Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 44 of 209 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports9 fire reports12 injury reports
What owners actually said
209 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2023
Engine
My engine light came on December of 2022. I took it to Autozone and had them to a diagnostic text to read the code. They stated it was a misfire on 3. My vehicle was also burning oil. I took it to the dealer(Napleton). They changed the spark plug. That didn’t fix the issue. I took it back because the check engine light came back…
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My engine light came on December of 2022. I took it to Autozone and had them to a diagnostic text to read the code. They stated it was a misfire on 3. My vehicle was also burning oil. I took it to the dealer(Napleton). They changed the spark plug. That didn’t fix the issue. I took it back because the check engine light came back on. Napleton Downtown Chicago, IL, kept the vehicle for 5 months because they stated they had to replace the engine. About 2 weeks ago my check engine light came back on. I made an appointment to take it into to Napleton Downtown Chicago on November 27, 2023. Yesterday November 22, 2023, my vehicle cut off, started smoking and didn’t cut back on, I had to have it towed to Napleton in Urbana, IL. Clearly this vehicle is having engine problems. I been telling Napleton Downtown Chicago that there’s a defect with this vehicle and to replace it. Please look into for me.
NHTSA ODI #11556600
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2023
Engine
On 01/21/2023 after exiting thr highway and pulling into a shopping center signals started popping up on my dashboard and ny car lost speed. I tried making it down the rd to a tire discounters but ny car lost complete power and would not turn on. A tow truck toad it to the tire discounters and once on the flat bed it was a puddl…
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On 01/21/2023 after exiting thr highway and pulling into a shopping center signals started popping up on my dashboard and ny car lost speed. I tried making it down the rd to a tire discounters but ny car lost complete power and would not turn on. A tow truck toad it to the tire discounters and once on the flat bed it was a puddle of oil and a trail of oil coming from my car. Once there tire discounters states that my car needed to go to a dealership. It set at kerry hyundai Alexandria until may 2023 waiting to be diagnosed. Once diagnosed it stated that ny car was missing the drain plug and that I needed a brand new engine. I had a oil change at car x on 12/10/2023 and hyundai blamed car x stating that they didn't tighten my plug. But car x denied. I got a lawyer n began to sue car x when car x lawyer responded stating that there were other people having the same problem and hyundai was being investigated. My car is currently still sitting at hyundsi because I don't have 7800 for a engine and hyundai will not cover the engine under warranty
NHTSA ODI #11555742
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2023
Unknown Or Other
The metal cable that holds the spare tire snapped off while the car was driving out of our driveway. And the tire flew off the car nearly causing it to crash.
NHTSA ODI #11554372
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2023
EngineFire
After having a warranty repair for a valve cover gasket' at CENTEREACHHYUNDAI, I picked up my car. Only 8 minutes into my drive home the engine light went on and engine error code appeared. At that piont smoke was coming from the hood when I heard a pop and flames appeared at my passenger side window. I turned the car off remove…
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After having a warranty repair for a valve cover gasket' at CENTEREACHHYUNDAI, I picked up my car. Only 8 minutes into my drive home the engine light went on and engine error code appeared. At that piont smoke was coming from the hood when I heard a pop and flames appeared at my passenger side window. I turned the car off removed my phone and exited the vehicle. No one else was in the car but within minutes the fire was totally involved. I also noted it took the fire department very long to arrive. If anyone was trapped in the car they would have peristed.
NHTSA ODI #11553828
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2023
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
Oil leak from oil pan area. Took the car to the dealer twice to get it fix and the problem temporarily stop but now is continuing to leak again. All they did was retighten the oil plug the first time and then the second time replaced the oil plug with a new one. They said it was a bad oil plug washer and now it should stop the l…
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Oil leak from oil pan area. Took the car to the dealer twice to get it fix and the problem temporarily stop but now is continuing to leak again. All they did was retighten the oil plug the first time and then the second time replaced the oil plug with a new one. They said it was a bad oil plug washer and now it should stop the leak, but now it’s leaking again. Took notice of the leak when the car was parked in garage overnight and a pool of oil formed under the car again. This is scary because losing oil like this is not normal and if it continue it could seize the engine while the driver is driving it risking the safety of the driver and car.
NHTSA ODI #11553683
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2023
Electrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance
Numerous different occasions since I bought the vehicle this year in March 2023 when on highway, side streets and even in parking lots with nothing, no cars no objects or humans in front or behind the vehicle my forward collision warning and rear end collision warning has came on which caused the car to break on its own and it i…
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Numerous different occasions since I bought the vehicle this year in March 2023 when on highway, side streets and even in parking lots with nothing, no cars no objects or humans in front or behind the vehicle my forward collision warning and rear end collision warning has came on which caused the car to break on its own and it is a safety concern. I have been to the dealer numerous times since I’ve bought the vehicle and currently have reached out to Hyundai Motors of America and pretty much got told to suck it up nothing they can do for me as the computer isn’t showing any codes or issues my car has now been at dealership where I bought it for 2 weeks now and no resolution besides come get the car and figure it out on my own and as a single mother with a child with disabilies I don’t know what else to do.
NHTSA ODI #11550736
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2023
Fuel/propulsion SystemLane Departure
Catalytic converter is failing Lane collision warning failing driver side rear view mirror
NHTSA ODI #11549580
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2023
Unknown Or Other
Sitting in parked vehicle. Opened the rarely-opened panoramic sunroof. Heard unusual sound,. Looked next day and noticed a stationary glass panel forward of the sunroof had shattered all the way around but had not collapsed (yet--have tape on it to keep it intact until repairs can be made). Hyundai does not consider this to be …
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Sitting in parked vehicle. Opened the rarely-opened panoramic sunroof. Heard unusual sound,. Looked next day and noticed a stationary glass panel forward of the sunroof had shattered all the way around but had not collapsed (yet--have tape on it to keep it intact until repairs can be made). Hyundai does not consider this to be a warranty issue. The warranty states in the "What is not covered" section: "- Action of road elements (sand, gravel, dust or road debris) which result in stone chipping of paint and glass." Dealer documented it and basically said "too bad". Since the issue being reported was NOT caused by road debris etc., This should be a warranty coverage matter. Similar instances have happened to others (entire sunroof) and has been reported. This glass should be LAMINATED--not tempered--but is not. This could be a major safety concern.
NHTSA ODI #11548273
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2023
Exterior Lighting
Intermittently when you turn the left turn signal, it will be a delay of 2-3 seconds to actually turn on the lights. Usually it happens in the morning when cold.
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 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 216.
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.
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