The first time I came out to start my car and looked up, there was smoke coming from under the hood and wouldn't start. I had it towed. I was informed it was the starter. The starter was replaced and approximately 6 months later, I noticed a brushing sound when I started the car. Over time it became more often. I returned the car several times to the independent auto shop. They couldn't find out the noise. In the mean time I took to a dealership and they told me it was the starter and to take it back and have it replaced. I returned to the independent dealer and they replaced, it was still under warranty. At the dealership, I was told it wasn't catching. Two weeks later it started the same brushing sound when I started the car. I made an appointment with a dealership to inspect and in the mean time the car while warming up had a burnt smell. I turned the car off and it would not start. Had it towed. The dealership put the car on a diagnostic check and put a new starter in. My car was held for 5 days. They told me oil had leaked from the starter and that was where the smoke came from and the brunt smell. Within a week the car when started had the brushing sound again. I tried to record the sound and after I started 4 times it started to smoke and wouldn't start. Had to have it towed again. It is now at the dealership waiting for a diagnostic.

- Smyrna, , TN, USA

The gas gauge has not been working for over 2 years and the check engine light is on most of the time but will go off intermittently. We track gas usage with the trip odometer (20 miles per gallon X 17 gal tank=340 miles driven) but fill up around 275 miles driven. But this is not a reliable way to track fuel and it was bound to happen-we ran out of gas-unfortunately on the tollway. Now we want to fix it. We have had estimates ranging from $400-$800 to fix the problem but think that this is a defective part that Hyundai has installed in their vehicles. There should be a recall for safety reasons. The car is only 6 years old. We take care of our cars-regular maintenance and parked in a garage. (also had to replace the throttle sensor after 2 years and both HVAC mode door actuators after 4 years. The window washer fluid recently stopped working).

- Crystal Lake, IL, USA

After engine start and while driving any speed the battery light and seatbelt light on the dashboard flashes intermittently. I searched this online and it looks to be an electrical charging issue, namely the alternator is bad. I searched more and found the reason for this is the front valve cover is leaking oil and dripping onto the alternator causing it to malfunction. A recall has been made ( #121) on the 07-12 veracruz for the same issue.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

My vehicle experience a malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with the etc (electronic throttle control) system related dtc P2135 ( forced limited power) or dtc P0638 (power management).

- Highland, IN, USA

While driving on I-95, the charging system warning light came on followed by a loss of engine power and then engine stopped completely. Was able to safely make it to the road side. Dealer diagnosed a defective valve cover gasket allowed oil to leak which dripped on and into the alternator causing it to fail. Second identical failure on vehicle in two years. V-6, automatic, 2wd. Found manufacturer just issued a recall on veracruz model which shares the same platform for identical symptoms and failures.

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA

My Santa Fe limited AWD 2008 was bought at the end of Feb 2009 and now has ~44K mileage. I had two similar incidents with my Santa Fe today (7/6/2014), which led to significant power loss and speed loss of the car on the road. The first time, I was driving on a local road at ~45 mph. Suddenly I felt the car lost the power and began to slow down. I stepped down on the accelerator, but the car could not accelerate (the speed dropped to ~20 mph). I saw 3 system indicator/warning lights on: The ESC off(electronic stability control) and check engine indicators had a steady light and the AWD system warning light was flashing. I pulled off to the side of the road, shut off the car, waited ~1 minute, and then restarted the car. The check engine light stayed on, but the other lights went out. Then I drove the car to continue my grocery shopping (several stops, ~30 miles in total). The 2nd incident occurred on my way home. The same scenario except that I was driving at ~40 mph and going uphill at the time. The sudden power loss caused the car speed quickly dropped to ~10 mph and probably led the car behind mine to make a sudden stop to avoid a crash. Again, I pulled off to the side of the road, shut off the engine, and then restarted the car with the check engine light staying on. After got home safely, I did some search online and found several similar incidents reported on Hyundai Santa Fe SUVS before (see the attached links below). So I decided to report this serious issue. The link of websites with similar incidents reported: 1. www.justanswer.com/Hyundai/47Z2R-Hyundai-santa-fe-limited-hi-Hyundai-santa-fe-AWD-2008.html 2. forums.edmunds.com/discussion/9216/Hyundai/santa-fe/Hyundai-santa-fe-engine-problems/P2 (altosteph post) 3. www.hyundaiforum.com/forum/Hyundai-santa-fe-20/4WD-system-warning-light-blinking-loss-power-12357/

- Midlothian, VA, USA

(2008 Hyundai Santa Fe) the vehicle gas gauge is sticking on empty after filling it up and the check engine light comes on. After 1/4 tank of gas has been consumed the gas gauge will read normal. The check engine light will also go off. There has not been a loss in power to the engine or any other indicators that there is a problem. This issue can be reproduced every time after fill up. The tank does not have to be on empty to reproduce the problem. I have seen tsb's for the 2007 model but nothing yet for the 2008.

