2009 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls and problems

The 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe has 2 safety recalls and 359 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
359
Crashes / fires
27 / 5
Injuries / deaths
26 / 3

Recalls may cover only some 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls

Recall 13V-113: Exterior Lighting

Reported Apr 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor Company

Problem: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.

Recall 12V-354: Air Bags

Reported Jul 25, 2012 · 199,118 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor Company

Problem: Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from April 19, 2006, through July 7, 2008. The occupant classification system (OCS) may need recalibration to accurately detect small statured adults.

Risk: Improper classification or detection may cause the front passenger airbag not to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the classification software free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Fuel/Propulsion System109
Engine60
Vehicle Speed Control52
Electrical System51
Service Brakes41
Unknown or Other31
Air Bags29
Power Train24
Fuel System, Gasoline17
Steering17
Structure14
Exterior Lighting9

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 13
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 4
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 2
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 2
  • Equipment › Other › Labels — 1
  • Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. — 1
  • Visibility › Windshield — 1
  • Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 77,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Suspension · reported Oct 21, 2026
I am reporting a serious vehicle safety concern involving a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe with approximately 56,000 miles. On [XXX], the vehicle was inspected at West Herr Hyundai in Williamsville, New York, in connection with Hyundai’s underbody corrosion Service Campaign 947. During the inspection, the dealership discovered severe and extensive corrosion affecting the vehicle’s underbody, structural components, and frame-related areas. The corrosion was so significant that the dealership determined the vehicle was unsafe to drive. This is not a cosmetic rust issue. The deterioration involves…
Service Brakes · reported Aug 23, 2026
Brake Lights Stay, On ESC OFF Light Illuminated, Cruise Control Won't Engage, Unable to Shift Out of Park. Fuse had to be pulled because the battery was going dead due to lights not turning off. Its doing the same thing that is outlined in this recall (NHTSA Campaign ID: 13V113000)
Electrical System · reported May 29, 2026
2 unrepaired recalls. Frame rusted and unsafe to lift to repair the other recall which is an oil leak onto the alternator. Car won't run now. Corporate asked if I had a lawyer. They have declared my car not fixable or drivable. Neither corporate nor dealer will return my calls. No info from them at all. No offer of a buyback. No anything.
Engine · reported May 20, 2026
*The mechanic diagnosed internal engine failure (May 14, 2026). The vehicle is at the second mechanic's shop. *The car stalled twice. The first time, over 20 miles, the air conditioning stopped, followed by the radio, and then acceleration. I pulled over and the acceleration returned but only for a minute. The second time, a clacking noise got louder and faster, and three miles later the engine stopped. I coasted and pulled over but had to shift to neutral and use the parking brake to stop. *The first time was a two-lane road (55 MPH). As I lost acceleration, cars slowed behind me. It took so…
Steering · reported Jan 16, 2026
Vehicle will suddenly shutdown in the middle of the road. This could easily have caused a crash at any time. Several batteries have been replaced due to alternator not charging the battery. Then the battery has to be jumped for emergencies. I have taken the car in for repairs of the recall twice. I was told that the front end would come off and parts would have to be replaced because of the age of my vehicle they would not fit again. I need a solution to this problem.

Other Hyundai Santa Fe years

Compare all Hyundai Santa Fe years · All Hyundai models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe: 13V-113 (exterior lighting), 12V-354 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Owners report fuel/propulsion system problems most often (109 reports), followed by engine (60). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 77,000 miles.

Are Hyundai recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Hyundai dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.