32 of the 153 complaints about the 2025 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid are about the driver-assist systems — 21% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 13,000 miles.
32
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts to repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number 25V808000 (Back Over Prevention) were on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was able to confirm that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11754472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
Everything normal when parked in store parking lot. When vehicle was started to leave I noticed the vehicle had no sounds ... no radio sound from any source at any volume setting, no turn signal clicks, no parking proximity beeps, no navigation voice guidance, no sounds at all. All dashboard/visual displays were normal. Parked vehicle in garage when I got home and the next morning the battery was dead. Had to jump start the vehicle (the dead battery "fixed" the sound problem). An AI search shows this is a known issue for the 2024 & 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and I found AI & You Tube fixes saying to "soft reset" the Infotainment/Sound system by turning the ignition to the "On" position (not starting the vehicle ... foot off the brake and push ignition once, then again). Use a paper clip or pen to press and hold the little dimple reset button just below the right side radio knob until the system resets, then foot on the brake and start the vehicle. If this does not work, disconnect the starting battery's Negative battery cable for 15 minutes. This is a mid level safety issue because audible warning systems will not work. Took the vehicle to the Hyundai dealer we bought it from but they didn't offer any acknowledgement that other same model vehicles have had similar problems and said they could not check or do anything since the vehicle wasn't currently having the problem. I had to argue like hell just to get them to record that the issue had occurred.
NHTSA complaint #11754202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Everything normal when parked in store parking lot. When vehicle was started to leave I noticed the vehicle had no sounds ... no radio sound from any source at any volume setting, no turn signal clicks, no parking proximity beeps, no navigation voice guidance, no sounds at all. All dashboard/visual displays were normal. Parked vehicle in garage when I got home and the next morning the battery was dead. Had to jump start the vehicle (the dead battery "fixed" the sound problem). An AI search shows this is a known issue for the 2024 & 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and I found AI & You Tube fixes saying to "soft reset" the Infotainment/Sound system by turning the ignition to the "On" position (not starting the vehicle ... foot off the brake and push ignition once, then again). Use a paper clip or pen to press and hold the little dimple reset button just below the right side radio knob until the system resets, then foot on the brake and start the vehicle. If this does not work, disconnect the starting battery's Negative battery cable for 15 minutes. This is a mid level safety issue because audible warning systems will not work. Took the vehicle to the Hyundai dealer we bought it from but they didn't offer any acknowledgement that other same model vehicles have had similar problems and said they could not check or do anything since the vehicle wasn't currently having the problem. I had to argue like hell just to get them to record that the issue had occurred.
NHTSA complaint #11754202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
There are two main causes of concern that have occurred numerous times. The first is a driver attention alert will flash on the screen very frequently, which is very distracting to the driver. It says you should take a break but will come on very frequently right after starting driving and seems to be due to someone squinting their eyes. The second is that when sensors get blocked or dirty it will flash messages about the parking system, not being active while you were driving the vehicle, which is a huge issue and very distracting, especially considering that it’s a parking system that you are not using because you’re actively driving the vehicle. These notifications need to be able to be disabled or should be adjusted to not do this.
NHTSA complaint #11752903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
There are two main causes of concern that have occurred numerous times. The first is a driver attention alert will flash on the screen very frequently, which is very distracting to the driver. It says you should take a break but will come on very frequently right after starting driving and seems to be due to someone squinting their eyes. The second is that when sensors get blocked or dirty it will flash messages about the parking system, not being active while you were driving the vehicle, which is a huge issue and very distracting, especially considering that it’s a parking system that you are not using because you’re actively driving the vehicle. These notifications need to be able to be disabled or should be adjusted to not do this.
NHTSA complaint #11752903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
There are two main causes of concern that have occurred numerous times. The first is a driver attention alert will flash on the screen very frequently, which is very distracting to the driver. It says you should take a break but will come on very frequently right after starting driving and seems to be due to someone squinting their eyes. The second is that when sensors get blocked or dirty it will flash messages about the parking system, not being active while you were driving the vehicle, which is a huge issue and very distracting, especially considering that it’s a parking system that you are not using because you’re actively driving the vehicle. These notifications need to be able to be disabled or should be adjusted to not do this.
