25 of the
1,559 complaints filed about the Hyundai Santa FE Sport
are about the steering —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2017.
FHW Garage used car dealer [XXX], sold this Hyundai Santa fe 2015 knowing the vehicle is defective. It Stalls and stops in the middle of the road in High Traffic. This Hyundai Santa Fe 2015 Lock up the Steering Wheel, Lock up the breaks, Lock up the gas. it Stalls and stops without Warning then after it freeze and stop it flashes all of the Warning Lights on the dash board. FHW Garage is Falsely Advertising this vehicle in Excellent Condition. Its Advertised on Craigs List, and [XXX]. I was almost in a Serious Accident. [XXX] keeps getting his people in the workshop to Machanically Rig the Vehicle to run and drive until someone gets killed when this vehicle is in a terrible Accident. The Gas Cap dont screw on properly. Fhw Garage [XXX] sold me this Vehicle with full knowlege of the Mechanical Defects, and refuses to give my money back. I paid $5,400 Cash plus traded my car. The Hyundai Santa fe was $6,900. Deceptive Practices Fraud, and Title Jumping. FHW still have the two cars after I purchased them. I would like to see FHW Dealer License Suspended or Revoked. Give my money back and return my car. I will be filing a complaint Affidavit with the FLHSMV. [XXX] lied on the Bill of Sales how much I paid and he put $900 in his pocket. I will also file a complaint to FHW [XXX]. For defrauding me, Misrepresentation saying the Vehicle is in Excellent Condition when its Mechanically Defective, and Dangerous should not be on the road to kill someone. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11747002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steering column sensor issue reported by Hyundai dealership. This has happened a several times before causing the steering wheel to “lock up” when driving making it very hard to turn my wheel. I have had to pull over, stop, and turn off the car and then back on again, which resets it, and I’m able to drive as normal, until it happens again. This most recent time, 6/2026, I was able to take it in to a dealership when the warning lights were on. He did a recalibration, however, later when driving, the same issue arose at high speeds, on the fwy, causing me to exit and pull over. * I noted 2- 3 warning lights came on during the malfunction.
NHTSA complaint #11746272 — 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.
I am the current owner a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. While I was driving my SUV on the highway at highway speeds at 60mph, the oil pressure and the check engine warning light illuminated all of sudden after around 1 hour of smooth ride. In the meantime, suddenly the vehicle lost motive power, the steering wheel seized and smoke came immediately. Losing motive power in running conditions and smoke coming out during failure could have endangered our lives. The smoke came out due to leakage of engine oil probably. The vehicle was stuck in the middle of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then after Hyundai Dealership. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,245 only. Before reporting to NHSTA I have seen numerous complaints about high oil consumption and burnt valves on Theta II engines around 2017 santafe sport model and very similar occurrence of events happening to all while driving the vehicle on highways. Hyundai must need to provide support to this year model and make vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11681321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My engine seized at approximately 80mph on the interstate [XXX] ). The engine light came on only after I lost power. I only avoided a multiple car accident due to quick reaction and taking an exit ramp. Police came to my stalled vehicle and helped my push it off a major road to a nearby parking lot. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11676052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While PARKED IN FRONT OF 7-11 WITH ENGINE NOT RUNNING, THE POWER STEERING ATTACHMENT IN THE WHEEL WELL BROKE AND RELEASED FLUID ON THE HOT ENGINE. PATRONS IN SORE ALERTED ME THAT THE CAR WAS SMOKING OUT THE HOOD. I RACED BACK TO MY SANTA FE AND NOTICED FIRE. THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL HAD TURNED RADICALLY AFTER I PARKED IT. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WERE BROUGHT FROM THE STORE. I RETRIEVED AS MUCH AS I COULD. MY SANTA FE BURST INTO FLAMES AND WAS TOTALLY CONSUMED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. OBVIOUSLY, MY VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. 7-11 HAS THE EVENT ON TAPE. I RECEIVED NO COMPENSATION FROM ANYONE. I HAD TO CLEAN UP THE CHARRED REMAINS. WHY WAS THIS VIN NOT RECALLED/
NHTSA complaint #11672687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil pressure and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was started; however, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle was stuck in the middle of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
NHTSA complaint #11647974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel began to turn independently to the left and right. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park the vehicle on the side of the road and she started to smell a burning odor. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #11496292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving 10 mph and making a turn, he heard an abnormal cracking sound coming from the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with the power steering needing to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred while turning. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.
