2009 Hyundai Santa FE fuel system problems

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My kids and I were going to town one afternoon and I started to smell gas coming from the air vents the gas smell was very strong I opened the hood and could see that it was wet I touched the spot and smelled it and it was fuel.i was worried about driving home with my children in the car so I called my brother he came looked and tracked down the issue and the fuel leak was coming from the front fuel rail.i had never heard of a fuel rail going out on a vehicle before so calling around to parts stores and auto parts recycling places to get it fixed and no one will sale me one they have all told me to take it to dealership.please help it's the only vehicle my children and i have.

NHTSA complaint #11553044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The vehicle's check engine light came on and the fuel gauge shows "E". I did an OBD scan and it shows the fuel sending unit has issues. The gauge will work intermittently and the check engine light will go away. Further reviews from others show the same issues with their vehicle with each needing a bad sending unit replaced.

NHTSA complaint #11487322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I was decelarating after going highway speed on the highway and the car stalled electrical still worked but braking power steering acceleation all stopped working and engine lights turned on and esc and other lights i retarted the car and no engine lights turned on i went to my mechanic he said it dosnt show on diagnostics so he cant fix it this is just one incident its happend numerous times and it almost caused accident its dangerous and must be dealt with right away

NHTSA complaint #11486122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Stalls out/DEATH TRAP, occasionally with no warning, seem to be when going up or down hills usually with quarter tank of gas approx. Possibly when decelerating. We have replaced both fuel pumps and it was ok for a while. The other day I was going down steep hill and it quit, i coasted to bottom and tried at least 10 times to restart. A DEATH TRAP for people, i had cars flying up on me almost rear ending me even thou I had my emergency flashers were on and my arm out the window flagging then around. I let car sit still a few minutes and it finally cracked. I started looking online for solutions but found many 2009 Santa Fe's have this problem. I called Hyundai and no Recall. I have already spend over $500 trying to repair this. I do see settlement against Hyundai for this problem on other years. They seem to know it is a problem but are not fixing unless forced. Please help.

NHTSA complaint #11427441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY GAS GAGE STARTED TO WORK IMPROPERLY. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC I TRUST. HE TOLD ME THE FUEL PUMP SENDERS WERE BAD. AFTER HE REMOVED THEM HE CALLED ME TO TELL ME I WAS LUCKY MY VEHICLE DIDN'T CATCH FIRE OR BLOW UP! ONE SENDER HAS INSULATION BROKEN AND THE WIRE IS EXPOSED. HE ALSO FOUND THAT AN INTERNAL WIRE WAS EVEN WORST. THE PROTECTIVE CONNECTOR WAS GONE! THAT LEFT THOSE WIRES WITH NO PROTECTION. THEY SHOW SIGNS OF BAD CORROSION ON BOTH THE WIRES AND THE TERMINALS. THEY APPEAR TO MAYBE EVEN HAVE SHORTED OUT. THEY ARE BLACK AND A RUST ORANGE COLOR. THEY ARE ALSO PITTED. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI. THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE. THEY WERE MORE CONCERNED THAT I HADN'T BROUGHT MY CAR TO A DEALER FOR OVER FIVE YEARS. I EXPLAINED THAT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS HERE IN MIAMI HAD CHEATED ME AND TREATED ME BADLY. THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS TRYING TO INSIST IF I HAD BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN THEY WOULD HAVE DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM SOONER. THAT IS JUST NOT TRUE. THEY ONLY WAY TO OBSERVE THIS PROBLEM WAS TO PHYSICALLY REMOVE THE BACKSEAT AND OPEN THE FLOOR TO EXPOSE THE GAS TANK AND THEN REMOVE THE PUMP! THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING! I HAVE THE FEELING THAT THEY WON'T EVEN REPORT THIS TO THEIR OWN COMPANY OR TO YOU. I STILL HAVE THE PARTS. THEY WERE ALSO NOT INTERESTED IN SEEING THEM OR PICTURES. THEY JUST DON'T CARE! WHAT IF MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE? WHAT IF THE FUMES IGNITED? ANYONE IN THE BACKSEAT WOULD HAVE BEEN EITHER KILLED OR INJURED!