NHTSA complaint #11752903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Less than 10 month old Santa Fe Calligraphy suddenly started flashing warning signs like Check Drivers Assistance System, Check Headlight LED, Check door assistance system. It comes on randomly, sometimes when the car is running, sometimes when the car is stopped. It flashes these warnings rapidly. When it is going on, the side view cameras stop working. One time when this was happening, I was at a stop light and it automatically went to park. It has happened multiple times so far. I have 2 children ages [XXX] and [XXX] that I drive around with and am concerned about safety. I have taken it to two different service centers at 2 different dealerships based on recommendation from Hyundai and they have not been able to replicate the problem hence they can't find the diagnostics of what is wrong. We have opened a case with Hyundai. The case number is XXX The case manager is [XXX] [XXX] I have taken videos of it whenever it has happened. I am not sure how to upload it as your documentations only allow photos. I am sharing the photos with you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11752261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
Less than 10 month old Santa Fe Calligraphy suddenly started flashing warning signs like Check Drivers Assistance System, Check Headlight LED, Check door assistance system. It comes on randomly, sometimes when the car is running, sometimes when the car is stopped. It flashes these warnings rapidly. When it is going on, the side view cameras stop working. One time when this was happening, I was at a stop light and it automatically went to park. It has happened multiple times so far. I have 2 children ages [XXX] and [XXX] that I drive around with and am concerned about safety. I have taken it to two different service centers at 2 different dealerships based on recommendation from Hyundai and they have not been able to replicate the problem hence they can't find the diagnostics of what is wrong. We have opened a case with Hyundai. The case number is XXX The case manager is [XXX] [XXX] I have taken videos of it whenever it has happened. I am not sure how to upload it as your documentations only allow photos. I am sharing the photos with you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11752261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The driver assistance warning system continuosly goes into shutdown mode. Eye monitoring system always states that you are not keeping your eyes on the road. I have tried using different glasses or no glasses. Changing the steering wheel settings also seem to have no effect. This is very dangerous as it will start decelerating and stopping in the middle of a freeway in heavy traffic when this warning is activated. This only happens with the lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control are on. Hyundai issued Technical service bulletin 25-GI-001H, but they did not solve the problem
NHTSA complaint #11691077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The driver assistance warning system continuosly goes into shutdown mode. Eye monitoring system always states that you are not keeping your eyes on the road. I have tried using different glasses or no glasses. Changing the steering wheel settings also seem to have no effect. This is very dangerous as it will start decelerating and stopping in the middle of a freeway in heavy traffic when this warning is activated. This only happens with the lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control are on. Hyundai issued Technical service bulletin 25-GI-001H, but they did not solve the problem
NHTSA complaint #11691077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
The driver assistance warning system continuosly goes into shutdown mode. Eye monitoring system always states that you are not keeping your eyes on the road. I have tried using different glasses or no glasses. Changing the steering wheel settings also seem to have no effect. This is very dangerous as it will start decelerating and stopping in the middle of a freeway in heavy traffic when this warning is activated. This only happens with the lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control are on. Hyundai issued Technical service bulletin 25-GI-001H, but they did not solve the problem
NHTSA complaint #11691077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Driver attention warning system constantly gives aggravating notices of "suggest take a break" with chiming sound when driving with or without sunglasses or other glasses. I cannot use cruise control. I have tried several different sunglass types with no success. After first warning, goes off every 4 minutes, either cancelling cruise control when I am using it or just causing annoying aggravation which takes my attention off the road. I cannot turn this feature off. It is so aggravating that it draws my attention from the road ahead and impacts my patience while driving. Due to eye condition, I must use sunglasses while driving in sun. Hyundai did not make this limitation clear when I was buying the vehicle, and they refuse to do anything about it now.
NHTSA complaint #11688197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
My wife was parking our vehicle near the front of our home, simply rolling forward toward the car in front of her to complete parking on the left side of the street when the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated on its own. The vehicle turned hard to the right, struck the bumper of the parked car she was pulling up behind, continued right across the traffic lane where it hit two parked cars on the other side of the street with significant impact, lifting and turning one onto the sidewalk, at which point our vehicle went across the sidewalk and stopped after hitting a fence. The forward collision avoidance that we have experienced engaging previously, never engaged, despite hitting multiple vehicles on the lefft side and then right side of the street. The collision avaoidance alarms that we have experienced sounding previously, also never went off. The airbags never deployed, despite hitting 3 cars at two different sides of the street, as well as an iron fence that never moved. The vehicle went from traveling less than 5 mph while completing the last few feet of parking to a high rate of acceleration within a path of less than 40 feet, as evidenced by the significant damage it left. Had my wife not come to a stop as quickly as she did, she could have been seriously injured. If anyone had been on the sidewalk - there are 3 shcools on this block that children are often present - someone could have been killed. The vehicle is currently at a body shop being evaluated by insurance adjuster and likely a total loss. We reported tot the manufacturer and they intend to repsond to us by 9/16 and inspect the vehicle in its current state.
