2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 160 1 crash 7 fire

“While I was driving on the highway in the left lane, smoke came from the engine, then it started coming from underneath the car. The car turned off. I was forced to stop on the left lane of the highway and exit the vehicle and walk as far away as possible. I called 911, then I noticed fire coming from the engine. This was unsafe for myself as well as other riders on the highway. Firefighters came and put out the fire. Once they left, I was left by myself waiting for the tow truck to arrive. No police officers helped to keep myself safe while waiting on the left shoulder once the highway…”
NHTSA complaint #11592719, 2024 · fire

“The engine caught fire and the vehicle is a total loss. Acceleration became inconsistent at time of the incident while driving on the freeway. Once that was noticed, and at a speed of 50mph, I immediately heard a loud clicking noise coming from the engine. ALL warning lights also immediately went off. I noticed white smoke and pulled over on the freeway. Once parked, black smoke was emerging from the engine. I exited the vehicle to safety and within 30 seconds, flames emerged from the vehicle. The vehicle maintenance was kept current during the 7 months of ownership. There were no prior warnin…”
NHTSA complaint #11563641, 2023 · fire

“Premature engine failure due to bearing. Car has oil consumption problem causing a ceased engine. Car stalled going 40 mph under a intersection, managed to pull over and car started fire and smoking. Fire Smothered itself.”
NHTSA complaint #11479424, 2022 · fire

Service Brakes 29 1 crash 6 fire

“ABS failed while merging causing a collision that ended up totaling my car.”
NHTSA complaint #11422818, 2020 · crash · fire

“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed flames originating near the firewall. The contact was able to extinguish the flames himself with a fire extinguisher. No warning lights were illuminated. A fire report was filed. A police report was not filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. T…”
NHTSA complaint #11576910, 2024 · fire

“The car was parked for about 4 hours and suddenly catches fire and reports says it was ABS anti brake system and i got my car burnt. Is there any help Hyundai can assist me.”
NHTSA complaint #11459838, 2022 · fire

Power Train 22

“2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited, 3.3L Lambda II GDI V6, ~102,000 miles. In December 2022, an authorized Hyundai dealer replaced three specific parts under a Hyundai recall/campaign (records requested). On Sunday [DATE] at approximately [TIME] PM, I was driving on [FREEWAY], [STATE], at 55–70 mph at night. With NO prior warning — no warning lights, no chimes, no loss of power buildup, no knocking, no engine protection mode — the engine suddenly and completely died. The failure was instantaneous. There was no limp-home mode and no opportunity to reach the shoulder under engine power. The vehicle l…”
NHTSA complaint #11736814, 2026

“The 3.3 liter V6 GDI engine failed while driving at approximately 136000 miles. Heard a ticking noise start shortly after leaving home, and had hesitation and shaking upon acceleration from a stop sign, but saw no warning lamps. Went around the block back home to find out the ticking noise was under the hood. Motor oil was almost 3 quarts low, but only 2/3's of the way through the service interval. Checked for leaking, saw none dripping, but did see oil on the under of the rear differential. I then let the car run for minute or so in the garage and looked for leaks. I saw no active leaking an…”
NHTSA complaint #11605981, 2024

“We were on our way home from the children's hospital in Philadelphia for my daughter (4 hours away from home) and my 2015 Santa Fe with the 3.3L motor began to knock. My dad (who is very mechanically inclined) pulled over at a gas station and checked oil and other fluids. It was low, even though I just had oil changed 900 miles before and it was checked before our trip to the hospital. We bought oil and put it in. Knocking was still there but was not as loud. We got back on interstate. Few miles up the road it completely lost power, extreme knocking, no lights on in the dash or any gauges out…”
NHTSA complaint #11594753, 2024

Unknown Or Other 22 1 crash 1 fire

“Summer of 2020,my engine needed to be replaced for an unknown reason, that work was done at the Herb Chambers Hyundai service department. On 4/22/2022 my car hesitated to start, it did start, I traveled about 12 miles and my engine light came on. I traveled about 3 more miles and then my car stalled in the middle of the highway, I headed to the breakdown lane very quickly. As soon as I put the car in park, the car started to smoke, I ran down the highway on foot, called 911, I turned around and my car was engulfed in flames. This whole incident went awry very quickly, about 5 minutes. I…”
NHTSA complaint #11462810, 2022 · fire

“I WAS ON GROUND FLOOR OF A PARKING GARAGE AND ALREADY IN THE PARKING SPOT---I HAD MY BRAKE ON AND WAS ACTUALLY READY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO "PARK". THERE WAS A SUDDEN REVING OF THE ENGINE AND THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED THROUGH A STEEL LATTICE WORK BARRIER AND THROUGH A FLOWER BED INTO AN EXTREMELY WET SURFACE. I HIT THE BRAKE AS HARD AS POSSIBLE AND BELIEVE THAT THE BRAKE FINALLY HELD. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BECAME MIRED DOWN IN APPROXIMATELY 12-14 INCHES OF MUD. I BELIEVE THE COMBINATION OF THE MUD AND THE BRAKE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACTUALLY STOP. NO AIRBAGS D…”
NHTSA complaint #11015370, 2017 · crash

“The driver's door is stuck, it cannot be opened.”
NHTSA complaint #11633342, 2024

Electrical System 20 2 fire

“The car was parked for about 4 hours and suddenly catches fire and reports says it was ABS anti brake system and i got my car burnt. Is there any help Hyundai can assist me.”
NHTSA complaint #11459838, 2022 · fire

“Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2015 was making sounds when vehicle was off. The ABS warning lights were lit on the dashboard (3 warnings in total) once car was turned on. Drove home hoping the sound would go away but it did not. Once home the sound continued without the vehicle being on. Opened the hood and listened for the location of the sound. It was the ABS module on the left. This part then caught on fire while parked and off (keys were out).”
NHTSA complaint #11431709, 2021 · fire

“The engine has basically come apart. There is a timing chain issue, the engine is not recalled and it is getting where the car cannot drive. There is a constant smell of burning electrical wires. There’s also issues with the heating and air that is related to electrical.”
NHTSA complaint #11622164, 2024

Fuel/Propulsion System 13

“Misfire code P0302 Injector failed open, flooded cylinder with fuel. Gas in the oil Possible cylinder failure Lack of compression”
NHTSA complaint #11606012, 2024

“Engine has goes on out at 99000 miles has seized up .”
NHTSA complaint #11595085, 2024

“While driving at 65 mph on an urban expressway, the engine quit without warning and would not restart. This resulted in diminished steering and braking control as well as exposure near the edge of traffic on a narrow berm of an overpass bridge. Full tank of fuel, good battery, the engine would not crank or restart. All electrical accessories work fine.”
NHTSA complaint #11542427, 2023

Air Bags 9 6 crash 8 injury

“WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AT A RATE OF 20MPH ON A DECLINE, WE BEGAN TO SLIDE IN THE SNOW, AS WE SLID I BEGAN PUMPING THE BRAKES TO SLOW US DOWN BUT THE HILL MADE US GAIN SPEED EVEN THOUGH THE WHEELS WERE NOT SPINNING. AFTER SLIDING DOWN HILL FOR CLOSE TO 100 YARDS, WE MADE IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE MADE DIRECT IMPACT WITH THE SIDE OF THE MINIVAN. IMPACT WAS HARD ENOUGH FOR THE FRONT BUMPER OF MY VEHICLE TO BE COMPLETELY RIPPED OFF, MY RADIATOR CRACKED, THE MINIVAN IS TOTALED AND ALL THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF IN THE MINIVAN, BUT MY AIRBAGS…”
NHTSA complaint #11287247, 2019 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED EYE INJURIES DUE TO DOOR FRAGMENTS AND GASHES ON THE ARM. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR COMPONENTS WERE NOT STRUCTURALLY SOUND UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND BACK PAINS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. ONLY THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE DURING THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT REQUESTED TH…”
NHTSA complaint #10864131, 2015 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE IMPACTED THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED LEFT WRIST AND RIGHT SHOULDER SPRAIN AND DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AT THE MOMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE, THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO IMPOUND LOT. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APP…”
NHTSA complaint #11412969, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Exterior Lighting 9 1 crash

