NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
197 reports14,000 miles · Feb 25, 2021
Unknown Or OtherCrash
MY WIFE WAS DROPPING OFF A FRIEND AT HIS HOUSE USING THE BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO THE GARAGE DAMAGING THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE GARAGE. I CAN ONLY INCLUDE THE VEHICLE PHOTO DUE TO PHOTO SIZE LIMITATIONS. HER FRIEND WAS A WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT I ESTIMATE TOTAL DAMAGE TO GARAGE…
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MY WIFE WAS DROPPING OFF A FRIEND AT HIS HOUSE USING THE BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO THE GARAGE DAMAGING THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE GARAGE. I CAN ONLY INCLUDE THE VEHICLE PHOTO DUE TO PHOTO SIZE LIMITATIONS. HER FRIEND WAS A WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT I ESTIMATE TOTAL DAMAGE TO GARAGE AND VEHICLE TO BE $10000. HYUNDAI SAID TO CALL BACK TOMORROW.
NHTSA ODI #11397983
12,000 miles · Feb 17, 2021
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP, ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A WATER PIPE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP, ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A WATER PIPE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWEDFOLSOM LAKE HYUNDAI (12530 AUTO MALL CIR, FOLSOM, CA 95630; (916) 293-4760) WHO WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE THEREFORE WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN THE LAST 18 MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
NHTSA ODI #11396583
16,177 miles · Feb 15, 2021
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other
WE WERE SITTING AT RED LIGHT IN A BUSY INTERSECTION AT NIGHT AND THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING AND CUT OFF. WE TRIED PRESSING THE AUTOMATIC START AND IT KEPT HESITATING AND EVERYTHING WENT BLACK ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.AFTER 3RD TIME IT STARTED AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET HOME. IT STARTED HAVING MORE HESITATION WHILE TO GO UP HILL…
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WE WERE SITTING AT RED LIGHT IN A BUSY INTERSECTION AT NIGHT AND THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING AND CUT OFF. WE TRIED PRESSING THE AUTOMATIC START AND IT KEPT HESITATING AND EVERYTHING WENT BLACK ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.AFTER 3RD TIME IT STARTED AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET HOME. IT STARTED HAVING MORE HESITATION WHILE TO GO UP HILLS AND LOW SPEEDS. THE AUTOMATIC START /STOP ALSO STOPPED WORKING IN THE VEHICLE. I ALSO WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE BLUE LINK SYSTEM, THEY WERE HAVING TO RESET IT EACH MONTH UNTIL THEY DECIDED TO MAKE A TICKET FOR REPAIR IN WHICH TOOK A MONTH OR SO IN ORDER FOR THE ENGINEERS TO SEE IF IT WAS DEFAULT ON THERE END. THEN THEY DECIDED TO SET ME UP FOR A APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT THROUGH HYUNDAI, WHICH NOW THEY SAW I HAVE TO HAVE WHOLE NEW HEAD RADIO HEAD UNIT WITH BLUE LINK AND ALSO A NEW TRANSMISSION. PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND IT HAS LOW MILEAGE AND NEED TRANSMISSION. I'M LOOSING FAITH IN HYUNDAI!
NHTSA ODI #11396372
26,000 miles · Feb 4, 2021
Unknown Or Other
CAR WAS IN MOTION APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN SOME UNIDENTIFIED, UNSEEN OBJECT CRASHED INTO THE SLIDING PANORAMIC ROOF. THE RESULT WAS A 12 X 8 INCH HOLE AND A SPIDERWEB OF CRACKS THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE GLASS. FORTUNATELY, THE INSIDE COVER WAS CLOSED AND THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE OBJECT WA…
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CAR WAS IN MOTION APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN SOME UNIDENTIFIED, UNSEEN OBJECT CRASHED INTO THE SLIDING PANORAMIC ROOF. THE RESULT WAS A 12 X 8 INCH HOLE AND A SPIDERWEB OF CRACKS THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE GLASS. FORTUNATELY, THE INSIDE COVER WAS CLOSED AND THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE OBJECT WAS NOT RECOVERED. IT WILL TAKE 3-5 BUSINESS DAYS FOR THE REPAIR COMPANY TO ORDER AND RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT. THE CAR IS UNUSABLE TILL THEN.
