NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
358 reports65,000 miles · Jul 23, 2015
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10736133
90,000 miles · Jul 21, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 09/21/15*LJ UPDATED 12/4/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10735450
36,410 miles · Jul 8, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP 11 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 1/2 YEARS TRYING TO FIX AN ISSUE WHERE I RANDOMLY CANNOT PUT FUEL IN THE CAR. THE NOZZLES CLICK OFF AS IF THE TANK IS FULL, USUALLY AFTER PUMPING A FEW GALLONS. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVE REPLACED EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF THE FUEL SYSTEM, BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAVE…
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I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP 11 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 1/2 YEARS TRYING TO FIX AN ISSUE WHERE I RANDOMLY CANNOT PUT FUEL IN THE CAR. THE NOZZLES CLICK OFF AS IF THE TANK IS FULL, USUALLY AFTER PUMPING A FEW GALLONS. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVE REPLACED EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF THE FUEL SYSTEM, BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAVE ISSUES AND THEY'RE NOT SURE WHY. SOMETIMES IT WORKS FINE; SOMETIMES PUMPING GAS SLOWLY HELPS AND I'M ABLE TO FILL UP; SOMETIMES NOTHING I DO WORKS AND I HAVE TO DRIVE OFF AND TRY AGAIN ANOTHER DAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS ONLY COME ON ONCE, WITH THE FIRST REPAIR ATTEMPT IN 2013. SINCE THEN, THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS, JUST THE INABILITY TO PUMP GAS. I'VE TRACKED MILEAGE TO MAKE SURE IT'S NOT JUST AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWING AS BEING EMPTIER THAN IT REALLY IS. UNLESS THIS SUV IS GETTING 60+ MPG, IT'S NOT THE GAUGE. I GENERALLY START ATTEMPTING TO FILL UP WHEN I GET DOWN TO HALF A TANK OF GAS, BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I'LL BE ABLE TO PUT INTO THE VEHICLE AT A TIME.
NHTSA ODI #10732724
80,000 miles · Jul 2, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
WE HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. HAD TO GET OVER QUICKLY AS THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND THE CAR HAD NO POWER. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT DELIVER ANY POWER, OTHER THAN IDLE. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS, THEN STARTED THE CAR AND HAD POWER BACK FOR ABOUT 3 MILES. HAPP…
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WE HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. HAD TO GET OVER QUICKLY AS THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND THE CAR HAD NO POWER. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT DELIVER ANY POWER, OTHER THAN IDLE. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS, THEN STARTED THE CAR AND HAD POWER BACK FOR ABOUT 3 MILES. HAPPENED AGAIN AND DID THE SAME FOR ABOUT TEN MILES UNTIL GOT HOME. RECENTLY STARTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN, SAME CODES COME UP EACH TIME. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS JUST GLITCHES CAUSING CODES TO COME UP AND CAUSE THE ESC TO GO INTO SAFE MODE. SINCE THEN I HAVE SEEN THE EXACT SAME CODES AND NOT A LOT OF CODES, BUT CODES THAT INDICATE AN IGNITION/FUEL/CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT AS BAD AS ACCELERATION, BUT IF PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC OR ON AN ON RAMP, COULD BE DEADLY. HAS NOW HAPPENED SEVEN TIMES. FIRST DATE WAS APRIL 2014, COULD NOT ENTER DATE IN YOUR FORM FOR SOME REASON.
NHTSA ODI #10731812
79,000 miles · Jun 22, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND IT WAS THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. GAS GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY NOW. I CHECKED AND THERE HAS BEEN MANY MORE REPORTS FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. COMPANY SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM AT LITTLE OR NO COST.
NHTSA ODI #10726472
110,000 miles · Jun 5, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON MAY 28 2015, DEALER ADVISED FUEL SENSOR/PUMP ISSUE, REPAIRED IT $$$$ JUNE 5TH SAME ISSUE BACK AT DEALER, ALSO WILL NOT START AND FUEL GAUGE ACTING UP 33RD RECORD OF THE SAME ISSUE AT NTSHA FOR THIS 2009, OVER 100 FOR THE CUMULATIVE YEARS FOR THE SANTA FE SAME ISSUE
NHTSA ODI #10723731
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
70,000 miles · Apr 24, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE A PROPER READING AND WOULD FLUCTUATE FROM FULL TO EMPTY AFTER THE TANK WAS REFUELED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CONTA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE A PROPER READING AND WOULD FLUCTUATE FROM FULL TO EMPTY AFTER THE TANK WAS REFUELED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER RECALL AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10712747
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.