Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#11718119February 15, 2026
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Description: I am reporting a recurring and dangerous safety defect involving the ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) on my 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has exhibited uncommanded steering input. Even when the Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) system is manually disabled by the driver, the vehicle software overrides this command and re-activates the system without driver input, causing unpredictable steering behavior. System Failures & Error Codes: The vehicle intermittently displays a "Check Forward Attention Warning System" failure. Dealership diagnostics have confirmed the following historical fault codes related to module communication: •C164286, C168886, C16B902, C28B981 Related Safety Recalls: This vehicle is currently subject to Recall 265 (NHTSA 24V561000) for main floor wiring harness chafing and Recall 288 (NHTSA 25V808000) for rearview camera wiring tension. I believe the uncommanded steering and camera failures are direct results of the electrical interference or harness damage described in these active safety recalls. Safety Risk: The uncommanded steering override creates an immediate risk of a crash, especially in high-speed highway conditions where the vehicle may unexpectedly pull against the driver's intent.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718046February 14, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving on a 5 Lane Highway when suddenly what sounded like a gunshot or grenade going off in my right ear turned out to be my sunroof shattering. I thought someone shot at me since there were traffic on my right, but when I looked to my right I saw no evidence until I looked up, then immediately felt glass particles falling in all around.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717593February 12, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating with the accelerator pedal depressed and the RPM raised. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally failed to start. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that there were metal shavings in the oil pan. Hyundai Eugene (89320 N Game Farm Rd, Eugene, OR 97408) was contacted; however, the failure was not identified. Upon further investigation, the Hyundai Blue Link App retrieved DTC associated with the Power Train EMS and Power Train TCU. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717673February 12, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On my vehicle I’ve had to have the horn replaced at least three times. Paying about $500 for the last two instances. While there is no formal federal recall for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe horn specifically, it is affected by a widespread, known issue where water intrusion corrodes the horn's electrical contacts, leading to failure. Hyundai has addressed this with an extended warranty or service campaign in some regions to replace the horn. Saying this my vin # is not included in this but I can’t understand why.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717453February 12, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Replaced horns a couple times, after doing research, this seems to be a deeper and ongoing issues with this car ok a larger scale. Horns die out or stop completely, causing multiple replacements.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717373February 11, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On the morning of December 10, 2025, I left my home for an appointment. I traveled for about 15 minutes before entering onto the highway. As I entered the highway, I traveled about half a mile and was scared by a very loud explosion! I pulled over to assess my vehicle and the surrounding area. The sunroof had SHATTERED to pieces, fortunately I didn’t have it open at the time. It was just a miracle I didn’t have an accident from being startled, or receive any cuts or injuries due to this unforeseen event. As I was driving, there was very little to no traffic and I never heard anything like hit the car or window or anything. I called my insurance company and filed a claim. They eventually had me to take it to a Collision Center 12/22/2025. They removed all glass from sunroof, and determined that there was an issue with the glass rack, and it would end up being very costly. My Insurance Provider contacted me to say they would not be able to provide coverage due to the cost and findings of the Collision Center. So they backed out and informed me that I needed to file a claim with Hyundai. So I picked the vehicle up 1/19/2026 from the Collision Center. Then I filed a claim with Hyundai, and was told to schedule an appointment for inspection. I took the vehicle for inspection 1/22/2026, after about a week I was told that the vehicle had been inspected there was nothing they could do. I’m confused as to how the inspection went since there was no glass present in order to check the opening and closing of the car rack. Plus the plastic that the Collision Center placed on it was barely removed. So I picked the vehicle up 1/30/2026. and it’s been sitting in my driveway covered every since. The vehicle has been inspected by a Collision Center, and the Dealership without any success. There were no warning lights of any indication of trouble on the dashboard at any given time, not even when the explosion occurred. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717441February 11, 2026
ENGINE
