Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2009 Hyundai Santa Fe: common problems and reliability
An average Santa Fe year.
358 owner complaints, most about fuel/propulsion system. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2009 Santa Fe?The 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe has 358 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are fuel/propulsion system and engine. Owners most often flag random engine shut-off while driving (older models, e.g., 2009, 2014): engine and electrical systems cutting out completely at highway speeds, with no diagnostic codes stored.
Safety record for the 2009 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Santa Fe years only. How we score it
Is 2009 a good year for the Santa Fe?
Across the 26 Santa Fe model years we track, complaint volume runs from 106 (2006) to 1,316 (2017). With 358 complaints, the 2009 Santa Fe sits above the model's median of 287.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2009 Santa Fe
equipment
Campaign 11E040000CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 55538, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO THE CONVERTER MODULE AND DEFEAT THE MODULE'S INTERNAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION.
air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Campaign 12V354000Hyundai 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.
exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Campaign 13V113000Hyundai 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by model year and engine type, creating a high-risk, high-reward ownership profile.
- IsolatedRandom Engine Shut-Off While Driving (Older models, e.g., 2009, 2014)
Engine and electrical systems cutting out completely at highway speeds, with no diagnostic codes stored.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Santa Fe. See the full Santa Fe owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Santa Fe listings typically run $18,687–$28,522.
Other Santa Fe model years
Compare every Santa Fe year side by side to see how 2009 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Santa Fe against its rivals
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