2025 Hyundai SANTA FE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
129 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
10,024 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2025 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 129 complaints (20.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 10.1% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 7.8% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 7.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 7.0% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 4.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 26 |
| Electrical System | 25 |
| Power Train | 19 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 15 |
| Engine | 13 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 12 |
| Tires | 9 |
| Seat Belts | 8 |
Unknown Or Other: 26; Electrical System: 25; Power Train: 19; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 15; Engine: 13; Visibility/Wiper: 12; Tires: 9; Seat Belts: 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 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 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: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 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 (10). 118 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 | 1 |
| 2025 | 46 |
| 2026 | 82 |
2024: 1; 2025: 46; 2026: 82
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 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 11632295 · 2024-12-24 (December 24, 2024)
Hyundai Distracted Driver feature is FAULTY and VERY hazardous! If someone puts on sunglasses to drive SAFELY, the vehicle says you ARE distracted; and cuts the cruise control and starts braking on its own. VERY BAD!!! The vehicle is almost undrivable. Many others are having their dealerships buy their Hyundai Santa Fes back because they are nearly undrivable and are a general US roadway hazard, due to the way the faulty "Distracted Driver" feature kills cruise control AND actually distracts drivers constantly ... causing very unsafe driving…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11632295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11638730 · 2025-01-27 (January 27, 2025)
The forward attention warning (FAW) on the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe calligraphy can not be deactivated. Correction, it can be turned off for normal driving. For instance, driving around the city or not using smart cruise control. As soon as you turn on the smart cruise control it's reactivated and can't be turned off. The FAW does not work when using prescription sunglasses / non prescription sunglasses or if the sun is hitting the inside of the cabin a certain way. The FAW constantly flashes warnings and beeps at you even though you are lo…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11638730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11645106 · 2025-02-26 (February 26, 2025)
The Hyundai Bluelink system in my car, which interfaces with interfaces with almost all other computer-controlled systems on the car and through which software updates can be received and installed fails to work on an intermittent basis and the onboard system gives no warning when the Bluelink system has an outage or other malfunction. Large numbers of Hyundai vehicles suffered Bluelink outages beginning in early February 2025 so that system such as Collision-avoidance, emergency braking functions, and "SOS" crash notifications and owner assist…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11645106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11646900 · 2025-03-07 (March 7, 2025)
The sensor always goes off stating my eyes aren't on the road to the point it trys to stop the vehicle in traffic. This prevents me from being able to use cruise control because the sensor is causing issues by not detecting my eyes
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11646900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11648602 · 2025-03-16 (March 16, 2025)
I am unable to use speed control while wearing sunglasses due to the driver attention monitoring. It would be dangerous to drive without sunglasses.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11648602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11653986 · 2025-04-10 (April 10, 2025)
Vehicle fails to appropriately recognize when it is put in Park. The dash shows a "P" indicating the vehicle is in park, but emits a continuous beeping sound with a message on the dash that reads, "Auto Stop is Off. Shift to P or N and start engine manually." However, when pressing "P" as it states I must do, it then reads, "Gear already selected," before returning to the previous message. This is all while a "P" is illuminated and beeping is continuous. Throughout this time, if the brake is released, the car begins driving forward as though it…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11653986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11654053 · 2025-04-11 (April 11, 2025)
When approaching red light at low speed, about 3mph, the engine cut off in traffic, "apply brakes" or similar, started strobbing across the screen and then it said to put in park. The pedals were not working for brakes. Car came to a stop and put it in park and started it again. The Sante Fe has 3150 miles on it. No other issues.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11654053 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11658247 · 2025-05-01 (May 1, 2025)
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and taking her eyes off the road ahead, there was a warning chime and a red warning light illuminated, advising the driver to "Consider taking a Break". The contact stated that the safety feature is the Driver Monitoring: Camera/Sensor and the safety feature was activating while turning her head or moving her eyes from looking ahead. The contact stated that the chime was loud and was distracting while driving. The contact stated that the failure w…
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11658247 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
25V549000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Critical Fasteners
Reported: 2025-08-25 (August 25, 2025)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power and engine damage, possibly resulting in an oil leak.
Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 281.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V659000 · Electrical System:Starter Assembly
Reported: 2025-10-02 (October 2, 2025)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe vehicles. The B+ positive terminal cover on the starter motor assembly may be improperly installed, which can cause an electrical short during a crash.
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the starter motor terminal cover, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 285. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 4, 2025.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