Engine. Review the 151 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine complaints

151 reports

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68,000 miles · Nov 4, 2020

Engine

CAR COMPLETELY DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. COULDN'T ACCELERATE, SERIOUSLY BAD SMELL, AND VIOLENT SHAKING COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BLUE AT 68,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAYS ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED AND WILL COST US $7,000.

NHTSA ODI #11372984

80,000 miles · Sep 15, 2020

Engine

SUV STOPPED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF FREE WAY. ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE BOARD TURN ON AND HAD TO GET IT TOWED. WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ENGINE WHICH I THINK IT'S I'MPOSIBLE BEING A FOUR YEAR OLD CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11355086

82,000 miles · Sep 13, 2020

Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS (ENGINE, OIL, ETC...) CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN AND LOST POWER STEERING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WOULDNT START. IT JUST MAD A CLICK WHEN TURNING THE KEY. ALL OF THE LIGHTS WORK IN THE VEHICLE. T…

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NHTSA ODI #11354811

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2020

Engine

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DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 80 APPLIED BREAK AS TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF MY WAS SLOWING DOWN. CAR CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN FAILED TO ACCELERATE. PULLED OFF INTERSTATE CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. CAR WAS TOWED 160 TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. HAD TO RENT A CAR TO FOLLOW MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP ADVISES BY RSA THAT I COULD NOT RIDE WITH TOW DRIVER. ADVISED BY BY SERVICE MANGER THE NEXT DAY THAT CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE, ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ADVISED THAT ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC IS NEEDED TO SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL TO DETERMINE IF ENGINE WILL BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. STUCK IN CHEYENNE, WY OVER 1K MILES AWAY FROM. DEALER CAN'T OFFER ME A LOANER TOO FAR HOME AND CAN'T OFFER A RENTAL THAT CAN BE DRIVEN OUT OF STATE. FORCED TO FIND OTHER MEANS TO GET HOME. RECEIVE EMAIL AND HAVE A LETTER IN THE MAIL TODAY VEHICLE IDENTIFIED AS BEING INCLUDED IN CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT FOR ENGINE FAILURE. SO NOW HERE I SIT AND WAIT NOT SURE IF REPAIR WILL BE COVERED AND WITHOUT A VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11351258

65,000 miles · Aug 10, 2020

Engine

I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER 8/4/2020 DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. NO OTHER SYMPTOMS. I WAS TOLD THE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. NO OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED. I'M CURRENTLY WAITING TO HEAR IF THE REPAIR WILL BE COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY OF IF I WILL BE FACED WITH THE $…

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NHTSA ODI #11348442

6,600 miles · Aug 8, 2020

EnginePower Train

WHEN I STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CAR HAS VIBRATION I CAN FELL IT WHILE I STEP ON THE BREAK I TOOK IT 2 HYUNDAI THEY ADVISE ME IS NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #11344087

78,000 miles · Jul 16, 2020

Engine

WHILE DRIVING. DASH BOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED, CAR SHUT OFF, (LUCKILY NOT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY) WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR, ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. HAZARD LIGHTS DID WORK.TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. HYUNDAI ASSESSED AND CLAIMED AN ENGINE RECALL. IT'S BEEN A MONTH. BUT HYUNDAI DID REPLACE THE ENGINE ALONE WITH ADDITIONAL PART.

NHTSA ODI #11339815

63,000 miles · Feb 11, 2020

Engine

MY 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT RESTART. IT IS IN A GARAGE NOW AND THEY ARE TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11308534

77,460 miles · Jan 21, 2020

Engine

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I HAD MY 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SERVICED BY HYUNDAI FOR A TIRE CHANGE AND OIL CHANGE ALONG WITH THE RECALL UPDATE ON JAN 17, PRIOR TO GOING FROM ST LOUIS MO TO WICHITA KS. I AM A TRAVELING NURSE, MY CONTRACT WAS STARTING MONDAY THE 20TH. I WAS ADVISED THE RECALL WAS A SYSTEM UPDATE FOR IMPROPERLY WORKING SENSORS. MY MOTOR BLEW 2 HOURS INTO MY TRIP ON JAN 18TH WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND FELT IT AS WELL. MY VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO SMOKE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, OIL WAS POURING OUT THE VEHICLE. IT WAS 30 DEGREES AND IM STUCK ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. I WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALER, WHERE I WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET A RENTAL VEHICLE SINCE THE RENTAL LOCATION WAS CLOSED FOR THE DAY. I COULD NOT GET A LOANER VEHICLE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF MILES I HAD TO DRIVE. MY ONLY OPTION WOULD BE TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. I WAS STRESSED AND VERY OVERWHELMED, THINKING ABOUT MY NEED TO GET TO WICHITA KS AND UPSET THAT MY VEHICLE THAT WAS JUST SERVICED BY HYNDAI HAD BLOWN UP ON THE HIGHWAY. WITHIN AN HOUR OF LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, FINALLY HAVING A MOMENT ALONE, WITHOUT A SALESMAN IN MY FACE, I REALIZED THIS WAS A MISTAKE. I CALLED BACK TO RETURN THE VEHICLE BUT MY SALESMAN WAS GONE FOR THE DAY AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSING. I TEXT MY SALESMAN ON SUNDAY ADVISING THAT I WANT TO RETURN THE NEW VEHICLE AND JUST GET THE RENTAL CAR AND MY VEHICLE FIXED, AS HYUNDAI ROADSIDE HAD PROMISED. ON MONDAY JAN 20TH I WAS ADVISED THEY WOULD NOT REVERSE THIS SALE AND I COULD NOT GET MY VEHICLE BACK. NOW I'M STUCK IN A VEHICLE I DO NOT TRUST WITH A HIGHER PAYMENT, HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM, FEELING COMPLETELY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. I DO NOT TRUST THE HYUNDAI BRAND. SEVERAL INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED TO OTHERS DUE TO THEIR LACK OF HONESTY. THERE ARE MANY POSTS ONLINE ABOUT HYUNDAI'S POOR BUSINESS PRACTICES. THE RECALL IS CALLED A CAMPAIGN.

NHTSA ODI #11300746

63,000 miles · May 6, 2019

Engine

ENGINE FAILED AT 63,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. HYUNDAI BLAMES IT ON SLUDGE IN OIL PAN. WITH OUT SERVICE RECEIPTS WILL NOT WARRANTY ENGINE. SERVICED ENGINE MYSELF AND DIDN'T SAVE CASH RECEIPTS.

NHTSA ODI #11205772

Official recalls

22V056000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Feb 3, 2022

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.

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 multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.

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.

16V145000 · Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices

Mar 10, 2016

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses may be damaged by the seat's height adjuster mechanism, resulting in a failure to provide an audible warning when front seat occupants do not fasten their seat belts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses to their proper locations, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 141.

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

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.