NHTSA complaint #11423717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STICKY STEERING WHEEL, HARDER TO KEEP VEHICLE STEERING STRAIGHT WITHOUT EXTRA FORCE, STEERING WHEEL DASH LIGHT AND TWO OTHER LIGHTS COME ON PERIODICALLY THEN GO OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11377609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING MADE A CLICKING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WORLD HYUNDAI (877-340-8037, LOCATED AT 5337 MILLER CIRCLE DR, MATTESON, IL 60443) WHERE AN UNKNOWN ENGINE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED EARLIER IN THE YEAR. THE DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE FOR ONE WEEK AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR THIRTY DAYS TO ALLOW THE CLICKING TO STOP. THE CONTACT DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND DID NOT RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11235087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS MAKING A LOOP AROUND UNDER THE FREEWAY. IT WASN'T RAINING AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. IT WAS DAYLIGHT AND I WAS NOT GOING FAST. AS I MADE THE TURN, THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL BOTH LOCKED UP. I COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL OR BRAKE. I HIT THE MEDIAN AND NARROWLY MISSED HITTING A POLE. I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE OR SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11197179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OCCURRED 2018 VEHICLE HAS ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS DOESN'T TURN ON EVEN AFTER CAR WAS JUMPED WITH CABLE 3/31
NHTSA complaint #11192728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2014 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT- BRAKE LIGHT/ ABS LIGHT/ HILL DESCENT CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON IN VEHICLE AND AFTER A DAY OR TWO NEVER TURNED OFF. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS ASKED TO MAKE APPOINTMENT. THE NEXT DAY A TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION POINT LIGHT TURNED ON ALONG WITH A STEERING WHEEL WITH EXCLAMATION POINT LIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AT THIS TIME. DROVE MYSELF HOME AND AFTER PARKING I TURNED VEHICLE OFF BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO MAKE HUMMING NOISES LIKE SOMETHING WAS STILL RUNNING. RESTARTED CAR AND THEN TURNED OFF ENGINE AGAIN AND THE NOISE STOPPED. I WENT INSIDE MY HOUSE AND LESS THAN 5 MINUTES LATER THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING ON MY FRONT DOOR- A NEIGHBOR THAT RAN UP TO INFORM ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I COMPLETED REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT ONLY HAD 35,000 MILES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION SO THAT NO OTHERS GO THROUGH THIS DEVASTATING SITUATION THAT I FACED TODAY.
NHTSA complaint #11163149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INCIDENT OCCURRED ON I-65. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE TRAVELING HOME FROM A QUICK ROAD TRIP. WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 75MPH, OUR SANTE MADE A WEIRD NOISE, THEN LOUD SOUND AND WENT DEAD. MY HUSBAND FOUGHT TO CONTROL THE CAR, BARELY AVOIDED A POSSIBLE FATAL CRASH. WE CALLED HYUNDAI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOLD THEY ONLY TOW 47 MILES. THE NEAREST DEALER WAS 50 MILES AWAY. WE WERE LEFT STRANDED, NO SERVICE OR TOW TRUCK FROM HYUNDAI SHOWED UP. HAD TO CALL FAMILY TO COME GET US (NEARLY 3 HOURS AWAY). WE HAD TO RENT A UHAUL AUTO TRANSPORT AND TRUCK TO RECOVER OUR CAR ON THE SIDE OF I-65, HEADING TO OUR HOMETOWN, WE WERE STRANDED IN VERBENA, AL. HYUNDAI FINALLY TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP ONCE IN HOMETOWN, WAS TOLD BY SERVICE TECH THAT OUR CAR HAD "CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE AND A NEW ENGINE HAS BEEN ORDERED, AT NO CHARGE, DUE TO OUR CAR WAS PART OF THE RECALL. WAS TOLD WE "MIGHT" BE REIMBURSED FOR OUR INCURRED EXPENSE OF HAVING TO TOW THE CAR OURSELVES. WE PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW, WITH AN ADDED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PACKAGE, WHICH WE WERE ASSURED WE'D NEVER BE STRANDED, WHICH PROVED A USELESS SALES PLOY. 3 DISABLED PERSONS AND A HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER HAD TO MANUALLY LOAD THE CAR ONTO THE AUTO TRANSPORT, ONE OF WHICH FELL ON THE ROAD AND CUT THEIR KNEE. WHY IS ADDITIONAL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE OFFERED WHEN THE DEALERSHIP NEGLECTED TO INFORM US THAT THERE WAS ONLY A 47 MILE TOWING RADIUS. WE WERE ASSURED THAT "WE'D BE COVERED NO MATTER WHERE WE MIGHT TRAVEL. WE HAVE A RENTAL, WHICH RESULTED IN US PAYING A DEPOSIT OUT OF OUR OWN POCKET, "THAT SHOULD BE REFUNDED UPON RETURN OF THE RENTAL". FULL REIMBURSEMENT AND OR A NEW CAR SHOULD BE OFFERED, DUE TO THE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE (THE TERM THE HYUNDAI SERVICE TECH USED) THAT OCCURRED TO OUR 2014 SANTA FE SPORT WITH LESS THAN 53,000 MILES. THANKS HYUNDAI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR LEAVING US STRANDED.
