2009 Hyundai Santa FE Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 50about this part
- Share
- 14%of 359 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 50 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE, 14% of the 359 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The battery light kept blinking, my battery is new, also the seat belt light for passenger seat kept blinking even when the seat belt was buckled. I stalled out and wouldn't start back up. I was in the street when it wouldn't start back up. I had it looked at when it was towed and the shop said there was alot of oil on my alternator and I would have to replace my value cover gaskets also.”
NHTSA complaint #11242181, filed 2019-08, 10 miles“My ESC,ABS& awd symbol came on at the same time & I know other people who own hyundais & had this issue im guessing this is something major because when I called the dealership they knew exactly what I was talking about they all came on while I was driving”
NHTSA complaint #11064193, filed 2018-01, 83,000 miles“I noticed that when I was in park, the car would just shut off. This happened three times within a few week's time. I was concerned and wondered if the car would ever just shut off while I was driving on the freeway or a busy street. To my horror, it happened! A few days ago I was turning into a parking lot and the car just shut off!...there was a car behind me that came to a screeching halt! …”
NHTSA complaint #10811346, filed 2015-12, 106,000 miles“I am having the issue with the gas gauge, where a short time after filling up the tank, the gauge drops to empty and then the check engine light comes on. I believe this problem was caused by the same issue as a recent recall, where oil was dripping on the alternator. Just a couple days after I received the recall for that issue, I began having electrical issues. My radio came on and off, my windows rolled up and down very slowly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10903670, filed 2016-09, 78,000 miles“For the last year, my fuel gauge has been malfunctioning. At first, it only happened every once in a while, but once I got to about 8 months, the gauge has constantly told me the wrong fuel level. I have asked a mechanic about it and it is the fuel level sensors located in the gas tank that are malfunctioning. Apparently, this is a problem with many of the Santa Fe's that were built around that time. I have a low mileage vehicle. It was bought in 2016 with 22,000 miles. The gas gauge problem started around 40,000 miles and only happened a few times. …”
NHTSA complaint #11170889, filed 2019-01, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10174808Apr 23, 2020This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: ⢠A Battery SOC alert - low Battery State of Charge (SOC) at or below 50%. ⢠A 30 Day…
- 10170883Jan 16, 2020This bulletin provides guidelines to inspect the USB, head unit, and multi-box for common connection conditions. 2. This bulletin presents guidelines to inspect for common…
- 10160098Apr 15, 2019This bulletin provides the procedure to write the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) during the replacement of the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Powertrain Control Module…
- 10058931Aug 27, 2015Hyundai: on certain vehicles, front valve cover gasket and alternator needs inspection and if necessary, will be replaced due to engine oil leakage from front cylinder bank valve…
- 10058910Jul 1, 2015Hyundai: information procedure regarding replacement of alternator due to oil contamination, lh (front) cylinder head cover gasket, resulting in no alternator output, no start…
- 10030878Jun 1, 2009Hyundai: some vehicles are equipped with an in car navigation system as part of the audio system. If a navigation system experiences lock up during operation, this bulletin…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 14% |
| 2025 | 30 | 22% |
| 2024 | 30 | 19% |
| 2023 | 36 | 17% |
| 2022 | 32 | 16% |
| 2021 | 29 | 17% |
| 2020 | 25 | 11% |
| 2019 | 27 | 13% |
| 2018 | 9 | 8% |
| 2017 | 70 | 7% |
| 2016 | 11 | 5% |
| 2015 | 20 | 8% |
| 2014 | 49 | 10% |
| 2013 | 53 | 9% |
| 2012 | 43 | 12% |
| 2011 | 25 | 14% |
| 2010 | 28 | 11% |
| 2009 | 50 | 14% |
| 2008 | 74 | 14% |
| 2007 | 97 | 14% |
| 2006 | 10 | 9% |
| 2005 | 10 | 5% |
| 2004 | 18 | 6% |
| 2003 | 28 | 9% |
| 2002 | 11 | 7% |
| 2001 | 35 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE
127 complaintsEngine
60 complaintsVehicle speed control
51 complaintsBrakes
50 complaintsOther or unknown
31 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsSuspension
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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