NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
254 reports134,000 miles · Feb 20, 2020
EnginePower Train
MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 114,000 MILES THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN IT, WE HAD IT REPLACED. NOW AT 134,000 MILES THE ENGINE WENT OUT, THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THAT ALSO. IT HAS BEEN SITTING AT HYUNDAI SINCE DECEMBER 2019 IT IS NOW FEBRUARY 2020 AND STILL WITHOUT A CAR OR A RENTAL. SERVICE DEPARTMENT BUILT AND NEW ENGINE A…
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MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 114,000 MILES THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN IT, WE HAD IT REPLACED. NOW AT 134,000 MILES THE ENGINE WENT OUT, THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THAT ALSO. IT HAS BEEN SITTING AT HYUNDAI SINCE DECEMBER 2019 IT IS NOW FEBRUARY 2020 AND STILL WITHOUT A CAR OR A RENTAL. SERVICE DEPARTMENT BUILT AND NEW ENGINE AFTER THEY TESTED THE ENGINE IT STARTED MAKING NOISES AGAIN AND APPARENTLY HYUNDAI SENT THEM SOME PART THAT DIDN'T FIT NOW THEY HAVE TO FIX IT AGAIN... HYUNDAI CORPORATE HAS ONLY OFFERED TO PAY HALF OF THE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH IT WAS AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE ON THE FREEWAY WHEN IT BROKE.
NHTSA ODI #11310420
59,850 miles · Jan 9, 2020
Structure
FOLLOWING WARRANTY WORK ON DEFECTIVE DOOR LOCKS, THE REAR TAILGATE OPENS ELECTRONICALLY BUT OFTENTIMES WILL CLOSE IMMEDIATELY ON YOU. IT IS INCONSISTENT, SOMETIMES IT OCCURS TWICE IN A ROW AND SOMETIMES IT IS EVERY THIRD OPENING. IT HAS COME DOWN ON MY HEAD AND THAT OF MY WIFE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND …
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FOLLOWING WARRANTY WORK ON DEFECTIVE DOOR LOCKS, THE REAR TAILGATE OPENS ELECTRONICALLY BUT OFTENTIMES WILL CLOSE IMMEDIATELY ON YOU. IT IS INCONSISTENT, SOMETIMES IT OCCURS TWICE IN A ROW AND SOMETIMES IT IS EVERY THIRD OPENING. IT HAS COME DOWN ON MY HEAD AND THAT OF MY WIFE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND HAPPENS WHEN USING THE INTERIOR BUTTON, THE BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB AND THE BUTTON ON THE TAILGATE HANDLE.
NHTSA ODI #11298230
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2019
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH, SMOKE AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CONTACTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A POLICE TOW YA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH, SMOKE AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CONTACTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A POLICE TOW YARD. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED. DON MOORE HYUNDAI (3200 VILLA POINT, OWENSBORO, KY 42303, (270) 685-5555) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11290927
35,960 miles · Dec 5, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AT A RATE OF 20MPH ON A DECLINE, WE BEGAN TO SLIDE IN THE SNOW, AS WE SLID I BEGAN PUMPING THE BRAKES TO SLOW US DOWN BUT THE HILL MADE US GAIN SPEED EVEN THOUGH THE WHEELS WERE NOT SPINNING. AFTER SLIDING DOWN HILL FOR CLOSE TO 100 YARDS, WE MADE IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING THROUGH THE INTERSEC…
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WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AT A RATE OF 20MPH ON A DECLINE, WE BEGAN TO SLIDE IN THE SNOW, AS WE SLID I BEGAN PUMPING THE BRAKES TO SLOW US DOWN BUT THE HILL MADE US GAIN SPEED EVEN THOUGH THE WHEELS WERE NOT SPINNING. AFTER SLIDING DOWN HILL FOR CLOSE TO 100 YARDS, WE MADE IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE MADE DIRECT IMPACT WITH THE SIDE OF THE MINIVAN. IMPACT WAS HARD ENOUGH FOR THE FRONT BUMPER OF MY VEHICLE TO BE COMPLETELY RIPPED OFF, MY RADIATOR CRACKED, THE MINIVAN IS TOTALED AND ALL THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF IN THE MINIVAN, BUT MY AIRBAGS NEVER DID RESULTING IN MY CHIPPING MY TEETH ON THE STEERING WHEEL, AGGRAVATING A FRACTURED WRIST, HURTING MY RIBS, AS WELL AS MY PASSENGER HITTING THEIR HEAD HARD ENOUGH TO GIVE THEM A PHYSICIAN DIAGNOSED CONCUSSION PUTTING THEM OUT OF WORK FOR 2 DAYS AND GIVING HER WHIPLASH. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY STANDARDS AND REPUTATION OF HYUNDAI WITH THE PLAN TO BE HAVING CHILDREN, WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD CHILDREN YET.
NHTSA ODI #11287247
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
54,000 miles · Jun 18, 2019
Engine
DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AT THAT POINT DRIVING IT STRAIGHT HOME THE ENGINE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES, ONCE WHILE MAKING A TURN THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION, I WAS LEFT WITH NO POWER. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE ISSUES I READ INVOLVING SANTA FE ENGINE RECALLS FOR …
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DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AT THAT POINT DRIVING IT STRAIGHT HOME THE ENGINE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES, ONCE WHILE MAKING A TURN THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION, I WAS LEFT WITH NO POWER. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE ISSUES I READ INVOLVING SANTA FE ENGINE RECALLS FOR THE 2013, 2014, AND 2017 MODEL YEARS.
NHTSA ODI #11221051
80,000 miles · Jun 13, 2019
Steering
USED VEHICLE (80,000 MILES). POWER STEERING CUT OUT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ALONG CURVE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH OUR INFANT SON IN THE BACK. MANAGED TO SAFELY STOP, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION. DEALERSHIP INDICATED IT HAD FIXED PROBLEM WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM, BUT THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT AGAIN THE FO…
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USED VEHICLE (80,000 MILES). POWER STEERING CUT OUT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ALONG CURVE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH OUR INFANT SON IN THE BACK. MANAGED TO SAFELY STOP, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION. DEALERSHIP INDICATED IT HAD FIXED PROBLEM WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM, BUT THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT AGAIN THE FOLLOWING DAY WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. HAPPENED TO MY WIFE A THIRD TIME WHEN SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE. DEALER COULDN'T IDENTIFY PROBLEM, SAID WE NEEDED TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA ODI #11219908
56,000 miles · May 2, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WILLIAMSBURG HYUNDAI (7277 RICHMOND RD, WILLIAMSBURG, VA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WILLIAMSBURG HYUNDAI (7277 RICHMOND RD, WILLIAMSBURG, VA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER A MANUFACTURER CAMPAIGN FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
NHTSA ODI #11205165
125,000 miles · Apr 25, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury
BOUGHT BRAD NEW 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN 2015. DEALER SOLD ME ON SAFETY. I THINK IT WAS 8 TO 10 AIRBAGS. GOT IN ACCIDENT AND NOT ONE DEPLOYED. HIT SOLID POLE GOING ABOUT 35 TO 40. CAR TOTALLED NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MADE COMPLAINT TO HYUNDAI AND NO RESPONSE.
NHTSA ODI #11203685
100,000 miles · Apr 11, 2019
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
CAR STARTED SURGING FORWARD WITHOUT TOUCHING GAS PEDAL, IT LUNGES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AS WELL. I
NHTSA ODI #11195615
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.
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