NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
24 reportsClear category filter129,500 miles · Dec 29, 2015
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
VEHICLE INSPECTION PERFORMED BY MANUFACTURE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. TWO ISSUES WERE RECOMMENDED BY THE TECHNICIAN: A) NEW TIRES. ALL 4 TIRES CURRENTLY ON THE VEHICLE ARE AROUND 5 YEARS OLD (BASED ON THE DOT DATE OF MANUFACTURE), AND HAVE BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER 100,000 MILES (BASED ON ODOMETER READINGS FROM 2010 AND CURRENT). B) NEW …
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VEHICLE INSPECTION PERFORMED BY MANUFACTURE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. TWO ISSUES WERE RECOMMENDED BY THE TECHNICIAN: A) NEW TIRES. ALL 4 TIRES CURRENTLY ON THE VEHICLE ARE AROUND 5 YEARS OLD (BASED ON THE DOT DATE OF MANUFACTURE), AND HAVE BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER 100,000 MILES (BASED ON ODOMETER READINGS FROM 2010 AND CURRENT). B) NEW REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE INSPECTION REVEALED REAR PADS AROUND 3 MM, AND ROTORS SHOWING RUST. THESE ARE SAFETY ISSUES, WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SELLING THE VEHICLE. REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT EXISTING RECORDS DO NOT SPECIFY THAT RECOMMENDED FLUID/TIMING BELT REPLACEMENTS WERE PERFORMED.
NHTSA ODI #10816777
138,880 miles · Oct 23, 2015
Power TrainService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,880. UPDATED 02/12/16*L CONSUMER STATED MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY FOR PARTS AND TO REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH. HAD MANY SENSOR FAILURES. UPDATED 5/21/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #10785513
65,000 miles · Mar 18, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
RPM JUMPED WITHOUT DRIVER INCREASING PEDAL PRESSURE, CAUSING SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ISSUE. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE IN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10695003
59,600 miles · May 15, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, USING CRUISE CONTROL, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I COASTED TO A STOP AND PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, TRANSMISSION WAS IN GEAR, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND LET IT SIT …
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, USING CRUISE CONTROL, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I COASTED TO A STOP AND PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, TRANSMISSION WAS IN GEAR, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND LET IT SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES. I RESTARTED IT, HAD POWER, EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL, EXCEPT THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED LIT. I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES TO MY DESTINATION. THE CAR SAT FOR SIX HOURS AND I WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE 65 MILES HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. REPAIR RESULTS: MY HYUNDAI DEALER INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A 'THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR'. THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENT AND RESET THE ERROR CODES IN THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588526
40,000 miles · Apr 23, 2014
Power Train
MY 2009 SANTA FE HAS BEEN ACCELERATING DURING STOPPING (AROUND 20-30 MILES) I BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALER AND THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT DID IN FACT SURGE WHILE TRYING TO STOP. THEY DID AN "UPDATE" AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME TELLING ME IF IT DOES IT AGAIN BRING IT BACK. IT NOT ONLY CONTINUES TO DO THIS BUT WHAT…
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MY 2009 SANTA FE HAS BEEN ACCELERATING DURING STOPPING (AROUND 20-30 MILES) I BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALER AND THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT DID IN FACT SURGE WHILE TRYING TO STOP. THEY DID AN "UPDATE" AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME TELLING ME IF IT DOES IT AGAIN BRING IT BACK. IT NOT ONLY CONTINUES TO DO THIS BUT WHATEVER THEY DID MADE THE TRANSMISSION SWITCH HARD. I'M TAKING IT BACK TODAY. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10584364
73,000 miles · May 15, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMPLETING A RIGHT TURN, A GRINDING SOUND WAS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMPLETING A RIGHT TURN, A GRINDING SOUND WAS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND RECEIVED CONFIRMATION THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
NHTSA ODI #10512102
27,430 miles · Mar 29, 2013
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
UPON ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TOOK OFF AND THE GAS PADDLE GOT STUCK FOR 15 - 20 SECONDS EVEN THOUGH IT FELT LIKE A LIFE TIME. I STUMPED ON BRAKE PEDAL AND TRIED TO PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO NO AVAIL. THE RPM ON MY CAR WAS REGISTERED AT 6-7 AND THE ENGINE WAS VERY LOUD. I GOT THE CAR TO STOP BY P…
