2015 Hyundai SANTA FE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
254 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
66,806 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 88 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 160 of 254 complaints (63.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 40 | 15.7% |
| Engine operation | 32 | 12.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 20 | 7.9% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 4.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 3.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 0.8% |
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 | 160 |
| Power Train | 22 |
| Unknown Or Other | 22 |
| Service Brakes | 21 |
| Electrical System | 19 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 13 |
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 |
Engine: 160; Power Train: 22; Unknown Or Other: 22; Service Brakes: 21; Electrical System: 19; Fuel/Propulsion System: 13; Air Bags: 9; Exterior Lighting: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 23 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 21 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 23; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 21; 150,000 and above: 6
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 166 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 42 |
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2023 | 52 |
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2015: 9; 2016: 9; 2017: 12; 2018: 12; 2019: 10; 2020: 25; 2021: 42; 2022: 37; 2023: 52; 2024: 36; 2025: 3; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 40 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 32 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 20 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 10695256 · 2015-03-19 (March 19, 2015)
GETTING READY TO LEAVE A RESTAURANT AFTER BUSINESS DINNER, REACHED FOR SEAT BELT AND IT WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE CAR. THE BOLT WAS COMPLETED DISLODGED, AND THE SEAT BELT WAS JUST HANGING THERE. THIS IS A BIG CONCERN BECAUSE I COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE EARLIER THAT DAY OR POSSIBLY FOR WEEKS WITH A FAULTY SELF BELT, GIVING ME A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED EITHER US OR A DEALER REPRESENTATIVE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO BE FIXED. WE SAID ABSOLUTELY NOT, IT NEEDS TO BE TOWED. SEEMS TO ME THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT YOU C…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,587 miles reported. Look up ODI 10695256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10711925 · 2015-04-21 (April 21, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25. UPDATED 7/9/15*CN
Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 10711925 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10723852 · 2015-06-07 (June 7, 2015)
VEHICLE REQUIRES CONSTANT MINOR STEERING CORRECTIONS TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE. VEHICLE WANDERS ON THE HIGHWAY AND SEEMS TO OVER ADJUST SO THAT A SLIGHT STEERING ADJUSTMENT TO THE RIGHT REQUIRES A SLIGHT CORRECTION TO THE LEFT AND ON AND ON. IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD A STRAIGHT LINE.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10723852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10730992 · 2015-06-29 (June 29, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CROSSCONTACT LX TIRES, SIZE: 235/65R17. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO COAST OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10730992 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10733187 · 2015-07-10 (July 10, 2015)
AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY....UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. UPDATED 08/13/15*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10733187 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10766357 · 2015-09-21 (September 21, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 (NA) HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10766357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10785995 · 2015-10-26 (October 26, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A AUTOMATIC VEHICLE WASH AND DURING THE DRYING CYCLE, THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. AS A RESULT, GLASS AND WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10785995 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10807659 · 2015-12-01 (December 1, 2015)
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CALL LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT OPERATE IN A NORMAL FASHION. RPM GAUGE WAS HIGHLY ERRATIC AND PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR DID NOT RESULT IN INCREASED SPEED. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. THE 2ND TIME I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED, AS IT WOULD NO LONGER START. THAT TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED BY A SPARK PLUG.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10807659 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V358000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 2017-06-05 (June 5, 2017)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Consequence: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2023-09-22 (September 22, 2023)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
NHTSA campaign record ↗