“I WAS ON GROUND FLOOR OF A PARKING GARAGE AND ALREADY IN THE PARKING SPOT---I HAD MY BRAKE ON AND WAS ACTUALLY READY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO "PARK". THERE WAS A SUDDEN REVING OF THE ENGINE AND THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED THROUGH A STEEL LATTICE WORK BARRIER AND THROUGH A FLOWER BED INTO AN EXTREMELY WET SURFACE. I HIT THE BRAKE AS HARD AS POSSIBLE AND BELIEVE THAT THE BRAKE FINALLY HELD. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BECAME MIRED DOWN IN APPROXIMATELY 12-14 INCHES OF MUD. I BELIEVE THE COMBINATION OF THE MUD AND THE BRAKE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACTUALLY STOP. NO AIRBAGS D…”
NHTSA complaint #11015370, 2017 · crash

“THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHT TO STAY ON CONTINIOUSLY. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON SO THERES NO INDICATION THAT I'M GETTING READY TO STOP BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS ALREADY ON, INCREASEING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ALSO AFECTECED WITH THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT STOP WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. I LOOKED UP THE RECALL AND IT SAID THAT 2013 -2015 HYDUNDIA SANTA FEE SPORT VIHECLES WERE AFFECTED, BUT WHEN I CALL THE DEARLERSHIP THEY SAID MY VIN# WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL!”
NHTSA complaint #11631945, 2024

“The blue link on all older models is not being supported which cause the screen to become stuck on loading screen. This is a visibility and safety issue because it cause blue link to reload and bright lights to flash as you are driving at night every time it reloads. It is a distraction from the road if you shut it off completely you have no access to radio or sound. The issue it cannot be fixed unless you pay for manual update but you have to it working to actually get the update to run. There are many forums discussing the issue”
NHTSA complaint #11554870, 2023

Structure 9 2 crash 2 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED EYE INJURIES DUE TO DOOR FRAGMENTS AND GASHES ON THE ARM. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR COMPONENTS WERE NOT STRUCTURALLY SOUND UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND BACK PAINS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. ONLY THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE DURING THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT REQUESTED TH…”
NHTSA complaint #10864131, 2015 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“I WAS ON GROUND FLOOR OF A PARKING GARAGE AND ALREADY IN THE PARKING SPOT---I HAD MY BRAKE ON AND WAS ACTUALLY READY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO "PARK". THERE WAS A SUDDEN REVING OF THE ENGINE AND THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED THROUGH A STEEL LATTICE WORK BARRIER AND THROUGH A FLOWER BED INTO AN EXTREMELY WET SURFACE. I HIT THE BRAKE AS HARD AS POSSIBLE AND BELIEVE THAT THE BRAKE FINALLY HELD. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BECAME MIRED DOWN IN APPROXIMATELY 12-14 INCHES OF MUD. I BELIEVE THE COMBINATION OF THE MUD AND THE BRAKE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACTUALLY STOP. NO AIRBAGS D…”
NHTSA complaint #11015370, 2017 · crash

“THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN EITHER FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENED OUT OF THE BLUE. CAR IS A 2015...AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IN RESEARCHING MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI MODELS AND YEARS. WE HAVE TALKED WITH THE DEALERSHIP, TAKEN IT TO A LOCKSMITH (COULDN'T OPEN WITH A SLIM JIM AND AN INDEPENDENT THAT USED TO WORK FOR HYUNDAI WHO SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO DESTROY THE PANEL TO GET INSIDE TO CHECK THE ASSEMBLY AND REPAIR. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE IF A FAST EXIT IS NEEDED. HYUNDAI FORUMS HAVE THE ISSUE BEING ASKED ABOUT FREQUENTLY INVOLVING ONE DOOR O…”
NHTSA complaint #11413052, 2021

