47 of the
1,573 complaints filed about the Hyundai Santa FE Sport
are about the throttle and cruise control —
100% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2017.
47
Complaints
100%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
I took my SUV to get the 9C2 recall on 8/7/2026 performed and took it home. The next morning when I cranked it and left my driveway it acted as if the vehicle didn't recognize that I was pressing my accelerator. It sputtered and hesitated acceleration for about five minutes. It also acted as if it was not going to change from first to second gear. After about five min. of playing with the gas pedal it straightened out. Twice I was almost hit by other cars expecting me to pull away from a stop sign. I took it back the next day telling the service agent what was happening and he kept it overnight. I received a text saying the technician was unable to find a cold start problem and it was ready to pick up. I was so mad I could barely hold my temper. I took it home and for the next week every single day it acted like this when cold started in the morning. I took it back to Premiere Hyundai of Harvey and was treated rudely this time. They acted as if they never had a single other complaint and told me I might have to leave it for several days so they could cold start test it for several days. This was on a Wednesday morning 8/19. I was never updated or called and when I texted my service rep on Monday 8/24 I was told the tech was not able to duplicate the complaint and to come pick it up. I will not ever buy another Hyundai because of the way I was treated and lied to. PLEASE create a recall for this badly handled recall 9C2. My Sante Fe Sport ran beautifully before this recall messed up my SUV. Now I have found if I let it idle for five minutes in the morning and accelerate slowly until it changes gears, most mornings it will run well, but if I crank it and pull into the street on a cold start it does the sputtering HELP US HYUNDAI OWNERS
NHTSA complaint #11764162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brought my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport into the dealer on July 25, 2026 for the ECU and Theta II software update (Hyundai Service Campaign 9C2). Before the recall service my car drove perfectly with no issues. After the recall service my car is extremely jerky when shifting at low speeds and has long delays when trying to accelerate. This problem is particularly apparent on cold start, and less so once the vehicle has been driving. The issue is not as noticeable if the vehicle has been driven, is turned off, and then turned on again before fully cooled down. The jerky shifting has been getting worse over the past month. Vehicle was taken back to the dealer that conducted the software update on August 26, 2026 and they charged me for throttle body cleaning and EFI service which they performed for carbon build up as they cited this as the cause for the issues. The issue was not resolved from this service despite the dealers claims and the vehicle still has the same jerky shifting and delayed acceleration on cold start. There are no warning messages. Issue is becoming more widely documented among users after this particular service campaign so it is not an individual isolated problem.
NHTSA complaint #11761273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On February 24, 2026, I had the 9C2 software update. My vehicle was being checked for oil consumption. Since then I have had issues with it hard shifting when first starting to drive and sometimes after I've been driving a while. This has continued miles down the road, sometimes over thirty minutes after driving. It also just feels continuously like it is not driving smooth. This only started after the update. I contacted HMA. The first person on my case (Gurvinder) told me I needed to return my car, not to drive it. I had bronchitis, so I did not immediately do that. The next person "Rainey" told me it is a KNOWN issue and they are telling people to warm their cars up for around 3 minutes, and it will be fine. I'd done that, and even driven longer than that. I told him that. I took my mother-in-law home from church miles from there after collecting her at the church door, etc... Getting to the hill at to her home, I didn't think it was going to get up it. Often I don't think I'm going to get out of my driveway, a dangerous driveway in a curve. He wanted Krause Hyundai to contact HMA Engineer. When I was at Krause, they didn't know how to get ahold of HMA Engineer. Dalton also said they can't back the update out. I'm on my third HMA Case Manager. She keeps changing what I've told her is wrong in the emails, I don't think she knows anything about cars. She won't listen when I say I spoke to Dalton at Krause; she keeps speaking to John. [XXX] said they can do diagnostic, but it will cost me. I refuse to pay as [XXX] and Gurvinder had months before wanted me to take it back to get fixed, and Rainey wanted Krause to contact the engineer. It is a known issue with a letter written by Hyundai. Getting a diagnostic code reading performed is not going to help. I'm afraid my vehicle will lose power on the road and I will be struck. I tried uploading both pdf and jpg, but it wouldn't let me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11754336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
After the recent "important service campaign" involving the THETA II Emissions Logic Improvement my vehicle no longer safety shifts into the lower gears. It will not shift into gear. I am unable to safely get up to a normal speed and the engine and vehicle start shaking. This is isolated to the initial start of the vehicle and any low speed driving after. The issue is resolved after restarting the car, suggesting it is a software issue. This issue immediately began after the ECU update for the THETA II emissions logic improvement on 5/12/2026.
NHTSA complaint #11754160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting a severe safety failure on my 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport that perfectly matches the safety defect described in Recall 21V-303 / Campaign 205. This happened even though I had the dealer perform the official recall fuse fix back in 2024. The problem started after I left the car parked for about 3 to 4 hours. When I came back, I heard a motor (not the motor) loudly running under the hood even though the ignition was completely off. It stayed on even after starting and turning the car off. The battery in the vehicle had drained so bad it was deemed bad when hooked up to a tester at the auto parts store. After getting a new battery and trying to drive the car, the electrical system went haywire. The dashboard lit up with every brake warning light on, the speedometer stopped working, miles to empty being erratic, and the exterior rear brake lights kept flickering erratically after the car was turned off. The steering was acting abnormal and unnatural, not crisp and easy to turn as usual. There were absolutely no warning lights or symptoms before I parked the vehicle. I had it towed to my local Hyundai dealership, and their diagnostic scan confirmed major brake and chassis issues, specifically code C2402 for an ABS Pump Motor Circuit Malfunction and codes C1200, C1203, and C1206 for a loss of wheel speed data. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives, but it is currently sitting at the dealership waiting for a resolution from a Hyundai customer care case manager. The 2024 recall remedy only involved dropping the fuse amperage to mitigate fire intensity; it did not replace the module housing or prevent the internal brake fluid leak from eventually destroying the system. The defect has seemingly now fully manifested, knocking out primary braking indicators and power steering assist, presenting an ongoing safety and fire hazard while driving and parked.
NHTSA complaint #11749195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NO power till car warms up for 5 minutes. It will be jerky on highway. The gas mileage is going down drastically, I was doing 32 miles to gallon and now it's 22mpg. All this is after the recall we just had performed. I have no power trying to avoid accidents, taking off from stopping. Car smells weird now.
NHTSA complaint #11739585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Abs, traction control lights, emergency braking lights on .. tire sensors are bad. Causing intermittent issue with the lights. For 3 years I've been trying to get my ABS/traction control fixed at Hyundai, that dealership refused to acknowledge there was an issue. I had a code from a car place since I live over an hour away and they said they couldn't use it since it wasn't from them. I have an extended warranty there. Went to another dealership and was immediately told it was the tire sensors. That he used to work at the other dealership and they saw it all the time. I now see Palisades have a tire sensor issue. Heck I've been dealing with this for years, and apparently so are many other Hyundai owners, according to this Hyundai employee. Now they're trying to overcharge me and saying my warranty will only cover a quarter of what they want. My deductible is only 100 if I don't get the work done at the original place, the one that said there isn't a problem. I've had it with Hyundai. They are unsafe and don't care about customer service.
NHTSA complaint #11727970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Circuit board inside the fuse box stopped working and there was no speed indicator, no cruise control, no odometer registering while driving. Also the mechanical fuel pump started leaking fuel at 148,000 miles and now at 156,000 miles it is burning through oil and no oil light came on and the engine went into limp mode and is also now going through coolant too.
NHTSA complaint #11725066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My ABS and Traction Control lights keep going off, intermittently. They have been doing it for several years.It can be for hours or for days. I took a video of it happening a couple years ago, and photos, also. More recently my speedometer has started jumping. I had the ABS recall performed when it was first implemented. When I've taken my vehicle to Hyundai (twice now specifically for this) they say they can see no codes and will do nothing. From what I have read on the ABS recall, this is what are the symptoms of it. I am under the impression that I have somehow gotten a defective part, even when they did the recall. The recall was that it could cause an engine fire. Today driving home, for a second, downhill, the oil light came on for a second-then went off. I came home and parked. My husband checked. He said there is no oil in the car. That, I imagine is part of the other engine issue this model has. But you would think the oil light would come on sooner and STAY on. He is going to get some oil and then take it to a shop when he gets off work. My main concern is getting the ABS/speedometer fixed as I believe it is from the first recall. The second issue-that is probably a Hyundai "recognized" issue. They just keep telling me nothing is wrong with the ABS/speedometer though. I have photos spanning several year, it falls in line with the recalled issue. Just replace the part already. The last date I went to Hyundai was Monday last week, so I'll put that as the incident date, as I was there for the ABS/speedometer. I had to drive an hour each way to see them twice now to be told they can't do anything. Today the oil light came on.
