What Hyundai Santa Fe owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Hyundai Santa Fe 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 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| 2025 | 227 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 38 |
| 2024 | 185 | 12 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 38 |
| 2023 | 287 | 13 | 3 | 17 | 0 | 45 |
| 2022 | 263 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 92 |
| 2021 | 186 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 98 |
| 2020 | 213 | 13 | 9 | 15 | 0 | 110 |
| 2019 | 225 | 17 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 182 |
| 2018 | 430 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 0 | 173 |
| 2017 | 1,320 | 19 | 30 | 26 | 0 | 195 |
| 2016 | 305 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 130 |
| 2015 | 336 | 10 | 19 | 10 | 0 | 137 |
| 2014 | 656 | 16 | 45 | 20 | 0 | 133 |
| 2013 | 804 | 15 | 56 | 13 | 0 | 158 |
| 2012 | 353 | 25 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 99 |
| 2011 | 181 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 1 | 109 |
| 2010 | 259 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 119 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Hyundai Santa Fe complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
The vehicle repeatedly loses motive power while being driven at highway speed. It slows even with the accelerator pressed to the floor, does not shift into higher gears, and drops to 40 to 50 mph. On [XXX], the vehicle lost power at highway speed while I was driving. I had to stop on the shoulder of the hwy. The vehicle could not be driven and was towed to the dealer. The dealer opened R.O. No. [XXX] on 9-3, recording mileage in of 23,595. It inspected the vehicle and confirmed the concern. It replaced the fuel rail pressure sensor (Part No. 35342-2M400) under warranty, confirmed a good idle with no codes, and performed a test drive of about three miles. The dealer reported the vehicle rea…
Vehicle: 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, purchased NEW on [XXX] from Sports Durham Hyundai, Durham, NC. At approximately 1,000 miles, two steering-related safety defects have been present since purchase: 1) Abnormal noise coming from under the steering column while driving. 2) Wheel alignment problem: the vehicle pulls to one side while driving and the tires scrape the curb. Concerned about loss of steering control. The selling dealer refused to inspect or service the vehicle. Written notice of these defects was sent to Hyundai Motor America on 10/01/2026. The defects have not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center because the dealer refused inspection. No wa…
harsh engagement or hesitation between gears 1 through 3 specifically during cold starts before the powertrain warms up. But also during driving in the highway.
Was driving down road car went into limp mode about caused a big wreck, check engine was flashing and heard a loud noise as I was trying to get to safety. Had the car scanned and was for code p1326 and looking at all the recalls nothing is for the 2.4l but y'all have been having a lot of issues with these theta 2 engines.
Service Campaigh 9C2 Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe sport has severe loss of power and rough jerky transmission after the update. This condition will definately cause unsafe driving and vehicle engine and transmission damage. Hyundai corporate and local dealerships indicate no remedy for this situation. Dealer also indicated that Hyundai corporate may not release a new software update to fix the issue. This is unacceptable.
The vehicle has been having ongoing issues with loosing power and lagging when accelerating. It is most predominate on hot days, although still happens at other times. The dealer can not reproduce the issue nor see there is a problem in the computer scan. They say the "lagging" they see is within normal limits. This has been in numerous times to be looked at, nothing is ever found. Finally a transmission error, "Transmission Error, check transmission oil immediately", came on and my car shut down. The car was towed to dealer. Dealer stated there is no problem with the car. The error did not show up on the scan, very preromantic, it should have showed up. Luckily I took a picture of the…
The driver window as well as the driver rear window fuse blows out. It poses a threat when you need to get the windows down in an event of emergency.
1. 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Theta 2 Engine Failure It was available for inspection upon request at local dealer and service After engine failedXXX abruptly while driving, it was towed to the service for inspection. 2. The Theta 2 engine in countless 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe models has been a safety risk for all citizens on the roads. This has been an unannounced recall failure due to manufacture shards of metal found within the engine, causing vehicle damage and failure. My car stopped abruptly on the road. I have maintained it through due oil changes and service. 3. The independent dealership that serviced my vehicle has verbally recognized that Theta 2 engines are a safety risk, aft…
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.
This bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software update for some vehicles equipped with an 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (8WDCT). The software update revises the touch point learning variation, improving drivability and judder symptoms. Some 8WDCTs (indicated by a new part number) received an updated clutch spring. The correct TCU software update must be matched with the correct corresponding 8WDCT hardware, otherwise, drivability concerns may occur. This service procedure should be performed prior to any 8WDCT replacements done for drivability/ju
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 2012 â 2017 model year Accent, 2012 â 2017 model year Azera, 2013 â 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2013 â 2019 model year Santa Fe, and 2012 â 2017 model year Veloster vehicles may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may be set. At Hyundai, we are committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value. In an effort to meet this commitment, the warranty coverage for the Occupant Classification System (OCS)/Occupant Detection System (ODS) under these conditions has been extended to 18 years/unlimited mileage from the date
Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these vehicles may be releasing air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards.
Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. This bulletin provides instructions for updating the Engine Control Module (ECM) to address this condition.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on February 2, 2024, requesting a defect investigation into an alleged defect of the "engine" on the following vehicle model: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles equipped with the 3.3L V-Shaped GDI Lambda-II engines. The petition cites allegations of a loss of motive power, often resulting in an engine seizure. The stall is preceded by a knocking sound, decreased performance and no warning lights. An analysis of the subject vehicle populat
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
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine fail
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of t
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles equipped with Theta II and Lambda II engines (approximately 1.3 million vehicles). ODI also reviewed field data of other Hyundai vehicles equipped with Theta II, Gamma, Nu
In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition. CAS stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash f
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 2010–2027, owners most often name: engine, power train, unknown or other. 6,280 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.