NHTSA ODI #11394751
41,000 miles · Jan 5, 2021
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, A THICK, GRAYISH SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE CABIN FROM THE REAR, PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND REQUESTED ALL OCCUPANTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. AS THE CONTACT BEGAN TO CALL 911, AN OFFICER NEARBY CAME O…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, A THICK, GRAYISH SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE CABIN FROM THE REAR, PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND REQUESTED ALL OCCUPANTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. AS THE CONTACT BEGAN TO CALL 911, AN OFFICER NEARBY CAME OVER TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EVENTUALLY ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND BOTH A FIRE AND POLICE REPORTS WERE FILED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INITIALLY TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND ONCE INSURANCE WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE, THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE INSURANCE THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT REMAINED IN THEIR POSSESSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INITIALLY OFFERED TO ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH THE PURCHASE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. HYUNDAI THEN SENT OUT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEIR ASSESSMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS ATTACHED TO THE TRAILER HITCH. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000. *BF CONSUMER FILED A CLAIMED WITH U-HAUL THEY SPOKE TO HYUNDAI AND HYUNDAI BLAMES ON WIRING HITCH BECAUSE IT WAS INSTALLED AFTER PURCHASED.*JB
NHTSA ODI #11386654
Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury
IT'S A RENTAL CAR. IT WAS A SNOW DAY AND HIT ON THE CONCRETE WALL BUT THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. COMPARED TO THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR, IT IS A SAFETY CONCERNS.
NHTSA ODI #11385797
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2020
Unknown Or OtherCrash
MY 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAD SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE I WAS TRYING TO PARK THE CAR IN THE PARKING LOT. IT SUDDENLY CROSSED OVER THE PARKING CEMENT BLOCK AND JUMPED INTO THE SIDEWALK LANDSCAPE AND THEN STOPPED. THE AIRBAG ALSO DEPLOYED DUE TO THIS INCIDENT. I DID NOT STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL.
NHTSA ODI #11377964
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2020
Steering
WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30-35 MPH ON CURVY BACK ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR WENT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HEAD ON COLLISION. AFTERWARDS THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED A POPPING/THUD NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. THE…
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WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30-35 MPH ON CURVY BACK ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR WENT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HEAD ON COLLISION. AFTERWARDS THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED A POPPING/THUD NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE. THAT TOOK ALMOST A MONTH. THEN THEY REPLACED THE RACK AND THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. THAT STILL DIDN'T FIX THE SOUND. NOW THEY ARE REPLACING A CLOCK SPRING. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S WRONG AND ARE JUST THROWING PARTS AT THE CAR HOPING IT'S FIXED. IT'S BEEN 44 DAYS AND GOING ON 3 REPAIRS. HYUNDAI SAYS I DON'T MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A BUYBACK OR EXCHANGE AND HAVE FRANKLY BEEN EXTREMELY RUDE. I WILL NEVER TRUST THIS CAR WITH HOW THIS HAS BEEN HANDLED AND WILL NEVER BE GIVING MY BUSINESS TO THEM AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11372452
41,000 miles · Oct 5, 2020
Unknown Or Other
CAR LOCKS WITH A SYMBOL ON DASHBOARD OF CAR WITH A KEY THEN ANOTHER ISSUE WHEN DRIVING CAR SHUTS OFF. HAVE HAD THE CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES TOLD THEY CANNOT MIMIC THE ISSUE AND COMPUTER DOESN'T SHOW ANY CODES. CALL HYUNDAI CORPORATE TO COMPLAIN AND SAID WITH 35,000 AT THE TIME WE ARE BEYOND LEMON LAW FOR NJ. I HAVE NOW 41,000 MIL…
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CAR LOCKS WITH A SYMBOL ON DASHBOARD OF CAR WITH A KEY THEN ANOTHER ISSUE WHEN DRIVING CAR SHUTS OFF. HAVE HAD THE CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES TOLD THEY CANNOT MIMIC THE ISSUE AND COMPUTER DOESN'T SHOW ANY CODES. CALL HYUNDAI CORPORATE TO COMPLAIN AND SAID WITH 35,000 AT THE TIME WE ARE BEYOND LEMON LAW FOR NJ. I HAVE NOW 41,000 MILES ON IT AND PROBLEM IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. I HAVE A HUSBAND ON OXYGEN WAITING FOR A DOUBLE LUNG TRANSPLANT AND THIS IS AN UNSAFE CAR. TODAY HAPPENED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I CALLED CIRCLE HYUNDAI IN SHREWBURY NJ SPOKE TO SERVICE MANAGER AND TOLD HIM THIS NEEDS TO BE CHECKED BEFORE I GET KILLED. OWNER OF DEALERSHIP TOLD ME A MONTH AGO THAT I HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL OF HIS TECHS. PLEASE HELP US.
NHTSA ODI #11362947
2,000 miles · Sep 1, 2020
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11352436
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.