NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
541 reports44,313 miles · Apr 7, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOORS MATS AND HOLDERS WERE FRACTURING ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO AGREED WITH THE DEALER AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOORS MATS AND HOLDERS WERE FRACTURING ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO AGREED WITH THE DEALER AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,313.
NHTSA ODI #10395199
35,729 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING HOME RECENTLY ON A 70 MPH 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT APPROX 11 PM OUR 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUDDENLY LOSS POWER WHILE CLIMBING A SMALL GRADE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ESC AND TRACTION LIGHTS ALL TURNED ON, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT WE COULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED, I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND LOOKED FOR S…
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WHILE DRIVING HOME RECENTLY ON A 70 MPH 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT APPROX 11 PM OUR 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUDDENLY LOSS POWER WHILE CLIMBING A SMALL GRADE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ESC AND TRACTION LIGHTS ALL TURNED ON, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT WE COULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED, I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND LOOKED FOR SOMEWHERE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD UNFORTUNATELY I WAS ON THE INSIDE LANE JUST PASSING A SEMI-TRUCK AND TRAILER, THERE WAS A GUARDRAIL NEXT TO THE INSIDE LANE SO I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE SEMI TO PASS BEFORE I COULD MERGE TO THE OUTSIDE LANE TO PULL OFF TO THE RIGHT, BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE SEVERAL VEHICLES CAME FROM BEHIND AND TWO VEHICLE SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING OUR VEHICLE. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT BE REAR ENDED AND HAD JUST ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I NOTICED THAT THE VEHILE WAS NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I CHECKED ALL FLUIDS AND MADE SURE THAT ALL BELTS AND HOSES WERE IN GOOD ORDER, THERE WERE NO VISABLE ISSUES. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND ALL LIGHTS RESET EXCEPT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE CLOSEST EXIT AND THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME AS THE FIRST TIME CUTTING OUT AND LOSING POWER BUT I WAS OFF THE HIGHWAY BY NOW AND SAFELY IN A PARKING LOT. THIS VEHICLE WE HAVE OWNED SINCE NEW AND HAVE HAD ALL SERVICES DONE AT HYUNDAI DEALERS ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURE'S PRESCRIBED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES AND THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 35,700 MILES ON IT. THE VEHILCE WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALER AND TO MY SURPRISE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE OF 2 TSBS (TSB09-FL-003-2, TSB-10-FL-010)(NHTSA ITEM NUMBERS: 10032793,10034649) THAT WERE EXISTING ON THIS VEHICLE THAT CAN CAUSE THIS FAILURE. I SERIOUSLY THINK THAT THIS KIND OF FAILURE SHOULD BE A RECALL RATHER THAN JUST A TSB IF IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CRASHES IN THE FUTURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10393709
22,000 miles · Mar 7, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train
IN NOVEMBER 2010, VEHICLE AT EST. 29,000 MI. CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION. WAS ABLE TO PULL OF ON SIDE OF SHOULDER ON HIGHWAY. CAR WOULD NOT REGAIN ACCELERATION DESPITE BEING TURNED OFF, ETC. THROTTLE SENSOR CHANGED. MARCH 2011, VEHICLE AT EST. 31,000 MI. SAME PROBLEM. WHILE ON HIGHWAY, CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION. RPMS JUMPED HIGH…
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IN NOVEMBER 2010, VEHICLE AT EST. 29,000 MI. CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION. WAS ABLE TO PULL OF ON SIDE OF SHOULDER ON HIGHWAY. CAR WOULD NOT REGAIN ACCELERATION DESPITE BEING TURNED OFF, ETC. THROTTLE SENSOR CHANGED. MARCH 2011, VEHICLE AT EST. 31,000 MI. SAME PROBLEM. WHILE ON HIGHWAY, CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION. RPMS JUMPED HIGH, ENGINE ROARED IN RESPONSE BUT CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AGAIN, TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386685
35,000 miles · Mar 3, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH 35,000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING AT 25 MILES/HR AND IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I TRIED TO BRAKE MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND IT STOPPED. OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENCES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION WH…
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I HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH 35,000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING AT 25 MILES/HR AND IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I TRIED TO BRAKE MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND IT STOPPED. OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENCES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE PRESSING LIGHTLY ON THE GAS AND AT OTHER TIMES WHILE LETTING UP ON THE BRAKE. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THER DEALER IN REISTERSTOWN, MARYLAND. THEY TESTED THE CAR AND DROVE IT AND INSIST THAT THE COMPUTER SAYS THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE AND THEY DROVE IT AND OF COURSE IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE THEY DROVE IT. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DONE. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THE CAR AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I SEE ONLINE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT THAT HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY HELP FROM THEIR DEALERS OR FROM HYUNDAI. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386369
12,000 miles · Feb 20, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN TWO MONTHS.
