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.
Engine, Jun 29, 2023
I was driving my 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe on the parkway and while changing lanes, I wanted to accelerate to maintain a safe speed. As I attempted to accelerate I noticed that the car was slowing down. There were no strange sounds or dashboard lights I was aware of but the tachometer read zero. We pull onto the shoulder and were eventually towed to my mechanic. He determined with some confidence that the engine had seized. It will be towed to a Hyundai service facility where it will be evaluated and diagnosed and possible fixed for free under the current warranty
Engine, Jun 26, 2023
Car oil consumption. Caused engine to seize. No warning no lights.
Engine, Jun 5, 2023
Motor had rod bearing failure loud start ups and won’t cover warranty at 92k miles
Engine, Jun 3, 2023
My car have a engine lights on due the code #1326 ,Vibrations indicating excessive connecting Rod bearing wear . the caris on safe mode. I was check on line and i see that hyundai have a lots problem with the motor GDI 2.4 . some report says that the car can catch fire . also the hyundai car have a lots of recall regarding a safety issues . i think the hyundai shoud be responsible to repair all the problems this cars have because how they allowed to put the cars on the market with all these problems.
Engine, May 31, 2023
The check engine light began flashing without warning. I experienced sluggish performance and loss of power. Luckily I made it to my home. I took my car to my local mechanic and was informed my car was "burning oil" or over consuming oil. I never had an oil light indicator come on or any warnings that my car was having an oil issue. The only way to fix this is engine replacement. I called the dealership where I purchased my car and was informed that the warranty had expired. My car is sitting in my driveway inoperable. From my understanding this is not supposed to happen and is the result of poor, defective manufacturing of the engine components on the part of Hyundai. A warranty shouldn't be a consideration in the repair. Upon researching this issue I found that while there is a recall, my vehicle isn't on that list, but is on the affected list for this problem. Hyundai has been manufacturing and selling these vehicles to consumers for years with full knowledge of the problem. Out of 174 complaints on this site, 94 are related to the engine.
Engine, May 22, 2023
With out warning this car died and started smoking on a very busy road. I was almost hit several times trying to coast to the median.
Engine, May 16, 2023
Engine rod bearing are failing making noise and causing loss of power i have a v6 engine. I also had a hyundai sonata with a 4 cylinder engine that was doing the same thing and engine was covered under recall my santa fe only has 105,xxx miles.
Engine, May 10, 2023
I have attached a PDF with all documented information including service records, tow, etc. on December 3, 2022 I was driving home on the highway at approximately 45 mph and the engine started shaking uncontrollably. I barely made it into my driveway as it is directly off the highway. I have proceeded to talk to the dealership and Hyundai Motors without any correspondence of help.
Engine, Apr 27, 2023
Check engine light came on. It was a Sunday so we took it to the local auto parts shop and they said it was a pressure valve but they couldn’t say exactly which one. We made an appointment to have it checked but when we tried to drive it just a short distance (about a mile) it started stalling so we took it back home (about a mile back). By then it smelled like it was burning so we decided to have it towed rather than risk driving it to the repair shop. However by the time the tow truck came the next day, the car would not even start. The car has less than 70,000 miles and has been regularly maintained, but we are being told it needs a new engine and we have to pay for it. We bought from the dealership and it was only leased prior to that. We thought when we got it it was still covered under the originally warranty but we are now told that was not the case and it is not covered by the warranty. With the number of engine problems on these specific cars it seems very unlikely that this is something that we should be held responsible for but we are not sure how to hold Hyundai accountable.
Other or unspecified, Apr 24, 2023
Hello. My sunroof glass was shattered while I was driving with a large boom sound. My vehicle has a total mileage of less than 70000 miles an it was under extended warranty. Hyundai refused to bear the repair cost.
Engine, Apr 21, 2023
The engine failed. The failure started at 56,000 miles with knocking and got worse over time. My entire family and others safety was put at risk due to the engine failure and possible lack of performance at any time and chance of fire. The dealership and an independent mechanic confirmed engine would fail and has inspected the vehicle. There was no warnings or lights that illuminated on the vehicle
Engine, Mar 30, 2023
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe engine stalling or shutting off unexpectedly while driving. Hyundai didn't approve the request sent by West Huston Hyundai to replace an Engine due to lack of maintenance; however, the West Huston Hyundai service department did recalls and oil changes recently (18 Jan. 2023), and another service was done a few months ago in August 2022.
Electrical system, Mar 28, 2023
My vehicle was taken from my residence due to the individual being able to take apart my steering wheel column and starting my vehicle. This is very alarming to know that my vehicle can be stolen anytime with this trick that is being shown all over social media and the news channels.
Engine, Mar 27, 2023
While driving home from a meeting I began to hear a knock. It sounded like a stick was hitting my fan. There were no warning lights on at this time. Once I turned the corner onto my street, the car died, luckily I was able to just coast home. After getting home, I checked the oil and there was 0 oil in the car. I knew that this is bad. We just had an oil change completed a month ago. I went to the store and purchased some oil and filled the car, which allowed me to start the car and pull into my driveway. I had a fried come over and take a look at it with me, we heard 2 separate sounds, a deep knocking sound and a tinging sound. We decided to try and take it to a shop to get them to look at it. On this drive the car completely died and was unable to start the car. Had the car towed to the shop. They replaced the starter and were able to start the car but heard all of the knocking as well. They advised me to see if there was any recalls for engine oil consumption. I called Hyundai and they do not have any active recalls on this vehicle for engine oil consumption. This seems to match all of the other incidents from many others. This truly needs to be investigated and a recall needs to be issued. This is extremely frustrating!
