Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.7 liter engine, high idles at 3,000 RPM on start up and never goes down even when engine reaches normal operating temperature, automatic transmission not even acting right since this problem started, this is a hazard and can cause an accident. The car shows no engine codes, or transmission codes, it has had lower intake, upper intake gaskets changed, iac motor changed, throttle position sensor changed, temperature sensor changed, cleaned throttle body bore where throttle plate closes, changed vacuum hoses, made sure throttle cable and cruise control cable were binding or holding throttle open, and none off these things have helped. …
In January of 2005, I was driving my 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.5l gls. I stopped at a light and remained stopped for a while. Suddenly, the vehicle accelerated and despite depressing the brakes, I could not stop it from lunging forward. I had to quickly get it out of gear to make it stop, and fortunately did not hit anyone. I took it to rowe Hyundai in westbrook, maine (where I bought it) and the service department said they could not duplicate it nor could they identify the problem. On 2-22-05, I was stopped at a stop sign with my foot on the brake, when suddently the engine accelerated quickly and loudly. I depressed the brake harder yet could not stop the vehicle from lunging forward. Before I could get it out of gear, it rear-ended the person parked in front of me. This caused damage to both vehicles. I had it towed to the dealer and have contacted Hyundai motor America about this.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 5 MPH she applied pressure to the brake pedal but the vehicle would not stop until crashing into another vehicle. After crashing, she shifted the vehicle into park. Once the vehicle was in park the engine began to exhibit an abnormal increase in rpms and the engine roared extremely loudly until she removed the key out of the ignition. The police appeared on the scene but no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 70,600.
When I put gas in my car it will not start afterward. First it started only when my car was turned off. When I left my car running it was OK. Now it turns off when my car is running also. The mechanic said, it May be a bad fuel pump, cost $350 to replace, but can't guarantee this will fix the issue. I see I am not the only one with this issue. Why is this not a recall?? I google it and there are so many people with same problem. Also with the car accelerating by itself. I thought I was crazy. I see now that others are having this problem as well. Everyone said I imagined it. Why is this not a recall?
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH in reverse, the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The failure recurred three separate times. As a result of the failure, the contact was involved in a crash while in reverse. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the engine revved up and the vehicle accelerated. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred while in drive or reverse. Also, the contact stated that most times they have been able to stop the vehicle but twice had minor accidents. The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times and each time either there were no codes or they were unable to duplicate the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 133,000.
Recently the engine throttle started to rev up and wanting to acceleratewhen I am goin very very slow stuck in traffic or just deiving under 30 MPH. I would have to apply the brakes very hard and that wouldn't work so I would have to put it into neutral and wait for the throttle to calm down. I went to my mechanics and they put the computer monitor on my Santa Fe but no codes came up showing any problems. They checked the throttle cable and it was fine. They told me that other Santa Fe owners experienced the same problem.
Vehicle was sold without title or disclosure dealership took money refuse to hear complaints. Contact me as I am handicapped and have no tittle trying to return vehicle it veered toward ditch as the vehicle is inoperable and dangerous per dmv
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe has sudden acceleration and surging no trouble lights on. Dealership told me the throttle sensor had to be replaced, so we did that. About a month later, same thing happened. Dealership replaced throttle sensor again, at no charge. Said if it happens again we would need a new throttle body. Happened again, so had the throttle body replaced. Happened again and was told it was wiring that had to do with cruise control. Which I never use. Happened again today 3/16/2011. Notified the dealership that I was dropping off tonight in the night drop. I have already paid over $1000.00 for something that has not been fixed. We will see what happens tomorrow. We maxed out our towing with aaa, so my husband, who works second shift and hour and half away from where we live has to drive it back to the dealership tonight. …
I am now afraid to drive my Hyundai sante Fe. While driving home from work (about 30 miles from home) my vehicle started accelerating rapidly and surging when I was trying to keep it from lunging forward. I had to use the emergency brake and the brakes to stop it and that still did not stop the acceleration from continuing. I drove it directly to the shop where I wanted to have it fixed. It cost over $500 to have a throttle sensor replaced and now it's doing it again? I had it towed last night because I could not stop it again without almost putting it in a ditch. When it stopped it then started not wanting to go at all. This is a dangerous condition for sure with this vehicle. Since last month when this happened, I have bee reading lots of info from other drivers with the same issue. …
Acceleration complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe, 13% of the model year's 303 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.