Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints

8,019 consumer complaints on file.

#11696871October 31, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
The vehicle front brake disks are not compatible for this vehicle. The action of braking causes heating of the disks. The disks warp due to the heat. The result is when braking at highway speeds, the entire front end vibrates excessively. This is unsafe in wet or snowy conditions as this greatly decreases the braking efficiency. The first time this was observed the vehicle had 22,000 miles and the dealership machined the rotors. The second time it happened at vehicle mileage of 32,000. Once again the rotors were 'machined' by the dealership. The action of braking at highway speeds and the resulting front end vibrations is a troublesome event. If this occurs a third time, I will try to find and install non-Hyundai disks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696870October 31, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The vehicle's software was updated on Oct 21, 2025. The software has serious flaw. When driving on slight incline on the passing lane the vehicle will apply the brakes without warning. This has happened 3 times. At times, when vehicles were following me they also had to apply the brakes unexpectedly. Had they not applied their brakes, they would have rear ended me at highway speeds. I also recall that there were no vehicles either in front or to the right ahead of me when it occurred. Also there was a guardrail on the left side of the highway at the time. This did not occur with the previous installed software. Every time this happened, the vehicle was in cruise control and driver assist was ON to keep vehicle in the lane.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696620October 30, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought this car a 2017 in December 2023. The first time I got the oil change they told me there’s no oil on a stick and then couple months later again no oil on the stick so I took it to my personal mechanic. He said there is an oil consumption problem so you advise me to take it where I bought it from. I had to go up there for 1000 mile test and then a 500 mile which I was low. Seems like every two weeks I had to put oil in it so where I brought the vehicle from told me to go to Hyundai. Hyundai only did one oil consumption test. I have a records of oil changes from Valvoline, my personal mechanic, Tradition Ford and one from Hyundai. Tradition Ford, where I got the car from with disappointment because I had a lot of proof that I was burning oil. There was no leak. There was no smoke at all. Besides it being under 10 years old, I was under 100,000 mile warranty and I had an extended warranty. tradition Ford where I bought it from took that one back however I lost $7000 from the down payment. I bought new tires for it, new battery, remote starter, spark, plugs, and rain guards. I still have all my papers from that vehicle 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe sport 2.4 engine liter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696391October 29, 2025
POWER TRAIN
My transmission failed, even after the #236 recall in 2022. My car was recalled for Recall #236 in 2022. My car was updated and "fixed" and now in 2025 is showing the p1c2d03 code and requiring a new transmission. The same recall, without the fix.The car is in great health and never had issues until I was going 60 miles per hour on a busy highway and it reduced to 26 miles per hour during busy traffic. Causing me to almost get rear-ended multiple times and people swerving off the highway to miss me. My car was not going, even with the gas pedal down. I had no warnings, it happened out of nowhere.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696368October 29, 2025
ENGINE
Was driving at 10 MPH on highway car began to cut out run rough and produce an extremely pungent smell of gasoline.. then stalled.. vehicle serviced and low pressure fuel injector had a leak causing fuel to spill onto the vehicles starter causing it to fail as well.. both were replaced under warranty by dealer. Highly concerned about fuel leaking from injector system onto a hot engine and electrical components and the aerosolized fuel. Police advised not to start vehicle due to fuel leaking and smell.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696244October 29, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I’ve had several instances where putting the vehicle into park the system doesn’t register the shifter button being pressed and continues to be in the current gear. IThis seems to be a safety issue since it has happened multiple times ever since I bought the vehicle. I made sure to fully press the Park button but it continues to stay in the drive or reverse gear The first time it happened I did not notice the vehicle did not register the gear change and the car started to roll forward towards a building.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695967October 28, 2025
ENGINE
Engine excessively burns oil. Failed oil consumption test. Hyundai denied warranty claim, citing maintenance neglect, despite oil change maintenance records and documentation.
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
#11695723October 27, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The window washer fluid is does not cover the the upper areas of the window, making it difficult to see particularly in snowy or icy weather.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695524October 24, 2025
STEERING, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I purchased my 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe on October 29, 2021. Since then, I’ve experienced a series of mechanical and electrical failures that I believe are far beyond normal for a vehicle of this age. - The remote start has never worked. - On October 20, 2023, the hatch latch failed. The only way to open it now is by climbing into the back and manually pulling the latch. - On October 27, 2023, the electric power steering failed. I had to replace the entire steering column at a cost of $4,000. - The paint began deteriorating prematurely and required a full repair. Hyundai covered this under warranty, but the cost was $8,000. - In early spring 2025, all coil packs had to be replaced due to misfires, costing approximately $500. - September 4, 2025, The car stalled while I was driving on a main road and I had to pull over. There were no warning lights and I started home. About a mile from home check engine light came on so contact mechanic. Ended up towing to a dealership and was told the engine must be replaced because the oil had burned off without any warning from the oil light indicator. The turbo also needs replacement. - The combined cost is $14,000. These failures have caused significant financial hardship and stress. I am currently $17,000 underwater on the loan, and the repair costs are overwhelming. The lack of warning before catastrophic engine damage is especially concerning. I believe these issues reflect systemic defects in the vehicle’s design and manufacturing. The repeated failure of critical components—especially the steering system and oil monitoring—make this the worst automotive experience I’ve ever had. I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate these failures and determine whether Hyundai should be held accountable. Consumers deserve protection from vehicles with such extensive and costly problems.
