AI Damage2025 Hyundai Santa FE: common problems
Owners of the 2025 Hyundai Santa FE filed 135 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. The maker issued 40 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 135
- involving a crash
- 5
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 40
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 16% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 15% of all complaints
- 4 Tires 13% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 10% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 10% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 6% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 28 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Powertrain: 22 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Forward collision avoidance: 20 complaints (15% of all).
- Tires: 17 complaints (13% of all).
- Engine: 14 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
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 · turbo · 4 cyl
- 1.6 L · hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speednamed in 2 complaints
- dual-clutch (DCT), 8-speednamed in 2 complaints
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 135 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 | 28 | 0 | 16 |
| Powertrain | 22 | 0 | 4 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 14 | 0 | 8 |
| Visibility | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Lane departure | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 1 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
NHTSA Complaint Summary Vehicle: 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Issue: Airbag non‑deployment in a 40‑mph side‑impact collision On January 20, 2026, my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe was struck by another motorist directly along the driver side awaiting to make a left turn.
I own a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe that is subject to Safety Recall 25V-808 involving the rearview camera system. On [XXX] at 12:30pm while operating my vehicle, the rearview camera malfunctioned (the image was [blank / inoperative]). Due to the loss of rear visibility, I was involved in a minor accident while backing up.
The spouse reported that during the collision, the driver’s seat belt became inoperable and detached from the driver’s seat. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was required. The spouse also stated that the air bags did not deploy during the incident.
The contact's vehicle crashed into the deer, where it came to a stop by the side of the roadway. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A Police report was filed.
There were no warning lights illuminated. The alert was making the normal dinging sound for the approaching vehicle. The driver sustained a concussion. The passenger sustained injuries to her hip, back, pelvis, and orthopedic system, and medical attention was provided.
No check engine light or other diagnostic warning is triggered at any point. This has occurred approximately 25 times since I leased the vehicle. On the last three occasions I reported this, Hyundai/dealership personnel drove the vehicle and were unable to duplicate the problem.
I have also researched complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and have found numerous complaints involving Pirelli tires and sidewall failures, including sidewall bulges, blowouts, tread separation, and other structural failures.
There were no crashes, sudden braking, turning maneuvers, or unusual driving conditions involved in these incidents. I am concerned because the windshield has repeatedly chipped or cracked from relatively small rocks or pebbles.
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 466 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 22% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Santa FE has 209 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 135, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
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 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 may exhibit a 12-volt battery drain due to the passive entry feature of the Digital Key 2 premium causing repeated wakeup of the vehicle. This bulletin…
- Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles equipped with natural leather or Nappa…
Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles equipped with natural leather or Nappa leather seating surfaces may exhibit wrinkling on the first or second row seat cushions or seat backs, or tearing…
- Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles equipped with power seats with or without…
Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles equipped with power seats with or without Integrated Memory System (IMS) may produce buzz, squeak, rattle noises when the driver’s front seat is adjusted…
- 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…
- Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink functions
This may be due to an occasional disconnection on Verizon’s communication network. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to verify Bluelink Data Communication Unit (DCU) network connection and if needed, reset the DCU…
- Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles equipped with 2nd row captain’s chairs have…
Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles equipped with 2nd row captain’s chairs have an armrest cap that may detach. This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the armrest cap on the 2nd row…
- Certain Santa Fe (MX5A) vehicles may experience a discharged battery condition due to the Fingerprint…
Certain Santa Fe (MX5A) vehicles may experience a discharged battery condition due to the Fingerprint Module (FPM) not entering 'SLEEP' mode when the ignition is turned off. This bulletin provides instructions to…
- 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…
NHTSA lists 40 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 2025 Hyundai Santa FE?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, forward collision avoidance. Total complaints: 135. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (12%), seat belts (10%), infotainment or screen glitches (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2025 Hyundai Santa FE?
NHTSA lists 40 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 2025 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 2025 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.