Problems · NHTSA complaints

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Owners filed 684 complaints about the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe with NHTSA between Oct 2006 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is fuel/propulsion system (121).

Complaints
684
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
30
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
32
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Fuel/propulsion system121
  2. Air bags102
  3. Electrical system97
  4. Electronic stability control (esc)68
  5. Vehicle speed control58
  6. Engine54
  7. Service brakes44
  8. Visibility44
  9. Exterior lighting43
  10. Service brakes, hydraulic40
  11. Steering38
  12. Visibility/wiper35
  13. Fuel system, gasoline33
  14. Power train31

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20064
200718
200838
200926
201048
201155
201267
201375
201483
201576
201651
201737
201826
201925
202014
20219
20228
20239
20247
20253
20265

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Fuel/propulsion system

121 reports2 crashes
“Check Engine Light was lighting up on and off sporadically and fuel gage was showing E with light on and now both are not working properly. The check engine light stays on and fuel gage always shows empty even when it is full.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 31, 2023Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11504801

Air bags

102 reports10 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“The Dealer at Selma Hyundai (2505 Highland Ave. Selma, Ca. 93662) was unable to complete the the recall. Dealer stated “unable to complete PODS update attempted multiple times. Current Scan tool does not support hook-up to cables and option is to update no present. Air bag light due to PODS (passenger occupant ECU) fault with loss of calibration. Scan tool will not communicate with passenger seat module.” “No repair at this time.””
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2023Air bagsODI 11541056

Electrical system

97 reports1 crash5 fires
“I am writing to formally report an incident involving the service department at Lakeland Hyundai (1500 W Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33815). My 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe was brought in on 12/31/25 for an active engine recall involving the Cylinder Head Cover Oil Leak Repair (Recall Code 976 / Campaign 24-01-026H). The vehicle was driven into the dealership in proper working condition. I was later informed that allegedly stripped bolts for the cover would require an out-of-pocket cost of $483.36, despite this being a recall repair. There was also a required Upper Timing Chain Guide repair quoted at $58.38 to complete the recall work. When I was called in on 01/12/26 to pick up the vehicle for completed work, I was charged $29.99 for a Multi-Point Inspection related to the recall, yet no documentation or billing was provided for the timing chain guide repair I was told was completed. Upon attempting to leave the lot, the check engine light was on and the vehicle immediately began shaking violently and producing a loud noise. The service representative could not identify the cause and later advised there was nothing further they could do, citing a P0300 code, and…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 15, 2026Suspension, Electrical system, EngineODI 11711184

Electronic stability control (esc)

68 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. ALSO, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIESTA HYUNDAI (1955 ST MICHAELS DR, SANTA FE, NM 87507, (505) 428-7100) WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY, THROTTLE BODY POSITION SENSOR, AND SPARK PLUGS WERE ALL REPLACED PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2019Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11289510

Vehicle speed control

58 reports9 crashes
“The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds with the cruise control activated, the cruise control failed to disengage when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact pulled over, placed the vehicle in neutral, and restarted the vehicle for the cruise control to disengage. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed, but the brake lights failed to illuminate. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V122000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was 82,500. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2024Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11614166

Engine

54 reports1 crash2 fires
“Engine valve cover gaskets leaking oil, causing oil drip on pavement. Could cause fire and alternator failure. My mechanic pin-pointed the leak location. The google search indicated that other Hundai vehicle owners also had this problem. Mechanic estimated cost to repair the problem was quoted at $700.00 dollars. Thx, [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 17, 2026EngineODI 11718459
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.