YearToAvoid

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Problems

NHTSA has 116 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe, 32% of all 358 complaints for this model year. That is #8 highest engine complaint count among 21 Santa Fe model years. These complaints report 14 crashes, 2 fires, and 10 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 65,000 miles.

Engine complaints
116
32% of 358
Crashes reported
14
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
10
Median mileage
65,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe engine complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 15, 2009, latest May 20, 2026.

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter72009 Q32011 Q22013 Q32015 Q32018 Q12020 Q32024 Q12026 Q2
116 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2009 Q3 to 2026 Q2; peak 2017 Q2 (7).

Engine recalls for the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Santa Fe model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200559 (27%)
  2. 200626 (25%)
  3. 2007122 (18%)
  4. 2008115 (21%)
  5. 2009116 (32%)
  6. 201063 (24%)
  7. 201187 (48%)
  8. 2012264 (75%)
  9. 2013293 (48%)
  10. 2014289 (59%)
  11. 2015163 (64%)
  12. 2016157 (67%)
  13. 2017701 (73%)
  14. 201859 (54%)
  15. 201980 (40%)
  16. 202088 (41%)
  17. 202142 (25%)
  18. 202264 (32%)
  19. 202348 (23%)
  20. 202420 (13%)
  21. 202520 (15%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe have engine problems?
NHTSA has 116 owner complaints about the engine in the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe, 32% of all complaints for this model year, including 14 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 65,000 miles.
Which Hyundai Santa Fe year has the most engine complaints?
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe has the most engine complaints (701), compared with 116 for the 2009.
Is there a engine recall for the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.