Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#11679666August 10, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding a sudden and unexplained crack that appeared on the windshield of my vehicle, which was parked in my driveway overnight. The vehicle was stationary, had not been involved in any accidents or incidents, and was not subjected to any apparent external impact Upon discovering the damage, I conducted thorough research and found that more than one owner of the same vehicle or same type of model have experienced an identical issue — a crack that originates at the very top edge of the windshield starting from the top and travels downward through the middle of the glass. The consistency in the location and pattern of the damage strongly suggests a potential manufacturing defect or a design flaw. This issue raises serious concerns not only about product quality but also about driver safety. Windshield integrity is a crucial component of vehicle safety systems, and such defects can compromise visibility and the structural strength of the car in the event of a collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679545August 9, 2025
ENGINE
My vehicle we bought from carvana has been jerking/misfiring and now with no warning on freeway it wouldn't give power stalling. There was no warning nothing no lights came up. I drive my kids in this vehicle I've taken it to multiple mechanics they say they couldn't find why it's jerking and it must be a manufacturer issue. I looked online and yes lots of issues with the make and model recall about the crankshaft sensor cause these issues!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679516August 9, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car only has 20,000 miles and the horn already needs to be replaced
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679262August 8, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Occasionally, the vehicle acts like I am not looking at the road and I’m not sure if it is because of my hair, glasses, hat, or my lazy eye. On three different occasions in nearly 8000 miles it will randomly hard break on the interstate. Initially, I had thought this was something I was doing. When I was finally able to speak with the service staff, they confirmed that this is a common issue with people wearing glasses or any other items the vehicle does not register as normal. At this point, I am afraid to drive a vehicle once I learned that this is a safety setting I cannot control. I have been told by Hyundai that the vehicle is operating as it should however it is extremely concerning that this could cause an accident on the interstate and someone could get killed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679355August 8, 2025
ENGINE
Subject: Urgent Safety & Warranty Concern – 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (TSB #21-01-002H) Dear Hyundai Customer Care and NHTSA, I am reporting a serious safety and warranty concern regarding my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (VIN: [XXX] , mileage:97,320). The vehicle is exhibiting excessive oil consumption after an initial Consumption test burning 3quarts of oil in 725 miles as well as causing damage to the intake manifold requiring it to be repaired and is consistent with the connecting rod bearing defect covered under Hyundai TSB #21-01-002H. This TSB extends engine coverage to 10 years/120,000 miles for precisely this issue. Despite this, my authorized dealer, Premier Hyundai of Moreno Valley has refused to take immediate corrective action and is requiring me to drive an additional 1,000 miles before performing the repair — a delay that increases the risk of catastrophic engine failure and endangers vehicle occupants and other motorists. Key points: This is a documented defect with a known history of sudden engine failure. TSB coverage and my warranty should apply immediately, without dangerous delay. The dealership’s requirement to continue driving the vehicle is unreasonable and unsafe. I am requesting: Immediate authorization for the engine diagnostic and replacement under TSB #21-01-002H. Confirmation from Hyundai that I am not required to continue operating a defective engine to “prove” the defect. NHTSA to log this complaint as part of the ongoing safety concerns regarding Hyundai Theta II engines. Please respond within 5 business days with next steps. I am prepared to provide full maintenance history, documentation, and dealership correspondence. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] 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
#11679065August 7, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My speedometer has stopped working, I had the sensor replaced and fuses checked but it is still not working
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679074August 7, 2025
ENGINE
Motor replacement. I had taken my car several times into Hyundai for oil consumption issue. I replaced the recommended parts through Hyundai and ended up having to come right back after being stuck on the side of the interstate due to lack of compression two cylinder two I was told I needed to replace the motor. This has been a very expensive process and I haven’t had the car but 10 months.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679198August 7, 2025
ENGINE