- Apex, NC, USA

Once my car has gone 200 miles on a tank the check engine light comes on and the fuel gauge is not accurate. The fuel gauge will show completely empty and then change to more than 1/4 tank and back. Once the tank is refilled the check engine light goes off and then comes back on and acts the same after again going 200 miles. The dealer said the warranty is only good to 60000 or 5 years on the fuel sensor but reading online this is a problem that a lot of Hyundai Santa Fe owners are having after reaching 60000 miles. I had the check engine code checked and it listed P0 464 - fuel level sensor a circuit intermittent. With the amount of complaints on this part Hyundai should recall and fix this problem at no cost.

- Santee, CA, USA

Throttle accelerated by itself and was stuck wide open. Could not get the throttle to disengage. I tried tapping the gas pedal several times and this did nothing. Managed to hold both feet on brake and downshift into low. I got vehicle onto shoulder and put it in neutral and the engine continued to run full throttle. I shoved it into park and turned the key off. The engine did not disengage until the key was turned off. Very bad for transmission to shove it into park but I had no other options. Very scary. I have been told that there is no recall. I called Hyundai and filed a report but they have not called me back yet with repair options.

- Fairbanks, AK, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the fuel level sensor circuit was providing erroneous fuel level readings. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were both notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000. Updated 02/27/14

- Farmingville , NY, USA

Upon turning the engine on, my gas gauge showed empty when I knew there was more gas than that. Then it started to fluctuate up and down. I checked my range indicator and it was blinking the word "range" (which normally doesn't) and the numbers were dashes only. As I continued to drive my check engine light came on. It showed quarter tank then empty and back to some gas. The range indicator started going up and down in numbers as well. I put gas in just to see if it helped but didn't, showing about 30 miles fluctuation in the range indicator. I checked some forums and apparently it is a very common problem for Santa fes 2008 right as they reach 60,000 miles (as the warranties end and it costs over $600 to repair!). it is a dangerous issue that should be a recall, as it poses a very dangerous problem if a car runs out of gas on a highway or anywhere due to the faulty gas fuel level indicator!

- Irmo, SC, USA

As noted in other complaints, my check engine light came on and my fuel gauge will not register the amount of fuel, it fluctuates from empty to a 1/4 tank to 3/4 tank. The fuel sensors are bad. There should be a recall for this. This is a known problem based on NHTSA complaints but yet it appears that Hyundai will not take action. This problem began right after I hit the 60,000 mile mark.

- Hickory, PA, USA

On 5/15/13 I had my stop lamp switch replaced per recall campaign 110. The following day, I noticed cold engine fluctuation and surging. This has happened regularly, with the engine sometimes fluctuating up to nearly 2000rpm while the car is in park. Gradually, the issue progressed to difficulty accelerating and a shaking/hesitation feeling while downshifting that feels like the engine is going to stall out, but it does not. This began 6/20/13. Also on 6/20/13 my check engine dash light came on, and the "ESC off" light was illuminated, even though I had not shut the ESC off. Additionally, the AWD system light was flashing. Upon restart, only the check engine light remained on. I brought my vehicle to grismer for diagnostics. They found error codes: C1513, C1611, P1295, P2106, and P2135. I revisited my local Hyundai dealer (voss Hyundai) and they state that they believe the stop lamp switch is working properly and that the throttle positioning sensor needs to be replaced. They refused to cover this cost due to being outside of the warranty. I was told by grismer that the tps issue is directly related to the stop lamp switch issue. I believe that what I am experiencing also relates directly to service bulletin #tsb-09-fl-003-1.

- Bellbrook, OH, USA

As I was driving at approximately 35mph going up a hill, my 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe accelerated at a very high rate of speed and pushing the brakes at full pressure only slowed the vehicle it would not stop and the engine revved. I was in a panic because vehicles were in front of me and I almost slammed into them. I managed to pull to the side and travel on the side of the road trying to stop my vehicle. I finally shifted from drive to neutral all the while pushing the brakes and got the vehicle in park. I have never been so scared in my life and fortunately did not hit any other vehicle. I called a tow truck to tow the vehicle to my garage because I was to afraid to drive it. I am awaiting diagnosis.. unfortunately it was late Friday afternoon and the garage was closed. They will not be able to look at until Monday.

- North Waterboro, ME, USA