Engine. Review the 151 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

236 reports

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2022

Engine

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My 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe's engine just stopped on me on Friday afternoon June 17th. Driving home from work on a busy road my car began to make load noises & the engine light began to blink, within minutes my car died going about 45 mph, luckily I was able coast into the entrance of a neighborhood. The car would not start back up and I was stranded more than 20 miles from home. Only hours earlier I was on several major expressways and it frightens me to think of what could have happened if my engine stopped working earlier than it did. I had to have the car towed to the dealership from which I bought it. I was hoping they could fix whatever the problem was however they told me that my engine seized and it needed to be replaced. The car has since been at the Dealership, Rosen Hyundai of Algonquin, ever since. I bought the car used in February 2021 with 87K miles on it. The dealerships service department submitted a request to Hyundai USA to replace the engine but Hyundai USA has denied the request twice now. Unfortunately We owe $11k still as we have not even had it a year & a half. I discovered , upon some reserching that many people across the country have had or are currently experiencing the same issue with Hyundai USA. Looking for any help to solve my issue. I've been without a car since 6/17/22.The Dealership has no loaners & renting a car out of pocket is $400 - $500 per week. Please help

NHTSA ODI #11473473

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2022

EnginePower Train

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1) My mechanic inspected my vehicle after a rattling noise began sounding from the engine bay while accelerating and increasing RPM - The noise began shortly before the flashing check engine light turned on. My mechanic inspected the car and ran the code for the check engine light and determined that an engine connecting rod had broken and ruined the engine. Yes, it is available for inspection upon request. 2) The car experienced a loss of power and moderate vibration while driving to the mechanic after the issue. In hindsight I felt it was unsafe to have driven the car in that condition and if the mechanical issue first presented while driving at higher speeds I feel that it likely could have caused an accident or vehicle-vehicle collision 3) No. I am currently waiting for Hyundai to respond to my warranty claim. 4) No. The vehicle so far has only been inspected by my mechanic. 5) No. I began hearing the noise while running errands and within 5 minutes the check engine light came on and was flashing. I then took it to the mechanic a few days later and did not drive it between events.

NHTSA ODI #11471760

74,400 miles · Jun 22, 2022

Engine

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The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the oil pan. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized due to the metal shavings. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would not honor the 100,000 miles warranty as he was the second owner of the vehicle. The manufacturer informed the contact that they would have honored the warranty if the mileage was under 60,000. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The failure mileage was approximately 74,400.

NHTSA ODI #11470519

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2022

Engine

Rod Bearing Failure at 112,000 miles, per dealer mechanic. No warning lights and oil has been changed every 7,500 (full synthetic). Have records to support engine maintenance history.

NHTSA ODI #11462672

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2022

Engine

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My car broke down on the freeway. The engine literally fell apart. Chunks of engine on the ground. I was driving at a normal rate of speed with the flow of traffic in the number 2 lane. I heard a ticking sound, turned off the radio to hear more clearly that it was not the radio. I got over as quickly as I could, then as I got into the slow lane I heard and felt a loud bang and the car died. When I got out to see what the problem was I found chunks of metal on the road. I initially thought I might have hit something, but once the tow truck driver showed up he could tell that the metal was parts of the engine. My car has been in the shop since February 12, the date of the death of my engine. I have since had to opportunity to read of about 50, and heard of hundreds of similar experiences. Hyundai is saying that since my car is out of warranty that they are not responsible, even after bringing to their attention all of the same issues with their terrible engine record. I was put in danger on a freeway as their engine literally fell apart on a busy California highway. The Hyundai Corporation has, as a “good will” act offered to cover 70% of the $18,000 repair bill! Leaving me to pay almost $6,000! I could have been seriously injured or even killed in a highway pile up if I had not acted as quickly as I did. After reading so many similar accounts, I feel strongly that Hyundai should cover 100% of the repairs and penalties of loss of vehicle and time this has cost me, and more importantly have to fix all of these vehicles that are still on the road in jeopardy of being involved in accidents due to engine failure while operating on highways. Please take action now. Thank you!

NHTSA ODI #11462421

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2022

Engine

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While going highway speed (75mph) I suddenly had a simultaneous check engine light, oil pressure light, and charge system light all come on. Then the engine stalled, I heard a loud bang, and then once I pulled over immediately, there was oil leaking out of the car. I was 40+ miles from home, and the nearest Hyundai dealer, and had to get towed back to the dealership. They suspected a known issue with the engine rods and once they inspected it a few days later they confirmed there was a hole in the block. It is a known issue that Hyundai has given a warranty extension on and they replaced the engine and intake manifold, per the service invoice. I believe a known potential engine failure such as this should be cause for a recall. I was going 75mph when this happened. I could have lost control of the vehicle and crashed. I also could have had my small child with me and been trying to deal with getting help on the side of a highway with a toddler who doesn’t understand to stay away from the roadway. I am thankful all was well but engine stalls when the manufacturer knows there is a defect is putting peoples’ lives at risk.

NHTSA ODI #11459440

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2022

Vehicle Speed Control

2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE . CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTIONING THROTTLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN KNOCKING AND STALLED. ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. ON SEPERATE OCCASIONS THE CHECK ENGIN…

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NHTSA ODI #11459233

60,000 miles · Mar 16, 2022

Back Over Prevention

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The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that there was a delay response in the Back Over Prevention camera at lower temperatures during winter the months. The contact stated that the camera would operate as designed in warmer temperatures or once the vehicle was fully warmed up. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics who informed the contact that they could not replicate the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11457005

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2022

Engine

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While driving car would slow speed unexpectedly. In addition to this issue the heat in the car stopped working. After having several system flushes and parts replaced by our mechanic we took it to the dealership for evaluation and was advised the car has complete engine failure. No check engine light ever came on!! Was advised by dealership that several complaints have been made about this particular engine but no recalls have been made. The transmission for this car was already replaced less than a month after purchasing at 66,000+ miles due to a defect, and it has been continuous issues since then. Car has been regularly maintained and despite these preventative maintenance steps the engine still failed. Hyundai I am sure is aware of these engine issues and should address them immediately. Consumer would like to add that after speaking with the salvage yard about a replacement engine the gentleman advised that he received 1000+ inquires for a engine for this make and model year.

NHTSA ODI #11453959

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2022

Engine

Vehicle died while driving. No warning lights on at all. Dealer states that I have engine damage just by listening to it. Same issue is under recall for the santa fe sport engines but I am told that this will not be covered. This could have been an accident if I had been driving on a highway or a high traffic area.

NHTSA ODI #11453356

Official recalls

22V056000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Feb 3, 2022

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.

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 multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.

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.

16V145000 · Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices

Mar 10, 2016

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses may be damaged by the seat's height adjuster mechanism, resulting in a failure to provide an audible warning when front seat occupants do not fasten their seat belts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses to their proper locations, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 141.

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.

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.