Vehicle Speed Control 7

“I was driving on the highway when, out of nowhere, my car started shaking whenever I went over 40 miles per hour. It was quite alarming and honestly a bit scary. So, I would like to request a recall on it. A week after I took it to Hyundai, they informed me that they sent it to you to see if it would be approved to cover the motor. I’ve had this car for just 2 years, and it's frustrating to deal with issues like this. I truly appreciate your attention to this matter, as I hope we can resolve it soon. Thank you for your understanding!”
NHTSA complaint #11626687, 2024

“Recent cold weather starts in the morning (40-50 degrees fahrenheit) have caused my car to have poor or stalled acceleration. It will occasionally not go past 20 or 40 mph while the RPMs rev high. The DTC error code would read P2565 as a pending code. An independent mechanic changed out my transmission fluid and switched out my boost pressure sensor but the problem is still there. Hyundai says that they need to replicate the problem but it does not occur when I take it to them so it's very hard to have this intermittent issue diagnosed by them. This is a very dangerous issue in my opinion if y…”
NHTSA complaint #11571466, 2024

“Vehicle has been consuming oil between oil changes. Recently the ABS, Down hill assist, and traction control lights came on. We took it to the dealer and were advised it was a wheel speed sensor in the passenger rear, but they wanted over $600 so we did not repair. Two days later all the lights went off and we had no issues. A month later I drove to Florida, checked and filled the oil with a little over one quart. On my way back the RPM shot up to close to 6K, the engine light started flashing, oil and battery light came on, and the car lost all power qnd started shuttering. There was a str…”
NHTSA complaint #11542203, 2023

Steering 6

“My power steering failed without notice while driving. This has happened several times. The first time I just happened to need to pull off the highway because my 4 year old had to go to the bathroom and couldn't hold it. It went out as soon as I exited the highway and entered the parking lot. The steering became very hard and heavy to move and then just locked up. If I hadn't gotten of the highway when I did it would have happened while driving on the highway with my two young sons which could have resulted in a bad accident. I had no prior warning. It just happened unexpectedly. We thought ma…”
NHTSA complaint #11565541, 2023

“While driving at 65 mph on an urban expressway, the engine quit without warning and would not restart. This resulted in diminished steering and braking control as well as exposure near the edge of traffic on a narrow berm of an overpass bridge. Full tank of fuel, good battery, the engine would not crank or restart. All electrical accessories work fine.”
NHTSA complaint #11542427, 2023

“USED VEHICLE (80,000 MILES). POWER STEERING CUT OUT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ALONG CURVE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH OUR INFANT SON IN THE BACK. MANAGED TO SAFELY STOP, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION. DEALERSHIP INDICATED IT HAD FIXED PROBLEM WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM, BUT THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT AGAIN THE FOLLOWING DAY WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. HAPPENED TO MY WIFE A THIRD TIME WHEN SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE. DEALER COULDN'T IDENTIFY PROBLEM, SAID WE NEEDED TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY.”
NHTSA complaint #11219908, 2019

Lane Departure 4

“We were on our way home from the children's hospital in Philadelphia for my daughter (4 hours away from home) and my 2015 Santa Fe with the 3.3L motor began to knock. My dad (who is very mechanically inclined) pulled over at a gas station and checked oil and other fluids. It was low, even though I just had oil changed 900 miles before and it was checked before our trip to the hospital. We bought oil and put it in. Knocking was still there but was not as loud. We got back on interstate. Few miles up the road it completely lost power, extreme knocking, no lights on in the dash or any gauges out…”
NHTSA complaint #11594753, 2024

