FaultScore

FaultScore report

2025 Hyundai Santa FE problems

Owners have filed 187 complaints about the 2025 Hyundai Santa FE with NHTSA between 2024 and 2026. The largest single group is the driver assist & collision avoidance. Across this model's run it ranks 23 of 26 worst.

B

FaultScore 40/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Hyundai Santa FE.

How this is worked out

The numbers

187

Complaints

6

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries reported

9,262 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

93%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 23 vs 50 Severity 28 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 23
Against the median year of the Hyundai Santa FE. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 28
5.3% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
93% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2025 compares with every other Hyundai Santa FE

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2025 Hyundai Santa FE

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Median failure at 3,350 miles

Tires 15 8.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 700 mi

Seat Belts 8 4.3%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 6,750 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 7 3.7%

Median failure at 17,000 miles

Seats 5 2.7%

Median failure at 17,500 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 5 2.7%
Steering 5 2.7%

Median failure at 11,000 miles

Brakes 4 2.1%
Suspension 3 1.6%

Median failure at 11,000 miles

Body & Structure 3 1.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 22,500 mi

Wheels 2 1.1%
Airbags 2 1.1%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 10,024 mi

Equipment & Accessories 1 0.5%

Median failure at 6,000 miles

Exactly what failed

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.

Adaptive Cruise Control 15 40.5%
Sidewall 6 16.2%
Warnings 5 13.5%
Blind Spot Detection 4 10.8%
Automatic Emergency Braking 3 8.1%
Assist 2 5.4%
Camera/Sensor 1 2.7%
Warning 1 2.7%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 2 14.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 5 35.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 6 42.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 7.1%

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.

Dec 2024 peak 26 Aug 2026

Recalls on the 2025 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.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2026170 30,489 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 2025648 9,054 units in Canada

Visual System

Issue: On certain vehicles, the wiring harness for the rearview camera may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the wiring could become damaged and cause the rearview camera image not to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display 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 in writing and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the camera wiring harness.

Recall 2025529 13,153 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.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 20,000 miles Cassville, MO 1 injured

SEATS

The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the button was pressed to fold the second row passenger seat while the [XXX] daughter was still seated. During the incident, the electronic folding seat began to fold down onto the daughter, causing extreme distress to the child and crushing her into the seat. The button was pressed, which stopped the seat from continuing to fold down, and the child was freed from the seat. No medical treatment was required. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who examined the seat and determined no failure had occurred. The contact was informed that although the incident was extremely dangerous, the electronic folding seat had operated as intended. The contact was informed that the seat belt needed to be buckled to avoid the problem in the future. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance had yet been offered. The contact indicated that a similar incident resulting in a fatality had occurred in the Hyundai Palisade vehicle. The failure mileage was 20,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11729052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greensboro, NC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

NHTSA Complaint Summary Vehicle: 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Issue: Airbag non‑deployment in a 40‑mph side‑impact collision On January 20, 2026, my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe was struck by another motorist directly along the driver side awaiting to make a left turn. The other motorist crossed the centerline at an estimated impact speed of approximately 40 mph, according to the police report. The collision caused significant damage along the front and entire driver side of the vehicle. Despite the severity and direct nature of the impact, neither the side curtain airbags nor the front airbags deployed. The impact was so much that the other motorist ended up behind my husband in the left turning lane once he stopped. My husband, who was driving, suffered a head abrasion and a concussion from the force of the impact. Since the crash, he has continued to experience persistent headaches and intermittent dizziness when standing, which began immediately after the collision and have not resolved. The lack of airbag deployment in a high‑energy side‑impact crash raises concerns about a potential malfunction in the airbag sensors or side‑impact detection system. This incident presents a significant safety risk, and I am reporting it so NHTSA can evaluate because as I've researched there have been other incidences of similar non‑deployment issues are with 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. I can provide photos, the police report, medical documentation, and repair estimates upon request.