NHTSA complaint #11365954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR FAILED FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. GAS GAUGE IS ERRATIC. WHEN I START THE CAR THE GAUGE FALLS TO EMPTY. NEVER KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #11315367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL GAUGE BECAME ERRATIC AND TRIGGERED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON ALSO IT WILL FLUCTUATE A LITTLE BIT WHEN IT HITS THE 1/4 MARK AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WILL COME ON. IT WILL GO FROM 1/4 TO EMPTY CAN NOT TELL HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK. WHEN I FILL THE TANK IT REGISTERS EMPTY AND THE AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT INDICATOR COMES ON. STARTING THE CAR AGAIN ON THE SAME DAY OR THE NEXT DAY, THE GAGE COMES UP AGAIN TO THE FULL OR HALF WAY MARK AND THE LIGHT GOES OUT. THE CAR STALLS WHILE IN CITY TRAFFIC CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION ANOTHER CAR COULD CRASH INTO ME.

NHTSA complaint #11302087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE FUEL GAUGE VARIES WIDELY. IT IS DIFFICULT TO KNOW AT TIMES HOW MUCH GAS THE CAR TRULY HAS. THIS SEEMS TO BY A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11300628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

GAS GAUGE HIGHLY INACCURATE. FUEL WARNING LIGHT GOES ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO APPEARS. HAVE TO PULL OVER AS AFRAID TO DRIVE. FINALLY GO TO NEAREST GAS STATION ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT GAS TANK WAS STILL HALF FULL. THIS HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #11267570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL GUAGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. FLUCTUATES GREATLY CAUSING POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE IF ONE WERE TO RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AFTER FILLING GAS TANK.

NHTSA complaint #11240940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

BOTH FUEL LEVEL SENSORS WENT BAD

NHTSA complaint #11234636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CAR DOES NOT WANT TO START AFTER FILLING WITH GAS. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF 5 OR 15 GALLONS ARE PUT IN.

NHTSA complaint #11234164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND DECELERATING, HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2009 VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STALLS WITH NO WARNING. NO ERROR CODES SHOW. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SHUTS DOWN AND IS AN ACCIDENT RISK. ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKE OPERATION SHUT DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11229149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

BOTH OF THE FUEL GAUGES WOULD DROP DOWN TO EMPTY WYNFALL WHILE STATIONARY. IF I TURN OFF MY CAR THEN TURN IT BACK ON IT WOULD STAY EMPTY EVEN AFTER BEING AT THE GAS STATION. I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE LEFT IN MY CAR AND HAS BEEN ON GOING PROBLEM AND A SAFETY ISSUE

NHTSA complaint #11217714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ALL OF A SUDDEN THE GAS GAUGE DOES STOPPED READING FUAL PROPERLY.. I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. ON ONE OCCASION I WAS DRIVING TO WORK EARLY IN THE MORNING THE VEHICLE STUDDARD I PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND HAD TO MANEUVER QUICKLY TO AVOID BEING HIT IN THE REAR. I FOUND OUT I HAD RUN OUT OF GAS. ATTACHED IS A LINK WITH OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MUCH GAS I PUT IN IT I DO NOT GET CORRECT READING. IF I PUT $30 WORTH OF GAS IN MY VEHICLE IT WILL ONLY READ HALF FULL. I FEEL THIS IS A DANGER BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN I RUN OUT OF GAS AND BEING ON THE HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN RUNNING OUT OF GAS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/HYUNDAI/SANTAFE/OTHER-FUEL-SYSTEM-FUEL-GAUGE-PROBLEMS.PHP

NHTSA complaint #11189776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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. THE CONSTANT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATION AND CONSTANT MALFUNCTION OF THE GAS GAUGE STARTED AT 50,000 MILES AND I AM NOW AT 60,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND WHILE I AM DRIVING IT. I HAVE TO KEEP A FULL TANK AT ALL TIMES JUST DO I DON'T RUN OUT IF GAS.

