What Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2026 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| 2025 | 92 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
| 2024 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 25 |
| 2023 | 57 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 35 |
| 2022 | 37 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 53 |
| 2021 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
I purchased my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy Hybrid September 1, 2025. On June 24, 2026, I was driving on the interstate to work when my acceleration quickly dropped out and I wasn't able to go more than 30 MPH. This was terrifying to happen! I wasn't able to make it to an exit and had to pull off on the side of the interstate and await a tow. I took it to the dealership I purchased it from. Documentation stated that a fault code DTC P019100 (fuel rail pressure sensor) was identified. However, this sensor was not replaced. Instead, my paperwork indicates that the "air box was installed incorrectly at manufacturing and they fixed it." On August 13, 2026, I experienced a similar issue on a…
I have written and escalated to Hyundai Corporate about the same issue happening twice to me already and I just got the car in April. May, July, and now September 25th the car loses acceleration while on the interstate at high speeds. attaching letter sent to them in which they denied any assistance.
The primary component failure is within the hybrid powertrain control architecture, specifically involving the transmission control system or internal transmission clutches/modules (TCM/HEV control module). The vehicle utilizes a 6-speed automatic transmission integrated with an electric motor. During highway cruising, the transmission locks into a single gear ratio or a protective "limp mode," resulting in a total loss of normal acceleration despite high engine RPMs. The vehicle and its components are fully intact and available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others were put at severe risk because the sudden, unexpected loss of acceleration occurred while traveling …
While driving on a highway at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle abruptly suffered a catastrophic loss of power and entered "Limp Mode," creating a severe safety hazard on the roadway. The vehicle was safely maneuvered and pulled over to the side of the road. Upon shutting the vehicle down and attempting to restart it after a few minutes, the powertrain completely failed to engage, refusing to shift into either Drive or Reverse. The vehicle became entirely disabled and required a flatbed tow to the dealership. âDashboard Warning Messages: - â"Transmission Control System" - â"Check Hybrid System" âDiagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): - âP177700 (Transmission / Hybrid Powertrain Control…
There is a safety risk on the 2nd row seats crushing a child. In my 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid (Calligraphy trim), I've had two incidents where a child in the 3rd row pressed the button in the trunk to close the 2nd row captain's chair seats, crushing a child that was in the seat. These seats are not supposed to fold down when occupied. When the vehicle is moving, or not in park, or the seat belt is engaged, the seats correctly do not fold when the folding button on the top of the seat is pushed. The same holds true when the folding button is engaged from the 3rd row/trunk, EXCEPT the seat will STILL fold while the car is in Park and the seatbelts are engaged. I believe this is a design…
I was driving the hybrid vehicle uphill on a highway and there was traffic so we were driving under 5 mph for about 20 minutes. When speed picked up I went to accelerate and the vehicle, it never accelerated when I depressed the gas pedal, and stayed in electrical mode rather than switching over to gas. The vehicle then shut off in traffic and I could not pull over safely on congested two lane interstate 17 and I was afraid as vehicles were swerving and driving past and we could not get out safely. The "check hybrid system, Stop safely" warning came on the dash. This vehicle at the time only had 8,808 miles on it and is relatively new. I brought the vehicle in to the dealership but they said…
**What component or system failed, and is it available for inspection?** The vehicle's electrical/power system failed, causing a complete loss of power while driving. This is the fourth occurrence of this failure. The vehicle is currently at the Hyundai dealership and available for inspection. **How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?** The power failure occurred while driving on a busy road. The driver struggled to safely maneuver the vehicle (executing a U-turn) to get out of traffic and reach a safe location. The vehicle had to be towed as a result. **Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?** The vehicle has been brought t…
The car suddenly loses acceleration; the engine still runs and revs to ~3,000 RPM. The car can't drive over 35mph; no check engine light at all. The dealer said a high-pressure fuel pump caused it and replaced it under warranty; after 3 days, the same problem happened again. This is extremely dangerous if the vehicle is on a highway and suddenly loses acceleration. This could be fatal for the driver and other vehicles around it.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
Some Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles may have walk-in switches that are not fully secured. This bulletin provides instructions to trim the seat cover and replace the walk-in switch with improved parts.
Certain Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles may experience a condition where a DTC triggered in the Hybrid Power Control Unit (HPCU) cannot be cleared, even after the cause has been corrected. This bulletin provides instructions to perform an HPCU software update to correct this condition.
Certain Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles may experience a condition where a DTC triggered in the Hybrid Power Control Unit (HPCU) cannot be cleared, even after the cause has been corrected.
Certain vehicles may exhibit excessive paint peeling or bubbling of the primer/paint film on the exterior metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. This warranty extension only applies to factory-applied paint and does not cover collision-related paint repairs or vehicles with a salvaged title. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for certain white paint colors under these conditions from 3 years and 36,000 miles, to 10 years with unlimited miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use, and is valid for original and su
Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles may exhibit a 12-volt battery drain due to the passive entry feature of the Digital Key 2 premium causing repeated wakeup of the vehicle. This bulletin provides instructions to perform software updates for the Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) and Body Domain Control (BDC) modules.
Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles equipped with natural leather or Nappa leather seating surfaces may exhibit wrinkling on the first or second row seat cushions or seat backs, or tearing along the perforation holes due to the stiffness of the leather material. This bulletin provides instructions to replace the wrinkled or torn seat covers.
Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles equipped with power seats with or without Integrated Memory System (IMS) may produce buzz, squeak, rattle noises when the driverâs front seat is adjusted forward or backwards due to friction within the motorâs tube. This bulletin provides instructions to remove the motor tube.
This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. Refer to the 2026 1st Navigation Map and Software Update Key Improvements and Additional Improvements tables in this TSB for a list of specific changes. The software can be downloaded via Navigation Updater (NAU) and updated by USB.
Certain Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. The paint warranty coverage for affected vehicles has been extended to 10 years/unlimited miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use and is valid for original and subsequent owners. The warranty extension does not apply to any vehicle that has ever been declared a total loss or sold for salvage by a financial institution or insurer or has a branded or similar title under any stateâs law.
Some Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. The paint warranty coverage for affected vehicles has been extended to 10 years/unlimited miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use and is valid for original and subsequent owners.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driverâs-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during deployment, posing a serious risk of injury or death due to metal fragments entering the vehicle
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driverâside airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or nonâcertified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may rupture during deployment, and have caused serious injuries and fatalities. Please see attached announcement, provided by NHTSA, for more details.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-spe
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2021–2027, owners most often name: engine, electrical system, power train. 253 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.
