2009 Hyundai Santa FE
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 209 |
| 2002 | 165 |
| 2003 | 308 |
| 2004 | 303 |
| 2005 | 216 |
| 2006 | 106 |
| 2007 | 683 |
| 2008 | 541 |
| 2009 | 358 |
| 2010 | 258 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 353 |
| 2013 | 605 |
| 2014 | 493 |
| 2015 | 254 |
| 2016 | 235 |
| 2017 | 957 |
| 2018 | 108 |
| 2019 | 194 |
| 2020 | 204 |
| 2021 | 165 |
| 2022 | 196 |
| 2023 | 205 |
| 2024 | 140 |
| 2025 | 127 |
| 2026 | 32 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
30% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 109 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ON. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE. HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BUT CLEARED. CAR WAS PUT BACK TOGETHER AND NOT ON A SALVAGE TITLE. FUEL PUMP SENSORS ARE AT FAULT. NEED TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP SENSORS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180313
Also filed under AIR BAGS
17% of complaints: engine — 60 distinct reports on file.
CRASH15% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 52 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AGAINST A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180402
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120921
WHILE PULLING INTO HEAD-IN PARKING SPACE, 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HIT A CONCRETE WALL, CAUSING SIGNIFICANT RADIATOR AND FENDER DAMAGE (ESTIMATED TOTAL REPAIR COSTS OVER $8000).
NHTSA ODI report, 20100604
14% of complaints: electrical system — 51 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTE FE JUST PURCHASED WITH 50 MILES ON IN 07/29/09, BLEW UP ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND TOTALLY BURNED THE FRONT AND ENGINE. I HAVE AN EVALUATION FROM 21ST CENTURY APPRAISERS REQUIRED BY GEICO WHOM DIAGNOSED A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20090915
Also filed under ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
14% of complaints: service brakes — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
On January 16,2025 I was driving my Hyundai Santa Fe on the freeway with my three children when the automatic brake system suddenly failed, causing me to lose control of the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250121
Also filed under AIR BAGS
Brake Lights Stay, On ESC OFF Light Illuminated, Cruise Control Won't Engage, Unable to Shift Out of Park. Fuse had to be pulled because the battery was going dead due to lights not turning off.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260823
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
Remedy: CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT M
Campaign 11E040000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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.
Campaign 12V354000 — check if this car was fixed
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, 2008-2
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 13V113000 — check if this car was fixed
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2009 Hyundai Santa FE — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (109 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (60 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (52 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 11E040000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V354000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V113000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE?
The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.