2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

503

Owner Complaints

44 Crashes 7 Fires 9 Deaths

3

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

6

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

The 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has received a total of 503 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE, EQUIPMENT. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Hyundai Motor America for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Fuelpropulsion System (109 complaints), Engine (59 complaints), and Vehicle Speed Control (51 complaints).

Recalls for the 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, potentially affecting up to 1,913,708 vehicles.

Recall 13V113000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

| 1,712,336 vehicles affected

Defect: 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,...

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.

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Recall 12V354000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

| 199,118 vehicles affected

Defect: 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: 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.

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Recall 11E040000 — EQUIPMENT

| 2,254 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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

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 MANUFACTURING AT 1-715 831-8713.

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Owner Complaints for the 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

503 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 109 2 Crashes
Engine
Complaints: 59 3 Crashes
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 51 11 Crashes 9 Injuries 3 Deaths
Electrical System
Complaints: 49 1 Crash 2 Fires 4 Injuries 3 Deaths
Service Brakes
Complaints: 40 7 Crashes 1 Fire 7 Injuries
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 30 2 Crashes 1 Fire 1 Injury
Air Bags
Complaints: 27 7 Crashes 8 Injuries
Power Train
Complaints: 20 2 Crashes 3 Injuries 3 Deaths
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 17
Steering
Complaints: 17 1 Crash
Structurebody
Complaints: 12 5 Crashes 6 Injuries
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 9 1 Fire
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 7
Suspension
Complaints: 7 1 Crash 1 Injury
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 7
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 6
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 5 1 Fire
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seat Belts
Complaints: 3
Seats
Complaints: 3
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 2 1 Fire 1 Injury
Equipment
Complaints: 2
Tires
Complaints: 2
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
Complaints: 1
Equipmentmechanicalaccessory Scissorscrewbottle Jacklift
Complaints: 1
Equipmentotherlabels
Complaints: 1
Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System
Complaints: 1
Parking Brake
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Electric
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Structureinterior Panelssun Visor
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemrear Window
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11711436 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
Vehicle will suddenly shutdown in the middle of the road. This could easily have caused a crash at any time. Several batteries have been replaced due to alternator not charging the battery. Then the battery has to be jumped for emergencies. I have taken the car in for repairs of the recall twice. I was told that the front end would come off and parts would have to be replaced because of the age of my vehicle they would not fit again. I need a solution to this problem.
#11711436 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
Vehicle will suddenly shutdown in the middle of the road. This could easily have caused a crash at any time. Several batteries have been replaced due to alternator not charging the battery. Then the battery has to be jumped for emergencies. I have taken the car in for repairs of the recall twice. I was told that the front end would come off and parts would have to be replaced because of the age of my vehicle they would not fit again. I need a solution to this problem.
#11711436 | STEERING | | N/A miles
Vehicle will suddenly shutdown in the middle of the road. This could easily have caused a crash at any time. Several batteries have been replaced due to alternator not charging the battery. Then the battery has to be jumped for emergencies. I have taken the car in for repairs of the recall twice. I was told that the front end would come off and parts would have to be replaced because of the age of my vehicle they would not fit again. I need a solution to this problem.
#11677040 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
[XXX] We took out Stanta Fe to the Hyundia Dealership in Columbia, TN 38401. The installed a new rover cover gasket left and service kit. The purpose was to stop oil from leaking into the alternator. I would like to point out we did not see any visible signs of the gasket was leaking. We had our regular scheduled oil change in Feb of 2025 and no report of an oil leak. We had a service event at the end of June 2025 and were told there was a visible leak was present and appeared to be about 3 months old. We took it back to the dealership and reported the recall issue was occurring. This was 7/25 and just outside of a year. The stated it would not be covered under warranty/recall now. I called and complain to Hyundia corporate. Waited 2 weeks to say it would be taken care of by the dealership. Called them today to arrange for bring the car in but they had no record of what I was told by Hyundia corporate. I believe this breaking faith w the whole recall process with the NTSB. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
#11677040 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
[XXX] We took out Stanta Fe to the Hyundia Dealership in Columbia, TN 38401. The installed a new rover cover gasket left and service kit. The purpose was to stop oil from leaking into the alternator. I would like to point out we did not see any visible signs of the gasket was leaking. We had our regular scheduled oil change in Feb of 2025 and no report of an oil leak. We had a service event at the end of June 2025 and were told there was a visible leak was present and appeared to be about 3 months old. We took it back to the dealership and reported the recall issue was occurring. This was 7/25 and just outside of a year. The stated it would not be covered under warranty/recall now. I called and complain to Hyundia corporate. Waited 2 weeks to say it would be taken care of by the dealership. Called them today to arrange for bring the car in but they had no record of what I was told by Hyundia corporate. I believe this breaking faith w the whole recall process with the NTSB. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

View all Fuelpropulsion System complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

Hyundai Motor America has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

23-01-076H-2 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bank’s valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the vehicle is continually driven without...

23-01-076H-1 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bank’s valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the vehicle is continually driven without...

5NP-J9Y3S-04 — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

In some areas, a vehicle's underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road salt usage. As a precautionary measure, cavity wax coating is applied to the internal surfaces of underbody components, and an undercoating spray is applied to the bottom exterior surfaces of specified underbody components. This bulletin describes the procedure...

TSB-15-01-031 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

HYUNDAI: INFORMATION PROCEDURE REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF ALTERNATOR DUE TO OIL CONTAMINATION, LH (FRONT) CYLINDER HEAD COVER GASKET, RESULTING IN NO ALTERNATOR OUTPUT, NO START, NO CRANK OR LOSS OF POWER. MODEL 2007-09 SANTA FE. *PE

SB-09-BE-029 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH

HYUNDAI: TURN SIGNAL SWITCH OPERATION. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO IMPROVE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH CANCELING AFTER A WIDE TURN. *PE

TSB-09-01-035 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HYUNDAI: PROVIDES AN INSPECTION AND REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR S1 OXYGEN SENSORS TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.3L ENGINES MAY SET DTC P0133 AND/OR P0153. *PE

NHTSA Investigations for the 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the HYUNDAI SANTA FE

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