Purchased this 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe from dealer with 86K miles. (second owner). Immediately noticed excessive oil consumption. Would take vehicle in for oil top off service, to ensure proper levels. At 99K miles (six months after purchase) lost compression in #2 cylinder while driving on the freeway. Per independent auto repair facility and a Hyundai service center, engine replacement is needed. Hyundai declined engine replacement. It appears oil consumption was an issue when the vehicle was traded in to the dealership, and they resold it anyway to an unsuspecting consumer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717326February 11, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Three separate original equipment Pirelli Scorpion MS tires experienced sidewall structural failures on my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy within the first 8,000 miles. One tire suffered a sudden blowout at approximately 3,000 miles. Two additional tires developed visible sidewall bubbles at approximately 6,000–8,000 miles. These failures occurred without impact damage or misuse and represent a serious safety risk. The dealership acknowledged observing one sidewall bubble during service but failed to inform me. Due to repeated structural failures, I was forced to replace all four original equipment tires at my own expense to ensure vehicle safety. I am concerned this may represent a pattern defect involving the factory-installed Pirelli Scorpion MS tires on 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy models. Happy to provide my receipts and documentation, and my out of pocket expense was $1,396.17. The first failure was in August, 2025 (car purchased in July) on country road setting, the second and third were both in early January under primarily highway conditions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717013February 10, 2026
POWER TRAIN
After making right turn after being stopped at traffic light, when I attempted to accelerate the vehicle would not shift from low gear to higher gear(s). This caused very high engine RPMs for the time it took to pull the vehicle off to the side of the road and stop and turn of the vehicle . I looked at dash board for any indicator lights but didn’t see any. Restarted the vehicle accelerated back on to the road and the vehicle did change gears ok. Again looking for any dashboard indicator to be on but didn’t see any. The date of this incident was [XXX]. Made appointment on 2/10/26 for service to diagnose why this incident happened on 2/17/26 and to provide any necessary repairs at Columbia Hyundai, Cincinnati, Ohio. 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
#11716935February 10, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
In this car when you are driving and it is raining hard and you are on a big highway at night with cars coming towards you, the windshield does not clear and it streaks really bad so you cannot see. I have sent pictures to the dealership as well as Hyundai of what it looks like just when you clean off the windshield of snow that it streaks really bad then too and the streaks stay on there, so if you clean your window the day before and get up the next day the halo streaks are still on there. I can somewhat handle that part but when you are driving in rain and you cannot see it is very dangerous . This is a brand new car and this is the 4th time I have had it in the shop for this and they keep saying they cannot duplicate it, but they have not had it when it is raining at night. I do not even want to drive this car at night if I think it may rain because it is so bad. The manufacturer has not inspected it, only the dealership. I am driving a 2026 loaner right now because it is still in the shop but they want me to come pick it up this week saying they cannot duplicate it. If you look the 2026 has had a new windshield design and I know that it is probably because they know the 2025 design is dangerous. I cannot upload on here . Is there anyway I can get an email address to send the documents too? I can scan the receipts from the times it has been there but the conversations are all via email that I have. If I Could get an email I could send them over.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716866February 9, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This is a 2022 Santa Fe PHEV with just 33k miles on it. While driving on freeway, vehicle displayed warning sign for "Check Hybrid System" and the Check Engine light and Battery light switched on. Sensing a loss of power with the acceleration, I managed to get off the freeway and had to get the vehicle towed to the nearest dealership. Once they checked the vehicle, they reported they had to recalibrate the HSG resolver motor and claimed the issue was now fixed. I collected the vehicle back from the dealership and to my horror, on the drive back home, the exact same problem resurfaced and I experienced a loss of power and stalling again. Now I have to tow the vehicle to another dealer again. Searching the internet for this problem shows that many other drivers have experienced and reported this issue, so I am recording my formal complaint. Twice in the space of a few days, I have experienced a safety issue that could have affected myself and my family and other drivers on the road. Hyundai needs to investigate and figure out the proper resolution for this failure and institute a recall to address ASAP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716823February 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Needed to use horn in an emergency situation and that's when I found out my horn no longer works. 20,000 miles on 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716394February 7, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Since December my car has been burning oil at a fast rate. My husband has already had to add an additional 4 quarts since my last service 3000 miles ago. I have read and heard from others with a Santa Fe that they are having to replace their engines because of this. They are under warranty. Unfortunately I am not. I’ve already dealt with a white paint issue with Hyundai. I called couple weeks ago and was told someone would email me and they have not. I’m not sure where to turn now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716427February 7, 2026
