Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints (2024)

192 consumer complaints on file.

#11696822October 31, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
When accelerating from a stop, the transmission fails to engage causing the engine to rev but not allow for movement until the gas pedal is disengaged then engaged again. This happens sporadically and I have not been able to find a pattern or reason for this issue. I have reported this to Hyundai and taken the vehicle in but the dealership was unable to reproduce the issue after driving the vehicle for 20 miles. This is a safety issue as the vehicle does not always accelerate as expected from a stop and could potentially cause an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695768October 27, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving behind a trailer at 61 MPH with the cruise control activated, the indicator was activated to switch to the left lane, and the vehicle independently accelerated to the set speed of 68 MPH. The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal to slow down. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure had occurred several times and now occurred whenever the cruise control was activated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure; however, the contact was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,434.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695344October 23, 2025
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
The "take a coffee break" system is out of control. Encourages me to take a break repeatedly, even when i have both hands on the wheel and am staring straight ahead. It's distracting and frustrating, and cannot be turned off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690706October 1, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving my 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe on the interstate, the “Keep your eyes on the road” alert repeatedly activated even though the driver was attentive and looking forward. After multiple warnings, the system escalated to a message that the vehicle was about to be disabled, which created a serious safety concern. This happened even though the Driver Attention Warning feature is disabled in the vehicle’s settings. The issue appears to be caused by the steering-column driver monitoring camera system falsely detecting inattention. The constant alerts are distracting, and the threat of the vehicle disabling features while driving at highway speeds is dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690364September 29, 2025
SEAT BELTS
Having great difficulty releasing the seat belt. At times, have to repeat pressing red release button. I’ve been using seat belts in more than 50-75 cars on my life experience and never had trouble releasing my seat belt. This problem is consistent with all family members who drive this car. I’m concerned if an emergency situation occurs, my family will not be able to get out of car quickly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689964September 26, 2025
ENGINE
Vehicle was not driven for 2 days. The check engine light is one and says "active airflap issue" the flaps appear to be open when a/c is on and closed when vehicle is off. There is no debri or anything arount the air flaps. This could cause potential overheating and should not happen in a years time. We travel for my husband's job and this could be very dangerous. We thought we were buying a new RELIABLE vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689494September 24, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The transmission was replaced and I picked up my vehicle on 16 September. 23 September, all of the transmission lights, warning, lights and check engine light came on. The vehicle is being towed back to the dealership with transmission issues again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688658September 20, 2025
SUSPENSION, WHEELS, POWER TRAIN
We had notice that my wife's 2024 Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD, is shuddering and vibrating at low speeds 20 to 40 mph always. Probably now is a little more accentuated. There is nothing on the steering wheel, but in the whole vehicle. Because this is not new, and I am not always driving this vehicle, I need your assistance as soon as possible.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686430September 10, 2025
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle Information: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybird SEL VIN: [XXX] Purchased date: [XXX] (Less than one year) Mileage at incident: 12,753 Incident date: [XXX] Dealer: Kengarff Downtown Hyundai Summary of Problem: I am filing this complaint because of a serious safety concern caused by clear dealership negligence and potential engine failure. During a routine service, the dealership failed to add engine oil, but recorded in the service invoice that it was added. I unknowingly drove the vehicle 3–5 miles without oil, and multiple DTC error codes (P052400, P001100, P001400) appeared. The oil warning light, which should have alerted me, did not activate. Although a later borescope inspection stated there was “no immediate damage,” since then, the vehicle has shown: Significant loss of power and acceleration Abnormally high RPMs, even when the car is stopped Louder engine noises RPM is increasing suddenly while driving downhill without acceleration This vehicle is less than one year old and costs over $40,000. I should not be forced to drive a new car that may have hidden or delayed engine damage. Safety Concern: I have a [XXX], and I cannot risk sudden engine failure, stalling, or fire while driving. This is not only a reliability issue, but a serious safety hazard for my family and others on the road. Attempts to Resolve: Reported to Hyundai corporate, case opened. The dealership admitted the mistake but denied responsibility after the inspection. Hyundai corporate stated “no action until further inspection,” despite clear evidence of negligence. I continue to experience performance and safety issues. Requested Action: I urge NHTSA to investigate this incident and hold Hyundai accountable for both the dealership’s negligence and the potential safety defects (oil light failure, possible hidden engine damage). Consumers should not be left to drive unsafe vehicles, especially when children’s safety is at stake. 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
#11685592September 7, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The drive attention warning system turned off the cruise control. Causing the vehicle to unexpectedly decrease speed on the interstate, which forced the cars behind me to brake hard to avoid hitting me. This system is constantly giving alerts for no reason distracting my attention to the road. I can have both hands on the wheel and looking straight forward and the system gives an alert tone and flashes a message on the screen stating it can see my face. If the cruise control is on it will disengage the cruise. If the cruise is not engaged it just keeps alert every 20 miles or so. I have taken it to the dealer, who showed me how to turn it off , but it still alerts over and over again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684980September 4, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while pulling into an automatic car wash and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal travelled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle then drove into the car wash while the car wash conveyor system was not engaged. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving 2-3 MPH in a parking lot, and the vehicle rear-ended another occupied vehicle. There was no damage or injury sustained. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and pulling out of a parking lot, the brake pedal was depressed, but travelled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pumped the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond and rear-ended another occupied vehicle. The contact sustained cuts on the left leg from hitting the leg against the dashboard while pumping the brake pedal. The contact's vehicle sustained scratches on the front end, and the other vehicle sustained damage on the bumper plastic cover. A police report was filed. Both vehicles could be driven away from the scene. The air bags did not deploy. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing on several occasions; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11683707August 28, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I purchased the Vehicle from Ourisman Hyundai of Bowie, Inc. (Bowie, Maryland) on [XXX] (the “Date of Purchase”). Within a few months of the Date of Purchase, I began having issues with the digital dashboard and heads up display. Both the digital dashboard and heads up display would go completely dark, leaving me an inability to view essential operational and safety information, including but not limited to, the speedometer, rear view camera, blind spot cameras, driving mode, driving gear, navigation, warning messages, lane following assist, tire pressure monitoring system, driver attention warnings, etc. (the “Hazardous Condition”). After multiple calls and emails with the service manager at Len Stoler Hyundai (Owings Mills, Maryland), I took my car to their dealership on November 5, 2024, December 30, 2024, and May 28, 2025, to have Hazardous Condition corrected. Although Len Stoler Hyundai was able to slightly improve the Hazardous Condition such that it was more intermittent – going dark for minutes or hours at a time instead of days at a time - the problem was never satisfactorily resolved. Recently, the Hazardous Condition became less intermittent, and all screens went permanently dark. Since Len Stoler Hyundai closed their doors, I reached out to Heritage Hyundai Owings Mills to address the Hazardous Condition. After a detailed call with a service advisor, I dropped off the Vehicle to them on August 15, 2025, and as of the date of this letter, thirteen (13) days have passed without them resolving the Hazardous Condition, or even returning my repeated telephone calls. To date, Heritage Hyundai Owings Mills remains in possession of the Vehicle. 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
#11682031August 21, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Everytime with Acc active it activates the Driver attention camera system which never works in sunlight camera reads wrong and disable Acc while driving on freeway all the time due to sun reflection cant even wear polairized glasses Acc never works.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681828August 20, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driver Assistant cruise and steering components relating to the warning system. The system notification is turned off in the settings; however, the issue overrides the setting. Cruise control and steering assist shuts off after brief but consistant warning to keep my eyes on the road. My eyes are on the road. I can do nothing to stop it from warning. It may happen up to 20 times in a distance of 9-20 miles. This has occured since purchase and occurs everytime the car is driven. While passing on interstate highways the system may shut off. Acceleration stops, steering assist shuts off. Four dealerships have seen the vehicle and a claim was issued by Hyundai America. A Service manager finally, after many request, rode with me after a year of many service appointment resulting in a change of passenger facing camera. No change occurred in the system, it continues to behavior the same a prior to the camera change.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680184August 12, 2025
WHEELS
I lease a vehicle (under one year old) equipped with low-profile Pirelli tires. After three months, one tire developed a sidewall bulge. I contacted Pirelli and was referred to Hyundai. The Hyundai dealership advised that Pirelli tires are not covered under Hyundai’s warranty and that Pirelli must authorize any replacement. I was subsequently informed that Pirelli declined coverage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680171August 12, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
The vehicle was purchased brand new and at near 8k miles the brakes became warped. It caused severe shaking on the highway and has continued to get worse. Hyundai confirmed the brakes were bad but refused to replace the rotors. Rotors on a new car should not be warped at 8k miles, cheap materials lead to that
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679733August 11, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): [XXX] Make: Hyundai Model: Santa Fe Year: 2024 Description of the issue: •Component or system that failed: The vehicle’s brake system, including the emergency braking system, failed to slow or stop the vehicle at low speeds. The problem is available for inspection upon request. •Safety risk: This failure endangered my safety and others. While driving slowly in traffic, I fully pressed the brake pedal, and the emergency braking system activated, but the vehicle did not slow or stop, causing a minor collision with another vehicle. •Reproduction or confirmation: Prior to the incident, on two separate occasions, I noticed the brake pedal felt loose or like it “released” at low speeds, forcing me to press harder for the vehicle to slow. These issues were not previously inspected or documented. I was planning to have the brake issue inspected along with a current recall and other concerns, including a stiff seatbelt buckle and a door that was difficult to open, as soon as I had the chance. I have not received any formal recall notice by mail or email. I learned about the recall during routine maintenance at the dealership. •Inspections: The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer but I plan to take it to an authorized Hyundai dealership asap for inspection. The accident has not been reported to the police or insurance yet but it will be first thing tomorrow. •Warning lamps or symptoms: No warning lights appeared, but there unusual brake behavior was noted on two occasions about two weeks before the crash. Thought this time was significantly worse, and by worse this I mean the vehicle didn’t brake. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#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
#11677170July 30, 2025
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
when accelerating at high speeds, over 70 mph, the car will sometimes appear to slip into neutral, and we are not able to accelerate at all. And then will need to coast to a stop, pull over, shut the car and restart. this has happened five times in the past year and always after one hour or more of driving at high speeds
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677050July 29, 2025
TIRES
The failure occurred in the sidewalls of the two factory‑supplied all‑season tires on the passenger‑side (front and rear) of my 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. Both tires exhibit pronounced bulges on the outer sidewall of the front passenger tire. Tire size is 255/45 R20 105V M+S The rear OEM tire was replaced on February 10, 2025 and front OEM tire (with DOT codes visible) remain mounted on the vehicle, but I must replace it to keep the vehicle operational. I noticed the bulging of the second tire today, July 29, 2025. Sidewall bulges indicate internal cord separation. A sudden loss of air pressure or blowout—especially at highway speeds—could result in rapid vehicle instability, loss of control, and a potentially serious crash, endangering occupants and other road users. No, the problem has yet to be inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance or others. However there is mounting conserns and simular reports of the same problem occurring with other owners of 2024 Hyundai SantaFes with the same OEM tire. No warning lamps, messages or other symptons prior to the problem occuring. There has been no off‑road use, curb impacts, overloading, or manufacturing advisories at the time of discovery. My best assessment is a potential manufacturing or design defect in the OEM tire sidewall construction causing premature internal separation under normal use.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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