Engine. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports6 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

82 reports

62,000 miles · May 1, 2019

Engine

MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE. DEALER IS REPLACING THE ENGINE PER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #11205067

133,000 miles · Apr 17, 2019

Engine

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ON TUESDAY APRIL 9, 2019 MY WIFE CALLED ME DURING HER DRIVE TO WORK AND TOLD ME HER CAR WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH WHILE TRAVELING TO WORK ON A LOCAL NY PARKWAY. SHE SAID THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. WHEN SHE CAME HOME I TESTED THE OBD AND SAW THAT THE READER SAID THE CODE WAS P0302 WHICH SIGNIFIES A #2 CYLINDER FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP YESTERDAY. THE REPAIR SHOP JUST CALLED AND SAID THE #2 CYLINDER HAS NO COMPRESSION. AFTER READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FILED HERE AND ON OTHER FORUMS, I BELIEVE MY CAR HAS EXPERIENCED THE TYPE OF ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRING AT AN ALARMING LEVEL.

NHTSA ODI #11196999

51,000 miles · Apr 5, 2019

Electrical SystemEngine

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WE WERE ON A TRIP FROM NEBRASKA TO MICHIGAN AND RETURN. WHEN TRAVELING ALONG THE TOLL ROAD EXPRESS SOUTH OF CHICAGO AT ABOUT 65MPH 02/1WE BOTH SMELLED "SOMETHING BURNING". DETERMINING THAT IT WAS NOT ANYTHING ON THE INTERIOR, WE CLOSED THE OUTSIDE AIR VENT CONTROL AND FELT THAT IT WAS KIND OF A HOT ELECTRICAL WIRE BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN WE COULD FINALLY EXIT THE EXPRESSWAY WE TRIED TO SMELL AROUND THE FRONT WHEEL WELLS AND THE ODOR SEEMED TO HAVE GONE AWAY. WE ATE LUNCH, LET THE CAR SIT FOR 45 MINUTES AND DROVE ON, NOT SMELLING THAT AGAIN. THE "BURNING ODOR" WAS PRESENT FOR 5-8 MINUTES.

NHTSA ODI #11194233

85,000 miles · Mar 31, 2019

Electrical SystemEngineSteering

VEHICLE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OCCURRED 2018 VEHICLE HAS ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS DOESN'T TURN ON EVEN AFTER CAR WAS JUMPED WITH CABLE 3/31

NHTSA ODI #11192728

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2019

Engine

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DEAR NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION PERSONNEL, I RECEIVED THE ATTACHED 'PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN' NOTICE FROM HYUNDAI FOR MY 2015 SANTA FE SPORT VEHICLE. IF YOU READ THE CAMPAIGN, I THINK, IT READS LIKE IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. THEY STATE THE ENGINE CAN HAVE EXCESSIVE CONNECTING ROD BEARING WEAR. HOW CAN YOU BELIEVE THEM THAT THE ENGINE WILL NOT HAPPEN QUICKLY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I THINK, AS USUAL, THEY ARE LOOKING MORE AT THE DOLLARS THAN POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BE PROTECTING THE DRIVER, NOT THE MANUFACTURER. HYUNDAI IS PLACING THE BURDEN OF THEIR MISTAKE ON THE CUSTOMER. I HAD THE SOFTWARE UPDATE DONE, BUT THAT DOES NOT SOLVE THE SAFETY PROBLEM. THIS CONDITION LIMITS WHERE YOU CAN DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THE CUSTOMER CANNOT BE TOO FAR FROM A DEALER. THEY DO NOT STATE HOW FAR YOU CAN DRIVE THE CAR ONCE THE ENGINE LIGHT BLINKS ON! HOWEVER THEY DO THREATEN YOU, IF YOU DRIVE TOO FAR, YOU MAY VOID THE WARRANTY. THEN THEY ASK YOU TO ACCEPT THEIR APOLOGIES. THEY DO NOT STATE IF THEY WILL PAY TO TOE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. [XXX] I COULD NOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO ATTACH THE COPY OF THE CAMPAIGN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11185676

50,000 miles · Feb 4, 2019

EngineFire

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A KNOCKING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, SMOKE WAS SEEN FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUTO LAND HYUNDAI (20 E FAYETTE ST, UNIONTOWN, PA 15401, (724) 437-9999) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED ENGINE BLEW OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11173872

99,200 miles · Feb 1, 2019

Engine

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HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT 2.0 ENGINE 2015 AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 75-80MPH I STARTED TO HEAR A WEIRD NOISE. WHEN I DECREASED MY SPEED THE NOISE DISAPPEARED AS I BEGAN TO INCREASE MY SPEED THE NOISE STARTED AGAIN. IT SOUNDED LIKE TICKING/RATTLING NOISE. THERE WAS NO INDICATION LIGHTS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. NOTHING! I HAD TO SPEND MONEY TO HAVE THE SUV TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO TELL ME THAT THE MOTOR IS GONE AND THAT IT WILL COST ME $5,500.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I AM NOT A HAPPY CAMPER.

NHTSA ODI #11173619

33,400 miles · Dec 20, 2018

Power Train

WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND CAR JUST STOCK. I READ THAT OLD MODELS HAVE SAME PROBLEM. I INSPECTED THE CAR AND FIGURE THAT AXLE SHAFT TURNS INSIDE OF TRANSMISSION AND BROKE IT FROM INSIDE.

NHTSA ODI #11162617

10,000 miles · Oct 24, 2018

Engine

MY VEHICLE HAS THE 2.0 TURBO ENGINE, PURCHASED NEW, AND SINCE ABOUT 10,000 MILES THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLUGGISH IN ACCELERATING SMOOTHLY. SOMETIMES THERE SEEMS TO BE A DELAY IN ACCELERATING EVEN AFTER THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, AND THEN THE ACCELERATION IS NOT SMOOTH. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN NEEDING TO ACCELERA…

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NHTSA ODI #11142496

85,000 miles · Aug 15, 2018

Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A METAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE…

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NHTSA ODI #11120118

Official recalls

21V303000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Apr 28, 2021

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, and inspect and replace the ABS module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 25, 2021. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20V-520. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 205.

20V520000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Aug 27, 2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began December 22, 2020. Note: This recall has been superseded by NHTSA Recall 21V-303 and all affected vehicles will now be repaired under 21V-303. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 194.

17V358000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Jun 5, 2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

AQ23002 · 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.