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2009 Hyundai Santa Fe SE Auto FWD

The 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe SE Auto FWD is a 242-hp V6 with a 5-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $24,895 MSRP and is rated at 20 mpg combined.

It makes 242 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 226 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (20 mpg combined).

The Santa Fe measures 184.1 inches long on a 106.3-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$24,895 ($37,720 *)
MSRP with Destination$25,645 ($38,856 *)
Destination Charge$750
Engine
Engine TypeLambda G6DB 3.3L DOHC V6, MPI, CVVT, naturally aspirated
Horsepower242 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque226 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC 24-valve with CVVT (intake)
Bore and Stroke92.0 x 83.8
Compression Ratio10.4:1
Injection TypeMulti-point fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City17 MPG
Highway24 MPG
Combined20 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Suspension
Front SuspensionMacPherson strut with coil springs
Rear SuspensionIndependent multi-link with trailing arms, coil springs, and gas-filled hydraulic shock absorbers
Turning Diameter35.8 ft
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front18 in
Wheels Rear18 in
Tires Front235/60R18
Tires Rear235/60R18
Dimensions & Weight
Length184.1 in
Width74.4 in
Height67.9 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Front Track63.6 in
Rear Track63.8 in
Ground Clearance8.1 in
Cargo Volume34.2 ft³
Interior
Headroom Front40.2 in
Headroom Rear39.6 in
Legroom Front42.6 in
Legroom Rear36.8 in
Shoulder Room Front59.5 in
Shoulder Room Rear58.6 in
Hip Room Front55.8 in
Hip Room Rear55 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Similar cars

Rivals to the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe SE Auto FWD with similar size, power and price from around the same years.

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (16.9 % risk)
Tested variant: 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe 4-DR w/SAB

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2009 Hyundai SANTA FE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Apr 1, 2013 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 13V113000

Jul 25, 2012 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from April 19, 2006, through July 7, 2008. The occupant classification system (OCS) may need recalibration to accurately detect small statured adults.

Consequence: Improper classification or detection may cause the front passenger airbag not to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the classification software free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

NHTSA campaign 12V354000

Oct 6, 2011 · EQUIPMENT

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.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 11E040000

358 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2009 Hyundai SANTA FE

Owner Complaints

358 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Hyundai SANTA FE (27 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 15 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Fuel/Propulsion System109
Engine60
Vehicle Speed Control51
Electrical System50
Service Brakes49
Unknown Or Other31
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 23, 2026 · Service Brakes
“Brake Lights Stay, On ESC OFF Light Illuminated, Cruise Control Won't Engage, Unable to Shift Out of Park. Fuse had to be pulled because the battery was going dead due to lights not turning off. Its…”
May 29, 2026 · Electrical System, Unknown Or Other
“2 unrepaired recalls. Frame rusted and unsafe to lift to repair the other recall which is an oil leak onto the alternator. Car won't run now. Corporate asked if I had a lawyer. They have declared my…”
May 20, 2026 · Engine
“*The mechanic diagnosed internal engine failure (May 14, 2026). The vehicle is at the second mechanic's shop. *The car stalled twice. The first time, over 20 miles, the air conditioning stopped…”
Jan 16, 2026 · Steering, Electrical System, Engine
“Vehicle will suddenly shutdown in the middle of the road. This could easily have caused a crash at any time. Several batteries have been replaced due to alternator not charging the battery. Then the…”
Jul 29, 2025 · Electrical System, Engine
“[XXX] We took out Stanta Fe to the Hyundia Dealership in Columbia, TN 38401. The installed a new rover cover gasket left and service kit. The purpose was to stop oil from leaking into the alternator…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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