NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
58 reportsClear category filter655,000 miles · Aug 1, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL GAUGE BEGAN INDICATING WRONG LEVELS OF FUEL IN FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL GAUGE NEED RANDOMLY WILL SWING ANYWHERE BETWEEN FULL TANK AND EMPTY TANK OVER A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. MANY TIMES AFTER A COLD START THE FUEL GAUGE WILL INDICATE EMPTY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF DAYS THEN ALL OF SUDDEN WILL START TO INDICATE FUEL …
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FUEL GAUGE BEGAN INDICATING WRONG LEVELS OF FUEL IN FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL GAUGE NEED RANDOMLY WILL SWING ANYWHERE BETWEEN FULL TANK AND EMPTY TANK OVER A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. MANY TIMES AFTER A COLD START THE FUEL GAUGE WILL INDICATE EMPTY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF DAYS THEN ALL OF SUDDEN WILL START TO INDICATE FUEL LEVELS OR MAY OSCILLATE BACK AND FORTH. NOTE THAT HYUNDAI IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ACROSS A NUMBER OF THEIR AUTO MODELS AND YEARS, BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10618101
35,000 miles · Aug 1, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL SENSOR ON THIS VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE READINGS ON THE FUEL WOULD FLUCTUATE WILDLY FROM FULL TO EMPTY. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE CAR AND CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL OUT AT THE HIGHWAY. I FIRST HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENSOR 2 YEARS AGO AND HYUNDAI FIXED UNDER…
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THE FUEL SENSOR ON THIS VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE READINGS ON THE FUEL WOULD FLUCTUATE WILDLY FROM FULL TO EMPTY. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE CAR AND CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL OUT AT THE HIGHWAY. I FIRST HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENSOR 2 YEARS AGO AND HYUNDAI FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM HAS COME UP AGAIN AND ITS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE FUEL SENSOR. THE COST OF THE REPAIRS IS APPROXIMATELY $750. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE FUEL SENSORS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10618091
84,000 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN THE TANK BEGAN TO FAIL, CAUSING THE FUEL GAUGE TO BEHAVE ERRATICALLY. FUEL LEVELS WOULD SWING WILDLY FROM FULL TO EMPTY. THE CEL WAS THROWN, BUT NOT UNTIL AFTER THE ERRATIC BEHAVIOR WAS OBSERVED. WITHOUT A CEL TO WARN OF A PROBLEM, THE DRIVER MAY THINK THEY HAVE FUEL WHEN THEY DO NOT AND POTENTIALLY RUN …
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THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN THE TANK BEGAN TO FAIL, CAUSING THE FUEL GAUGE TO BEHAVE ERRATICALLY. FUEL LEVELS WOULD SWING WILDLY FROM FULL TO EMPTY. THE CEL WAS THROWN, BUT NOT UNTIL AFTER THE ERRATIC BEHAVIOR WAS OBSERVED. WITHOUT A CEL TO WARN OF A PROBLEM, THE DRIVER MAY THINK THEY HAVE FUEL WHEN THEY DO NOT AND POTENTIALLY RUN OUT OF GAS. THIS WOULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WE'VE SPOKEN WITH HYUNDAI AND THIS IS NOT A RECALL OR EVEN A TSB ISSUE, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED AMONG OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS COMMON AND THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10614911
45,431 miles · Jul 1, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
I FILLED UP WITH GAS WHEN I LEFT THE GAS STATION MY GAS GAUGE REGISTERED EMPTY AND MY GAS LIGHT CAME ON AND I JUST FILLED THE TANK WITH GAS. MY TRIP ODOMETER WAS GOING CRAZY COULD NOT RESET IT, THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME WHICH GOT ME CONCERNED I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE THEY PUT IT ON THERE MACHINE AND THE CODE CAME UP FOR FUE…
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I FILLED UP WITH GAS WHEN I LEFT THE GAS STATION MY GAS GAUGE REGISTERED EMPTY AND MY GAS LIGHT CAME ON AND I JUST FILLED THE TANK WITH GAS. MY TRIP ODOMETER WAS GOING CRAZY COULD NOT RESET IT, THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME WHICH GOT ME CONCERNED I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE THEY PUT IT ON THERE MACHINE AND THE CODE CAME UP FOR FUEL SENSOR, THIS SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM WITH ALOT OF THESE SANTA FE MY DAUGHTERS 2007 SANTA FE DID THE SAME THING COST HER 600.00 DOLLARS TO HAVE FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10607481
70,000 miles · Jun 27, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DISPLAY THE ACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READINGS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DISPLAY THE ACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READINGS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10606483
