NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
197 reportsMileage unknown · Dec 23, 2022
Visibility
•What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? When ambient temperature is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, sufficient heat is not produced from the vehicles defroster to keep the windshield from icing. Also, sufficient heat is not produced to keep vehicle occupants warm. A …
Read full complaint
•What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? When ambient temperature is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, sufficient heat is not produced from the vehicles defroster to keep the windshield from icing. Also, sufficient heat is not produced to keep vehicle occupants warm. A Hyundai dealership confirmed the problem and replaced the thermostat, but the problem still persists. •How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Visibility through the windshield cannot be maintained. Also, the cabin temperature is insufficient for safe transport of young children. •Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. •Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? It has been inspected and confirmed by a Hyundai dealership. The problem persists and has been an issue since the vehicle was purchased in 2019. The first winter that the vehicle was operated during (2020) was when the problem first presented. •Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The water temperature gauge on the dash board “bounces” back and forth while driving the vehicle when the ambient temperature is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This has been reported to Hyundai corporate –Hyundai case # [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11498724
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2022
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
2019 Hyundai Santa fe first owner after each use of the Auto Stop/ Start feature is guaranteed that in 24-48 hrs the car will stall at stop lights and take anywhere from 15-20 min to restart. The power to the electronics continues but the engine can't restart from the stop. It appears as of the feature takes the power from the a…
Read full complaint
2019 Hyundai Santa fe first owner after each use of the Auto Stop/ Start feature is guaranteed that in 24-48 hrs the car will stall at stop lights and take anywhere from 15-20 min to restart. The power to the electronics continues but the engine can't restart from the stop. It appears as of the feature takes the power from the alternator, starter and battery and drains it until the car can be restarted. Once it starts it drives well until the system is engaged again. I have chosen to not use the system and the car has not stall however once the use of the Auto/ Start Stop system is engaged for a day or two it will stall the vehicle from a stop mostly at stop lights after so much time on standby mode while using the Auto Start / Stop system. Dealer can not recreate the issue.
NHTSA ODI #11490525
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes
For the duration of the vehicle's ownership, it has underperformed and operated unpredictably under hard braking, specifically with relation to the vehicle's ABS system. The conditions have caused meto never drive the car in snow, as this weather condition in particular exacerbates the braking issues and makes the car unsafe. I…
Read full complaint
For the duration of the vehicle's ownership, it has underperformed and operated unpredictably under hard braking, specifically with relation to the vehicle's ABS system. The conditions have caused meto never drive the car in snow, as this weather condition in particular exacerbates the braking issues and makes the car unsafe. Issues with the braking/ABS include: The ABS activating at slow speeds in all conditions, even on dry roads The ABS activating and preventing the vehicle from being emergency stopped in adverse conditions The ABS activating and exponentially extending the braking distance until it disnegages The ABS, once activated, does not stop unless the brake pedal is lifted from its initial activation position The vehicle doesn't appear to have any mechancial braking issues. Everything seems to be related to the ABS system, wheel-speed sensors and/or vehicle-management systems. The overall braking experience in this vehicle with the ABS on is that it simply will not stop within a safe braking distance window. The only way to stop this vehicle is without ABS. There is no other way to safely stop this vehicle with ABS. I have reached out to my Hyundai dealer and Hyndai corporate directly, both times being dismissed without anyone attempting to recreate the braking issues. I have a life's worth of experience driving in snow and multiple ABS activations in a range of vehicles. This is abnormal based on all of the experiential knowledge I possess, as well as a lifelong interest in cars. While I am not an engineer, I possess enough firsthand and academic vehicle experience to recognize the abnormality of this vehicle braking operation.