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UPON ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TOOK OFF AND THE GAS PADDLE GOT STUCK FOR 15 - 20 SECONDS EVEN THOUGH IT FELT LIKE A LIFE TIME. I STUMPED ON BRAKE PEDAL AND TRIED TO PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO NO AVAIL. THE RPM ON MY CAR WAS REGISTERED AT 6-7 AND THE ENGINE WAS VERY LOUD. I GOT THE CAR TO STOP BY PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. I CALLED THE NEAREST DEALER TO MY HOME TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SO TO THEM THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. TO ME AND MY TWO DAUGHTERS THIS EXPERIENCE IS A NIGHTMARE AND THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. SINCE 2002 I BOUGHT 5 HYUNDAI CARS (2002 SONATA, 2003 SANTA FE (DAUGHTER IN LAW DRIVES), 2004 SANTA FE (SON DRIVES), 2004 SANTA FE (DAUGHTER DRIVES) AND MY CAR 2009 SANTA FE. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM MY MULTIPLE PURCHASES I LOVED DRIVING AND OWNING HYUNDAI SANTA FE'S. I AM VERY UPSET BECAUSE WE COULD HAVE DIED! I AM EVEN MORE UPSET THAT HYUNDAI WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AND MAKE EXCUSES SO THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO MAKE REPAIRS. THE $$$ MUST BE WORTH MORE THAN PEOPLES LIVES. THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN NORTH EAST PHILADELPHIA EVEN HAD THE NERVE TO BLAME ME BECAUSE HE SAID NOT REPLICATE THE INCIDENT AND IT WAS NOT IN THE CARS COMPUTER. SHAME ON YOU HYUNDAI, SHAME ON YOU DEALERS. THIS IS THE LAST HYUNDAI THAT I WILL EVER OWN, I WILL NO LONGER RECOMMEND ANY OF YOUR CARS TO ANYONE BUT I WILL SHARE MY STORY WITH THEM. YOU LOST A CUSTOMER AND I WILL JOIN ANY CLASS ACTION SUIT AND I WILL CALL THE TV STATIONS TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT THINK THAT ANYONE SHOULD DIE BEFORE YOU FIX THE PROBLEM - WHAT ABOUT YOU HYUNDAI? PEOPLES LIVES OR $$$$$. I AM PLANNING ON REPLACING THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND GETTING RID FOR THE CAR. I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504974
22,000 miles · Mar 3, 2013
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WENT TO ACCELERATE AROUND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE GAS PEDDLE WAS STUCK FULL OPEN EVEN AFTER LETTING OFF THE GAS. I MADE SURE IT WAS NOT THE CARPET HOLDING THE PEDDLE DOWN. THE ENGINE RPM'S WAS REVVING VERY HIGH ALSO AS THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15-20 SECONDS THE P…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WENT TO ACCELERATE AROUND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE GAS PEDDLE WAS STUCK FULL OPEN EVEN AFTER LETTING OFF THE GAS. I MADE SURE IT WAS NOT THE CARPET HOLDING THE PEDDLE DOWN. THE ENGINE RPM'S WAS REVVING VERY HIGH ALSO AS THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15-20 SECONDS THE PEDDLE RELEASED AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS SEP. 2012 AND I'VE HAD A SECOND OCCURRENCE ON MARCH 2013. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501120
39,800 miles · Mar 3, 2012
Power TrainCrash
I MADE A RIGHT TURN ONTO MY DRIVEWAY USING LIGHT ACCELERATION (12 MPH) TO GENTLY OVERCOME THE UPWARD SLOPE AS I DO NORMALLY. THE CAR RESPONDED WELL. AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE (THE LAST 5-7 FEET), I APPLIED LIGHT PRESSURE THE ACCELERATOR TO EASE INTO MY SPACE AND THE CAR SURGED. DURING THE SURGE, I APPLIED AS MUCH FORCE …
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I MADE A RIGHT TURN ONTO MY DRIVEWAY USING LIGHT ACCELERATION (12 MPH) TO GENTLY OVERCOME THE UPWARD SLOPE AS I DO NORMALLY. THE CAR RESPONDED WELL. AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE (THE LAST 5-7 FEET), I APPLIED LIGHT PRESSURE THE ACCELERATOR TO EASE INTO MY SPACE AND THE CAR SURGED. DURING THE SURGE, I APPLIED AS MUCH FORCE AS I COULD SLAMMING BOTH FEET (ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHER) ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR RESPONDED TOO LATE. I HAD COLLIDED WITH THE GARAGE WALL. THERE WAS FRONT-END AND DRY-WALL DAMAGE. AFTER REVIEWING SOME REVIEWS FOR MY MODEL CAR ON EDMUNDS.COM, I REALIZED THE UNCONTROLLABLE SURGE IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS MODEL SUV, WHICH DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE COMPANY OR DEALERS. THEREFORE, I HAVE DECIDED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT IN HOPES THAT HYUNDAI WILL INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION AND FIGURE OUT A WAY TO REMEDY THESE SURGES AND KEEP THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10450177
59,000 miles · Feb 13, 2012
Power Train
MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING OUT TO EAT AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT. WE WERE SLOWING DOWN UPON ENTERING THE PARKING LOT. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND WE LUNGED FORWARD, LIKE SOMEONE HAD HIT US FROM BEHIND. MY WIFE HAD TOLD ME THIS HAD HAPPENED TO HER A FEW OTHER TIMES WHERE SHE THOUGHT SHE HIT SOMEONE OR THEY HAD RUN INTO HER. WE TOOK THE …
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MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING OUT TO EAT AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT. WE WERE SLOWING DOWN UPON ENTERING THE PARKING LOT. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND WE LUNGED FORWARD, LIKE SOMEONE HAD HIT US FROM BEHIND. MY WIFE HAD TOLD ME THIS HAD HAPPENED TO HER A FEW OTHER TIMES WHERE SHE THOUGHT SHE HIT SOMEONE OR THEY HAD RUN INTO HER. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR US. WE THEN SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THESE WONDERFUL CARS! WE SPOKE WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT HYUNDAI AND TOLD THEM OF OUR CONCERN WITH THE CAR AND WE DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR. THE WOMAN THEN TOLD MY WIFE TO TRADE THE CAR IF SHE DID NOT FEEL SAFE. MY WIFE SAID SO YOU WANT ME TO GET RID OF A CAR AND HAVE SOMEONE ELSE PURCHASE THE CAR WHEN THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. HER REPLY WAS, "YES I THINK THAT IS WHAT YOU SHOULD DO." IT BLOWS MY MIND TO THINK THAT SOMEONE WOULD RATHER PUT THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN DANGER THAN TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT IS WIDELY KNOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10447767
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.