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2009 Hyundai Santa Fe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 212.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

278 reports with mileage · 80 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 109 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports5 fire reports15 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

41 reports
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21,000 miles · May 10, 2015
Service BrakesSteeringVehicle Speed Control

WE WERE EXITING A RAMP OFF RT 75 IN FLORIDA. OUR SPEED WAS ABOUT 30 MPH. SUDDENLY WE LOSS POWER STEERING AND BRAKING AND ACCELERATION. WE COASTED TO A STOP. WE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES...EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. IT WAS THE SECOND SUCH EXPERIENCE. THE FIRST WAS AUGUST 2013. …

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WE WERE EXITING A RAMP OFF RT 75 IN FLORIDA. OUR SPEED WAS ABOUT 30 MPH. SUDDENLY WE LOSS POWER STEERING AND BRAKING AND ACCELERATION. WE COASTED TO A STOP. WE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES...EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. IT WAS THE SECOND SUCH EXPERIENCE. THE FIRST WAS AUGUST 2013. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THROTTLE SENSOR AT THAT TIME. THIS LATEST EXPERIENCE IS THE EXACT DUPLICATE OF THE FIRST. I AM TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW MORNING.

NHTSA ODI #10715557

79,500 miles · May 10, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

I WAS HEADING OUT AND THE ABS AND ESC LIGHTS CAME ON. DECIDED TO TURN AROUND AND GO BACK HOME, DUE TO FACT THAT I WAS WORRIED AND SCARED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH ABS BRAKES AND THE ESC CONTROL, THAT MAY OR MAY NOT CAUSE A CRASH OR ACCIDENT. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR END UP GETTING HURT OR HURT ANYONE ELSE FOR TH…

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I WAS HEADING OUT AND THE ABS AND ESC LIGHTS CAME ON. DECIDED TO TURN AROUND AND GO BACK HOME, DUE TO FACT THAT I WAS WORRIED AND SCARED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH ABS BRAKES AND THE ESC CONTROL, THAT MAY OR MAY NOT CAUSE A CRASH OR ACCIDENT. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR END UP GETTING HURT OR HURT ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. READ IN MANUAL THAT IT COULD BE A FAULTY SWITCH OR SENSOR. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KID OF COSTLY MONEY TO FIX PROBLEM. I NEED MY CAR TO GET TO DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS AS I HAVE MANY HEALTH ISSUES. IF THERE IS A RECALL I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AND HAVE IT FIXED FREE OF CHARGE.

NHTSA ODI #10715546

112,833 miles · May 8, 2015
EngineService BrakesSteeringCrash

I WAS DRIVING MY WHITE HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED, 3.3L, 6CYL SUV HOME FROM WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME. I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN AND I LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKES, VEERING ONTO A NARROW SHOULDER AND INTO A SLOPE THAT SENT MY SUV INTO A SWAMP DITCH, …

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I WAS DRIVING MY WHITE HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED, 3.3L, 6CYL SUV HOME FROM WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME. I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN AND I LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKES, VEERING ONTO A NARROW SHOULDER AND INTO A SLOPE THAT SENT MY SUV INTO A SWAMP DITCH, SUBMERGING THE SUV UP PAST THE FLOORBOARDS. MY INSURANCE CLAIM SPECIALIST NOTIFIED ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS, AND PAID A CLAIM PAYOUT AND SETTLEMENT FAR LESS THAN THE AMOUNT STILL OWED ON THE VEHICLE. IT IS MY OPINION THAT A CYBER-ATTACK SIGNAL SENT TO THE SUV'S ENGINE IMMOBILIZER SWITCH, SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING, ELECTRONICALLY. THIS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED FROM ANY HAND HELD DEVICE, MOBIL PHONE, LAP TOP COMPUTER, SATELLITE FEED, ETC. ALL THAT IS REQUIRED IS A VIN NUMBER, AND ANY SIGNAL TO THE ENGINE IMMOBILIZER SWITCH CAN SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE DANGEROUSLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LOWER SPEEDS OF 20MPH, WHERE I WOULD JUST TURN THE IGNITION KEY, THE SUV WOULD START THE ENGINE, AND I WOULD PROCEED. HOWEVER, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I DID NOT HAVE THIS OPTION.