NHTSA complaint #11719728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlando, FL Crash

VISIBILITY/WIPER

My name is [XXX] I live at [XXX] my phone number is [XXX] my social security is [XXX] . I own a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe that is subject to Safety Recall 25V-808 involving the rearview camera system. On [XXX] at 12:30pm while operating my vehicle, the rearview camera malfunctioned (the image was [blank / inoperative]). Due to the loss of rear visibility, I was involved in a minor accident while backing up. At the time of the incident, I had not yet received the recall repair. The malfunction experienced is consistent with the defect described in the recall notice regarding the rearview camera harness. This incident caused [minor vehicle damage / property damage. I am reporting this to document a safety-related incident connected to an acknowledged manufacturing defect.I am requesting that this incident be reviewed as a recall-related accident and that Hyundai advise on reimbursement or compensation options. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11715725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,500 miles Huntertown, IN Crash

SEAT BELTS

The contact owned a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact’s spouse stated that while at a stop, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle. The spouse reported that during the collision, the driver’s seat belt became inoperable and detached from the driver’s seat. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was required. The spouse also stated that the air bags did not deploy during the incident. A police report was filed, and a report number was provided to the contact. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was declared totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,500. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11694551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,024 miles Bryan, TX Crash

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a deer jumped out in front of the contact's vehicle. The contact's vehicle crashed into the deer, where it came to a stop by the side of the roadway. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A Police report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 10,024.

NHTSA complaint #11693283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,000 miles Dallas, GA Crash 2 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

The contact owned a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the driver's front door was making an abnormal creaking sound. The contact stated that while driving, but at a standstill, a 2008 Toyota Camry rear-ended the vehicle. There was significant damage on the driver's side of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The alert was making the normal dinging sound for the approaching vehicle. The driver sustained a concussion. The passenger sustained injuries to her hip, back, pelvis, and orthopedic system, and medical attention was provided. The contact's daughter was occupying the passenger-side seat, and the seat belt dislodged near her waist from the outside near the door (the seat belt retractor connected to the vehicle's structure). A police report was filed. There was no fire or airbag deployment. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, as they were having mechanical issues at the time. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The Hyundai inspector was able to inspect the vehicle, but the findings were unknown. The vehicle was taken to a collision center, and the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

NHTSA complaint #11691252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Conroe, TX

POWER TRAIN

Auto had a very strong gas smell after arriving at work. Check the engine and underneath the car for leaks but no fluids on the ground or my garage. Smell persisted while out of town and made appointment for inspection. The dealer service man said it was suffering numerous leaks and we’re awaiting parts. Latest info was still leaks present and would advise after making certain no leaks persist.

NHTSA complaint #11757825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fincastle, VA

STEERING

Multiple occasions of the ADAS lane centering system operating unsafely. The worst one was on a gentle left-hand curve on a concrete surfaced bridge at night. The system allowed the vehicle to slowly drift to the outside of the lane. When it was fairly close to the white line, it jerked the wheel back to the left and then released the steering to my control while pointed hard into the oncoming lane. It will do similarly during the day when approaching a center turn lane on the highway. Sometimes it will decide that it should be in the turn lane, will make a rapid input, and then return control to me, now pointed at the oncoming lane. When the vehicle returns control to me, it indicates it by making the steering wheel and lines in the HUD grey, no chime, no warning icon, just green to grey and release the wheel in whatever direction it's pointing. It also sometimes slows drastically for vehicles that have exited the highway when on cruise control or applies hard braking for vehicles in the other lane while in a curve on a hill. There are no lights or malfunction warnings and the vehicle self-diagnostic says everything is operating correctly.

NHTSA complaint #11757711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fayetteville, NC

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Gas needle not going down took and dropped off at Lee Hyundai of Fayetteville North Carolina 28309 8/15/2026 picked it up 08/17/2026 They claim they drove it six miles but they didn’t told it was supposed to be that way sold we filled up when we left the dealer ship drove 78 miles needle still not moving

NHTSA complaint #11757507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Farmers Branch, TX

