NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
60 reportsClear category filter105,000 miles · Jul 5, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE SLOWING DOWN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, HEADLIGHTS AND POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ARE LOST, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT COME ON. IMAGINE DRIVING DOWN A DARK WINDY ROAD AT NIGHT AND LOSING POWER STEERING AND BRAKING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. THIS IS ACCURATE TO THE EXPERIENCE. IF I TURN CA…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE SLOWING DOWN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, HEADLIGHTS AND POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ARE LOST, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT COME ON. IMAGINE DRIVING DOWN A DARK WINDY ROAD AT NIGHT AND LOSING POWER STEERING AND BRAKING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. THIS IS ACCURATE TO THE EXPERIENCE. IF I TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON, IT STARTS JUST FINE. IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE, ON THE FREEWAY, WHILE PARKING, ETC. EVERY PERSON I HAVE TALKED TO WITH SAME VEHICLE CONFIRMS THE SAME. I HAVE YET TO FIND ANYONE WITH A FIX. THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR 2010 AND ON FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE. THIS ISSUE STARTED HAPPENING IN 2015 WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, AND IT HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN FOR YEARS.
NHTSA ODI #11229563
98,000 miles · Jul 3, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND DECELERATING, HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2009 VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STALLS WITH NO WARNING. NO ERROR CODES SHOW. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SHUTS DOWN AND IS AN ACCIDENT RISK. ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKE OPERATION SHUT DOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11229149
117,000 miles · May 29, 2019
EnginePower TrainSuspension
FINALLY GOT HYUNDAI TO REPLACE MY RUSTED SUBFRAME ENGINE CRADLE (TOOK ALMOST 8 MONTHS TO GET PARTS) AND AFTER THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS, I WENT AND PICKED IT UP. EVERYTHING SEAMED OKAY, BUT APON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE, THERE IS A LOUD CLUNK WHEN LETTING OFF THE BRAKE TO START MOVING. ALSO WHEN…
Read full complaint
FINALLY GOT HYUNDAI TO REPLACE MY RUSTED SUBFRAME ENGINE CRADLE (TOOK ALMOST 8 MONTHS TO GET PARTS) AND AFTER THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS, I WENT AND PICKED IT UP. EVERYTHING SEAMED OKAY, BUT APON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE, THERE IS A LOUD CLUNK WHEN LETTING OFF THE BRAKE TO START MOVING. ALSO WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE, GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE THE SAME SOUND HAPPENS. THE SOUND ALSO EMITS WHEN GOING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND VISE VERSA.
NHTSA ODI #11210634
103,275 miles · Sep 7, 2018
Engine
PURCHASED USED W/ 103K MI ON IT FROM A DEALERSHIP. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT DEALERSHIP - ALTERNATOR AND PURGE VALVE REPLACED - THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED. DROVE HOME AND JUST BEFORE TURNING RIGHT INTO DRIVEWAY AND STILL ON 55MPH BUSY COUNTY ROAD, ENGINE SHUT OFF (ALL DASH AND CONSOLE LIGHTS ON AND WIPERS RUNNING) RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE …
Read full complaint
PURCHASED USED W/ 103K MI ON IT FROM A DEALERSHIP. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT DEALERSHIP - ALTERNATOR AND PURGE VALVE REPLACED - THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED. DROVE HOME AND JUST BEFORE TURNING RIGHT INTO DRIVEWAY AND STILL ON 55MPH BUSY COUNTY ROAD, ENGINE SHUT OFF (ALL DASH AND CONSOLE LIGHTS ON AND WIPERS RUNNING) RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. NO STEERING OR BRAKES. I HAD TO COAST TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I PUT IT IN PARK, TURNED THE KEY OFF AND TURNED IT RIGHT BACK ON. WAS ABLE TO BACK UP AND PULL INTO MY DRIVEWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AS IT WAS BEING TAKEN BACK TO THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY - NO SIGN OF FIX. I HAD JUST DRIVEN FROM THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE (ABOUT 25 MILES) ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE...A NUMBER OF RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS, ON AND OFF RAMPS, STOP LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS AND RESIDENTIAL ROADS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT AND THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE TOTALED OUT AND SOLD FOR PARTS. HYUNDAI SHOULD RETURN OUR MONEY - WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE.
NHTSA ODI #11128163
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2018
EngineService Brakes
MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE VALVE COVER GASKETS ON THE 3.3 V6. HYUNDAI REPLACED TWICE UNDER RECALLS. GASKETS HAVE FAILED AGAIN AND HYUNDAI REFUSES TO REPLACE. REAR BRAKE CALIPERS ARE CONSTANTLY LOCKING UP. HAVE BEEN SINCE NEW. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WITH THIS.
