2004 Hyundai Santa FE Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 13%of 303 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2004 Hyundai Santa FE, 13% of the 303 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,500 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle was sold without title or disclosure dealership took money refuse to hear complaints. Contact me as I am handicapped and have no tittle trying to return vehicle it veered toward ditch as the vehicle is inoperable and dangerous per dmv”
NHTSA complaint #11208686, filed 2019-05, 141,560 miles“After pulling into traffic, I lifted my foot from the accelerator when I reached my desired speed. However, the vehicle continued to accelerate. I applied the brake, and the engine continued to rev for 1 or 2 seconds. There was no accident on this occasion, but it was terrifying, and I had my child in the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10593533, filed 2014-05, 116,000 miles“Recently the engine throttle started to rev up and wanting to acceleratewhen I am goin very very slow stuck in traffic or just deiving under 30 MPH. I would have to apply the brakes very hard and that wouldn't work so I would have to put it into neutral and wait for the throttle to calm down. I went to my mechanics and they put the computer monitor on my Santa Fe but no codes came up showing any problems. They checked the throttle cable and it was fine. They told me that other Santa Fe owners experienced the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10840201, filed 2016-03, 125,000 miles“While sitting in traffic at a local gas station, my 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe surged to the point where I could barely control the vehicle from crashing into the car in front of me. I immediately placed the car in neutral and the engine speed surged to nearly 6000 RPM. I turned the vehicle off. The car was able to be started again without incident. There was no collision, but it was a very scary and uncontrolled manner for the vehicle to be operated in.”
NHTSA complaint #10421626, filed 2011-08, 37,230 miles“When I put gas in my car it will not start afterward. First it started only when my car was turned off. When I left my car running it was ok. Now it turns off when my car is running also. The mechanic said, it may be a bad fuel pump, cost $350 to replace, but can't guarantee this will fix the issue. I see I am not the only one with this issue. Why is this not a recall?? I google it and there are so many people with same problem. Also with the car accelerating by itself. I thought I was crazy. I see now that others are having this problem as well. Everyone said I imagined it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10807296, filed 2015-11, 150,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10016301Jun 1, 2005Electronic throttle system (ets) diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) update.
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 8% |
| 2025 | 8 | 6% |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% |
| 2023 | 15 | 7% |
| 2022 | 16 | 8% |
| 2021 | 7 | 4% |
| 2020 | 5 | 2% |
| 2019 | 5 | 2% |
| 2018 | 5 | 5% |
| 2017 | 54 | 6% |
| 2016 | 5 | 2% |
| 2015 | 7 | 3% |
| 2014 | 27 | 5% |
| 2013 | 21 | 3% |
| 2012 | 40 | 11% |
| 2011 | 24 | 13% |
| 2010 | 21 | 8% |
| 2009 | 51 | 14% |
| 2008 | 52 | 10% |
| 2007 | 58 | 8% |
| 2006 | 20 | 19% |
| 2005 | 44 | 20% |
| 2004 | 39 | 13% |
| 2003 | 24 | 8% |
| 2002 | 15 | 9% |
| 2001 | 14 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2004 Hyundai Santa FE
69 complaintsAir bags
43 complaintsBrakes
43 complaintsFuel system
40 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Hyundai Santa FE
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology