AI Damage2022 Hyundai Santa FE: common problems
Owners of the 2022 Hyundai Santa FE filed 201 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 96 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 201
- involving a crash
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 96
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 28% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 27% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 14% of all complaints
- 5 Forward collision avoidance 8% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 5% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 57 complaints (28% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 27.
- Engine: 54 complaints (27% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Electrical system: 31 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 38.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 28 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Forward collision avoidance: 16 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 4 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 4 complaints
- 1.6 L · hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl
- 1.6 L · plug-in hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speednamed in 6 complaints
- dual-clutch (DCT), 8-speednamed in 6 complaints
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 201 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 57 | 2 | 27 |
| Engine | 54 | 1 | 6 |
| Electrical system | 31 | 0 | 38 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 28 | 0 | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 11 | 0 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| Backover prevention | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Air bags | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
VIN lookup shows an open, unrepaired federal recall (24V879000 / Recall 271) for the rearview camera system, marked Recall Incomplete, despite the dealer’s documentation that recall-related camera/software work was completed on 7/16/25.
there were/are no warning messages. My husband almost hit a car backing out of our driveway due to same issue. We are taking the car to the dealer for inspection
Had major damage done to automobile (tire blow out/rim dented/front end damage) luckily i was in my neighborhood where the speed limit is 20mph. I had the car towed to Hyundai dealership and am waiting upon inspection and the result of what caused the accident. As of now they have not given me a diagnoses.
(No loss of brake fluid) It caused me to be involved in an accident. The investigating officer (police) tried the brakes, when he first tried the brake pedal was high and working, but then suddenly depressed to the floor for him as well. the vehicle needed to be towed to repair shop.
The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer where they diagnosed the vehicle with a transmission failure. The contact later discovered that the vehicle was placed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train) which she linked to her failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure.
Front air bag did not deploy in accident. I was rearended in stopped position at 55+MPH by a SUV that pushed me forward causing front end collision with the stopped car in front of me. Front, rear and back passenger damage with intrusion. Towed to dealer.
On May 31, 2025, I suffered a severe facial injury causing trigeminal neuralgia and concussion when the Smart Power Liftgate on my 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT failed to stop or reverse upon encountering obstruction.
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 325 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 15% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Santa FE has 209 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 201, about average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 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…
- 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 a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software update for some…
This bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software update for some vehicles equipped with an 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (8WDCT). The software update revises the touch…
- 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…
- Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather
This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.
- 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…
- Some Santa Cruz (NXT), Santa Fe (TMA, MX5A), and Sonata (DN8A) models may require replacement of the…
Some Santa Cruz (NXT), Santa Fe (TMA, MX5A), and Sonata (DN8A) models may require replacement of the 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (8WDCT) when the vehicle sets one of the high pressure electric oil pump (HP…
- Some Santa Fe (TMA) and Tucson (NX4A) vehicles equipped with a 2.5L GDI engine and 8 speed automatic…
Some Santa Fe (TMA) and Tucson (NX4A) vehicles equipped with a 2.5L GDI engine and 8 speed automatic transmission may have DTC U028700 (Lost Communication With Trans Fluid Pump Module) set by the transmission Electric…
- Some Santa Fe (TMA) vehicles may have DTCs P218100, P2181F0, and/or P2181F1 (Cooling System Performance)…
Some Santa Fe (TMA) vehicles may have DTCs P218100, P2181F0, and/or P2181F1 (Cooling System Performance) set in the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), resulting in an illuminated Check Engine warning lamp. Follow the…
- Some vehicles equipped with a 2.5L GDI Theta III engine (non-Turbo) may exhibit one or more misfire DTCs…
Some vehicles equipped with a 2.5L GDI Theta III engine (non-Turbo) may exhibit one or more misfire DTCs due to the GDI fuel injectors leaking internally. This may be caused by internal filter breakage in the injector…
NHTSA lists 96 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 2022 Hyundai Santa FE?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 201. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (23%), loss of power / limp mode (8%), stalls while driving (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2022 Hyundai Santa FE?
NHTSA lists 96 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 2022 Hyundai Santa FE 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 2022 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 2026-11-04.