Problems · NHTSA complaints
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Owners filed 255 complaints about the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe with NHTSA between Mar 2015 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (161).
Complaints
255
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
13
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine161
- Power train22
- Service brakes21
- Electrical system20
- Fuel/propulsion system13
- Air bags9
- Exterior lighting9
- Structure9
- Service brakes, hydraulic8
- Vehicle speed control7
- Steering6
- Lane departure4
- Forward collision avoidance3
- Visibility/wiper3
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 Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
9
9
12
12
10
25
42
37
52
36
3
8
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 42 |
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2023 | 52 |
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 8 |
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
161 reports1 crash7 fires
“While driving home at approximately 60 mph in our 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe, the engine suddenly shut off without warning. We were able to carefully maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road, but the vehicle would not turn over or restart. We were traveling with our young children at the time, and this sudden engine failure created an extremely dangerous situation that could have resulted in a serious accident. The engine failure occurred while the vehicle was in motion, leaving us in a potentially life-threatening situation on a busy roadway. We had the vehicle towed to a Hyundai dealership for diagnosis and assistance. We waited over a month without receiving an update. When we went to the dealership in person, we learned that they had been contacting the previous owner rather than us. After providing our correct contact information even though they were given this information upon vehicle arrival, we were told that the dealership would work on getting the issue resolved and would contact us with an update. We were subsequently informed that Hyundai would not replace the engine, allegedly due to severe negligence and a lack of maintenance service receipts. We…”
Power train
22 reports
“2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited, 3.3L Lambda II GDI V6, ~102,000 miles. In December 2022, an authorized Hyundai dealer replaced three specific parts under a Hyundai recall/campaign (records requested). On Sunday [DATE] at approximately [TIME] PM, I was driving on [FREEWAY], [STATE], at 55–70 mph at night. With NO prior warning — no warning lights, no chimes, no loss of power buildup, no knocking, no engine protection mode — the engine suddenly and completely died. The failure was instantaneous. There was no limp-home mode and no opportunity to reach the shoulder under engine power. The vehicle lost forward momentum and rolled backward in a live highway travel lane, where it remained stranded until a tow truck recovered it. No injuries. The 12V battery and electrical system remained fully active throughout. The instrument cluster was operational and capable of displaying warnings before the failure. None were displayed. Dashboard warning lights illuminated only seconds AFTER the engine had already died — a post-failure consequence of engine shutdown, not a pre-failure warning. An independent mechanic diagnosed a seized engine due to loss of oil flow. No oil…”
Service brakes
21 reports1 crash5 fires
“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was notified and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
Electrical system
20 reports2 fires
“The engine has basically come apart. There is a timing chain issue, the engine is not recalled and it is getting where the car cannot drive. There is a constant smell of burning electrical wires. There’s also issues with the heating and air that is related to electrical.”
Fuel/propulsion system
13 reports
“While driving at 65 mph on an urban expressway, the engine quit without warning and would not restart. This resulted in diminished steering and braking control as well as exposure near the edge of traffic on a narrow berm of an overpass bridge. Full tank of fuel, good battery, the engine would not crank or restart. All electrical accessories work fine.”
Air bags
9 reports6 crashes
“Passenger airbag light flashes in the instrument panel, while passenger airbag indicator shows Off in amber color when a person is seated in the passenger seat.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.