NHTSA ODI #10715370

20,000 miles · Nov 6, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER, THE CALIPERS AND BRACKETS CORRODED AND JAMMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPRO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER, THE CALIPERS AND BRACKETS CORRODED AND JAMMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10653052

55,000 miles · Aug 28, 2014
Service BrakesCrashFireInjury

CAR HAD A DEFECTIVE BRAKE SO IT COULDN'T STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO THE LIGHT POLE AFTER PUMPED OTHER CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629158

40,486 miles · Aug 14, 2014
Service BrakesCrash

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND PULLED IN TO DRIVEWAY OF HOME TO A CONTROLLED STOP BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. AT WHICH POINT, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH THE CLOSED GARAGE DOOR AND PROCEEDED AT ACCELERATING SPEED INTO GARAGE AND HIT A WALL (WOODEN BEAMS AND SHEETROCK WALLS) SEPARATING INTERIOR OF GARAGE AND I…

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VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND PULLED IN TO DRIVEWAY OF HOME TO A CONTROLLED STOP BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. AT WHICH POINT, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH THE CLOSED GARAGE DOOR AND PROCEEDED AT ACCELERATING SPEED INTO GARAGE AND HIT A WALL (WOODEN BEAMS AND SHEETROCK WALLS) SEPARATING INTERIOR OF GARAGE AND INTERIOR OF KITCHEN AREA OF HOME. VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AGAINST THE WALL WITH BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUOUSLY PRESSED DOWN. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO PARK, IT RESISTED AND KEY ALSO WOULD NOT COME OUT. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PRESSED AT THIS TIME AND AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS, VEHICLE FINALLY WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO PARK AND KEY WAS ABLE TO COME OUT TO TURN VEHICLE OFF. VEHICLE CAUSED DAMAGE TO GARAGE DOOR AND INTERIOR WALL OF HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622309

50,669 miles · Jun 27, 2014
Service Brakes

REAR LEFT WHEEL HAD HIGH PITCH SCREECHING SOUND AT 50-55 MPH TAP THE BRAKES AND IT WOULD QUIT MOMENTARILY AND THEN START SCREECHING AGAIN. STOPPED AND CHECKED WHEEL ON RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE. RIGHT SIDE WAS LUKEWARM TO THE TOUCH AND LEFT WHEEL WAS TOO HOT TO KEEP HAND ON IT. I TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE SHOWED ME THE PADS ON …

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REAR LEFT WHEEL HAD HIGH PITCH SCREECHING SOUND AT 50-55 MPH TAP THE BRAKES AND IT WOULD QUIT MOMENTARILY AND THEN START SCREECHING AGAIN. STOPPED AND CHECKED WHEEL ON RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE. RIGHT SIDE WAS LUKEWARM TO THE TOUCH AND LEFT WHEEL WAS TOO HOT TO KEEP HAND ON IT. I TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE SHOWED ME THE PADS ON THE LEFT WHEEL AND THEY WAS WHITE FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT RELEASED BACK FROM THE ROTOR. PADS HAD TO BE PRIED OUT INSTEAD OF NORMALLY COMING OUT EASY. EXTREMELY RUST CORRODED CLEANED UP ALL RUST ON PADS AND BRACKET AND THEY WORK FINE NOW. I DROVE SANTA FE ABOUT 60 MILES AND NEVER HEARD IT NO MORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606567

24,300 miles · Jun 26, 2014
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 6 MILES AT 55 MPH AND I HEARD A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAK. IT CHANGED WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I LATER STOPPED AND FELT THE WHEELS AND THE RIGHT REAR WAS HOT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS BRAKE PADS THAT WERE CORRODED/STUCK. THEY WANTED $100 TO FIX THE PROBL…

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I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 6 MILES AT 55 MPH AND I HEARD A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAK. IT CHANGED WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I LATER STOPPED AND FELT THE WHEELS AND THE RIGHT REAR WAS HOT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS BRAKE PADS THAT WERE CORRODED/STUCK. THEY WANTED $100 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I GOT THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. I THINK IT IS DANGEROUS. IN MY OPINION THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE BRAKES ARE NOT MADE TO RUN THIS HOT. IT SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED UNDER THEIR 5 YEAR/ 50,000 MILE WARRANTY AND THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606342

8,900 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,900. UPDATED 09/15/14*LJ UPDATED 1/7/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10595782

52,000 miles · Mar 20, 2014
Service Brakes

REAR BRAKE CALIBER LOCKED UP, BRAKES OVERHEATED. HAD TO HAVE BOTH CALIBERS REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10573713

Official recalls

2

13V113000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 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.

12V354000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

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

1

DP21003 · 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.