129 of the
1,559 complaints filed about the Hyundai Santa FE Sport
are about the other systems —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2018.
In October/November of 2023, while Hyundai was actively initiating Safety Recall 251 (NHTSA Campaign 23V-651), my vehicle's ABS Control Unit suffered an internal fluid leak that resulted in an electrical short-circuit. The failure caused major electronic communication errors, illuminated dashboard warning lights, and placed the vehicle into Limp Mode, rendering it unsafe to drive. Because the failure occurred prior to receiving a formal owner notification in the mail and the vehicle was un-drivable, I paid $1,300.54 out-of-pocket on November 17th 2023 to replace the failed ABS module. Hyundai Corporate has twice denied reimbursement, arguing that Recall 251 only covers a multi-fuse replacement and claiming internal fluid leaks are not covered. This contradicts NHTSA 23V-651 documentation, which explicitly identifies internal ABS module fluid leaks and electrical shorts as the core safety defect. Installing a fuse current-limiter cannot repair an already-ruined ABS circuit board or resolve a safety-mandated Limp Mode. I am reporting this to document on the official public record that Hyundai is actively denying reimbursement for the exact root-cause failure identified in NHTSA Campaign 23V-651. PLEASE NOTE: This report is submitted solely to document Hyundai Motor America's non-compliance and improper reimbursement denial for official record-keeping under Campaign 23V-651. I do not require follow-up contact from NHTSA regarding this submission.
NHTSA complaint #11757483 — 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.
Airbag light illuminates on the dash and the seatbelt light illuminates intermittently as the seat electrical harness under the seat only connects in certain positions of the seat. My issue is associated with the passenger seat. This airbag light is associated with the airbag not firing or improperly firing. To avoid a recall, Hyundai has extended the warranty for vehicles for this issue but refuses to fix mine without payment.
NHTSA complaint #11754153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport on a city street, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled and shut off while idling at a red light. The vehicle completely failed to restart. No dashboard warning lights, check engine lights, or fault messages illuminated prior to or during the stalling event. Immediately following the engine shutdown, a fire erupted under the engine hood. The fire rapidly escalated and completely engulfed the entire vehicle, resulting in a total loss. The local fire department responded to the scene to extinguish the blaze
NHTSA complaint #11753884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
my BSD sensor would go on and off for the last several months when no one was around me. I work early and even when I was alone on the road the BSD would flash for 2-3 mins and go off.. then my fan for my air conditioner stopped. When I removed the glove compartment to see the wire connecting to the fan is "melted". When i called bob king hyundai, I was informed there was no recall. So, I attempted to fix the issue myself only to find the fuses (under the hood) are almost all bad. The tips of the fuses will not pull out. only the body of the fuse. With all this happening over the last several days and by the way, the vehicle passed inspection. I wanted to reach out as this is definitely a fire hazard and a huge concern.
NHTSA complaint #11753163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Both front doors stopped opening cant get in the vehicle or out of the vehicle from the front doors. Both stopped working within two weeks. The locks unlock and lock but the doors will not open. Hyundai dealership wants 8,000 dollars to replace Both door panels. This is a safety issue. If I get stuck inside the car and cant get out
NHTSA complaint #11751278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Multiple systems have failed sequentially — engine (replaced at ~84,000 miles), catalytic converter (replaced post engine replacement), and transmission (currently stalling, pending replacement authorization from Hyundai Corporate). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle stalls during the first few miles of every drive before stabilizing. This creates an immediate risk of accident on public roads, particularly at intersections, highway on-ramps, and in traffic. Despite this known safety hazard, the dealership returned the vehicle to me unrepaired on June 22, 2026, and deemed it safe to drive. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Fort Mill Hyundai (805 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill, SC 29708) has confirmed they can physically feel the stalling issue but stated they do not have sufficient data to submit to Hyundai Corporate for transmission replacement authorization. An independent mechanic also previously confirmed the engine issue that the dealership initially dismissed. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes. Fort Mill Hyundai, an authorized Hyundai dealership, has inspected the vehicle multiple times over several years. The dealership is actively coordinating with Hyundai Motor America Corporate regarding the transmission replacement. Invoice reference: [XXX], dated June 22, 2026. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes. Check engine and brake warning lights first appeared at approximately 64,000 miles. These lights recurred repeatedly every ~1,000 miles despite multiple dealership visits. Subsequent symptoms included engine hesitation and loss of power, fol INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INF
NHTSA complaint #11745691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle is a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. It had previously been included in an engine-fire-related recall/service campaign, and Hyundai replaced the engine between approximately October 2024 and January 2025 at about 113,000 miles. About 10,000 miles and 14 months later, the vehicle developed engine/performance problems. A Hyundai dealership service center performed about $6,500 in repairs, including installation of a new transmission, and represented that the engine and transmission had a lifetime guarantee. One day after the vehicle was returned from the dealership, the engine compartment caught fire while the vehicle was being driven. The fire rapidly escalated, the vehicle exploded/burned, and the vehicle was destroyed down to the frame. The occupants escaped, but the incident created an immediate risk of serious injury or death. The failed component appears to involve the engine, engine compartment, fuel/oil/electrical systems, transmission-related repair area, or another drivetrain component. The vehicle remains may be available for inspection depending on insurance/tow/storage status. The vehicle had recently been repaired and inspected by a Hyundai dealership service center. This incident raises concern that the recall-related engine-fire risk, replacement engine, recent dealership repairs, transmission installation, or related components may have failed and created a serious fire hazard.
NHTSA complaint #11745727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle stooped running while driving and will not start, available for inspection upon request. The vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.
NHTSA complaint #11743935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Following the completion of an official emissions recall software upgrade at Fitzgerald Auto Mall Countryside, Clearwater Florida, my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (52,000 miles) now suffers from a severe loss of motive power and erratic transmission shifting/jerking during cold starts throughout day. The vehicle continues to hesitate during cold starts, making it impossible to safely accelerate from a stop into incoming traffic. I returned to dealership on 5/29/26 to address continued driving issues. The servicing dealership states they don't have a software fix and offer no mechanical fix. The dealership states they received an internal memo from Hyundai Corporate which instructed the dealership to tell affected owners to idle the vehicle for 1-3 minutes before driving to allow system adjustments. Forcing a consumer to wait out a dangerous powertrain defect in a running vehicle to avoid a roadway acceleration/loss accident is an unacceptable safety hazard. The manufacturers recall update has actively compromised the safe operation and motive control of this vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11743387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
am filing a formal complaint regarding an official software update provided by Hyundai that completely corrupted the infotainment/head unit system in my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. I purchased this vehicle from CarMax less than three weeks ago. The vehicle came equipped with Hyundai Blue Link, so I contacted Hyundai support to activate the service by pressing the Blue Link button inside the vehicle. Hyundai informed me that my vehicle required a software update because the current system did not contain the necessary software for Blue Link to function properly. A Hyundai representative directed me to Hyundai’s official update website and provided instructions for completing the update. Following Hyundai’s instructions exactly, I purchased and formatted a USB drive, downloaded the update using my VIN from Hyundai’s official website, properly extracted the files, and installed the update into the vehicle. During the installation process, the update failed and corrupted the head unit system. The display now continuously shows “Update Unsuccessful” with Error Code 106. Since the failed Hyundai update, multiple vehicle systems no longer function properly, including the backup camera, Bluetooth, hands-free calling, Blind Spot functionality, radio, map/display system, automatic headlights, and automatic radio shutoff when opening the driver door. I now have to manually operate systems that previously worked automatically. I contacted Hyundai customer support multiple times and was repeatedly transferred between departments. I was incorrectly referred to navigation support even though my vehicle has a non-navigation system. Navigation support confirmed this was a Hyundai issue and stated they could not assist. When I contacted Hyundai again, I explained every step I followed, and the representative acknowledged that I appeared to have completed the update process correctly. Despite Hyundai’s official software causing this failure
NHTSA complaint #11738235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Failure consistent with known recall defect (NHTSA Recall 17V226) involving premature bearing wear resulting in engine seizure and sudden loss of power while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11730941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving west across [XXX] , towing a 5x8 enclosed trailer, there was a smell of burnt rubber and I pulled over to inspect for a busted tire. At no time were there indicator lights on the dash. Upon bringing the vehicle to a stop on the side of the road the cabin began to fill with smoke. I popped the hood of the car with the intention of looking to see what was occurring. Exiting the vehicle and coming around to the front there were already flames coming out from under the hood. Within 10 minutes the car and trailer were engulfed in flames and have been deemed total losses by insurance. I had the vehicle serviced two days prior in Columbus Ohio and was cleared for the 4 day journey. I had the brakes done in 4 months prior in [XXX] . Had no issues getting to Columbus, no problems driving to Kansas City. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11729308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While my vehicle was at an authorized Hyundai dealership for engine warranty repair, I reported a suspension grinding noise and requested that it be inspected. This concern was raised while the vehicle was in the dealership’s possession and was communicated as a safety concern. The engine repair was completed and the vehicle was returned to me. No inspection findings, documentation, or technician notes were provided addressing the suspension concern. The repair documentation I later received does not include any reference to the suspension issue or any inspection findings related to that concern. The dealership has also confirmed that no additional documentation exists beyond the repair order. After the vehicle was returned, warning lights appeared that were not present prior to the repair. A suspension grinding noise may indicate issues affecting steering, suspension, or vehicle stability. I am concerned that the vehicle was released without inspection or documentation of a reported safety related condition.
NHTSA complaint #11728948 — 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.