2026 Hyundai SANTA FE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
5,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2026 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 35 complaints (22.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 11.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.9% |
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 | 8 |
| Seats | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 8; Seats: 5; Electrical System: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 4; Power Train: 3; Visibility/Wiper: 3; Engine: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 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: 3; 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 (3). 32 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 |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 33 |
2025: 2; 2026: 33
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 11719714 · 2026-02-22 (February 22, 2026)
After turning off the radio with the push button control the instrument cluster and navigation display panel went completely dead black. After pushing multiple buttons several times the panel came back to life. This has not yet been reported to the dealer. On 12/12/2025 this same vehicle also experienced faulty engine / power train components which required replacement @1199 miles. Throttle body assembly and torque converter assembly which caused loss of power when accelerating onto a high speed parkway attempting to reach @55mph along with …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11719714 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11735486 · 2026-05-04 (May 4, 2026)
"What component malfunctioned...?" - Electrical system (suspected) "How was safety put at risk?" - We were unaware if the dashboard instruments were reading correctly. We also couldn't lock/unlock the doors or open/close the windows. The tailgate would also not open. "Has problem been reproduced?" - Not yet - plan to have the service center inspect. "Has vehicle been inspected by the manufacturer?" - No "Were there warning messages or symptoms?" - Yes, when the issue occurred. The vehicle reported 13 warnings/alerts. Happened for the f…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11735486 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11742217 · 2026-06-04 (June 4, 2026)
Driving at 70 mph on interstate, driver adjusted hands on steering wheel and accidently pulled both paddles, shifting car into neutral. Fortunately, there was little traffic, and the driver was able to move to the side of the interstate, out the car into park and shift back to drive. This was highly dangerous. Losing control of the vehicle while traveling at 70 miles an hour could have resulted in death. This feature is completely unnecessary in a family SUV and is going to cause an accident.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11742217 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11719196 · 2026-02-19 (February 19, 2026)
A brand new Santa Fe Hybrid AWD SEL(less than 2500 miles) makes squeaky noises when rotating the steering wheel to the counter clock wise. It is very annoying and frustrating. Due to the noise I can't fully concentrate to driving the car. Brought the vehicle to a local dealer and they would not do anything about it.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11719196 at NHTSA ↗