← New search

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 212.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

88 reports with mileage · 166 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 160 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports13 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

254 reports
94,000 miles · Feb 1, 2021
Structure

PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED OVER MY HEAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING, JUST STARTING TO MERGE ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11390993

129,280 miles · Jan 23, 2021
EngineFire

2015 HYUNDAI SANT FE LIMITED 3.3L AWD, PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALERSHIP, 129,280 MILES. ROUTINE OIL SERVICE WITH MOBIL 1 SYNTHETIC AND WIX FILTERS SINCE PURCHASED. TRAVELING 75MPH ON I-10 (FLORIDA) WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. NOT TOWING, TRAVELING STRAIGHT. AS THE VEHICLE STARTED UP A SMALL GRADE IN THE ROAD, THE CRUISE CONTROL SURGED …

Read full complaint

2015 HYUNDAI SANT FE LIMITED 3.3L AWD, PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALERSHIP, 129,280 MILES. ROUTINE OIL SERVICE WITH MOBIL 1 SYNTHETIC AND WIX FILTERS SINCE PURCHASED. TRAVELING 75MPH ON I-10 (FLORIDA) WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. NOT TOWING, TRAVELING STRAIGHT. AS THE VEHICLE STARTED UP A SMALL GRADE IN THE ROAD, THE CRUISE CONTROL SURGED (AS NORMAL TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE SPEED) I HEARD A BANG, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, OIL LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE DIED IMMEDIATELY. I IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND LOOKED OUT THE PASSENGER WINDOW TO MERGE ONTO THE SHOULDER AND NOTICED AN ORANGE GLOW OUTSIDE (IT WAS NIGHT). ONCE STOPPED, OPENED HOOD AND NOTICED SMELL OF OIL, OIL POOLED IN THE UNDERBODY FAIRING. CHECKED OIL DRAIN PLUG AND FILTER, AS I HAD AN OIL CHANGE 700 MILES PRIOR. BOTH WERE STILL PROPERLY INSTALLED. TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC, DIAGNOSIS WAS SEIZED ENGINE. INSPECTED ENGINE BLOCK AND NOTICED FIST SIZED HOLE IN BLOCK (SEE PHOTOS). TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WAS INFORMED THEY HADN'T SEEN THIS BEFORE ON THIS ENGINE. I INFORMED THEM I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 220K MILES ON IT AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING/MAINTAINING CARS FOR 30 YEARS AND I'VE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE EITHER. WAS INFORMED THAT THEY SUSPECT IMPROPER OIL MAINTENANCE. OIL AND FILTER BOTH REPLACED EVERY 5000 MILES. ALWAYS MOBILE 1 SYNTHETIC AND WIX (GOOD QUALITY FILTERS/OIL). I SUSPECT HYUNDAI HAS ENGINE RELIABILITY ISSUES. NO PRIOR ENGINE ISSUES NOTICED. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS PRIOR. NO OIL LIGHTS ON PRIOR. WE JUST COMPLETED A TRIP TO NASHVILLE, TN (860 MILES ROUND TRIP) AND WERE RETURNING FROM JASPER, FL (460 MILES ROUND TRIP). OIL AND FILTER REPLACED RIGHT BEFORE TRIP. TIRES BALANCED AND ROTATED. IN OTHER WORDS, I MAINTAIN MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11389546

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2021
Service Brakes

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE; TOLD TO PARK CAR OUTSIDE AS IT COULD CATCH FINE. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. WAS TOLD DIAGNOSTIC SHOW ABS MODULE WAS NOT LEAKING, THEREFORE NO REPAIR NEEDED ALTHOUGH THEY COULDN'T GUARANTEE IT WOULDN'T LEAK IN THE FUTURE. CALLED HYUNDAI CORPORATE (LISTENED TO CAMPAIGN 953) DETAILING THAT A…

Read full complaint

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE; TOLD TO PARK CAR OUTSIDE AS IT COULD CATCH FINE. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. WAS TOLD DIAGNOSTIC SHOW ABS MODULE WAS NOT LEAKING, THEREFORE NO REPAIR NEEDED ALTHOUGH THEY COULDN'T GUARANTEE IT WOULDN'T LEAK IN THE FUTURE. CALLED HYUNDAI CORPORATE (LISTENED TO CAMPAIGN 953) DETAILING THAT AN ELECTRONIC UPDATE WAS INSTALLED WHICH IF THE LEAK OCCURS, THE CAR WOULD BE PLACED IN A MODE THAT WOULD NOT ALLOW IT TO BE DRIVEN FAST AND TO IMMEDIATELY GO TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. I WANT MY CAR REPAIRED AND PART REPLACED. THIS ELECTRONIC UPDATE DOES NOT DO THAT ... IF THE CORPORATION KNOWS THE PART IS FAULTY THEY SHOULD REPLACE ALL, NOT JUST THOSE THAT TEST BAD AT THE TIME OF THE CHECK. WAS GIVEN NO OTHER RECOURSE.