POWER TRAIN

Hyundai Sante Fe Hybrid 2025 has a bad factory seal on the high voltage harness - hybrid battery connector that causes water to intrude the connector under normal conditions which can short the battery and pose a major safety issue. Hyundai is refusing warranty coverage of my shorted hybrid battery on my brand new 2025 Hyundai Sante Fe Hybrid stating “Flood” with no evidence of flood damage. My car experienced multiple P engine hybrid system faults on XXX and would not drive. I had it towed the Van Hyundai Carrollton on that date. They did not look at the car for over a week and it sat on their lot the entire time. On XXX they finally inspected it and claimed the car had been “flooded” and shorted the hybrid battery. The only evidence they provided was moisture in the high voltage harness. There were no water/silt lines, any other damage to any other components, and no evidence of any water anywhere else on the vehicle. The video they showed of the undercarriage only showed normal splash marks from driving. The car was never flooded/submerged. Any water/moisture found in the harness would have been due to a faulty/defective factory seal that should be impervious to water under normal operating conditions. No water/flooding/submersion damage would have been obvious of this. The dealership refused to provide any evidence and had no follow-up. One key aspect they refused to acknowledge was there was a massive rainstorm in [XXX] onXXX which was also the only rainstorm in the area in the previous 1-2 months. This happened while the car was on the dealer’s lot. The car had no issues with any water prior to being at Van Hyundai. A case was opened with Hyundai Corporate and the Dealship also lied stating the car wasn’t in their system until XXX, which is false as I have phone records, tow records, and appointments showing the 7/10 date, so corporate overlooked that. I disagreed with the dealerships diagnosis as it was a scapegoat finding putting all blame o INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

NHTSA complaint #11755330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Farmers Branch, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Hyundai Sante Fe Hybrid 2025 has a bad factory seal on the high voltage harness - hybrid battery connector that causes water to intrude the connector under normal conditions which can short the battery and pose a major safety issue. Hyundai is refusing warranty coverage of my shorted hybrid battery on my brand new 2025 Hyundai Sante Fe Hybrid stating “Flood” with no evidence of flood damage. My car experienced multiple P engine hybrid system faults on XXX and would not drive. I had it towed the Van Hyundai Carrollton on that date. They did not look at the car for over a week and it sat on their lot the entire time. On XXX they finally inspected it and claimed the car had been “flooded” and shorted the hybrid battery. The only evidence they provided was moisture in the high voltage harness. There were no water/silt lines, any other damage to any other components, and no evidence of any water anywhere else on the vehicle. The video they showed of the undercarriage only showed normal splash marks from driving. The car was never flooded/submerged. Any water/moisture found in the harness would have been due to a faulty/defective factory seal that should be impervious to water under normal operating conditions. No water/flooding/submersion damage would have been obvious of this. The dealership refused to provide any evidence and had no follow-up. One key aspect they refused to acknowledge was there was a massive rainstorm in [XXX] onXXX which was also the only rainstorm in the area in the previous 1-2 months. This happened while the car was on the dealer’s lot. The car had no issues with any water prior to being at Van Hyundai. A case was opened with Hyundai Corporate and the Dealship also lied stating the car wasn’t in their system until XXX, which is false as I have phone records, tow records, and appointments showing the 7/10 date, so corporate overlooked that. I disagreed with the dealerships diagnosis as it was a scapegoat finding putting all blame o INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

NHTSA complaint #11755330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Farmers Branch, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Hyundai Sante Fe Hybrid 2025 has a bad factory seal on the high voltage harness - hybrid battery connector that causes water to intrude the connector under normal conditions which can short the battery and pose a major safety issue. Hyundai is refusing warranty coverage of my shorted hybrid battery on my brand new 2025 Hyundai Sante Fe Hybrid stating “Flood” with no evidence of flood damage. My car experienced multiple P engine hybrid system faults on XXX and would not drive. I had it towed the Van Hyundai Carrollton on that date. They did not look at the car for over a week and it sat on their lot the entire time. On XXX they finally inspected it and claimed the car had been “flooded” and shorted the hybrid battery. The only evidence they provided was moisture in the high voltage harness. There were no water/silt lines, any other damage to any other components, and no evidence of any water anywhere else on the vehicle. The video they showed of the undercarriage only showed normal splash marks from driving. The car was never flooded/submerged. Any water/moisture found in the harness would have been due to a faulty/defective factory seal that should be impervious to water under normal operating conditions. No water/flooding/submersion damage would have been obvious of this. The dealership refused to provide any evidence and had no follow-up. One key aspect they refused to acknowledge was there was a massive rainstorm in [XXX] onXXX which was also the only rainstorm in the area in the previous 1-2 months. This happened while the car was on the dealer’s lot. The car had no issues with any water prior to being at Van Hyundai. A case was opened with Hyundai Corporate and the Dealship also lied stating the car wasn’t in their system until XXX, which is false as I have phone records, tow records, and appointments showing the 7/10 date, so corporate overlooked that. I disagreed with the dealerships diagnosis as it was a scapegoat finding putting all blame o INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

