NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
358 reports20,000 miles · Mar 15, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND NOTICED THAT THE PEDAL HAD BECOME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. IN ORDER TO STOP THE FAILURE THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE HER FOOT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND LIFT THE PEDAL O…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND NOTICED THAT THE PEDAL HAD BECOME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. IN ORDER TO STOP THE FAILURE THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE HER FOOT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND LIFT THE PEDAL OFF OF THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10451805
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
20,000 miles · Feb 2, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE, BUT THERE WAS NO DETERMINATION OF WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE, BUT THERE WAS NO DETERMINATION OF WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT MAY HAVE ORIGINATING IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, BATTERY, OR FUSE BOX. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10446223
15,292 miles · Jan 17, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY REAR BRAKES WERE MAKING NOISE SO I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT.THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE STICKING TO THE ROTORS OVERHEATING THE ROTORS. BOTH THE REAR PADS & ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED SO SOON SO I CALLED THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP. OWNER SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE HILLY AREA WHERE I LIVED.…
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MY REAR BRAKES WERE MAKING NOISE SO I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT.THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE STICKING TO THE ROTORS OVERHEATING THE ROTORS. BOTH THE REAR PADS & ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED SO SOON SO I CALLED THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP. OWNER SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE HILLY AREA WHERE I LIVED. I HAVE LIVED IN THE AREA FOR ABOUT 30 YEARS SO I ASKED WHY I NEVER HAD TO CHANGE MY BRAKES ON OTHER NEW CARS I HAD BOUGHT AT THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL WELL AFTER 30,000 MILES. HE HAD NO ANSWER. WHAT A JOKE! THE ONLY CONCLUSION THAT I CAN ARRIVE AT IS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT AND HYUNDAI DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR IT. THIS IS MY THIRD HYUNDAI AND I HAVE NOT HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE OTHER MODELS, A 2002 SONATA AND A 2010 ELANTRA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10444290
20,773 miles · Jan 6, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT ALSO SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THAT THE ROTORS OVERHEATED BECAUSE THE ROTORS WERE NOT PRO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT ALSO SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THAT THE ROTORS OVERHEATED BECAUSE THE ROTORS WERE NOT PROPERLY GREASED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,773 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ UPDATED 02/13/12
NHTSA ODI #10442619
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
LOTS OF SQUEALING FROM THE CAR FOR OVER A MONTH. BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED EVEN THOUGH THERE IS BARELY 16,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE MECHANIC I TOOK IT TO SAID ONE BRAKE PAD IN PARTICULAR WAS VERY WORN OUT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A CAR WITH THIS LITTLE MILEAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10442428
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2011
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SEEMS TO HESITATE THEN HAS A MINOR ACCELERATION. IT SEEMS AS IF ITS ABOUT TO STALL BUT CATCHES AND ACCELERATES OR INCREASES TO ORIGINAL SPEED. THIS IS CONCERNING ESPECIALLY WHEN IT OCCURS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. IN ADDITION, I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AT 24, 348 MILES AS THE CAR DIED ON ME TWI…
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RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SEEMS TO HESITATE THEN HAS A MINOR ACCELERATION. IT SEEMS AS IF ITS ABOUT TO STALL BUT CATCHES AND ACCELERATES OR INCREASES TO ORIGINAL SPEED. THIS IS CONCERNING ESPECIALLY WHEN IT OCCURS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. IN ADDITION, I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AT 24, 348 MILES AS THE CAR DIED ON ME TWICE WHILE TRAVELING. I PURCHASED A BATTERY FROM O'RIELLY AUTO PARTS AS IT WAS CLOSER TO MY HOME. THE DEALER WOULD ONLY STATE THAT BATTERY FAILURE HAS OCCURRED WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON THE SANTE FE HOWEVER SINCE I DIDN'T BRING MY CAR TO THEM THE BATTERY IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT BATTERY LIFE IS THIS SHORT. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10425504
