Engine. Review the 643 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 161 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports23 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

962 reports

12,200 miles · Mar 25, 2018

Fuel/propulsion System

AT LOW SPEED AND PULLING OUT TO TRAFFIC, AT TOMES THERE IS NO POWER FOR 3 TO 5 SECONDS, VERY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #11081146

10 miles · Mar 15, 2018

EngineVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE FROM TIME TO TIME ABOUT ONCE A WEEK STALLS WHILE ACCELERATING, IT HAPPENED SO FAR WHILE DOING A LEFT TURN ON LOCAL STREETS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT

NHTSA ODI #11079558

17,137 miles · Mar 3, 2018

Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT TRAVELING APPROX 20MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN I HYDROPLANED AND HIT A STATIONARY LIGHT POLE HEAD ON. MY FRONTAL AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. MY HEAD STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD, CREATED SIGNIFICANT WINSHIELD DAMAGE. THE OVER ALL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, WINSHIELD, FRONT END UNDER THE CAR DAMAGE THAT RESULTED IN THE…

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NHTSA ODI #11076045

3,000 miles · Feb 20, 2018

Service Brakes

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THIS COMPLAINT HAS TO DO WITH THE AEB ( AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING ) SYSTEM. THIS WAS A FEATURE THAT LED ME TO PURCHASE THE CAR AND I DISCUSSED IT WITH THE SALESMAN AT LENGTH AT THE TIME I PURCHASED IT. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR, I STARTED TRYING TO TEST IT TO SEE IF AND HOW IT WORKED. I COULD GET NO INDICATION IT WAS WORKING WITHOUT WRECKING IT. THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE 3 WARNING STAGES ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL ( 1 A MESSAGE ON LCD WITH WARNING ALARMS, 2 A 2ND COLLISION WARNING MESSAGE AND LIMITED CONTROL OF THE BRAKES, 3 EMERGENCY BRAKING ). I NEVER SAW ANY OF THESE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER ALONG WITH A VIDEO IN WHICH I TESTED IT RUNNING OVER PARTY BALLOONS. THEY SAID IT WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. I WROTE HYUNDAI AMERICA AND THEY SUGGESTED I TAKE TO ANOTHER DEALER WHICH I DID AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. NO ONE CARES OR IS INTERESTED IN SEEING THAT THE SYSTEM WORKS. I HAVE ATTACHED A COUPLE OF STILL PHOTOS I TOOK FROM MY VIDEO SHOWING JUST BEFORE AND AFTER THE COLLISION WITH THE BALLOONS. I HAVE SEVERAL VIDEOS, I COULD SEND IF INTERESTED. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11073851

4,500 miles · Feb 17, 2018

Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER DISAPPEARED AND THE SOFTWARE FUNCTIONALITY TO ENABLE IT ALSO DISAPPEARED WHILE DRIVING ON A STREET.

NHTSA ODI #11073369

12,000 miles · Feb 13, 2018

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

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THE SANTA FE SPORT WAS PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2017. WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A REDLIGHT OR WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY MOMENTUM ON THE ROAD, THE ACCELERATION DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY AND THE RPMS BEGIN TO REV UP HIGH, BOUNCING UP AND DOWN, BUT THE SANTA FE SPORT WILL STALL. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ISSUE CONTINUES AND PANIC SENTS IN DUE TO THE CARS BEHIND US CAN REAR END THE SANTA FE SPORT. NO MATTER HOW FAR OR HARD THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED THE SANTA FE SPORT WILL STALL. ALL WHILE NO "ENGINE LIGHT" TURNS ON. TOOK THE SANTA FE SPORT FOR SERVICE TO THE DEALER OVER 6 TIMES BETWEEN 2017 AND 2018 AND ONLY AN EMS PART WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES MOSTLY IN VERY BAD TRAFFIC, AGAIN VERY CONCERNING FOR SAFETY. THE SANTA FE SPORT NEEDS TO BE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON IN ORDER FOR THE PROBLEM TO CEASE. NO MATTER WHAT DRIVE MODE IT IS IN (ECO; SPORT; NORMAL) THE ISSUE PERSISTS. WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2017 SANTA FE SPORT RIGHT OFF THE LOT WHICH HAS BEEN PAID FOR AND IT IS UNFAIR THAT WE ARE STILL PAYING WHAT SEEMS LIKE OUR LIVES WE CONTINUE TO SPEND MORE WITH GAS, TOLLS, TRAVEL AND TIME FROM WORK TO TAKE THE SANTA FE SPORT IN FOR SERVICE AND WE DO NOT GET REFUNDED FOR THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11072801

30,500 miles · Feb 7, 2018

Unknown Or Other

I WAS PULLING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND COMING UP TO SPEED, GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, LIKE A 'CRACK' OR A 'BOOM.' IT QUICKLY BECAME CLEAR THAT MY GLASS SUNROOF HAD BURST AND THERE WERE GLASS PIECES RAINING DOWN ON THE SUN SCREEN, WHICH THANKFULLY HAD BEEN CLOSED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED.

