NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
50 reportsClear category filter140,000 miles · Feb 10, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE V6 3.3 LITER HAS EXPERIENCED OCCASIONAL, RANDOM STALLING OVER A FEW YEARS, ALWAYS WHILE BRAKING AND OFTEN WHILE TURNING. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN AFTER A PERIOD OF STEADY SPEED DRIVING AND THEN SLOWING DOWN AND TURNING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE STEERING INSTANTLY GETS VERY DIFFICULT AND BRAKING A…
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2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE V6 3.3 LITER HAS EXPERIENCED OCCASIONAL, RANDOM STALLING OVER A FEW YEARS, ALWAYS WHILE BRAKING AND OFTEN WHILE TURNING. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN AFTER A PERIOD OF STEADY SPEED DRIVING AND THEN SLOWING DOWN AND TURNING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE STEERING INSTANTLY GETS VERY DIFFICULT AND BRAKING ABILITY LIKEWISE BECOMES INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT. AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, OR PULLING OVER AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT WILL ALWAYS START RIGHT BACK UP AND RUN FINE. THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I AM A 50 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CAN WRESTLE THE CAR TO SAFETY (SO FAR), BUT MY WIFE, CHILDREN, OR OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. THERE ARE REPEATED MENTIONS OF OTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS, AND THESE MOSTLY MENTION A TPS REPLACEMENT AND AN ACCOMPANYING ECU FIRMWARE UPDATE. THERE ARE NO APPARENT RECALLS OR TSBS WITH HYUNDAI THAT AFFECT THIS VEHICLE AND ENGINE COMBINATION, AND THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM FOR WHICH THERE APPEARS TO BE A REMEDY PATH.
NHTSA ODI #11072039
83,000 miles · Jan 22, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
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
NHTSA ODI #11064193
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSteering
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF NO STEERING NO GAS NOTHING QUITE DANGEROUS AND QUITE SCARY WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION ON THE STREET
NHTSA ODI #11048292
90,000 miles · Nov 20, 2017
Electrical System
AT AROUND 90,000 MILES, THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. EVIDENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. EVEN AFTER FILLING THE TANK WITH GAS, THE GAUGE SHOWS "EMPTY". THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE FUEL SENDING UNITS IN THE TANK - THE SENSOR BRUSHES BREAK OFF AND THE UNIT NO LONGER SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE GAUGE. THIS POSES SAFETY ISSUES TO PEOP…
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AT AROUND 90,000 MILES, THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. EVIDENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. EVEN AFTER FILLING THE TANK WITH GAS, THE GAUGE SHOWS "EMPTY". THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE FUEL SENDING UNITS IN THE TANK - THE SENSOR BRUSHES BREAK OFF AND THE UNIT NO LONGER SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE GAUGE. THIS POSES SAFETY ISSUES TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T CAREFULLY TRACK THEIR CAR'S FUEL USE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CAR STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PROBLEM SETS TROUBLE CODES AND LIGHTS THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #11047656
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2017
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD POP SOUND AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD POP SOUND AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 08/23/17*LJ *CN
NHTSA ODI #11000005
98,000 miles · May 30, 2017
Electrical System
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.
NHTSA ODI #10992130
100,500 miles · Jan 29, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, IT WILL GO FROM SHOWING THERE IS GAS IN THE TANK TO COMPLETELY EMPTY, THEN BACK TO GAS IN THE TANK. THIS HAS LEAD TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I DON'T WANT TO GET STUCK OUT IN THIS COLD WEATHER WITH AN EMPTY TANK DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE
NHTSA ODI #10948349
67,000 miles · Sep 27, 2016
Electrical System
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. THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO GAUGE THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE…
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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. THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO GAUGE THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE CAR,. IT IS ALSO UNSAFE TO HAVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON, BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO ALERT THE DRIVER OF SAFETY ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #10910100
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2016
Electrical System
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE OF THE GAS GAUGE. NOW I HAVE NO CLUE HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE BECAUSE THE READER ON THE DASH KEEPS GOING UP AND DOWN. A MONTH AGO, I HAD THE ALTERNATOR AND GAS LINE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE LAST RECALL/SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT. THESE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS STEM FROM THAT REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA ODI #10908040
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2016
Electrical System
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON BECAUSE OF THE FUEL GAUGE. IT WAS RUNNING ON A CITY STREET. NOW I CAN'T TELL HOW MUCH GAS I DO, OR DON'T, HAVE
NHTSA ODI #10908036
Official recalls
2Apr 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.
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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