NHTSA ODI #11488565
40,000 miles · Oct 5, 2022
Engine
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while at a complete stop with the auto engine Start/Stop feature activated, the vehicle would intermittently shut off upon depression of the accelerator pedal with several warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact would be forced to turn off …
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while at a complete stop with the auto engine Start/Stop feature activated, the vehicle would intermittently shut off upon depression of the accelerator pedal with several warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact would be forced to turn off the vehicle and open the driver’s side door to reset the vehicle; after multiple attempts, the engine would restart and resume normal operation. The contact had taken the vehicle to two separate dealers, Freehold Hyundai (4065 US-9, Freehold, NJ 07728) and Greg May Hyundai (1501 TX-340 Loop, Waco, TX 76712)] on multiple occasions but neither dealer was able to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided a case number. The contact was referred back to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #11487972
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2022
Structure
Liftgate is unable to be opened from outside, on button press it just beeps three times
NHTSA ODI #11487007
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2022
Steering
Electric power steering failed after starting car and beginning drive. No power assist was present. Concurrent with this failure the instrument panel displayed warnings that Blind Spot Detection System and Lane Keeping System were not working and needed attention. Codes for the later 2 problems were sent to central computer, but…
Read full complaint
Electric power steering failed after starting car and beginning drive. No power assist was present. Concurrent with this failure the instrument panel displayed warnings that Blind Spot Detection System and Lane Keeping System were not working and needed attention. Codes for the later 2 problems were sent to central computer, but no power steering error code was sent. Disconnecting battery from car nor turning car off and on had no effect on errors. Let car set idle for 3 days. Restarted car and all problems were gone. Taking car to dealer on 9/20/22 in attempt to prevent future reoccurrence.
NHTSA ODI #11485281
69,550 miles · Sep 7, 2022
Forward Collision Avoidance
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the check Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle veered into oncoming traffic. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the sensor in the windshield had malfunctioned. Th…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the check Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle veered into oncoming traffic. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the sensor in the windshield had malfunctioned. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the windshield sensors were working as designed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 69,550.
NHTSA ODI #11483290
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2022
Structure
While driving at 70 mph the rear panel of the panoramic sunroof in my 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe exploded. We were not near other traffic or other sources of debris that could have impacted the glass. There was a very loud 'boom' sound, like a gunshot, and then the crackling sound of broken glass. Thankfully the sunshade was drawn an…
Read full complaint
While driving at 70 mph the rear panel of the panoramic sunroof in my 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe exploded. We were not near other traffic or other sources of debris that could have impacted the glass. There was a very loud 'boom' sound, like a gunshot, and then the crackling sound of broken glass. Thankfully the sunshade was drawn and glass shards did not fall into the passenger compartment. Within a short amount of time large pieces of glass began to fall out creating a very heavy load on the fabric sunshade. We were able to collect enough of the large pieces by hand and remove them before the shade tore or otherwise failed creating an even larger hazard. Our 1 year old child was in his car seat directly below the failure -- had the shade been open, or had large pieces of glass fell before we could pull over and remove them he could have been seriously injured. Online research points that this is not an isolated incident and there is a pattern of this happening on recent model Hyundai/Kia products with panoramic sunroofs -- there is a class action lawsuit in Canada targeting Hyundai's lack of ownership of the problem. Hyundai dealerships and corporate were contacted to inspect and repair under warranty but were unwilling to do so in a reasonable timeframe (2+ month wait time). Vehicle was ultimately repaired by a body shop through our insurance company. There were no indications that this was a problem prior to the event.
NHTSA ODI #11480753
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2022
Engine
On 3 different occasions my vehicle has not restarted at a stop light after the idle stop and go feature turned the car off. I can’t to a complete stop, the car went into idle mode, then wouldn’t restart when I hit the accelerator again. I put on my hazard lights so cars could go around me and all the lights on my dash were flas…
Read full complaint
On 3 different occasions my vehicle has not restarted at a stop light after the idle stop and go feature turned the car off. I can’t to a complete stop, the car went into idle mode, then wouldn’t restart when I hit the accelerator again. I put on my hazard lights so cars could go around me and all the lights on my dash were flashing, brakes would not engage and it took several attempts to restart the car. The car has also not turned on 4 times when I first get in and go to start it. All the dash lights go on then as well and takes several attempts to start the car. I took it to the dealer and they could not find any issues. It is scary to drive as I fear it not starting after coming to a stop and being stuck on a main road.
NHTSA ODI #11480563
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2022
Engine
Was driving and the car started stuttering. When I came to a stop the car would not move, a message flashed across the dash saying something about the auto stop feature was active and I had to put the car in park or neutral in order to drive again. Has happened numerous times almost daily. In order to stop this from happening yo…
Read full complaint
Was driving and the car started stuttering. When I came to a stop the car would not move, a message flashed across the dash saying something about the auto stop feature was active and I had to put the car in park or neutral in order to drive again. Has happened numerous times almost daily. In order to stop this from happening you have to remember to turn the auto stop feature off.
NHTSA ODI #11479231
NHTSA investigations
1DP22003 · 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.