NHTSA ODI #10383859
77,000 miles · Feb 17, 2011
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT WOULD RUN ROUGH AND MAKE A LOT OF NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND THE BEARING FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE.…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT WOULD RUN ROUGH AND MAKE A LOT OF NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND THE BEARING FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,700. UPDATED 03/16/11 *BF UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN
NHTSA ODI #10383137
22,918 miles · Jan 14, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR BRAKE LOCK ATLOW ( 21,000) MILES ROTOR GROOVED, EXCESSIVE HEAT POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD, OUT OF CONTROL STEERING HYUNDAI SAYS THE BRAKE SLIDES MUST BE LUBRICATED..HOWEVER, THEIR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE DOES NOT MENTION LUBRICATION OF BRAKE SLIDES AS PART OF SCHEDULE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10376671
22,000 miles · Jan 11, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 67 MPH. SHE WAS TRYING TO DECELERATE BY APPLYING EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED BY CONSTANTLY PUMPING THE BRAKE. AFTER SHE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 67 MPH. SHE WAS TRYING TO DECELERATE BY APPLYING EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED BY CONSTANTLY PUMPING THE BRAKE. AFTER SHE GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP SHE THEN CONTACTED THE NEAREST DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE THAT SHE EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000.
NHTSA ODI #10376214
28,881 miles · Jan 4, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
DURING THE LAST FEW WEEKS THE VEHICLE HAD A SLIGHT ACCELERATION/DECELERATION. THEN WHILE MOVING THE CAR LOST ENGINE PWR.ACCELERATION WAS REDUCED TO ABOUT 5MPH HAD TO STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF THEN ON TO REGAIN FULL PWR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAIND ON.
NHTSA ODI #10374588
53,375 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON 12/26/2010,MY HUSBAND AND 2 CHILDREN WERE RETURNING FROM NJ TO CT VIA THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY, NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AND THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE. FOUR TIMES DURING THAT TRIP, OUR HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. EACH TIME THE LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED THERE WAS NO PRECIPITATING EVENT, JUST A SUDDEN AND RANDOM LOSS OF …
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ON 12/26/2010,MY HUSBAND AND 2 CHILDREN WERE RETURNING FROM NJ TO CT VIA THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY, NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AND THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE. FOUR TIMES DURING THAT TRIP, OUR HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. EACH TIME THE LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED THERE WAS NO PRECIPITATING EVENT, JUST A SUDDEN AND RANDOM LOSS OF POWER FOLLOWED BY THE ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATING ON THE DASH. HE HAD TO COAST THRU TRAFFIC, FIND A SAFE PLACE TO STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN TO REGAIN POWER. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN MERIDEN CT AND THEY INTERROGATED THE COMPUTER. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD US THEY REPLACED THE TPS (THROTTLE POSITION) SENSOR. WE DID SOME AMATEUR RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF RESEARCHING, CAME ACROSS DOZENS OF SANTA FE OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME EVENT. WE ARE WONDERING WHY THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THE SANTA FE MODELS THAT ARE AFFECTED. WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PROPER AUTHORITIES ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION SO THAT NECESSARY ACTION CAN BE TAKEN. WE ARE SO FORTUNATE THAT THE DRIVERS NEAR US ALL FOUR TIMES WERE PAYING ATTENTION AND DIDN'T RAM US FROM BEHIND. THESE ARE HEAVILY TRAVELED ROADS WITH MANY TRUCKS, TRACTOR TRAILERS AND CARS, ALL TRAVELLING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND SOMETIMES FOLLOWING CLOSELY. THIS IS A POTENTIAL TRAGEDY FOR ANOTHER FAMILY WHO ISN'T AS LUCKY.
NHTSA ODI #10374446
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.