ENGINE
documented oil-consumption issue with my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, which currently has 98,876 miles. This concern was first formally reported in October 2025. Since that time, I have fully complied with all diagnostic and procedural requirements requested by the dealership, including inspections, documentation, and follow-up visits. The dealership has acknowledged that the vehicle has an ongoing oil-consumption condition. Per the instructions provided by Hyundai Service Team, I was advised to “submit my own claim.” I later learned that, as a customer, I am not permitted to submit or appeal a claim directly, and that only the dealership has the ability to do so. I have since been informed by Customer Care that the claim submitted on my behalf was considered weak, which may have contributed to its denial. I was also advised that Hyundai and the dealership were already aware that I did not have the ability to submit or appeal the claim myself, despite being directed to do so. Throughout this process, I have made every good-faith effort to follow Hyundai’s guidance, yet I have experienced repeated misdirection and inconsistent information. This has caused unnecessary delays and frustration while the underlying issue remains unresolved. The vehicle has been properly maintained, with regular oil changes and servicing completed according to Hyundai’s recommended intervals. Despite this, the excessive oil consumption persists and poses a risk to engine longevity and overall safety. Due to the current condition of the engine, I no longer feel it is safe to continue driving the vehicle, which has left me without reliable transportation. Additionally, I have previously experienced the theft of this vehicle, for which I was not compensated, despite the well-documented safety concerns affecting Hyundai customers. Taken together, these issues have significantly impacted my confidence and ability to rely on this vehicle. Given Hyundai’s well-documented history of oil-consumptio
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716493February 7, 2026
ENGINE
Current Mileage: ~94,000 miles Ownership: Second owner (purchased less than one year old at 17,035 miles) I purchased this vehicle in December 2018 when it had approximately 17,035 miles. Since purchase, the vehicle has been consistently and properly maintained, primarily at authorized Hyundai dealerships, with documented oil and filter changes throughout my ownership. All required Hyundai recalls and updates have been completed. As confirmed by Hyundai service records, my vehicle is eligible for extended warranty protections under the Theta II Engine Settlement, which explicitly applies to subsequent owners and is not limited to the original purchaser. Engine Failure & Repair History Beginning in mid-2025, my vehicle began to exhibit progressive and excessive oil consumption, despite regular maintenance. Hyundai dealerships performed multiple Hyundai-directed corrective actions, including: PCV valve replacement Multiple oil consumption tests Combustion chamber cleaning (paid out of pocket after Hyundai Motors denied goodwill) These measures failed to resolve the issue. Hyundai’s own oil consumption testing confirmed: 1.2 quarts consumed, followed by 1.4 quarts consumed, indicating worsening internal engine failure West Houston Hyundai has subsequently advised that engine replacement is required, yet Hyundai Motor America has refused coverage, and I was quoted $5,872 for engine replacement and labor at my expense. Engine failure requiring replacement at 94,000 miles is not normal wear and tear and is inconsistent with reasonable consumer expectations or Hyundai’s powertrain representations. Importantly: The vehicle has never been cited for neglect, sludge, or improper maintenance,Oil consumption worsened after Hyundai-directed repairs Hyundai has not identified any misuse or disqualifying condition The failure pattern is consistent with known Theta II piston/ring defects
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716466February 7, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
-I had just exited from the highway and was driving into my town. While doing so, I had both hands on the steering wheel and suddenly the car started beeping and flashing warnings/ alerts indicating that my hands were not on the steering wheel, which they were. Within seconds the car began to deaccelerate and pull me off the road to my right hand side. I initially had no control over the vehicle. Then again- without explanation it began to register hands on the steering wheel and I was able to resume control of the vehicle. I believe the lane assist feature was on at the time. It all happened very quickly. Had I still been on the highway as I was moments before, there was enough traffic that I would have been pulled into another vehicle or caused an accident if people saw me suddenly rapidly deaccelerating/braking in front of them because they would have no warning and a very tiny amount of time to react. Then, in an other instance that followed shortly thereafter, my boyfriend was driving with