2008 Hyundai Santa Fe acceleration problems

Filed Jul 28, 2025 · Acceleration, Brakes · MO

Seem like it burns oil quick

Filed Jan 24, 2025 · Acceleration, Lights · 195,000 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed with the cruise control activated, the contact stated that after depressing the brake pedal the cruise control briefly failed to disengage. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The Electronic Power Control (EPC) and power train warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the stop lamp switch. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V113000 (Exterior Lighting); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 195,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · OH

Reference Number: 11520065 This is a follow up to a previously submitted incident involving this same vehicle. My first submission was May, 2023, This vehicle experienced the exact same hazardous condition on February 26, 2024. on I-75 south. After driving on an interstate highway for about 1 hour, I noticed a traffic backup and proceeded to slow down as the traffic was nearly stopped. As I slowed my car down to nearly a complete stop, the engine suddenly surged forward with high rpm's as though the accelerator was pushed to the floor. I immediately pressed on the brake pedal as hard as I could to stop the car from surging forward and then quickly decided to put the transmission into neutral so I would not hit the car in front of me. The car eventually stopped surging and may have stalled. I finally got the car to move again by turning off the ignition and restarting it. I continued on my way and did not have a similar situation for the rest of my 30 minute highway trip. Like all the times before, the floor mat was NOT involved in this sudden acceleration. Last year when I took this car to a Hyundai dealer for inspection, they could not replicate this condition. They said that I needed a new fuel level sensor in my gas tank and a new fuel pump--neither of which I agreed to because first, the gas gauge has no relation to my surging and second, the fuel pump must be working or else I could not drive the car. This surging has occurred perhaps 7 times since I have owned this car since 2008. It is frightening to know that it could happen again with personal injuries or property damage. This condition rarely happens in city driving, but has happened at least 3 times in city driving. Seems like this situation would warrant a manufacturer recall.

Filed May 2, 2023 · Acceleration · 73,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The contact stated that he shifted into neutral(N) to stop the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that two unknown sensors and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.

Filed May 9, 2021 · Acceleration · 150,000 miles · TN

I was driving on the expressway when my vehicle picked up 65 MPH. I was pushing on my brakes which didn't do anything, as I was approaching my exit I had my foot holding the brakes all the way which then slowed the car down enough. I got off the exit and was met with a red light and my car accelerated without warning almost causing me to slam into the back of another vehicle. I threw my car in park and it started smoking so I turned the vehicle completely off. Frightening situation as I had my infant twins. May 7 2021

Filed Feb 7, 2020 · Acceleration · 140,000 miles · NM · crash · 1 injury

I was pulling into a parking space with my foot on the break pedal when the car inexplicably accelerated and would not stop. Luckily there was a fence to hold me until I was able to turn the car off to stop the acceleration. The engine revved and took off even when foot was applied to break with force. I see many other cases of this and yet still no recall. Hyundai takes zero accountability for this problem. This needs to be addressed. My situation was a lucky one and still terrifying. People could reallly get hurt.

Filed May 1, 2019 · Acceleration · 212,000 miles · VA

While driving acceleration stops. Have to try to coast to side of road, turn off vehicle and restart. Then its fine until the next time. Has happened 5 times in 4 days. No recall but many others experiencing same problem. On a side street, at an intersection, while driving 45,on a busy hwy, at a stop sign. Once turning at a light.

Filed Nov 11, 2018 · Acceleration, Brakes · 134,504 miles · IL

This morning (11/11/18) I was traveling with my wife and kids on highway I-290 eastbound approx. 60 MPH, when our car has started accelerating without me pressing down gas pedal. I hit the brakes, however car was still accelerating and the only way to slow it down was to put it on neutral (I was already speeding over 80mph). When I did it, RPM were at 7000 per min. And didn't go down a bit. I pulled over and turn the engine off. When started back , engine was working at normal level RPM's and reacted to gas pedal movement. I've decided to continue drive to our destination. After few minutes of drive, it happens again! This accelerations were unintended by me and put my family at risk. It's very dangerous and can cause accident and even death. My wife is driving this car daily and she wouldn't know how to handle it if it would happened to her. This should be investigated.

Filed Jun 27, 2018 · Acceleration · 165,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai santa fe. While driving 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck underneath the carpet, which caused the vehicle to speed uncontrollably. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact slowed down the vehicle down by using her left foot to depress the brake pedal and her right foot to move the carpet from under the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000.

Filed Dec 28, 2017 · Acceleration · NY

When attempting to accelerate to merge onto highway, the car is unresponsive to the accelerator pedal causing long delay and inability to merge properly. It is a throttle sensor failure that occurs randomly and frequently. Causes a driving hazard and I have narrowly escaped collision due to accelerator failure. Ongoing problem since purchase in 2008.