2023 Hyundai SANTA FE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
207 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
9,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 59 of 207 complaints (28.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 44 | 21.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 24 | 11.6% |
| Engine operation | 14 | 6.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 3.9% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 1.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 59 |
| Power Train | 43 |
| Engine | 35 |
| Electrical System | 32 |
| Service Brakes | 22 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 20 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 13 |
Unknown Or Other: 59; Power Train: 43; Engine: 35; Electrical System: 32; Service Brakes: 22; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 20; Vehicle Speed Control: 14; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 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 (14). 188 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 | 2 |
| 2023 | 42 |
| 2024 | 50 |
| 2025 | 65 |
| 2026 | 48 |
2022: 2; 2023: 42; 2024: 50; 2025: 65; 2026: 48
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 44 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 24 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 14 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 11498669 · 2022-12-23 (December 23, 2022)
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. Addit…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11498669 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11508320 · 2023-02-21 (February 21, 2023)
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 thi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11508320 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11517742 · 2023-04-18 (April 18, 2023)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11517742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11518919 · 2023-04-25 (April 25, 2023)
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 transmis…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11518919 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11532306 · 2023-07-14 (July 14, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled and decelerated to 25 MPH as several warning lights flashed on the instrument panel. After multiple attempts, the contact managed to restart the vehicle and drove to her destination. The contact sustained severe emotional trauma due to the failure but did not seek medical attention. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where they informed her that the throttle body was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was al…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,689 miles reported. Look up ODI 11532306 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11533274 · 2023-07-19 (July 19, 2023)
Driving at 25 mph and the vehicle alerted "shift to neutral" and came to a complete stop and stalled. Had no warning, couldn't even pull to side of road. Could not start again and had to be towed.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11533274 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11527383 · 2023-06-16 (June 16, 2023)
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 n…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11556359 · 2023-11-21 (November 21, 2023)
Upon braking hard and suddenly due to being cutoff on the interstate, it felt as if the antilock brakes did not properly engage but rather grabbed/grinded/scraped. Only when I let off the brake did they disengage. This happened the first time within 2 months of owning the car and with less than 2k miles on it, at highway speeds (65-70 MPH) and this sensation has happened probably 4 times in the 7 months I have owned the car under various scenarios of stopping quickly. In addition, it recently happened when driving 25-30 MPH and coming to a no…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11556359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11538034 · 2023-08-11 (August 11, 2023)
May 5th 2023 my car was broken in to.The back passenger window was broken out and the steering column was tour out .The car was undrivable. The car was towed May 18th to Nalley Hyundai.I just got my car back today Aug 11. I understand Hyundai is suing TikTok I was given a number.She said when they go to court.When .
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11538034 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11576901 · 2024-03-12 (March 12, 2024)
I have taken my vehicle back into the dealership because my car will sometimes unlock itself, I am constantly having to check the doors to make sure they are still locked and most of the time it has unlocked itself. Most of the time I hear it unlocking as I am walking away. It is very disturbing. It also beeps as if another vehicle is going to crash into me and most of the time there aren't any vehicles anywhere near me. The phone charger does not work, i have been having issues with this from the beginning. The steering wheel also says I have…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11576901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11678488 · 2025-08-05 (August 5, 2025)
At 22000 miles wheel speed sensor went out, all control system shut down and car became unstable. At 44000 miles fuel injector went out, was driving on freeway and car started shaking and losing power, then in parking lot would not start at all, had to be towed to dealer. This is way to many breakdowns for a car with such low mileage.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11678488 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11696368 · 2025-10-29 (October 29, 2025)
Was driving at 10 MPH on highway car began to cut out run rough and produce an extremely pungent smell of gasoline.. then stalled.. vehicle serviced and low pressure fuel injector had a leak causing fuel to spill onto the vehicles starter causing it to fail as well.. both were replaced under warranty by dealer. Highly concerned about fuel leaking from injector system onto a hot engine and electrical components and the aerosolized fuel. Police advised not to start vehicle due to fuel leaking and smell.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11696368 at NHTSA ↗