NHTSA complaint #11755330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Willowick, OH

POWER TRAIN

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle suffers from an intermittent, total engine stalling and propulsion failure. Without warning, the engine completely shuts down while driving and automatically drops the vehicle into "Accessory (ACC) Mode". The vehicle is fully intact, operational when it restarts, and is available for immediate inspection upon request How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This issue has occurred five total times in live traffic, severely risking the safety of the vehicle's occupants and surrounding drivers. The most recent and dangerous incident occurred on the freeway in heavy, stop-and-go traffic. A sudden, complete loss of power on a high-speed freeway leaves the vehicle entirely vulnerable to rear-end collisions, as it leaves no room or momentum to safely coast to the shoulder. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. The vehicle has been brought to an authorized Hyundai dealership five separate times specifically to diagnose this exact stalling issue. Because the failure is intermittent, dealership service technicians have been unable to replicate the problem during their test drives or resolve the root cause. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected five separate times by authorized Hyundai dealership technicians during the service appointments mentioned above. No police, insurance, or independent manufacturer representatives have inspected the vehicle yet, as the stalling has not yet resulted in a physical crash. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?There are absolutely no dashboard warning lights, check engine indicators, error messages, or mechanical symptoms prior to the failures. The engine shuts down instant

NHTSA complaint #11755009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Willowick, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle suffers from an intermittent, total engine stalling and propulsion failure. Without warning, the engine completely shuts down while driving and automatically drops the vehicle into "Accessory (ACC) Mode". The vehicle is fully intact, operational when it restarts, and is available for immediate inspection upon request How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This issue has occurred five total times in live traffic, severely risking the safety of the vehicle's occupants and surrounding drivers. The most recent and dangerous incident occurred on the freeway in heavy, stop-and-go traffic. A sudden, complete loss of power on a high-speed freeway leaves the vehicle entirely vulnerable to rear-end collisions, as it leaves no room or momentum to safely coast to the shoulder. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. The vehicle has been brought to an authorized Hyundai dealership five separate times specifically to diagnose this exact stalling issue. Because the failure is intermittent, dealership service technicians have been unable to replicate the problem during their test drives or resolve the root cause. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected five separate times by authorized Hyundai dealership technicians during the service appointments mentioned above. No police, insurance, or independent manufacturer representatives have inspected the vehicle yet, as the stalling has not yet resulted in a physical crash. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?There are absolutely no dashboard warning lights, check engine indicators, error messages, or mechanical symptoms prior to the failures. The engine shuts down instant

NHTSA complaint #11755009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Willowick, OH

ENGINE

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle suffers from an intermittent, total engine stalling and propulsion failure. Without warning, the engine completely shuts down while driving and automatically drops the vehicle into "Accessory (ACC) Mode". The vehicle is fully intact, operational when it restarts, and is available for immediate inspection upon request How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This issue has occurred five total times in live traffic, severely risking the safety of the vehicle's occupants and surrounding drivers. The most recent and dangerous incident occurred on the freeway in heavy, stop-and-go traffic. A sudden, complete loss of power on a high-speed freeway leaves the vehicle entirely vulnerable to rear-end collisions, as it leaves no room or momentum to safely coast to the shoulder. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. The vehicle has been brought to an authorized Hyundai dealership five separate times specifically to diagnose this exact stalling issue. Because the failure is intermittent, dealership service technicians have been unable to replicate the problem during their test drives or resolve the root cause. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected five separate times by authorized Hyundai dealership technicians during the service appointments mentioned above. No police, insurance, or independent manufacturer representatives have inspected the vehicle yet, as the stalling has not yet resulted in a physical crash. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?There are absolutely no dashboard warning lights, check engine indicators, error messages, or mechanical symptoms prior to the failures. The engine shuts down instant

NHTSA complaint #11755009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bayshore, NY

SEAT BELTS

After waiting a month (called in june car went in 7/28/26)for an appointment with my dealer for 2 recalls and a broken rear seatbelt the dealership has deemed my vehicle unsafe to drive and has impounded my vehicle for almost a week. They have to replace not only 1 rear seatbelts but ALL rear seatbelts. The original recall is for the front seatbelt.

