Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
440–25K
1225–50K
150–75K
875–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
65 reports with mileage · 132 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports12 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
197 reports
92,000 miles · Oct 15, 2024
Seats
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 22 MPH, the vehicle struck a pot-hole which caused the driver seat to move out of place. The contact stated that while accelerating, the front driver seat would shift backward and while shifted into reverse the seat would move forwar…
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The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 22 MPH, the vehicle struck a pot-hole which caused the driver seat to move out of place. The contact stated that while accelerating, the front driver seat would shift backward and while shifted into reverse the seat would move forward. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat rail was damaged and the seat rail and seat needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #11619931
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2024
Engine
CRANK SHAFT SEAL LEAK ON A 44700 2019. HOWEVER THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THEREFORE WHY WOUL THIS CAR NEED A SEAL WITH THIS YESR AN LESS MILEAGE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS. BECAUSE THE DEALER WANTS 2448.00 TO FIX THIS.
NHTSA ODI #11619735
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2024
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane DepartureSteering
The Forward Collision Assist would intermittently disable during driving. The Lane Keeping Assist light illuminated and would not allow me to disable it causing the vehicle to drive straight only and to make left or right turns extremely hard to turn the vehicle. This incident occurred on [XXX] and was dropped off at Johnson Hyu…
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The Forward Collision Assist would intermittently disable during driving. The Lane Keeping Assist light illuminated and would not allow me to disable it causing the vehicle to drive straight only and to make left or right turns extremely hard to turn the vehicle. This incident occurred on [XXX] and was dropped off at Johnson Hyundai in Wake Forest on that date. After a week of no contact of a diagnosis, I had to visit the dealer and was told the steering column was the issue and needed to be replaced. I contacted Hyundai America to report this issue and currently waiting on a response from their warranty to see if they will cover all or a percentage of the replacement of the steering column since my mileage is over their 100k (113k to be exact) coverage. While I appreciate their efforts, I also feel this could have resulted in a very serious incident had my daughter been driving on the highway when this occurred. Thankfully, she was picking me from home and it happened as we drove off from our house in our neighborhood. A steering column should outlast any other part(s) of a vehicle. If not, this is a huge safety concern. My [XXX] was also in the car at the time and I cannot even imagine how I would recover if something worse were to happen while he's on board. Hopefully this reporting will keep something bad from happening to others who own this type of vehicle but failed to report it. Thank you for your time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11619452
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2024
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
My car just stalls at a stop ligth , no check engine light, no warning, and takes several attempts to start. It happened 3 times in two weeks one of those time while in the highway. One a the stop ligth and one driving in the neighborhood.
NHTSA ODI #11613909
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2024
Unknown Or Other
I had a tow-hitch installed and attached a cargo tray which I previously used with my 2010 Santa Fe. On June 21, 2024 at the end of the first day of our extended vacation the items on the passenger side of the cargo tray had melted. This included elements of the cargo tray itself, a Coleman chair, a brand new (1st use) Yeti coo…
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I had a tow-hitch installed and attached a cargo tray which I previously used with my 2010 Santa Fe. On June 21, 2024 at the end of the first day of our extended vacation the items on the passenger side of the cargo tray had melted. This included elements of the cargo tray itself, a Coleman chair, a brand new (1st use) Yeti cooler, cargo net and bungee cords. The following day I went to a Hyundai dealership in Charlestown, WV who verified the tow hitch was installed correctly but mentioned that the exhaust from my Turbo 2.0 engine was extremely hot and probably contributed to the melting. We were not able to find a way to elevate the tray away from the exhaust or add a shield to divert the heat. We had to discontinue use of the tray and purchase a trailer which connected several feet behind the car. As mentioned, I previously used this same tray with my 2010 Sant Fe without any difficulty or heat issues. I am concerned because of the potential for a fire with items igniting due to the extreme heat. I did not find any warnings about this nor any verbal precautions from the dealer when I purchased the car. If I had been carrying items more flammable I could potentially of had a fire start on the tray while the car was in motion resulting in more severe damage or harm to persons.
NHTSA ODI #11607102
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2024
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSeats
Continuous issue of front driver passenger power seat front level button failure. Continuous Headlights, fog lights getting fused every 4 months. Indoor back roof light works and sometime just does not work for months.
NHTSA ODI #11593772
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2024
Forward Collision Avoidance
enciende la alerta de choque y para sin tener vehiculos cerca.
NHTSA ODI #11592286
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2024
Lane DepartureSteering
I had a serious issue with the Santa Fe lane keeper system. I was driving on I15 in a winding portion through the Virgin River Gorge in relatively high traffic on a corner. I have used this feature many times in the past and expected a gentle nudge on the steering wheel. But unexpectedly the steering wheel turned hard left, alm…
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I had a serious issue with the Santa Fe lane keeper system. I was driving on I15 in a winding portion through the Virgin River Gorge in relatively high traffic on a corner. I have used this feature many times in the past and expected a gentle nudge on the steering wheel. But unexpectedly the steering wheel turned hard left, almost causing a total loss of control. I am safe driver always checking for other drivers doing what they shouldn't, but I never expected my car to be the one making dangerous movements. If I hadn't had a firm grip on the wheel, I would have been out of control on a narrow bridge in heavy traffic. Am I the only one with this problem?
NHTSA ODI #11584801
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2024
Power Train
Front CV Joint inner axle boot losing grease due to manufacture insufficient torque or poor quality of the clamp material.
NHTSA ODI #11583945
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2024
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
For the past month my car has been stalling in traffic. The car stalls and then turns back on a few seconds later. It also stalls when I am accelerating after stopping for a red light. This situation is very dangerous and it means that I cannot drive my car expecting to be safe at all. It seems like the motor and the transmissio…
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For the past month my car has been stalling in traffic. The car stalls and then turns back on a few seconds later. It also stalls when I am accelerating after stopping for a red light. This situation is very dangerous and it means that I cannot drive my car expecting to be safe at all. It seems like the motor and the transmission are involved which makes the stalling very dangerous as those are major systems.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. The Side Curtain Air Bag (SCAB) mounting bolts may interfere with and damage the air bags during deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags become damaged during deployment they may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the SCAB installation bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 177.
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
1
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.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year