NHTSA complaint #11686958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: AUTOMATIC STEERING
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Attention Warning (FAW) system activated. Shortly afterward, the message "System Shutting Off" was displayed, and the Automatic Emergency Braking System briefly engaged, jerking the vehicle and dramatically reducing its speed of the vehicle but not to a complete stop. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the vehicle was functioning as designed but informed the contact that his wife's glasses may be interfering with the Forward Attention Warning (FAW) system's eye detection ability to monitor her eyes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 13,000.
NHTSA complaint #11686049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Attention Warning (FAW) system activated. Shortly afterward, the message "System Shutting Off" was displayed, and the Automatic Emergency Braking System briefly engaged, jerking the vehicle and dramatically reducing its speed of the vehicle but not to a complete stop. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the vehicle was functioning as designed but informed the contact that his wife's glasses may be interfering with the Forward Attention Warning (FAW) system's eye detection ability to monitor her eyes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 13,000.
NHTSA complaint #11686049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Attention Warning (FAW) system activated. Shortly afterward, the message "System Shutting Off" was displayed, and the Automatic Emergency Braking System briefly engaged, jerking the vehicle and dramatically reducing its speed of the vehicle but not to a complete stop. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the vehicle was functioning as designed but informed the contact that his wife's glasses may be interfering with the Forward Attention Warning (FAW) system's eye detection ability to monitor her eyes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 13,000.
NHTSA complaint #11686049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
The “consider taking a break” warning comes on far too much and has almost made me wreck twice due to being startled.
NHTSA complaint #11681474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The “consider taking a break” warning comes on far too much and has almost made me wreck twice due to being startled.
NHTSA complaint #11681474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Vehicle unable to recognize face when wearing sunglasses and disables all driver assist aids, including turning off the cruise control
NHTSA complaint #11681094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I purchased a new 2025MY Hyundai Santafe Hybrid. Since the day of my purchase there has been a constant error message that is displayed on dash saying "Driver attention warning system failure". this light stays on constantly and disables cruise control and adapative cruise system. This affects the usability of the vehicles. WHen asked Hyundai they say, drivers arent expected to wear sunglass if this system has to work properly, they even say constant blinking will cause system to fail and disable cruise control. This is a serious concern. How can people drive a car without blinking and how can a new car have disabled cruise control all the time.
NHTSA complaint #11680700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I purchased a new 2025MY Hyundai Santafe Hybrid. Since the day of my purchase there has been a constant error message that is displayed on dash saying "Driver attention warning system failure". this light stays on constantly and disables cruise control and adapative cruise system. This affects the usability of the vehicles. WHen asked Hyundai they say, drivers arent expected to wear sunglass if this system has to work properly, they even say constant blinking will cause system to fail and disable cruise control. This is a serious concern. How can people drive a car without blinking and how can a new car have disabled cruise control all the time.
NHTSA complaint #11680700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Hyundai disabling critical vehicle safety systems if people wear sunglasses. I brought MY2025 hyundai santafe hybrid, this has driver attention monitoring system. Since the day i brought this vehicle i have been getting issues related to driver attention warning system. This error is being caused for no reason, this comes on when vehicle comes on and stays on (sometimes for days sometimes for weeks and sometimes for hours). HYundai says this issue is because i have a dash cam in car, error wont go away even when dash cam is removed. Recently hyundai engineers said its because you may be wearing sunglasses. What? Wearing sunglasses will disable AEB and cruise control !!!OMG. I removed sunglasses and tried still wont work. Hyundai sent me list of things not to do, including not to laugh, not to shorten your eyes and not to wink. this is a major safety concern, not allowing drivers to wear sunglass which will disable safety critical systems.