NHTSA complaint #11754125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

TIRES

235/60R18 103H While driving the 1year old car, the tire pressure reading in the vehicle began to go down, upon exiting the vehicle it was determined that two holes blew through in the side wall of the tire. Thankfully, this was not as dangerous of a situation as it could’ve been as the car had just come off the highway and was traveling at a lower speed a residential neighborhood. The tire is not available, it was disposed at the place it was replaced at. There were no major tire stores open as it was a Sunday so it replacement tire had to be purchased from a local tire vendor.

NHTSA complaint #11753774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexandria, VA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

I am submitting a second and more urgent safety complaint regarding the Driver Monitoring and Driver Assistance systems in my vehicle. I previously reported this same core defect: the system falsely fails to recognize my face, sounds repeated warnings, and disables driving assistance while the vehicle is moving. Despite that prior complaint, the defect remains, and the seriousness of the danger has clearly not been recognized or addressed. This defect has now placed my life in immediate danger. While I was driving, the system falsely determined that it could not properly see my face. It sounded repeated warnings and then abruptly disabled driving assistance. That sudden withdrawal of assistance created a near-crash situation. I was attentive and was not experiencing a medical emergency. The danger was created by the system’s false detection and defective response. A safety system should reduce danger. This system detected a supposed problem and made the situation more dangerous by removing the assistance that was helping keep the vehicle under control. Had this occurred beside a concrete barrier, near stopped traffic, in a construction zone, on a curve, or next to a large truck, the result could have been a fatal collision. I could have been killed because of this system defect. When a driver cannot be verified, the vehicle should maintain lane control, reduce speed, activate hazard warnings, and perform a controlled safe stop. It should never abruptly withdraw assistance and create a more dangerous condition. I request that NHTSA investigate why a previously reported life-threatening defect remains unresolved and require Hyundai to correct this system logic before someone is seriously injured or killed.

NHTSA complaint #11751090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexandria, VA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

I am submitting a second and more urgent safety complaint regarding the Driver Monitoring and Driver Assistance systems in my vehicle. I previously reported this same core defect: the system falsely fails to recognize my face, sounds repeated warnings, and disables driving assistance while the vehicle is moving. Despite that prior complaint, the defect remains, and the seriousness of the danger has clearly not been recognized or addressed. This defect has now placed my life in immediate danger. While I was driving, the system falsely determined that it could not properly see my face. It sounded repeated warnings and then abruptly disabled driving assistance. That sudden withdrawal of assistance created a near-crash situation. I was attentive and was not experiencing a medical emergency. The danger was created by the system’s false detection and defective response. A safety system should reduce danger. This system detected a supposed problem and made the situation more dangerous by removing the assistance that was helping keep the vehicle under control. Had this occurred beside a concrete barrier, near stopped traffic, in a construction zone, on a curve, or next to a large truck, the result could have been a fatal collision. I could have been killed because of this system defect. When a driver cannot be verified, the vehicle should maintain lane control, reduce speed, activate hazard warnings, and perform a controlled safe stop. It should never abruptly withdraw assistance and create a more dangerous condition. I request that NHTSA investigate why a previously reported life-threatening defect remains unresolved and require Hyundai to correct this system logic before someone is seriously injured or killed.