26,572 miles · Aug 24, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
ON MONDAY, AUGUST 22, AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN PEWAUKEE ROAD, I DECIDED TO GET IN THE LEFT LANE TO PASS A SEMI TRUCK. SUDDENLY I HEAR THE CAR ENGINE REVVING AND THE CAR'S SPEED WAS ACCELERATING. AS THERE WAS A CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME AND THE SEMI TRUCK TO THE RIGHT, I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I POSSIBLY COULD. TH…
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ON MONDAY, AUGUST 22, AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN PEWAUKEE ROAD, I DECIDED TO GET IN THE LEFT LANE TO PASS A SEMI TRUCK. SUDDENLY I HEAR THE CAR ENGINE REVVING AND THE CAR'S SPEED WAS ACCELERATING. AS THERE WAS A CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME AND THE SEMI TRUCK TO THE RIGHT, I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I POSSIBLY COULD. THE CAR WAS HARD TO CONTROL AND FOR A BRIEF TIME I WAS IN THE ON-COMING TRAFFIC LANE. ALL I COULD THINK OF IS GET ON A SIDE ROAD. THE CAR WOULD NOT REACT TO THE BRAKES. I TURNED ONTO A SIDE ROAD, AIMED MY CAR AT A ROAD SIGN AND STEEL BOLLARDS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SO THEY COULD AT LEAST STOP THE CAR, THREW THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE KEY OFF (I AM NOT SURE IN WHICH ORDER I DID THE LAST 2 STEPS). FORTUNATELY THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP. THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A WINDING NOISE. HYUNDAI ROADSIDE SERVICE PICKED UP THE CAR. THEIR SERVICE MANAGER INDICATES THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT WAS SUGGESTED I HAD THE FLOOR MATT BUNCHED UP UNDER THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS. GIVE ME A BREAK! I'M NOT A COMPLAINER. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER LODGED A CONSUMER COMPLAINT. BUT I WAS SCARED TO DEATH AT THE TIME AND I AM VERY HESITANT ABOUT GETTING BACK IN THAT CAR TONIGHT (MY HUSBAND IS PICKING IT UP FROM ARROW HYUNDAI). I AM NOT CONCERNED ABOUT HURTING MYSELF -- I DON'T THINK I COULD EVER GET OVER IT IF I HURT SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE OF THIS CAR. SO HYUNDAI CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. DID ANYONE THINK THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO? THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS HYUNDAI DOING ABOUT A PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO BE VERY DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET. WHAT IS HYUNDAI GOING TO DO WHEN A SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM KILLS SOMEONE? HYUNDAI DID NOTHING FOR ME. THEY INITIALLY SEEM VERY PERPLEXED ABOUT SUCH A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, TODAY WHEN MY HUSBAND ARRIVED WITH A HAND FULL OF PRINTED BLOGS ALL THEY WANTED TO SAY WAS THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT WOULD DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM. I DON'T TRUST THAT THEY WILL SO I AM DOCUMENTING THE PROBLEM MYSELF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10421268
18,900 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
I GET ACCELERATION PROBLEM IN MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2009., WHENEVER MY CAR GETS SLOW IT SEE CAR IT GOING BY IT SELF EVEN THOU MY FOOT IN MY THE BREAK. IT ALSO GIVES MY FEELING THAT CAR IS STOPS AND GO SOMETHING LIKE CAR IS JERKING OFF. I EVEN SEE LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IN MARCH 201, MY WIFE GOT IN TO THE ACCI…
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I GET ACCELERATION PROBLEM IN MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2009., WHENEVER MY CAR GETS SLOW IT SEE CAR IT GOING BY IT SELF EVEN THOU MY FOOT IN MY THE BREAK. IT ALSO GIVES MY FEELING THAT CAR IS STOPS AND GO SOMETHING LIKE CAR IS JERKING OFF. I EVEN SEE LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IN MARCH 201, MY WIFE GOT IN TO THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM. BUT, WE DID NOT REALIZE THAT AT THAT TIME. AND, MY WIFE TOLD ME THAT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT WE DID NOT BELIEVE IT AT THAT TIME. NOW, WE ARE FACING MORE PROBLEMS. DEALERS ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING. THEY JUST TOLD ME THAT THEY DON'T SEE THE PROBLEMS. CAN YOU GUYS REALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED OR GET IN TO THE ACCIDENTS. HOPE YOU CONSIDER OUR GENUINE COMPLAIN ABOUT ACCELERATION PROBLEM COMPLAIN FOR HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2009. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418142
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.