2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    fuel tank and lines

    50 unsafe, 22 annoyance

    72
    incidents
    Typical range: 66,000–101,000 mi

    Median 87,500 mi, based on 82 reports (11% had no usable mileage)

    • "ABOUT 6 TO 9 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING SANTA FE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD WITH 1/4 TANK OF GAS INDICATED. GAS WAS PUT IN CAR AND DRIVEN TO DEALERSHIP WITH CAR STALLING A SECOND TIME IN ROUTE. DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR AND IT WAS REPLACED…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1043433
    • "VEHICLE FUEL SYSTEM GAUGE INACCURATE. AFTER A FILL UP, THE GAS GAUGE WOULD CHANGE FROM 3/4 FULL TO EMPTY, TO 1/4 FULL, TO 3/4 FULL TO EMPTY, REGARLDESS OF HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE VEHICLE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON AND OFF. THIS IS CLEARLY T…"~67,900 mi, complaint #1232532
    • "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 O…"~88,000 mi, complaint #1146544
    • "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 DEF…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1448751
    • "AFTER FILLING GAS TANK THE FUEL GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BAD FUEL SENSOR"~172,068 mi, complaint #1484628
  2. #2

    engine stall or no start

    3 stranded, 42 unsafe

    45
    incidents
    Typical range: 65,000–120,000 mi

    Median 90,000 mi, based on 70 reports (28% had no usable mileage)

    • "1ST. TIME; DRIVING ON I-75 ENGINE SHUT DOWN LEAVING COMPLETELY NO POWER, (BRAKES, A/C, STEERING OR SIGNALS) 2ND. TIME: 4/07/2012 ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITH SAME RESULTS 28000 MILES. 3RD. TIME; 03/03/2013 ENGINE SHUT DOWN AGAIN ON I-75 CAUSING CAR TO HAVE TO PULL OV…"~20,500 mi, complaint #1102349
    • "I'VE TAKEN MY 2009 SANTA FE TO THE RICK CASE ROSWELL, GA ON FRIDAY, 7/1/2016 AND AGAIN TODAY, 7/15/2016, BOTH FOR THE SAME ISSUE, MY CAR IS STALLING WHILE I DRIVE IT. ON 7/1 THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE BATTERY, SO HAD A NEW ONE INSTALLED WHILE THERE. BOTH TIMES…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1298489
    • "WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING ONTO A SIDE STREET THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THERE WAS NO INDICATION AS TO WHAT HAPPENED, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND NO ERROR CODES SHOWED UP. THIS IS APPARENTLY A PROBLEM HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT…"~93,000 mi, complaint #1311090
    • "WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. POWER STEERING AND BREAKS ARE GONE. THE CAR WILL CRANK RIGHT BACK OFF BUT THIS US VERY DANGEROUS. I'M NOT SURE IF WEATHER IS A FACTOR BUT WHEN IT HAS HAPPENED WHICH GAS BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES, IT HAS BEEN IN…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1369097
    • "I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN 2011. OVER THE YEARS, AT RANDOM TIMES, THE RADIO WILL "POP" OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO AFFECT THE REST OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR, BUT IT'S A LITTLE SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS - MECHANIC CAN'T REPLICATE. NOW, TWI…"~197,000 mi, complaint #1582478
  3. #3

    unintended acceleration

    35 unsafe

    35
    incidents
    Typical range: 19,500–73,000 mi

    Median 49,000 mi, based on 52 reports (7% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AGAINST A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN…"~3,600 mi, complaint #1458670
    • "I JUST HAD MY 2009 SANTA FE START ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS GOING TOWARDS A LIGHT AND HIT THE GAS HARD. AFTER SPEEDING UP, I LET GO OF THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES TO SLOW BUT AS SOON AS I RELEASED THE B…"~19,448 mi, complaint #845431
    • "I WAS COMING FROM FOOD SHOPPING, ON AUGUST, 26, 2019 AND WAS TRYING TO LEAVE OUT MY PARKING SPOT. WHILE ME BACKING OUT, MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARD AND WHILE I TRIED TO STOP MY VEHICLE IT TAPPED INTO A LIGHT POLE. I WAS TRYING TO GET MY SELF OUT OF THIS WE…"~43,000 mi, complaint #1633689
    • "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. FLUC…"~65,250 mi, complaint #1158958
    • "THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR AND HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY THE LAST 2 MONTHS. AT RANDOM TIMES, IN TOWN OR ON HIGHWAY WITH VARYING SPEEDS, THE RPM WILL JUMP WITHOUT ME USING ANY MORE PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL, WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO AC…"~170,000 mi, complaint #1224923
  4. #4

    airbag system

    22 unsafe

    22
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=23, median 79,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "ON MAY 2010 THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OUT EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. GOT AN APPOINTMENT AND TOOK MY 2009 SANTAFE LIMITED AWD V6 INTO THE DEALER AND HERE'S THE NARRATIVE FROM THE DEALE…"~6,773 mi, complaint #804057
    • "AT AROUND 4:50 PM ON AUGUST 11, 2015, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED 2WD 4 DOOR WAGON NORTH-BOUND ON SECOND AVENUE, THROUGH THE INTERSECTION OF SECOND AVENUE AND FOOTHILL BOULEVARD IN UPLAND, CALIFORNIA. WHILE CROSSING THE INTERSECTION T…"~70,333 mi, complaint #1210601
    • "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. O…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1235748
    • "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 APPROXI…"~104,000 mi, complaint #1242825
    • "AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD WILL NOT GO OFF."~137,100 mi, complaint #1424196
  5. #5

    brake pads and rotors

    14 unsafe

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 24,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "MY REAR BRAKES WERE MAKING NOISE SO I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT.THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE STICKING TO THE ROTORS OVERHEATING THE ROTORS. BOTH THE REAR PADS & ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED SO SOON SO I CALLED THE OWNER OF…"~15,292 mi, complaint #900540
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE SHOES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHIC…"~19,000 mi, complaint #960622
    • "I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 6 MILES AT 55 MPH AND I HEARD A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAK. IT CHANGED WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I LATER STOPPED AND FELT THE WHEELS AND THE RIGHT REAR WAS HOT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS…"~24,300 mi, complaint #1080085
    • "AT 32,000 MILE THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL SMELLED HOT, BRAKE DUST RESIDUE VISIBLE AND SQUEALING COMING FROM THIS DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL. FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR OUTSIDE BRAKE PAD WAS WORN DOWN TO METAL. DRIVER'S SIDE INSIDE PAD AND PASSENGER…"~32,000 mi, complaint #1007837
    • "REAR BRAKE CALIBER LOCKED UP, BRAKES OVERHEATED. HAD TO HAVE BOTH CALIBERS REPLACE. *TR"~52,000 mi, complaint #1048008
  6. #6

    throttle and pedal

    14 unsafe

    14
    incidents
    Typical range: 20,500–61,000 mi

    Median 27,500 mi, based on 29 reports (3% had no usable mileage)

    • "THIS MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK, I ACCELERATED TO PASS A VEHICLE MAKING A LEFT TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY, AND WHEN I PASSED SAID VEHICLE AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS, IT DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE PEDAL REMAINED STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD TO FORCE THE BRAKES THROUGH…"~13,187 mi, complaint #845458
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AN THE PEDAL REMAINED STUCK IN THE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIA…"~22,000 mi, complaint #857546
    • "UPON ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TOOK OFF AND THE GAS PADDLE GOT STUCK FOR 15 - 20 SECONDS EVEN THOUGH IT FELT LIKE A LIFE TIME. I STUMPED ON BRAKE PEDAL AND TRIED TO PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO NO AVAIL. THE RPM ON MY CAR WAS REGIS…"~27,430 mi, complaint #971202
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, USING CRUISE CONTROL, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I COASTED TO A STOP AND PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, TRANSMISSION WAS IN GEAR,…"~59,600 mi, complaint #1065188
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR MORE THAN TWICE WHEN DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE TACHOMETER INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABOVE 90 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO QUICKLY PLACE TH…"~88,000 mi, complaint #1487921
  7. #7

    brake hydraulics

    12 unsafe

    12
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 18,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING STRUCTURE. I WAS ALREADY PRESSING THE BRAKE AND JUST BEGAN TO PRESS IT A BIT HARDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING SPACE. JUST AS I GAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL A BIT MORE PRESSURE, MY CAR SPED FORWARD, JUMPING A…"~10,000 mi, complaint #1014911
    • "WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP RIGHT AWAY. *TR"~13,500 mi, complaint #788537
    • "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 CORR…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1127994
    • "WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL GENERATING A SCREECHING NOISE AND A BURNING SMELL. CHECKED TIRE AND BOTH THE TIRE AND WHEEL RIM WERE RED HOT. TOOK TO HYUNDAI DEALER. SAID CALIPERS NOT SLIDING PROPERLY. THEY CLAIM ON SANTA FE'S YOU HAVE TO BRING THEM IN…"~53,504 mi, complaint #1002919
    • "BRAKES COMPLEXLY FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH BRAKES BEING PRESSED COMPLETELY TO FLOOR. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC BESIDE MY HOME IMMEDIATELY . BOTH BREAK LINES WERE LEAKING 'GUSHING' BRAKE FLUID. HYUNDAI RECALLED THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM ON THEIR 2011 SANTA…"~185,000 mi, complaint #1616024
  8. #8

    instrument cluster

    3 unsafe, 7 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 81,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "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…"~60,500 mi, complaint #1289034
    • "MY FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ONE"~75,000 mi, complaint #1344802
    • "GAS GAGE INDICATION SHOWS EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL OR EMPTY. THIS HAPPENED WITH OUR 2008 SANTA FE TOO."~81,000 mi, complaint #1457543
    • "MY FUEL GAUGE IS NO LONGER WORKING. IT DOESN'T REGISTER THE AMOUNT OF GAS. THE GAUGE GOES UP AND DOWN RANDOMLY AND MAINLY STAYS ON EMPTY."~98,000 mi, complaint #1381145
    • "2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE EXPERIENCING WILD FUEL GAGE SPIKES, READS E WHEN TANK IS FULL, THEN READS 1/2 FULL AND IS ALL OVER THE MAP.. HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT INDICATED A RECALL.. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE PLACES ON RECALL AS IT IS A HAZARD, TO THE…"~170,000 mi, complaint #1110681
  9. #9

    control module

    6 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AROUND 67,000 MILES AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS. THE GAUGE WOULD FLOAT BETWEEN FULL AND EMPTY REGARDLESS OF GAS USAGE USUALLY RESTING AT EMPTY. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED GOING ON BECAUSE OF THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION. TH…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1321200
    • "I'M EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENSOR FAILING. THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY AND THEN SLOWLY RISES TO INDICATE I HAVE FUEL. SOMETIMES THE FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AFTER I'VE JUST FILLED UP AND STAYS ON FOR A DAY OR SO. I CALLED MY DEALER AND THEY T…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1080172
    • "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…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1234476
    • "FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS IS IN TANK IT USUALLY REGISTERS EMPTY, AND OCCASIONALLY IT WILL RANDOMLY FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN. BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. THIS HAPPENS WHILE CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN M…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1228803
    • "FUEL SENSOR SHOWS GAS LEVEL ERRATICALLY BOTH ON GAUGE AND DIGITAL DISPLAY, USUALLY WHEN FUEL LEVEL IS BELOW 1/3 LEFT IN TANK. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO THEN DISPLAYS ERRATICALLY. THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC OR IN PARKED POSITION WITH ENG…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1295098
  10. #10

    corrosion and rust

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "AFTER ROUTINE INSPECTION, ENGINE CRADLE IS RUSTED THROUGH AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. CAR HAS 54,000 MILES. #1 COCHRAN TOOK PICTURES AND SUBMITTED THEM TO HYUNDAI, SAID THEY NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THIS FOR A 2009 SANTA FE AND THOUGHT HYUNDAI WOULD REPLACE…"~54,000 mi, complaint #1346343
  11. #11

    other

    4 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "HAD A FLAT TIRE ON 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. SET BRAKE AND JACKED THE CAR UP TO REMOVE FLAT TIRE. CAME BACK A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER TO FIND THAT THE JACK HAD TWISTED AND COLLAPSED. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. BUT IT WAS A PAIN TO HAVE TO OBTAIN A FLOOR JACK AS…"~12,579 mi, complaint #820633
    • "I WAS A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE ON THE WAY TO THE LICENSE BRANCH AND WAS SITTING STILL AT A STOP LIGHT, WHEN A VEHICLE REAR-ENDED MY CAR. *TR"~30,000 mi, complaint #1000560
    • "VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS."~106,000 mi, complaint #1247567
    • "LONG BREAK LIGHT IN THE BACK ON TOP, FALLS OUT. USED SPECIAL TAKE TO SECURE IT"~112,300 mi, complaint #1475042
  12. #12

    battery and charging

    1 stranded, 5 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED (70 MPH), CAR STOPPED RESPONDING TO THROTTLE WITH NO WARNING. AS I MERGED TO RIGHT LANE, CAR DIED COMPLETELY AND I HAD TO MANEUVER TO SHOULDER WITH NO POWER. STUCK HERE WITH WIFE AND 2 TODDLERS UNTIL TOWED TO MECHAN…"~61,000 mi, complaint #1446886
    • "VEHICLE STALLS WHILE SLOWING DOWN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, HEADLIGHTS AND POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ARE LOST, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT COME ON. IMAGINE DRIVING DOWN A DARK WINDY ROAD AT NIGHT AND LOSING POWER STEERING AND BRAKING AND NOT BEING…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1581043
  13. #13

    engine head gasket

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "VEHICLE RECALL NOTICE. RECALL STATES THAT ALTERNATOR MAY FAIL ON SAID VEHICLE RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER, ETC., ETC. TOOK VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALER. ALMOST 2- HRS. REP CAME TO ME FOR 1400 EST IN CAR REPAIRS. NO INFORMATION ON ALTERNATOR. TALKED TO BOSS A…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1322937
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received a notice for TSB: [XXX] and the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the campaign was completed. The contact stated that while an oil change was being performed, she was informed that the valve co…"~74,936 mi, complaint #1956550
  14. #14

    transmission automatic

    1 stranded, 5 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "MY 2009 SANTA FE HAS BEEN ACCELERATING DURING STOPPING (AROUND 20-30 MILES) I BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALER AND THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT DID IN FACT SURGE WHILE TRYING TO STOP. THEY DID AN "UPDATE" AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME TELLING ME IF IT…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1059111
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMPLETING A RIGHT TURN, A GRINDING SOUND WAS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMIN…"~73,000 mi, complaint #979487
    • "SHIFTING CABEL BROKE,WHILE IN GEAR,MOVING"~85,000 mi, complaint #1488627
    • "MY VEHICLE WAS IN THE STATIONARY POSITION OR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN PARK. I HAD PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, PUT MY CAR INTO PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. UPON EXITING MY VEHICLE WITH GROCERIES IN HAND MY VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING (THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT…"~99,000 mi, complaint #1515115
    • "MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND INITIALLY WAS UNABLE TO GET THE SHIFTER INTO DRIVE AFTER BEING IN REVERSE. SHE FINALLY GOT IT INTO GEAR AND DROVE HOME AND I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT IT INTO PARK AFTER SHE ARRIVED HOME BUT IT REMAINED IN DRIVE AND TH…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1500527
  15. #15

    fuel pump

    1 stranded, 4 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "ENGINE STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. FUEL PUMP FAILURE. *TR"~21,093 mi, complaint #862222
    • "MY GAS GAGE STARTED TO WORK IMPROPERLY. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC I TRUST. HE TOLD ME THE FUEL PUMP SENDERS WERE BAD. AFTER HE REMOVED THEM HE CALLED ME TO TELL ME I WAS LUCKY MY VEHICLE DIDN'T CATCH FIRE OR BLOW UP! ONE SENDER HAS INSULATION BROKEN AND THE WIRE…"~98,220 mi, complaint #1701750
    • "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…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1188631
    • "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."~112,300 mi, complaint #1475040
  16. #16

    lighting exterior

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "RIGHT FRONT FOG LIGHT INOPERATIVE. DEALER REPLACED HALOGEN BULB. WITHIN A FEW DAYS FOG LAMP OVERHEATED CAUSING BULB SOCKET AND LENS BULB HOLDER TO COMPLETELY MELT DOWN CAUSING BULB TO FALL DOWN ONTO THE INSIDE OF THE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER AND BURNED TWO HOLES THR…"~94,570 mi, complaint #1527857
    • "THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SO POOR THAT WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING AT NIGHT. ON LOW BEAMS, IT ALMOST SEEMS AS IF THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF. ON HIGH BEAMS, VISIBILITY IS ADEQUATE BUT, OF COURSE, WE CANNOT KEEP HIGH BEAMS ON ALL THE TIME. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY S…"~126,000 mi, complaint #1337115
  17. #17

    engine internal

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "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. VALUESCO…"~1,200 mi, complaint #735657
    • "INCIDENT 1: (10-20-2010) DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHT WAS FOGGING UP CONSTANTLY. DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD LIGHT UNDER WARRANTY. INCIDENT 2: (02-22-2011) UPON FILL-UP OF THE GAS TANK, JUST BEFORE IT WAS TOPPED OFF, THERE WAS A SERIES OF CLUNKING NOISES. AFTER TAKING…"~15,546 mi, complaint #933161
    • "THE FUEL GAGE IS BROKEN, IT READS EMPTY WHEN FULL. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK IT IN TO FIX IT. $400.00 LATER IT WAS FIXED. NOW I HEAR CLINKING SOUND FROM ENGINE. I THINK THE PISTONS RINGS ARE BAD. I'VE READ OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. N…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1746726
  18. #18

    paint and clearcoat

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "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…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1289448
    • "PAINT COMES OFF THE CAR IN LARGE PIECES THAT, IF RAINING, WILL STICK TO WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR AND THE CAR BEHIND YOU, WHILE DRIVING. THIS BLOCKS THE VISIBILITY OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSES WIPER PROBLEMS AS THE LARGE PIECES GET STUCK TO THEM.…"~96,000 mi, complaint #1379965
  19. #19

    wiring harness

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE, BUT THERE WAS NO DETERMINATION OF WHAT CAUSED THE…"~20,000 mi, complaint #903031
    • "I AM HAVING THE ISSUE WITH THE GAS GAUGE, WHERE A SHORT TIME AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK, THE GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE SAME ISSUE AS A RECENT RECALL, WHERE OIL WAS DRIPPING ON THE AL…"~78,000 mi, complaint #1314469
  20. #20

    engine oil consumption

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change, she was informed that oil was leaking onto the alternator. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been repaired un…"~136,000 mi, complaint #2054895
  21. #21

    evap system

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "CK ENGIN LIGHT COMES ON CODE P0464 NOT A LL UNCOMMON."~77,000 mi, complaint #1265803
    • "FUEL GAUGE IS ERRATIC, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, FAILS NJ EMISSIONS, DEALER WILL NOT FIX A KNOWN ISSUE!!!! *TR"~79,452 mi, complaint #1077952
    • "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.…"~87,124 mi, complaint #1288721
  22. #22

    glass and windshield

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE . WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE WINDSHIELD WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF DUE TO THE GLAZE COMING FROM THE SUN. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE WINDSHIELD AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD POLISH THE WINDSHIELD IN ORDER TO C…"~3,097 mi, complaint #814733
    • "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 FO…"~87,000 mi, complaint #1243608
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY CAR, BETWEEN 20-25 MPH, LESS THAN HALF A MILE FROM MY DESTINATION AND I HEARD THIS VERY LOUD BANG. IT SCARED ME, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GUN SHOT. I PULLED OVER AND SOMETHING TOLD ME TO SLIDE MY SUNROOF COVER BACK, THAT'S WHEN I SAW THAT MY SUNROOF…"~115,000 mi, complaint #1363655
  23. #23

    stability and traction control

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "I BOUGHT A 2009 HYNDAI SANTA FE IN 2013 WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL DECEMBER OF 2018. I DROVE ABOUT [REDACTED ADDRESS] BACK HOME IT STARTED GOING AS SLOW AS 5 MILES AN HOUR; I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS AN ISSUE ABOUT BEING RECALLED BUT I S…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1542578
    • "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…"~79,500 mi, complaint #1181441
    • "MY ESC,ABS& AWD SYMBOL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME & I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN HYUNDAIS & HAD THIS ISSUE IM GUESSING THIS IS SOMETHING MAJOR BECAUSE WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT THEY ALL CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING"~83,000 mi, complaint #1442072
  24. #24

    tire failure

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FINANCING A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE THAT HAS BRIDGESTONE DUELER HT TIRES ON IT. THIS CAR HAS 29176 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO A WELL KNOWN PLACE TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGED AND TIRES ROTATED. THEY CHANGED THE OIL BUT INFORMED ME THAT NONE OF THE…"~29,000 mi, complaint #861148
    • "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…"~129,500 mi, complaint #1248601
  25. #25

    infotainment head unit

    2 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "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 ABL…"~1,370 mi, complaint #754603
  26. #26

    interior trim

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "DOOR PANELS HAVE BECOME GOOY, THE VINYL/LEATHER HAS BECOME GOOEY AND COMES OFF ON YOUR HANDS, ARMS, CLOTHING, ETC. IT IS VERY STRANGE AND IS NOT NORMAL. NEEDS TO BE FIXED BUT NOT BY ME. WHAT DO I DO AND WHERE DO I TAKE IT? THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTE…"~5,500 mi, complaint #1458265
  27. #27

    power steering hydraulic

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Took my car in for repair because I was told that my power steering pump and gaskets were bad. Upon further investigation it wasn’t neither. It was the power steering hose that goes from the power steering to the racket pinion. Both of the hoses had holes in t…"complaint #1939720
    • "ON MARCH 11, 2011 I PARKED MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN MY DRIVEWAY. AS I WAS GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE IT STARTED TO MOVE. IT DRAGGED ME DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AND AS I WAS TRYING TO GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE I BANGED MY RIGHT KNEE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT T…"complaint #847659
  28. #28

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES HAVE BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AGREED THAT THE SEAT BELTS SHOULD BE REPLACED, HOWEVER HYUNDAI DID NOT AGREE TO PAYING FOR REPLACEMENT. I BELIEVE THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE DEFECTIVE AND A…"~57,541 mi, complaint #1354846
    • "UPON TRYING TO SWITCH MY DAUGHTER FROM HER CAR SEAT TO A BOOSTER SEAT WE NOTICED OUT BACK SEAT SEATBELTS WERE FRAYED AND DAMAGED, LATER WE FOUND OUT IT WAS DO TO FAULTY SEATBELT TENTIONERS. "~78,742 mi, complaint #1201746
  29. #29

    sunroof

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "OUR SUNROOF BURST WHILE DRIVING ON A CLEAR, SUNNY DAY. OUR SPEED WAS ABOUT 40MPH, THE SHADE ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS CLOSED AS WAS THE SUNROOF. WE HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND WHEN WE SLID THE INTERIOR SHADE OPEN A SHOWER OF GLASS FELL INTO THE PASSENGER C…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1417061
    • "SUN ROOF EXPLODED. NO APPARENT REASON. STATIONARY PARKED."~105,000 mi, complaint #1521357
  30. #30

    abs module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Previously I taken my car in to be serviced June 6th 2022 due to two recalls at 110 stopwatch switch and the 947 underbody corrosion after leaving the service area it is now August 8th my abs and ESC light is illuminating at the same time and yesterday I calle…"complaint #1833230
  31. #31

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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 CAUS…"~78,000 mi, complaint #1235215
  32. #32

    alignment and pull

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHEN I FIRST "TESTED" THE CAR I MENTIONED TO THE SALES PERSON THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. HE CONVINCED ME IT WASN'T. ON 7/31/19 I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES AND HAD A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. I TOOK IT BACK FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE ALIGNMENT 3 TIMES BEFORE…"~33,000 mi, complaint #1676589
  33. #33

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "MY CAR HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPAIRED IN 2013 BEFORE I OWNED THE VEHICLE UNDER RECALL 13V113000. NOW THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED AGAIN. I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR AND COULD NOT PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. THIS HAPPENED SEEMING…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1562090
  34. #34

    climate control module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEATER AND AIR CONDITION SPONTANEOUSLY ACTIVATED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO TURN OFF. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1732274
  35. #35

    door latch and hinge

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Passenger front and driver side rear door handle breaking off. Normal pulls have cause the handle to come in hand."complaint #1782173
  36. #36

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "MY CONTROL ARM AND AXLE BROKE AFTER THE JUNE 2017 UNDERCARRIAGE VEHICLE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED BECAUSE A HOLE WAS DISCOVERED BECAUSE OF CORROSION. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE AXLE BROKE APART FROM THE BALL JOINT"complaint #1450345
  37. #37

    engine mounts

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "FINALLY GOT HYUNDAI TO REPLACE MY RUSTED SUBFRAME ENGINE CRADLE (TOOK ALMOST 8 MONTHS TO GET PARTS) AND AFTER THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS, I WENT AND PICKED IT UP. EVERYTHING SEAMED OKAY, BUT APON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE, THERE…"~117,000 mi, complaint #1570359
  38. #38

    lighting interior

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED, THE FRONT COURTESY LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON DUE TO A BAD DIODE. THE MAP LIGHTS WILL WORK. I UNDERSTAND THIS A COMMON PROBLEM."complaint #1362731
  39. #39

    mirror

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR FELL OUT OF THE CEILING AS IF THE WIRES WERE CUT IN HALF IN THE HOLE THAT HELD THE VISOR IN PLACE. I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE SUDDEN EVENT BUT I HAVE BARELY BEEN ABLE TO SEE WHILE DRIVING EARLY IN T…"complaint #1498828
  40. #40

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON THERE WAS A LOUD HUMMING SOUND AND A VIBRATION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND THAT THEY ALSO HE…"~1,800 mi, complaint #798885
  41. #41

    seat mechanism

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT MANUAL HANDLE WAS TOUCHED BY MISTAKE WHENEVER THE CONTACT EXIT THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE HANDLE WAS TOUCHED THE SEAT LEVEL WOULD BE LOWERED AND THE VIEW IN THE MIR…"complaint #858443
  42. #42

    starter

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHEN I WENT TO START VEHICLE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAME ON BUT DID NOT TURN THE STARTER,THIS HAPPENED MAYBE TWICE LAST YEAR.SO FAR THIS YEAR IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES.THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMES ON WHEN I TURN THE KEY TO START BUT NOTHING HAPPENS,I FINALLY…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1103507
  43. #43

    steering electric assist

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "2 ISSUES - (1 )WHILE TURNING, LOSES POWER STEERING MOMENTARILY, BATTERY AND SEAT BELT LIGHTS COME ON TEMPORARILY (2) WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS, CAR "BUCKS" AS IF TRANSMISSION JAMMED OR BRAKES LOCKED UP MOMENTARILY --BOTH ISSUES ARE INTERMITTENT,…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1644864
  44. #44

    steering rack mechanical

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AT NIGHT TIME. ABOUT 10 MIN FROM A COLD START, I TURNED ONTO THE 210 FWY. THERE WAS A 270 DEGREE DOWNHILL TURN (A STEEP CURVE) SO I HAD THE BRAKES ON WHILE DOING [REDACTED ADDRESS] INTO THE TURN, I SUDDENLY LOST BRAKE AND STEERING WHEEL…"~7,800 mi, complaint #965608
  45. #45

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TAKATA RECALL: ON JUNE 2 2017 I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO HAPPY HYUNDAI OF OAK LAWN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS A RECALL BECAUSE OF RUSTING OF MY CARS UNDERCARRIAGE. THEY KEPT MY VEHICLE UNTIL AUGUST 17,2017. ON OCTOBER 5TH, I WAS BACKING IN A PARKIN…"~88,703 mi, complaint #1414781
  46. #46

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING OUT TO EAT AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT. WE WERE SLOWING DOWN UPON ENTERING THE PARKING LOT. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND WE LUNGED FORWARD, LIKE SOMEONE HAD HIT US FROM BEHIND. MY WIFE HAD TOLD ME THIS HAD HAPPENED TO HER A FEW OTHER TIMES WH…"~59,000 mi, complaint #904881
  47. #47

    timing belt or chain

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "JUST BOUGHT A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT OUT OF TOWN BEFORE IT STALLED ON ME SEVERAL TIMES. I WOULD HURRY UP PUT IN PARK AND START UP. I TOOK IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY SEEN THIS A LOT OF TIMES BEFORE. ITS THE TIMING CHAI…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1685549
  48. #48

    wiper and washer

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK ON VERY COLD WINTER DAYS (ALL DAY, MULTIPLE DAYS). *TR"~82,000 mi, complaint #1040974

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for HYUNDAI SANTA FE directly.