Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#11755136August 5, 2026
ENGINE
I was driving, and the SUV all of a sudden lost power. I was trying to press harder on the gas pedal to keep up with the traffic, but the SUV was stalling. The SUV would not move, and as I kept trying to press on the gas pedal, a roaring noise like something was trying to turn but the engine kept trying to move the car. It felt like something in the car was trying to move but something kept slipping. I had to turn the car off in the middle of the street and restart it before it would move. Cars were blowing their horns. This is a safety issue and a dangerous Problem. The SUV just did the same thing a few days ago. I am calling the dealer to see what is wrong. I brought this car new 2023. It is under 12,000 miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755009August 5, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle suffers from an intermittent, total engine stalling and propulsion failure. Without warning, the engine completely shuts down while driving and automatically drops the vehicle into "Accessory (ACC) Mode". The vehicle is fully intact, operational when it restarts, and is available for immediate inspection upon request How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This issue has occurred five total times in live traffic, severely risking the safety of the vehicle's occupants and surrounding drivers. The most recent and dangerous incident occurred on the freeway in heavy, stop-and-go traffic. A sudden, complete loss of power on a high-speed freeway leaves the vehicle entirely vulnerable to rear-end collisions, as it leaves no room or momentum to safely coast to the shoulder. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. The vehicle has been brought to an authorized Hyundai dealership five separate times specifically to diagnose this exact stalling issue. Because the failure is intermittent, dealership service technicians have been unable to replicate the problem during their test drives or resolve the root cause. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected five separate times by authorized Hyundai dealership technicians during the service appointments mentioned above. No police, insurance, or independent manufacturer representatives have inspected the vehicle yet, as the stalling has not yet resulted in a physical crash. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?There are absolutely no dashboard warning lights, check engine indicators, error messages, or mechanical symptoms prior to the failures. The engine shuts down instant
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754698August 4, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn stopped working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754472August 3, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts to repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number 25V808000 (Back Over Prevention) were on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was able to confirm that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754480August 3, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1.Fuel did not activate on this hybrid while in stop and go traffic when apparently the battery died. There was plenty of gas in this brand new car. The entire car died, gas pedal inactive, on the freeway just when traffic opened up with red car/exclamation point indicator on dash. After power cycle car Its message said something like “pull over and charge car in park”. We were close to shoulder so were able to do as instructed. 2. Car died suddenly in freeway traffic w 4 passengers inside. Could have been rear ended. There was no information in manual, on line or through BlueLink app on the battery function, this particular message or the problem. Or criteria that causes car to fail without switching to fuel. 3. Days later when I could get an appointment, The Escondido Dealer did diagnostics, visual and test drive and found nothing. Dealer had no means to look back at history to ID fault codes at time of event. I had exact time/miles. They did not check battery as the diagnostics were clean. Complaint made w Hyundai consumer affairs. [XXX]. Case XXX. They could not tell me criteria or specifications for message to pull over. They could not direct me to battery or “switch to fuel” criteria. They are working on case. I fear a software bug or engineering issue. A non plug in hybrid should function on gas if battery cannot work. 4. No insurance claim or police notified 5. There were NO warnings prior to the car dying. The Car died w red exclamation in red car indicating service right away. We put on flashers & We power cycled and words came up on dash stating something like “pull over and charge car in park” Engine temp was good as we watched it. We pulled over and car was functional within 10 min. We drove home without any further issues. Car had 1345 miles total at incident. Brand new car. Less than 2 mos old and we started trip w ~297miles. I was unable to get photo of warnings as they happened. Just after while sitting in traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754586August 3, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Over the past month, on two occasions my vehicle has emitted gasoline fumes filling my garage, and today my interior cabin smelled like gasoline. Additionally, after warming up, my vehicle experiences acceleration drop/stuttering when accelerating after idling. This happens every day. I took the car to two dealerships (San Tan Hyundai and Chapman Hyundai Scottsdale) and they weren’t able to diagnose the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754399August 3, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEATS
