2009 Hyundai Santa FE Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 17%of 359 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,780miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE, 17% of the 359 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,780 miles. 3 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.
“The fuel gage is broken, it reads empty when full. The ABS light came on and took it in to fix it. $400.00 later it was fixed. Now I hear clinking sound from engine. I think the pistons rings are bad. I've read other similar complaints about this vehicle. Nhtsa needs to investigate!”
NHTSA complaint #11416198, filed 2021-05, 98,000 miles“Just bought a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. I didn't even make it out of town before it stalled on me several times. I would hurry up put in park and start up. I took it to the Hyundai dealership and they said they seen this a lot of times before. Its the timing chain and tensioner. 2375 dollar fix.”
NHTSA complaint #11349975, filed 2020-08, 130,000 miles“The engine shut down on a slow speed exit and left me with no power steering or power brakes in a curve. The vehicle started up after I was able to stop and I continued on with no more issue. July 21, 2016 at 4:45pm. This has been the only time this has occurred in the 2 years I have owned it but its a concern.”
NHTSA complaint #10887681, filed 2016-07, 129,100 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've taken my 2009 Santa Fe to the rick case roswell, ga on friday, 7/1/2016 and again today, 7/15/2016, both for the same issue, my car is stalling while I drive it. On 7/1 they told me it was the battery, so had a new one installed while there. Both times, I'm been turning into a curve (it was a right hand turn on 7/1 and a left hand turn on 7/15). The first time I was lucky as it was just coming off a stop light. …”
NHTSA complaint #10885011, filed 2016-07, 65,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11038458Oct 8, 2026Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure…
- 11038456Oct 7, 2026Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 14 | 10% |
| 2024 | 13 | 8% |
| 2023 | 35 | 16% |
| 2022 | 54 | 27% |
| 2021 | 37 | 22% |
| 2020 | 81 | 37% |
| 2019 | 73 | 36% |
| 2018 | 54 | 49% |
| 2017 | 650 | 67% |
| 2016 | 151 | 64% |
| 2015 | 161 | 63% |
| 2014 | 274 | 56% |
| 2013 | 273 | 45% |
| 2012 | 228 | 64% |
| 2011 | 64 | 35% |
| 2010 | 37 | 14% |
| 2009 | 60 | 17% |
| 2008 | 60 | 11% |
| 2007 | 54 | 8% |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% |
| 2005 | 11 | 5% |
| 2004 | 16 | 5% |
| 2003 | 8 | 3% |
| 2002 | 10 | 6% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE
127 complaintsVehicle speed control
51 complaintsBrakes
50 complaintsElectrical system
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 29, 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