Engine, Mar 25, 2023
The facts are this: This 2015 Santa Fe Limited only has 100,725 miles on it. I have had it for 70,000 of those 100,000 miles as I am the second owner. I have always had the oil changed at no more than 4000 miles and had all of my servicing done. Two Hyundai dealerships confirmed the issue is the same as with all of the engine issues Hyundai has had in the past and I’m lucky it didn’t stall. No dashboard warning but luckily I heard the noise and brought it in to check before I was possibly injured due to an engine seizing up. The second dealership confirmed as I took it there without telling them what the first dealership told me. Both said it would cost $20,000 for a new engine. It is obvious that this is the same engineering/Manufacturing/parts defect, and a replacement at no charge is deserved and justified. Here are just a few of the recent complaints lodged that match my exact issue: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11508780 NHTSA ID Number: 11508037 NHTSA ID Number: 11506729 NHTSA ID Number: 11500108
Engine, Mar 17, 2023
The engine failed at 103000 miles, right after the warranty expired. We were quoted twice as much as it is worth to repair it.
Engine, Mar 16, 2023
I was driving on the highway when I heard a noise and my vehicle locked up and died. I was able to pull it over and have it towed to the nearest Hyundai dealer. They confirmed it is the same issue they’ve seen with many of these vehicles where the issues with oil cause the bearings to degrade and lockup the engine. There’s nothing they can do unless we provide all the receipts for our oil changes.
Engine, Mar 7, 2023
Driving on the highway on February 8th 2023 and my car just died, no warnings nothing! Luckily I was able to get over and not cause a crash or worse. Engine failure.
Engine, Mar 7, 2023
While driving on the interstate at approximately 70 miles per hour, the engine powered down and would not restart. A mechanic advised me the engine seized and would need to be replaced, due to lack of oil in the engine. The oil had been changed at regular intervals, and there was no indication of an oil leak or low pressure. I have reviewed Investigation DP 22-003 and believe I have experienced a similar defect.
Exterior lighting, Feb 22, 2023
Low beam headlights are very dim. I have taken it in to be checked and have had the bulbs switched out numerous times. It does not help. They said the inside of the headlight assembly is flaking off and that both of the headlight assemblies need replaced. I can not afford to do that! It is a defect on the inside of the assembly its self. I have to drive with my brights on if I drive it after dark. It is very dangerous.
Engine, Feb 13, 2023
Hyundai Dealer claims cam bearing failed causing it to throw a push rod. @ 74k miles. After taking to another local shop for inspection it has no bearing failure or thrown push rod. It actually has a fail/damage piston on #4 cylinder. Timing chains etc are good and oil is still clean. They scoped the cylinder and the piston is bad. This is similar to the failures reported by others on both the v6 and 4cyl Santa Fe. It still runs it’s just loud.
Engine, Jan 15, 2023
My Santa fe sport has had oil consumption issues since 80k. It got worse prior to 90k. Made appt for oil consumption test. It's burning 1 qt or more every 1000 miles and hyundai refused there was an issue. Since I've had mutiple incidents with check engine light coming on. In spring 2022 I was told I need spark plugs and GDI cleaning which was done. This did not make any difference and check engine light back on couple months later. Recently at 130k I lost power on highway and barely made it home. Dealership reported cylinder 3 is misfiring and need engine. I was told it wasn't covered with extended warranty and I need to pay.
Engine, Jan 9, 2023
Engine failure at 50,000 miles without lamp warnings or messages (outside mechanics brought to our attention instead). Family safety at risk when car engine popped and stopped running. Engine issues confirmed by dealership after denying there were issues multiple times.
Power train, Dec 28, 2022
I drove approximately 40 miles to a gas station and went to park in a parking spot and my passenger exited the vehicle and yelled my car was in reverse even though I thought it was in park, upon trying to again put it in park it would not go in the park position. I was stuck in reverse and the vehicle would not park without using the emergency brake. No warning lights or any other message from my vehicle regarding this issue. I then put it in drive and drove home and again was not able to put the vehicle in park, after attempting numerous times and using the interlock system I was able to put it in park. This is a huge safety concern as there could have been someone behind me when parking and not even realizing the car was not in park as it was snowy out and the car was still for a moment before reversing. Upon looking on google it looks as if others may have had this issue as well.
Engine, Dec 24, 2022
While I was driving, the car began to jerk and stall and the check engine light came on. I was able to drive about 3 more blocks then the car cut completely off. The car cut off in the middle of the street with myself and my children inside. We had to walk home and send for a tow truck. My car only had 78,000 miles. This same thing happened with my 2013 Sonata a few years ago. There seems to be a pattern of the motors cutting off while driving. This has caused loss of control of the car and the inability to steer or move the vehicle.