Owners have filed 214 complaints
about the 2024 Hyundai Santa FE with NHTSA between 2024 and 2026.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 16 of 26 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 27
Against the median year of the Hyundai Santa FE. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 70
13.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2024 compares with every other Hyundai Santa FE
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Warnings
928.1%
Automatic Emergency Braking
721.9%
Adaptive Cruise Control
618.8%
Warnings
39.4%
Body
39.4%
Warning
26.3%
Critical Fasteners
13.1%
Camera/Sensor
13.1%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
15.9%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
529.4%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
847.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
317.6%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Side pole crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD
17.4% risk
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD
18.5% risk
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2024peak 21Sep 2026
Recalls on the 2024 Hyundai Santa FE
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
26V218000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2026 Genesis G90, 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.
Risk: A detached seat belt anchor will not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
25V808000
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The rearview camera may not have been installed properly, which can damage the wiring harness and cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
25V659000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe vehicles. The B+ positive terminal cover on the starter motor assembly may be improperly installed, which can cause an electrical short during a crash.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
24V843000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:SWITCHES/KNOBS/BUTTONS
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The overhead console rear sunshade switch knob may not be fully recessed, which can result in unintentional closing of the sunshade. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition and Roof Panel Systems."
Risk: A sunshade that closes unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
24V561000
AIR BAGS
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Santa Fe and Santa Fe HEV vehicles. The main floor wiring harness may chafe against the passenger-side second-row bench seat assembly and become damaged, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally or prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally can increase the risk of an injury. An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
24V529000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Santa Fe vehicles. A software error in the transmission control unit may result in a vehicle roll away when the vehicle is in PARK.
Risk: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
24V246000
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Santa Fe vehicles. The rearview camera image may be obstructed by a trailer parking assist message. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: An obstructed rearview camera image reduces rearward visibility and increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202617030,489 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Issue: On certain vehicles, the lower anchor for the front seat belt(s) may have been damaged during service. As a result, the seat belt(s) could detach in a crash. Note: For the 2026 model year Santa Fe, this recall only affects the Santa Fe hybrid (HEV) model. Safety Risk: A seat belt that detaches in a crash could increase the risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners in writing and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and reinforce the lower seat belt anchors. The seat belt assemblies will be replaced, as necessary.
Recall 202552913,153 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: On certain vehicles, the starter motor's terminal cover may not have been installed properly. As a result, the positive terminal could be exposed and contact nearby components in a crash. If this happens, there could be a short circuit. Safety Risk: A short circuit could create the risk of a fire and/or injury. Corrective Actions: Hyundai will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, reinstall the starter motor positive terminal cover.
Recall 20246834,967 units in Canada
Other
Issue: On certain vehicles, the sunshade switch in the overhead console may not have been designed properly. As a result, the switch may not meet certain requirements of Canadian regulations that exist to reduce the risk of activating the sunshade unintentionally. Note: This recall affects both Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid models. Safety Risk: A sunshade that closes unexpectedly could pinch a person and create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: Hyundai will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the sunshade switch knobs in the overhead console.
Recall 2024552824,695 units in Canada
Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" appear in English only, when they should be listed as "Tires/Pneus", "Rims/Jantes", "Front/Avant" and "Rear/Arriere". Canadian regulations require this information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: These small errors do not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. The company has corrected the compliance label for all new vehicles.
Recall 20244303,658 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the floor wiring harness may not have been secured properly and could become damaged. As a result, the airbags may not deploy in a crash and/or the airbags could deploy without a crash. Note: This problem would cause the airbag warning light to turn on. This recall affects both the Santa Fe and Santa Fe hybrid models. Safety Risk: An airbag that doesn't work properly could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Additionally, an airbag that deploys without a crash could create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: Hyundai will notify owners in writing and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, secure the floor wiring harness. If damage is found, the wiring harness will be replaced.
Recall 2024404806 units in Canada
Powertrain
Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the transmission to become damaged. As a result, the vehicle could move when it's parked and the parking brake isn't applied. Safety Risk: A parked vehicle that moves suddenly could create the risk of an injury or a crash. Corrective Actions: Hyundai will notify owners in writing and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmission. The dealer will also update the transmission control unit software. To reduce the safety risk, Hyundai recommends that you should always use the parking brake when you park.
Recall 20242061,755 units in Canada
Visual System
Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to display properly. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the vehicle is reversing. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display properly could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Hyundai will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the rearview camera system software.
Our vehicle has twice gone from parking to drive and moved on its own! Both times almost running over my wife
NHTSA complaint #11761572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ooltewah, TNCrash3 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On May 30, 2026, my 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe was involved in a multi-impact interstate collision in the Sandy Springs/Atlanta area while traveling with my family which includes 1 year old kid. The vehicle was struck from behind, spun out, and impacted the concrete highway barrier multiple times before coming to a stop in the travel lanes. The collision resulted in substantial structural vehicle damage, and occupants sustained head concussions and bruising. The airbag system did not deploy during the sequence of impacts. I am submitting this report to request an evaluation of the crash parameters and deployment logic to determine whether the system operated within its intended safety design specifications under these specific multi-impact conditions. I don't have the footage but i have seen on police laptop of the incident.
NHTSA complaint #11745782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Venice, FLCrash
SEAT BELTS
Hola, he llevado mi coche al concesionario 4 veces las 2 primeras veces me dijeron que eran recall el auto en parking siguió caminado los volví a llevar después de 20 días dijeron que unos roedores se habían comido el harness ese fue el diagnóstico que me dieron hablé con el seguro y el seguro iba a pagar pa reparación cuando les pidió foto del problema cambiaron la versión de que no que disculpa que no está comido por roedores cuando ellos me dieron un papel que decía eso me cobraron 570 diales por otro diagnóstico ya el seguro no quiso arreglar eso pude una queja con Hyundai motor y nada nadie se hace responsable e llevado el auto a 3 talleres diferentes y nadie sabe que tiene el auto y el dealer cada vez que fuy me decía una cosa diferente que puedo hacer al respecto
NHTSA complaint #11743243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Pittston, ME
POWER TRAIN
Our vehicle does this all the time and has done so for almost two years. After starting the vehicle and then shifting to a gear, either drive or reverse. The vehicle does not always go into gear. When you take your foot off the brake to push on the accelerator, the vehicle will start to roll in the opposite direction if you are on a very small incline in the opposite direction. If you are on flat ground, the car will not move for a few seconds. If the incline is in the direction of your selected gear, you start rolling in that direction with no power from the transmission. In one to three seconds you get power to the transmission. This happens at any time of the day, from the very first start up, to anytime during the day when in use. If you stop to get gas and when you restart the vehicle it can happen. We have almost hit other cars and people several times from rolling backwards when we have drive selected because the transmission does not properly engage. Everytime it happens I say to the car, why are you doing this? The only reason we haven't hit anyone or another car is because I hit the brakes again very quickly once we start rolling backwards after we do not start going forward. Not sure if it is associated or not, but driving through the parking lot a few times in drive. We have lost all power to the transmission. You are driving along and without any visual indications or sounds, you just start slowing down. If you press on the gas more, it does nothing to increase the speed of the vehicle. It has only happened once to us on a road going 45 mph. The power came back after a few seconds.
NHTSA complaint #11763479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yazoo City, MS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Electric oil pump failure in transmission
NHTSA complaint #11763396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Babylon, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
Despite having the DCT software recall repaired, today the parking brake disengaged after the car was idling for a few minutes at my son’s school. It lurched forward, startling me, and then I was alerted that the emergency parking brake deployed. The rollaway could have injured a child in the parking lot. No alerts or lights have been on prior. Additionally, after the rollaway incident, I was stopped at a red light, and my brakes depressed halfway. The last few weeks the acceleration from stop is difficult, and the brakes shudder and partially depress, especially when driving over a bump - feeling every minor flaw in the road rattling beneath my foot on the pedal. To also be mentioned - I have retained an attorney to pursue a Magnusson Moss cash & keep settlement on the car. From June - August 2026 the car was out of service, 4 repair orders, 2 dealerships, and a FSE I demanded finally found & diagnosed faulty O-rings causing the freon to leak and the AC to fail. The car also smelled strongly of fuel one full day, and the dash & steering wheel felt hot to the touch - but no defect was found or diagnosed.
NHTSA complaint #11763167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Springs, COFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Currently unknown on how the fire started, but something under the hood caught fire
NHTSA complaint #11762232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Del Rio, TXCrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Our vehicle has twice gone from parking to drive and moved on its own! Both times almost running over my wife
NHTSA complaint #11761572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Del Rio, TXCrash1 injured
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Our vehicle has twice gone from parking to drive and moved on its own! Both times almost running over my wife
NHTSA complaint #11761572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Our vehicle has twice gone from parking to drive and moved on its own! Both times almost running over my wife
NHTSA complaint #11761572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St Paul, MN
POWER TRAIN
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN [XXX], June 2024 build, 62k miles. Vehicle experienced total loss of power and drive, matching NHTSA recall 24V-529 / 263 for DCT failure. Dealer is refusing to perform recall, refusing to provide diagnostic codes via email, and demanding title and all service records before any work. Dealer claims new engine needed but won’t provide proof. This is a safety defect and dealer is violating recall law." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11759442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millsboro, DE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe gasoline model. My VIN was included in Hyundai Safety Recall 263 / NHTSA Recall 24V-529 involving the Transmission Control Unit and potential damage to the dual-clutch transmission. On September 25, 2024, at fewer than 5,000 miles, the transmission failed and the vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealership. The transmission repair/replacement was approved and the vehicle remained out of service until October 21, 2024. On June 5, 2026, the vehicle would not start and required towing to an authorized Hyundai dealership. The vehicle has remained at the dealership continuously since June 5 and has not been returned to me. The dealer has undertaken multiple unsuccessful repair/diagnostic efforts during the current visit. I am currently being told that the condition involves the engine/powertrain. Hyundai is now sending an engineer to the dealership because the condition remains unresolved. I am reporting this history because this vehicle experienced a transmission failure shortly after being subject to a federal transmission-related safety recall and has now developed another major engine/powertrain condition while still relatively new.
NHTSA complaint #11759564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St Paul, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN [XXX], June 2024 build, 62k miles. Vehicle experienced total loss of power and drive, matching NHTSA recall 24V-529 / 263 for DCT failure. Dealer is refusing to perform recall, refusing to provide diagnostic codes via email, and demanding title and all service records before any work. Dealer claims new engine needed but won’t provide proof. This is a safety defect and dealer is violating recall law." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11759442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millsboro, DE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe gasoline model. My VIN was included in Hyundai Safety Recall 263 / NHTSA Recall 24V-529 involving the Transmission Control Unit and potential damage to the dual-clutch transmission. On September 25, 2024, at fewer than 5,000 miles, the transmission failed and the vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealership. The transmission repair/replacement was approved and the vehicle remained out of service until October 21, 2024. On June 5, 2026, the vehicle would not start and required towing to an authorized Hyundai dealership. The vehicle has remained at the dealership continuously since June 5 and has not been returned to me. The dealer has undertaken multiple unsuccessful repair/diagnostic efforts during the current visit. I am currently being told that the condition involves the engine/powertrain. Hyundai is now sending an engineer to the dealership because the condition remains unresolved. I am reporting this history because this vehicle experienced a transmission failure shortly after being subject to a federal transmission-related safety recall and has now developed another major engine/powertrain condition while still relatively new.
NHTSA complaint #11759564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millsboro, DE
ENGINE
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe gasoline model. My VIN was included in Hyundai Safety Recall 263 / NHTSA Recall 24V-529 involving the Transmission Control Unit and potential damage to the dual-clutch transmission. On September 25, 2024, at fewer than 5,000 miles, the transmission failed and the vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealership. The transmission repair/replacement was approved and the vehicle remained out of service until October 21, 2024. On June 5, 2026, the vehicle would not start and required towing to an authorized Hyundai dealership. The vehicle has remained at the dealership continuously since June 5 and has not been returned to me. The dealer has undertaken multiple unsuccessful repair/diagnostic efforts during the current visit. I am currently being told that the condition involves the engine/powertrain. Hyundai is now sending an engineer to the dealership because the condition remains unresolved. I am reporting this history because this vehicle experienced a transmission failure shortly after being subject to a federal transmission-related safety recall and has now developed another major engine/powertrain condition while still relatively new.