NHTSA ODI #11115109
122,000 miles · Apr 26, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other
FIRST PROBLEM, GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. FLUCTUATED UP AND DOWN, THEN WOULD READ EMPTY RIGHT AFTER FILLING THE TANK. HAD TO HAVE 2 SENSORS AND FUEL PUMP CHANGED. VERY EXPENSIVE!! NOW THE CAR STALLS WHEN SLOWING DOWN. EVERY MORNING WHEN I LEAVE FOR WORK IT STALLS AT LEAST ONCE, IT HAS STARTED BACK UP, BUT THIS MORNING THE…
Read full complaint
FIRST PROBLEM, GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. FLUCTUATED UP AND DOWN, THEN WOULD READ EMPTY RIGHT AFTER FILLING THE TANK. HAD TO HAVE 2 SENSORS AND FUEL PUMP CHANGED. VERY EXPENSIVE!! NOW THE CAR STALLS WHEN SLOWING DOWN. EVERY MORNING WHEN I LEAVE FOR WORK IT STALLS AT LEAST ONCE, IT HAS STARTED BACK UP, BUT THIS MORNING THE MOTOR FELT VERY GROGGY AND I DID NOT FEEL SAFE IN DRIVING IT ANYMORE. TOOK IT HOME. I'VE BROUGHT IT TO MECHANICS AND IT NEVER DIES FOR THEM AND THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT, DID IT TWO MORE TIMES AFTER THAT, TAKING IT TONIGHT TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIGURE IT OUT. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE!! IT DIED THE FIRST TIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET! I WAS SO AFRAID SOMEONE WAS GOING TO RUN INTO THE BACK OF ME! THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH OTHER SANTA FE OWNERS FOR THIS YEAR. I WANT HYUNDAI TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND RECALL THESE CARS! THEY ARE UNSAFE!!!
NHTSA ODI #11090314
51,800 miles · Apr 13, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion System
ENGINE STALLED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS WITH NO BRAKES AND NO POWER STEERING.I AM SCARED TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPEND DRIVING AT 55MPH ON FREEWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11084861
61,000 miles · Feb 10, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED (70 MPH), CAR STOPPED RESPONDING TO THROTTLE WITH NO WARNING. AS I MERGED TO RIGHT LANE, CAR DIED COMPLETELY AND I HAD TO MANEUVER TO SHOULDER WITH NO POWER. STUCK HERE WITH WIFE AND 2 TODDLERS UNTIL TOWED TO MECHANIC. THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER, …
Read full complaint
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED (70 MPH), CAR STOPPED RESPONDING TO THROTTLE WITH NO WARNING. AS I MERGED TO RIGHT LANE, CAR DIED COMPLETELY AND I HAD TO MANEUVER TO SHOULDER WITH NO POWER. STUCK HERE WITH WIFE AND 2 TODDLERS UNTIL TOWED TO MECHANIC. THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER, SAME THING (LUCKILY NOT ON INTERSTATE THIS TIME, AND WARNING LIGHT DID COME ON THIS TIME). ALTERNATOR REPLACED AGAIN. LATER IN 2015, HYUNDAI ANNOUNCED A MAINTENANCE CAMPAIGN (#936), AND I WAS REIMBURSED FOR INITIAL 2 EVENTS, AND LOCAL DEALER COMPLETED THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE IN NOV 2015. 2 YEARS LATER, SAME THING: WARNING LIGHTS, OIL ON ALTERNATOR, ETC. LOCAL DEALER AGAIN COMPLETES THE WORK (THANKFULLY AT NO CHARGE TO ME). AS OF TODAY, OIL IS ON THE ALTERNATOR AGAIN, AND I FEEL IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE ISSUE OCCURS AGAIN. AS MY WIFE IS TYPICALLY DRIVING THE KIDS AROUND IN THIS VEHICLE, I DO NOT LIKE THE THOUGHT THAT IT COULD CUT OFF AT ANY MOMENT. I AM HOPING HYUNDAI WILL ANNOUNCE A PERMANENT FIX OR RECALL. I AM REACHING OUT TO THEM FOR ADVICE ON THE LATEST RECURRENCE. INITIAL EVENT: 6/28/14 (MILEAGE: 61020) 2ND EVENT: 6/1/15 (MILEAGE: 79800) HYUNDAI CAMPAIGN COMPLETED: 11/19/15 (MILEAGE: 89512) 3RD EVENT: 08/30/17 (MILEAGE: 119929) FEB 2018 (MILEAGE: 127177) - NOTICE OIL BUILDING ON ALTERNATOR AGAIN
NHTSA ODI #11072104
140,000 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…
Read full complaint
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
115,000 miles · Sep 30, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING RIGHT TURN ENGINE STALLED LOST BRAKES AND STEERING, WAS ABLE TO STOP IN MIDDLE OF ROAD WITH TRAFFIC COMING UP FAST, PUT IN PARK RE-STARTED. THIS SECOND TIME WITHIN A YEAR
NHTSA ODI #11030638
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.