Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#11673035July 12, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I tried to open the doors of my locked vehicle with the key fob and there was no response. I tried several times and nothing happened. I called AAA and they opened the door with my valet key and was able to pop the trunk. He checked the battery and it was working fine. He then noticed that the wire connecting the battery to the fuse box has melted at the point of contract with the fuse box and actually melted part of the plastic fuse box. There was nothing he could do, so I had to have the car towed to the dealer. I was lucky that the total meltdown of the electrical system did not occur when I was driving or I would not have been able to see any of the controls on the inside of the auto and not be able to use the gear shift to put the car in park.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672592July 10, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I've been having a few issues with my 2025 Calligraphy Hybrid I bought in November related to the main screen, sometimes when I start the vehicle it doesn't properly initialize and it will show me some of the icons and nothing else. No HUD, no speedometer, no remaining fuel, no hybrid information. It's a huge safety issue, it seems to happen every couple of weeks. I thought it was the digital key not working properly so I disabled that but still having issues. I have to let the car sit for a few hours or overnight and then when i turn it on then it's back to normal. I realized that when the main screen is off, it doesn't capture the mileage so the mileage is off by close to 300 miles right now. Huge issue, I've had it happen on my way home from work (25 miles) at least 4 times, and once on a road trip (150 miles). Also when this happens because I can't see the speedometer, I have to use Waze on the infotainment screen (which works without issue) to see my actual speed because the built-in navigation only shows me increments of 10 mph on the screen (this is just stupid).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672538July 10, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car horn stopped working very suddenly, without any prior warning, while I was driving. The car has around 36000 miles on it, so the horn dying out was a surprise. Driving without a functioning horn has also become a safety issue. I have an upcoming appointment with the dealership to diagnose and fix the problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672381July 9, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving on the highway at 65 MPH, the contact heard a loud bang coming from the engine. The contact stated that immediately afterwards the vehicle started losing motive power with smoke coming from the front and the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that additional diagnostic tests were needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 152,530.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672195July 9, 2025
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the windshield wiper fluid was low. The contact added additional fluid to the reservoir. After the additional fluid was added, the contact became aware that there was windshield wiper fluid on the garage floor. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the soy-based feeding tubes to the windshield wipers had been chewed on by rodents. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 700. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671982July 8, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I am reporting a critical safety defect involving my brand-new 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving on the freeway, the vehicle experienced a complete brake system failure, nearly causing a serious accident. My boyfriend was driving at the time, and when he tried to brake, the vehicle did not stop. He had to take immediate evasive action to avoid crashing, which put both of us — and nearby drivers — in immediate danger. The vehicle was purchased about a month ago and had never been serviced or modified. After the failure, it was towed to Hanlees Auto Mall Hyundai in Richmond, California, where the service department inspected it and confirmed the problem was caused by a missing clamp, which is a critical component of the braking system. This appears to be a manufacturing or dealership oversight. They took photos, documented the issue, and made the repair — but they also told me they cannot guarantee this won’t happen again. There were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms before the failure — the brakes simply stopped working during operation on the freeway. As of now: •The issue has been confirmed by Hanlees Hyundai in Richmond. •I have not yet received a loaner vehicle. •The car is currently in my possession, but I do not feel safe driving it. •I have been in contact with Supervisor Steve at Hyundai of Vacaville, who has offered to pick up the vehicle and provide a loaner, but that has not yet occurred. This is an extremely dangerous failure that occurred on a brand-new vehicle. I am requesting a formal investigation into this issue to determine if it’s isolated or part of a broader manufacturing defect with the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. A missing brake component that results in total failure at freeway speeds is a life-threatening safety hazard and should be taken seriously by the manufacturer and federal safety officials.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671777July 7, 2025
ENGINE
engine oil excessive consumption. We bought (Sept 2024) this 2017 vehicle used at a Hyundia dealership, beautiful, loaded orange SUV, for my senior college student. We have to add quart after quart after quart of oil in-between oil changes. She hardly drives the car as she walks to class and works 1/2 mile from her Apt. We are scared for her to take even a 2hr road trip due to this issue. She is devasted and scared to drive it much and we are furious that we are stuck with this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671548July 7, 2025
ENGINE
While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the fifth of five times that it has happened so far.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671543July 7, 2025
ENGINE
While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the fourth of five times that it has happened so far.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671530July 7, 2025
ENGINE
While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the THIRD of five times that it has happened so far.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671527July 7, 2025
ENGINE
While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the SECOND of five times that it has happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671522July 7, 2025
