHNICIAN: A) NEW TIRES. ALL 4 TIRES CURRENTLY ON THE VEHICLE ARE AROUND 5 YEARS OLD (BASED ON THE DOT DATE OF MANUFACTURE), AND HAVE BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER 100,000 MILES (BASED ON ODOMETER READINGS FROM 2010 AND CURRENT). B) NEW REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE INSPECTION REVEALED REAR PADS AROUND 3 MM, AND ROTORS SHOWING RUST. THESE ARE SAFETY ISSUES, WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SELLING THE VEHICLE. REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT EXISTING RECORDS DO NOT SPECIFY THAT RECOMMENDED FLUID/TIMING BELT REPLACEMENTS WERE PERFORMED.
Other or unspecified, Dec 23, 2015, fire
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 20, 2015
I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WAS IN PARK, THE CAR WOULD JUST SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES WITHIN A FEW WEEK'S TIME. I WAS CONCERNED AND WONDERED IF THE CAR WOULD EVER JUST SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR A BUSY STREET. TO MY HORROR, IT HAPPENED! A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF!...THERE WAS A CAR BEHIND ME THAT CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT! AGAIN MY GREATEST FEAR IS THAT THE CAR WILL STALL ON ME WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IF THAT HAPPENS ON A ROAD WHERE CARS ARE TRAVELLING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THEN I WOULD PROBABLY NOT LIVE TO TELL THE STORY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 14, 2015
FUEL LEVEL STOPPED WORKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MECHANIC SAID THE CODE CALLED FOR REPLACEMENT OF FUEL LEVEL SENSORS. $500 REPAIR AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE AND I CAN NEVER PUT MORE THAN 8 GALLONS IN WHEN I FUEL UP. BUT GAS GAUGE WILL GO UP TO HAVE THEN DROP TO EMPTY THEN GO UP TO HALF A TANK. VERY HORRIFIC. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WHICH WILL CAUSE ME TO FAIL INSPECTION.
Visibility, Dec 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED AND THE ENTIRE REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODED, CAUSING GLASS TO SHATTER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED FOR THIRTY MINUTES WITH THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER ACTIVATED. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERAURE WAS 27 DEGREES. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZED IN WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Air bags, Dec 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 1, 2015
THE ENGINE LIGHTS STAYS ON WHEN YOU FILL THE GAS TANK IT STILL SAYS EMPTY WHEN DRIVING EVERYTHING WILL SHUT OFF THIS IS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 26, 2015
ONLY 85K MILES ON THE HYUNDAI USED FOR NORMAL DRIVING. THE FUEL GAUGE/SENSORS HAVE BEGUN ACTING ERRATIC. FILLED THE GAS TANK AND GAUGE SHOWED FULL. VERY NEXT MORNING GAUGE DOWN TO A QUARTER TANK. PURCHASED GAS AND ONLY NEEDED 3 GALLONS. FUEL GAUGE ALL OVER THE PLACE AND NOT MEASURING GAS CORRECTLY. CREATES AN UNSAFE CONDITION AS DRIVER DOES NOT RELIABLY KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS AVAILABLE. MANY ISSUES LIKE THIS ACCORDING TO POSTS ON INTERNET. HYUNDAI HAS A SYSTEMATIC PROBLEM AND SHOULD REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 25, 2015
AFTER FILLING VEHICLE WITH FUEL, FUEL GAUGE SHOWED TANK EMPTY AND YELLOW LIGHT ON DASH SHOWS FUEL EMPTY. FUEL GAUGE RECOVERED TO SHOW 1/2 FULL, THEN DISPLAYS ERRATIC RESULTS. ONLINE FORUMS SHOW DEFECTIVE FUEL SENSOR WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF HYUNDAI VEHICLES. THERE SHOULD BE RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. DRIVERS MAY THINK THEY HAVE SUFFICIENT FUEL, TO THEN HAVE VEHICLE RUN OUT OF GAS IN A DANGEROUS DRIVING ENVIRONMENT.
Air bags, Nov 5, 2015, crash
WE WERE REARENDED BY A LARGE PICKUP TRUCK THAT WAS TRAVELLING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND THE DRIVER DID NOT APPLY HIS BRAKES. WE WERE STRUCK WHILE ATTEMPTING AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, SPUN AROUND CLOCKWISE AND FLIPPED ON OUR TOP, TOTALLY DEMOLISHING OUR CAR. OUR CONCERN: THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DID NOT ENGAGE RESULTING IN INJURIES REQUIRING IMMEDIATE TRANSPORTATION FOR HOSPITALIZATION FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON A PAVED, RURAL-TYPE STREET WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC PRESENT. THE DRIVER HAS A BROKEN NECK, MULTIPLE INJURIES INCLUDING A CLOSED HEAD CONCUSSION.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 4, 2015
CAR LOST POWER WHILE IN MOTION TAKING A TURN AND SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP. STARTED JULY 2015, ONCE AGAIN IN AUG. NOW SINCE OCT, HAPPENS MORE REGULARLY, SOMETIMES TWICE A DAY. DEALER LOOKED AT IT TWICE. NO CODES, CAN'T REPLICATE SO THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S CAUSING THE PROBLEM. REPLACED TCS AND DID RECALL 9H292430 ALL WITH NO LUCK. DEALERS NEXT BEST GUESS IS REPLACING THROTTLE BODY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 2, 2015
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WHILE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, I NEEDED TO PAY $1000 TO REPAIR THE SENSOR BECAUSE I NEEDED MY CAR EMISSION INSPECTED. IN THE LAST MONTH, WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE CAR JUST LOST POWER AND STALLED. WHEN WE RESTARTED THE CAR, THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON BUT WENT OFF THE NEXT DAY. SINCE THEN, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY AND THE FUEL GAUGE JUMPS ALL OVER THE PLACE. IT WILL INDICATE I HAVE 88 MILES TO EMPTY AND THEN JUMP BACK UP TO 130. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON ONE DAY AND BE OFF THE NEXT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 30, 2015
ONCE THE GAS GAGE REACHES 1/4 FULL, IT GOES TO EMPTY. AFTER FILLING WITH GAS, IT WILL TAKE OVER 1 HOUR TO RECORD A FULL TANK. CANNOT USE THE GAGE AS WE ARE NEVER SURE HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK. THE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO APPEARS AND STAYS ON UNTIL THE GAS SENSOR RECORDS FULL.