NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
215 reportsClear category filter81,754 miles · Feb 25, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
AFTER FUELING MY GAS TANK COMPLETELY 16 GALLONS OF GAS I BEGAN TRAVELING ON FREEWAY ONLY TO HAVE MY GAS GAUGE PLUMMET TO EMPTY AND DIGITAL RANGE WENT BLANK. SINCE THEN I AM UNABLE TO TELL HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE. THE READING FLUCTUATE RAPIDLY. I AM TERRIFIED THAT I WILL RUN OUT OF FUEL ON A BUSY EXPRESSWAY OR DURING SEVERE COLD WEA…
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AFTER FUELING MY GAS TANK COMPLETELY 16 GALLONS OF GAS I BEGAN TRAVELING ON FREEWAY ONLY TO HAVE MY GAS GAUGE PLUMMET TO EMPTY AND DIGITAL RANGE WENT BLANK. SINCE THEN I AM UNABLE TO TELL HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE. THE READING FLUCTUATE RAPIDLY. I AM TERRIFIED THAT I WILL RUN OUT OF FUEL ON A BUSY EXPRESSWAY OR DURING SEVERE COLD WEATHER DUE TO RISK OF HARM AND OR INJURY. I WAS TOLD BY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP THAT SENSORS ARE FAULITY.
NHTSA ODI #10690542
90,000 miles · Feb 19, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, IT IS MOVING ERRATICALLY. THE GAS TANK IS FULL WHILE THE GAUGE IS SHOWING EMPTY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I AM JUST WORRIED THAT I MIGHT BE STRAINED SOMEWHERE WHEN THE TANK IS REALLY EMPTY. I CAN'T TRUST THE GAUGE NOW. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED ALREADY SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT …
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FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, IT IS MOVING ERRATICALLY. THE GAS TANK IS FULL WHILE THE GAUGE IS SHOWING EMPTY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I AM JUST WORRIED THAT I MIGHT BE STRAINED SOMEWHERE WHEN THE TANK IS REALLY EMPTY. I CAN'T TRUST THE GAUGE NOW. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED ALREADY SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT . I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR AS IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10689385
19,800 miles · Feb 17, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
2/05/15, TURNED RIGHT ON MANHATTAN BLVD AND NORMAL ACCELERATING, EASED UP ON PEDAL BUT ENGINE STILL FULL THROTTLE. APPLIED BRAKES BUT STILL KEPT ACCELERATING. APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, TURNED INTO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT, AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. STARTED THE ENGINE AFTER 3 OR 4 SECONDS STILL FULL THROTTLE…
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2/05/15, TURNED RIGHT ON MANHATTAN BLVD AND NORMAL ACCELERATING, EASED UP ON PEDAL BUT ENGINE STILL FULL THROTTLE. APPLIED BRAKES BUT STILL KEPT ACCELERATING. APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, TURNED INTO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT, AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. STARTED THE ENGINE AFTER 3 OR 4 SECONDS STILL FULL THROTTLE,TURNED ENGINE OFF. STARTED THE ENGINE AFTER 4 OR 5 MINUTES AND EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. ON 2/05/15 CONTACT HYUNDAI ON 1-800-633-5151 THEY FILLED OUT A REPORT, CASE NO. 7640349, AND ALSO RECOMMENDED I HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. 2/05/15 VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. HYUNDAI DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. HYUNDAI DEALER WAS REQUESTED TO RUN MORE EXTENSIVE TESTS BY CORPORATE OFFICE. 2/10/15 EXTENSIVE TESTS COMPLETED AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. I DID NOT CONTACT HYUNDAI, 1-800-633-5151, ON 1ST OCCURRENCE ON 6/25/14, JUST TOOK IT TO SAME HYUNDAI DEALER AND FILED A COMPLIANT VIA E-MAIL WITH NHTSA. HYUNDAI DID STATE ON 2/05/15 THEY HAD NO RECORD OR RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM! 2/11/15 CAR READY FOR PICKUP. DEALER STATED PROBLEM DUPLICATED SEVERAL TIMES WITH INSTALLED AFTERMARKET FLOOR MAT JAMMING THROTTLE AND CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. SEE BELOW:. I REMOVED THE AFTER MARKET FLOOR MAT. I AM DRIVING WITH A 80% BELIEVE 20% DO NOT BELIEVE CONFIDENCE LEVEL THAT THE FLOOR MAT CAUSED MY TWO PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10683794
94,000 miles · Feb 5, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL LEVEL READINGS STARTED FLUCTUATING GIVING ME INACCURATE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK, UNTIL ONE DAY I WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY AND DID NOT KNOW. SINCE THIS INCIDENT.THE GAUGE ONLY MOVES UP WHEN I FILL THE TANK, BUT THEN IT STARTS FLUCTUATING UNTIL SETTLING ON EMPTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10681430
115,000 miles · Jan 30, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System
I WAS DRIVING TO A STOP LIGHT ON A DOWN HILL SLOPE WITH MY WHOLE FAMILY IN THE CAR WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR TURNED OFF. ALL AT ONCE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, AND I COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO RE-START. I TURNED ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND AT THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION I TRIED TO RESTART M…
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I WAS DRIVING TO A STOP LIGHT ON A DOWN HILL SLOPE WITH MY WHOLE FAMILY IN THE CAR WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR TURNED OFF. ALL AT ONCE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, AND I COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO RE-START. I TURNED ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND AT THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION I TRIED TO RESTART MY CAR BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. A FEW MOMENTS LATER I TRIED AGAIN AND IT STARTED BUT IT WOULDN'T LET ME ACCELERATE ALMOST AT ALL (THROUGH AN INTERSECTION!). THERE WAS ALSO A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, AFRAID IF I WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE, TURNED THE CAR OFF, WAITED ABOUT FIVE MINUTES, RESTARTED IT, SUCCESSFULLY. I LET IT IDLE FOR A WHILE UNSURE WHAT ELSE TO DO. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE HOME WITH NO OTHER INCIDENT. THE CLICKING WAS OFF AND ON THE ENTIRE DRIVE HOME BUT HAS SINCE GOTTEN QUIETER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10680096
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL SENSOR DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. READS EMPTY WHEN TANK HAS JUST BEEN FILLED, AND WILL THEN FLUCTUATE FROM EMPTY TO FULL FROM THERE. DRIVER HAS TO RELY ON MILEAGE FOR FUEL LEVEL ACCURACY. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED FOR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL CAR, WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALL HAVE TAKEN THEIR VEHICLES TO DEALERSHIPS…
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FUEL SENSOR DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. READS EMPTY WHEN TANK HAS JUST BEEN FILLED, AND WILL THEN FLUCTUATE FROM EMPTY TO FULL FROM THERE. DRIVER HAS TO RELY ON MILEAGE FOR FUEL LEVEL ACCURACY. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED FOR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL CAR, WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALL HAVE TAKEN THEIR VEHICLES TO DEALERSHIPS WHERE THEY ARE CHARGED $800 TO REPLACE FUEL SENSORS, OFTEN WITH FUEL SENSORS MADE BY HYUNDAI, WHICH MALFUNCTION AGAIN. HYUNDAI DOES NOT COVER REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY, IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL, SITTING "NON-SAFETY ISSUE". THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS A DRIVER CAN RUN OUT OF GAS WHILE ON THE ROAD, AND FACE POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH FROM BEING HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE...ESPECIALLY IF ON THE FREEWAY OR AT NIGHT. DRIVERS ARE BEING LEFT STRANDED ON THE ROADS BECAUSE THEY HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS FROM THE SENSORS MALFUNCTIONING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, AND REMAINS LIT UNTIL THE SENSORS ARE REPLACED. THIS CAN BE HARMFUL BECAUSE DRIVERS WOULD NOT KNOW OF ANY ADDITIONAL ENGINE PROBLEMS SINCE THE LIGHT REMAINS LIT DUE TO THE FUEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION. SEE HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/HYUNDAI/SANTA_FE/2008/FUEL_SYSTEM/FUEL_PROPULSION_SYSTEM.SHTML FOR A HANDFUL OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I ASK THAT HYUNDAI BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWINGLY PUTTING DRIVERS AT RISK WITH THIS ISSUE AND FOR CHARGING CUSTOMERS A LUDICROUS AMOUNT TO "REPAIR" THE SENSORS WITH THE SAME, FAULTY ONES THEY MANUFACTURE. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A HYUNDAI AGAIN! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10678722
80,011 miles · Jan 24, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE SHOW EMPTY AND THERE WAS 3/4 OF A TANK. THE GAUGE READING GO FROM FULL TO EMPTY CONSTANTLY, WE WORRY WE WILL BE TRAVELING AND THE CAR WILL STOP BECAUSE THE GAUGE READS THERE IS GAS AND IT WILL BE EMPTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10678679
108,000 miles · Jan 19, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL SENSORS FAILED CAUSING FUEL LEVEL TO READ EMPTY EVEN WITH A FULL TANK. ALSO TRIGGERED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. HYUNDAI IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ASSIST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10676381
51,243 miles · Jan 18, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
CAR STALLED ON HIGHWAY OUT OF GAS. GAS GAUGE SHOWED HALF TANK. DANGEROUS SITUATION, STUCK IN MIDDLE LANE OF BUSY HIGHWAY, TRAFFIC PASSING ON BOTH SIDES ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10676332
74,000 miles · Jan 16, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
AS I CAME TO A STOP, I NOTICED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE WAS FLUTTERING UP AND DOWN. THEN MY FUEL LIGHT CAME ON AND I KNEW THAT I HAD JUST FILLED THE TANK THE DAY BEFORE, SO I HAD PLENTY OF GAS. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN VERY ERRATIC, BUT MOSTLY SHOWING THAT I'M ON EMPTY. THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP TRACK IS ON MY TRIP METER BUT THAT CAN BE A LI…
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AS I CAME TO A STOP, I NOTICED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE WAS FLUTTERING UP AND DOWN. THEN MY FUEL LIGHT CAME ON AND I KNEW THAT I HAD JUST FILLED THE TANK THE DAY BEFORE, SO I HAD PLENTY OF GAS. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN VERY ERRATIC, BUT MOSTLY SHOWING THAT I'M ON EMPTY. THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP TRACK IS ON MY TRIP METER BUT THAT CAN BE A LITTLE WORRISOME--I'M ALWAYS WORRIED THAT I AM MISCALCULATION. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON NOW TOO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10673002
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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