Does the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE, the most recent reported on April 1, 2013 (Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE?

Owners have filed 359 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is fuel/propulsion system (109 complaints), followed by engine (60).

How many 2009 Hyundai Santa FE complaints mention a crash or fire?

27 of 359 complaints report a crash and 5 a fire; 26 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2009 Hyundai Santa FE recalls and problems

2 recalls and 359 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE.

recalls

359

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2009 Hyundai Santa FE recalls

Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch

NHTSA campaign 13V113000 · reported April 1, 2013 · Hyundai Motor Company · 1,712,336 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA campaign 12V354000 · reported July 25, 2012 · Hyundai Motor Company · 199,118 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Fuel/propulsion system109
Engine60
Vehicle speed control51
Electrical system50
Service brakes41
Unknown or other31
Air bags29
Power train24
Fuel system, gasoline17
Steering17

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 21, 2026 · Suspension
I am reporting a serious vehicle safety concern involving a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe with approximately 56,000 miles. On […], 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…

Aug 23, 2026 · Service brakes
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)

May 29, 2026 · Electrical system
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…

May 20, 2026 · Engine
*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…

Jan 16, 2026 · Steering
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…

Santa FE model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2006	1	106	11	3
2007	7	684	30	8
2008	4	541	17	7
2009	2	359	27	5
2010	2	260	8	6
2011	2	181	12	8
2012	1	355	25	17

Across all years, the 2017 Santa FE has the most complaints (971). All Hyundai Santa FE years →

Questions

Does the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE, the most recent reported on April 1, 2013 (Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE?: Owners have filed 359 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is fuel/propulsion system (109 complaints), followed by engine (60).
How many 2009 Hyundai Santa FE complaints mention a crash or fire?: 27 of 359 complaints report a crash and 5 a fire; 26 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 21, 2026.