Complaint volume
193 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints
193 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, grouped by component category.
193 Total complaints
10 Crash reports
3 Fire reports
10 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are unknown or other, power train, engine. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 10 crash reports, 3 fire reports, 10 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 17 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 15,754 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to unknown or other, power train, engine?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe complaints?
10 Crash
3 Fire
10 Injury
0 Fatality
10 Towed
7 Medical attention
What are the most common 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe complaint categories?
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 37
POWER TRAIN 21
ENGINE 15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 9
SERVICE BRAKES 7
VISIBILITY/WIPER 7
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 4
STRUCTURE 4
193 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Horn Failed. Would not sound, making it impossible to warn people if car might hit them or their vehicles or about any other issue they would need timely reporting about. Car was brought into dealer and 2 horns assemblies were replaced as non-functional | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | While travelling at highway speed, attempted to accelerate to pass slow traffic. Rather than accelerating, the car hunted for a gear, and wouldn't shift properly. The car downshifted but engine would not go beyond 4000 RPM and speed remained the same. This has happened multiple times. By unexpectedly not accelerating, this created a risky situation by not allowing car to pass slower traffic as expected creating a potentially dangerous situation. (Video of one of the instances exists). No warning lamps, messages or symptoms occurred up to that point. Car was brought to dealer but since no codes were contained in the computer, they said there was no trouble found. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES | I purchased my 2023 Santa Fe brand new off the show room floor in Jan 2024. After about 6k miles when braking on the highway the entire vehicle would shudder and shake including the steering wheel. I took it into the dealership where I was informed this is a KNOWN ISSUE with this year/make/model with the rotors. They claimed they would turn the rotors but if the issue persists they would replace them. About 2k miles later (apx 2 months) the shuddering happened AGAIN. So I made an apt to get them replaced where the new service tech tried to tell me again this is a KNOWN ISSUE but now I would be responsible for a $250 replacement of the rotors. I refused to pay as they are within the 12k or 1 year warranty and they refused to replace them. That service tech also said the day prior he had to deliver that news to 4 OTHER patrons about the replacement of their rotors. I feel extremely unsafe in this vehicle and the issue is still not fixed as I have a claim in process with the manufacture directly. The claim was put in on 12/7/24 where I was told I would be contacted within 2-3 BUSINESS DAYS by a manager due to my claim being escalated. It is now 12/15/24 and still NO CONTACT from Hyundai. The vehicle shuddering is increasingly worse and worse and I feel very unsafe in this suv. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Just purchased the vehicle one week ago. I bought it used from a Hyundai dealer. Just discovered that the horns don't work, either the high tone or the low tone. I discovered it when I went to use the horn to alert a driver who was coming into my lane, pushed the horn on the steering wheel and nothing! I've checked the fuse and it is fine. Internet research shows this to be a prolific problem with Hyundai's. Because the horns don't work, neither does the alarm system. I tested by pushing the panic button on the key fob. The lights flash, like the alarm is trying to fully work, except the horns don't sound. I will be bringing it to the dealer as it is still under warranty. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | POWER TRAIN,STEERING | Shuddering Issue with Current Vehicle: - Problem: Progressive shuddering during take-off, accelerating, slowing down, and braking uphill. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | First- it has been reported to dealer at least twice when car was in for other service. They said they could not reproduce. When speeding back up from a stop on near stop, especially in a right turn, the engine will not accelerate. After a second or two it finally takes off. During this time, I fear getting hit by another vehicle, either from behind or to the side. It is very scary and puts me and my passengers at great risk! There was no warning indication at all. The date mentioned was the most recent time, but the issue has been happening since the car was brand new. Again, NO help from the dealer. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Emergency brakes engage while driving for no apparent reason. This has happened on several occasions over the last 6 months. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | SEAT BELTS | The seat belt in the middle seat of the second row did not work. And it was not fastened. So when braking, my child was thrown toward the center console. I think it's a big safety issue if the seat belt doesn't work. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 65 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to slow for a vehicle that had passed and switched into the lane she was driving, the vehicle was shuddering. The contact stated that as soon as she had stopped depressing the brake pedal the shuddering ceased. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the shuddering when the brake pedal was depressed was intermittent but was recurring at various speeds while slowing down. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,756. | Crash: No Fire: No | 18,756 |
