2011 Hyundai Santa Fe problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (45) · Vehicle Speed Control (24) · Suspension (13)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Santa Fe model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
149 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2013-04-01 · campaign 13V113000 · 1,712,336 vehicles
Defect: 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 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, m
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Equipment 2011-10-06 · campaign 11E040000 · 2,254 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper 2010-12-09 · campaign 10V613000 · 1,785 vehicles
Defect: HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 28, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 25, 2010. SOME OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MACHINED.
Risk: AS A RESULT, BRAKE FLUID WILL LEAK, FOLLOWED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATING THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS LOW AND SHOULD BE CHECKED, THEN A SOFT OR SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL FEEL, AND IF NOT SERVICED, REDUCED BRAKING POWER WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CALIPERS AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 17, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AT 1-800-243-7766.
Service bulletins (111)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DCS · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn), that have been identified in u.s. vehicles following prior
Engine 2026-03-26 · 26-01-033H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension
this tsb references the op codes to use for claim submission and the parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from tsb 22-01-023h-2 (dtc p1326 – engine bearing inspection/engine replacement) or the latest version.
Engine 2026-03-26 · 26-01-033H DN · Warranty Program/Extension
this tsb references the op codes to use for claim submission and the parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from tsb 22-01-023h (dtc p1326 – engine bearing inspection/engine replacement) or the latest version.
Showing the 6 most recent of 111 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-04-09 · Power Train“my 2011 hyundai santa fe (approx. 153,000 miles) developed a new stalling and engine-dying-at-idle condition immediately following a knock sensor replacement performed by a hyundai dealership. prior to this repair, the vehicle ran normally with no stalling or idle issues. the vehicle was originally brought in for diagnosis related to code p1326, w…”
2025-12-10 · Structure · 118,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 hyundai santa fe. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear chassis was rusted. the vehicle was not repaired. the independent mechanic performed no repairs…”
2025-09-26 · Engine“catastrophic engine failure. with no prior indications, the engine seized while driving on side street at 25mph. engine blew hole in block and dumped engine parts, including piston rod, piston and engine block remnants, and oil on street. very dangerous as power steering stopped and was unable to turn. very low miles, 40,680, with all maintenance p…”
2025-06-17 · Suspension“the undercarriage is completed rusted and is not drivable, i had the treatment done by the dealer to have it coated to protect it from rust. well, its rusted. …”
2025-01-31 · Engine · 280,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact owned a 2011 hyundai santa fe. the contact stated while the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a burning odor and the vehicle stalled. the contact idled the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and exited the vehicle. the vehicle burst into flames after the occupants exited the vehicle. the co…”
2024-12-03 · Exterior Lighting“the contact owns a 2011 hyundai santa fe. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 13v113000 (exterior lighting); however, the part to do the recall repair was on a national back order. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the i…”
2024-08-19 · Steering“abs and traction control lights always on. dealership stated a faulty right rear wheel bearing sensor faulty was the cause and needed to be replaced. this caused a problem with the abs and traction control systems. hyundai has issued a recall for abs/traction control for my vehicle's make model year, but not my exact trim. …”
2024-04-10 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:radiator Assembly · 135,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 hyundai santa fe. the contact stated that on six occasions over 12 months, the vehicle overheated while driving at various speeds. additionally, the contact observed white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe on the rear passenger’s side and the front of the vehicle. the check engine warning light was illuminated during the la…”
2024-04-02 · Engine · 126,600 mi“the contact owns a 2011 hyundai santa fe. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the charger indicator warning light illuminated and the engine seized. the battery was recharged. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed valve cover gasket leak and that the valve cover gasket and t…”
2024-01-07 · Exterior Lighting · 💥 crash“about this date had accidentair bags failed to go off for any off us…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.