“THE BLIND SPOT DETECTOR STARTING RANDOMLY GOING OFF VERY SPORADICALLY SINCE WE HAD THE CAR. THEN ONE DAY IT STARTED GOING OFF ALMOST EVERY MINUTE FOR ABOUT 7-8 MINUTES THEN AN ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED AND IT STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAY.”
NHTSA complaint #11398973, 2021

“OIL CONSUMPTION WITHIN 200 MILES BLIND SPOT DETECTION DOESN'T WORK”
NHTSA complaint #11377249, 2020

Forward Collision Avoidance 3 1 crash 1 fire

“ABS failed while merging causing a collision that ended up totaling my car.”
NHTSA complaint #11422818, 2020 · crash · fire

“THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHT TO STAY ON CONTINIOUSLY. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON SO THERES NO INDICATION THAT I'M GETTING READY TO STOP BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS ALREADY ON, INCREASEING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ALSO AFECTECED WITH THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT STOP WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. I LOOKED UP THE RECALL AND IT SAID THAT 2013 -2015 HYDUNDIA SANTA FEE SPORT VIHECLES WERE AFFECTED, BUT WHEN I CALL THE DEARLERSHIP THEY SAID MY VIN# WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL!”
NHTSA complaint #11631945, 2024

“THE VENDOR HAS HAD MONTHS TO HAVE A REMEDY TO FIX THE ABS BRAKE FLUID LEAKING CAUSING POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRES.”
NHTSA complaint #11374839, 2020

Seat Belts 3

“PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING DOES NOT FUNCTION. WITH ADULT IN THE SEAT, NO WARNING LIGHT OR ALARM TO INDICATE THE BELT IS NOT IN USE ANYTIME WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.”
NHTSA complaint #11128518, 2018

“SEAT BELT WARNING INOPERABLE FOR PASSENGER SEAT. IT DOESN'T PROVIDE A WARNING LIGHT OR AUDIBLE ALARM WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AND THE VEHICLE UNDERWAY IN DRIVE POSITION.”
NHTSA complaint #11128522, 2018

“GETTING READY TO LEAVE A RESTAURANT AFTER BUSINESS DINNER, REACHED FOR SEAT BELT AND IT WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE CAR. THE BOLT WAS COMPLETED DISLODGED, AND THE SEAT BELT WAS JUST HANGING THERE. THIS IS A BIG CONCERN BECAUSE I COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE EARLIER THAT DAY OR POSSIBLY FOR WEEKS WITH A FAULTY SELF BELT, GIVING ME A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED EITHER US OR A DEALER REPRESENTATIVE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO BE FIXED. WE SAID ABSOLUTELY NOT, IT NEEDS TO BE TOWED. SEEMS TO ME THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CANT DRIVE A VEHICLE WITHOUT A WORKING SEAT BELT.…”
NHTSA complaint #10695256, 2015

Visibility/Wiper 3

“The blue link on all older models is not being supported which cause the screen to become stuck on loading screen. This is a visibility and safety issue because it cause blue link to reload and bright lights to flash as you are driving at night every time it reloads. It is a distraction from the road if you shut it off completely you have no access to radio or sound. The issue it cannot be fixed unless you pay for manual update but you have to it working to actually get the update to run. There are many forums discussing the issue”
NHTSA complaint #11554870, 2023

“PANORAMIC SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING. IT INITIALLY LEFT A LARGE HOLE ABOUT 2 FT BY 3 FT WHICH INCREASED OVER THE NEXT 2 HOURS AS I LIMPED HOME. THOUSANDS OF PIECES OF GLASS ENDED UP INSIDE THE OVERHEAD SUN SHADE AND INSIDE THE CAR. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY LATE AT NIGHT AND THERE WERE NO ROCKS OR OTHER FLYING OBJECTS THAT COULD HAVE HIT MY CAR WHEN THIS OCCURRED.”
NHTSA complaint #10992080, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A AUTOMATIC VEHICLE WASH AND DURING THE DRYING CYCLE, THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. AS A RESULT, GLASS AND WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #10785995, 2015

