Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#11705698December 17, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving- in total movement- the car completely shut off. Without any prior warning or indication. Immediately after, the car restarted, drove a couple blocks over, continuing to shut off while driving. It was then towed. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The warning lights did not appear until AFTER the car quit. They all came on & flashed & quickly went back out. Uncertain which component misfired or is affected- possibly related to an engine or fuel/ cylinder failure. Car is at mechanic for inspection. Our safety & lives were in critical jeopardy as the vehicle stopped without warning while driving in traffic congested area. It is unknown if this is a known issue or if this situation has been replicated however the current mechanic facility has experienced the same issue with this vehicle. Also strong odor of gas was experienced during shutoff.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705523December 17, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Both horns on my 2023 Hyundai Santa FE have failed 3 times. The first set was covered under warranty (3/24), the second set cost $499.64 (3/25). Now both horns are nonfunctional after just being replaced this Spring. After reviewing many complaints on the Hyundai community form, it is very obvious there is a major issue with their horns ( and not just the Santa Fe model). Twice this week I was in need of my horn to alert other drivers but instead had to make quick maneuvers to avoid an incident. My vehicle currently cannot pass a state inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705447December 16, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Windshield has crack starting in lower left corner cracking upward to the right. 2nd cracked sine May 2025. Reported 1 crack previously
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705170December 15, 2025
TIRES:SIDEWALL
Pirelli Scorpion MS 255/45 R20 105V M+S A large bulge was found on the inside sidewall of the tire immediately adjacent to the tread. We had it inspected due to a slight shimmy in the nearly new (<3000 miles) vehicle, which had been present since delivery when traveling at highway speeds. We were told that the car was unsafe to drive but neither the dealership where we bought the vehicle and the dealership where we were having it serviced were willing to provide any relief (loaner, warrantee or discounted tire(s), etc.) Pirelli indicated that they may cover it under warrantee but that the tire would need to be shipped to them for inspection to determine if the condition was due to a defect. We drove it slowly home and after a few days of not driving it while trying to get some assistance, we purchased 4 new tires. We were able to find approximately a dozen other similar reports for 2025 Santa Fes with the same tires that had experienced the same issue; one such report indicated that 3 out of the 4 original tires all developed a bulge on the sidewall. When I first attempted to purchase new tires at Costco, the manager "refused" to sell me tires because he insisted that it was a defect and that the dealership should replace it but they did sell them to me after the dealership again refused to do so. We did not retain the tire and the only people to inspect it were the technician at the dealership where we had it serviced and the manager of the Costco tire center. There were no warning lights, but there was a slight shimmy at highway speed (~70 mph) from the time we took delivery until we replaced the tires. The defect was on the inside sidewall and was not readily visible when the tire was installed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704961December 14, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The vehicle will not accelerate and comes to a complete stop while driving. Within days, it displayed ‘Check Hybrid System. Stop safely’ and lost propulsion while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704840December 13, 2025
ENGINE
Vehicle is consuming oil at an exceptionally fast rate. In October 2025, when taken in for an oil change and my complaint of a burning smell upon quick acceleration, the technician documented no oil was found on the dipstick. Just a month later, in November 2025, the oil level was already extremely low, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and an oil consumption test is currently being administered. The vehicle is scheduled for an engine replacement in January 2026 after the consumption test is concluded.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704714December 12, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
“My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4 has been experiencing severe oil consumption issues for a long time. I previously completed a combustion chamber cleaning service as recommended, but the problem continued. On November 10, the Hyundai dealership confirmed the engine oil was low and topped it off. On December 10, the oil was completely empty again with no warning lights. The dealer has documented the issue and recommended an engine replacement, but Hyundai is refusing to approve the repair . The vehicle continues to lose oil rapidly, creating a serious safety risk of engine failure or stalling while driving. This appears to be a known safety-related engine defect affecting this model.”
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704398December 11, 2025
ENGINE
My vehicle has never missed an oil change or maintenance event yet at my last oil change my engine had burned through all its oil and no low oil light or check engine light came on. Hyundai is refusing to cover it under their warranty stating it occurred due to maintenance neglect even though all oil changes and maintenance events receipts were provided to Hyundai and are available in car fax.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704448December 11, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel injectors have repeatedly failed. I am on my third replacement
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704405December 11, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn has broken 4 times. I was told that it is a design defect in the car and there is no permanent fix. Water gets in to the horn when it rains and because of the location of the horn it would have to be moved to fix it. Hyundai is aware of this safety issue and has not issued a recall because there is no permanent fix. They are supposed to be buying back my car but are dragging their feet. I'm sure this is an issue in more than just my car and it's very unsafe for the horn to just stop working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704168December 10, 2025
ENGINE
Engine went into limp mode and a knocking sound was heard. Had car inspected and oil changed but no improvements occurred. Took car to dealership and it failed engine test. Hyundai will not cover replacement under open extended warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704202December 10, 2025
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear chassis was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The independent mechanic performed no repairs on the vehicle. The contact stated that while touching the metal parts the parts were disintegrating. The contact stated that the 4x4 failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the abnormal sound was worsening. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704253December 10, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
