Problems · NHTSA complaints
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid problems
Owners filed 105 complaints about the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid with NHTSA between Nov 2024 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (34).
Complaints
105
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine34
- Fuel/propulsion system31
- Electrical system31
- Power train25
- Vehicle speed control22
- Forward collision avoidance15
- Lane departure5
- Back over prevention4
- Air bags3
- Structure2
- Service brakes2
- Tires2
- Visibility/wiper2
- Seats1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
37
66
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 66 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
34 reports1 crash
“Vehicle intermittently fails to accelerate, usually happens after vehicle has been sitting 10 hours or longer. Had back to dealership 4 times, 3 times dealer was unable to reproduce concern. 4th visit dealer installed injectors, concern seemed to be gone for about 2 months but is back again.”
Fuel/propulsion system
31 reports
“While driving at freeway speeds in normal traffic conditions, the vehicle experienced a sudden, complete loss of motive power and rapid deceleration. The accelerator pedal became entirely unresponsive. No warning messages, check engine lights, or diagnostic indicators appeared on the dashboard during or immediately after the failure leaving me blind to the vehicle's state. This loss of propulsion on a high-speed live freeway created an immediate, extreme safety hazard, forcing an emergency maneuver across active lanes of traffic without predictable vehicle control. Component or System: Engine / Powertrain / Fuel System (High-Pressure Fuel Pump / Fuel Rail Sensor) Recurring / Prior History: This is a severe, recurring safety defect. The exact same highway power loss and deceleration event occurred last month. The vehicle was brought to an authorized Hyundai dealership where a repair was allegedly completed on 9/11/2026. However, that repair failed to address the root cause, and the dangerous failure has now repeated itself. The lack of a dashboard warning light masks a systemic component failure (strongly suspected to be the high-pressure fuel pump or associated…”
Electrical system
31 reports
“The vehicle has a recurring intermittent failure that can leave it completely undriveable. When starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster displays “Check Hybrid System,” “Check Emergency Stopping function,” the check-engine light, and multiple warning indicators. The vehicle remains in Park and will not shift into Drive. This has happened multiple times. Disconnecting and reconnecting the 12-volt battery temporarily restores operation, but the problem later returns. After a reset, the check-engine light may remain illuminated for approximately one day before disappearing. During the most recent occurrence, the vehicle became disabled at approximately 8:00 PM in a retail parking lot while my family, including two young children, was with me. The vehicle would not move. We had to leave the vehicle and walk in the rain to obtain tools so the 12-volt battery could be disconnected and reconnected in order to get the vehicle operating again. The problem was reported in writing to a Hyundai dealership before an August 10, 2026 service appointment, including a request to retrieve and document stored and history diagnostic trouble codes. The condition remains…”
Power train
25 reports1 crash
“Beginning in early October 2026, my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy has repeatedly experienced a sudden and complete loss of propulsion while driving. During these incidents, dashboard warnings appear stating "Check Driver Assistance System" and "Check Hybrid System. Stop Safely." The vehicle indicates EV mode and completely loses the ability to accelerate or maintain speed. This is not reduced performance or hesitation. The vehicle loses all usable propulsion. The vehicle continues moving briefly while slowing, providing only a short window to reach the roadside. In moving traffic, this creates an extremely dangerous situation because there may be insufficient time or space to safely change lanes before the vehicle slows substantially. The failure occurs without advance warning. Shutting the vehicle off and restarting it temporarily restores normal operation, but the malfunction continues to recur unpredictably. On October 21, 2026, I brought the vehicle to an authorized Hyundai dealership specifically for this problem. The service department reported finding no diagnostic trouble codes and no applicable software updates. No cause was identified, and…”
Vehicle speed control
22 reports2 crashes
“The vehicle repeatedly loses motive power while being driven at highway speed. It slows even with the accelerator pressed to the floor, does not shift into higher gears, and drops to 40 to 50 mph. On [XXX], the vehicle lost power at highway speed while I was driving. I had to stop on the shoulder of the hwy. The vehicle could not be driven and was towed to the dealer. The dealer opened R.O. No. [XXX] on 9-3, recording mileage in of 23,595. It inspected the vehicle and confirmed the concern. It replaced the fuel rail pressure sensor (Part No. 35342-2M400) under warranty, confirmed a good idle with no codes, and performed a test drive of about three miles. The dealer reported the vehicle ready on 9-15-26; mileage out 23,596. On [XXX], within a few miles of picking up the vehicle after the first repair, the malfunction indicator lamp illuminated. We returned the vehicle to the dealer the same day; the dealer recorded the mileage in as 23,602. The MyHyundai app shows active Diagnostic Trouble Code P00BD00 (Mass or Volume Air Flow "A" Circuit Range/Performance — Air Flow Too High), powertrain system, recorded at 23,600 miles, with a listed date of [XXX]. The dealer…”
Forward collision avoidance
15 reports1 crash
“Less than 10 month old Santa Fe Calligraphy suddenly started flashing warning signs like Check Drivers Assistance System, Check Headlight LED, Check door assistance system. It comes on randomly, sometimes when the car is running, sometimes when the car is stopped. It flashes these warnings rapidly. When it is going on, the side view cameras stop working. One time when this was happening, I was at a stop light and it automatically went to park. It has happened multiple times so far. I have 2 children ages [XXX] and [XXX] that I drive around with and am concerned about safety. I have taken it to two different service centers at 2 different dealerships based on recommendation from Hyundai and they have not been able to replicate the problem hence they can't find the diagnostics of what is wrong. We have opened a case with Hyundai. The case number is XXX The case manager is [XXX] [XXX] I have taken videos of it whenever it has happened. I am not sure how to upload it as your documentations only allow photos. I am sharing the photos with you.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.