NHTSA complaint #11660614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving on a highway in April 2025, my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport suddenly lost all power after approximately 10 minutes of normal driving. All dashboard warning lights illuminated, and both the accelerator and brake pedals became unresponsive. I was forced to stop the vehicle using the handbrake in the middle of a 65 mph highway, creating an extremely dangerous situation for myself and other drivers. Prior to this incident, the vehicle had displayed the P1326 knock sensor code multiple times over a 10-month period, each time accompanied by hesitation when accelerating. The knock sensor was replaced twice under used car warranty by Honda. Despite these interventions, the same code and symptoms recurred. The Hyundai dealership(Dec 2024 at Montgomery, Jan 2025 at Enterprise) repeatedly stated that there was “nothing wrong with the engine.” After the highway failure, the vehicle was inspected by a collision center and an independent mechanic. They confirmed that Cylinder 4 had no compression and diagnosed a burnt valve. Full engine replacement was recommended. Hyundai initially indicated that the engine might be covered under the extended warranty but later denied the claim, stating that the damage was due to a cylinder issue and can not check bearing failure. They also claimed it was too late to determine whether the bearing was the cause. This is not an isolated issue. Many Hyundai owners across the U.S. have reported identical symptoms—P1326 code, hesitation, cylinder compression loss, and ultimately engine failure—particularly in vehicles equipped with the Theta II engine. These failures often occur around or after 100,000 miles, despite regular maintenance. This ongoing and widespread cylinder-related engine failure presents a serious safety risk and must be addressed through manufacturer accountability, improved diagnostic standards, and proactive repair or recall efforts.
NHTSA complaint #11659213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure and waste gauge. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the original engine was previously replaced under an unknown recall repair in 2021, however the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the mileage of the new engine was approximately 20,000. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the doors were independently unlatched. The contact stated that the driver's side rear door independently unlatched and independently opened. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
NHTSA complaint #11644472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at speeds above 30 MPH, the vehicle shook and vibrated abnormally. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the intended destination. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, there were three small children inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an oil leak and that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was informed that several unknown repairs were needed to prior to requesting an engine replacement by the manufacturer. The contact was informed that the unknown repairs were at the vehicle owner’s expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
NHTSA complaint #11621615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
am writing you today in frustration with my treatment at both your dealership Hyundai Streetsboro and Hyundai of Bedford. When I first purchased my vehicle I expressed concern regarding the hesitation while accelerating and the emense amount of oil this vehicle burns. When I scheduled all my services I expressed the same concern only to be told that it's normal rate or oil consumption. I am extremely nervous when merging into traffic because I never know when the car may decide to not accelerate. I have tired on numerous occasions to get this issue checked by two separate dealership but both dismissed my concerns. I have emails and expressed concerns when using the dealership online service request forms. In summary the vehicle hesitates when trying to accelerate, especially merging into traffic. The vehicle also burns oil at an unreasonable rate as a result of a faulty engine.
