2019 Hyundai Santa FE XL Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: September 23, 2026 · Filed: October 19, 2026

On September 22, 2026, my 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL experienced a sudden engine stall while I was stopped at a traffic light. The engine unexpectedly lost power, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn and appeared to lock, and the oil pressure, battery, and check engine warning lights illuminated. After restarting the vehicle, I noticed an abnormal clicking or knocking sound coming from the engine. On September 23, 2026, my wife experienced a similar incident while operating the same vehicle. These incidents created serious safety concerns. Unexpected engine stalling and loss of steering assistance could result in a collision, especially in moving traffic, placing drivers, passengers, and surrounding motorists at risk. An independent repair facility initially diagnosed engine failure. Hyundai subsequently inspected the vehicle but denied engine repair assistance, citing alleged maintenance neglect based on a gap in the vehicle's maintenance history that occurred approximately three years before I purchased it. The service manager also indicated that sludge buildup within the engine was associated with combustion-related problems occurring as the engine began failing. Prior to the initial incident, I had not observed warning lights indicating an imminent engine failure. The warning lights appeared during the initial loss-of-power event, followed by abnormal engine noise. The vehicle remains inoperable and has not been repaired. It is available for further inspection upon request, subject to coordinating access to its location. I am requesting that NHTSA document and evaluate these incidents as a potential vehicle safety defect involving unexpected engine stalling and loss of steering assistance.

Incident: April 1, 2026 · Filed: April 22, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road, and the contact listened for the abnormal sound. The abnormal sound was persistent. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that a year prior, an unknown recall notification was received for a special engine warranty program. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a timing chain failure. The contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Incident: April 8, 2026 · Filed: April 10, 2026

Check engine light came on and then vehicle stalled took to shop and said the engine was needing to be replaced. Looked into issue and seen multiple issues with this engine and happening to a lot of Hyundai engines where vehicles need to get complete new engines

Incident: March 24, 2025 · Filed: November 21, 2025

Our vehicle had 145,000 miles and all maintenance and repairs performed at Hyundai dealerships. Joseph Airport Hyundai in Vandalia, Ohio replaced the timing chain at a cost of 3500. After replacing the timing chain our vehicle began consuming large amounts of oil (9 quarts over 5000 miles). The dealership has tried several repairs and the vehicle still continues to consume the same amount of oil. We now have 160,000 miles on the vehicle and need to always carry a 5 quart container of oil so it doesn't run low. This never happened until we had the timing chain replaced.

Incident: October 10, 2025 · Filed: November 3, 2025

Two bolts flew out of the CCVT system, blowing a hole in the valve cover and destroying all the timing components. Because of the issue, all oil spilled from the car. The other two bolts in the system were bent as well. I was driving the vehicle when this happened and could’ve been seriously hurt. I now need a new engine.

Incident: September 22, 2025 · Filed: October 3, 2025

On [XXX], the check engine light came on in my 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL. The dealership diagnosed a complete engine failure requiring full replacement. The vehicle has only 54,000 miles. The dealer submitted a warranty claim to Hyundai, but Hyundai denied it because I could not provide receipts for every oil change, despite the fact that the vehicle has been responsibly maintained. An appeal to Hyundai’s goodwill department was also denied. This sudden and premature engine failure poses a serious safety risk. Engines from this generation (Lambda II / GDI family) are known to suffer from rod bearing failure, oil consumption, and sudden seizure. If this failure had occurred at highway speed, it could have led to loss of power, stalling, or an accident. Numerous owners have reported similar engine failures in 2016–2019 Santa Fe models at relatively low mileage, and Hyundai has already issued recalls and warranty extensions for related engines. This indicates a potential widespread defect that may not be adequately addressed. Requested Action: I am asking NHTSA to investigate Hyundai’s engine failures in the 2019 Santa Fe XL, review Hyundai’s denial of warranty coverage for vehicles experiencing these failures, and consider expanding existing recalls/warranty extensions to include this model. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: October 2, 2025 · Filed: October 2, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact discovered oil leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the rod bearings had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000

Incident: December 9, 2024 · Filed: September 29, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL. The contact stated that there were intermittent, but constant electrical failures with the vehicle. The contact stated that the doors unintendedly locked and unlocked. Additionally, the contact was unable to upload the software updates for the vehicle or connect the vehicle to the Emergency 9-1-1 system through the cell phone. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was unable to find an electrical or computer failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but was unable to assist the contact. The contact believed that the computer system had been compromised. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Incident: March 28, 2025 · Filed: March 31, 2025

Sun roof exploded. We were driving down the highway and heard a loud crack. The sun roof exploded on us and there was shattered glass from the front to the back of the vehicle. There is no evidence of anything hitting the glass and there was no weather that could have caused the damage. Cloudy skies but 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Absolutely no way to explain the incident. Both my husband and I received small cuts trying to remove the glass. Our dog was in the vehicle and luckily was not harmed in the event.

Incident: March 28, 2025 · Filed: March 28, 2025

While driving west in I-70 near Frisco, CO. The sunroof randomly exploded, throwing glass throughout the vehicle. I was driving the car with my wife and dog, all of us got covered in glass and the exploding glass was extremely loud. We were lucky the sound didn’t cause me to drive off the road or that any of falling glass severely cut us.