2023 Hyundai SANTA FE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11482757 · 2022-09-03 (September 3, 2022)
Forward collision warning system engaged unexpectedly, braked hard to the point of smelling burnt tires. No collision imminent. Normal driving conditions. On a second occasion, stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle suddenly warned of foward parking collision. Front camera engaged and yellow warning showed
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11482757 at NHTSA ↗
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 11509161 · 2023-02-26 (February 26, 2023)
Windshield cracks
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11509161 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11509162 · 2023-02-26 (February 26, 2023)
Windshield cracked and webbed
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11509162 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11515075 · 2023-04-02 (April 2, 2023)
All lights that come on when you first start the vehicle stay on. ABS, forward collision, rear collision, side mirror check, down hill brake, etc. The brakes and brake pedal would lock up when attempting to brake. Pedal stays locked but the wheels didn’t seem too. Brake system wouldn’t respond to pumping the brakes the pedal stayed frozen. It could have caused me a serious accident.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11515075 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 11517779 · 2023-04-19 (April 19, 2023)
I bought a brand new 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. Not even one month later the panoramic sunroof exploded while I was driving on the interstate at 75 mph. There were no warning lamps, messages or other signs that this would/could happen prior to the incident. I was not informed by the dealership that this could happen, but they were aware it could happen. I was told by the Sales Manager, “We wouldn’t sell the cars if we informed consumers”. I had the screen cover closed, so I was very fortunate because it could have caused a major accident on the in…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11517779 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V181000 · Trailer Hitches
Reported: 2023-03-17 (March 17, 2023)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.
NHTSA campaign record ↗