2025 Hyundai SANTA FE HYBRID: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
86 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
7,450 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2025 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 86 complaints (31.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 23 | 26.7% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 14.0% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 8.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 5.8% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 4.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.2% |
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 | 27 |
| Electrical System | 26 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 21 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 20 |
| Power Train | 16 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 8 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 7 |
Engine: 27; Electrical System: 26; Fuel/Propulsion System: 21; Vehicle Speed Control: 20; Power Train: 16; Unknown Or Other: 12; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 8; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 80 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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 47 |
2024: 2; 2025: 37; 2026: 47
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 23 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11626427 · 2024-11-20 (November 20, 2024)
Hi Hyundai- my 2025 Santa Fe calligraphy HEV, with around 900 miles wasn’t turning on and only able to start with a jump. After parking, it was unable to maintain a charge to start up again even after driving 1-2 hours. The dealer wasn’t sure why, replaced the 12v battery first and recharged it overnight. Unfortunately it also drained. Finally diagnosed that the hybrid starter generator needed replacing. More bad news, after replacing they discovered what the service manager said was a defective relay pack of some sort had fused. And the kicke…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11626427 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11627598 · 2024-11-26 (November 26, 2024)
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance Warning Alert System Failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle independently accelerated, and the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle responded as needed. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 133,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11627598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11638786 · 2025-01-27 (January 27, 2025)
When you stop the car , you cannot lock- unlock the car with keyfob. Nothing happens when you press these buttons on keyfob. And Media screen inside the car is still ON. But the car is OFF for sure. After few minutes only, keyfob works fine and you can lock-unlock, remote start etc. So for 5 minutes, you cannot do anything like locking the car, which is a safety hazard.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11638786 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11640006 · 2025-01-31 (January 31, 2025)
THERE IS NO OPTION TO TURN OFF THE "CONSIDER TAKING A BREAK" WARNING. IT GOES OFF SEVERAL TIMES IN LONG ROADTRIPS. REQUESTING AN UPDATE SO WE CAN TURN THAT OFF BECAUSE ITS REALLY DISTRACTING TO HAVE IT POP EVERY 10 MIN!!!!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11640006 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11640616 · 2025-02-04 (February 4, 2025)
The Forward Attention Warning at times alarms constantly, even though I am looking forward. It is highly distracting as it alarms many times per minute. A menu option exists in the settings to disable it, but that doesn't work. I have read online that this is a common problem with 2024 and 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe models.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11640616 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11643027 · 2025-02-16 (February 16, 2025)
[XXX] - On re-entering the highway, after getting gas. accelerating slowly on ramp (passing 35-40 mph) - I crossed a patch of snow, the brakes locked up briefly! (Fraction of a second) I was about 2/3 up the ramp. No other vehicles near. 1000 miles on 2025 Sante Fe. Arriving home and searching on line I find others have experienced similar brake events on a range of Hyundai products. 29 degrees light snow, some slush, mostly clear road. Cruise control had been on prior to stop. I didn’t notice status during ‘event’ but noticed it was on whe…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11643027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11643381 · 2025-02-18 (February 18, 2025)
Our car had 2149 miles on it. Engine started to stalled on [XXX] on [XXX] from OKC to Tulsa. We made it to Tulsa. The car was towed to Tulsa Hyundai dealership on 12/25/2024. After diagnostic on 12/26/24, we were told the car had bad gas. The dealership performed the necessary work including replacing 4 fuel injectors in order to fix the problem. It cost $3991.52 and it took a week. We were told since this was not a manufacturer problem that we are responsible for the repair. We paid for the repair. We always get our gas from Costco. So we file…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11643381 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11644956 · 2025-02-26 (February 26, 2025)
12V battery discharges and SUV has to be junp started. Hyundai removed the battery reset button that existed until 2023 model year. Manufacturer should do recall to change the 12V battery charging characteristics for 2024/2025 model years.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11644956 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
25V808000 · Back Over Prevention:Display Function
Reported: 2025-11-20 (November 20, 2025)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The rearview camera may not have been installed properly, which can damage the wiring harness and cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the camera wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning January 15, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 288. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V809000 · Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain
Reported: 2025-11-20 (November 20, 2025)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
Consequence: Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 289 and 029G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V218000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 2026-04-06 (April 6, 2026)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2026 Genesis G90, 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.
Consequence: A detached seat belt anchor will not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinforce or replace the seat belt anchors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning May 29, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 and Genesis customer service at 844-340-9741. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 298 and 032G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov April 8, 2026.
NHTSA campaign record ↗