2009 Hyundai Santa FE Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 127about this part
- Share
- 35%of 359 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 127 complaints about the fuel system of the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE, 35% of the 359 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 2 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.
“Filled up with gas and did some grocery shopping with my wife. After about 15 minutes, we started smelling strong fuel coming through air vents while driving around. Got home and removed engine cover and spotted fuel seeping from the fuel rail above the fuel injectors. The fuel rail tube is made of plastic and had cracked.”
NHTSA complaint #11350175, filed 2020-08, 10 miles“I bought a 2009 hyndai Santa Fe in 2013 with only 40,000 miles on it and had no problems until december of 2018. I drove about 20 miles and on the way back home it started going as slow as 5 miles an hour; I don't know if it is an issue about being recalled but I still have 2 more years of payments and the truck isn't working!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11182117, filed 2019-02, 60,000 miles“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“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“Fuel gauge went up and down. Ran out of gas going 70mph on turnpike it was harrowing. Gauge says full and then empty right away. Fuel sensors need replaced, check engine light is now showing. I notice many others with the same problem. Mine couldve caused a bad accident. Outrageously expensive and cost prohibitive to fix what I think is a safety issue. 70,000 miles is not a lot for this to have happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11152585, filed 2018-11, 70,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10029229Apr 1, 2009Hyundai: mil on dtc p2135 or p0638 or cold engine rpm fluctuation- tps replacement & ecm update. Some vehicles may experience either slight engine rpm fluctuation at cold warm up…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 5 | 4% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2023 | 12 | 6% |
| 2022 | 33 | 16% |
| 2021 | 10 | 6% |
| 2020 | 17 | 8% |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% |
| 2018 | 5 | 5% |
| 2017 | 62 | 6% |
| 2016 | 9 | 4% |
| 2015 | 13 | 5% |
| 2014 | 32 | 6% |
| 2013 | 42 | 7% |
| 2012 | 12 | 3% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 19 | 7% |
| 2009 | 127 | 35% |
| 2008 | 273 | 50% |
| 2007 | 157 | 23% |
| 2006 | 9 | 8% |
| 2005 | 22 | 10% |
| 2004 | 40 | 13% |
| 2003 | 17 | 6% |
| 2002 | 7 | 4% |
| 2001 | 13 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE
60 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 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