55,000 miles · Jun 21, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS 55000 MILES AND RECENTLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY MECHANIC RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT AND SAID THE FUEL SENSOR WAS BAD. I CALLED HYUNDAI TO TAKE IT TO THEM TO REPLACE AS UNDER WARRANTY HOWEVER THEY SAID THEY WOULD NEED TO RUN THEIR OWN DIAGNOSTIC WHICH WOULD COST ME $130 FOR WHATEVER THEY FIN…
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MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS 55000 MILES AND RECENTLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY MECHANIC RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT AND SAID THE FUEL SENSOR WAS BAD. I CALLED HYUNDAI TO TAKE IT TO THEM TO REPLACE AS UNDER WARRANTY HOWEVER THEY SAID THEY WOULD NEED TO RUN THEIR OWN DIAGNOSTIC WHICH WOULD COST ME $130 FOR WHATEVER THEY FIND AND IT WOULD NOT BE REFUNDABLE. NEXT THEY SAID THE FUEL SENSOR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST $800. THEY SAID IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE FIXED BUT OUT OF MY POCKET AS THE CAR CAN STALL OR SEIZE WHEN OUT OF GAS. IF THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THEN THEY SHOULD RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604909
80,000 miles · Jun 12, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
WE HAVE OWNED 2 HYUNDAI, SANTA FE. THE FUEL SENSOR HAS FAILED IN BOTH VEHICLES. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT FUEL SENSOR FAILURE IS A PREVALENT OCCURRENCE IN THESE VEHICLES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS DOCUMENTATIONS ON THE INTERNET. FUEL SENSOR FAILURE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE DRIVER HAS NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS IS …
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WE HAVE OWNED 2 HYUNDAI, SANTA FE. THE FUEL SENSOR HAS FAILED IN BOTH VEHICLES. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT FUEL SENSOR FAILURE IS A PREVALENT OCCURRENCE IN THESE VEHICLES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS DOCUMENTATIONS ON THE INTERNET. FUEL SENSOR FAILURE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE DRIVER HAS NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE CAR. THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE MAY STALL AT ANYTIME ON THE ROAD, AND THE DRIVER WOULD BE INJURED ESPECIALLY IF HIT AT A HIGH SPEED. THE VEHICLE MAY STALL LATE AT NIGHT AND THE DRIVER MAY BE IN A REMOTE LOCATION. IF THE CAR WERE TO STALL AFTER DARK, ONCOMING TRAFFIC WOULD NOT SEE THE STALLED CAR. THE AVERAGE COST TO REPLACE THE SENSOR IS BETWEEN 500 AND 800 DOLLARS. I HAVE HAD TO MAKE THIS PAYMENT TWICE BECAUSE I CANNOT SLEEP AT NIGHT WITH MY DAUGHTER DRIVING A CAR WITHOUT ANY IDEA OF WHEN IT WILL STALL. I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO TO HELP ME OR OTHER OWNERS. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ABOUT WARRANTY. IT IS ABOUT DRIVER SAFETY. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO RECALL THESE AUTOMOBILES AND WOULD RATHER WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS DEAD/INJURED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10597980
94,000 miles · Jun 8, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TEST SHOWS IT IS THE FUEL SENSOR. FUEL GAUGE INSIDE FLUCTUATES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596882
72,000 miles · May 29, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL GAUGE IN MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. UPON FILLING UP IT GOES TO EMPTY WITH THE LOW FUEL LIGHT INDICATOR. AFTER DRIVING 40-60 MILE THE GAUGE MAY READ 1/4-3/4 TANK. OTHER TIMES IT DROPS TO EMPTY AND WILL NOT MOVE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE MILEAGE IS 75,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10594931
80,000 miles · May 17, 2014
EngineFuel System, Gasoline
(2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE) THE VEHICLE GAS GAUGE IS STICKING ON EMPTY AFTER FILLING IT UP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER 1/4 TANK OF GAS HAS BEEN CONSUMED THE GAS GAUGE WILL READ NORMAL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL ALSO GO OFF. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A LOSS IN POWER TO THE ENGINE OR ANY OTHER INDICATORS THAT THERE IS A PROB…
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(2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE) THE VEHICLE GAS GAUGE IS STICKING ON EMPTY AFTER FILLING IT UP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER 1/4 TANK OF GAS HAS BEEN CONSUMED THE GAS GAUGE WILL READ NORMAL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL ALSO GO OFF. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A LOSS IN POWER TO THE ENGINE OR ANY OTHER INDICATORS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE CAN BE REPRODUCED EVERY TIME AFTER FILL UP. THE TANK DOES NOT HAVE TO BE ON EMPTY TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN TSB'S FOR THE 2007 MODEL BUT NOTHING YET FOR THE 2008. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10592121
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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