| Oct 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | Currently have 518 Diagnostic History Codes (DTC)in memory. Additionally, I have 3 Active DTC’s. The codes are: DTC C160C87 DTC System CHASSIS DTC Sub System LKAS, and DTC C160C87 DTC System CHASSIS DTC Sub System SCC, and DTC C163881 DTC system CHASSIS DTC Sub System SCC FIRST OCCURRENCE: during actual assembly in Montgomery, AL plant. I have asked three Hyundai Service dealers for help. All have tried. Noting noted that contributes to the issues above. At first, my dealer replaced the front camera. Was told it was a heating issue. I have contacted Hyundai BLUELINK service for help. An information report was filed, TWICE. The first report I received feedback that Hyundai’s engineers had corrected the issue. On the following day, the codes returned. A second concern was filed with Hyundai BLUELINK. Hyundai Motor America Case#: [XXX] to wit: “Thank you for contacting Hyundai Motor America. We are in receipt of your e-mail and one of our representatives will get back to you shortly. Sincerely, Hyundai Motor America” Is my vehicle going to fail and cause me injury while operating it on an Interstate highway? This is quite concerning as I drive my car. All I want from Hyundai is to get this issue repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | Brake rotors warped. Beginning at approximately 5k miles, the steering began exhibiting a juddering upon applying braking. Over time, the juddering became more pronounced. At approximately 15k miles, I took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer confirmed that the brake rotors were warped. The defective brake components put my safety at risk, as well as the safety of my passengers and others traveling on the road by impairing my ability to safely stop the vehicle and impairing my ability to safely operate the vehicle while braking. There were no safety lights or warnings. I am aware that there has been a technical service bulletin for this exact issue for this model/year vehicle. Neither Hyundai nor the dealer ever altered me to the possibility that the brake rotors might warp due to defective components. Hyundai has thus far refused to cover the full cost of repairs, totaling over $1,400.00. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | SAFETY ISSUE: EXPLODING SUNROOF While driving my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited to work approximately at 6:15AM CST on 9/30/2024 on I-170 southbound in St. Louis, MO, the panoramic sunroof exploded. Car systems did not contain an indicator light or alert that the sunroof was stressed and about to explode. No debris (stone, rock, tree branch, item falling off a car or truck) or falling bird causing this sunroof damage. After the sunroof explosion, I continued driving. No other damage to my automobile or any other car on highway. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond or accelerate as intended. The vehicle started to decelerate and lost motive power. The contact steered the vehicle to the shoulder and parked the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the failure was self-corrected, and the vehicle operated normally. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several months later. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 9,500. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The vehicle's software update initiates upon start-up without the option to delay to a different time. The three updates I've received this year have taken 20-30 minutes each to complete, while I'm traveling. These updates disable hands-free calling, all media and GPS. I can't confirm if any other vehicle safety components are disabled. I don't use them. I contacted my dealer and they stated that's how it works, and there is no option to delay the update. When the update initiates it states the update can continue without the vehicle "ON". Wouldn't it be safer to have the ability to schedule it to a later time when the vehicle isn't being used? Similar to a cellphone update? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I purchased a 2023 SantaFe brand new mid-January, In June I noticed an issue with the car. I called Steele Hyundai in June to get an appointment and was told by Margarita that they didn’t have availability until September. REALLY. So, I went online and filled out an appointment and got an earlier appointment for August. Crazy Right? I then contacted Hyundai corporate to file a complaint, and was given a case number and Tina is the case worker. I brought the car in on [XXX] and left it there till [XXX]. Problem ended up a transmission needed replacement. WOW, quality!! I picked the car up on that Friday and it sat in the garage during labor day weekend. I first got back in the vehicle on Tuesday, [XXX] and knew immediately it wasn’t fixed. I decided to go to a different dealership for service World Car Hyundai in San Antonio and made an appointment for [XXX]. I called [XXX], spoke with Todd and explained needing a loaner. He asked me what I was bringing it in for, told him I had the transmission replaced. He said to give it a week to get the computer to adjust to my driving. SAY WHAT? So, I did and no bueno. I called again on Thursday, [XXX] to bring it in to World Car and spoke with Justin and made