The 2024 Caligraphy trim line, has a unique illumination for all dash controls that control; AC, seat heat, seat AC, fan AC, steering wheel heat, ect. Each of these controls are illuminated with a dull Amber color that is impossible to see in bright sunshine, and difficult in all daylight situations. This force the driver to take their eyes off the road to insure proper calibration of each. I confirmed with the sales manager of my serivice dealer Hyundai Nashua ….he drives the same model there is no illumination adjustment that will make the controls visible in sun. Other trim lines have different illumination of the same controls. It would seem this is an easy swap and fix
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754264August 2, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I keep getting the alert “Check Forward Attention Warning system”. It’s nonstop even when I’m not driving the vehicle. I have taken it in to the dealership 4 times. This started only after the most recent software update that Hyundai released. The dealership did everything they could, and contacted Hyundai who told them to replace the camera on the steering wheel (which they did). They thought that would fix the problem, and it did not. I believe this is something with the new software update since other users on forums are complaining about this exact alert. It’s sporadic, it happens very frequently though, but it is unpredictable. All of this points to a software update and Hyundai has not fixed this bug in over a year. It’s beyond frustrating that there is no fix and they are just making their customers deal with this issue with no apparent fix.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754262August 2, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield breaks with no reason. I have had 2 windshields crack with no sign of any damage. First windshield is within 3,000 miles of owning the car. Replaced one has already cracked and has less than 500 miles. This issue is affecting multiple Sante fe drivers
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754183August 1, 2026
ENGINE
On XXX I was waiting at a light and the check engine light was blinking. When I started up, the car was very sluggish. It continued to be sluggish on my trip home - 5 miles. I brought it to Meineke [XXX] [XXX]. They ascertained that the engine was shot. They flushed out the oil in the engine and there was lots of metal in the oil. They instructed me to go to Hyundai immediately. There was a engine recall and their research showed that I was included under the recall warrenty. I've included their assessment. Both the drives to the Meineke from my house and to Hyundai from Meineke were scary. I didn't feel safe in the car. I went directly to [XXX], manager of Larry Miller Hyundai at [XXX], Phone [XXX]. He said that he needed to clear the recall with Hyundai. He called me back in a few days and told me that all the test diagnostics were made and that a censor malfunction was the cause of the problem and the front breaks needed work. I gave him the go-head. The cost was $1,319. I wasn't convince that was the primary problem. I use my car for short trips. I was driving to the gym on XXX - having driven less than 50 mile since the recent repair - once again I stopped at a light and the check engine light lit up permanently - not flashing. The engine started to shake when it was idle and there was an unusual sound coming from it. I finished my drive to the gym although the drive just didn't feel normal or safe. Right now (XXX) I am having my car towed to Hyundai. It is not safe to drive. My belief is that corporate Hyundai refused to fix the engine repair part of a class action lawsuit which includes replacing the engine. They had to see that my recall warrenty ends in September and they figured they'd stall until the warrenty was no longer valid. This is just a guess, but a very educated guess. They had to know that the engine was no longer safe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754202August 1, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Everything normal when parked in store parking lot. When vehicle was started to leave I noticed the vehicle had no sounds ... no radio sound from any source at any volume setting, no turn signal clicks, no parking proximity beeps, no navigation voice guidance, no sounds at all. All dashboard/visual displays were normal. Parked vehicle in garage when I got home and the next morning the battery was dead. Had to jump start the vehicle (the dead battery "fixed" the sound problem). An AI search shows this is a known issue for the 2024 & 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and I found AI & You Tube fixes saying to "soft reset" the Infotainment/Sound system by turning the ignition to the "On" position (not starting the vehicle ... foot off the brake and push ignition once, then again). Use a paper clip or pen to press and hold the little dimple reset button just below the right side radio knob until the system resets, then foot on the brake and start the vehicle. If this does not work, disconnect the starting battery's Negative battery cable for 15 minutes. This is a mid level safety issue because audible warning systems will not work. Took the vehicle to the Hyundai dealer we bought it from but they didn't offer any acknowledgement that other same model vehicles have had similar problems and said they could not check or do anything since the vehicle wasn't currently having the problem. I had to argue like hell just to get them to record that the issue had occurred.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754125August 1, 2026
SEAT BELTS
