Model year guide

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 146 on record.

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints357
Combined20 mpg
Typical price$9,018

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls 3

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #11E040000 · 06/10/2011

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 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO THE CONVERTER MODULE AND DEFEAT THE MODULE'S INTERNAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION.

Fix: CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MANUFACTURING AT 1-715 831-8713.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive NHTSA Campaign #12V354000 · 25/07/2012

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from April 19, 2006, through July 7, 2008. The occupant classification system (OCS) may need recalibration to accurately detect small statured adults.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the classification software free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #13V113000 · 01/04/2013

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2…

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 357 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe 4-DR w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe MPG & running costs

Combined20 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,175

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe worth?

Low
$6,000
Typical price
$9,018
High
$12,600

From 142 comparable 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,875
Depreciation (5 yrs)$6,750
Total$22,625
Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($9,018) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,274), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe trims & engines on record

Trims
GLS · Limited · SE · CMA
Engines
2.7L · 3.3L

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles on record

Other Hyundai Santa Fe model years

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe — frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Based on 357 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, electrical system, steering.

What is the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe at about 20 mpg combined (17 city / 24 highway).

How much is a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe worth?

Comparable 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe listings run roughly $6,000–$12,600, typically around $9,018 (from 142 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.