NHTSA complaint #11170889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VEHICLE STALLED IN ROAD, ONCE ON LEVEL GROUND EXITING A PARKING LOT GOING STRAIGHT AND IN MOTION CROSSING TRAFFIC AND ABOUT TO TURN LEFT, ONCE ON SLIGHT DECLINE IN MOTION TURNING RIGHT. AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES EACH TIME, CAR RESTARTED. HEAVY GAS SMELL IN CAR. FUEL SENDERS HAD BOTH BEEN REPLACED TWICE (SECOND TIME RIGHT AFTER FIRST STALL) BUT FUEL GAGE STILL MALFUNCTIONING. FUEL LEVEL INDICATION UNRELIABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11165745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN YOU ARE AROUND A HALF A TANK OF GAS AND EVEN IF YOU FILL IT UP IT TAKES IT 2 OR 3 TIMES OF STARTING IT FOR IT TO GO OFF. I'M NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS. ALSO THE ESC AND THE ABS LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON AND WON'T GO OFF. THE BOOK SAYS THE ABS LIGHT IS FOR SERVICE BUT I HAVE HAS IT SERVICED SEVERAL TIME AND IT STILL DOESN'T GO OUT.

NHTSA complaint #11143841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES ALL THE TIME. SOMETIMES I GET A READING BUT MOST TIMES IT TURNS ON THE EMPTY LIGHT . I HAVE CONSULTED SEVERAL HYUNDAI DEALERS MECHANICS AND BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A BIG AND FREQUENT PROBLEM. I HAVE READ OF SO MANY COMPLAINTS , THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON SAID DEFECT. .IT IS AS YOU KNOW VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE AND VERY EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS FOR ME TO TRY TO FIX..I'VE RAN OUT OF GAS SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE BEEN IN HARMS WAY.

NHTSA complaint #11121602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, AT APPROXIMATELY 110 MILES, DEVELOPED A PROBLEM, WHICH ACTUALLY RESULTS IN A SERIOUS/SAFETY PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL AVAILABLE IN THE TANK. I DON'T KNOW IF THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL PUMPS, OR THE FUEL SENSING UNITS IN THE GAS TANKS, OR WITH THE WIRING BETWEEN THE GAS TANK AND THE GAS GAUGE, OR WITH THE GAS GAUGE ITSELF. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING NOR IF THE VEHICLE IS SLANTED AT AN ANGLE. QUITE OFTEN THE PROBLEM RESULTS IN THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMING ON. SO FAR I'VE ONLY RUN OUT OF GAS ONCE, AND SINCE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS I LOST BOTH MY STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEMS. ANY MORE I STOP FOR FUEL AFTER ABOUT 120 MILES OR SO. MY HYUNDAI DEALER HAS QUOTED MY A PRICE OF AROUND $3,000.00 (THAT'S THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS) TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND HE SAID THAT THEY CAN'T EVEN GUARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM WON'T REOCCUR. AND HE SAID THAT THIS IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT "HYUNDAI" SHOULD TAKE CARE OF !!!

NHTSA complaint #11118792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AFTER FILLING GAS TANK THE FUEL GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BAD FUEL SENSOR

NHTSA complaint #11112844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

GAS GAUGE AND LIGHT ALWAYS ON EMPTY WHEN TIGHT AFTER IT IS FULL OF GAS AND LOUD HUMMING SOUND FROM FUEL PUMP. STALLED OUT IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION MULTIPLE TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #11101269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE FUEL SYSTEM LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, I PUT GAS IN IT BUT IT KEEPS TELLING ME THAT THE TRUCK IS EMPTY AND IT SOMETIMES STALLS. THEN IT I LET IT SIT A DAY OR 2, THEN THE GAS ARROW STARTS TO MOVE UP AND DOWN, I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT, MOST OF THE TIME IT DOESN'T SHOW IF I HAVE GAS OR NOT.

NHTSA complaint #11097076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT READING. THE DEALER (HATFIELD HYUNDAI, 1400 AUTO MALL PKWY, COLUMBUS, OH 43228) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY AND FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

NHTSA complaint #11090964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.