2015 Hyundai Santa FE Sport Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: January 2, 2025 · Filed: October 20, 2026

The factory white paint on my vehicle’s hood is suffering from severe delamination and peeling down to the bare primer and metal. The paint is flaking off in large sheets from the hood with no prior collision or physical damage. ​ Hyundai has acknowledged a known manufacturing defect involving primer adhesion failure on white vehicles under Service Campaigns like Z05 and TXXW, yet my VIN has been excluded from coverage despite exhibiting the exact same failure. They have denied any "Goodwill" considerations. ​ This issue presents serious safety hazards on the road: ​- Flying Debris Hazard: Because the failure is on the front hood, large sheets of paint catch high-speed airflow and tear away at highway speeds, creating flying debris that can hit or distract trailing drivers. ​- Dangerous Sunlight Glare: The large patch of exposed bare metal and dull primer on the hood reflects intense sunlight directly into my field of vision, causing severe glare that impairs visibility while driving. ​- Rapid Structural Corrosion: Without protective topcoat paint, the hood metal is directly exposed to moisture and road salts (winter is approaching), causing premature surface rust and structural degradation. ​ Hyundai's refusal to remediate this documented factory defect leaves a hazardous and deteriorating vehicle condition unaddressed.

Incident: September 19, 2026 · Filed: October 2, 2026

I had my engine replaced on XXX from a Hyundai dealership in [XXX]. About a year and some months I was at the Sansone auto mall on [XXX] in [XXX]. I did have a transmission replaced under warranty XXX at that same dealership. My problem is that every so often I lose acceleration when I step on the gas. It's very random and happens more on highway driving. Long story short they said it was my catalytic converter. This was in 2025 I believe and I do have the receipt in my folder. I let the dealership know that it's still happening. I spent over 3k dollars and it's frustrating. They even had me go out with a tech to drive in the road. While he drove he didn't experience this but when I drove with him I let him know look my foot is down on the gas and we're not moving. I filed with BBB but when they said to them to have me come back I just couldn't do it anymore. I've been there and they gave me loaner cars each time. The fact that they just give me looks as if I'm lying is not good. Some time has passed and it was fine. Just recently when I was on the outer bridge I felt no acceleration. I don't want to go back to that particular dealership and am wondering if this is just an engine issue with my car. I've read that these engines have a history of this type of problem. I'm not sure what steps to take but I just don't want to be on the road and it fails for longer than a few seconds. One local place in [XXX] said it will be. Waste to bring in if this issue is very random. Thank you for your time . I almost forgot to say but some days it does that and I try to keep my foot on the gas the car shakes a little. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: May 5, 2026 · Filed: August 21, 2026

See Attached Letter For Complaint

Incident: August 8, 2026 · Filed: August 13, 2026

The vehicle suffered a severe engine overheating failure that created an immediate fire risk and electrical safety signaling failure. A brand-new replacement engine was installed by an authorized dealership in April 2026 under a goodwill warranty and had only been driven ~ 3,100 miles since installation. While operating the vehicle, the air conditioning suddenly stopped functioning. Upon restarting, the check engine light illuminated; however, there was never any dashboard temperature warning indicator, notification, or chime to alert the driver to an active overheating situation. Shortly after, the engine completely disabled itself and died while in transit in a parking lot. AAA was contacted to tow the vehicle. Smoke was visible coming out of the engine's oil dipstick and oil intake spout before being towed. After being towed home, an overwhelming chemical burning odor was noted and continued to get worse. A physical check revealed that the oil level on the dipstick was critically overfilled a full inch above the maximum fill line. The local fire department responded to the scene to mitigate the thermal risk, ordered the battery disconnected due to safety hazards, and deemed the vehicle entirely unsafe to operate or connect to power. This represents a catastrophic failure of critical safety equipment and onboard driver warning networks on a newly installed engine assembly, presenting an active safety and fire hazard to passengers. An official corporate safety case has been opened with Hyundai Motor America under Case Number: 43112676.

Incident: June 22, 2026 · Filed: July 15, 2026

While I was driving my Theta engine got seized and Hyundai denied extended warranty of power train.

Incident: July 12, 2026 · Filed: July 12, 2026

Today while driving to church we started hearing a ping noise ever so often. This just started then . After leaving church to go home the pinging noise got louder than the engine stalled and wouldn't start again. I had to have my car towed to my house. That is where it is now. The tow truck driver said that it was a rod. He said that he was mostly sure that it was happened. He stated that he has towed similar ones like mine with the same problem.

Incident: July 4, 2026 · Filed: July 8, 2026

For a few months- the ABS light, Downhill assist light, and Slippery road light have all been on. Read it could be due to a bad sensor. Then on Saturday July 4th, I turned the car on and the Ebrake light was on but my ebrake was NOT initiated. Car was making a low humming noise on front passenger side of vehicle as well. I read the ebrake light could come on due to low brake fluid, so I wanted to drive it around the block to further try and diagnose the issue. My car then made a pop noise and started smoking from where the ABS pump is located and my tail lights all started flickering like Christmas lights. I instantly turned the car off and disconnected the battery to prevent an electrical fire. UPON researching- there is a recall for 2015 Santa Fe’s for this exact issue except mine isn’t on the list. I need to talk to someone who has seniority upon this situation because I have called Hyundai Customer service and my local dealership and nothing is being done or nobody cares to resolve this situation. My car is currently at a trusted local garage awaiting repair- I can not tow it back and forth between the garage and a dealership. I rely on my car for my children and work.. I can’t play around waiting for them to inspect it weeks from now. This is a serious issue as my children were also in the car. Everything is VERY similar to the recall on other 2015 Santa Fe’s..

Incident: June 27, 2026 · Filed: June 28, 2026

FHW Garage used car dealer [XXX], sold this Hyundai Santa fe 2015 knowing the vehicle is defective. It Stalls and stops in the middle of the road in High Traffic. This Hyundai Santa Fe 2015 Lock up the Steering Wheel, Lock up the breaks, Lock up the gas. it Stalls and stops without Warning then after it freeze and stop it flashes all of the Warning Lights on the dash board. FHW Garage is Falsely Advertising this vehicle in Excellent Condition. Its Advertised on Craigs List, and [XXX]. I was almost in a Serious Accident. [XXX] keeps getting his people in the workshop to Machanically Rig the Vehicle to run and drive until someone gets killed when this vehicle is in a terrible Accident. The Gas Cap dont screw on properly. Fhw Garage [XXX] sold me this Vehicle with full knowlege of the Mechanical Defects, and refuses to give my money back. I paid $5,400 Cash plus traded my car. The Hyundai Santa fe was $6,900. Deceptive Practices Fraud, and Title Jumping. FHW still have the two cars after I purchased them. I would like to see FHW Dealer License Suspended or Revoked. Give my money back and return my car. I will be filing a complaint Affidavit with the FLHSMV. [XXX] lied on the Bill of Sales how much I paid and he put $900 in his pocket. I will also file a complaint to FHW [XXX]. For defrauding me, Misrepresentation saying the Vehicle is in Excellent Condition when its Mechanically Defective, and Dangerous should not be on the road to kill someone. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: April 25, 2026 · Filed: June 28, 2026

On 4/25/2026 I lost power on business freeway an orange light flash on along with whining noise I had to steer to right side shoulder for safety. Had it towed to dealership on 4/27/2026 they informed me 3 days later on 4/30/2026 that my car overheated. My car never overheated no smell of coolant nor no steam from the car when I exit to shoulder and turn car off. Retrieved manual from glove compartment it stated it had went into limp model. This has been a constantly nightmare my family could have been planning a funeral. These car manufacturers needs to be held accountable for their vehicle.

Incident: March 6, 2026 · Filed: April 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the check engine warning light started flashing, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, where the vehicle failed to restart and was towed to a parking lot, where a mobile mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine had seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact that the engine had failed, and there was sludge in the engine oil. The dealer informed the contact that the engine replacement could not be covered due to missing oil change documentation prior to the ownership of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.