What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2009 Hyundai Santa FE

Typical pattern

2.2% of complaints about the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2009 vehicle — around the middle of the 212 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is fuel / propulsion (109 complaints), typically at 7.7 yr or about 88,000 miles.

Complaints
507
Median age at failure
7.3 yr
Median mileage
77,500 n=393
Crash / fire / tow
10.7% of reports
Safety recalls
3

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Fuel / propulsion
109 reports · 88,000 mi
7.7 yr
1.8%
Engine
60 reports · 89,780 mi
8.5 yr
6.7%
Speed control
52 reports · 26,572 mi
5.2 yr
23.1%
Electrical system
51 reports · 80,000 mi
7.8 yr
5.9%
Service brakes
41 reports · 50,669 mi
6.7 yr
17.1%
Other
31 reports · 93,000 mi
9.4 yr
9.7%
Air bags
29 reports · 80,000 mi
8.3 yr
27.6%
Power train
24 reports · 95,000 mi
6.5 yr
16.7%
Fuel system
17 reports · 65,231 mi
5.7 yr
0%
Steering
17 reports · 48,186 mi
9.2 yr
5.9%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

13V113000 2013-04-01
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

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

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.

12V354000 2012-07-25
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive

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.

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.

11E040000 2011-10-06
Equipment

CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 55538, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO THE CONVERTER MODULE AND DEFEAT THE MODULE'S INTERNAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION.

WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 21,930 mi 2.2 yr in service
WHILE GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY FROM THE ON RAMP THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE GAS PEDAL BEGAN TO DEPRESS ITSELF WITHOUT ME DOING IT. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED AND THE FLOOR MATT WAS NOT THE CAUSE. BRAKING WAS DIFFICULT AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED THE ENGINE. AFTER TELLING MY FAMILY ABOUT THE INCIDENT MY DAUGHTER TOLD ME THAT IT HAD OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE IN THE SAME MANNER ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO.
Electrical system 45,000 mi 4.6 yr in service
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT SHUT DOWN. THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL FUNCTIONS (I.E. ACCELERATION,STEERING, ETC) THE INCIDENT WAS UNDETECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND NOT ABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE HAS SHUT DOWN SINCE THE INITIAL MALFUNCTION. *TR
Electrical system 48,186 mi 4.9 yr in service
WHEN ENTERING AN UP-RAMP TO A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY AT SLOW SPEED, LESS THAN 30 MPH, AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED AND POWER WAS LOST TO STEERING AND BRAKES. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART, BUT WERE JUST LUCKY THAT THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN ON A CURVE AT HIGH SPEED OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Speed control 20,000 mi 1.3 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 75-80 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT INTENTION. EVEN AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. HE HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL TO DECELERATE. 5 DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-35 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NOT INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE FLOOR MAT AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE TECHNICIAN HAVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Other Santa FE model years

2025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001

How to read this