NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
358 reports98,220 miles · Oct 23, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
MY GAS GAGE STARTED TO WORK IMPROPERLY. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC I TRUST. HE TOLD ME THE FUEL PUMP SENDERS WERE BAD. AFTER HE REMOVED THEM HE CALLED ME TO TELL ME I WAS LUCKY MY VEHICLE DIDN'T CATCH FIRE OR BLOW UP! ONE SENDER HAS INSULATION BROKEN AND THE WIRE IS EXPOSED. HE ALSO FOUND THAT AN INTERNAL WIRE WAS EVEN WORST. THE P…
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MY GAS GAGE STARTED TO WORK IMPROPERLY. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC I TRUST. HE TOLD ME THE FUEL PUMP SENDERS WERE BAD. AFTER HE REMOVED THEM HE CALLED ME TO TELL ME I WAS LUCKY MY VEHICLE DIDN'T CATCH FIRE OR BLOW UP! ONE SENDER HAS INSULATION BROKEN AND THE WIRE IS EXPOSED. HE ALSO FOUND THAT AN INTERNAL WIRE WAS EVEN WORST. THE PROTECTIVE CONNECTOR WAS GONE! THAT LEFT THOSE WIRES WITH NO PROTECTION. THEY SHOW SIGNS OF BAD CORROSION ON BOTH THE WIRES AND THE TERMINALS. THEY APPEAR TO MAYBE EVEN HAVE SHORTED OUT. THEY ARE BLACK AND A RUST ORANGE COLOR. THEY ARE ALSO PITTED. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI. THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE. THEY WERE MORE CONCERNED THAT I HADN'T BROUGHT MY CAR TO A DEALER FOR OVER FIVE YEARS. I EXPLAINED THAT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS HERE IN MIAMI HAD CHEATED ME AND TREATED ME BADLY. THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS TRYING TO INSIST IF I HAD BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN THEY WOULD HAVE DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM SOONER. THAT IS JUST NOT TRUE. THEY ONLY WAY TO OBSERVE THIS PROBLEM WAS TO PHYSICALLY REMOVE THE BACKSEAT AND OPEN THE FLOOR TO EXPOSE THE GAS TANK AND THEN REMOVE THE PUMP! THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING! I HAVE THE FEELING THAT THEY WON'T EVEN REPORT THIS TO THEIR OWN COMPANY OR TO YOU. I STILL HAVE THE PARTS. THEY WERE ALSO NOT INTERESTED IN SEEING THEM OR PICTURES. THEY JUST DON'T CARE! WHAT IF MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE? WHAT IF THE FUMES IGNITED? ANYONE IN THE BACKSEAT WOULD HAVE BEEN EITHER KILLED OR INJURED!
NHTSA ODI #11365954
107,000 miles · Oct 20, 2020
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SPEED UP, CRASHING INTO A STORE FRONT, BREAKING THE GLASS WINDOW AND KNOCKING OUT SOME BRICKS.
NHTSA ODI #11365373
88,109 miles · Oct 6, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting
TWO TIMES MY CAR HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING, ONE AT 10 MPH AND ONE AT 20 MPH. THERE ARE NO SIGNS THAT THE CAR IS GOING TO STALL. HAVE NO LIGHTS, BRAKES, STEERING, CAN'T EVEN USE HAZARD LIGHTS.
NHTSA ODI #11362977
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2020
Unknown Or Other
MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AT ETD SERVICE CENTER ON SATURDAY, 9/19/2020. I THEN DROVE DOWN THE PARKWAY FOR THE WEEKEND. I RETURNED SUNDAY NIGHT AND NOTICED MY OIL LIGHT WAS BLINKING WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. I RETURNED TO ETD FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING 9/21/2020 WHO ADVISED THAT "IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN, BRING IT TO …
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MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AT ETD SERVICE CENTER ON SATURDAY, 9/19/2020. I THEN DROVE DOWN THE PARKWAY FOR THE WEEKEND. I RETURNED SUNDAY NIGHT AND NOTICED MY OIL LIGHT WAS BLINKING WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. I RETURNED TO ETD FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING 9/21/2020 WHO ADVISED THAT "IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN, BRING IT TO THE DEALER". TODAY ON 9/23/2020, THE OIL LIGHT WAS BLINKING AGAIN WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. THERE IS NO OIL LEAKING.
