Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
(Service brakes, hydraulic, exterior lighting, Recall started in 4-1-2013, Recall #13V113000. Car was brought to authorized dealer on the same occasion as mentioned below and told the vehicle did not need that repair performed.) (Air bags : Frontal Sensor/Control module, Recall started 7-24-2012, Recall #12V354000.Car was nbrought to authorized retailer and told Hyundai no longer makes the part in order to resolve this issue.) There are 5-6 different lights, all of which are mentioned for the recalls as stated above and seems to be a solvable issue. I just don't want to learn one day that my husbands cruise control did not disengage and he collided head on full speed. Hyundai needs to to start producing the part in order to fix the cars or recall them all together for fear of multiple lawsuits. Photo evidence of dash lights and screenshots of recalls can be provided upon request.
vehicle will randomly shutoff. example coming off the interstate and off the exit ramp and accelerating into traffic vehicle with completly die, no power steering or power brakes. after pulling off the road the vehicle will restart and run normally. may not happen again for several weeks. dealer had performed recalls and cannot duplicate issue
My wife was driving the car in a parking lot and initially was unable to get the shifter into drive after being in reverse. She finally got it into gear and drove home and I attempted to shift it into park after she arrived home but it remained in drive and then neutral and would not go into park. The shift lever froze in the wrong place where d is but the electronic dashboard showed it was in neutral and I was unable to get it into park, and using the release lever for the shifter didn't work either. I was forced to leave the vehicle in neutral and put on the parking brake. I couldn't remove the key because I couldn't get the vehicle in park. It was on a small incline but the brake held the car in my driveway. As a safety precaution, I put blocks in front of the tire to prevent it from rolling. Fortunately it happened in my driveway and not on a hill trying to park. …
Contact owned 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe sport utility vehicle. At 2 pm on July 7, 2017, driver experienced a sudden, uncommanded acceleration that caused a fatal crash that resulted in the death of the driver and two passengers. Manufacturer was informed about the subject incident. Hyundai is aware of a statistically significant number of unintended accelerations with this generation of vehicles. Other public voqs and private consumer complaints support the contacts allegations that the vehicle had a catastrophic failure with the electronic throttle control system. The 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe was not equipped with available 'Smart pedal' brake throttle override technology. …
"Takata recall" my 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe, at approximately 110 miles, developed a problem, which actually results in a serious/safety problem. The problem is with the fuel system fuel gauge displaying the correct amount of fuel available in the tank. I don't know if the problem is with the fuel pumps, or the fuel sensing units in the gas tanks, or with the wiring between the gas tank and the gas gauge, or with the gas gauge itself. It doesn't matter if the vehicle is stationary or moving nor if the vehicle is slanted at an angle. Quite often the problem results in the "check engine" light coming on. So far I've only run out of gas once, and since I was on the freeway this was a very serious safety issue as I lost both my steering and braking systems. Any more I stop for fuel after about 120 miles or so. …
I made a right turn onto my driveway using light acceleration (12 MPH) to gently overcome the upward slope as I do normally. The car responded well. As I was pulling into my garage (the last 5-7 feet), I applied light pressure the accelerator to ease into my space and the car surged. During the surge, I applied as much force as I could slamming both feet (one on top of the other) on the brake, but the car responded too late. I had collided with the garage wall. There was front-end and dry-wall damage. After reviewing some reviews for my model car on edmunds.com, I realized the uncontrollable surge is a common complaint about this model SUV, which does not seem to be addressed by the company or dealers. Therefore, I have decided to file this complaint in hopes that Hyundai will investigate this situation and figure out a way to remedy these surges and keep their customers safe.
My vehicle was in the stationary position or was supposed to be in park. I had pulled into my driveway, put my car into park and turned the engine off. Upon exiting my vehicle with groceries in hand my vehicle started rolling (thank god I was able to get out of the way) vehicle rolled out of my driveway, across the street and into my neighbor's driveway where it came to a stop. (thank god no one was injured during this) I started my vehicle to get it out of my neighbor's driveway and noticed that even though the shifter was in park,my dash showed that my car was in reverse! Attached is a photo of my dash showing that it is in "reverse" but as you can clearly see my shift lever is in park
Vehicle stalls while slowing down. When this happens, headlights and power steering and braking are lost, and the check engine light and battery light come on. Imagine driving down a dark windy road at night and losing power steering and braking and not being able to see the road. This is accurate to the experience. If I turn car off and back on, it starts just fine. It happens everywhere, on the freeway, while parking, etc. Every person I have talked to with same vehicle confirms the same. I have yet to find anyone with a fix. There is a recall out for 2010 and on for a similar issue. This issue started happening in 2015 when I purchased the car, and it has continued to happen for years.
Vehicle inspection performed by manufacture certified technician. Two issues were recommended by the technician: a) new tires. All 4 tires currently on the vehicle are around 5 years old (based on the dot date of manufacture), and have been driven for over 100,000 miles (based on odometer readings from 2010 and current). B) new rear brake pads and rotors. The inspection revealed rear pads around 3 mm, and rotors showing rust. These are safety issues, which should be addressed before selling the vehicle. Regular maintenance has been performed on this vehicle, but existing records do not specify that recommended fluid/timing belt replacements were performed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 70 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. In addition, the contact mentioned that the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the failure was unable to be duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,880. Updated 02/12/16*l consumer stated manufacturer agreed to pay for parts and to replace the brake switch. Had many sensor failures. Updated 5/21/18
Transmission complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe, 7% of the model year's 358 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe, though it has 2 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 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries and 3 deaths to transmission & drivetrain 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.