# **NHTSA Complaint Answers** ### **1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?** The **engine** failed due to **sudden and extreme oil consumption** that resulted in the engine being completely dry of oil despite regular maintenance. This caused internal damage including **CVVT (Continuous Variable Valve Timing) system failure**, bearing damage, and a complete engine seizure. Yes, the failed engine is fully available for inspection upon request. The vehicle is currently located at Dick Smith Hyundai in Greenville, South Carolina, where the dealership diagnosed the failure and recommended a full engine long block replacement. ### **2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?** The engine failure occurred **suddenly and without warning**, causing the vehicle to lose power while operating. The loss of engine function created the risk of: * sudden deceleration in traffic, * inability to accelerate or maneuver, * potential rear-end collision, * complete engine stall in unsafe conditions. The vehicle had **no oil warning light** prior to the failure, meaning I had no indication that the engine was at risk until the failure occurred. ### **3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?** Yes. The engine failure was confirmed by: • **Schwab’s Automotive** in Fayetteville, NC – determined the engine suffered catastrophic internal damage and was not repairable. • **Dick Smith Hyundai** dealership – confirmed **high oil consumption and CVVT damage**, and recommended a full **engine long block replacement** (estimate: $8,160.60). The problem has been fully verified by both an independent mechanic and an authorized Hyundai dealership. ## **4.Yes.The vehicle was formally inspected by Hyundai Motor America through the dealership’s diagnostic report. Hyundai reviewed the case (Case #XXX) after receiving the dealership findings.The engine remains intact avai. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF IN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704184December 10, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle cannot pick up speed, and it is displaying the DTC- P1C2D03. This is similar to the issues that led to "Safety Recall 236 to repair a condition involving the 8-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) system" in earlier model years (till 2022) for certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles. NHTSA should issue a recall for 2023 model years also as Hyundai has not addressed this issue to the fullest extent in 2023 model years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703909December 9, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On more than 10 occasions the SUV gets stuck in neutral upon starting the car. You can only switch between Park and neutral and are unable to drive the car. It will not go into drive or reverse. Sometimes this problem lasts for 10 minutes. The car will not shut off during that time even when you press the stop button the screen just resets. The only solution is to wait or to press the hard reset button on the computer screen. It is a dangerous situation because if you need to go somewhere, you physically cannot drive the car. I took it to the car dealership when the car was almost brand new and they had it for eight days and they did a software update but I don’t think they found the problem. this problem is now having more and more frequently.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703900December 9, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Bought in Sept 2026 with 30,000 miles. Would not stop when breaking at low speed but would jerk and accelerate, causing me to drive through red lights and stop signs. How to swerve to avoid collisionHappened about 6 times. Returned to dealer. States could not duplicate. Traded car in
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703860December 8, 2025
ENGINE
At 70,000 miles the Santa Fe was consuming oil at 1.5 quarts per 1000 miles. It is a 2.4 engine. The Hyundai dealership did an oil consumption test and verified the consumption. They want to do a combustion chamber cleaning and have me run it 1000 miles. The vehicle is unsafe because this defective engine could seize up at any time. I am trying to have Hyundai USA replace the engine asap. I have all my maintenance records and two warranties.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703865December 8, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
On a clear road a sencor comes on detect comes on says detection collision. The breaks come on when you are traveling on interstate or two lane roads. When you are traveling 75 mph and breaks come on all of a sudden on the highway. We are lucky we never got hit in the back of the car going that fast. We will stop 75 to 35 mph in 10 seconds.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703852December 8, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, SERVICE BRAKES
Vehicle purchased 9/1/24 from Courtesy Hyundai of Tampa. Dealership failed to file registration/tags until 10/4/24. 7/12/25: Vehicle experienced involuntary acceleration and braking, resulting in impact with my mother’s home. 7/16/25: Dealer issued written report stating vehicle was operating normally and documented a recall-related display/audio/camera software update. 8/14/25: Hyundai engineering inspection performed without my knowledge. No report has ever been released. 8/27/25: Hyundai issued corporate denial, blaming driver error and stating braking/acceleration systems were normal. 12/5/25: Second involuntary braking incident at highway speed on I-275. Five uncommanded braking events over ~20 miles. Service Manager stated failure was due to sensor/camera malfunction and instructed that the vehicle should not be driven and to tow immediately. Despite this, the vehicle had been released into roadway operation. VIN lookup shows an open, unrepaired federal recall (24V879000 / Recall 271) for the rearview camera system, marked Recall Incomplete, despite the dealer’s documentation that recall-related camera/software work was completed on 7/16/25. BBB Auto Line denied my claim only because the vehicle was outside Florida Lemon Law eligibility. No safety determination was made. Hyundai released no engineering, sensor, or camera data despite an engineering inspection. This vehicle has experienced repeated involuntary braking and acceleration at highway speed, involving braking, camera, and automatic emergency braking systems, creating a serious risk of loss of control, collision, injury, or death. Despite repeated failures, contradictory diagnostics, withheld engineering data, and an open federal recall, the vehicle was released back into public roadway operation. I request that NHTSA formally investigate this safety defect.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703527December 7, 2025
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Description of the Problem: I own a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Limited with approximately 3 months of use. While driving on highway, the vehicle suddenly stalled displaying “Hybrid System Failure-Stop by side”. I had to stop on shoulder and restart, drove it couple of days and it happened again. Engine would not start, leaving the vehicle stuck in EV mode only with no ability to accelerate properly, Vehicle wouldnt go beyond 35mph. The vehicle then stalled and became unsafe to operate on a public road. After restarting, the vehicle displayed a Check Engine Light. Tookk it to the dealer and the dealer reported DTC P1122000, but did not provide clear evidence of an internal system fault. The dealer claimed the event was caused by “20% ethanol in the fuel,” which is inconsistent with U.S. pump labeling laws. When I checked my credit card entries around the time for refuel, all of them are reputed gas stations with nothing lower than "87" gas which is in alignment with car manufacturer's recommendation. This sudden stall created a serious safety hazard, and I am concerned this may be a broader issue with the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid drivetrain, fuel system sensors, or hybrid control module. I am requesting NHTSA to look into whether similar complaints exist, as this failure mode can result in loss of propulsion at speed, putting occupants at risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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