2023 Hyundai SANTA FE HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
57 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
15,312 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 57 complaints (40.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 21.1% |
| Braking behavior | 11 | 19.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 14.0% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 8.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 23 |
| Power Train | 15 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 13 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 10 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 4 |
Engine: 23; Power Train: 15; Electrical System: 13; Fuel/Propulsion System: 13; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 10; Unknown Or Other: 10; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 55 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2022: 1; 2023: 17; 2024: 28; 2025: 9; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11534480 · 2023-07-25 (July 25, 2023)
On nine separate occasions between mid-June 2023 (mileage appx. 600) and July 21, 2023 (mileage 1994), my vehicle lost power (decrease or loss of power and/or hesitated, sputtered, or stalled) when I was accelerating from a stop or slow speed. During these times, I have noticed that the air conditioner starts blowing only warm air. The only way to correct the issue has been to turn off the engine and then restart it. No error codes have ever been generated, and only twice did warning lights come on (engine oil light and battery light). I wi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11534480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11536429 · 2023-08-04 (August 4, 2023)
Incomplete weld(s) in frame/body at drivers side rear passenger seat floor area. Dealer has vehicle and is unable to repair frame/body weld(s) without removing body from frame. Frame/body flexing in the area of hybrid batteries are will continue to worsen over time causing possible short in wiring and or batteries causing fire. Dealer has confirmed issue. Manufacturer is buying back above vehicle at this time. Only warning sign was a persistent rattle in frame/body in driver’s rear passenger floor.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11536429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11540328 · 2023-08-23 (August 23, 2023)
Since I have had the car, five months, there have been THREE INCIDENTS of the car braking to a stop suddenly and unexpectedly while I am driving. At no time were there other cars near me; I was not in danger of hitting anything or anyone as the road was clear. The stops were jarring and upsetting as I could not discern a reason for these sudden stops. I feel it is very dangerous to stop in the middle of the street without warning.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11540328 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11568166 · 2024-01-27 (January 27, 2024)
The automatic emergency braking system engaged (the red warning flashed on the dashboard and tone beeped) while I while driving on the highway at 65 mph, in clear weather conditions. This engagement caused the steering wheel to jerk violently left and right, almost causing the car to fishtail on the highway. There was a concrete barrier next to the lane I was driving in, and this was a very dangerous situation. Luckily, there was no car in the lane next to me.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11568166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11545225 · 2023-09-18 (September 18, 2023)
Beginning the evening of 8/21/2023, this 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe HEV began displaying warning messages: "Check Blind Spot Safety System" and "Check Rear Cross-Traffic Safety System." Simultaneously, the car would not register a "Ready to Drive" and could not be shifted into Drive or Reverse. The car could be shifted into Neutral. After turning off and restarting the car several times, the warning messages did not recur, and the car could be shifted and driven normally. The problem recurred in the following days. It appeared that the issue was…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11545225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11527002 · 2023-06-14 (June 14, 2023)
This is related to Complaint Number 11526621 filed June 13, '23. Today I experienced the same issue described in my previous complaint but under different circumstances. I was at an intersection of two 2-lane highways, one going east-west and the other going north-south, and was facing oncoming traffic as I waited for a gap in the oncoming traffic that would allow me to make the left turn. Once a gap appeared (perhaps 4 or 5 car lengths long), I pressed the accelerator to turn left but there was zero propulsion for about 2 seconds. I was si…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527002 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11601031 · 2024-07-10 (July 10, 2024)
While driving the blind spot safety system, driver attention warning system, and lane following system malfunction at the same time, and the vehicle loses power steering. The first time this occured was in the parking lot of an elementary school in April 2024. I was driving less than 2mph and the vehicle had less than 8,000 miles on it. The dealer said they would be unable to diagnose unless they witnessed the errors. The second time it occured was in May 2024 while driving on the interstate at around 75mph. The vehicle was driven directly to …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11601031 at NHTSA ↗