2011 Hyundai Santa FE Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 64about this part
- Share
- 35%of 181 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,506miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 64 complaints about the engine of the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE, 35% of the 181 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,506 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was stopped at a red light with my foot on the brake, when the engine suddenly revved very quickly and lurched forward towards the car in front of me. I turned the engine off and the car stopped. Fortunately there was enough room between my car and the one in front of me that I didn't hit it. When I restarted it, it worked fine.”
NHTSA complaint #10679049, filed 2015-01, 60,000 miles“I took it in for service after the engine hesitated and bucked forward sept, 2012. It had approx. 29,500 miles. Today june 21, 2013 while putting it in reverse, I heard a loud clunk and also heard same clunk when I changed it from reverse to drive. Engine then proceeded to hesitate and buck all the way home. It is going in for service again (second time) tomorrow. This is very frustrating!!”
NHTSA complaint #10521093, filed 2013-06, 40,300 miles“After light turned green, I pushed on the pedal and the car did not move for seconds. Car hesitates all the time. Afraid to make left turn from a stopped position because I am not sure if the vehicle will move. Vehicle also hesitates when accelerating to pass slow moving vehicles. Reported issue to dealer and dealer would not acknowledge problem. Read and heard of other Santa Fe acceleration issues.”
NHTSA complaint #10467962, filed 2012-07, 100 miles“My car started running hot periodically, the thermostat gauge kept going up and down. There was a bubbling sound in radiator reserve container. My vehicle would not stay cranked.”
NHTSA complaint #11235040, filed 2019-07, 144,000 miles“Car smoking from exahust since around 42000 miles oil smoke started in 2017 . I have taken to dealership about 8 times in 3 years now oil all in the sparkplugs using over a quart of oil every 1000 miles now has 56000 miles and unable to drive it. Dealship telling me they will have car for one month or more with no replacement car given have been told may not fix replace the motor I called main company earlier this year. Nothing was done.smokes at start up smokes out my garage . Then car was shimming when driving and engine light came on .”
NHTSA complaint #11374931, filed 2020-11, 42,000 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…
- 11030331Mar 26, 2026This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H-2 (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing…
- 11030330Mar 26, 2026This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing…
- 11006829Aug 19, 2024Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs. If abnormal engine…
- 10165455Aug 12, 2019If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a ?Check Engine? light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid…
- 10052144Apr 1, 2013Hyundai: the throttle control (etc) body, on some vehiicles, needs to be cleaned and procedural information is being provided, due to deposits found at valve-to-bore interface…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 14 | 10% |
| 2024 | 13 | 8% |
| 2023 | 35 | 17% |
| 2022 | 54 | 27% |
| 2021 | 37 | 22% |
| 2020 | 81 | 37% |
| 2019 | 73 | 36% |
| 2018 | 54 | 50% |
| 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 2011 Hyundai Santa FE
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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