2014 Hyundai Santa FE Recalls & Complaints

Incident: July 7, 2026 · Filed: August 6, 2026

I request that NHTSA review what I believe is a misleading Hyundai warranty extension involving the Occupant Classification System (OCS/ODS), part of the air bag system. Around Mid May 2026, my air bag warning light began illuminating intermittently. I waited because I needed to save up the cash. Around June 2026, Hyundai mailed me a Warranty Extension Notice stating that if the air bag warning light came on, I should take the vehicle and the letter to a Hyundai dealer. The notice contains no exclusions or limitations. I was excited because my local repair shop said it would cost $800 to $2000 depending on the issue. Relying on Hyundai's written instructions, I took my vehicle to the dealer. I was told my repair not covered under the scope of the warranty and was charged over $900. I paid under protest because I felt it was a safety risk to continue driving with an air bag warning. Although my initial goal was to receive a full refund, my main concern is that owners may rely on Hyundai's notice, only to discover the repair is denied. Some may delay repairing an air bag system because of the unexpected cost, creating a potential safety risk. I have written Hyundai July 2026 requesting a full explanation as to why my repair was excluded or a full refund but to date I have not received a response. I ask NHTSA to review whether Hyundai's warranty notice adequately discloses its actual coverage and limitations. I have attached the warranty letter, which contains no exclusions, and my repair invoice. Thank you for your attention to this matter [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: February 6, 2023 · Filed: June 17, 2026

We are the original owner of a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. The vehicle is experiencing issues from internal engine oil consumption caused by a manufacturing defect in the GDI powertrain. In 2023, while driving under normal operating conditions, the vehicle began severely jerking, shuddering and hesitating during acceleration. This hesitation and sudden drop in power creates a severe and immediate traffic hazard, as the vehicle loses acceleration capabilities unpredictably while driving, merging, entering a highway or crossing intersections. I have since experience low oil volume due to this systemic oil consumption. On April 7, 2023 while I was under the 100,000 mile factory warranty (at 99,644), the issues were reported to the dealership but they found no issues. Since then the engine light come up regularly and we must add or change oil soon. On June 15, 2026 we took it back with the same issue and we have been told after checking it and filling it up we must repeat the process from 2023, drive it for 1000 miles without changing or adding oil, even if it dries up. This will create a safety hazard not only for the public but for my family. Now we are told the engine needs to be replaced but since we're out of warranty, we must pay $21,000. We were under warranty when we reported the issue and they purposedly led us out knowing the issues were happening to other Sonata and Santa Fe models. Now we are left with a dangerous vehicle which we cannot in good faith sell to any other family.

Incident: May 9, 2026 · Filed: June 5, 2026

My car was in shop for Smog inspection and failed. Mechanic told me that the most likely reason was that the engine has issues related to failing crankshaft position sensor which triggered the check engine light. He further explained that the engine with this condition will have abnormal oil consumption. My experience is that is exactly what I wondered. No smoke in the exhaust, no oil leaks under the hood and no oil on the parking space at home nor work. Mechanic recommended I take the car to Hyundai dealer in Folsom. The service department there diagnosed my car and did not find fault with crankshaft position sensor but did find that there is a problem with timing mechanisms. They also said that the engine has difficulty starting, which I never experienced in over 50,000 I have driven it, save the time of battery replacement about 2 years ago. I decided to take my car back to my mechanic where he diagnosed it with timing issues. The abnormal engine noise was accounted for as a link to timing. In the interim I drive a rental at the rate of about $65.00 /day. I m in a quandary; if my mechanic repairs the timing issues, which may not be under warranty, does that invalidate the existing engine warranty? If I can get the warranty to cover the ongoing issues, we can save ourselves wasting time and money. If safety concerns are a priority, which is not, then we cannot sacrifice safety in the interest of celerity. In the meantime, my family are in the crossroads and I cannot accept that.

Incident: May 20, 2026 · Filed: May 22, 2026

Driving to work at 0730 on 20 may, i put my foot down to accelerate from 40mph and nothing happened, i tried again thinking foot placement and the engine died. All ligjts went out, engine turned off and i free coasted for 100 -150yards. Once stopped i mangaed to get the hazard lights on, and get out the vehicle. I was 30yards from traffic lights on a 3 lane road. Once pushed from the road, the car showed lights and internal radio etc, but no noise on the push start. There was no noise from the engine prior to this, there was no dash lights showing issues and no warning. I was then towed 4hrs later to a garage where the diaognostics show engine failure and new engine required. A service 4000k miles ago and the car had used 5.5quarts of oil. All eveidence ive mainated the vehicle is online. 1st garage advices not driveable due to 10ks of miles of damage.