one of the lane assist on. While driving, the weather changed and it began snowing and freezing rain that was freezing when it hit the windshield. The lane assist began to have trouble seeing the lines on the road since the snow and ice were obscuring them somewhat. It began to beep and gently correct the car- which was not appropriate in this case (we understand that the road conditions were beyond its abilities to safely discern things accurately). My boyfriend who had two hands on the wheel trying to carefully navigate this sudden burst of weather so at not to slide. He tried turning it off, but it wasn't turning off, and couldn't troubleshoot it without taking his hands off the wheel. He instructed me to turn it off through the settings menu in the infotainment system, which seemed to disable it. Prior to these dangerous problems, I had experienced some seemingly sensor- related malfunctions with the tire pressure monitoring system. I'm out of room to write more.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716425February 7, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe - Front windshield had spontaneous horizontal crack about 8" on driver side WHILE PARKED WITH NO IMPACT. Car is new with NO ROCK CHIPS. Our winter nights were about 15-25 degrees and the crack would spread WHILE PARKED overnight. Within a week it spread to 24" while trying to get the dealer to agree that this is a warranty issue with no luck. Was told it is NOT a warranty issue. Upon purchasing this new car, I had purchased the "Windshield Protection" package for $595. with the impression it would cover things like this, but it only covers rock and road debris chip REPAIRS, not REPLACEMENTS. Looking at the crack, the windshield appears to be literally HALF AS THICK as other windshields in my past. NOT getting the car washed until it's repaired Google and Facebook searches show MANY complaints about FRAGILE, THIN windshield glass and SPONTANEOUS CRACKS and SHATTERING, even with NO IMPACT. There is even a reported class action lawsuit for this same issue with the Hyundai Palisades. Dealer claims to be unaware of this problem, but there are many online complaints for the 2024 and 2025 Santa Fe's. Now I have to pay my $500 deductible with MY AUTO INSURANCE due to a faulty, thin windshield??
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716098February 6, 2026
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING
While driving, the engine catastrophically failed without warning, causing an immediate loss of power-assisted braking and steering. The failure occurred while traveling downhill. I was unable to slow or control the vehicle properly and was forced to proceed through a school bus’s flashing lights to avoid a potentially catastrophic collision, resulting in a traffic citation. My son was in the vehicle at the time. A sudden loss of engine power, braking assist, and steering assist while driving presents a serious safety defect. Vehicle was towed to Fred Beans Hyundai in Doylestown where it has been confirmed engine failure. This failure happened immediately and without warning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716187February 6, 2026
POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has had multiple occasions, most recently on February 3, 2026 with 12,330 miles on the car, where the gas-powered engine fails to provide any power to the drivetrain. The car experiences vast power loss and enters "limp mode" where only the small hybrid battery is powering the vehicle. Max speed ranges from 10 - 25mph and there is little, if any, acceleration, even when the gas pedal is pegged to the floor. It is necessary to pull over, engage the flashing safety lights and try to find a safe place to park. After turning the vehicle off and on several times, eventually, the gas engines re-engages. The first incident of this type for this vehicle was on August 7, 2025 with approximately 4,400 miles on the vehicle. It was taken to the dealer, Key Hyundai of Salem, who could not find any DTCs and could not replicate the problem. They said "bring it back if it happens again." They next time was on February 3, 2026 where it happened several times on a trip to and from a local restaurant. This time, at DTC code of P088000 POWERTRAIN / POWERLOSS was recorded and reported. However, by the time the car was seen by Key Hyundai of Salem on February 5, 2026, the code has cleared itself. Hyundai's corporate policy is that historical codes can not be used for Warranty claims. So, the dealer tried one potential fix, cleaning the TCM connectors under the driver's seat, and returned the vehicle stating that Hyundai corporate would not authorize warranty work unless/until the car was presented to the dealership with a current / live DTC or visible broken parts. It seems unsafe to put a vehicle back on the road that could lose power and drivability at any time for no apparent reason. I am aware that there have been several other reports of similar POWER LOSS / LIMP MODE situations by owners of 2024-25 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrids. At the moment, I am told that there is no current Technical Service Bulletin on this from Hyundai.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716240February 6, 2026
ENGINE
The vehicle was burning through oil excessively. I was adding 1 quart of oil a week. Dealer did an oil consumption test. They confirmed the engine needed replacement. These vehicles are getting to be known for this issue and the dealer is making me pay 40% of the repairs. They should be covering 100% because the issue is not isolated to my vehicle only.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Hyundai Santa Fe