After waiting a month (called in june car went in 7/28/26)for an appointment with my dealer for 2 recalls and a broken rear seatbelt the dealership has deemed my vehicle unsafe to drive and has impounded my vehicle for almost a week. They have to replace not only 1 rear seatbelts but ALL rear seatbelts. The original recall is for the front seatbelt.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753774July 30, 2026
TIRES
235/60R18 103H While driving the 1year old car, the tire pressure reading in the vehicle began to go down, upon exiting the vehicle it was determined that two holes blew through in the side wall of the tire. Thankfully, this was not as dangerous of a situation as it could’ve been as the car had just come off the highway and was traveling at a lower speed a residential neighborhood. The tire is not available, it was disposed at the place it was replaced at. There were no major tire stores open as it was a Sunday so it replacement tire had to be purchased from a local tire vendor.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752967July 27, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1. The SUV experiences complete power loss and goes into limp mode. Have been in nearly 3 accidents on highways with a vehicle that goes from 65 to 35 with no warning and then cannot accelerate or gain speed. 2. Battery, out of no where, goes from 3/4 full to 1 or 2 bars. 3. Extreme shaking of the vehicle while driving and at rest. 4. Vehicle is less than a year old and has been in for the same issue 4x. Currently with dealership since 6 July with no communication despite calls and in-person visits. 5. Loaner not provided despite car being under warranty and brand new.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753050July 27, 2026
ENGINE
On June 10, 2024 at 107,129 miles Hertrich Hyundai dealership of New Castle inspected my vehicle and submitted a request to Hyundai for engine replacement under the recall settlement of the Theta II Engine Settlement. Hyundai denied the request because of the rebuilt title, even though the rebuilt title resulted only from prior Roof damage unrelated to the engine, powertrain, or recall issue. After continuing to seek assistance from Hyundai, my engine ultimately seized and suddenly stopped working on May 10, 2026, while driving on the highway with my two children. The vehicle lost power and stopped in traffic, creating a dangerous situation and causing my children extreme fear and distress. Had Hyundai honored the Theta II Engine Settlement when I first requested assistance, this failure could have been prevented. I request that Hyundai honor the Theta II Engine Settlement and replace my defective engine at no cost to avoid any future problems. My Hyundai Santa Fe is covered under the Theta II Engine Settlement. For over three years, I repeatedly contacted Hyundai after experiencing symptoms consistent with the known Theta II engine defect. Hyundai failed to provide meaningful assistance, did not properly process my requests, and denied coverage solely because of the vehicle’s rebuilt title.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753084July 27, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle has suffered a catastrophic structural manufacturing defect involving a transmission case half seal failure. The transmission is actively seeping/leaking fluid directly from the factory-mated case assembly line seal. This presents a severe, progressive safety hazard. Transmission fluid leaking from the case half migrates along the underbody of the vehicle and directly coats hot exhaust and powertrain components during highway operation. This creates an immediate risk of under-hood smoke, thermal degradation, component stalling, or a potential vehicle fire at high speeds. Certified diagnostic inspection confirms this is a factory assembly defect (defective RTV sealant application or improper factory bolt torque) and not mechanical wear-and-tear or driver neglect. The vehicle currently has 88,000 miles, but the structural failure was first physically documented by a licensed facility at 59,870 miles. The manufacturer (Hyundai Motor America) has currently refused to honor the powertrain failure, forcing the vehicle to remain on the road with an active powertrain fluid leak risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753119July 27, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We were notified there was a recall and to schedule an appointment to get the update. We did and it was updated. It hesitated when we drove it the next day and everyday after. WE took it in a second time and was told by our dealer that following the completion of service campaign 9c2 certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting conditions and to let it warm up for 1-3 minutes. We were told that Hyundai is working on it. It has been over a month and it still does it. I now own a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicle with less than 38,000 miles that is a lemon in my opinion. I am paying for gas to let it run for the 3 minutes and cant sell it or trade it in without a major reduction in price. I feel Hyundai is not being responsible for the damage they have caused to my vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753154July 27, 2026
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The 9C2 campaign software update introduced dangerous vehicle hesitation and unpredictable gear changes in active traffic, presenting and immediate crash hazard
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753171July 27, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Vehicles accelerated on its own when going under 10mph and no pressure on pedals.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752902July 26, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
Break pedal switch getting hot and disables the gear shifter
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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