an appointment for Tuesday [XXX]. On Saturday, [XXX], we took the car to Austin for my husband to determine what he thought, he said, “this car isn’t drivable”. On Monday, [XXX], I cancelled my appointment for World Car because Todd said Steele knows the history of what work they did, and it would be best. My husband dropped the car off at Steele on Monday without an appointment. The service director Rene is familiar with my vehicle and today when I called him about the car, he said it’s the TRANSMISSION AGAIN. My question is what is wrong with the quality of the engineering or the quality of the service technology. I DON’T trust this car, I need a SOLUTION. I need an answer. I need you to fix this problem with this C INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The forward collision warning system engages and slows the car, often very abruptly, when on the highway and only when cruise control is on. It happens after we have been on the highway for a few hours, thus the dealer cannot reproduce the incident. It happens a few times on every road trip and is very disturbing when there are no other vehicles or obstacles in the road or nearby. We have reported this to the dealer several times and they can find nothing wrong. I provided a photo to the dealer of the dashboard showing the cruise control on, the forward collision system DISENGAGED, and the forward collision warning activated. Dealer states they have recalibrated the system but can replace no parts unless a part is found to be faulty. The latest suggestion yesterday from the dealer was to "get out" of the car before the issue gets worse. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I was driving the car moving in reverse to exit my driveway. I placed the car in Park and while the engine was running I exited the car. Upon exiting the car, the car immediately started to roll forward and crashed through my garage door leveling it to the ground. The car continued moving forward into the garage and came to a stop blocked by built in shelving at the back end of the garage. I could have been injured had the car started to roll while I was exiting the car or had some been in front of the car. No warning lamps or messages prior to the incident. The car has a safety feature if moving in Drive or Reverse and the driver door is opened the car shifts into Park. That feature failed. The car was inspected by a Hyundai dealer and claim no error codes found and dismissed any other information as provided in this report | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Vehicle sun/moon roof exploded/shattered while driving on the highway with no apparent external cause. Sunroof was closed, driving middle lane, slightly below speed limit. Fortunately the material blind was closed otherwise the glass could have struck the occupants. Drove to manufacturer dealership who insisted it was a stone and not a manufacturer defect and to claim through insurance, which means a $1000 excess. I know this happens on various vehicles, noted on many forums. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the horn was inoperable. The lower horn sound had dissipated. Then shortly after the higher horn stopped working. There was no sound when the horn pad was depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact about the cost for the repair, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 72,000 |
| Sep 2024 | ENGINE | Driving at a low speed and blind spot warning light comes on, then all warnings light up and car loses all power and goes into limp mode. Engine light stays on, but will start back up after it is shut off, open and shut car door and restart. Engine light stays on. Has happened to me three or four times. In the past, the engine light will eventually go off before I can get it to the dealership. Hyundai said they couldn’t duplicate the problem last time it was taken in, so nothing could be done. Gives error code P063512 each time and says EMS which I assume means emissions. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | A few times recently our car has had a hard time starting even though it's only a year old. It's like it's having a hard time turning over. And then when driving, it has a hard time accelerating - it almost feels like the car is in neutral while trying to drive. It jerks and shimmies to the point where you have to pull over to see what's going on. We were on a pretty busy road and couldn't accelerate to the point of safely merging into traffic. An online forum said it was a "loose ground" that's causing the acceleration issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I was driving down the expressway and my sunroof exploded. It scared me so bad that I swerved and almost lost control of the car. I thought something hit me. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS,ENGINE | Driving up steep hill to my mom’s house car would not drive up, as it hesitated I pressed gas pedal to no avail. I turned off car, got out & nothing was blocking me. Turned car back on & accelerated, this time it went forward. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Emergency Braking System was erroneously activated, causing the vehicle to abruptly stop in the middle of the road. During the failure, the message "Emergency Braking System Engaged" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Horn does not function. Trip to the service department and was advised it’s a known issue and they will call me when one comes in. This car is one year old and the horn not working is a major safety concern for me. A search online shows this is an issue for several buyers without a recall notice. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |