Engine. Review the 643 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 161 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports23 fire reports11 injury reports

Power Train complaints

161 reports

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500 miles · Jul 13, 2016

Power Train

THE VEHICLE :"CHOKES" OUT AT LOW SPEED OFTEN WHEN TURNING A CORNER OR FROM A SLOW START. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER AND THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND DECLARED THEY DETECTED NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND MAY CAUSE AN ISSUE IF ACCELERATION IS REQUIRED.

NHTSA ODI #10884516

500 miles · Jul 8, 2016

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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BRAND NEW VEHICLE (1600 MILES) HESITATES WHEN I GO FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND START TO ACCELERATE AT LOW SPEEDS. MAINLY NOTICE IT WHEN TAKING A CORNER. IT SEEMS AS IF IT HAS TROUBLE SELECTING THE GEAR AND ONCE IT DOES, IT LURCHES FORWARD. DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AS THE HESITATION PUTS YOU IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD JUST A LITTLE TOO LONG FOR COMFORT. ALSO, MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL COME ON AROUND CERTAIN CORNERS AND LEAVES ME WITHOUT CONTROL OF THE CAR. ALSO ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE AS AGAIN THE CAR HESITATES OR LOCKS UP BECAUSE OF THIS FEATURE AND DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO DRIVE FORWARD AS I WISH. IT'S THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER WITHOUT ANY RAIN AND DEFINITELY NO SNOW ON THE GROUND (I'D SAY PERFECT ROAD CONDITIONS) SO NO REAL REASON WHY MY TRACTION CONTROL SHOULD BE TURNING ON AROUND CORNERS. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE! ALSO, I SHOULD NOTE THAT THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN HAPPENING LONG BEFORE 1600 MILES. I NOTICED THEM THE FIRST WEEK OR SO THAT I TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME SO DEFINITELY LESS THAN 500 MILES AS I BOUGHT IT NEW. FOR A BRAND NEW, FAIRLY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO FEEL LIKE MY CONFIDENCE IN IT'S BASIC PERFORMANCE IS COMPROMISED.

NHTSA ODI #10883699

825 miles · Jul 5, 2016

Power Train

TRANSMISSION NOT DOWN SHIFTING WHEN RE THROTTLING OUT OF CORNERS AS IN TURNING AND WHEN TRYING TO CROSS TRAFFIC, YOU SLOW DOWN THAN HIT THE GAS AND IT FEELS LIKE IT'S IN A HIGH GEAR ,YOU SLOWLY CREEPS OUT INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC WAITING FOR THE DOWN SHIFT TO PUT YOU INTO 1 ST GEAR SO YOU WON'T BE KILLED BY ON COMING FLOW, VERY DA…

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NHTSA ODI #10882834

200 miles · Jul 5, 2016

Power Train

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2017 SANTA FE SE 3.3L V-6 (3 ROW) FREQUENTLY HESITATES/STUMBLES BADLY WHEN GIVEN NORMAL ACCELERATION AT 5-15 MPH. WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR ROLLING STOP, VEHICLE SEEMS NOT TO DOWNSHIFT FROM 3RD GEAR TO 2ND GEAR CORRECTLY. CAR IS UNRESPONSIVE FOR 1-3 SECONDS, THEN THERE IS A DELAY AND LURCHING FORWARD AS THE CAR FINALLY DOWNSHIFTS AND ACCELERATES. I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE CAR STUMBLED JUST AS I WAS ACCELERATING TO MERGE WITH FASTER TRAFFIC. THE SELLING DEALER DROVE THE CAR AND COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM OR AN ERROR CODE IN ANY OF THE ONBOARD SYSTEMS. PROBLEM OCCURS IN ALL 3 DRIVE MODES. PROBLEM BECAME VERY NOTICEABLE AT APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES. CAR NOW HAS 1300 MILES. PROBLEM HAS NOT IMPROVED OR CHANGED SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN APRIL, 2016.

NHTSA ODI #10882621

55 miles · Jul 5, 2016

Power Train

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WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AT SPEEDS LESS THAN ABOUT 10MPH, THE VEHICLE HAS A VERY SIGNIFICANT HESITATION/ENGINE STUMBLE - ABOUT 2 SECONDS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY NON-RESPONSIVE AND BOGS DOWN. HAPPENS EVERY TIME AT LOW SPEED TURNS, AND IS DANGEROUS WITH VEHICLES BEHIND. OWNED A 2014 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT 2.0 TURBO AND NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH IT. I HOPE AND PRAY THEY CAN FIX THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE HAS A LOT TO OFFER BUT THIS PROBLEM TAKES AWAY FROM ALL OF IT. ALSO RECEIVED A SURVEY FROM HYUNDAI ENGINEERS AND IN THE "ENGINE" CATEGORY THE ONLY COMPLAINT TO PICK FROM WAS "ENGINE STUMBLES" COINCIDENCE OR ARE THEY WORKING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE?

NHTSA ODI #10882533

15 miles · Jul 2, 2016

Power Train

TRANSMISSION HESITATES BADLY FOR ABOUT 1-2 SECONDS BEFORE GOING INTO GEAR TO MOVE CAR AFTER COMING TO COMPLETE/ROLLING STOP OR IN SLOW TURNS. TRANSMISSION DOES THIS ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS FOR MERGING INTO TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY OR STREETS DUE TO FACT THAT CAR WILL NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY TO DRIVER ACCELERATION …

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NHTSA ODI #10882262

200 miles · Jun 23, 2016

Power Train

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I HAVE A 2017 SANTE FE LIMITED ULTIMATE AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO BETWEEN 10 TO 15 MPH AND THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE 3.3 LITER MOTOR 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN DOWN SHIFTING FROM 3RD GEAR TO 2ND GEAR. THIS HESITATION LEFT ME IN INTERSECTIONS A FEW SECONDS LONGER THAN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN MAKING THE CARS COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO ME. I'VE BEEN TO TWO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS AND AFTER TEST DRIVING THE CAR WITH ME THE HYNDAI MECHANICS TOLD ME THIS WAS THE WAY THE CARS WERE DESIGNED AND WITHOUT CODE LIGHTS COMING ON THEY COULD NOT FIX THE CAR. HEARING THIS FROM HYUNDAI MECHANICS WAS NOT CONFIDENCE INSPIRING TO LEARN THAT WITHOUT A CODE LIGHT COMING ON THEY COULD NOT FIND OR FIX A PROBLEM. ALSO AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IF YOU STEP DOWN ON THE GAS TOO FAR THE CAR WILL DOWN SHIFT TO MUCH AND THE MOTOR WILL REV UP TO 6000 RPMS RESULTING THE CAR NOT ACCELERATING. I HAD A 2011 SANTE FE GLS WITH A 6 CYLINDER MOTOR AND IT SEEMED TO BE MORE RESPONSIVE THE TRANSMISSION FOR THAT YEAR SEEMED BETTER MATCHED FOR THE MOTOR AND WORKED FLAWLESSLY. HOPEFULLY HYUNDAI FINDS A FIX/UPDATE FOR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT TO LIKE ABOUT THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10876072

100 miles · Jun 22, 2016

Power Train

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PURCHASED NEW ON APRIL 17TH OF THIS YEAR. VEHICLE CONTINUALLY HAS A PROBLEM ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEED....ROUGHLY BETWEEN 2 AND 10 MILES AN HOUR. IF YOU SLOW DOWN BUT DO NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE A LONG PAUSE THEN LURCH INTO CORRECT GEAR. RENDERS CAR NEARLY UNDRIVEABLE AT LOW "PARKING LOT" TYPE SPEEDS. DEALER STATES THAT WITHOUT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THERE IS NO PROBLEM. CLEARLY THERE IS SOME SORT OF PROBLEM AS EVERY COMPLAINT I SEE IS REGARDING THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO FIX THIS OR I WILL TERMINATE MY LEASE AND SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR MONEY SPENT ON THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10875961

200 miles · Jun 17, 2016

Power Train

WHEN SLOWING DOWN THEN ACCELERATING TO A HIGHER SAY (SAY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC) THE TRANSMISSION FREQUENTLY LUGS AND STRUGGLES TO SELECT A GEAR, RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT ACCELERATION DELAY. THIS POSES A SAFETY ISSUE AS A DELAY IN ACCELERATION COULD LEAD TO A COLLISION. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW.

NHTSA ODI #10874870

300 miles · May 10, 2016

Power Train

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WHILE IN SLOW SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION STRUGGLES TO SELECT THE PROPER GEAR. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE FASTER TAN NORMAL, SPECIALLY WHILE TURNING AFTER REDUCING SPEED. YOU HAVE TO CONTROL THE ACCELERATION USING YOUR DRIVING EXPERIENCE, HOWEVER THIS IS NOT SAFE AT ALL. TESTED USING, ECO, NORMAL AND SPORT DRIVING MODES, THE ONLY TIME I COULDNT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE WAS WHILE ON SPORT MODE (I WANT TO DRIVE ON ECO WHILE IN THE CITY) HOPEFULLY HYUNDAI WILL TACKLE THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10864220

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.

17V578000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Sep 20, 2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The crankshaft assemblies may have been produced with surface irregularities in the crankshaft pin, causing engine bearing wear.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify all owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 168.

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.

17V142000 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems

Mar 6, 2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that may not have been set in the correct mode during vehicle assembly, and therefore will not provide an appropriate warning in the event of an underinflated tire. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An underinflated inflated tire can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the TPMS sensors, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for the recall is 159.

16V842000 · Electrical System:wiring; Trailer Hitches

Nov 21, 2016

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Trailer Hitches

Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.

Electrical System:wiring

Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

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

DP24001 · 3.3L Engine Loss Of Motive Power (lomp)

Opened Feb 8, 2024 · Closed May 16, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on February 2, 2024, requesting a defect investigation into an alleged defect of the "engine" on the following vehicle model: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles equipped with the 3.3L V-Shaped GDI Lambda-II engines. The petition cites allegations of a loss of motive power, often resulting in an engine seizure. The stall is preceded by a knocking sound, decreased performance and no warning lights. An analysis of the subject vehicle population was undertaken using complaints submitted to ODI along with manufacturer data. It was determined that the frequency of events is low for the subject population, while those that specifically report a loss of motive power event have a high mileage at the time of incident. The 2017 Santa Fe is equipped with a service interval reminder for the consumer that must be set by the consumer themselves or at a dealership. A Technical Service Bulletin (19-EM-002H) instructs the dealership to set the maintenance reminder at the completion of routine maintenance service or anytime a repair is performed that requires new engine oil. This maintenance reminder will help reinforce the need for proper oil maintenance intervals. Additionally, the Santa Fe vehicles with 3.3L V-shaped Lambda-II engines will be added to Hyundai’s existing Technical Service Bulletin (23-EM-007H) related to combustion chamber cleaning. These actions will help limit negative consumer incidents related to loss of motive power. Lastly, Hyundai has extended the limited engine warranty for MY 2013-2019 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3.3L V-shaped Lambda-II engines included in the Petition. The updated coverage is 15 years, or 150,000 miles and details are contained in Technical Service Bulletin 24-EM-003H. In view of the service interval reminder, combustion chamber cleaning, and extended warranty actions being taken by Hyundai, ODI is denying this Defect Petition. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the report cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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.