NHTSA complaint #11751090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexandria, VA

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

I am submitting a second and more urgent safety complaint regarding the Driver Monitoring and Driver Assistance systems in my vehicle. I previously reported this same core defect: the system falsely fails to recognize my face, sounds repeated warnings, and disables driving assistance while the vehicle is moving. Despite that prior complaint, the defect remains, and the seriousness of the danger has clearly not been recognized or addressed. This defect has now placed my life in immediate danger. While I was driving, the system falsely determined that it could not properly see my face. It sounded repeated warnings and then abruptly disabled driving assistance. That sudden withdrawal of assistance created a near-crash situation. I was attentive and was not experiencing a medical emergency. The danger was created by the system’s false detection and defective response. A safety system should reduce danger. This system detected a supposed problem and made the situation more dangerous by removing the assistance that was helping keep the vehicle under control. Had this occurred beside a concrete barrier, near stopped traffic, in a construction zone, on a curve, or next to a large truck, the result could have been a fatal collision. I could have been killed because of this system defect. When a driver cannot be verified, the vehicle should maintain lane control, reduce speed, activate hazard warnings, and perform a controlled safe stop. It should never abruptly withdraw assistance and create a more dangerous condition. I request that NHTSA investigate why a previously reported life-threatening defect remains unresolved and require Hyundai to correct this system logic before someone is seriously injured or killed.

NHTSA complaint #11751090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Pittston, PA

TIRES

First tire blowout- 6/3/26- on Ohio turnpike tire just blew. No nails / no pothole/ no reason back passengers side Second tire blowout - 7/4/26 on laurel street Pittston ( paved road, hit small bump in road. Nothing unusual) tire just blew out. Front drivers side). No nails no reason) Third tire issue -7 /16/26 large bubble noticed on back drivers side . Going to try to drive it to get ANOTHER new tire. After investing this on the internet, this is a know problem with the pitelli scorpion tire on the calligraphy model. We were never notified . Recommendation in line is to Replace all 4 tires! We just patio 1300.00 for the other 2 new ones which are apparently not safe. We no have to get a tire We were lucky that the 2 blowouts did not cause us to get in an accident or cause injury to someone. It’s only a matter of time and hundai will have a major suit in their hands I am going to file a complaint with Hyundai and the attorney general and anyone else I can think of. People need to be warned and they need to pay for new tires tie me plus the ones I already replaced Ethan now need to get rid of. If you Google you will see this had been a known problem previously reported to Hyundai

NHTSA complaint #11750737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greenfield, IN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

While driving on the on ramp to [XXX] the car completely stopped and all systems shut off. There were two dash lights that flashed quickly with one being the check engine light but I did not see the other long enough to identify it. The dealership could not reproduce the issue but has the car now and is doing a more thorough evaluation. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine stopped. Yes it is available How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Extremely dangerous as it came to a stop in the middle of the road. It was late at night so at that moment no one was behind me. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? no Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? no Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? no, the warning lights flashed on as the car died but disappeared once off. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11749471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greenfield, IN

ENGINE

While driving on the on ramp to [XXX] the car completely stopped and all systems shut off. There were two dash lights that flashed quickly with one being the check engine light but I did not see the other long enough to identify it. The dealership could not reproduce the issue but has the car now and is doing a more thorough evaluation. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine stopped. Yes it is available How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Extremely dangerous as it came to a stop in the middle of the road. It was late at night so at that moment no one was behind me. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? no Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? no Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? no, the warning lights flashed on as the car died but disappeared once off. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11749471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Upper Marlboro, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On [XXX] after spending the day at Henson Creek Golf Course in Fort Washington, MD, I returned to my vehicle and discovered that it had completely lost all electrical power and would not start. The vehicle exhibited no warning signs prior to the failure. Believing the issue to be related to the battery, I contacted AAA for roadside assistance. AAA attempted to jump-start the vehicle, but the jump-start was unsuccessful. The vehicle was subsequently towed on May 18, 2026, to Pohanka Hyundai in Capitol Heights, MD for diagnosis and repair. After approximately nine days, the dealership advised that the battery terminals had been secured and that no additional problem could be identified. On [XXX], the exact same issue occurred again; however, this incident was significantly more dangerous because it occurred while the vehicle was being driven. While traveling during morning rush hour through a busy intersection in Northeast Washington, DC, the vehicle suddenly and completely lost power without warning while in traffic. The vehicle stalled in the middle of the intersection, creating an extremely hazardous situation. Fortunately, motorists traveling behind me were able to stop in time, and no collision occurred. However, this incident could easily have resulted in a serious crash involving injuries or fatalities. The vehicle was towed to Ourisman Hyundai in Bowie, MD, where it is currently undergoing additional diagnosis. I am extremely concerned that this vehicle has experienced two complete electrical failures within approximately one month, including one incident that occurred while driving in heavy traffic. Because the dealership was unable to identify the root cause after the first incident, I am concerned that a serious defect may exist involving the vehicle's electrical system, battery system, wiring, power distribution system, or another component affecting vehicle operation and safety. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11747163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Englewood, NJ

