28 of the
1,559 complaints filed about the Hyundai Santa FE Sport
are about the body and structure —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2017.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the rear control arms and subframe were rusted and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the vehicle had previously been repaired under Service Campaign Number: 996 (Underbody Corrosion Preventive Service); however, the contact stated that the protective spray was only applied to the unibody and not the rear underbody. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,483.
NHTSA complaint #11750907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle is experiencing a massive paint adhesion failure (white pearl paint), which is peeling off in large sheets from the hood and roof. This is a severe manufacturing defect. At highway speeds, paint flakes fly off, posing a significant safety hazard to other drivers and obstructing visibility. Furthermore, the exposed metal is prone to rapid corrosion, which compromises the structural integrity of the body panels. Despite contacting Hyundai Motor America (Case #XXX), the manufacturer has refused to provide a timely resolution or cover the repair cost of $4,650, as estimated by an authorized dealer." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11732204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The passenger-side doors do not latch properly and may open after closing. This creates a safety risk while driving. The issue occurs continually and has worsened over time. Vehicle has approximately 106,265 miles. this causes the auto door locks no to work.
NHTSA complaint #11728573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Day 1 – Feb 11 at 4pm incident occurred my daughter was driving the vehicle on [XXX] , she was in the far right hand lane preparing to take an upcoming exit. Suddenly and unexpectedly the hood opened obstructing her view of the roadway and smashed the front windshield. Because she was in the right hand lane she was able to pull the vehicle to to the shoulder of the road immediately. No other vehicles were involved because of both her location (right hand lane) and ability to access the shoulder immediately. She could have been killed! The problem has not been confirmed Hyundai has informed me it will take 5/6 weeks to determine if an inspection is warranted. -Thursday February 19 We got the vehicle to the closest Hyundai dealer Metro West in Framingham Massachusetts on Thursday February 19 - I explained to the service representative the history (recall and repair in 2017) and a request to investigate recurrence of the recall defect as well as to prepare an estimate for repair. I never received a phone back so I called them on Wednesday February 27 and was informed that the vehicle estimate and inspection was in progress. At that point I contacted Hyundai corporate offices and was given a case number. On March 3, I called again and completed the preliminary investigation report - i was informed they would get back to me in approximately 48 hours. - On 3/9/26 after a phone conversation I was emailed a request to inspect my vehicle authorization form and another form (11 questions that had been answer numerous time by phone already) both were completed and submitted the following day 3/10/26. Dealership now threatening storage fees - Because the vehicle experienced failure of a component that was previously repaired under a federal safety recall, I am formally requesting that Hyundai preserve all evidence relating to the hood latch assembly and related components for purposes of regulatory review and potential insurance subrogation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U
NHTSA complaint #11723924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I turned off the car and went inside the house. I was outside and could smell smoke. I walked to the front of the house and saw my neighbor who was calling 911 due to flames from my engine. The flames reached the yard and my garage where minor damage occurred. The vehicle was completely engulfed in flames before the fire department extinguished it.
NHTSA complaint #11716330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The stationary glass that is in front of the panoramic sunroof shattered for no reason. I found that this has happened to many other people's vehicle like mine. In several incidents, the glass chips fell on passengers in the car when they opened the sunroof. I had a glass repair shop look at it. It will cost $400.00 out of pocket and I don't really want to file a claim to insurance. Can you offer any help?
NHTSA complaint #11691473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
As I was driving the hood opened breaking the windshield which obstructed my view and caused me to veer off-road and crash.I acquired the vehicle less than a year ago and only learned of a recall for hood latches from the tow truck driver. afterwards. I had no prior problems with the latch opening and I was not physically injured but my vehicle is a total loss.
NHTSA complaint #11685395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I closed my door and the driver door latch became stuck and will no longer open from the inside or outside. I have tried to open it myself, ask a mechanic and a locksmith and no one can open the door without damaging the door.
NHTSA complaint #11673959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On November 2nd of 2023, I was driving approximately 5 miles away from home when all of a sudden the sunroof glass shattered. It sounded like an explosion of glass. I was driving at 45 miles per hour which is the speed limit in the area. It was very alarming when the sunroof glass shattered, I was nervous and thought that someone threw a rock at the car. I wasn't sure whether to stop the car or keep on driving. Thank GOD there was no traffic, otherwise it would have been a very dangerous situation. I safely pulled over into a gas station to check what had happened. There was nothing other than broken glass on top of the car. The sunroof looks like it had pressure from the bottom up.