NHTSA ODI #11388659

73,000 miles · Jan 13, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

MY 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM (ABS) MODULES THAT COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID INTERNALLY AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICA SHORT OVER TIME. THE PISTON SEALS IN THE ABS MODULES'S HYDRAULIC VALVE COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID INTO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (EUC) . AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE ABS MODULE COULD INC…

Read full complaint

MY 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM (ABS) MODULES THAT COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID INTERNALLY AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICA SHORT OVER TIME. THE PISTON SEALS IN THE ABS MODULES'S HYDRAULIC VALVE COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID INTO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (EUC) . AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE ABS MODULE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE SAFETY RECALL LETTER I RECEIVED 12-24-20 STATED TO CALL THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. I CALLED ON JAN 12, 2021 TO MY DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS TO FIX THE RECALL WERE NOT IN YET AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHEN THEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I FIND THIS TO BE VERY CONCERNING THAT I MAY HAVE A CAR THAT ANYTIME COULD CATCH ON FIRE AND HYUNDAI CANNOT FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #11387877

180,000 miles · Jan 11, 2021
Power Train

VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIR IN DECEMBER 2018 TO HAVE A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED FOLLOWED BY A LOAD BANG AND THEN THE CAR ACCELERATED. THE DEALER FOUND NO CODES AND LOOKED NO FURTHER. IT HAPPEN A FEW TIMES AFTER BUT NO VISITS TO DEALER. IN JANUARY 2021 WHILE PARKING THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM UNDER…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIR IN DECEMBER 2018 TO HAVE A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED FOLLOWED BY A LOAD BANG AND THEN THE CAR ACCELERATED. THE DEALER FOUND NO CODES AND LOOKED NO FURTHER. IT HAPPEN A FEW TIMES AFTER BUT NO VISITS TO DEALER. IN JANUARY 2021 WHILE PARKING THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE AND IT STOPPED RUNNING. CAR WAS TOWED AND TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED ALONG WITH TRANSMISSION. IT DID NOT HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEED. I FEEL THE BANG AND THE ACCELERATION WERE THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION STARTING TO FAIL.

NHTSA ODI #11387500

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2021
Exterior Lighting

I I HAD THE CAR INTO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR MY HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT SINCE MARCH 2020 AND THEY WENT OUT AGAIN ON 1/6/2020 IS IT POSSIBLE THAT IT COULD BE THE WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NO GOOD.

NHTSA ODI #11387385

55,000 miles · Jan 5, 2021
Service Brakes

AS PART OF NHTSA RECALL #20V-520, HYUNDAI RECALL #194, I WAS INFORMED THE PART THAT HAS STARTED FIRES, WOULD MAY MERELY BE INSPECTED AND NOT REPLACED. THIS PART SHOULD BE REPLACED SINCE IT IS KNOWN TO START FIRES.

NHTSA ODI #11386604

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2020
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V520000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO CIOCCA HYUNDAI OF WILLIAMSPORT (202 LYCOMING MALL DR, MUNCY, PA 17756; (570) 567-2000) WHERE IT WAS CONFIR…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V520000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO CIOCCA HYUNDAI OF WILLIAMSPORT (202 LYCOMING MALL DR, MUNCY, PA 17756; (570) 567-2000) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11378680

110,000 miles · Dec 1, 2020
EngineLane Departure

OIL CONSUMPTION WITHIN 200 MILES BLIND SPOT DETECTION DOESN'T WORK

NHTSA ODI #11377249

95,000 miles · Nov 28, 2020
EngineService Brakes

I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE MAP SENSOR AND THE BATTERY LAST YEAR. CAR WAS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. RECENTLY IN LAST COUPLE MONTHS NOTICED ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKES WHILE ON FREEWAY THE STEERING WOULD SHAKE AND FEEL LIKE I HAD NO CONTROL. J…

Read full complaint

I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE MAP SENSOR AND THE BATTERY LAST YEAR. CAR WAS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. RECENTLY IN LAST COUPLE MONTHS NOTICED ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKES WHILE ON FREEWAY THE STEERING WOULD SHAKE AND FEEL LIKE I HAD NO CONTROL. JUST RECEIVED NOTICE OF A BRAKE RECALL BUT THERE IS STILL NO REMEDY. HOW LONG DO I WAIT FOR THEM TO COME UP WITH A REMEDY?

NHTSA ODI #11376863

Official recalls

2

23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 22, 2023

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

17V358000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Jun 5, 2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.