The Lemon Index2009 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe is about average by owner complaints: 59 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 92, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 19 to 20 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Santa Fe year is 2016.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 358 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 37K to 98K miles on the car (278 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 70K–104K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 61K–117K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 17K–65K miles
Recalls 3
- lights 2013
Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe…
- airbags 2012
The occupant classification system (OCS) may need recalibration to accurately detect small statured adults.
- equipment 2011
CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 55538, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDA…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 65 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- On certain vehicles, front valve cover gasket and alternator needs inspection and if…
- Engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder banks valve
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Unexplained acceleration between 30 and 35 mph. There was no floor mat interference and could not duplicate the error today. This was the first occurrence.
2009 Hyundai Santa Fe owner · NHTSA complaint 10304948
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 92; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Santa Fe year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (36%), electrical (14%) and airbags (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
3 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 37,400 and 98,300 miles. The middle report was at 77,000 miles, from 278 complaints.
Does the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
2.7L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Santa Fe year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works