2023 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 210 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2023 reports, 11 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 15 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Trailer hitchesPark outsideMar 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.
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 23V181000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
61 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Sep 24, 2026
The AWD coupler has failed and the rear wheels feel like they are slipping and catching when I accelerate from a stop, particularly when turning. The car was taken to the dealership and inspected, but no longer under warranty as we are not the original owners.
Other or unspecified, Sep 24, 2026
I bought my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe at Auto Fair Hyundai in [XXX] in XXX new. This is my third Hyundai from this location over the years. I have always serviced it there ever since I bought it. ( oil changes, tire rotation etc.) Back in XXX while driving home from [XXX] to [XXX] on [XXX] I hit the brakes in the left hand lane, in traffic and my vehicle shut off and wouldn’t restart. Very scary luckily a young man helped push my car off the highway. I sat 5 minutes or so and it restarted. I was told to disable the start/ stop feature which I did. On XXX I went back to auto fair in [XXX] with my issue. I was told I needed a new battery there was corrosion $408. I had them clean the corrosion $95 and I’d bring the vehicle to my mechanic friend where my battery was tested and it was good. I was told to disable the start/stop feature. I went out XXX and forgot to disable the feature and I stalled at 4 way intersection. Stuck there people beeping, traffic backing up and drivers passing by running red lights very frustrated. Yesterday I called Auto Fair service department (on a recorded line) asking if this is an ongoing issue with this make/model. Is there a recall? I was told they haven’t heard about this issue at all and she said good luck. I have 5 year warranty and there is only 24,000 miles on my vehicle. I found a forum online with many others with Hyundais having this issue. This is an accident waiting to happen I’m also reporting it to Hyundai Corporate and Highway safety commission. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 10, 2026
This complaint concerns a serious, unresolved powertrain/propulsion safety defect in my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. While traveling approximately 70 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion and would not accelerate normally while surrounded by highway traffic.MOST IMPORTANTLY, THERE WAS NO WARNING OR ADVANCE INDICATION. No warning lights, messages, or symptoms appeared before the loss of propulsion. I had no opportunity to anticipate the failure or prepare to safely exit traffic. This placed me and other motorists at immediate risk of a serious or potentially fatal collision.A Hyundai dealership inspected the vehicle and documented DTC P284001, Shift Fork D Position Fault. Despite this documented fault, the underlying safety issue remains unresolved. Hyundai has not identified a permanent correction or established that the vehicle is safe to operate.There has not been another incident because I will not risk another sudden loss of propulsion by driving the vehicle. The absence of another failure does NOT mean the problem is resolved. The vehicle remains available for inspection.I have repeatedly sought assistance from Hyundai and the dealership without a meaningful resolution. Newer information regarding a possible computer reset/relearn procedure has also been presented, but the dealership refuses to perform it.I reviewed NHTSA complaints for 2023 Santa Fe vehicles and found multiple reports describing similar safety symptoms, including sudden loss of propulsion, inability to accelerate, abnormal transmission shifting, and loss of speed. This raises serious concern that this may not be an isolated failure.A vehicle that can unexpectedly lose propulsion at highway speed WITHOUT ANY WARNING creates an extreme crash risk. I respectfully request that NHTSA review the similar complaints, investigate whether a broader transmission/powertrain safety defect exists, and determine whether corrective action is necessary before this results in serious injury or death.
Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2026
The horn stopped working.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Jun 27, 2026
First Failure occurred 7 months after purchase at 5,270 miles on August 1, 2024. The vehicle suddenly went into "Limp Mode" abruptly decelerating to 25 mph with a non-responsive gas pedal. A code reader displayed PO653 Sensor Reference: "Voltage B Circuit High". Dealer found corroded wire to battery and cleaned it. Second Failure: Horn loss to 1 tone. Fixed at 30K mile dealer service on June 12, 2026 and found to have faulty packing resulting in corrosion. At the same standard service the Brake System was flushed. 3rd Failure was 5 days and 437 miles (30,712 miles) after the 30K dealer service. On June 17, 2026 during my early morning commute while merging onto the interstate, alarms began to blare and the gas pedal suddenly became unresponsive. The initial alarms read Blind Spot Failure. Car would not accelerate from 40 mph that it was going coming down the bridge ramp so I took the very close off ramp down from the aqua duct and the console display alert showed "Engine Management System: details: Braking and Body Control System with a recommendation to get "a full system check...TODAY". I brought it to the dealer that afternoon and as of yesterday, 6/26/26 they can find nothing wrong, declaring it an intermittent issue and asked me to come get the car, refusing to continue looking or providing alternate options other than referring me to Hyundai Consumer Affairs.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2026
Vehicle stalled while driving — unsafe loss of power. While driving at normal speed, the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning and the electrical system malfunctioned. I had to pull over and restart car. This created a dangerous situation and could have caused a collision. Prior to this incidenct, the vehicle had intermittent electrical issues during startup (flickering electronics). This is the first time the car has experienced during driving, and is now at the Hyundai dealership. The car has been reported as unsafe to drive. This appears similar to other Hyundai stalling/power loss issues and may indicate a developing safety defect. Requesting investigation.
Other or unspecified, May 24, 2026
Two unsafe scenarios in past two months: 1) Driving 80 mph, engine misfire, vehicle will not accelerate past 1 rpm, had to drive home from out of town with very slow acceleration, dangerous to not be able to accelerate efficiently on highways 2) Driving 55 mph, all driver safety systems malfunction, accelaration completely disabled, had to coast to safe stopping point. Restarted vehicle and could drive home with check engine light on, incredibly dangerous for car to lose all ability to accelerate in the middle of a highway.
Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2026
Today, i received an extended warranty for my horn. There is a known issue with water getting into the horn and causing them to fail. Upon researching this, people have reported having their horns changed several times. This is a safety matter that an extended warranty is not fixing. Please enforce a recall so that this matter may be properly resolved. Canada has already issued a recall, I hope we can do the same. Thank you.
Other or unspecified, Mar 16, 2026
Driving to work and a loud noise (pop) was heard and then I realized the sunroof had basically exploded. Glass was all over the car and all over myself. I immediately got off the road and turned on my hazard lights to assess the situation. This could have caused an accident had I not remained calm. Contacted dealership this morning. Waiting to hear back. No prior warning to this happening.
Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2026
I have attached a photo since I couldn’t save it
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2026
The horn stops working which is a safety hazard in case someone is backing into you, etc. This horn has stop working 4 times and had to be replaced.
Other or unspecified, Feb 16, 2026
1. The factory-supplied scissor-type jack that came with my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe failed. While changing a flat tire on the side of the road, the jack collapsed three times and could not hold the vehicle. Yes, the jack is still available for inspection. I have it in my possession and have provided photographs of the jack, its capacity label, and the incident location as evidence. 2. My safety was put at serious risk. The vehicle fell off the jack three times while I was attempting to change the tire on the road. The car remained on the ground without a tire until roadside assistance arrived. If I or a family member had been under or near the vehicle when it fell, we could have been seriously injured or killed. My wife and three toddlers travel in this vehicle, making this a major safety concern for our family. 3. No. Rosen Hyundai dismissed my concern. Service Manager Jeff Bravieri claimed the jack is rated for 3 tons (6,000 lbs) and blamed user error. But my photo shows the jack's label states 1,200 kg (2,645 lbs). The road was flat. The dealership dismissed my safety concern and refused to replace the jack unless I paid for it. They have not inspected the jack despite my request until the involvement of Hyundai Motor America. 4. Not sure, that vehicle and jack have been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. However, manager later agreed to inspect it and instead blamed user error. I am reporting this directly to NHTSA because the dealership and Hyundai have not taken this safety defect seriously. 5. No. No warning lights or signs. The jack looked normal. It failed the first time when I used it in an emergency situation. 6. The jack label says 1,200 kg (2,645 lbs). My vehicle weight is 1,724 kg (3,801 lbs) . The jack is under-rated and unsafe. It failed on a flat road. The dealer ignored the evidence. I fear this could happen to others and cause serious injury or death.
Other or unspecified, Feb 2, 2026
Total horn failure, both horns. Took vehicle to the dealership, diagnosed both horns need to be replaced. None in stock. Horns ordered , no dates known by Hyundai when they will be in stock. Hyundai admits it h. Known with many models Driving a car in Buffalo NYwith. Out a horn driving a vehicle,r Nissan , is VERY DANGEROUS and scary. I do not think that Hyundai is taking this issue seriously and they need a recall and plan to fix this problem.
Other or unspecified, Feb 1, 2026
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy repeated horn failures since purchasing vehicle new. Will be having 5th and 6th horns replaced with no effective remedy as vehicle has less than 11K miles on it and this urgently safety failure needs to be corrected. There is no warning of the horn failure until you need them to prevent an emergency/collision warning.
Other or unspecified, Jan 16, 2026
My panoramic sunroof spontaneously blew while driving on freeway
Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2026
I stopped to fill the gas on my road trip and the gas panel would not open. As a single women driving alone this is not ideal. It took 45 min of continuous unlocking/locking with pushing to get it to pop open. There needs to be an alternative/emergency handle to pull so this does not happen again. I was standing in 32 degree weather the entire time! NOT SAFE
Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2025
Both horns have failed for the second time since the vehicle was purchased new in November 2023 and is currently showing 25,000 miles. The first set was replaced under warranty at a Hyundai dealership approximately 1 year ago. Not having a functioning vehicle horn is a safety hazard that would fail annual vehicle safety inspection testing in my state.
Other or unspecified, Dec 23, 2025
My back up camera is not working properly. The picture at times is scrambled and starts floating around on the screen. This was not the first time this has happened. I reported it to the dealership service department when I first noticed, about a year ago or longer. They updated the software and told me that would correct the problem. Clearly it did not correct the problem, if it is continuing to have issues.
Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2025
The horn has broken 4 times. I was told that it is a design defect in the car and there is no permanent fix. Water gets in to the horn when it rains and because of the location of the horn it would have to be moved to fix it. Hyundai is aware of this safety issue and has not issued a recall because there is no permanent fix. They are supposed to be buying back my car but are dragging their feet. I'm sure this is an issue in more than just my car and it's very unsafe for the horn to just stop working.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 19, 2025
Horn has failed 4 times
Other or unspecified, Nov 18, 2025
Horn has needed to be replaced twice. Stops working for no apparent reason.
Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2025
The sunroof on my 2023 Santa Fe exploded.
Other or unspecified, Oct 11, 2025
Vehicles' charging side deck will heat up any phone we put in to charge inside that slot. We brought this to the dealers attention a couple times but they stated I needed to pay a service fee to have it looked at. It began happening a few weeks after we purchased the vehicle. We have not used the port ever since.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 5, 2025
Horn No longer works in vehicle - A major safety issue
Other or unspecified, Oct 1, 2025
I have had 6 car appointments and on my 3rd horn replacement in this car. It goes completely out and it is a safety hazard to not have any horn. It loses both the high and low pitch horn