2007 Hyundai Santa FE: common problems

Owners of the 2007 Hyundai Santa FE filed 684 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel/propulsion system and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 684
involving a crash: 30

What fails most often

1 Fuel/propulsion system 18% of all complaints
2 Air bags 15% of all complaints
3 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
4 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
5 Visibility 12% of all complaints
6 Electronic stability control 10% of all complaints
7 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
8 Engine 8% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Fuel/propulsion system: 121 complaints (18% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Air bags: 102 complaints (15% of all), 10 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Electrical system: 97 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Service brakes: 85 complaints (12% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Visibility: 79 complaints (12% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

2.7 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
3.3 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 3 complaints
automatic, 4-speed
automatic, 5-speed
manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints

Drive: FWD, AWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 684 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

warning lights, check engine170 · 25%
fuel system, fuel smell68 · 10%
airbag warning light54 · 8%
rust, corrosion29 · 4%
knocking, grinding or other noise26 · 4%
stalls while driving26 · 4%
oil leak or consumption24 · 4%
smoke, burning smell, fire19 · 3%
steering or power steering problems19 · 3%
headlights and tail lights16 · 2%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Fuel/propulsion system	121	2
Air bags	102	10
Electrical system	97	1
Service brakes	85	5
Visibility	79	0
Electronic stability control	68	0
Vehicle speed control	58	9
Engine	54	1
Exterior lighting	43	1
Steering	38	1
Fuel system	36	0
Powertrain	31	4
Suspension	30	1
Engine and cooling	19	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

Driver made a left turn and within two seconds the vehicle started accelerating on its own. Driverâs head and hands bounced off the steering for a brief moment and then returned. Engine could be heard revving continuously in an increasing manner. Nothing on the gas pedal nor was it manually depressed.
Vehicle speed control · crash · 2022-08-15 · NHTSA complaint #11479306
The vehicle, (2007 Hyundai Santa Fe in excellent condition) struck a cow head on at 60 miles per hour and the airbags failed to deploy. It is available on request for a few months. The three occupants of the vehicle suffered from banging around inside.
Air bags · crash · 2021-08-05 · NHTSA complaint #11427841
I finally reached down and turned the key off, at which time I lost my power steering. I steered into an open field, hit a fence, and continued quite a ways the car was stopped by an incline to a ravine.
Fuel/propulsion system · crash · 2015-09-29 · NHTSA complaint #10778460
(the 20 mph shown above is approximate.) the car ran into the garage door and knocked it off its tracks. It crashed into built-in wooden cabinets along the side of the garage and came to rest against a wooden platform at the front of the garage. My foot did not leave the brake pedal during this time.
Service brakes · crash · 2015-05-05 · NHTSA complaint #10714700
All passengers were wearing seat belts. When the car flipped, the rear passenger seat belt released and became unsecured, tossing the passenger. Significant damage to the cabin cage and side door panels. ....updated 04/23/15
Air bags · crash · 2015-04-13 · NHTSA complaint #10705338
October accident car was hit by another vehicle at a high rate of speed head on and the drivers side airbags did not deploy. There is something seriously strong with this car.
Air bags · crash · 2014-11-20 · NHTSA complaint #10659824
The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while attempting a turn. The brakes also failed and the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact crashed into the passenger's side of a large truck and sustained injuries to the head, a fractured finger and ankle. A police report was filed.
Service brakes · crash · 2013-10-09 · NHTSA complaint #10547400
He knocked the vehicle out of park. When the vehicle started rolling, I tried to get in but I couldn't with it rolling. It hit a van and my drivers door caught on the front of the van pushing my drivers door completely back. I was caught between the two vehicles.
Steering · crash · 2013-05-10 · NHTSA complaint #10511388

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20064
200718
200838
200926
201048
201155
201267
201375
201483
201576
201651
201737
201826
201925
202014
20219
20228
20239
20247
20253
20265

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 464 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 1% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Santa FE has 276 complaints (28 years in the data). This year has 684, above average.

What to check before buying

Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Hyundai Santa FE?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel/propulsion system, air bags, electrical system. Total complaints: 684. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (25%), fuel system, fuel smell (10%), airbag warning light (8%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2007 Hyundai Santa FE?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2007 Hyundai Santa FE from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2007 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.