My vehicle is a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD with a GDI Theta II 2.4L 4 cylinder engine. We purchased it in Feb. 2024 with 120,310 miles. Since then we have only put approximately 8,000 miles on it in 17 months. On Aug. 1st 2025 while driving up a hill out in the country the engine suddenly quit. Of course the steering and the brakes failed to operate. However I was able to coast to the next road and barely able to turn the wheel but made the corner and coasted to a stop. Without a nearby corner I would have been stuck on a state highway with many semi-trucks traveling on it. Could have been much more dangerous for my wife and I especially since we had to have the car put on a flatbed to be hauled home. The person who came to haul it checked the battery which was fine. You could hear the starter engage and try to turn the engine but it would not turn one bit. Once home we had a mechanic with many years experience have a look and listen to it. He could not get the engine to move even when trying to turn it by grabbing the engine belts and pullies. By all appearances the engine is seized. No warning lights were one and the oil was checked that very morning before leaving home. The vehicle was using about 1 qt of oil every 200 miles or so. Always used a high quality oil of proper weight/viscosity. Had no visible oil leaks on ground where it was parked every night. Hesitate to spend hauling fees to take it to the dealer 40 miles away if they are not going to do anything but offer to replace it for many thousands of dollars. For a couple living on social security this can absolutely turn things upside down as we only own one car (which we still owe on).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679085August 7, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On two occasions, once at 70mph and once at 45mph vehicle suddenly lost power and displayed warning to check collision system, there were no vehicles close enough to warrant this. I had to limp the car to the side of the road as safely as possible and shut car off, wait a few minutes and restart vehicle to clear error and allow proper power/ acceleration again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678861August 6, 2025
ENGINE
Hyundai knows about the excessive oil consumption of these 2.0 Turbo GDI engines. My engine went out while driving my daughter down the road. Had to tow it to the dealer. Dealer is saying no compression on cylinder 3. Also a known issue. There was a massive lawsuit over engines already. Hyundai is no help. Excessive oil consumption has led to my engine going out. This needs to be investigated by safely board and Hyundai.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678694August 6, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
For a few month now the light of ABS have been turning on. At the beginning there was no diagnosis specific, cause kept turning off. Two or three months ago again turn on and gave code of back caliper on the left and was changed. An now yesterday August 5, 2025 the diagnosis its need of change of the SBS module whole.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678655August 6, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
From a complete stop when pressing the accelerator, the vehicle does nothing. This can last 1 second or in longer episodes it can last 4-5 seconds. No lights on the dash. It’s random and happens sporadically. But when it’s bad, you have enough lag to count to 5 and turn on the hazards
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678623August 5, 2025
ENGINE
I am reporting a sudden engine failure involving my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T. At just 68,000 miles, the vehicle experienced catastrophic loss of power due to zero compression in Cylinder 1. The vehicle is equipped with the Theta II turbocharged engine, which has been the subject of previous investigations and safety recalls due to premature failure risks, including stalling and fire hazards. This failure occurred on [XXX], while I was driving on the highway. There was no warning. It put all drivers near me at risk as I had no power, was traveling in the left lane and had to navigate through 3 lanes of traffic to reach the breakdown lane. I request that this case be investigated further as a potential safety risk and recurrence of known issues with this engine type. 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
#11678631August 5, 2025
ENGINE
Driving on main road , car came to complete stop while waiting on traffic light and vehicle loss power , and wouldn’t accelerate. No , dash lights nor sounds were on prior to it loosing power nor stalling .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678488August 5, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
At 22000 miles wheel speed sensor went out, all control system shut down and car became unstable. At 44000 miles fuel injector went out, was driving on freeway and car started shaking and losing power, then in parking lot would not start at all, had to be towed to dealer. This is way to many breakdowns for a car with such low mileage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678240August 4, 2025
ENGINE
My 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe lost all power, shutting off and stopping abruptly in the middle of the road with no warning lights or “limp mode” being set off requiring my partner and I to push it into someone’s driveway with our two children in the car to get them to safety. We took the vehicle to a mechanic shop where we were told that to engine was seized and needed to be fully replaced with an initial quote starting at 8 thousand dollars for a replacement engine. I contacted my local Hyundai dealership and was told over the phone that the vehicle would be covered under Hyundai service bulletin TXX8 that was issued last year due to ongoing issues with this engine (3.3l V6 Lambda II). We paid to have the vehicle towed to this dealership only to be told that the warranty would not be honored due to a lack of maintenance records. I was able to provide Hyundai with all maintenance records from my ownership as well as records on the CarFax report. They rejected the claim again stating that due to a lack of records not from my ownership they won’t cover it. After looking at the records I had access to again in critical detail I was able to find records that Hyundai missed, but they are unwilling to reevaluate the claim without me providing what they call additional records. I have contacted Hyundai, to try and resolve the issue and have gotten no resolution. The Prior Authorization team has stated that I have “adequate records” but still insist on denying the claim. The dealer has quoted me $12,000 for the repair that the warranty should be covering due to the engine not being manufactured in full anymore due to the issues that have come from it. The dealership (and private mechanic) would have to order individual pieces of the engine to build it themselves on site. If this engine is a big enough problem that Hyundai cannot provide a full engine replacement at market value then it should not be operating on the road at all.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678332August 4, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