NHTSA ODI #11360639
10 miles · Aug 18, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
FILLED UP WITH GAS AND DID SOME GROCERY SHOPPING WITH MY WIFE. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, WE STARTED SMELLING STRONG FUEL COMING THROUGH AIR VENTS WHILE DRIVING AROUND. GOT HOME AND REMOVED ENGINE COVER AND SPOTTED FUEL SEEPING FROM THE FUEL RAIL ABOVE THE FUEL INJECTORS. THE FUEL RAIL TUBE IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND HAD CRACKED.
NHTSA ODI #11350175
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2020
Structure
PURCHASED CAR NEW GARAGE KEPT WELL MAINTAINED AT DEALER. HAD A RECALL IN 2016 FOR FRAME CORROSION. I BROUGHT CAR IN AND DEALER RUST PROOFED FRAME. CONTINUED TO HAVE CAR SERVICED AND COMPLETED ALL MAINTENANCE THAT DEALER RECOMMENDED. SOME REPAIRS VERY EXPENSIVE LIKE TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, IDLE PULLEY ETC. LAST MONTH BROUGHT CA…
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PURCHASED CAR NEW GARAGE KEPT WELL MAINTAINED AT DEALER. HAD A RECALL IN 2016 FOR FRAME CORROSION. I BROUGHT CAR IN AND DEALER RUST PROOFED FRAME. CONTINUED TO HAVE CAR SERVICED AND COMPLETED ALL MAINTENANCE THAT DEALER RECOMMENDED. SOME REPAIRS VERY EXPENSIVE LIKE TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, IDLE PULLEY ETC. LAST MONTH BROUGHT CAR IN FOR TRANSMISSION EXCHANGE AND I WAS TOLD THE SIDE RAILS OF CAR ARE RUSTED THRU AND CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSEDLY INSPECTED EVERY TIME CAR WAS SERVICED. HYUNDAI NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT RUST GETTING WORSE. I WOULD LIKE YOUR HELP HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE. THEY ADMITTED TO HAVING DEFECTIVE STEEL. PLEASE HELP!!
NHTSA ODI #11350085
130,000 miles · Aug 17, 2020
Engine
JUST BOUGHT A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT OUT OF TOWN BEFORE IT STALLED ON ME SEVERAL TIMES. I WOULD HURRY UP PUT IN PARK AND START UP. I TOOK IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY SEEN THIS A LOT OF TIMES BEFORE. ITS THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER. 2375 DOLLAR FIX.
NHTSA ODI #11349975
33,000 miles · Jul 13, 2020
SteeringUnknown Or Other
WHEN I FIRST "TESTED" THE CAR I MENTIONED TO THE SALES PERSON THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. HE CONVINCED ME IT WASN'T. ON 7/31/19 I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES AND HAD A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. I TOOK IT BACK FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE ALIGNMENT 3 TIMES BEFORE THE COVID OUTBREAK (TWICE BEFORE JANUARY). IT IS NOW MAJORLY VEERING…
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WHEN I FIRST "TESTED" THE CAR I MENTIONED TO THE SALES PERSON THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. HE CONVINCED ME IT WASN'T. ON 7/31/19 I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES AND HAD A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. I TOOK IT BACK FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE ALIGNMENT 3 TIMES BEFORE THE COVID OUTBREAK (TWICE BEFORE JANUARY). IT IS NOW MAJORLY VEERING TO THE RIGHT AND I HAVE TO KEEP IT FROM GOING THAT WAY WHEN DRIVING. I DON'T DRIVE FAR TO WORK WHICH IS WHY IT WASN'T AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM BEFORE.
NHTSA ODI #11339140
79,053 miles · Jun 30, 2020
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HYUNDAI OF NEW PORT RICHEY LOCATED AT 3936 US-19, NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652, (727) 477…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HYUNDAI OF NEW PORT RICHEY LOCATED AT 3936 US-19, NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652, (727) 477-8644, WHERE AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,053.
NHTSA ODI #11331748
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR FAILED FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. GAS GAUGE IS ERRATIC. WHEN I START THE CAR THE GAUGE FALLS TO EMPTY. NEVER KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #11315367
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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