Traction Control complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 1% | 8,000 miles |
| 2017 | 10 | 1% | 3,000 miles |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% | 82,000 miles |
| 2014 | 11 | 2% | 38,000 miles |
| 2013 | 10 | 2% | 70,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% | 128,000 miles |
| 2011 | 7 | 4% | 64,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% | 43,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 2% | 83,000 miles |
| 2008 | 16 | 3% | 120,000 miles |
| 2007 | 68 | 10% | 84,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% | 11,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% | 38,000 miles |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% | 142,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% | 150,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% | 90,000 miles |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% | 120,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
At highway speed the computer has attempted to pull the car out of the lane into the adjoining lane as if in attempt to avoid something. This is happened at highway speed's about six times. Vehicle also at one time applied the emergency brake as the vehicle is approaching an intersection as an emergency stop. The car would not move for several seconds. When I brought the vehicle into the Hyundai dealership the representative immediately suggested that there was a rodent problem. This was confirmed not to be the case.as there did not appear to be any other computer messaging the technician suggested that maybe it was the california fastrack responder unit. They suggested it be relocated which I did. The problem lies that you're not sure that this is what caused the problem and the suggestion 'to drive it to see if it repeated' as it does not sound prudent from a safety perspective. …
Several occasions the safety features of this 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe deactivates. 3+ occasions the vehicles frontal collision avoidance, lane keep assist blind spot detection automatic high beam lights as well as cross traffic alert suddenly will cut off. Have taken vehicle back to dealership where purchased to be told no codes are being stored. Contacted Hyundai USA several times to get a run around or the response if its not recording there is nothing wrong with the car. I have owned a 4 Hyundai Santa Fe's and never had the issues I am having like I am with this one.I do not take my grandkids in this vehicle as im worried that if these safety features fail to work I dont want to chance their lives in a vehicle that could possibly experience more severe issues or worse. Dealing with Hyundai has become a disappointment as the 2004 Santa Fe I own is by far more dependable than this one .
When making a right, left, or u turn the power completely cuts out and the car is left drifting without power. Their is no response to pushing on the gas peddle when this happens. At the same time on the dash the orange traction control light comes on. This last for a number of seconds and then the engine starts to once again respond to the gas peddle. This problem has happened to me and my wife12 times since we purchased the car 3-1/2 months ago. The problem has occurred in all weather conditions from a standing start and a rolling yield or u turn. The problem has always occurred on a paved public, city/county, street I have had the car to two different dealers, one several times, and both tell me that their are "no codes showing" so that their is nothing that they can do. …
I filed this report on 2/21/17 and after a few weeks it disappeared (complaint # 10956079). This is an updated version of that complaint. When making a right or left turn from a stop into traffic and the SUV hits a small patch of snow, pothole or bump in the street, the stability/ traction control will curtail the vehicle acceleration for a few seconds. This has caused a near miss rearend collision into my vehicle on three occasions. There is a button to shut the traction (acceleration) control feature off but it must be pushed each time you start the vehicle. My opinion is that the stability/traction control sensor is far too sensitive and / or the computer software needs to be revised. Hyundai motor USA and my local dealer have stated that the stability/traction control is operating as designed.
Driving and power steering went out, dash panel lights went haywire. I could barely turn the steering wheel to get the car off of the road. I am not at all sure my wife could have turned the wheel. Attempted to jump-start the car - not work. First time driving at 35 MPH in a subdivision in al. Pulled over, would not start, towed to dealer who recharged battery and entire electrical system checked ' said it was 'fixed'. Tried to jump-start the car and this did not work. Few weeks later exact same thing happened in ky. I was doing 63 MPH on highway with 50 cubic yard coal trucks coming by. If happened to my wife I am very concerned as to a rather bad accident. Auto transmission locked up and could not get it out of gear. Tow people 'jimmied' the shift to load on the tow truck. …
Exactly 2,000 miles after my 60,000 mile warranty expired, my car experienced a failure of the air bag control module which also impacted steering, yaw/stability and other vehicle safety features. The warning lights came on while I was starting the vehicle but I encountered no issues when driving it 25 minutes to a dealership to have it checked out (fortunately). It took from 2 pm April 4 to 4 pm April 6 to get the necessary repairs done (the part had to be special ordered). It was not covered by either the expired 60,000 mile warranty or the extra ($1,500) 100,000 mile warranty (I was told that that warranty did not cover safety issues).
Using the car in eco when entering the interstate I'm speeding up my car goes higher in rpms and is not shifting to correct the change and I'll have to flip it into manual and shift into a higher gear. This has happened at least 3 times and does not happen every time but the first time almost got me hit by a car because I couldn't slow down due to timing and also was not speeding up correctly due to the car not auto correcting.
1. Speed sensor- replaced by recall and continue to fail. 2. Rear glass in hatchback, just broke origination from wiper hole in glass while the car was occupied sitting not moving a a parking lot. 3. Steering rattles because a shock damper wears out prematurely. 4. Seats- electric control button contacts tarnish with use and quit working.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Santa Fe years have traction control problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (68), 2008 (16), 2014 (11), 2013 (10) and 2017 (10) model years. Traction Control complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Santa Fe traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for any Hyundai Santa Fe model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Hyundai Santa Fe traction control problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic (asc) (1 mentions).
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.