AI Damage2023 Hyundai Santa FE Plug-IN Hybrid reliability: common problems
Owners of the 2023 Hyundai Santa FE Plug-IN Hybrid filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and forward collision avoidance. The maker issued 30 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 21
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 30
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 24% of all complaints
- 2 Forward collision avoidance 19% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 14% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 14% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 10% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 10% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (24% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Forward collision avoidance: 4 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Visibility: 3 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 3 complaints (14% of all).
- Engine: 2 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 21 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My front axels from factory were out of balance causing a vehicle vibration from 80+km/hr. Dealer thought it was tires not driveline. Different dealer diagnosed it as both axels in front. Issue was repaired once parts were available. Vibration still is evident but think its tires.
The contact stated that while driving at 40-45 MPH, the sunroof exploded outward without warning or impact, leaving the shattered glass rattling. There were no reported injuries. A local dealer was contacted but stated that they did not perform glass replacements. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired.
While on the highway my car lost power, gradually slowing down to a stall. I was able to safely park on the side of the road. I got the car to a nearby dealership that kept it for 10 days.
The warning messages that come up only after the cruise control is turned off by the vehicle state "Smart cruise conditions not met" and "forward safety system disabled. Radar blocked". This disables the vehicle from utilizing cruise control in any manner.
Two issues with powertrain/transmission: 1- The powertrain/transmission fails intermittently- vehicle RPM goes sky high but vehicle receives no power, seems to fail/lose power. Has happened in very dangerous road conditions where unexpectedly was struggling to get the motor to engage/get power to the vehicle.
It looks like the car is not moving, then it very slowly gains speed, followed by sudden acceleration. It is available for inspection upon request. >>>>How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?
Horn will not work. This occured on [XXX]. Appointment made with dealer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Horns stopped working. Consider this to be a safety issue for obvious reasons. Checked horn fuse and it was not blown. Contacted local dealer to have it repaired. Awaiting an appointment
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,686 of 32,257 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Santa FE Plug-IN Hybrid has 16 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 21, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Certain Santa Fe Hybrid (TM HEV), Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid (TM PHEV), Tucson Hybrid (NX4 HEV), andTucson…
Certain Santa Fe Hybrid (TM HEV), Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid (TM PHEV), Tucson Hybrid (NX4 HEV), andTucson Plug-in Hybrid (NX4 PHEV) vehicles may experience intake air line freezing and Exhaust GasRecirculation (EGR)…
- Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this…
- Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition…
- Certain Santa Fe Hybrid (TM HEV), Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid (TM PHEV), Tucson Hybrid (NX4 HEV), and Tucson…
Certain Santa Fe Hybrid (TM HEV), Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid (TM PHEV), Tucson Hybrid (NX4 HEV), and Tucson Plug-in Hybrid (NX4 PHEV) vehicles may experience intake air line freezing and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)…
- Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts…
Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this condition to 10 years…
- This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in…
This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety…
- Certain 2021 – 2023 model year Santa Fe, 2021 – 2023 model year Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2022 – 2023 model…
Certain 2021 – 2023 model year Santa Fe, 2021 – 2023 model year Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2022 – 2023 model year Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid vehicles may experience an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances…
- Certain Santa Fe Hybrid (TM HEV) and Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid (TM PHEV) vehicles may have an inoperable…
Certain Santa Fe Hybrid (TM HEV) and Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid (TM PHEV) vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. Hyundai is extending the warranty…
- This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the…
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of…
- This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2025 1st Navigation Map and…
This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2025 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system as described in this…
NHTSA lists 30 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Hyundai Santa FE Plug-IN Hybrid?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, forward collision avoidance, visibility. Total complaints: 21. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (24%), windows, sunroof (19%), loss of power / limp mode (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 Hyundai Santa FE Plug-IN Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 30 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2023 Hyundai Santa FE Plug-IN Hybrid from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2023 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.