NHTSA complaint #11759564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bristol, TN
POWER TRAIN
On multiple occasions the error “transmission system error check transmission oil immediately” Have taken vehicle to dealership 3 separate times. Believe entire unit to be faulty
NHTSA complaint #11758995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lithia, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA complaint #11758334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lithia, FL
BACK OVER PREVENTION
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA complaint #11758334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westford, MA
SEATS
The 2024 Caligraphy trim line, has a unique illumination for all dash controls that control; AC, seat heat, seat AC, fan AC, steering wheel heat, ect. Each of these controls are illuminated with a dull Amber color that is impossible to see in bright sunshine, and difficult in all daylight situations. This force the driver to take their eyes off the road to insure proper calibration of each. I confirmed with the sales manager of my serivice dealer Hyundai Nashua ….he drives the same model there is no illumination adjustment that will make the controls visible in sun. Other trim lines have different illumination of the same controls. It would seem this is an easy swap and fix
NHTSA complaint #11754399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westford, MA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The 2024 Caligraphy trim line, has a unique illumination for all dash controls that control; AC, seat heat, seat AC, fan AC, steering wheel heat, ect. Each of these controls are illuminated with a dull Amber color that is impossible to see in bright sunshine, and difficult in all daylight situations. This force the driver to take their eyes off the road to insure proper calibration of each. I confirmed with the sales manager of my serivice dealer Hyundai Nashua ….he drives the same model there is no illumination adjustment that will make the controls visible in sun. Other trim lines have different illumination of the same controls. It would seem this is an easy swap and fix
NHTSA complaint #11754399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garland, UT
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Windshield breaks with no reason. I have had 2 windshields crack with no sign of any damage. First windshield is within 3,000 miles of owning the car. Replaced one has already cracked and has less than 500 miles. This issue is affecting multiple Sante fe drivers
NHTSA complaint #11754262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garland, UT
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield breaks with no reason. I have had 2 windshields crack with no sign of any damage. First windshield is within 3,000 miles of owning the car. Replaced one has already cracked and has less than 500 miles. This issue is affecting multiple Sante fe drivers
NHTSA complaint #11754262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Erie, CO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
sunroof shattered completely without any force of impact. The glass appears to have imploded.
NHTSA complaint #11752511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boca Raton, FL
POWER TRAIN
I purchased a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL with 16,087 miles that has a the 8-speed Wet Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) stutters to catch gear properly while accelerating from low speeds and back to high, example driving onto a highway ramp and matching speeds with ongoing traffic). Unfortunately, there have been multiple fears and risk of safety where accidents almost occured due to the transmission not catching the engines rotational speed to exact, causing slow to no acceleration. This is very dangerous and unsafe to not be considered under investigation. This unresolved issue will deteriorate the clutch and transmission itself over time. HELP!
NHTSA complaint #11752271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boca Raton, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
With my 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL, at Cold start the coolant gage on the digital cluster always shows 2-3 bars on the gauge and once the vehicle is put into drive (at least 30-45 seconds start up), the coolant gauze immediately increases in temperature reading without full drive (15 feet after gear placed in Drive). This may be improperly reading the coolant temperature and the OEM thermostat may be defective from manufacturer build. This can cause improper cooling and increase engine failure due to overheating.
NHTSA complaint #11752272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boca Raton, FL
ENGINE
With my 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL, at Cold start the coolant gage on the digital cluster always shows 2-3 bars on the gauge and once the vehicle is put into drive (at least 30-45 seconds start up), the coolant gauze immediately increases in temperature reading without full drive (15 feet after gear placed in Drive). This may be improperly reading the coolant temperature and the OEM thermostat may be defective from manufacturer build. This can cause improper cooling and increase engine failure due to overheating.
NHTSA complaint #11752272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
POWER TRAIN
I was merging onto the highway and the acceleration stopped working and the vehicle would not go more than 25 mph. Had to restart car in shoulder, isue seemed to self correct but then it happened 10 minutes later stranding me in between the highway and exit ramp. This was a huge safety issue and myself and others lives were at risk. I am bringing the vehicle in for inspection but this seems to be a recurring hyundai issue. There were no warnings that came on. The auto mode on the dash went from green to an amber color. When i restarted the vehicle nothing changed. After the second time it occurred a check engine light came on.
NHTSA complaint #11750041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ENGINE
I was merging onto the highway and the acceleration stopped working and the vehicle would not go more than 25 mph. Had to restart car in shoulder, isue seemed to self correct but then it happened 10 minutes later stranding me in between the highway and exit ramp. This was a huge safety issue and myself and others lives were at risk. I am bringing the vehicle in for inspection but this seems to be a recurring hyundai issue. There were no warnings that came on. The auto mode on the dash went from green to an amber color. When i restarted the vehicle nothing changed. After the second time it occurred a check engine light came on.
NHTSA complaint #11750041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
