7.8
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $400
- Average Mileage:
- 89,050 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 19 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace sensors (14 reports)
- not sure (5 reports)
My wife’s Santa Fe fuel gauge stopped working. Took it into Hyundai and the guy said the replacement would cost about $800-$1200. Or she could just drive it & monitor the fuel. He said he’d monitor the fuel because it came up as just the sensor, and if she keeps gas in it, it’ll be okay. He said this happens frequently and just make sure there’s always gas in it. This is a Hyundai service manager telling me this.
Time for emission testing - and it FAILED because the sensor light was on. Took it to Autozone - the only problem is the fuel sensor.
Her Hyundai had the same problem so I bought her a new car. Hyundai has this 100k warranty but this fuel sensor thing should have been a recall because it’s obviously happening to thousands of people.
Now I need to fix it before she can get her sticker & before Christmas WTH. I called around - the part is $400 but the labor is $$$. If the fuel sensor goes out, how’s that not a recall??? Hyundai should do right by their customers.
- Nate D., Lake County, US
Fuel gauge stopped working over a couple of weeks (apparently it's the fuel sender cable) and never had it fixed because they wanted too much money to fix it. We just got used to using the tripometer, resetting it to zero every time we fill the car up with gas. Not the biggest deal, just annoying.
- Steve P., Sudbury, ON, Canada
Seems to be very prevalent issue. Gauge read empty when full and then gradually went up as driving. Range indicator also was moving around and off. New sensors and special tool from amazon was about $100 total plus some time/effort to fix! Nice they have a door to fix it at least.
- roadtripper, Rochester, US
Hyundai needs to man up about this issue, I am hardly the only person this is happening too. These cars should last much longer than 70000 miles and needing a new fuel sensor system replacement. I completely ran out of gas on the PA turnpike and needed to be pushed off the road in heavy 70mph traffic. The gauge was full and then went empty and started flashing in seconds. This is BS. I hope they reimburse me for this nightmare and stand behind their product or else I wont ever buy from them again. My symptoms mirror exactly what others have said.
- Rich H., Pittsburgh, US
The faulty Fuel Sender Sensor causes the engine light to come on. I went to get Emission Test done to purchase my annual sticker, but was not allowed to go through with the test because the Engine Light is on. Many people have this problem with their Santa Fe and other Hyundai vehicle. Why was this not in the list of Recalls? This can be very dangerous should a vehicle runs out of gas on the Highway. The Transportation Authority needs to take this matter up with Hyundai, and press for a recall and complete fix of the issue.
- Rudy R., Brampton, ON, Canada
Since 2016 my fuel gauge in my 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe has been messed up. Check engine light is always on because of this. I cannot tell how much gas is in the tank ever! I complained in 2016 to Hyundai. They did nothing! They told me there were no other complaints about this issue. Wow! Seriously?
I also wrote a complaint online but it somehow disappeared. Recently being Oct. 2018. I got a print out from auto zone and it stated the fuel pressure gauge is not working that’s why my check engine light will not go out and it also stated that many mechanics have seen this problem in Hyundai’s Why isn’t Hyundai recalling this?
This is a serious problem. I cannot get an inspection sticker because of the check engine light being on for this fuel gauge problem I’ve read where others have had to pay between $400.00 to $700.00 to replace it and sometimes it doesn’t even fix the problem. Are you kidding me? I’m not paying that kind of money on a car I’m still making payments on that is not my fault either.
It’s Hyundai’s problem! It’s their fault They should pay for it. They need to recall it! This has been going on for years. I never know how much gas I have. I’m always putting gas in it everyday so I don’t run out! This is an outrage! I'm so disappointed in Hyundai! Step up Hyundai take your responsibilities like a true professional company! Or let others see your true colors and ruin your name!!!
- K W., Salisbury, MA, US
Fuel gauge went to empty and fuel light came on after filling the tank, the first time it happened. The needle gradually came back up after driving 100 miles or so. Had no more problems until I went on a trip again, same thing happened. Now months later, it is seldom correct, fuel gauge fluctuates wildly and can't be depended on at all. Check engine light came on today...off to the repair shop we go.
- Denise A., Adrian, MI, US
I could have just filled my gas tank and as soon as I turn the car on the gas gauge still tells me I am empty. I was told I have a bad gas sensor so I paid $229 to have that fixed and it did not fix the problem. I go back to the shop this week to see what else could be causing it. All in all, I am pissed that I spent $229 on replacing the gas sensor because it WAS BAD but not the only reason why my gas gauge is not working.. NOT Happy that I have to spend more money to actually fix the issue. Seems like a lot of people have the same problem. There should be a recall.
