10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #13

Feb 222026

Santa Fe Hybrid

  • miles
Vehicle went in to limp mode in the middle of driving. Would not accelerate past 30mph. Was able to turn around and pull in to a neighborhood when the vehicle stopped responding altogether and had an additional warning about letting the engine recharge the hybrid system. Restarting the car got it home. This would have been extremely dangerous had it happened on the highway, at highway speeds. Dealership replaced the high pressure fuel pump. Got it back yesterday, we will see if that fixes it.

- Bristow, VA, USA

problem #12

Nov 082025

Santa Fe Hybrid

  • miles
While driving at highway speeds (59-?"75 mph), the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion power and entered a reduced-speed -??limp mode, -?? rapidly decelerating and creating a dangerous traffic situation. The dashboard displayed a -??Hybrid Power Control Unit-?? warning along with audible alarms. During the second incident, the vehicle failed to shut off when the engine stop button was pressed. Multiple adult witnesses were in the vehicle on each dangerous traffic situation.

- Granbury, TX, USA

problem #11

Jan 052026

Santa Fe Hybrid

  • miles
Supplemental Update -?" Ongoing Safety Concerns and Extended Loss of Use Since submitting my initial complaint, my leased Hyundai vehicle (VIN [XXX] ) has now been presented for service for the third time for the same unresolved safety-related issues. The vehicle has been held by the dealership for eight (8) consecutive days during this service visit with no resolution and no clear timeline for return. Safety concerns remain unresolved, including: Persistent toxic/chemical odor inside the cabin Random rear hatch opening while vehicle is parked and locked Repeated false -??windows open-?? alerts Electrical/body control system irregularities To date, I have not been provided with documentation confirming that cabin air quality testing, exhaust intrusion testing, or comprehensive electrical diagnostics have been performed. These unresolved conditions present ongoing safety risks and loss of use. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #10

Dec 222025

Santa Fe Hybrid

  • miles
Started car, reading paperwork and suddenly my car went into Neutral bycitself and rolled backwards in a parking lot. Thank goodness no one was walking behind my car. This is the 2nd time it has happened. Additionally, twice previously, my car screen blacked off. 1 other time while sitting at a traffic light, the car shut off. I have been patient but now I'm afraid ti drive this car with only 2,650 miles on it.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #9

May 312025

Santa Fe Hybrid

  • miles
Stopped for gas, vehicle started but would not go into gear, engine lights indicated 'Check hybrid system', warning lights shown. 1/2 hr on the phone with dealership to assist. No problem detected when returning to home dealer. Second episode occurred, vehicle at dealer for the past 4 weeks. Episode repeated at dealership yet "no abnormalities are detected with diagnostics ".

- Lewes , DE, USA

problem #8

Jun 252025

Santa Fe Hybrid

  • miles
I've been having a few issues with my 2025 Calligraphy Hybrid I bought in November related to the main screen, sometimes when I start the vehicle it doesn't properly initialize and it will show me some of the icons and nothing else. No HUD, no speedometer, no remaining fuel, no hybrid information. It's a huge safety issue, it seems to happen every couple of weeks. I thought it was the digital key not working properly so I disabled that but still having issues. I have to let the car sit for a few hours or overnight and then when i turn it on then it's back to normal. I realized that when the main screen is off, it doesn't capture the mileage so the mileage is off by close to 300 miles right now. Huge issue, I've had it happen on my way home from work (25 miles) at least 4 times, and once on a road trip (150 miles). Also when this happens because I can't see the speedometer, I have to use Waze on the infotainment screen (which works without issue) to see my actual speed because the built-in navigation only shows me increments of 10 mph on the screen (this is just stupid).

- Norwood, MA, USA

problem #7

Jun 022025

Santa Fe Hybrid

  • miles
Car was unused for less than a week and upon going to use it the vehicle was dead. Jumped vehicle and next day was dead again. In researching the problem, many other Santa Fe Hybrid owners have run into this same issue. Dealership admitted many hybrids from Hyundai face this issue and recommended installing a trickle charger for when not using the vehicle for a couple days which seems ridiculous for a brand new vehicle. Likely something draining battery slowly in car

- Shoreview, MN, USA

problem #6

Jun 022025

Santa Fe Hybrid

  • miles
I was on a semi residential-commercial street that turns on to a freeway entrance. I was turning right and unavoidably entered the freeway when the sudden loss of power occurred. The car slowed down to about 20 mph and pressing on the gas medal didn't yield any more power. I immediately pulled over to the emergency lane upon entering freeway to let fast moving vehicles pass me on the left side. I turned off the vehicle and turned it back on. It seemed to turn on as normal so I proceeded to drive home slowly, staying on the slow right lane of the freeway driving under the speed limit until I took my exit to get to my home. All seemed ok until I turned onto residential street near my home. Again the car slowed down suddenly to 20mph and giving it more gas did not make a difference. The time difference between the first and second (recorded) incident was 25 minutes apart, having driven the vehicle only 140 total miles. The dashboard flashed a 20mph speed limit even though I never set those parameters, didn't set cruise control, and I didn't have auto stop or hold buttons engaged. The car simply slowed down to a 20mph speed limit without my input to the vehicle settings.

- Covina, CA, USA

problem #5

Apr 142025

Santa Fe Hybrid

  • miles
Car did dashboard update on 4/10/25. Had less than 4300 miles. Unable to unlock car due to dead battery. Car unlock service opened door for tow company to jump battery and advise that the new 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid battery needs to be replaced. May need other service (alternator or Hybrid battery too) but the 12v battery had been drained. Interior lights would not turn on prior to this happening.

- Winnetka, CA, USA

problem #4

Feb 222025

Santa Fe Hybrid

  • miles
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.

- Lithia, FL, USA

problem #3

Jan 302025

Santa Fe Hybrid

  • miles
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.

- Morgan, UT, USA

problem #2

Jan 182025

Santa Fe Hybrid

  • miles
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.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #1

Nov 112024

Santa Fe Hybrid

  • miles
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 kicker is the part is unavailable until January. I am not sure how widespread or rampant this issue is, but I am concerned there might be more or further issues identified.

- Arlington Heights, IL, USA