NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
82 reports94,000 miles · Jul 31, 2023
EnginePower Train
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power however, the driver was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle seemed to return to normal functionality, but the fa…
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The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power however, the driver was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle seemed to return to normal functionality, but the failure recurred. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000.
NHTSA ODI #11535511
121,000 miles · Jun 28, 2023
Engine
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. While making a right turn, the vehicle stalled. The contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent…
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The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. While making a right turn, the vehicle stalled. The contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer who referred her to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
NHTSA ODI #11529327
104,000 miles · Mar 1, 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. After replacing the engine, each time the vehicle was in for routine …
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The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. After replacing the engine, each time the vehicle was in for routine service the mechanic noted that the engine coolant was low. Later while driving there was a loud popping noise coming from the engine compartment before the engine was engulfed in flames. During the failure, the vehicle and camping equipment were destroyed. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.
NHTSA ODI #11509664
115,000 miles · Aug 31, 2022
Engine
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. After replacing the battery and starter, the vehicle remained inoperable and would not start. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was …
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The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. After replacing the battery and starter, the vehicle remained inoperable and would not start. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #11482159
71,000 miles · Aug 18, 2022
EngineService Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated he took the vehicle to the dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V303000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate with the check engine warning light illuminated. T…
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The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated he took the vehicle to the dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V303000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the knock sensor detected a failure and shifted the vehicle into SAFE mode. The manufacturer was contacted by the dealer. The dealer was asked to continue performing tests on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 71,000.
NHTSA ODI #11479954
71,300 miles · Jun 6, 2022
Air Bags
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that some of the accessory buttons were inoperable. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that the clock spring had failed and could affect the deployment of the air bag. The clock spring was replaced and the vehicle was repaired. The manufactu…
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The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that some of the accessory buttons were inoperable. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that the clock spring had failed and could affect the deployment of the air bag. The clock spring was replaced and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,300. Consumer would like a portion of repair cost refunded from Hyundai, due to safety issue.
NHTSA ODI #11467771
Mileage unknown · May 19, 2022
Latches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact co-owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V358000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and 21V303000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
NHTSA ODI #11465337
Mileage unknown · May 13, 2022
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: (21V303000) (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
NHTSA ODI #11464576
84,882 miles · May 6, 2022
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The vehicle had previously been serviced at the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V303000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, after the recall repair was performed, the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the dealer was made aware of the failure but informed…
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The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The vehicle had previously been serviced at the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V303000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, after the recall repair was performed, the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the dealer was made aware of the failure but informed her that she needed to pay out-of-pocket for the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 84,882.
NHTSA ODI #11463617
90,088 miles · Feb 17, 2022
Engine
The contact's mother owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while her mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact's mother was able to drive to her residence; however, the vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with e…
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The contact's mother owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while her mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact's mother was able to drive to her residence; however, the vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced and that there was a Service Campaign Number: 953 (ECM & Cluster Update - Engine Monitoring Logic Product Improvement) associated with the VIN that was unrepaired. The contact's mother did not receive notification of the Service Campaign. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 90,088.
NHTSA ODI #11452470
NHTSA investigations
2AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
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. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
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 back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
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