NHTSA complaint #11680774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Hyundai disabling critical vehicle safety systems if people wear sunglasses. I brought MY2025 hyundai santafe hybrid, this has driver attention monitoring system. Since the day i brought this vehicle i have been getting issues related to driver attention warning system. This error is being caused for no reason, this comes on when vehicle comes on and stays on (sometimes for days sometimes for weeks and sometimes for hours). HYundai says this issue is because i have a dash cam in car, error wont go away even when dash cam is removed. Recently hyundai engineers said its because you may be wearing sunglasses. What? Wearing sunglasses will disable AEB and cruise control !!!OMG. I removed sunglasses and tried still wont work. Hyundai sent me list of things not to do, including not to laugh, not to shorten your eyes and not to wink. this is a major safety concern, not allowing drivers to wear sunglass which will disable safety critical systems.
NHTSA complaint #11680774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Hyundai's Forward Attention Warning is so aggressively annoying it makes me want to drive off a cliff to shut it up. Driving with an arm in the 12 o'clock position? "BEEP! Keep your eyes on the road!" Polarized sunglasses? "BEEP! I can't see your eyes!" Oh, there's a setting! Let's turn it off..."BEEEEEP! WHERE ARE YOUR EYES!". I just purchased and cannot use Cruise control I need to wear glasses It has a hard time seeing my eyes I cannot turn off I have tried many positions on steering wheel to no avail.
NHTSA complaint #11680479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Occasionally, the vehicle acts like I am not looking at the road and I’m not sure if it is because of my hair, glasses, hat, or my lazy eye. On three different occasions in nearly 8000 miles it will randomly hard break on the interstate. Initially, I had thought this was something I was doing. When I was finally able to speak with the service staff, they confirmed that this is a common issue with people wearing glasses or any other items the vehicle does not register as normal. At this point, I am afraid to drive a vehicle once I learned that this is a safety setting I cannot control. I have been told by Hyundai that the vehicle is operating as it should however it is extremely concerning that this could cause an accident on the interstate and someone could get killed.
NHTSA complaint #11679262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Occasionally, the vehicle acts like I am not looking at the road and I’m not sure if it is because of my hair, glasses, hat, or my lazy eye. On three different occasions in nearly 8000 miles it will randomly hard break on the interstate. Initially, I had thought this was something I was doing. When I was finally able to speak with the service staff, they confirmed that this is a common issue with people wearing glasses or any other items the vehicle does not register as normal. At this point, I am afraid to drive a vehicle once I learned that this is a safety setting I cannot control. I have been told by Hyundai that the vehicle is operating as it should however it is extremely concerning that this could cause an accident on the interstate and someone could get killed.
NHTSA complaint #11679262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control system cuts of with message on screen stating that , system camera can’t see my face and the system de-activates. This is especially dangerous at highway speeds. The vehicle behind me doesn’t see a brake light as my vehicle suddenly looses speed. This is from Hyundais Driver Attention Warning (DAW) function. This function cannot be de-activated by myself or my dealership which is Webb Hyundai of Merrillville Indiana.
NHTSA complaint #11668783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The cruise control system cuts of with message on screen stating that , system camera can’t see my face and the system de-activates. This is especially dangerous at highway speeds. The vehicle behind me doesn’t see a brake light as my vehicle suddenly looses speed. This is from Hyundais Driver Attention Warning (DAW) function. This function cannot be de-activated by myself or my dealership which is Webb Hyundai of Merrillville Indiana.
NHTSA complaint #11668783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The driver assist program will not work if the driver is wearing sunglasses. If you are using driver assist, which includes cruise control, and are wearing sunglasses, the vehicle gives a driver attention warning. The vehicle will them cut off the cruise control causing the vehicle to rapidly drop its speed. This is incredibly dangerous at highway speeds way speeds. Hyundai and its dealerships are aware of this issue but have not offered a solution. Also you cannot disable the driver camera that cause the driver attention warning. We have also had this occur while driving at night without sunglasses. My understanding is that this issue is across all model lines.
NHTSA complaint #11649989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The driver assist program will not work if the driver is wearing sunglasses. If you are using driver assist, which includes cruise control, and are wearing sunglasses, the vehicle gives a driver attention warning. The vehicle will them cut off the cruise control causing the vehicle to rapidly drop its speed. This is incredibly dangerous at highway speeds way speeds. Hyundai and its dealerships are aware of this issue but have not offered a solution. Also you cannot disable the driver camera that cause the driver attention warning. We have also had this occur while driving at night without sunglasses. My understanding is that this issue is across all model lines.
NHTSA complaint #11649989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.