AI DamageHyundai Santa FE: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Hyundai Santa FE across 12 model years: 2,508 owner complaints and 340 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 44% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 19% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 6% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 1,116 complaints (44% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 113.
- Powertrain: 473 complaints (19% of all), 9 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 147.
- Electrical system: 289 complaints (12% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 351.
- Service brakes: 158 complaints (6% of all), 18 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 150 complaints (6% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2013–2020named in 5 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2001–2020named in 23 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2021–2023named in 5 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2021–2027named in 5 complaints
- 2.7 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2001–2009
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2007–2019named in 54 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2003–2012
- 1.6 L · hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl 2021–2027
- 1.6 L · plug-in hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl 2022–2023
- automatic, 4-speed 2001–2009
- automatic, 5-speed 2003–2009
- automatic, 6-speed 2010–2019
- automatic, 8-speed 2019–2027
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speed 2021–2027named in 25 complaints
- dual-clutch (DCT), 8-speed 2021–2025named in 25 complaints
- manual, 5-speed 2001–2009
- manual, 6-speed 2010–2012
Drive: FWD, AWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 2,508 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,116 | 6 | 113 |
| Powertrain | 473 | 9 | 147 |
| Electrical system | 289 | 8 | 351 |
| Service brakes | 158 | 18 | 21 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 150 | 6 | 5 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 140 | 11 | 6 |
| Vehicle speed control | 123 | 11 | 2 |
| Visibility | 97 | 2 | 23 |
| Steering | 64 | 1 | 34 |
| Structure | 59 | 2 | 29 |
| Air bags | 56 | 22 | 32 |
| Seat belts | 46 | 7 | 4 |
| Engine and cooling | 41 | 0 | 100 |
| Lane departure | 34 | 0 | 4 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
We could have been hurt crashing into the wall/windows, anyone on the walk would have been hurt & anyone in the store could have been hurt. The car was towed to Hatchette Hyundai-East waiting to be looked at. There is no police report because it was private property and no damages except to my car.
The vehicle suddenly begins malfunctioning while being driven: all of the lights on the dashboard start flashing, multiple warning lights come on, the vehicle shuts off, and both the steering and accelerator become disabled until the vehicle can be restarted.
WHAT HAPPENED / SAFETY RISK: On [XXX], I was driving at approximately 65 miles per hour on [XXX] southbound near Bath, New York, with four occupants aboard, when the engine failed suddenly and without warning — no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms preceded it.
Car lurched / jumped forward with no depression of the gas pedal. This caused us to strike the car in front of us.
The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned on and shifted into park, the vehicle unexpectedly rolled away with no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle then collided with a tree. The contact also stated that the air bags did not deploy during the crash.
As the vehicle gained momentum, I was struck by the driver-side door, which knocked me down and resulted in the vehicle running over me. The vehicle only stopped its rearward movement once it collided with a neighbor's parked car.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 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…
- Certain Palisade (LX2) and Santa Fe (NC) vehicles equipped with Lambda II 6-cylinder engines may exhibit…
- 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…
- Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles may exhibit a 12-volt battery drain due to…
- Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles equipped with natural leather or Nappa…
- This bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software update for some…
- Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles equipped with power seats with or without…
- This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in…
- Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may…
- Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- Don't Buy A 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Until You Watch This!amount per author: 60,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- Hyundai Santa Fe (2016) — 19 200 $ 🔥 2.0 дизель | автомат. Пробіг — 160 000 км
- Another Hyundai, and another bad engine. Check out this 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe.
- Analyzing Damage On My Cheap 2018 Salvage SUV | Rebuilding Salvage Santa Fe Pt.5
- 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Rear Electric Brake Replacement! Fast Car Repairs! Quick Car Repairs!
- Чи актуальна купівля Хюндай Сантафе в 2026 році?
Other models of this make
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 2026-11-04.