2008 Hyundai Santa Fe: sudden unintended acceleration

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 Mar 2, 2017 · Acceleration, Engine · 75,000 miles · MT · crash

While at a stop in a construction zone, my foot was on the brake, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated into the vehicle in front of me. Although my foot was planted hard on the brake, the engine continued racing, and it felt like my car was going to push his car down the street! I shifted into park and turned the car off. Luckily there was only $4,000 worth of damage to my car, and no one was hurt. I refused to drive it, and had it towed to the dealer. They said the computer showed no malfunction, and it had to be driver error. Three months later, it did it again to a lesser degree, in an open area. I turned the car off again, and it was fine until yesterday. It has been 4 months since that last incident, but this one even was worse than the first. Only thing is, now I know to put all my weight on the brake, shift to neutral and turn the car off as fast as I can. This one frightened me so badly, I will not drive it again. It is going to sit at the dealer until they find out what to do. I cannot in good conscience drive it, sell it or even trade it in until I know it is safe! Every time it happened, the car was on a city street, stationary, and heading straight. The engine revs up so loud, it sounds like an airplane! Yesterday I could tell the people in the car stopped next to me heard it and looked at me! I have owned this santa fe since it was brand new, and people tell me it looks like a new car. I keep up with the recommended maintenance and always take it to the dealer for service. Until last july, it has been an excellent car. The accident I had with it was the only accident I have had in 50 years of driving! Please give me some ideas on what to tell the dealer to replace, repair or disconnect. Thanks for your help!

Filed Nov 1, 2015 · Engine · 83,300 miles · MO

While accelerating to get on the highway the vehicle rapidly accelerated without pressing the gas pedal. When this occurred the pedal started going to the floor. Prying up on the pedal with your foot did not have an affect. This has happened twice and the dealer has looked at it twice and has advised that they could not find a problem.

Filed Apr 16, 2014 · Acceleration · 94,049 miles · MD · crash

I was moving my car in front of my carport. With my foot on the brake, the car suddenly accelerated. The brakes had no effect, there was only a few seconds to react. The car was stopped by the poll. Is it safe to drive it again?

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 70,000 miles · AK

Throttle accelerated by itself and was stuck wide open. Could not get the throttle to disengage. I tried tapping the gas pedal several times and this did nothing. Managed to hold both feet on brake and downshift into low. I got vehicle onto shoulder and put it in neutral and the engine continued to run full throttle. I shoved it into park and turned the key off. The engine did not disengage until the key was turned off. Very bad for transmission to shove it into park but I had no other options. Very scary. I have been told that there is no recall. I called hyundai and filed a report but they have not called me back yet with repair options.

Filed Mar 31, 2014 · Acceleration, Body · 52,000 miles · CO · crash

Was second vehicle at stop light with foot on brake. Vehicle suddenly lunged forward overriding brake, and hit back of vehicle in front causing damage and possible injury to other driver. Had pedestrians been in front, could easily have run over them. Months prior, twice on same day engine power died while driving. Hyundai replaced throttle position sensor.

Filed Aug 5, 2013 · Acceleration · 45,000 miles · NC · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai sante fe. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without manual force causing the front driver side to crash into a tree. The contact sustained a broken neck, stomach and chest bruising, as well as lacerations. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Apr 18, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 95,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the engine rpms increased excessively as the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The contact stated that the brakes failed to respond and the vehicle was placed in neutral in order to stop the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure was unable to be replicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 95,000.

Filed Dec 11, 2011 · Acceleration, Brakes · 24,000 miles · FL · crash

I was backing up and as I turned the wheel the car engaged in a sudden acceleration as the motor started to rev. I applied the brakes, but the car would not stop until it plowed through a brick wall at my school.

Filed Sep 29, 2011 · Acceleration · 65,342 miles · PA

Was driving on a 2 lane road approximatly 20 MPH following a backhoe. As backhoe moved to berm and I was considering passing, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. I removed my foot from the gas pedal but the vehicle continued to accelerate. I placed all of my weight on the brakes and was eventually able to bring the vehicle to a halt and forcible put in park. As I turned off the ignition, the engine was revving at a very fast rate. I checked the floor mat and gas pedal and there was no problems noted. I do not believe the floor mat was a factor in this. I believe there is a problem with this vehicle that needs investigated. The vehicle is with the dealer now.