NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
109 reportsClear category filter40,000 miles · Jan 19, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
FOR THE LAST YEAR, MY FUEL GAUGE HAS BEEN MALFUNCTIONING. AT FIRST, IT ONLY HAPPENED EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, BUT ONCE I GOT TO ABOUT 8 MONTHS, THE GAUGE HAS CONSTANTLY TOLD ME THE WRONG FUEL LEVEL. I HAVE ASKED A MECHANIC ABOUT IT AND IT IS THE FUEL LEVEL SENSORS LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK THAT ARE MALFUNCTIONING. APPARENTLY, THIS I…
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FOR THE LAST YEAR, MY FUEL GAUGE HAS BEEN MALFUNCTIONING. AT FIRST, IT ONLY HAPPENED EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, BUT ONCE I GOT TO ABOUT 8 MONTHS, THE GAUGE HAS CONSTANTLY TOLD ME THE WRONG FUEL LEVEL. I HAVE ASKED A MECHANIC ABOUT IT AND IT IS THE FUEL LEVEL SENSORS LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK THAT ARE MALFUNCTIONING. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THE SANTA FE'S THAT WERE BUILT AROUND THAT TIME. I HAVE A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. IT WAS BOUGHT IN 2016 WITH 22,000 MILES. THE GAS GAUGE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 40,000 MILES AND ONLY HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. THE CONSTANT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATION AND CONSTANT MALFUNCTION OF THE GAS GAUGE STARTED AT 50,000 MILES AND I AM NOW AT 60,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND WHILE I AM DRIVING IT. I HAVE TO KEEP A FULL TANK AT ALL TIMES JUST DO I DON'T RUN OUT IF GAS.
NHTSA ODI #11170889
113,000 miles · Jan 3, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
VEHICLE STALLED IN ROAD, ONCE ON LEVEL GROUND EXITING A PARKING LOT GOING STRAIGHT AND IN MOTION CROSSING TRAFFIC AND ABOUT TO TURN LEFT, ONCE ON SLIGHT DECLINE IN MOTION TURNING RIGHT. AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES EACH TIME, CAR RESTARTED. HEAVY GAS SMELL IN CAR. FUEL SENDERS HAD BOTH BEEN REPLACED TWICE (SECOND TIME RIGH…
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VEHICLE STALLED IN ROAD, ONCE ON LEVEL GROUND EXITING A PARKING LOT GOING STRAIGHT AND IN MOTION CROSSING TRAFFIC AND ABOUT TO TURN LEFT, ONCE ON SLIGHT DECLINE IN MOTION TURNING RIGHT. AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES EACH TIME, CAR RESTARTED. HEAVY GAS SMELL IN CAR. FUEL SENDERS HAD BOTH BEEN REPLACED TWICE (SECOND TIME RIGHT AFTER FIRST STALL) BUT FUEL GAGE STILL MALFUNCTIONING. FUEL LEVEL INDICATION UNRELIABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11165745
70,000 miles · Nov 19, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE WENT UP AND DOWN. RAN OUT OF GAS GOING 70MPH ON TURNPIKE IT WAS HARROWING. GAUGE SAYS FULL AND THEN EMPTY RIGHT AWAY. FUEL SENSORS NEED REPLACED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW SHOWING. I NOTICE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MINE COULDVE CAUSED A BAD ACCIDENT. OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE AND COST PROHIBITIVE TO FIX W…
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FUEL GAUGE WENT UP AND DOWN. RAN OUT OF GAS GOING 70MPH ON TURNPIKE IT WAS HARROWING. GAUGE SAYS FULL AND THEN EMPTY RIGHT AWAY. FUEL SENSORS NEED REPLACED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW SHOWING. I NOTICE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MINE COULDVE CAUSED A BAD ACCIDENT. OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE AND COST PROHIBITIVE TO FIX WHAT I THINK IS A SAFETY ISSUE. 70,000 MILES IS NOT A LOT FOR THIS TO HAVE HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI #11152585
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN YOU ARE AROUND A HALF A TANK OF GAS AND EVEN IF YOU FILL IT UP IT TAKES IT 2 OR 3 TIMES OF STARTING IT FOR IT TO GO OFF. I'M NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS. ALSO THE ESC AND THE ABS LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON AND WON'T GO OFF. THE BOOK SAYS THE ABS LIGHT IS FOR SERVICE BUT I HAVE HAS IT SERVICED SEVE…
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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN YOU ARE AROUND A HALF A TANK OF GAS AND EVEN IF YOU FILL IT UP IT TAKES IT 2 OR 3 TIMES OF STARTING IT FOR IT TO GO OFF. I'M NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS. ALSO THE ESC AND THE ABS LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON AND WON'T GO OFF. THE BOOK SAYS THE ABS LIGHT IS FOR SERVICE BUT I HAVE HAS IT SERVICED SEVERAL TIME AND IT STILL DOESN'T GO OUT.