NHTSA complaint #11150666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH THE CAR IS UNSTABLE. IT CONSISTENTLY SWERVES TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT FORCING THE DRIVER TO CONSTANTLY ADJUST THE STEERING. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT MODE THE STEERING IS IN. IT DOES IT IN ALL THREE MODES. IT FEELS UNSAFE AND UNSETTLING.
NHTSA complaint #11150142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON JULY 26, 2018 VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND ENGINE BEGAN SMOKING AND EMITTING FLAMES. CAR WAS IN MOTION AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TUNNEL ON COLORADO INTERSTATE 70 WITH NO PULL OFF SPACE. CARS BEHIND REPORTED FLAMES FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. WE WERE ABLE TO EXIT WITHOUT BEING HARMED BUT INHALED HORRIBLE SMELLING FUMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO KEEP THE ENGINE FROM CONTINUING TO FLAME AND SMOKE. TOWED OFF INTERSTATE TO SAFE AREA WHERE THEY CONTINUED TO MONITOR VEHICLE FOR CONTINUING SMOKING AND FLAMING.
NHTSA complaint #11132927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR WILL NOT STAY ALIGNED. EVERY 1,000 MILES OR SO, THE STEERING GETS WILDLY OUT OF ADJUSTMENT AND CAUSES THE CAR TO DRIFT ALL OVER THE ROAD. IT IS FRIGHTENING TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY IN DENSE TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE WITH THE CAR. AT TIMES, THE STEERING WHEEL MUST BE AIMED FAR TO THE LEFT TO GO STRAIGHT. MOMENTS LATER, WITH NO WARNING, THE CAR DIVES TO THE LEFT AND THE WHEEL MUST BE HELD TO THE RIGHT. 'STRAIGHT' ON THE STEERING WHEEL IS NEVER STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD. THIS CONDITION IS HIGHLY INCONSISTENT AND SEEMS IRREPARABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ALIGNED 8+ TIMES BY DIFFERENT SHOPS AND IT CONTINUES TO 'RESET ITSELF' BACK TO THIS NEARLY UNDRICEABLE CONDITION. THE FIRST INSTANCE WAS AT 4,100 MILES. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 51,000 MILES. THE CONDITION IS THE SAME REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED, ROAD SURFACE, ROAD TYPE, OR CROWN IN THE ROADWAY. YOU CAN HEAR MANY CREAKS AND SOUNDS AND FEEL THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE FLEXING SIGNIFICANTLY AS YOU DRIVE. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THERE IS A STRUCTURAL DEFECT MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO OPERATE BOTH FOR THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION SYMPTOMS AND ALSO REGARDING ITS CRASHWORTHINESS.
NHTSA complaint #11118150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS PAST SATURDAY I HAD TAKEN MY CAR INTO RICK CASE HYUNDAI IN PLANTATION FL TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP INSPECT MY CAR FOR THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY RECALL. THEY GAVE ME THE CAR BACK AND SAID THAT THE LOT NUMBER OF MY ASSEMBLY WAS NOT ON HYUNDAI'S RECALL. TWO DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING, I STARTED TO NOTICE THE WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE. ALMOST TO THE POINT WHERE I WAS CONCERNED IT WOULD FALL OFF. I HAD MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR ALONG WITH MY WIFE FOR A WEEK TRIP DOWN TO THE FL ALETA. I DECIDED THE CAR FOR UNSAFE AND BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALER. UPON INSPECTION AFTER THEY PULLED THE AIRBAG OFF, THE WHOLE STEERING ASSEMBLED WAS CRACKED OFF. I HAVE DOCUMENTED WITH PICTURES. I BELIEVE HYUNDAI USA MUST EXPAND THEIR RECALL PART TO INCLUDE MORE LOT NUMBER ASSEMBLIES AS MY DEALER CLAIMS THEY DID NOT DISASSEMBLE THIS PIECE IN ORDER TO INSPECT. THEY CLAIM ALL LOT NUMBERS ENDING IN 9 ARE DEFECTIVE WHILE MINE WAS AN 8. MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR BADLY INJURED IF THE WHEEL HAD FULLY DETACHED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ARE THE DEALER CONFIRMED MY STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS FINE.
NHTSA complaint #11111792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VERY LOSE STEERING AND THERE IS A MANUFACTURE RECALL ON THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL ACTUALLY SEPARATING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN ITSELF. VERY HARD TO DRIVE WITHOUT SWERVING.
NHTSA complaint #11090802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.