2023 Hyundai Santa FE Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 27, 2026 · Filed: October 27, 2026

I was at a stop light, when it turned green I accelerated and the car automatically implemented emergency braking. No one was in front of me. Thank goodness no one was behind me or they would’ve rear-ended me.

Incident: October 16, 2026 · Filed: October 27, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle had caught on fire, however, the origin of the fire was unknown. The vehicle was unoccupied during the fire. The fire was self-extinguished. A Fire Department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,338.

Incident: September 16, 2026 · Filed: October 26, 2026

No crash, injury, warning lamp, message, or loss-of-braking event occurred. The issue involves the brake hydraulic system and the fluid specified for my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy. Hyundai’s owner specification requires SAE J1704 DOT-4 LV / ISO 4925 Class 6 brake fluid. During a brake-fluid exchange, an authorized Hyundai dealer installed BG 84032, which BG identifies as conventional DOT 4. BG sells a separate product, BG 84132, identified as Low Viscosity DOT 4 meeting ISO 4925 Class 6. The original BG 84032 has since been correctly replaced by an independent repair facility and is not available for inspection. I have attached all materials I believe are relevant. Both BG product specifications are available from the BG website. My safety concern is that conventional DOT 4 does not meet the Class 6 low-temperature viscosity requirement specified for this model and other high-volume Hyundai models, which could affect ABS/ESC hydraulic response under low-temperature, icy, or snowy conditions. The Hyundai dealer’s repair order documents installation of BG 84032, consistent with the MOBIS part listing for the vehicle. An email exchange between the dealer and a Hyundai Motor Americas (HMA) parts advisor suggests a lack of understanding of the required fluid specification. HMA customer service twice confirmed to me the vehicle requires a 'DOT 4 LV' fluid. There appears to be conflicting Hyundai information: the owner specification requires DOT-4 LV/Class 6; the reservoir cap states only 'DOT 4' and Hyundai/MOBIS service information simply lists conventional DOT 4. In addition, a call to the Lithia Hyundai (Reno) parts department also resulted in a recommendation for conventional DOT 4, suggesting this may be systemic rather than an isolated dealer error. No police or insurance inspection occurred. I am asking NHTSA to determine the extent to which this represents a broader safety-related service-information issue.

Incident: October 2, 2026 · Filed: October 5, 2026

My 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy has experienced transmission problems since it was new and currently has approximately 20,000 miles. I brought it to the dealership approximately three to four times for these concerns, but I was told they could not find a problem or any diagnostic codes. Recently, while driving on the highway, the vehicle lost power and would not accelerate even with the accelerator pedal pressed all the way down. I had to pull over to the side of the highway. Without turning off the engine, I shifted into Park and then back into Drive. The vehicle began moving again, but the transmission continued slipping. On [XXX] I brought the vehicle to Key Hyundai of Manchester for scheduled maintenance and again reported the recurring transmission problems. The dealership requested a diagnostic fee of more than $200, which I declined because I had repeatedly reported this problem since the vehicle was new. They completed the scheduled maintenance without performing the requested transmission diagnosis. After leaving the dealership that same day, the vehicle repeatedly malfunctioned while I was driving, and the check engine light came on. I returned to the dealership. A scan showed three fault codes related to the transmission, clutch, and a sensor. I asked to leave the vehicle and receive a loaner because I feared another loss of power on the highway could cause a rear-end collision. I was told the person who could authorize a loaner had left for an appointment, could not be contacted, and that I should return Monday. On [XXX], I called and spoke with Anthony, whom I was told was in charge. He told me I needed to bring the vehicle in and would have to join a waiting list for a loaner. On [XXX], I brought the vehicle back, and it is currently at the dealership being evaluated. My primary concern is safety: recurring transmission slipping and a loss of acceleration that left me unable to maintain speed on the highway. IINFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: July 1, 2026 · Filed: September 24, 2026

The AWD coupler has failed and the rear wheels feel like they are slipping and catching when I accelerate from a stop, particularly when turning. The car was taken to the dealership and inspected, but no longer under warranty as we are not the original owners.

Incident: September 19, 2026 · Filed: September 24, 2026

I bought my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe at Auto Fair Hyundai in [XXX] in XXX new. This is my third Hyundai from this location over the years. I have always serviced it there ever since I bought it. ( oil changes, tire rotation etc.) Back in XXX while driving home from [XXX] to [XXX] on [XXX] I hit the brakes in the left hand lane, in traffic and my vehicle shut off and wouldn’t restart. Very scary luckily a young man helped push my car off the highway. I sat 5 minutes or so and it restarted. I was told to disable the start/ stop feature which I did. On XXX I went back to auto fair in [XXX] with my issue. I was told I needed a new battery there was corrosion $408. I had them clean the corrosion $95 and I’d bring the vehicle to my mechanic friend where my battery was tested and it was good. I was told to disable the start/stop feature. I went out XXX and forgot to disable the feature and I stalled at 4 way intersection. Stuck there people beeping, traffic backing up and drivers passing by running red lights very frustrated. Yesterday I called Auto Fair service department (on a recorded line) asking if this is an ongoing issue with this make/model. Is there a recall? I was told they haven’t heard about this issue at all and she said good luck. I have 5 year warranty and there is only 24,000 miles on my vehicle. I found a forum online with many others with Hyundais having this issue. This is an accident waiting to happen I’m also reporting it to Hyundai Corporate and Highway safety commission. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: September 14, 2026 · Filed: September 23, 2026

While traveling on [XXX] from [XXX] to [XXX] XXX, I initiated the adaptive cruise control. While engaged, with no other vehicles or other impediments on the roadway in front of me, the emergency braking system engaged and attempted to stop the vehicle. The first time this happened, I pressed the accelerator which disengaged the braking action. Later I reengaged the cruise control and after a few minutes, with no traffic near the vehicle, the same action happened again. I disengaged the adaptive cruise control and drove the vehicle manually with no further problems. I have scheduled an examination of the vehicle with a Hyundai dealer but have read of 25-30 similar issues with no resolution by Hyundai. This is a safety issue that will eventually cause an accident and needs to be resolved. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: September 5, 2026 · Filed: September 6, 2026

I own a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD equipped with the 2.5L turbo engine and 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. At approximately 39,900 miles, the check-engine light illuminated. Hyundai Bluelink diagnostics reported powertrain/TCU diagnostic trouble code P1C2D03, identified as a high-pressure electric oil pump motor position sensor fault. I am concerned because this same diagnostic trouble code and high-pressure electric oil pump/transmission issue was associated with Hyundai Safety Recall 236 (NHTSA Recall 22V746) involving certain earlier Santa Fe model years. Hyundai's recall documentation described the possibility of the transmission high-pressure electric oil pump malfunctioning and causing loss of motive power while driving. My vehicle is a 2023 model and therefore was not included in that earlier recall, but Hyundai has subsequently issued technical service information covering 2021–2023 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with the 2.5T engine and 8-speed wet DCT, including vehicles displaying DTC P1C2D03. The current Hyundai service procedure indicates that affected vehicles may require transmission replacement. I have stopped driving the vehicle because of my concern about a possible loss of propulsion and have scheduled an appointment with a Hyundai dealership for diagnosis. At this time, I have not experienced a loss of motive power or an accident. I am reporting the issue because a 2023 vehicle outside the original recall population is displaying the same fault code associated with the previously recalled transmission condition. I believe NHTSA should evaluate whether the affected population should include additional model years.

Incident: April 1, 2026 · Filed: September 3, 2026

Collision warning sensor alarm randomly comes on my dash and my car slams on the breaks. Very dangerous, I’m scared to drive down the highway going 60mph. 80,109 miles 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. I have not brought it in to a Hyundai dealership because they want a diagnosis fee and everything else. Hyundai should fix it. This alarm has happened several times than it will go away and come on like 3 times in a row, usually daily when I use the car

Incident: August 27, 2026 · Filed: August 27, 2026

Horn stopped working