NHTSA ODI #11143841
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES ALL THE TIME. SOMETIMES I GET A READING BUT MOST TIMES IT TURNS ON THE EMPTY LIGHT . I HAVE CONSULTED SEVERAL HYUNDAI DEALERS MECHANICS AND BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A BIG AND FREQUENT PROBLEM. I HAVE READ OF SO MANY COMPLAINTS , THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON SAID DEFECT. .IT IS…
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THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES ALL THE TIME. SOMETIMES I GET A READING BUT MOST TIMES IT TURNS ON THE EMPTY LIGHT . I HAVE CONSULTED SEVERAL HYUNDAI DEALERS MECHANICS AND BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A BIG AND FREQUENT PROBLEM. I HAVE READ OF SO MANY COMPLAINTS , THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON SAID DEFECT. .IT IS AS YOU KNOW VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE AND VERY EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS FOR ME TO TRY TO FIX..I'VE RAN OUT OF GAS SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE BEEN IN HARMS WAY.
NHTSA ODI #11121602
110,000 miles · Aug 9, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other
"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, AT APPROXIMATELY 110 MILES, DEVELOPED A PROBLEM, WHICH ACTUALLY RESULTS IN A SERIOUS/SAFETY PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL AVAILABLE IN THE TANK. I DON'T KNOW IF THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL PUMPS, OR THE FUEL SENSING UNITS I…
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"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, AT APPROXIMATELY 110 MILES, DEVELOPED A PROBLEM, WHICH ACTUALLY RESULTS IN A SERIOUS/SAFETY PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL AVAILABLE IN THE TANK. I DON'T KNOW IF THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL PUMPS, OR THE FUEL SENSING UNITS IN THE GAS TANKS, OR WITH THE WIRING BETWEEN THE GAS TANK AND THE GAS GAUGE, OR WITH THE GAS GAUGE ITSELF. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING NOR IF THE VEHICLE IS SLANTED AT AN ANGLE. QUITE OFTEN THE PROBLEM RESULTS IN THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMING ON. SO FAR I'VE ONLY RUN OUT OF GAS ONCE, AND SINCE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS I LOST BOTH MY STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEMS. ANY MORE I STOP FOR FUEL AFTER ABOUT 120 MILES OR SO. MY HYUNDAI DEALER HAS QUOTED MY A PRICE OF AROUND $3,000.00 (THAT'S THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS) TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND HE SAID THAT THEY CAN'T EVEN GUARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM WON'T REOCCUR. AND HE SAID THAT THIS IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT "HYUNDAI" SHOULD TAKE CARE OF !!!
NHTSA ODI #11118792
172,068 miles · Jul 21, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
AFTER FILLING GAS TANK THE FUEL GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BAD FUEL SENSOR
NHTSA ODI #11112844
112,300 miles · Jun 11, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
GAS GAUGE AND LIGHT ALWAYS ON EMPTY WHEN TIGHT AFTER IT IS FULL OF GAS AND LOUD HUMMING SOUND FROM FUEL PUMP. STALLED OUT IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION MULTIPLE TIMES.
NHTSA ODI #11101269
80,324 miles · May 21, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
THE FUEL SYSTEM LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, I PUT GAS IN IT BUT IT KEEPS TELLING ME THAT THE TRUCK IS EMPTY AND IT SOMETIMES STALLS. THEN IT I LET IT SIT A DAY OR 2, THEN THE GAS ARROW STARTS TO MOVE UP AND DOWN, I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT, MOST OF THE TIME IT DOESN'T SHOW IF I HAVE GAS OR NOT.
NHTSA ODI #11097076
156,000 miles · Apr 30, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT READING. THE DEALER (HATFIELD HYUNDAI, 1400 AUTO MALL PKWY, COLUMBUS, OH 43228) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY AND FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT READING. THE DEALER (HATFIELD HYUNDAI, 1400 AUTO MALL PKWY, COLUMBUS, OH 43228) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY AND FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
NHTSA ODI #11090964
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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