Hyundai Santa FE Fuel/propulsion System Problems
Owners have filed 756 complaints with NHTSA about fuel/propulsion system problems on the Hyundai Santa FE across 26 model years. The 2008 model year has the most (215). The words owners use most often: “fuel gauge” (27% of reports).
- 756fuel/propulsion system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 13mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- $970typical repair cost reported by owners
- 38%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Fuel gauge: mentioned in 205 of 756 complaints (27%)
- Gas tank: mentioned in 98 of 756 complaints (13%)
- Level sensor: mentioned in 39 of 756 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical fuel/propulsion system repair on the Hyundai Santa FE at $970, and half of them between $760 and $1,100.
Based on 71 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do fuel/propulsion system problems happen?
Based on 526 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 756 complaints, 13 mention a crash, 16 a fire, 4 an injury.
Hyundai Santa FE fuel/propulsion system complaints by model year
| Model year | Fuel/propulsion System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Santa FE | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2025 Santa FE | 5 | 4% | — |
| 2024 Santa FE | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2023 Santa FE | 11 | 5% | — |
| 2022 Santa FE | 28 | 14% | — |
| 2021 Santa FE | 9 | 5% | — |
| 2020 Santa FE | 14 | 6% | 1,000 |
| 2019 Santa FE | 12 | 6% | 1,534 |
| 2018 Santa FE | 5 | 5% | 27,000 |
| 2017 Santa FE | 60 | 6% | 10,000 |
| 2016 Santa FE | 8 | 3% | 43,200 |
| 2015 Santa FE | 13 | 5% | 51,474 |
| 2014 Santa FE | 27 | 5% | 39,500 |
| 2013 Santa FE | 32 | 5% | 59,600 |
| 2012 Santa FE | 8 | 2% | 56,500 |
| 2011 Santa FE | 5 | 3% | 64,000 |
| 2010 Santa FE | 10 | 4% | 78,000 |
| 2009 Santa FE | 109 | 30% | 88,000 |
| 2008 Santa FE | 215 | 40% | 80,100 |
| 2007 Santa FE | 121 | 18% | 90,000 |
| 2006 Santa FE | 3 | 3% | 11,137 |
| 2005 Santa FE | 14 | 6% | 102,000 |
| 2004 Santa FE | 25 | 8% | 124,337 |
| 2003 Santa FE | 6 | 2% | 140,000 |
| 2002 Santa FE | 4 | 2% | 143,595 |
| 2001 Santa FE | 8 | 4% | 119,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists fuel/propulsion system for the Hyundai Santa FE. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THIS MODEL ⦠I HAVE A CLAIM INTO HYUNDAI TO ALLOW MY VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED UNDER THE SAME RECALL. This is a very dangerously problem and wish it to be investigated for the 2.0 Turbo as well. X Hyundai issued two main fuel-related recalls for the 2021 Santa…
I do not know what caused this. Here is what happened. While parking the car suddenly accelerated, over the curb, on the sidewalk narrowly missing the building because I turned hard right to avoid the building and I was able to brake to a stop glancing off a concrete pillar. We could have been hurt…
The vehicle experienced a sudden, intermittent engine stall while driving, specifically when slowing down or coasting to a stop in live traffic. When the engine dies, the vehicle immediately loses engine power, power steering, and power braking assist, creating an extreme safety hazard. After…
Hyundai performed recall #9C2, on 7/2/26. Since that time, the engine has a full time miss. When it is cold, it will hesitate, kick and buck. Hyundai is aware of this. Their solution is to warm the car for 3 to 5 minuets before moving. What happens if there is an emergency and you can't wait?…
My vehicle had a very strong gas smell inside and outside of the car. I found a gas puddle under the car coming from the back of the vehicle. Car was hesitating when I stepped on the gas. I was afraid it may stall. I drove the vehicle to my regular service station. Vehicle has an active fuel leak…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Hyundai Santa FEs have fuel/propulsion system problems?
No. NHTSA has 756 owner complaints about fuel/propulsion system for the Hyundai Santa FE. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Hyundai Santa FE fuel/propulsion system?
No recall currently lists fuel/propulsion system for this vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix fuel/propulsion system problems on the Hyundai Santa FE?
Owners report a typical cost of $970 (half paid between $760 and $1,100), from 71 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about fuel/propulsion system problems on the Hyundai Santa FE?
The most frequent phrase is “fuel gauge”, in 205 of 756 complaints, followed by “gas tank” (98).
Other Hyundai Santa FE problems
- Engine problems (2,428)
- Power Train problems (933)
- Electrical System problems (851)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (588)
- Air Bags problems (506)
- Service Brakes problems (439)
- Suspension problems (436)
- Steering problems (408)
See all Hyundai Santa FE problems.