NHTSA Complaint #10980151 — 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

I NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS ERRATIC AND MOSTLY INCORRECT. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS IT QUIT WORKING AT ALL. IVE TRIED TO RESET THE TRIP ODOMETER AND KEEP UP WITH THE AMOUNT OF GAS I SHOULD HAVE IN THE TANK. I GAVE OUT OF GAS ON AN INTERSTATE AT 11PM IN SUB FREEZING WEATHER. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE FUEL SENSOR AS THE PROBLEM. I'VE NOTICED SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS HERE. THE ESTIMATED FIX IS $500. ADDITIONALLY THERE IS A HISSING SOUND FROM THE TANK WHEN I STOP TO FILL UP. UPON FILLING THE TANK THE ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK INITIALLY. IT APPREARS TO BE FLOODING THE ENGINE WITH GASOLINE. IF IM PATIENT I WILL EVENTUALLY GET IT CRANKED. WHEN I PULL OFF IT SHUTS OFF. THIS CONTINUES AS I INTENTIONALLY DRIVE AROUND IN THE PARKING LOT DUE TO HAVING THIS HAPPEN ONCE AFTER PULLING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I AM A RETIREE ON FIXED INCOME. THE AUTO WILL NOT PASS NC EMISSIONS INSPECTION DUE THIS MONTH UNTIL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF.