CarBrief

NHTSA has 358 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe, and two safety recalls that dealers fix for free[1][2][3]. EPA rates it at 19 to 20 MPG combined, depending on drive type[4][5].

358owner complaints[1]
2recalls[6]
19–20MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 358 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 27 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 26 injuries and 3 deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, one complaint can name several parts of the car, and the counts are not adjusted for how many were sold.

Here are the main named component groups, leaving out the unknown or other group (31 complaints)[7]:

Component group Complaints Crashes Median mileage at failure
Fuel/propulsion system[8] 109 2 88,000
Engine[9] 67 3 82,500
Speed control[10] 51 11 26,572
Electrical system[11] 50 1 80,000
Brakes[12] 49 7 40,486
Air bags[13] 29 8 80,000
Power train[14] 24 3 84,000

Fuel gauge and sensor trouble. Fuel and propulsion is the largest group, with 109 complaints[8]. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe a fuel gauge that reads empty or jumps around after a fill-up, with the low fuel light and the check engine light coming on. Some say a dealer pointed to the fuel sensors[8].

Engine stalling and power loss. The engine group has 67 complaints, and 2 of them mention fires[9]. In the sample we read, owners describe the engine stalling or losing power while driving. Some say the steering or brakes got heavy at the same time. Several say the dealer could not find or repeat the problem. Two of the sampled texts describe a fire that started in the engine area[9].

Unintended acceleration. Speed control has 51 complaints, 11 crashes and 9 injuries, and the median mileage at failure is low at 26,572[10]. In the sample we read, owners describe the vehicle speeding up on its own and braking not slowing it down. Some say they had to shift into neutral to stop it. A few say a floor mat was not the cause[10].

Electrical. The electrical group has 50 complaints, with 2 fires[11]. In the sample we read, owners describe the engine dying or the car losing power while driving. Others describe a rear DVD system, the radio or the alarm acting up[11].

Brakes (49 complaints), air bags (29) and power train (24) are smaller groups, and we did not read sample texts for them[12][13][14]. The air bag group has 8 crashes and 10 injuries[13].

Recalls

Two recalls on file apply to the 2009 Santa Fe. Both have a free remedy available at dealers.

Because 12V354 depends on the build date, ask a Hyundai dealer whether a specific car is covered[3].

Fuel economy

EPA lists six versions of the 2009 Santa Fe. All use regular gas[4]. Two-wheel drive versions get 20 MPG combined[4][15][16]. Four-wheel drive versions get 19[5][17][18].

Drive Engine and transmission City / Highway / Combined MPG
2WD[4] 2.7L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd 17 / 24 / 20
2WD[15] 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd 18 / 24 / 20
2WD[16] 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd 17 / 24 / 20
4WD[5] 2.7L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd 17 / 23 / 19
4WD[17] 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd 17 / 23 / 19
4WD[18] 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd 17 / 24 / 19

EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,350 for 2WD and $3,550 for 4WD[4][5]. These estimates use EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2009 Santa Fe 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 16.9%[19]. Our data has no other NHTSA star ratings for this model year.

Engine and size

EPA lists two engines: a 2.7L 6-cylinder and a 3.3L 6-cylinder[4][16].

The size below comes from Transport Canada specifications, so these are Canadian-market numbers and can differ slightly from US models. Length, width, height and wheelbase were the same for the three variants listed.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4DR SUV FWD GL[20] 184 in 74 in 71 in 106 in 3,726 lb
4DR SUV FWD GLS[21] 184 in 74 in 71 in 106 in 3,801 lb
4DR SUV AWD Limited[22] 184 in 74 in 71 in 106 in 4,125 lb

How 2009 compares with other years

2001: 209 complaints, 4 recalls20012002: 165 complaints, 4 recalls2003: 308 complaints, 4 recalls2004: 303 complaints, 3 recalls20042005: 216 complaints, 3 recalls2006: 106 complaints, 1 recalls2007: 684 complaints, 7 recalls20072008: 541 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 358 complaints, 2 recalls35820092010: 260 complaints, 2 recalls20102011: 181 complaints, 2 recalls2012: 354 complaints, 1 recalls2013: 805 complaints, 7 recalls20132014: 657 complaints, 7 recalls2015: 339 complaints, 4 recalls2016: 306 complaints, 3 recalls20162017: 1,326 complaints, 7 recalls2018: 432 complaints, 5 recalls2019: 229 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 217 complaints, 2 recalls2021: 187 complaints, 8 recalls2022: 265 complaints, 8 recalls20222023: 290 complaints, 2 recalls2024: 191 complaints, 7 recalls2025: 238 complaints, 5 recalls20252026: 56 complaints, 4 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Santa Fe model year. The 2009 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20012094
20021654
20033084
20043033
20052163
20061061
20076847
20085414
20093582
20102602
20111812
20123541
20138057
20146577
20153394
20163063
20171,3267
20184325
20192293
20202172
20211878
20222658
20232902
20241917
20252385
2026564

With 358 complaints and 2 recalls, the 2009 falls between the worst and best Santa Fe years[6]. Six model years have more complaints: 2007 (684), 2008 (541), 2013 (805), 2014 (657), 2017 (1,326) and 2018 (432)[6].

The two years after it have fewer: 2010 has 260 complaints and 2011 has 181[6]. The 2012 model year has 354[6]. Among 2001 through 2025, the lowest complaint count is 106, for 2006[6]. The 2026 year has 56 but is still early[6]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat these as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2009 Santa Fe?

The record is mixed. Its 358 complaints are fewer than several other Santa Fe years and more than some[1][6]. Both recalls have free dealer fixes, so confirm with a dealer that they were done on any car you consider[2][3]. Owners in our sample describe fuel gauge trouble, engine stalling and unintended acceleration, so ask about those on a test drive and at a pre-purchase inspection[8][9][10]. Fuel economy is 19 to 20 MPG combined, depending on drive type[4][5].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Fuel and propulsion is the largest complaint group with 109 of 358 complaints, followed by engine with 67 and speed control with 51[1][8][9][10].
Does the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?
Yes, two: 13V113 for the stop lamp switch and 12V354 for passenger air bag sensing. Dealers fix both for free[2][3].
What is the gas mileage of a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe?
EPA rates 2WD versions at 20 MPG combined and 4WD versions at 19 MPG combined[4][5].
How many complaints does the 2009 Santa Fe have compared with other years?
It has 358 complaints[1]. Six years have more, led by 2017 with 1,326[6].
Is the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe safe in a rollover?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 16.9%[19].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 358 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe (27 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 26 injuries, 3 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 13V113, filed April 1, 2013: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 12V354, filed July 25, 2012: Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor / Control Module-Inactive . NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Santa Fe 2WD, 2.7L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. EPA rating for Santa Fe 4WD, 2.7L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Santa Fe model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. 31 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,851). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 109 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 67 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 51 complaints name the speed control component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,572). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 50 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 49 complaints name the brakes component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,486). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 29 complaints name the air bags component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 24 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for Santa Fe 2WD, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Santa Fe 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Santa Fe 4WD, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Santa Fe 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SANTA FE 4DR SUV FWD GL: length 184 in, width 74 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,726 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SANTA FE 4DR SUV FWD GLS: length 184 in, width 74 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,801 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SANTA FE 4DR SUV AWD LIMITED: length 184 in, width 74 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 4,125 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.