This vehicle has experienced numerous serious failures, including two engine replacements, a transmission replacement, and persistent safety system malfunctions. The Downhill Brake Control (DBC) system remains stuck in the "on" position, and the traction control warning light stays illuminated. These issues directly compromise vehicle safety and stability, particularly on hilly or wet roads. Despite extensive service at Arapahoe Hyundai in Centennial, CO, these problems continue to return. The vehicle has been in the shop multiple times and was most recently in service for nearly 30 days. My wife was stranded at the dealership today due to the same unresolved safety system failure. Dealer communication has been poor, and repairs are often incomplete, requiring immediate return visits. The repeated failure of safety-critical systems, combined with the inability to resolve the issues long-term, presents a significant safety concern for both my family and others on the road. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate whether this is part of a broader defect pattern affecting 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe models and if a recall is warranted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677701August 1, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
I am writing to formally request your review and potential intervention regarding a serious and potentially widespread mechanical issue involving Hyundai vehicles, along with the manufacturer’s refusal to honor their well-advertised 100,000-mile powertrain warranty for subsequent (non-original) owners. I am the current owner of a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe (VIN: [XXX] ) that is experiencing a Continuous Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) system failure, which has led to a critical engine malfunction. The estimated cost of repairs exceeds $7,000, an unexpected and significant financial burden. Despite the vehicle being well within the 100,000-mile threshold, Hyundai has denied warranty coverage solely on the grounds that I am not the original owner. This policy effectively strips coverage from second-hand buyers and, in my view, is misleading given Hyundai’s extensive advertising of the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. It creates a false sense of long-term reliability and warranty protection. This is not an isolated case. Numerous complaints have surfaced from Hyundai owners experiencing similar catastrophic engine and powertrain failures—including CVVT malfunctions, rod bearing issues, and engine seizure—raising serious questions about: The safety and reliability of Hyundai's engine systems; The fairness and transparency of Hyundai’s warranty terms and advertising; Potentially systemic manufacturing or design flaws impacting thousands of vehicles on U.S. roads. I respectfully urge the NTSB to review whether such defects present broader safety implications and to assess whether Hyundai’s current warranty practices reflect responsible corporate and consumer protection standards. Please let me know if additional information is required, including repair estimates, maintenance records, or correspondence with Hyundai representatives. I appreciate your time and attention to this matter that is affecting many vehicle owners beyond my individual case. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FO
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677896August 1, 2025
Insert, Padding, Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
The contact owns a Safety 1st safety seat, Model type: Grow and Go All-In-One-Convertible, Model number: CC31-GYY, Manufacturer Date: August 01, 2023. The contact stated that the cloth part that covers the headpiece does not fit. In addition, the insulation part inside the cloth will detach. Most recently, the contact stated that the harness that goes across would become difficult to buckle. It would take several attempts to make it secure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677532July 31, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The car has been consuming all the engine only after 700 miles. This has been a constant issue since December 2024 and the issue has been brought up with Hyundai dealership in Denville, NJ and Hyundai Corporate as well. Hyundai dealership in Denville, NJ performed 2 oil consumption tests, which the vehicle failed both test only after 700 miles as it consumed all the engine oil. They refused to do further investigation or recall the engine as it should be covered under Hyundai TXXI warranty given the Hyundai Engine II Class Action Settlement a few years ago. The vehicle has broken down on me on the highway a few times and has put my family at risk and danger due to the negligence of the Hyundai dealership in Denville, NJ and Hyundai Corporate refuel to resolve the issue. Now the car does not start at all some days thus it has impacted my work and my ability to provide for my family
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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