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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2023 | TRAILER HITCHES | 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE- Consumer states: I saw the notice on TV regarding a recall on my specific vehicle for the trailer hitch issue. I immediately contacted my local Hyundai dealership and scheduled an appointment. The Service Department concluded that my vehicle was included in the recall, I was told that they had not yet received a recommendation from Hyundai on a remedy for this fire hazard. My invoice indicates "your vehicle does have a Genuine Hyundai Towing hitch and 4-pin harness installed, there is currently no remedy available however you can continue driving the vehicle, but it is recommended that you park the vehicle outside until a remedy has been performed.April, 2023, I called the Hyundai Corporate Office and was assigned a case manager, Rohan. I suggested that Hyundai buy back the vehicle, with 5000 miles on it, because if I cannot tow my boat, it's useless to me, and also because I cannot park the vehicle in my heated 3 car attached garage. Rohan said he would try to find a local business to install a new hitch. I would have pay for it and submit the bill to Hyundai for reimbursement. The next time I heard from Rohan, he instructed me to find a local business to install the hitch. I did contact a couple local businesses and they all indicated that they wanted nothing to do with the Hyundai recall. My question to Rohan was, if he thought a private business could do the fix, why hadn't Hyundai come up with a timely fix, given the potential devastation that the outcome could have if a fire did occur. At the end of April, 2023, Rohan stopped accepting and responding to my calls. I believe that Hyundai has failed to timely remedy the towing hitch issue which, according to Hyundai, may ignite a fire even with the ignition turned off. Hyundai has known that these issues existed well before it was announced on TV in March, 2023 but did not officially notify the owners of the vehicles until the end of May, 2023. It is very unnerving driving this vehicle knowing this is the one that could catch fire anywhere, anytime! This should be considered for a Class Action Law Suite or a Wisconsin Lemon Law Case. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving on the highway and the car phantom emergency braked for no reason at all. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Hello, I would like to point out a safety issue many new car manufacturers have actually implemented. I've witnessed this safety issue at two accident myself. Most automakers today lock your car doors automatically unnoticed by most drivers . The door locks are operated by electrical current only, if a accident destroys your car battery mechanically or by shorting out the battery in water, a person is unable to unlock their door. Thereby trapping them inside their car. In case your car is on fire or submerging in water you are trapped. There normally is a mechanical lock release if you are aware of how to use it, most people today if questioned have no idea how to do that. My son recently purchased a new Ford pickup that when the doors are locked the little plunger that you would pull up manually to release your door lock is recessed in the panel to the point you cannot grab hold of it. GMC truck owners are told to just pull the handle three times and the door will unlock, this is a true statement, if, the battery is connected. Research will show many people drowning and killed by automobile fire, When they have been perfectly physically capable of escaping the car If the door lock had not prevented them from escaping. It Is such a simple fix, just by redesigning the mechanical operation to only luck the door from the outside not the person inside. This auto lock future can not be changed on this car as i have requested. Please contact me with questions. Thank you for your help in saving lives! [XXX] My back ground has been 25 years with IBM in R&D also aircraft electrician, and industrial electrician INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the RPM would be elevated while the vehicle was idling. The failure recurred while the brake pedal was depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred approximately 3-4 times within 30 days. The failure recurred approximately 15 times within 6 months of owning the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12. | Crash: No Fire: No | 12 |
| Jun 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Driving on highway with cruise control selected to 80 mph. Left signal is applied to travel to left lane to pass a semi trailer. When the vehicle is half way into the left lane, the automatic system applies hard braking even though the semi trailer has not been detected as too close. Vehicle slowed to 74 to 75 mph before cruise control was turned off. Vehicle behavior is a total surprise to vehicles following since the braking is unexpected on a clear road. Repeated the symptoms several times. This braking does not occur if the vehicle ahead in the right hand lane is an automobile. This only occurs if it is a large vehicle such as a semi. Moving quickly or slowly to the passing lane affects the total time the braking is applied. The slower the movement, the longer the braking is applied. Repeated this behavior at 75 mph and 70 mph with similar results. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | POWER TRAIN | While driving under normal conditions with vehicle in Drive, transmission shifting into Neutral with no driver input or action and the engine remained running. Transmission indicator remained in Drive, and engine would rev, without forward propulsion. This occurred three times is close proximity, within 30 minute period. Each time, shutting down the vehicle, waiting approximately 5 minutes to restart, the vehicle would then shift into Drive normally and move under power. There were no warning messages or indicators prior to or during the three episodes. Dealer was unable to diagnosis any errors, even using GDS. If the vehicle had been moving at highway speed or on a more congested roadway, this could have posed a significant safety risk to the occupants and any nearby vehicles, as the driver may have not been able to safely pull off the roadway when the vehicle lost propulsion (shifted to neutral). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES | Car was purchased January 21st had 3000 mile on it when service was needed for these issues. On march 23rd as I started driving my car wouldn't go above 30 mph, when pressing on the gas pedal the car wouldn't accelerate, the rpm gage would go to 4 but engine wouldn't make noise car wouldn't speed up. I put the car in park and back in drive with no improvement. I pulled off at a gas station restarted the car and it was fine. During this time the auto on off button was orange on the cluster which I had never seen it that color before. Was looked at by the dealer but wasn't reproducible. Not sure the cause, but safety was in jeopardy due to not being able to go with speed of traffic. Also a couple weeks after purchase brakes began to squeal, took car to dealer on march 28th was told brake pads were sanded and cleaned, upon leaving dealer brakes continued to squeal, car is now back at dealer, supposedly needing front rotors and pads replaced. Dealer won't drive car until rotors replaced. Safety was in jeopardy cause of possible brake failure and resulting accident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While traveling on state highway I heard a sudden, loud pop, similar to a gunshot sound. I looked everywhere and noticed that the sunroof was shattered. It is panoramic and was open. The rear, unopened section was completely shattered. Upon closer inspection there is a jagged hole about 1.5 inches in length in the sunroof. Although the rear part of the sunroof was intact, there were shards of glass scattered throughout the cabin. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | STRUCTURE | 4/27/23 - Panoramic sunroof exploded going over a bridge. Front glass panel only. No advance warning. Shade was closed and no glass entered cockpit. Local PD responded and saw no evidence of impact or criminal activity. Vehicle is at local dealership for warranty repairs. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | 2023 Hyundia Santa Fe bought brand new from the dealership. During the course of the last month and a half the vehicle has done things with unknown origin. The panic alarm will randomly go off when the vehicle is turned off, no one is in it, or even near it. By locking the vehicle with the remote, the alarm will tend to go off about 20-30 seconds after the vehicle is locked and will sometimes not stop until the vehicle is restarted. The transmission will shift very roughly almost to the point that it feels like you are driving a manual transmission vehicle. The transmission lags in gears between 60-70 miles per hour and you feel a very rough back and forth shifting with in the transmission. Next the emergency break would engaging and then not releasing or reengaging when parked on a hill, flat service or anywhere. The break light on the dash would light up, blink, then it would go off, making it unknown if the emergency break was acting engaged or not. The dealership I purchased it from did replace the EMS module along with breaks and rotors on the vehicle. The auto shut off or the idle shut off will also randomly work, and not work. it will cut on and off even if the button is pressed to shut it off or prevent it from coming on. Now the air condition, along with the heat and heated seats has started to not work, randomly cut on, will not cut off etc. While driving i have had the heated seats turn on, along with the heat and not go off, nothing would cut off until the vehicle was physically turned off and restarted. No codes have ever been displayed or found by the dealership. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I bought a brand new 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. Not even one month later the panoramic sunroof exploded while I was driving on the interstate at 75 mph. There were no warning lamps, messages or other signs that this would/could happen prior to the incident. I was not informed by the dealership that this could happen, but they were aware it could happen. I was told by the Sales Manager, “We wouldn’t sell the cars if we informed consumers”. I had the screen cover closed, so I was very fortunate because it could have caused a major accident on the interstate if it was open and glass exploded all over me and got in my eyes. Hopefully the vehicles behind me did not have any damage to their vehicles from the glass. I was not told if it is available for inspection. I was only told that it would be replaced. This problem is happening since 2012. There have been multiple class-action lawsuits with multiple car brands that have panoramic sunroofs. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,POWER TRAIN | Stopped at left turn lane light. Light turns green and vehicle engine revolutions increase as I press on gas pedal but car does not move. Cars behind me lean on their horns and take evasive maneuvers to go around me. Car finally goes very slowly and transmission disengages in middle of left turn leaving vehicle in middle of intersection with oncoming traffic. Luckily everyone stopped and vehicle very slowly moved through the intersection to side of road. Vehicle is brand new and in my possession less than 48 hours. Vehicle is at dealership for troubleshooting. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | All lights that come on when you first start the vehicle stay on. ABS, forward collision, rear collision, side mirror check, down hill brake, etc. The brakes and brake pedal would lock up when attempting to brake. Pedal stays locked but the wheels didn’t seem too. Brake system wouldn’t respond to pumping the brakes the pedal stayed frozen. It could have caused me a serious accident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Windshield cracks | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Windshield cracked and webbed | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I bought this Lemon on 1/14/2023. The front collision detection doesn't brake to avoid collision. The Emergency brake will engage on it's own, and it has to be manually disengaged. The parking assist feature will automatically disengage and is unable to engage it. The middle seat in the back seat headrest obstructs a major portion of the rear window, obstructing the driver's view. It is not the headrest pictured in the Owner's Manual. It has been in the shop twice. It has been in the shop for 10 days and counting of the 34 days I have owned this lemon of a vehicle. The car was taken to the dealer for repairs but consumer was told the vehicle functioned properly. The consumer stated the car was still malfunctioning so vehicle was taken back to dealer for repairs and still being assessed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I purchased this SUV new and noticed an issue with the automatic intermittent wipers. The dealership has replaced the windshield sensor and issue is now unreliable at best. Service department told me to simply wipe the sensor off or pour water onto the sensor to get the wipers to work. That seems to work for about 3 wipes and then stops again. Also, the driver seat changes position by itself while driving, and the advanced cruise control failed to provide any braking and almost caused me to rear end a stopped car in freeway traffic. Additionally the advanced braking system does not work at all... I had the salesman check the settings and they are turned on, but do not provide any braking function. The alert system does provide a warning if a car turns a corner in front of me, but fails to take any action. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Forward collision warning system engaged unexpectedly, braked hard to the point of smelling burnt tires. No collision imminent. Normal driving conditions. On a second occasion, stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle suddenly warned of foward parking collision. Front camera engaged and yellow warning showed | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |