NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
74 reportsClear category filter23,456 miles · Sep 10, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSteering
MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WHILE DRIVING STALLS, TRUCK IS NO LONGER ON WHILE DRIVING. POWER STEERING AND CONTROL OVER STEERING WHEEL IS LOSS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING QUITE FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING. HAPPEN TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHICH, SCARED ME TO DEATH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. NO…
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MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WHILE DRIVING STALLS, TRUCK IS NO LONGER ON WHILE DRIVING. POWER STEERING AND CONTROL OVER STEERING WHEEL IS LOSS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING QUITE FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING. HAPPEN TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHICH, SCARED ME TO DEATH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON STAY FOR A FEW DAYS THEN TURNS OFF. MY FUEL GAGE K DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. I CAN FILL MY TANK UP ON FULL, THEN IT WILL DROP TO THE E LINE LIKE THERE IS NO GAS. THE YELLOW LIGHT COMES ON. NOT SAFE BECAUSE NOW I DON'T KNOW IF MY TRUCK IS FULL OR REALLY EMPTY. WHY HAVEN'T THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THESE ISSUES ESPECIALLY SINCE, THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BY OWNERS WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL.
NHTSA ODI #11128545
99,415 miles · Sep 5, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILED....INACCURATE FUEL GAUGE CAUSING OWNERS TO NOT KNOW WHEN THE CARS FUEL TANK IS LOW, AND SOMETIMES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF FUEL WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #11124582
65,000 miles · Aug 29, 2018
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND DISCOVERED THAT BATTERY FLUID WAS LEAKING. HYUNDAI OF WESLEY CHAPEL (27000 WESLEY CHAPEL BLVD, WESLEY CHAPEL, FL 33544, (813) 501-2736) WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND DISCOVERED THAT BATTERY FLUID WAS LEAKING. HYUNDAI OF WESLEY CHAPEL (27000 WESLEY CHAPEL BLVD, WESLEY CHAPEL, FL 33544, (813) 501-2736) WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO FUCCILLO KIA OF WESLEY CHAPEL (28555 FL-54, WESLEY CHAPEL, FL 33545, (813) 395-0347). FUCCILLO KIA HAD NOT SPECIFICALLY VERIFIED IF ANY OTHER COMPONENTS OR ELECTRICAL FAILURES CAUSED THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE OEM BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITH A TRIPLE A BATTERY, THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY MAY BE FAULTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD WAS DAMAGED WITH AN EXTENSIVE INDENTATION WHERE THE BATTERY HAD LODGED UPWARD WHEN IT EXPLODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *TT UPDATED 11/19/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #11123193
120,000 miles · Mar 19, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
FUEL GAUGE ALWAYS READS AS EMPTY, REGARDLESS OF MOVEMENT OR AMOUNT OF GAS IN TANK, LEAVING DRIVER TO RUN OUT OF GAS IN UNDESIRABLE PLACES. REPAIR IS APPROX 600-800 DOLLARS. MANY COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE RECALLED. HAS TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENDING SENSOR OR SOMETHING I WAS TOLD.
NHTSA ODI #11080103
76,000 miles · Jul 25, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
I ACTUALLY HAVE 2 ISSUES OCCURRING. ONE OF THESE WAS DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED BY A PREVIOUS RECALL (CAMPAIGN 105/110 - FIXED /CLOSED JUN 23, 2014). HOWEVER, MY ESC OFF LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT ARE AGAIN LIGHTING UP. I HAVE (LUCKILY) NOT YET HAD LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OR CONTROL. THE SECOND ISSUE IS IN REGARDS TO CAMPAIGN 936. I'VE HA…
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I ACTUALLY HAVE 2 ISSUES OCCURRING. ONE OF THESE WAS DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED BY A PREVIOUS RECALL (CAMPAIGN 105/110 - FIXED /CLOSED JUN 23, 2014). HOWEVER, MY ESC OFF LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT ARE AGAIN LIGHTING UP. I HAVE (LUCKILY) NOT YET HAD LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OR CONTROL. THE SECOND ISSUE IS IN REGARDS TO CAMPAIGN 936. I'VE HAD THE FRONT ENGINE VALVE GASKET COVER FIXED, ALONG WITH MY ALTERNATOR REPLACED (AFTER MY HUSBAND AND I DID IT OURSELVES AFTER LOSING ALL POWER ON CHRISTMAS EVE IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD BEFORE BARELY COASTING INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO SORT OF PARK OUT OF THE WAY). WE CHANGED MY OIL THIS WEEKEND, HAVE HAD NO OTHER WORK DONE ON THE CAR SINCE (EXCEPT OIL CHANGES) AND MY HUSBAND NOTICED THAT THE ALTERNATOR IS AGAIN COVERED IN OIL. BETWEEN THE 2 ISSUES, IT IS MOST LIKELY A MATTER OF DAYS (IF I'M LUCKY) BEFORE MY CAR LOSES POWER IN SOME FORM AND I AM POTENTIALLY IN A WRECK WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO "RE-FIX" THE FIRST 2 CAMPAIGNS THAT SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN FIXED, BUT FOR JUST THE VALVE GASKET WORK, IT WOULD BE AT LEAST $500, NOT INCLUDING THE ALTERNATOR THAT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED WHEN THE CAR DOES GO OUT. APPARENTLY THE GASKET THAT IS LEAKING THIS TIME ISN'T THE FRONT ONE, IT IS THE REAR ONE. MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS ON THIS ARE THAT IF THE FRONT ONE IS FAULTY, THEN IT'S NOT A STRETCH TO GET TO THE REAR ONE BEING FAULTY. MY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP EVEN WARNED ME WHEN REPLACING THE FRONT ONE THAT MY REAR ONE WOULD MOST LIKELY NEED TO BE DONE TOO (FOR $500+). IF THE DEALERSHIPS KNOW, IT MAKES ME WONDER WHY THE RECALL DIDN'T INCLUDE BOTH VALVE COVER GASKETS OR A NEW ONE HASN'T BEEN ISSUED FOR THE REAR ONE. HOPEFULLY, BOTH OF THESE ISSUES CAN BE RE-ADDRESSED. THE DATE BELOW IS OF FIRST WARNING LIGHTS. THE LIGHTS COME ON FROM PARK OR WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #11010439
143,000 miles · Jun 9, 2017
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other
MY CAR HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES THIS PAST WEEK WITHOUT WARNING OR INDICATION THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG. THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY STOP AND LOSE POWER COMPLETELY WHILE I ANXIOUSLY TRY TO RESTART IT. IT HAS PUT ME AT RISK WITH OTHER DRIVERS WHERE I'VE HAD TO PUT MY HAZARDS ON AND HOPE VEHICLES ARE ABLE TO STOP IN TIME SO THEY DON'T …
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MY CAR HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES THIS PAST WEEK WITHOUT WARNING OR INDICATION THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG. THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY STOP AND LOSE POWER COMPLETELY WHILE I ANXIOUSLY TRY TO RESTART IT. IT HAS PUT ME AT RISK WITH OTHER DRIVERS WHERE I'VE HAD TO PUT MY HAZARDS ON AND HOPE VEHICLES ARE ABLE TO STOP IN TIME SO THEY DON'T HIT ME. I'VE TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NO ONE SEEMS TO BE HELPING ME. I FOUND INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT HYUNDAI GETTING SLAPPED WITH A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS I'M REPORTING, BUT THE SUIT APPEARS TO ONLY COVER 2010-2012 MODELS, MINE IS 2008. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!
NHTSA ODI #10994173
161,000 miles · May 24, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System
1) FUEL TANK GAUGE IS INACCURATE. STARTS TO DROP RAPIDLY AFTER DRIVING 75-100 MILES AND EMPTY FUEL TANK LIGHT COMES ON AFTER ~125-150 MILES. WHEN I REFILL THE TANK, IT IS ONLY HALF EMPTY. NORMALLY, CAR WILL DRIVE 270-320 MILES BEFORE EMPTY. 2) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG WITH THE CAR(HAV…
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1) FUEL TANK GAUGE IS INACCURATE. STARTS TO DROP RAPIDLY AFTER DRIVING 75-100 MILES AND EMPTY FUEL TANK LIGHT COMES ON AFTER ~125-150 MILES. WHEN I REFILL THE TANK, IT IS ONLY HALF EMPTY. NORMALLY, CAR WILL DRIVE 270-320 MILES BEFORE EMPTY. 2) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG WITH THE CAR(HAVE HAD IT CHECKED.) 3) ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF; SOMETIMES AT THE SAME TIME AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, SOMETIMES BY ITSELF. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED, NO PROBLEM; AND RESET. GOES ON - OFF AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER. THESE EVENTS HAVE BEEN OCCURRING OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS, APPROXIMATELY.
NHTSA ODI #10991323
120,000 miles · May 7, 2017
Electrical System
AFTER TURNING RIGHT TO ENTER AN ON-RAMP FOR THE HIGHWAY, THE TURN SIGNAL (NOW IN NEUTRAL POSITION) STARTING MAKING THE FAST CLICKING NOISE. IN ADDITION, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE TURN SIGNAL STICK AND YOU COULD SMELL (WHAT APPEARED TO BE) ELECTRICAL BURNING. THIS CONTINUED FOR 20 MILES UNTIL I GOT HOME AND BEGAN TO RESEA…
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AFTER TURNING RIGHT TO ENTER AN ON-RAMP FOR THE HIGHWAY, THE TURN SIGNAL (NOW IN NEUTRAL POSITION) STARTING MAKING THE FAST CLICKING NOISE. IN ADDITION, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE TURN SIGNAL STICK AND YOU COULD SMELL (WHAT APPEARED TO BE) ELECTRICAL BURNING. THIS CONTINUED FOR 20 MILES UNTIL I GOT HOME AND BEGAN TO RESEARCH IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS (WHICH IT HAS). I AM WORRIED OF A FIRE DANGER ALONG WITH THE ANNOYING NON-STOP NOISE. IS THERE A RECALL ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS IF OTHERS HAVE ALSO REPORTED IT?
NHTSA ODI #10983938
60,000 miles · Jan 23, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
THE ISSUE STARTED SHORTLY AFTER MY VEHICLE SURPASSED 60,000 MILES. UPON TURNING ON THE ENGINE, THE GAS GAUGE LIGHT IS ON AND THE FUEL TANK IS DISPLAYED AS EMPTY. THE GAS GAUGE ON OCCASION ALSO SPORADICALLY FLUCTUATES UP AND DOWN, REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH GASOLINE IS IN THE TANK.
NHTSA ODI #10947099
95,000 miles · Nov 3, 2016
Electrical System
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. FUEL GAUGE WILL READ EMPTY EVEN AFTER JUST FUELING. FUEL GAUGE WILL OCCASIONALLY READ A RANDOM LEVEL THEN DROP TO EMPTY WITHIN SECONDS. OBD CODES STATES FUEL SENSOR ERRORS.
NHTSA ODI #10924128
Official recalls
4Apr 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Jul 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Sep 9, 2011
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 26, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 19, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 20, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: HYUNDAI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CONNECT CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Jun 19, 2008
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 88,943 MY 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH P235/60R18 TIRES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE BLACK CERTIFICATION LABEL AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE CENTER PILLAR, INCORRECTLY LISTS THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERLOADING YOUR VEHICLE MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT HANDLING AND BRAKING AND MAY CAUSE TIRE DAMAGE, RESULTING IN TIRE FAILURE AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: HYUNDAI WILL MAIL CORRECTED CERTIFICATION LABELS ALONG WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE AFFECTED OWNERS. THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
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