NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
20 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 4, 2021
Electrical SystemService BrakesFire
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2015 was making sounds when vehicle was off. The ABS warning lights were lit on the dashboard (3 warnings in total) once car was turned on. Drove home hoping the sound would go away but it did not. Once home the sound continued without the vehicle being on. Opened the hood and listened for the location of …
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Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2015 was making sounds when vehicle was off. The ABS warning lights were lit on the dashboard (3 warnings in total) once car was turned on. Drove home hoping the sound would go away but it did not. Once home the sound continued without the vehicle being on. Opened the hood and listened for the location of the sound. It was the ABS module on the left. This part then caught on fire while parked and off (keys were out).
NHTSA ODI #11431709
115,000 miles · Jun 21, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineEngine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle stalled and the two catalytic converters became inoperable. Additionally, the blue link screen failed to load and link the features. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who…
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The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle stalled and the two catalytic converters became inoperable. Additionally, the blue link screen failed to load and link the features. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed two catalytic converters that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #11421674
Mileage unknown · May 26, 2021
Electrical System
The sunroof screen will not close therefor is no protection if the sunroof were to shatter. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer. It is not covered by the warranty. There were no warnings prior to the incident. I have tried to close it regularly and it still won’t close.
NHTSA ODI #11418649
73,000 miles · Mar 3, 2021
Electrical SystemLane Departure
THE BLIND SPOT DETECTOR STARTING RANDOMLY GOING OFF VERY SPORADICALLY SINCE WE HAD THE CAR. THEN ONE DAY IT STARTED GOING OFF ALMOST EVERY MINUTE FOR ABOUT 7-8 MINUTES THEN AN ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED AND IT STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11398973
73,000 miles · Jan 13, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes
MY 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM (ABS) MODULES THAT COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID INTERNALLY AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICA SHORT OVER TIME. THE PISTON SEALS IN THE ABS MODULES'S HYDRAULIC VALVE COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID INTO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (EUC) . AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE ABS MODULE COULD INC…
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MY 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM (ABS) MODULES THAT COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID INTERNALLY AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICA SHORT OVER TIME. THE PISTON SEALS IN THE ABS MODULES'S HYDRAULIC VALVE COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID INTO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (EUC) . AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE ABS MODULE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE SAFETY RECALL LETTER I RECEIVED 12-24-20 STATED TO CALL THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. I CALLED ON JAN 12, 2021 TO MY DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS TO FIX THE RECALL WERE NOT IN YET AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHEN THEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I FIND THIS TO BE VERY CONCERNING THAT I MAY HAVE A CAR THAT ANYTIME COULD CATCH ON FIRE AND HYUNDAI CANNOT FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI #11387877
66,181 miles · Jul 31, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSeats
CAR WAS BOTH TO DEALERSHIP ON 3/7/2020 -3/12/2020 THE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT THEY REPLACED THE BCM RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP ON 3/19/2020 HEADLIGHT NOT TURNING ON HEATED SEAT WENT OUT AND REAR WINDSHIELDWIPER NOT WORKING GOT BABK 3/20/20 BOUGHT BACK AGING ON 4/22/202 AND RETURNED TO ME ON 5/07/2020 FOR SAME THING IT IS BACK AGAIN AT DE…
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CAR WAS BOTH TO DEALERSHIP ON 3/7/2020 -3/12/2020 THE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT THEY REPLACED THE BCM RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP ON 3/19/2020 HEADLIGHT NOT TURNING ON HEATED SEAT WENT OUT AND REAR WINDSHIELDWIPER NOT WORKING GOT BABK 3/20/20 BOUGHT BACK AGING ON 4/22/202 AND RETURNED TO ME ON 5/07/2020 FOR SAME THING IT IS BACK AGAIN AT DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME THING. I WENT TO START THE CAR UP TO GO TO WORK AND THE LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON IT WAS RAINING THAT DAY AND TURNED ON THE REAR WIPER ON THAT DID NOT TURN ON THEN I TRIED THE HEATED SEAT TURNED IT ON AND IT WENT OUT.
NHTSA ODI #11342484
79,500 miles · Sep 10, 2019
Electrical System
IN JANUARY MY ALTERNATOR FAILED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE BAD PART. TWO DAYS LATER THAT PART FAILED AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SWAPPED THE PART AGAIN FREE OF CHARGE. ON FRIDAY SEPT 6TH MY ALTERNATOR FAILED AGAIN AND DESTROYED THE IN-LINE FUSE AND KILLED THE BATTERY. ONCE ITS FIXED IT …
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IN JANUARY MY ALTERNATOR FAILED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE BAD PART. TWO DAYS LATER THAT PART FAILED AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SWAPPED THE PART AGAIN FREE OF CHARGE. ON FRIDAY SEPT 6TH MY ALTERNATOR FAILED AGAIN AND DESTROYED THE IN-LINE FUSE AND KILLED THE BATTERY. ONCE ITS FIXED IT WILL BE MY 4TH ALTERNATOR IN LESS THAN 80K MILES. ALL OF THE TIMES THAT THIS PART FAILED IT WAS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11254485
5,000 miles · Mar 27, 2017
Electrical SystemStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE FAILED AND ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE ON ITS OWN INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE SMART LIFTGATE FEATURE WAS ACTIVATED AND DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE FAILED AND ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE ON ITS OWN INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE SMART LIFTGATE FEATURE WAS ACTIVATED AND DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
NHTSA ODI #10968648
21,500 miles · Dec 21, 2016
Electrical SystemLane Departure
SIMILAR TO INCIDENT 10885095; BLIND SPOT DETECTION SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. UPON INSPECTION BY DEALER, IT WAS FOUND THE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE "RE-CALIBRATED", BUT NO BSD SENSOR ISSUES WERE FOUND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10936679
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2016
Electrical System
BLIND SPOT DETECTOR TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES ,WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW 10 MONTHS AGO.
NHTSA ODI #10885095
Official recalls
2Sep 22, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
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
3AQ23002 · 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.
DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
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 the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.