2015 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 254 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 9 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 10 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 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.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 23V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchJun 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 17V358000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
254 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2017
A PORTION OF THE SUNROOF INEXPLICABLY SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED AT THE TIME, THOUGH THERE WAS NOTHING ABOVE, AROUND OR EVEN NEAR THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE THE DAMAGE.
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 15, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE VEHICLE'S DOORS, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK FAILED TO LOCK. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,950.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 15, 2017, crash
I WAS ON GROUND FLOOR OF A PARKING GARAGE AND ALREADY IN THE PARKING SPOT---I HAD MY BRAKE ON AND WAS ACTUALLY READY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO "PARK". THERE WAS A SUDDEN REVING OF THE ENGINE AND THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED THROUGH A STEEL LATTICE WORK BARRIER AND THROUGH A FLOWER BED INTO AN EXTREMELY WET SURFACE. I HIT THE BRAKE AS HARD AS POSSIBLE AND BELIEVE THAT THE BRAKE FINALLY HELD. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BECAME MIRED DOWN IN APPROXIMATELY 12-14 INCHES OF MUD. I BELIEVE THE COMBINATION OF THE MUD AND THE BRAKE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACTUALLY STOP. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING THIS ACCIDENT. BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR WERE DAMAGED FROM THE FRONT FENDER TO THE REAR FENDER, INCLUDING 1 HEADLIGHT UNIT, AND THE OUTSIDE MIRROR ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR (I DO NOT KNOW FOR CERTAIN IF THE OTHER OUTSIDE MIRROR WAS DAMAGED). I LOOKED UP "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" ONLINE AND IT IS LOOKING MORE AND MORE LIKE THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TPS) MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT. I DO HAVE A POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES BUT CANNOT SCAN THEM AS I HAVE ON CAPABILITY TO DO SO. NO OTHER VEHICLE AND NO OTHER INDIVIDUALS WERE INVOLVED. WE HAD A WRECKING COMPANY COME TO PULL THE CAR OUT AND TAKE TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP FOR ESTIMATE AND POSSIBLE REPAIR. THE ESTIMATE THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE POLICE OFFICER FOR THE ACTUAL PROPERTY DAMAGES (STEEL LATTICE WORK REPLACEMENT AND LAWN REPAIR) WAS LISTED AS $5000. IT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS POINT WHETHER THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF GOING OVER THE LARGE CONCRETE BLOCK THAT WAS IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT. I AM WAITING FOR THE ESTIMATE TO KNOW THIS.
Engine, Aug 8, 2017
ENGINE SEIZED ON THE VEHICLE AFTER 32000 MILES. SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS THIS IS DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE DESPITE ADEQUATE OIL CHANGES OCCUR DURING WITH THE MOST RECENT 1 DAY PRIOR TO VEHICLE BREAK DOWN. WE HAD DROVE THE VEHICLE LESS THAN 20 MILES FOLLOWING THE OIL CHANGE AND WAS LEAVING FOR A FAMILY VACATION AND WAS LESS THAN A MILE FROM OUR HOUSE WHEN IT BROOKE DOWN ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE BREAKDOWN OCCURRED. AFTER TOWING THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A SEIZED ENGINE.
Structure, Aug 8, 2017
I RECEIVED RECALL FOR SECONDARY HOOD LATCH WHICH CAN CAUSE HOOD TO REMAIN OPEN AND OBSCURE DRIVER VISION. I SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT WITH RICK CASE HYUNDAI. WHEN I GOT THERE, I WAS TOLD PART WAS NOT IN STOCK AND THEY COULD NOT RESCHEDULE BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T SURE WHEN THEY COULD GET PART. I CALLED POTAMKIN HYUNDAI AND HAD TO LEAVE A MESSAGE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT ANSWER THEIR SERVICE PHONE. I AM FILING COMPLAINT IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS, HYUNDAI CAN BE HELD LIABLE FOR NOT FIXING THIS ISSUE IN A TIMELY MANNER.
Structure, Aug 7, 2017
I RECEIVED A RECALL FROM YOU REGARDING THE SECONDARY LATCH ON THE HOOD RELEASE. I CALLED THE DEALER TO ARRANGE CORRECTION. DEALER REP SAID THAT PARTS ON BACK ORDER AND I COULD BE PUT ON WAITING LIST. I CALLED HYUNDAI FINANCE AS THE VEHICLE IS LEASED AND SAID CAN YOU DO ANYTHING? THEY SAID TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAVE LATCH INSPECTED. I CALLED DEALER BACK AND ASKED FOR AN APPOINTMENT. TODAY IS AUGUST 7, THEY SET AN APPOINTMENT FOR SEPTEMBER 5. I SAID AN INSPECTION REQUIRING 5 MINUTES TAKES A MONTH? PAPERWORK, REP SAID. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT YOU ISSUED AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL AND MF. HAS NO PARTS? IS SEALER STALLING? DEALER NAME IS JOHNSON HYUNDAI IN CARY, NORTH CAROLINA. DON'T SEND RECALLS IF THE COMPANY WON'T CO-OPERATE! *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SENSOR INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (INTERSTATE HYNUDAI, LOCATED AT 609 CONSTITUTION DR WEST MONROE, LA 71292) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,654.
