Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My Santa Fe ESC light came on and the car went into a "limp mode". It slowed down to 10 MPH and wouldn't let me accelerate. I pulled over and I could feel the engine sputtering. I turned off the engine and waited a minute, turned the engine back on and everything was fine. Happened the next day as well , now when I drive whether its a cold start or after 30 minutes of driving the vehicle goes into limp mode. I took it to te dealer and $350 dollars later ihad the problem fixed, turned out to be a throttle position sensor. I have done research on this problem and I am not the only one this has happened to. This is a serious issue that I feel needs to be addressed by Hyundai immediately before someone gets injured or killed. …
For the last three years I have had issues with my fuel gauge not working. I have taken it in and was told it would cost a good amount of money to fix. I asked if this is a common problem with massey Hyundai and they told me yes this is a current issue, and could not be recalled because it was not dangerous. So on 3.9.17 as a result of not fixing this issue with my vehicle because of the price. My car has stalled out once while on the interstate and almost lost control of my car and crashed. And a second time while turning into work road and stalling out again mid turn and almost turning into a ditch. I was told that the fuel sensor needed to be replaced and they had to do both because they weren't sure which one it is. …
3/18 driving down a road hit a large pothole ESC off and ABS lights pop on the dash press the ESC button which did nothing.I stop in a parking lot turn the car off and then back on the lights came back on as I pulled away the lights turned off. 3/19 I was driving at about 25-30 and all of a sudden the ESC off and ABS lights came one once again I park at the grocery store to shop. Leaving the grocery store I turn on the vehicle on the dash the same lights are light up as I pull away they turn off NHTSA campaign number: 09V122000 is a recall in place for this issue on my make and model vehicle but it starts for the Santa fes that were manufactured from April of 2007 and further. My Santa Fe was manufactured in mid March of 2007 please look into adding my vehicle to NHTSA campaign number: 09V122000.
The electroin stability control (ESC) function on my 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe has begun failing since April 2018. The warning light will randomly come on better than halfo of the time we operate the vehicle. There is a push-button switch that allows manual control of this feature that now does nothing. This failure shows to be part of a voluntary recall of 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles - see nhsta campaign id number: 13v1130000 (Hyundai # 110). Checking with Hyundai, they indicate my vehile VIN is not part of the recall though the description of the failure matches what is happening to the vehicle. The failure can occur at start up, shortly after beginning driving, while driving, or not at all.
Bought the car used, 2007 Santa Fe with 71K miles on it. 2 months after I got the vehicle, the ESC off light started intermittently coming on. Then one day it stayed on and that same day the check engine light came on. I noticed the next day that my brake lights would not come on when pressing the brake and that my cruise control would not engage at all. The ESC off light will not be on when I first get in the car, but the minute I hit the brakes, it comes on and stays on. Ever since the first day the check engine light came on, it has stayed on since. I believe this May be part of an earlier recall, but my specific vehicle did not fall under that recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power and became difficult to steer. Also, the electronic stability control indicator illuminated intermittently on multiple occasions. The contact took the vehicle to fiesta Hyundai (1955 st michaels dr, Santa Fe, nm 87507, [phone]) where the throttle body, throttle body position sensor, and spark plugs were all replaced prior to the recent failure; however, the indicator continued to illuminate. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 145,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 75 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH and drove slowly. The vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Also, the electronic stability control warning indicator illuminated. The contact called napleton Hyundai (3703 north lake blvd, lake park, fl 33403, [phone]), but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 76,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. When starting the vehicle, the ESC indicator illuminated and the vehicle would not accelerate over 10 MPH. The contact would have to turn the vehicle on and off several times in order to deactivate the ESC. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The failure recurred. The failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 13V113000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
I was driving down a major highway when my ESC off light and check engine light came on. My car slowed down to 20 MPH and would not allow me to speed up at all almost causing me to be smashed into several times!! I shut my car off and re started it and I was able to get off the highway to someplace safe. I am having my mechanic look at it now but after looking on forums, I see it is probably the tps and I see that many other people have had this happen! Why is this not recalled?!?! This is beyond a safety issue!
Brake lights remain on, stability control is turned off and cruise control doesn't work. This is a safety hazard to vehicles following, a lack of vehicle stability control, an inability to maintain a constant speed on the freeway. There has been a historic recall on this issue - but not for this specific VIN. This vehicle obviously is using the same defective part. Battery runs down and vehicle won't start unless battery is disconnected (due to brake lights remaining on)
NHTSA investigations
Stop lamp switch failure
By letter dated April 15, 2009, Hyundai notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 09V122) to replace the stop lamp switches on many of its model year 2005-2008 vehicles.see recall 09V122 for a complete list. The agency opened its investigation based on five complaints of stop lamp failure across several 2007 Hyundai models.
Traction Control complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe, 10% of the model year's 684 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe, though it has 7 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 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
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.