SEAT BELTS

The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V218000 (Seat Belts) and 25V659000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the recall repairs were denied due to a lack of maintenance records with an authorized Hyundai Dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint #11746649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Englewood, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V218000 (Seat Belts) and 25V659000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the recall repairs were denied due to a lack of maintenance records with an authorized Hyundai Dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint #11746649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Upper Marlboro, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On June 24, 2026, my spouse was operating our 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe when the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic, and total electrical failure while actively on the roadway. The vehicle was stopped at a traffic light when all propulsion power was instantly lost, the engine shut down, and all electronic systems—including the center infotainment screens and instrument cluster—went completely dark. Safety Hazard & Entrapment Incident: Simultaneous with the total electrical failure, the vehicle's electronic door lock system malfunctioned. The rear passenger doors and rear liftgate locked completely and could not be disengaged or opened from the inside by the passengers. Due to this total power loss and lock failure, my young daughters were trapped in the rear seats. My spouse was forced to climb over the center console from the front seat into the rear cabin to manually extract our children through the front doors. The family had to abandon the disabled vehicle in live traffic and walk down the roadway to reach a safe location. This constitutes a severe safety hazard involving both sudden loss of motive power on a public road and occupant entrapment due to safety lock/latch failure during an electrical short. The vehicle has been towed to Pohanka Hyundai of Capitol Heights for inspection.

NHTSA complaint #11746406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stanton, NE

SEAT BELTS

The middle row left side seat belt does not buckle. We made sure everything is clear in it, it is not dirty. We have had issues with it clicking to lock since we purchased the car last March 2025. It does not work at all now.

NHTSA complaint #11745481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wheat Ridge, CO

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On 6/6/2026, my husband and I were driving on I70 west bound near the Golden CO exit. Out of nowhere, we heard a very loud pop sound and then heard wind over our head. The front sunroof spontaneously shattered. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? FRONT SUNROOF How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? YES! Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? YES Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NO Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO! NOT A SINGLE WARNING, NOTHING!

NHTSA complaint #11742638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Northville, MI

TIRES

Component: TIRES Tire Brand: Pirelli Model: Scorpion (255/45R20) Vehicle: 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy Complaint Description: I have experienced two separate failures of the right‑rear Pirelli Scorpion 20" tire on my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy within a four‑week period. Both failures occurred during normal driving on paved roads with no significant impact event. The first failure was a loss of air due to a puncture in the sidewall area. I was able to use the on board sealant kit to sufficiently repair the tire and get it to Belle Tire. The tire was replaced as the damage was on the sidewall on May 5, 2026. On June 6, 2026 while driving on HWY 75 in Ohio, the replacement tire on the same right‑rear corner also failed, again losing air rapidly and causing us to pull over to the side of the highway. Both failures occurred at low mileage and under normal driving conditions with no impact. This pattern suggests a potential safety‑related defect involving the OEM Pirelli Scorpion 255/45R20 tires used on the Santa Fe Calligraphy. I have since learned that many other owners of 2024–2025 Hyundai Santa Fe models equipped with these same 20" Pirelli Scorpion tires are reporting sidewall punctures, bulges, and repeated failures, often on the passenger‑side tires. Repeated tire failures on the same wheel position pose a serious safety risk, including the possibility of sudden blowouts at highway speeds. I am reporting this so NHTSA can investigate whether these tires or their application on this vehicle are defective.

NHTSA complaint #11742527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mableton, GA

SEAT BELTS

The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V808000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION) and 26V218000 (SEAT BELTS). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions, and the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint #11742243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.