NHTSA complaint #11554278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the center console became loosened. The contact stated that the center console started to crack and fall apart. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
NHTSA complaint #11547207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In may july of 2023 a bubble in the paint came up about size of a large egg. It has since gotten larger every week and broke open leaving exposed metal and paint falls off while driving hitting windshield I reported to Hyundai motor company but as soon as they could get me in at a dealer mid October. I have pictures from the beginning of the bubble until now showing how it looked when it started and how much worse it’s been getting every week
NHTSA complaint #11546672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport's body coating is clearly a hazardous manufacturer defect. The paint warranty for this and other models and model years was extended to 5 years late last year, but did not provide us with any safeguard. As a warranty, correction of the defect would only be approved by Hyundai if there was an observed problem. Within weeks of the end of the vehicle's 5-year warranty period, the pearl white paint suddenly started bubbling on the front hood in June 2023. Within a month, the bubbling and peeling had extended along the entire width of the hood as the deterioration accelerated with wind impact during each drive and water impact during frequent Florida downpours. The white paint separated cleanly from the base coating, clearly indicating poor paint material and/or factory application (i.e., failure of coating layers to adequately bind). The situation had degraded to making further driving hazardous, as moving at speeds above 35 - 40 mph caused additional peeling and flaking, which caused distractive flagging of loosened patches followed by tearing of large and small pieces of paint. The former would suddenly detach and "fly" towards and past the windshield, while the latter separated from the hood in streams that resembled snowflakes. These seriously distracted the driver, and presumably nearby motorists as well, putting all at risk. Fortunately, this has not resulted in an accident. We're aware that Hyundai is responsible for this road hazard, but cannot rely on a timely recall to remedy the matter. So, at the end of July, we had the vehicle stripped to expose the metal, and reapply coatings the way they should have been at the factory. This of course was done at significant personal cost. So far, this has played out very unfavorably in terms of the public perception of the lack of accountability for this manufacturing defect by Hyundai and the NHTSA, both of whom have been keenly aware of this years-long, on-going risk to U.S. motorists.
NHTSA complaint #11537952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pearl White 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport purchased from dealer in 2020- paint began peeling, bubbling, and chipping from hood badly in 2022 and has increased, now starting to spread to side panels. Issue confirmed by multiple2017-2018 Elantra and Santa Fe owners in multiple places, multiple NHTSA complaints filed, class action lawsuit has been filed for the same issue with same make/model and vin beginning (5NM). A White Paint Warranty Extension Launch has been issued by Hyundai Assurance Car Care in December 2022, though consumers have complained that the dealers are making it exceedingly difficult to cover this known and widespread manufacturer issue; many dealers refuse to issue any coverage, or even reimbursement, many others offer only partial coverage. Most consumers are having to pay for the service in full, apply for reimbursement through Hyundai, and fight for extremely delayed full reimbursement. NO RECALLS ISSUED FOR THIS KNOWN AND CONFIRMED ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11531355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This is a 2017 Santa Fe Sport with pearl white paint. The paint has peeled in 5 different spots on the car. I have taken it in 2 different times to have it repainted. It was told many times by the service people that this is a known issue to Hyundai but that corporate wouldn't do anything about it. The first time, the dealership completely covered the costs of the paint job in good faith since it was out of warranty. The second time, I was required to pay 5% of the paint job. End of February 2023, I received a letter from Hyundai corporate acknowledging an issue with the paint. They extended my warranty coverage 6 years from the date of purchase...so I had 2 months (until April 2023) of extra coverage. Does not seem like too much of an "extended warranty". This is a known issue yet it is barely being taken care of by Hyundai. They need to stand behind their products. I should also state that currently, I have 3 more spots where the paint is peeling and I need to take it in...again...for the third time.
NHTSA complaint #11515687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE PAINT IS PEELING AND FLAKING OFF IN SHEETS ON TOP AND ON HOOD OF MY 2017 SANTA FE SPORT AWD. THE COLOR IS PEARL WHITE AND HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND ONLY HAS 54,000 MILE
NHTSA complaint #11388133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INVOLVED IN A CRASH ON 12/30 TOTALLY MY VEHICLE BEING HIT IN THE FRONT RIGHT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NOT HAPPY AT ALL , SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11292430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.