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
19,000 miles · Aug 25, 2022
Engine
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer advised the contact to file a complaint …
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The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
NHTSA ODI #11481176
55,000 miles · Aug 18, 2022
Electrical System
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle alarm system failed to activate during a vehicle break-in. The vehicle was unoccupied at the time of the failure. A police report was filed. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to contact the insurance company and an appo…
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The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle alarm system failed to activate during a vehicle break-in. The vehicle was unoccupied at the time of the failure. A police report was filed. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to contact the insurance company and an appointment was scheduled for the vehicle to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
NHTSA ODI #11479931
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2022
Unknown Or Other
There are many reports of Hyundais being broken into and hot wired and stolen using a usb cable. This was remedied for the 2022 year models. My car insurance nearly doubled.The company should do a recall and fix this problem. Thank you for your help. Jim https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/investigations/class-action-lawsuits-hyu…
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There are many reports of Hyundais being broken into and hot wired and stolen using a usb cable. This was remedied for the 2022 year models. My car insurance nearly doubled.The company should do a recall and fix this problem. Thank you for your help. Jim https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/investigations/class-action-lawsuits-hyundai-kia-thefts/63-3e997aa9-582b-45f4-b09b-aa37b2464de0
NHTSA ODI #11478991
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2022
Unknown Or Other
The ignition systems in mainly 2015-2021 Hyundais with physical keys could be easily hacked using a screwdriver, pliers or the end of a USB cable, because the vehicles are not equipped with immobilizers that require the presence of a key fob. I want a recall so I won't have my car stolen like I hear about on the news about ever…
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The ignition systems in mainly 2015-2021 Hyundais with physical keys could be easily hacked using a screwdriver, pliers or the end of a USB cable, because the vehicles are not equipped with immobilizers that require the presence of a key fob. I want a recall so I won't have my car stolen like I hear about on the news about every week.
NHTSA ODI #11478765
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2022
Engine
2020 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO HIGH ENGINE ACCELERATION WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ONCE THE ENGINE WAS STARTED THE VEHICLE BEGAN ROARING. THE RPMS WERE OVER 5,000MPH BEFOR RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT RAN AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 33,3…
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2020 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO HIGH ENGINE ACCELERATION WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ONCE THE ENGINE WAS STARTED THE VEHICLE BEGAN ROARING. THE RPMS WERE OVER 5,000MPH BEFOR RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT RAN AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 33,350 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11475246
Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2022
Unknown Or Other
Crack windshield
NHTSA ODI #11474769
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2022
Visibility
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00M000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer had been notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. …
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The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00M000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer had been notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA ODI #11473868
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2022
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
The Windshield cracked without anything striking it. The windshield is being replaced at my expense. There is wind noise coming from the area below the crack where it is attached to the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11473681
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2022
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
On May 17th, I had an oil change completed on my 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe at a Hyundai dealership. On May 18th, I was parking my Santa Fe in a parking lot with which I am very familiar. I parked in front of the building, but realized that I had not pulled up far enough to the curb. I went to pull up a couple feet and as I started…
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On May 17th, I had an oil change completed on my 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe at a Hyundai dealership. On May 18th, I was parking my Santa Fe in a parking lot with which I am very familiar. I parked in front of the building, but realized that I had not pulled up far enough to the curb. I went to pull up a couple feet and as I started to put my foot on the gas pedal, I heard the engine roar and take off. I hit the brake, but it didn't stop, and I drove through the window and into the building. I was stunned. I have been driving for 44 years, and I have never had an accident that has been my fault. I was in shock that the car would not stop. I thought there might be a recall regarding this issue, but there wasn't. A friend told me he though he read somewhere that Kia and Hyundai were having acceleration issues. I went online and I was shocked that there are so many reports of sudden unintended acceleration and my Santa Fe was one of those vehicles. I saw one website where over 60 people with Santa Fe's have had similar issues. I was very lucky that I did not injure or kill anyone. Hyundai needs to investigate these instances, before more people are injured or killed. I feel these vehicles need to be recalled immediately. I have contacted Hyundai USA and opened a case file. After the extensive repairs to my vehicle were complete, I took my car to the dealership and instructed them to replace the throttle body assembly. To NHTSA: Please grant Defect Petition DP21-003 and investigate these issues.
NHTSA ODI #11471608
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2022
WheelsInjury
The Driver's-side rear wheel came completely off the vehicle while traveling at 65 mph on Interstate 75. The vehicle violently swerved into the left lane, and then my wife was able to pull off to the right side of the road. She almost tipped over from the side of the road being on a steep incline. A couple of days before this, …
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The Driver's-side rear wheel came completely off the vehicle while traveling at 65 mph on Interstate 75. The vehicle violently swerved into the left lane, and then my wife was able to pull off to the right side of the road. She almost tipped over from the side of the road being on a steep incline. A couple of days before this, the vehicle was at the Hyundai dealership getting a 'Service' where they changed the oil and performed a 'safety' inspection. They did NOT perform the inspection, but lied on the form saying all systems passed. They reluctantly admitted that they didn't do the inspections. There were NO warning lights of any kind before or after the incident, which could have killed my wife.
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.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year