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
#11695026October 22, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I took the car to get this recall done: Hyundai has decided to conduct a service campaign to inspect (and if necessary replace) the alternator and replace the front valve cover gasket on certain 2007-2009 model year Santa Fe vehicles. The recall was done, replacing the gasket and alternator. 2 years later the car started to stall in the middle of traffic. I returned to the dealer, dealer inspected and reported "oil found on the new alternator and oil leak found on the real valve cover gasket". I have been going back and forth on the phone with Hyundai costumer care. They said they will not redo the recall. It was not done correctly and slowly leak again. the vehicle now cut off everyday specially when i stop and go at short drives. It has also cut off in traffic. making it very dangerous. But Hyundai is telling me nothing for them to do.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695041October 22, 2025
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming engine oil, and there was no indication of an oil leak. While a friend was driving, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The next day, while driving at unknown speeds with the hazard lights activated, the vehicle began making an abnormal sound and then stalled. The TPMS and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 17-01-047-1. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer submitted a claim. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695126October 22, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Horn stopped working
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695081October 22, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN
Bought this brand new Santa Fe in July 2025 and on day 5 after purchasing this vehicle, car stopped accelerating while driving on highway, which is a serious safety concern. Took the vehicle back to the dealership and turned out the issue is with failed catalytic converter and they had to replace it. Since then, the acceleration has not been that great and had continuous issues with random engine noises etc
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695077October 22, 2025
ENGINE
While traveling Interstate 75in Florida en route to Venice Hyundai for routine oil change at 65 mph, vehicle rapidly slowed to 40mph, driver pressing on gas pedal but vehicle would not accelerate( while being tailgated by semi that was flashing warning headlights at me). There was burning smell while this was happening. Pulled onto shoulder and called Hyundai service for assistance tow truck brought me in. Vehicle inspected by Hyundai Venice technicians ran through computer tests all ok, tech drove vehicle not able to reproduce problem. Oil changed tired rotated. Instructions included not able to do any repair because cannot find anything wrong with vehicle please contact us if problem recurs. I have had several conversations with service advisor voicing serious safety concerns regarding driving this vehicle and informing him that what occurred was my car went into failsafe/limp home mode which is what happens when there is serious problems with vehicle and should not be driven till repaired. And cannot repair until computer finds a code signifying problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694551October 20, 2025
SEAT BELTS
The contact owned a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact’s spouse stated that while at a stop, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle. The spouse reported that during the collision, the driver’s seat belt became inoperable and detached from the driver’s seat. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was required. The spouse also stated that the air bags did not deploy during the incident. A police report was filed, and a report number was provided to the contact. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was declared totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,500. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694090October 17, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The transmission in my 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe has failed multiple times. The first failure occurred within the first two years of owning the vehicle. The car began jerking, hesitating, and struggling to accelerate, and the check engine light came on. The dealership confirmed a transmission issue and replaced the transmission under warranty. After that replacement, the same symptoms returned, and the transmission had to be replaced a second time, again under warranty. The most recent transmission replacement was only a few weeks ago, and the same symptoms are already returning — the vehicle hesitates, jerks, and occasionally loses power when trying to accelerate. These problems create serious safety concerns, especially when merging onto highways or crossing intersections. The hesitation and loss of power make it unpredictable and unsafe to drive. I have two young children who ride in car seats, and I no longer feel confident that this vehicle is safe for my family. Hyundai service employees have acknowledged that this is a known, recurring issue with this model’s transmission design. However, no permanent fix or recall has been issued, and I have been told to continue replacing the transmission under warranty until the coverage runs out. This approach does not address the underlying safety defect. The issue has been confirmed by Hyundai dealerships multiple times. The check engine light has come on before each failure. I am reporting this because repeated transmission failures that cause hesitation and power loss are a clear safety risk, and Hyundai has not provided a lasting solution.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693804October 16, 2025
ENGINE
Engine failed at 114,000 miles. Burned 2 holes through 3rd cylinder. was almost struck crossing intersection making left hand turn when vehicle stalled and would not accelerate to get back into normal driving lane.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693746October 16, 2025
SEAT BELTS
I was in a car accident on September 30, 2025. I was hit from behind by a dump truck and was pushed into the car in front of me. My seat belt in my Santa Fe did not tighten, and my head hit the steering wheel. There is something wrong with the seat belts. I was going to take it to the dealer to check after repairs, but my car is a total loss. Just wanted you to know the seat belts failed, and it could happen to others who own this type of vehicle. The air bag did not deploy, but my understanding is that the car has to be going a certain speed.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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