2009 Hyundai Santa FE problems
Owners have filed 506 complaints about the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE with NHTSA. Fuel/propulsion system accounts for 21.5% of them — the clear leader, ahead of engine at 11.9%.
Complaints506
Crashes44
Fires7
Injuries44
Deaths9
What owners report breaking
Fuel/propulsion system 21.5% · 109
Engine 11.9% · 60
Vehicle speed control 10.3% · 52
Electrical system 10.1% · 51
Service brakes 7.9% · 40
Unknown or other 6.1% · 31
Air bags 5.7% · 29
Power train 4.7% · 24
Severity
Of those complaints, 44 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire, 44 report an injury and 9 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 25 model years of the Hyundai Santa FE in this data, 2009 sits 6th by complaint volume. 2017 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 26 in the last three years against 48 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 77,500 miles.
In owners' own words
Vehicle stalled in road, once on level ground exiting a parking lot going straight and in motion crossing traffic and about to turn left, once on slight decline in motion turning right. After sitting for a few minutes each time, car restarted. Heavy gas smell in car. Fuel senders had both been replaced twice (second time right after first stall) but fuel gage still malfunctioning. Fuel level indication unreliable. Fuel/propulsion system · reported at 113,000 miles
Fuel gauge went up and down. Ran out of gas going 70mph on turnpike it was harrowing. Gauge says full and then empty right away. Fuel sensors need replaced, check engine light is now showing. I notice many others with the same problem. Mine couldve caused a bad accident. Outrageously expensive and cost prohibitive to fix what I think is a safety issue. 70,000 Miles is not a lot for this to have happened. Fuel/propulsion system · reported at 70,000 miles
After filling vehicle with fuel, fuel gauge showed tank empty and yellow light on dash shows fuel empty. Fuel gauge recovered to show 1/2 full, then displays erratic results. Online forums show defective fuel sensor with a large number of Hyundai vehicles. There should be recall on this issue. Drivers may think they have sufficient fuel, to then have vehicle run out of gas in a dangerous driving environment. Fuel/propulsion system · reported at 85,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…