The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received a notice for TSB: [XXX] and the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the campaign was completed. The contact stated that while an oil change was being performed, she was informed that the valve cover gasket was leaking. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The fuel senders and O rings, the spark plugs, and the valve cover gasket were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The dealer replaced the oil sending unit; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the valve cover gasket, the valve cover gasket kit and the spark plugs were replaced. The contact stated that the dealer later replaced the oil pan due to oil leaking. Additionally, the contact stated while attempting to make a left turn from a complete stop, the vehicle chugged and started losing electrical power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the alternator internally shorted, the vehicle was stuck in drive(D), and the key was stuck in the ignition switch. The battery warning light was illuminated. The dealer performed an unknown repair. The contact stated that she then received a notice for [XXX] and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the right bank valve cover gasket was fractured, distorted, and was leaking onto the alternator. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the left valve cover gasket was leaking; however, the part was not covered. The dealer only replaced the right bank valve cover gasket. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 74,936. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). The contact stated there seems to be a defect in the valve covers.
2009 Hyundai Santa Fe: check engine light
75 of the 359 complaints about the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe describe check engine light.
- owner complaints
- 75
- of this car's complaints
- 21%
- typical repair cost reported
- $700
- typical mileage
- 90,000
- recalls
- 0
Check engine light by model year
What owners say
I am having a serious issue with my car that mechanics are unable to figure out. On multiple occasions, while driving at low speed in preparation for making a turn, my car has completely shut off, making it impossible for me to steer, brake or accelerate. I lost all control of my vehicle. I noticed the ‘check engine’ and ‘battery’ lights illuminated each time, but this information, along with incident descriptions, has proven less than helpful when I’ve taken it into a shop for inspection/repair as mechanics have been unable to reproduce the event or to accurately identify the problem. This has happened on the road (at intersections and once at a traffic circle) and on two occasions while I had a passenger in the vehicle with me. I currently have my vehicle back in an auto shop because it happened most recently about a week ago. However, since the problem has yet to be successfully identified and since I feel as though this is a serious safety issue that could impact others with the same type of vehicle, I am filing this official complaint.
The vehicle's check engine light came on and the fuel gauge shows "E". I did an OBD scan and it shows the fuel sending unit has issues. The gauge will work intermittently and the check engine light will go away. Further reviews from others show the same issues with their vehicle with each needing a bad sending unit replaced.
I was decelarating after going highway speed on the highway and the car stalled electrical still worked but braking power steering acceleation all stopped working and engine lights turned on and esc and other lights i retarted the car and no engine lights turned on i went to my mechanic he said it dosnt show on diagnostics so he cant fix it this is just one incident its happend numerous times and it almost caused accident its dangerous and must be dealt with right away
Check engine light on for failed fuel level sensor. Gas gauge is erratic. When I start the car the gauge falls to empty. Never know exactly how much gas I have. Very costly to repair.
Fuel gauge became erratic and triggered check engine light to come on also it will fluctuate a little bit when it hits the 1/4 mark and the low fuel light will come on. It will go from 1/4 to empty can not tell how much fuel is in the tank. When I fill the tank it registers empty and the and the low fuel light indicator comes on. Starting the car again on the same day or the next day, the gage comes up again to the full or half way mark and the light goes out. The car stalls while in city traffic causing a dangerous situation another car could crash into me.
Gas gauge highly inaccurate. Fuel warning light goes on and check engine light also appears. Have to pull over as afraid to drive. Finally go to nearest gas station only to find out that gas tank was still half full. This has happened a number of times. Vehicle has only 60,000 miles.
Fuel guage does not work properly. Fluctuates greatly causing potential safety issue if one were to run out of gas on the highway. Check engine light on after filling gas tank.
I purchased this car used in 2011. Over the years, at random times, the radio will "pop" off and back on again. It doesn't seem to affect the rest of the electrical system in the car, but it's a little scary when it happens - mechanic can't replicate. Now, twice in the last week, my car has stalled while slowing down, once on a multi-lane street and once after decelerating coming off the expressway (complete loss of power, steering, brakes, etc). I put the car in neutral and it started right back up, but this has happened in heavy traffic and scared the cr*p out of me! I'm terrified that this might happen at a higher speed on the expressway. I have seen several mentions of similar power losses for this same vehicle. I have no check engine lights and no codes come up when scanned. No recalls reported either, although a power loss at the wrong time could kill someone. Not sure if this is electrical, engine or fuel system related - I had over a half a tank of gas in the car during both occurrences.
Vehicle stalls while slowing down. When this happens, headlights and power steering and braking are lost, and the check engine light and battery light come on. Imagine driving down a dark windy road at night and losing power steering and braking and not being able to see the road. This is accurate to the experience. If I turn car off and back on, it starts just fine. It happens everywhere, on the freeway, while parking, etc. Every person I have talked to with same vehicle confirms the same. I have yet to find anyone with a fix. There is a recall out for 2010 and on for a similar issue. This issue started happening in 2015 when I purchased the car, and it has continued to happen for years.
For the last year, my fuel gauge has been malfunctioning. At first, it only happened every once in a while, but once I got to about 8 months, the gauge has constantly told me the wrong fuel level. I have asked a mechanic about it and it is the fuel level sensors located in the gas tank that are malfunctioning. Apparently, this is a problem with many of the santa fe's that were built around that time. I have a low mileage vehicle. It was bought in 2016 with 22,000 miles. The gas gauge problem started around 40,000 miles and only happened a few times. The constant check engine light illumination and constant malfunction of the gas gauge started at 50,000 miles and I am now at 60,000 miles. The problem happens when the car is stationary and while I am driving it. I have to keep a full tank at all times just do I don't run out if gas.
Fuel gauge went up and down. Ran out of gas going 70mph on turnpike it was harrowing. Gauge says full and then empty right away. Fuel sensors need replaced, check engine light is now showing. I notice many others with the same problem. Mine couldve caused a bad accident. Outrageously expensive and cost prohibitive to fix what I think is a safety issue. 70,000 miles is not a lot for this to have happened.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- Engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bank’s valve cover onto the alternator
- This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
- Follow the guidelines outlined in
- This bulletin provides the service procedure for engine connecting rod bearing clearance testing
- This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.
- These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe check engine light
Is check engine light a common problem on the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe?
75 of 359 owner complaints about the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe (21%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $700 (median of 14 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe?
There are 0 recalls and 19 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
Fuel gauge 88Stalling 41Airbag light 17Sudden acceleration 17Loss of power 16Fuel pump 12Power steering loss 12Adaptive cruise 9Grinding brakes 9No deployment 7Headlights 7Fire or smoke 6Won't start 6ABS 5Overheating 5
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