Suspension 2

“This vehicle has only 25,000 original miles on it, and I am the original owner and bought it new. In separate incidents, several months apart, first the right-front coil spring broke, with a piece falling out and nearly puncturing the right-front tire. Several months later, the same thing happened to the left-front coil spring, with the broken piece damaging a front C-V joint boot. Both incidents occurred without warning and, thankfully, happened at slow speed with no subsequent crash or accident. These failures, however, if they happened at highway speed, could have been disastrous due to…”
NHTSA complaint #11458535, 2022

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25. UPDATED 7/9/15*CN”
NHTSA complaint #10711925, 2015

Visibility 2 2 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED AND PIECES OF THE SUN ROOF GLASS BEGAN TO FALL. THERE WERE MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S HEADS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 01/31/17*LJ”
NHTSA complaint #10927438, 2016 · 2 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the panoramic moonroof suddenly shattered, raining shards of glass down on the vehicle’s occupants. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 128,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11575636, 2024

Wheels 2

“It appears to be a problem with all the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. It has abs, downhill, stability control lights on at the same time. It appears to be wheel speed sensor but they do not know which one. The service manager had said it happens to be a lot of the time the rear sensor that goes out. The service manager made it seem like it happens frequently. When I check online a lot of owners appear to be having the same issue. THREE LIGHTS, ESC, DBC, and ABS warning lights turn on. I am in fear for my life, due the safety on the road if the tires would lose control!”
NHTSA complaint #11460210, 2022

“On July 14, 2021, while the vehicle was MOVING, the cable in the spare tire hoist snapped resulting in the spare tire dropping to the ground and getting wedged between the ground and the trailer hitch. Fortunately, this occurred on a side street and the net effect was that the spare tire was partially dislodged from metal wheel and the wheel was knocked slightly out of round. Had this failure happened on the freeway, it could have been a very serious accident, perhaps even a fatality for us or other drivers on the road. This vehicle is kept in a garage, has never been used for off-roading…”
NHTSA complaint #11440551, 2021

Back Over Prevention 1

“The navigation/backup camera screen gets stuck on the loading page. This problem began right after the warranty period ended, which appears to be a common complaint on the message boards. When it first became a problem, it eventually would load, but would take approximately 15 minutes. Now, it fails to load at all (just continuously displays "loading"), which renders the backup camera, navigation system, maps, radio, satellite, clock and all associated controls useless. A backup camera is essential for me--I will not drive a car without one, since it a safety concern due to kyphosis. Havin…”
NHTSA complaint #11450560, 2020

Engine And Engine Cooling 1

“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle stalled and the two catalytic converters became inoperable. Additionally, the blue link screen failed to load and link the features. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed two catalytic converters that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 115,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11421674, 2021

Latches/Locks/Linkages 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE VEHICLE'S DOORS, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK FAILED TO LOCK. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,950.”
NHTSA complaint #11015371, 2017

Seats 1

“CAR WAS BOTH TO DEALERSHIP ON 3/7/2020 -3/12/2020 THE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT THEY REPLACED THE BCM RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP ON 3/19/2020 HEADLIGHT NOT TURNING ON HEATED SEAT WENT OUT AND REAR WINDSHIELDWIPER NOT WORKING GOT BABK 3/20/20 BOUGHT BACK AGING ON 4/22/202 AND RETURNED TO ME ON 5/07/2020 FOR SAME THING IT IS BACK AGAIN AT DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME THING. I WENT TO START THE CAR UP TO GO TO WORK AND THE LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON IT WAS RAINING THAT DAY AND TURNED ON THE REAR WIPER ON THAT DID NOT TURN ON THEN I TRIED THE HEATED SEAT TURNED IT ON AND IT WENT OUT.”
NHTSA complaint #11342484, 2020

Tires 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CROSSCONTACT LX TIRES, SIZE: 235/65R17. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO COAST OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #10730992, 2015