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
210 reports, newest first.
Structure, Apr 28, 2023
4/27/23 - Panoramic sunroof exploded going over a bridge. Front glass panel only. No advance warning. Shade was closed and no glass entered cockpit. Local PD responded and saw no evidence of impact or criminal activity. Vehicle is at local dealership for warranty repairs.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 25, 2023
2023 Hyundia Santa Fe bought brand new from the dealership. During the course of the last month and a half the vehicle has done things with unknown origin. The panic alarm will randomly go off when the vehicle is turned off, no one is in it, or even near it. By locking the vehicle with the remote, the alarm will tend to go off about 20-30 seconds after the vehicle is locked and will sometimes not stop until the vehicle is restarted. The transmission will shift very roughly almost to the point that it feels like you are driving a manual transmission vehicle. The transmission lags in gears between 60-70 miles per hour and you feel a very rough back and forth shifting with in the transmission. Next the emergency break would engaging and then not releasing or reengaging when parked on a hill, flat service or anywhere. The break light on the dash would light up, blink, then it would go off, making it unknown if the emergency break was acting engaged or not. The dealership I purchased it from did replace the EMS module along with breaks and rotors on the vehicle. The auto shut off or the idle shut off will also randomly work, and not work. it will cut on and off even if the button is pressed to shut it off or prevent it from coming on. Now the air condition, along with the heat and heated seats has started to not work, randomly cut on, will not cut off etc. While driving i have had the heated seats turn on, along with the heat and not go off, nothing would cut off until the vehicle was physically turned off and restarted. No codes have ever been displayed or found by the dealership.
Other or unspecified, Apr 19, 2023
I bought a brand new 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. Not even one month later the panoramic sunroof exploded while I was driving on the interstate at 75 mph. There were no warning lamps, messages or other signs that this would/could happen prior to the incident. I was not informed by the dealership that this could happen, but they were aware it could happen. I was told by the Sales Manager, “We wouldn’t sell the cars if we informed consumers”. I had the screen cover closed, so I was very fortunate because it could have caused a major accident on the interstate if it was open and glass exploded all over me and got in my eyes. Hopefully the vehicles behind me did not have any damage to their vehicles from the glass. I was not told if it is available for inspection. I was only told that it would be replaced. This problem is happening since 2012. There have been multiple class-action lawsuits with multiple car brands that have panoramic sunroofs.
Fuel/propulsion system, Power train, Apr 18, 2023
Stopped at left turn lane light. Light turns green and vehicle engine revolutions increase as I press on gas pedal but car does not move. Cars behind me lean on their horns and take evasive maneuvers to go around me. Car finally goes very slowly and transmission disengages in middle of left turn leaving vehicle in middle of intersection with oncoming traffic. Luckily everyone stopped and vehicle very slowly moved through the intersection to side of road. Vehicle is brand new and in my possession less than 48 hours. Vehicle is at dealership for troubleshooting.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 2, 2023
All lights that come on when you first start the vehicle stay on. ABS, forward collision, rear collision, side mirror check, down hill brake, etc. The brakes and brake pedal would lock up when attempting to brake. Pedal stays locked but the wheels didn’t seem too. Brake system wouldn’t respond to pumping the brakes the pedal stayed frozen. It could have caused me a serious accident.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 26, 2023
Windshield cracked and webbed
Visibility/wiper, Feb 26, 2023
Windshield cracks
Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 21, 2023
I bought this Lemon on 1/14/2023. The front collision detection doesn't brake to avoid collision. The Emergency brake will engage on it's own, and it has to be manually disengaged. The parking assist feature will automatically disengage and is unable to engage it. The middle seat in the back seat headrest obstructs a major portion of the rear window, obstructing the driver's view. It is not the headrest pictured in the Owner's Manual. It has been in the shop twice. It has been in the shop for 10 days and counting of the 34 days I have owned this lemon of a vehicle. The car was taken to the dealer for repairs but consumer was told the vehicle functioned properly. The consumer stated the car was still malfunctioning so vehicle was taken back to dealer for repairs and still being assessed.
Vehicle speed control, Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 23, 2022
I purchased this SUV new and noticed an issue with the automatic intermittent wipers. The dealership has replaced the windshield sensor and issue is now unreliable at best. Service department told me to simply wipe the sensor off or pour water onto the sensor to get the wipers to work. That seems to work for about 3 wipes and then stops again. Also, the driver seat changes position by itself while driving, and the advanced cruise control failed to provide any braking and almost caused me to rear end a stopped car in freeway traffic. Additionally the advanced braking system does not work at all... I had the salesman check the settings and they are turned on, but do not provide any braking function. The alert system does provide a warning if a car turns a corner in front of me, but fails to take any action.
Forward collision avoidance, Sep 3, 2022
Forward collision warning system engaged unexpectedly, braked hard to the point of smelling burnt tires. No collision imminent. Normal driving conditions. On a second occasion, stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle suddenly warned of foward parking collision. Front camera engaged and yellow warning showed