NHTSA complaint #11592558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving my 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport in freeway traffic, I felt the vehicle begin to heavily vibrate and the engine was jerking severely. The speed began to slowly descend. I was unable to control this. I was in a one-lane overpass, with no safe place, room, or lane to pull over. I felt hopeless and fearful for my life. I was literally drifting, praying the vehicle would be able to handle the descent upward. As the speed declined, the vibrations became more pronounced. No dash lights were illuminated. Other drivers behind me were approaching rapidly at the speed limit and slamming on their brakes and hazard lights in an attempt to notify drivers further back. I managed to maneuver over to approximately 24 inches of a faux shoulder on the right of [XXX] . Cars hurled past mine within inches of my vehicle. I knew I needed to get out of the car and crawled over to the passenger side. Again, I was trapped. Several HPD units were dispatched to literally shut down the freeway to enable a tow truck driver to safely hook up my SUV. I had it towed to my mechanic and he did a diagnostic indicating a compression issue. He ordered new spark plus and 4 new coils. Upon further investigation he discovered that Cylinder 4 was not holding compression and he informed me that the engine had failed. I then had it towed to the local Hyundai dealer. At check in, I was informed that there would be a $700 diagnostic/tear apart fee to discover what repairs were needed. I informed them exactly what was needed and I expected a new engine. The Hyundai mechanic dismantled the engine and took pictures, ran a few tests. He submitted the results to Hyundai for approval. The engineer at Hyundai denied a new engine claiming "the head coil is not part of the recall". I was told for $2500, Hyundai would "refab" my damaged head to control the leaks. If that repair didn't address the issue, I was sure to get a new engine. A financial and physical risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6
NHTSA complaint #11585306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have need to get 3 oil changes within the past month and a half. Twice I was told I was driving with no oil in my car and the engine was getting ready to go. I notice when I start my car in the morning it is making a rattling noise, this also happens when I try to accelerate and the car will get stuck in gear and hesitate before speeding up. It's been dangerous trying to drive on this highway. I also notice a thick white smoke coming from my muffler. I'm constantly paying for unnecessary oil changes and diagnostic from independent service centers and was told my motor is bad and causing all this oil consumption. I was told to contact Hyundai but no luck.
NHTSA complaint #11533022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving on the highway in a mountainous area going downhill. The cruise control was on with the speed set at about 80 miles/hour. Then the car was losing speed, the RPM needle started swinging from left and right. I stepped on the accelerator but the car continue losing speed to 40 miles/hour and continue losing speed. I turned on the emergency light to warn the other drivers and was able to move the car to the shoulder and stopped it without an accident. But the cars behind me could have smashed into my car that day and that would be the last day for my mother (in the car at that time) and me. The car had 41000 miles on it and we had the maintenance done just recently. I did not notice anything else abnormal before the incident. We reported the problem to the dealer and have to pay for the dealer to inspect the car. The inspection has been scheduled but not done yet.
NHTSA complaint #11514929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The acceleration of the vehicle from a stop. Whether from a stop sign, stop light, even sometimes after slowing down after a turn. It hesitates while the gas pedal is still being applied. Causing the vehicle to slow and other vehicles are forced to brake. The engine does not rev and the tachometer does not move. There are no warnings lights or vehicle notifications. After several attempts to bring it to the dealership, they are never able to replicate the issue. The OBD scans show no issues. It has never been a constant problem, however it remains as a "hit or miss" issue. Could be days of no problems and then popping back up every stop.
NHTSA complaint #11513762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Within the last few weeks my 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV has been experiencing few noticeable issues. 1st my vehicle doesn’t want to start when I turn the key, I have to open the door close it then try again and it will turn over to start. 2nd recently driving on the highway my vehicle slowed all the way down and started jerking like it wanted to cut off. I would push my accelerator down as far as possible and it will still go slow and not speed up.3rd my vehicle is making a throttle/knocking noise and a blinking check engine light is on as well.
NHTSA complaint #11512567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car Engine stopped working while I was driving to work. Middle of traffic was not safe and the safety of others was effected because my car was unable to move, it was a high risk dangerous situation. Problem was reported to mechanic as well as insurance company (geico) car was pushed by strangers into a nearby parking lot, which then I waited for a towing truck. The car was inspected by a mechanic who then told me to have it inspected by Hyundai and Hyundai has told me due to lack of maintenance my car stopped working and there is nothing they can do. I am insulted by the lack of concern Hyundai has had for what they have put me and my livelihood through. I am aware of the recall on these vehicles. Engine :2.4L I4 DGI DOHC 16V. The Engine light came on I had it diagnosed immediately…I was told my cam shaft and knock sensors needed replacement, they were replaced. Engine light goes off for 24 hours until it comes back on and once it came back on my car couldn’t go over a certain speed , and it died in the middle of traffic.
NHTSA complaint #11493426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.