Incident: March 4, 2024 · Filed: March 28, 2026

My insurance company said I have an urgent Recall on my vehicle. Recall # 251 ABS fuse replacement. NHTSA# 23V651000. I would like this replaced.

Incident: June 15, 2021 · Filed: January 15, 2026

My engine failed and was diagnosed as needing to rebuilt or replaced by the dealership. During the pandemic it was hard to get parts so they rebuilt it. At first it was missed diagnosed because it was a 3.3l V6 and only the 4 cylinder engines were on recall. I had check engine lights on all the time. I paid for repairs that only masked the problem for a short time. It was such a problem I had to get a waiver to register my vehicle. After having more problems with my engine. Hyundai of Kennesaw confirmed my engine needed to be replaced they actually requested Corporate to approve an engine replacement for my vehicle in 2021. It was denied. So I paid for the rebuild. In August of 2025 i sent a letter extending the warranty which covered my vehicle engine rebuild. Hyundai denied that claim Jan 2026.

Incident: September 11, 2025 · Filed: September 22, 2025

The engine has been running rough for awhile and emissions light came on. My car was having problems accelerating, 2 years ago the light came on but didn’t stay on so the dealer couldn’t diagnose problem.

Incident: September 15, 2025 · Filed: September 15, 2025

My daughter owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS, which is currently experiencing internal engine failure and abnormal engine noise. These issues directly align with Hyundai’s notification regarding the extended warranty coverage for vehicles equipped with the 3.3L Lambda II GDI engine, which may experience abnormal engine noise or damage. Hyundai has acknowledged these concerns and extended warranty protection for engine repairs or replacement. The Hyundai Holler dealership in winter park Florida. recently inspected the vehicle and reported a critical failure requiring immediate attention. The recommended service included: Timing job (all CVVTs, intake, camshaft, chains, guides, tensioners) Both valve cover gaskets and RTV replacement ( This is the internal parts of the engine) The estimated repair cost was $6,723.92. This recommendation reflects the exact type of engine-related failure covered under Hyundai’s extended warranty for this VIN. It is both unreasonable and disappointing that my daughter was presented with such a significant repair estimate for a condition Hyundai has already committed to covering. For context, my husband is a certified technician, and we have carefully reviewed the inspection details. The diagnosis provided by Holler Hyundais service department is consistent with the warranty-covered issue. Therefore, this repair should rightfully be processed under Hyundai’s extended warranty program.I must also share that my daughter a single disabled mother of three with limited resources and income. The dealership’s approach in presenting her with an astronomical repair bill—without recognizing the warranty coverage—causes unnecessary stress and financial hardship Mr Jesse Cappiello Service consultant. Refuses to accept this as warranty, by stating the warranty is only for Rod bearing failure. When the warranty clearly states engine failure I have attached the warranty info for your review.

Incident: June 6, 2025 · Filed: August 30, 2025

Bien,mi auto tuvo varios problemas al mismo tiempo: 1-falla en todo el sistema eléctrico,aire acondicionado,control de tráfico ambas partes, Power steering,ABS,Pérdida de potencia en el motor,problemas con el receptor de la llave remoto,tiene un problema eléctrico sin precedente todo ocurrió de la nada,todo ocurrió un mismo día cuando íbamos camino a una excursión mi familia y yo estuvimos en un gran riesgo,todos los componentes han sido inspeccionados y no he podido aún arreglarlos porque se necesita el consecionario de este automóvil para descubrirle las grandes fallas que presenta,aún tiene 3 señales en el tablero, check Engine, Power String, ABS, todo prendió después del problema

Incident: August 27, 2025 · Filed: August 28, 2025

In relation to this incident, approximately 3,00 miles after an oil change, the engine oil drain plug fell out and caused all oil to leak and cause engine damage. Engine oil change was at approximately 125,000 miles. Drain plug fell out at approximately 128,000 miles. No warning lights or symptoms were present prior to vehicle shutting off and dying while driving. Vehicle was then towed to shop who previously did oil change. Shop confirmed drain plug was missing and oil level was empty. I am the manager of this shop submitting this on behalf of the customer with this vehicle. We are aware of the ongoing concerns in relation to case DP22-003 and would like to submit this information as further evidence for this case