NHTSA ODI #11071540

5,100 miles · Jan 12, 2018

EngineFuel/propulsion System

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PURCHASED CAR IN JUNE 2017 AND CURRENTLY HAVE APPROX. 5100 MILES. WHEN GOING FROM A STANDSTILL STOP OR A SLOW ROLLING START (EXITING A DRIVEWAY) THE ACCELERATION IS LACKING. CAR WILL GO HIGH RPMS BUT NO SPEED. AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO A ROAD WAY IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN AS APPROACHING CARS FROM THE REAR CLOSE WHAT WAS A SAFE DISTANCE TO BEING ON TOP OF THE BUMPER IN NO TIME SINCE I CAN NOT ACCELERATE. 0-40 CAN TAKE UPWARDS OF 30 SECONDS WITH PEDAL DEPRESSED FULL. CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AT DEALER IN DECEMBER 2017 AND WAS "CORRECTED". NOW THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME WORSE AND CAR WILL PRODUCE PROBLEM MORE FREQENTLY AND IN ANY DRIVING CONDITION TO INCLUDE BEING IN TRAFFIC. THE ONLY WAY I CAN SOMEWHAT CORRECT THE ISSUES (AND FIGURED IT OUT DURING TRIAL AND ERROR) IS TO TURN THE DRIVE MODE TO SPORT AND TURN OFF TRACTION CONTROL. WHEN CAR IS IN ECO THE PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE SERVE AND IN NORMAL IT FREQUENTLY HAPPENS. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO ADJUST OR TURN OFF SYSTEMS IN A VEHICLE TO MAKE IT SAFE TO DRIVE NOR SHOULD I HAVE A VEHICLE I CAN NOT DRIVE AT SAFE SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI #11062337

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2018

Engine

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE HAVING AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE LOCAL DEALER BEGAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR A RECALL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V578000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER (GOSCH HYUNDAI, 100 CARRIAGE CIRCLE, HEMET, CA 92545) STATED THAT THE INSPECTION TOOL WAS NOT AVAILABLE, BUT WAS ORDERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11060740

12,500 miles · Dec 13, 2017

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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WHILE DRIVING ON DECEMBER 11, 2017 AFTER DARK, DOWN A MOUNTAIN PASS IN COLORADO, AT 55 MPH, ALL OF THE LIGHTS - INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR - FAILED (TURNED OFF) MOMENTARILY. WHEN MY HUSBAND HIT THE BRAKES, HE COULD SEE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ACTIVATE IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. AFTER PLAYING WITH THE HEADLIGHT CONTROLS FOR A FEW SECONDS, EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED AS MY HUSBAND WAS SWITCHING FROM THE HIGH BEAMS TO THE LOW BEAMS. EVEN THOUGH THE INTERIOR (DASHBOARD) LIGHTS WERE OFF, THE RADIO CONTINUED TO PLAY.

NHTSA ODI #11054551

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.

17V578000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Sep 20, 2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The crankshaft assemblies may have been produced with surface irregularities in the crankshaft pin, causing engine bearing wear.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify all owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 168.

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.

17V142000 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems

Mar 6, 2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that may not have been set in the correct mode during vehicle assembly, and therefore will not provide an appropriate warning in the event of an underinflated tire. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An underinflated inflated tire can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the TPMS sensors, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for the recall is 159.

16V842000 · Electrical System:wiring; Trailer Hitches

Nov 21, 2016

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Trailer Hitches

Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.

Electrical System:wiring

Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

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

DP24001 · 3.3L Engine Loss Of Motive Power (lomp)

Opened Feb 8, 2024 · Closed May 16, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on February 2, 2024, requesting a defect investigation into an alleged defect of the "engine" on the following vehicle model: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles equipped with the 3.3L V-Shaped GDI Lambda-II engines. The petition cites allegations of a loss of motive power, often resulting in an engine seizure. The stall is preceded by a knocking sound, decreased performance and no warning lights. An analysis of the subject vehicle population was undertaken using complaints submitted to ODI along with manufacturer data. It was determined that the frequency of events is low for the subject population, while those that specifically report a loss of motive power event have a high mileage at the time of incident. The 2017 Santa Fe is equipped with a service interval reminder for the consumer that must be set by the consumer themselves or at a dealership. A Technical Service Bulletin (19-EM-002H) instructs the dealership to set the maintenance reminder at the completion of routine maintenance service or anytime a repair is performed that requires new engine oil. This maintenance reminder will help reinforce the need for proper oil maintenance intervals. Additionally, the Santa Fe vehicles with 3.3L V-shaped Lambda-II engines will be added to Hyundai’s existing Technical Service Bulletin (23-EM-007H) related to combustion chamber cleaning. These actions will help limit negative consumer incidents related to loss of motive power. Lastly, Hyundai has extended the limited engine warranty for MY 2013-2019 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3.3L V-shaped Lambda-II engines included in the Petition. The updated coverage is 15 years, or 150,000 miles and details are contained in Technical Service Bulletin 24-EM-003H. In view of the service interval reminder, combustion chamber cleaning, and extended warranty actions being taken by Hyundai, ODI is denying this Defect Petition. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the report cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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.