ENGINE
While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the first of five times that it has happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671450July 6, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We were driving in Montana down [XXX] and heard a very large “pop” sound above us. Our vehicle was traveling alone in the area at the time, no other vehicles were around ours. There was no debris on the road or flying in air at the time, either. At this point the panoramic roof glass was closed but the interior cloth cover was open and there was no evidence of any damage. When we stopped for gas, the front glass panel covering behind the windshield and before the panoramic roof glass, was completely shattered. The weather was the same as it had been, 80F with minimal cloud coverage. There was no sudden change in weather/driving conditions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671107July 3, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased a brand new vehicle from Hyundai within 9 months the horn stopped working. It was replaced 10/2024 and now less than 1 year the horn has stopped working once again. Hyundai has not issued an extended warranty to the Santa Fe model when this has been a known issue with all there vehicles for this year.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670835July 2, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, POWER TRAIN
2017 Santa Fe, car had fire in 09/2024 and was with dealership until 05/2025. BSD, ABS, TRACTION, and Parking Brake lights on the dash when vehicle was picked up. Dealership not complaint to pay as the assume it is an Outside issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670920July 2, 2025
ENGINE
Oil consumption on vehicle engine leading the engine to run low on oil for extended periods of time
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670443July 1, 2025
ENGINE
I was driving my daughters to school and the vehicle made a loud squeal and a subsequently a continuous clicking noise. I did not have any warning of the vehicle malfunctioning. There was no check engine light, no loss of power, or anything related to an impending failure. Upon this happening I was able to quickly get the vehicle moved as I was in the middle of the road with people around and lucking was not hit as I immediately stopped. I was close to home and was able to get the vehicle back to our home. Upon speaking with a Hyundai dealership they made me aware of a “silent recall” on many motors within the Hyundai failure due to internal failures. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and inspected and confirmed to have been linked to the engine failure. Hyundai is now stating that due to me being the second owner of the vehicle I am not apt to the extended warranty and there is no notice on any of the public facing knowledge to any of this information. I have gone through almost 2.5 months of back and forth with Hyundai case managers & the Attorney general.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670416July 1, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I have had issues with my dual-clutch transmission slipping gears in multiple ways while driving; most commonly while in drive and going downhill the tachometer will aggressively rev when just idling and without pressing the accelerator. Also, when trying to reverse out of a parking space on an incline or decline multiple times I have rolled forward as if in neutral and receiving no power to back the vehicle in reverse. Previously owned a 2023 sonata with similar transmission issues and blew a cylinder on the highway within a year of ownership(engine knocked out while driving about 65 and just lost power and had to pull over on side of highway. Went to dealership yesterday for regular maintenance and told them about transmission issues. They checked vehicle for any tcu updates and there were none. Test drove it and said it was driving normal. I know it’s not driving normally/safely. What can I do?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670300June 30, 2025
ENGINE
While I acknowledge that my vehicle is no longer under warranty, I remain extremely concerned about the excessive oil consumption issue. My vehicle is equipped with the Theta II engine, which has been the subject of multiple class action lawsuits and recalls due to serious engine defects, including excessive oil consumption and internal engine failure. To be clear, I have already had the vehicle inspected by a non-Hyundai dealership, which confirmed there are no external oil leaks. This indicates the issue is likely internal and consistent with the known defects associated with the Theta II engine. Given Hyundai’s awareness of these problems — as reflected in class action settlements and technical service bulletins — I believe it is reasonable to expect Hyundai to cover the cost of diagnostic inspection and consider goodwill assistance if a defect is confirmed. Hyundai got back to me but and said We have reviewed your vehicle information and have determined your vehicle is affected by Campaign TXX8. However it’s over the 150000 miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669452June 26, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Q: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A: Two fuel injectors on bank 2 are failing intermittently causing the engine light to flash and stay on (P0300 errors) and the car loses power. Q: How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A: Driving to Newark airport on [XXX] the car suddenly lost power and was quickly coming to a halt. LUCKILY I was was in the middle lane and was able to get to the shoulder without incident. This also happened to my daughter when she was in WA state, driving to work on the highway (the car was serviced but the fuel injectors were not replaced - see attached receipt). Q: Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? A: Yes. An independent service center performed a injector value load test which determines the amount of blocked pressure the injector is performing under load. The values and the math show that more than 1 injector on bank 2 are failing. Q: Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? A: I had the vehicle in the Hyundai dealer but they did not do the injector load test and only wanted to replace all the coil packs and plugs. I had two other independent service facilities confirm the issue is with fault fuel injectors. Hyundai has the parts on hold and is not releasing any due to this issue. I do NOT understand how this is not a recall circumstance. I am fortunate that in both instances an accident did not occur. Q: Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? A: Yes, the engine light comes on - at first blinking, then steady. 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

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