This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Filled tank and read empty with low fuel light on. The next day while driving the more I drove the more the fuel needle went up until it eventually read full and the low fuel light went out. Now usually when it gets down to about 1/2 tank needle will drop to empty, fuel light will come on, range indicator will read----and now the check engine light comes and goes.
After fueling up, to a full tank, the fuel gauge still registered empty and fuel light and check engine light came on. Updated 09/01/2015 updated 10/14/2015
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. After refueling the vehicle, the fuel gauge failed to register the correct level of fuel. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
When I started the engine, the fuel gauge showed the gas tank empty, the check engine light was on, and the empty gas tank light was on, even though the gas tank was filled yesterday. Then fuel level gauge is fluctuating from full to empty tank when driving.
- Arlington, MA, USA
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My 2008 Santa Fe is experiencing an issue where the fuel gauge shows as empty with the light indicator on and corresponding miles to empty indicator reading to zero. This conveniently happened after my warranty expired. I see many similar complaints online. Hyundai is not offering to replace/repair. This is a $695 fix as the seats need to be removed to reach the sensors.
It happened in the morning when I started the engine, the fuel gauge showed the gas tank empty, the check engine light was on, and the empty gas tank light was on, even though the gas tank was filled 2 days before and the range on odo keeps flashing without number shown. After driving about 2, 3 miles, the fuel light was off, and the fuel gauge had move up just a little above empty line. Monday morning 3/16/15 when I started the engine to go to work, the check engine light was off but the range on odo still flashing. I was terrified when I see those light on and off, specially when driving for long distance not knowing when the gas is empty.
NHTSA: Oct, 24, 2012 component:equipment adaptive. 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. Action no: 947168 service bulletin number:1041335 component: Fuel/propulsion system, safety issue due to the wrong gas reading, vehicle may stop suddenly if no fuel, gage reading wrong 1. Hyundai finds service bulletin but no recall or order to replace.admit's to that year has problems but not willing to help in anyway to repair.
Fuel level gauge is registering as empty when completely full and then fluctuating from full to empty tank when driving. Check engine light code is registering as faulty fuel level sensor. Unable to determine how much fuel is actually in the tank and feel that this is a safety issue if unsure how much gas I have. This appears to be a very common problem with this make/model as there are 95 other complaints just on this site and many many more when looking at other comments posted online.
After fueling my gas tank completely 16 gallons of gas I began traveling on freeway only to have my gas gauge plummet to empty and digital range went blank. Since then I am unable to tell how much fuel I have. The reading fluctuate rapidly. I am terrified that I will run out of fuel on a busy expressway or during severe cold weather due to risk of harm and or injury. I was told by Hyundai dealership that sensors are faulity.
Fuel gauge not working properly, it is moving erratically. The gas tank is full while the gauge is showing empty, the check engine light is on. I am just worried that I might be strained somewhere when the tank is really empty. I can't trust the gauge now. This should be recalled already since there are so many complaints about it. I feel like I should not pay for the repair as it is a manufacturer defect.
2/05/15, turned right on manhattan blvd and normal accelerating, eased up on pedal but engine still full throttle. Applied brakes but still kept accelerating. Approaching a traffic light, shifted to neutral, turned into a business parking lot, and turned off the engine. Started the engine after 3 or 4 seconds still full throttle, turned engine off. Started the engine after 4 or 5 minutes and everything was normal. On 2/05/15 contact Hyundai on 1-800-633-5151 they filled out a report, case no. 7640349, and also recommended I have the vehicle towed to dealer. 2/05/15 vehicle towed to dealer. Hyundai dealer could not find a problem. Hyundai dealer was requested to run more extensive tests by corporate office. 2/10/15 extensive tests completed and found no problem. I did not contact Hyundai, 1-800-633-5151, on 1st occurrence on 6/25/14, just took it to same Hyundai dealer and filed a compliant via E-mail with NHTSA. Hyundai did state on 2/05/15 they had no record or recall for this problem! 2/11/15 car ready for pickup. Dealer stated problem duplicated several times with installed aftermarket floor mat jamming throttle and car was safe to drive. See below:. I removed the after market floor mat. I am driving with a 80% believe 20% do not believe confidence level that the floor mat caused my two problems.
Fuel level readings started fluctuating giving me inaccurate amount of fuel in the tank, until one day I was completely empty and did not know. Since this incident.the gauge only moves up when I fill the tank, but then it starts fluctuating until settling on empty.
I was driving to a stop light on a down hill slope with my whole family in the car when all of the sudden my car turned off. All at once my check engine light came on, my battery light came on, and I couldn't get the car to re-start. I turned on the emergency flashers and at the middle of a busy intersection I tried to restart my car but nothing happened. A few moments later I tried again and it started but it wouldn't let me accelerate almost at all (through an intersection!). there was also a clicking sound coming from the front of the car. I pulled into a parking lot, afraid if I was going to be able to drive anywhere, turned the car off, waited about five minutes, restarted it, successfully. I let it idle for a while unsure what else to do. I proceeded to drive home with no other incident. The clicking was off and on the entire drive home but has since gotten quieter.
Fuel sensor does not function properly. Reads empty when tank has just been filled, and will then fluctuate from empty to full from there. Driver has to rely on mileage for fuel level accuracy. Numerous complaints have been filed for the same make and model car, with the same problem. All have taken their vehicles to dealerships where they are charged $800 to replace fuel sensors, often with fuel sensors made by Hyundai, which malfunction again. Hyundai does not cover repairs under warranty, is well aware of the problem, and refuses to issue a recall, sitting "non-safety issue". this is a serious safety issue as a driver can run out of gas while on the road, and face potential injury or death from being hit by another vehicle...especially if on the freeway or at night. Drivers are being left stranded on the roads because they have run out of gas from the sensors malfunctioning. The check engine light illuminates because of this issue, and remains lit until the sensors are replaced. This can be harmful because drivers would not know of any additional engine problems since the light remains lit due to the fuel sensor malfunction. See www.carcomplaints.com/Hyundai/santa_fe/2008/fuel_system/fuel_propulsion_system.shtml for a handful of complaints regarding this issue. I ask that Hyundai be held responsible for knowingly putting drivers at risk with this issue and for charging customers a ludicrous amount to "repair" the sensors with the same, faulty ones they manufacture. I will never purchase a Hyundai again!
Fuel gauge show empty and there was 3/4 of a tank. The gauge reading go from full to empty constantly, we worry we will be traveling and the car will stop because the gauge reads there is gas and it will be empty.
Fuel sensors failed causing fuel level to read empty even with a full tank. Also triggered check engine light. Hyundai is well aware of the problem but refuses to assist.
Car stalled on highway out of gas. Gas gauge showed half tank. Dangerous situation, stuck in middle lane of busy highway, traffic passing on both sides about 65 miles per hour.
As I came to a stop, I noticed that my fuel gauge was fluttering up and down. Then my fuel light came on and I knew that I had just filled the tank the day before, so I had plenty of gas. Since then it has been very erratic, but mostly showing that I'm on empty. The only way to keep track is on my trip meter but that can be a little worrisome--I'm always worried that I am miscalculation. My check engine light is always on now too.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Three Rivers, MI, USA