Other or unspecified, Jul 4, 2017
WHILE DRIVING MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE DOWN A HIGHWAY AT NORMAL SPEED, THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ON THE VEHICLE SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO CARS AHEAD OF ME TO CAUSE A ROCK TO FLY INTO THE ROOF AND CRACK IT. THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY LOUD POP SOUND WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURRED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING BACK FROM A HOLIDAY TRIP. READ ONLINE THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING A SIMILAR SITUATION WITH THEIR PANORAMIC SUNROOF ON THEIR HYUNDAI SANTA FE.
Visibility/wiper, May 29, 2017
PANORAMIC SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING. IT INITIALLY LEFT A LARGE HOLE ABOUT 2 FT BY 3 FT WHICH INCREASED OVER THE NEXT 2 HOURS AS I LIMPED HOME. THOUSANDS OF PIECES OF GLASS ENDED UP INSIDE THE OVERHEAD SUN SHADE AND INSIDE THE CAR. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY LATE AT NIGHT AND THERE WERE NO ROCKS OR OTHER FLYING OBJECTS THAT COULD HAVE HIT MY CAR WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 7, 2017
THE CAR STALLS AND COMPLETELY LOSES POWER. WE JUST HIT THE 62K MILE MARK. WHEN IT LOSES POWER EVEN THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. WHEN YOU STOP AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE CAR JERKS. THE EXHAUST IS SMOKING BADLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND WITH MORE THAN ONE DRIVER.
Electrical system, Structure, Mar 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE FAILED AND ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE ON ITS OWN INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE SMART LIFTGATE FEATURE WAS ACTIVATED AND DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Electrical system, Lane departure, Dec 21, 2016
SIMILAR TO INCIDENT 10885095; BLIND SPOT DETECTION SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. UPON INSPECTION BY DEALER, IT WAS FOUND THE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE "RE-CALIBRATED", BUT NO BSD SENSOR ISSUES WERE FOUND. *TR
Other or unspecified, Nov 26, 2016
THE SCREEN ON THE GPS UNIT CRACKED AS I WAS CLEANING IT. I HAD THE CAR FOR 10 MONTHS WITH 7000 MILES ON THE CAR. HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE THE UNIT. I AM UNABLE TO DOWNLOAD UPDATES, THE CONTINUITY IS BROKEN. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND IN MY DRIVEWAY AS I WAS CLEANING IT.
Visibility, Nov 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED AND PIECES OF THE SUN ROOF GLASS BEGAN TO FALL. THERE WERE MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S HEADS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 01/31/17*LJ
Power train, Jul 28, 2016
WHEN I AM ON A SUBSTANTIAL INCLINE, I PLACE THE AUTO INTO REVERSE, THERE IS A HARD SHIFTING NOISE AND VIBRATION. MY GIRLFRIENDS INCLINE ON HER DRIVEWAY IS PROBABLY AROUND 6% GRADE. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. I HAVE CONTACT HYUNDAI @CONSUMERAFFAIRS@HMAUSA.COM ON 7/25/2016. I ALSO CONTACTED A DEALER (RON TONKIN) ON7/28/2016. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM EITHER ENTITIES AS OF THIS WRITING.
Electrical system, Jul 15, 2016
BLIND SPOT DETECTOR TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES ,WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW 10 MONTHS AGO.
Air bags, Structure, May 10, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED EYE INJURIES DUE TO DOOR FRAGMENTS AND GASHES ON THE ARM. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR COMPONENTS WERE NOT STRUCTURALLY SOUND UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND BACK PAINS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. ONLY THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE DURING THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT REQUESTED THAT THE MANUFACTURER DIAGNOSE THE AIR BAG FAILURE, BUT THE REQUEST WAS NOT HEEDED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF *CN
Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2016
THE ELECTRONIC KEY SYSTEM OF THIS CAR HAS A BIG FLAW. THE DOORS DO NOT LOCK EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE ACTIVATION THROUGH THE LOCK BUTTON OF THE ELECTRONIC KEY WHEN THE ENGINE IS LEFT RUNNING . THE BEHAVIOR IS UNLIKE OTHER CARS SUCH AS NISSAN ALTIMA, WHICH LOCKS THE DOOR.S. THIS BEHAVIOR MAKES IT MUCH MORE LIKELY FOR SOMEONE TO INADVERTENTLY WALK AWAY FROM THE CAR WITH ENGINE RUNNING LEAVING THE DOORS UNLOCKED.
Air bags, Feb 1, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE OTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S FRONT AND REAR DOORS ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TURNED AND CAME TO A STOP. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER RECEIVED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 26, 2016
FOR A WEEK (JULY 4-11, 2015) I RENTED A SANTA FE SPORT SUV FROM NATIONAL AT HOBBY AIRPORT IN HOUSTON, TX. ONLY AFTER DRIVING IT DURING THE WEEK DID I DISCOVER THE WORST PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR ' IT HAD A PREDOMINANT TENDENCY TO HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, ESPECIALLY WHEN A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN WAS TO BE EXECUTED AT THE SAME TIME. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, WITH A REAL POSSIBILITY OF BEING STRUCK BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
Engine, Dec 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE ENGINE REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATED 02/10/16*LJ *TR
Engine, Dec 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.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 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.
Steering, Sep 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.
Air bags, Jul 10, 2015, crash
AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY....UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. UPDATED 08/13/15*JB