- Rachel G., Tampa, FL, US
Fuel gauge sensor stop working and CEL light still on. Full or empty it indicate empty with the indicator light on. The dealer said that repair will cost approx $600 to replace the 2 fuel sensor located in the fuel tank. Hyundai should do a recall about that problem.
- Armand L., Levis, QC, Canada
Too expensive to fix it! I have to do like I do with my motorcycle, fill and reset meter at zero.
Check engine always on. Should be a recall for that problem!
- Georges V., Lacolle, QC, Canada
I've read many complaints since investigating after this happened and am shocked how difficult and expensive this amateurish design flaw is to correct. There should definitely be a manufacture recall issued for this. Hope someone holds Hyundai's feet to the fire over this.
- Joe L., Elizabethton, US
My daughter and I purchased this car on Thursday night, she drove it Friday and on Saturday we decided to fill the gas tank (the dealership we bought it from did not do that for us - now I know why). As soon as we filled the tank, it registered empty! Had the dealership gave us the car with a tank of gas, we would have known this was an issue. Now we are trying to get them to fix this since it is a big problem in the '07 - '09 vehicles. NOT FAIR, this should be a recall!!
- Dawn L., Union Grove, US
I have heard about this problem so much that I think Hyundai should issue a recall notice and pay for the repair.
The engine light is on constantly which renders it useless for any other faults it should read.
- cliffbarbre, Ephrata, US
CAR WAS REGISTERING 3/4 OF A TANK. MISSED WHEN I STARTED IT SO I THOUGHT MAYBE BAD GAS. FILLED IT UP NOW TANK REGISTERS EMPTY.
- Gary B., Johnson City, US
Wow - after reading all the issues with the fuel level sensor, Hyundai should recall these cars with this issue. So frustrating to put gas in your car and then the next day it shows empty and then the engine light comes on. I had purchased a used Sonata and after a few days the engine light came on - too expensive to fix so I traded it in and bought a 09 Santa Fe which I love - but this is so frustrating.
- Sandra P., Dallas, US
Check engine light went on and gas gauge was not reading fuel level. After diagnostics were run it was discovered that a fuel sensor needed to be replaced. Had both replaced only to have one of the replaced sensors fail again and had to bring it back to have it replaced AGAIN. This is a costly repair and given that I have under 60,000 miles on the car I am shocked that this would be an issue at all. After speaking with another Hyundai 2009 Santa Fe owner I learned they also had this problem and had to have their sensors replaced and it issue was not covered by warranty. This should be investigated as a possible recall item.
- amgiuggio, Medford, US
Fuel gauge never works right even when gas tank is full! Never know how much gas I have. One time I thought I saw sparks flying from back of car while driving at night. Also when tank is full, car has trouble starting and only turns on when I gun the engine and even then it takes off in spurts and then dies and I have to re-start engine. Very. very annoying. Left me stranded on side of the road on Mother's Day in middle of nowhere where I had to walk and luckily a couple stopped to help me. I am so angry and frustrated. I thought Hyundai was a great car until now. I think there should be a recall since Many people have the same problem. There have been 737 complaints been filed on this website with Sante Fe owners having the SAME problem! What does it take for a car manufacturer to issue a recall?
- nrmatkinson28, Corpus Christi, US
I live in Ma. and we have inspections every year and my auto won't pass because the check engine light is on because the fuel level sensors aren't working. It is considered a safety violation and I can't drive my auto until I get it fixed. Price quoted to me between $600-$800 just so my gas gauge will work. This problem shouldn't be setting off the check engine light on, if the sensors are't working you can tell by your gas gauge. My state feels that any time a check engine light is on the vehicle must be fixed because it is a safety problem. I feel that Hyndai is responsible because they wired these sensors to the check engine light and that causes serious problems in some states. This should be recalled as I see this problem from thousands of Hyndai owners.
- Karl S., Feeding Hills, US
The morning after filling up my tank, my fuel gauge had the empty tank indicator on. I thought someone had stolen my gas. I had no choice but to drive it to work, sweating I was going to make it the entire way. When I tried to put more gas in, the tank was full, but the gas gauge said empty.
I called my local Hyundai dealership where they were quick to inform me it would be at least $400-$600 to fix it, because the gas tank would need to be taken off to fix it. He said I could always keep the trip meter as my gas gauge and just fill it up sooner than later to make sure I didn't run out of gas.
After reading all of the other complaints, this is a known issue and Hyundai should create the recall and own up to the faulty part(s). I have enjoyed my car for years, but this really makes me mad. I will likely get this fixed because I really don't like playing Russian Roulette with my life on the road.
- Jennifer M., Columbia, US