Problems · NHTSA complaints

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Owners filed 202 complaints about the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe with NHTSA between Sep 2021 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (57).

Complaints
202
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train57
  2. Engine54
  3. Electrical system32
  4. Fuel/propulsion system28
  5. Forward collision avoidance16
  6. Vehicle speed control16
  7. Service brakes11
  8. Back over prevention7
  9. Structure6
  10. Visibility/wiper6
  11. Fuel system, gasoline5
  12. Air bags5
  13. Visibility5
  14. Steering4

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20214
202232
202343
202432
202547
202644

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

57 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“On June 20 2026 at 2:07pm Central Time there was a check engine light displayed on the dash of my vehicle 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy, while it was parked in the garage of my home and was just powered up. I had then performed the vehicle diagnostics test (pictures attached) that showed that there was an issue with the 'Transmission Control System' with detail that a full system check is recommended and to schedule an appointment with a dealer. I had later proceeded to contact local dealer 'Huffines Hyundai McKinney' for service as I was due for an oil change anyway. As I was driving the vehicle from my home which was about 13 miles away from the dealership, I noticed that the vehicle had great trouble shifting from 1st gear to higher gears, that the speed would be 20mph or lower no matter how much the accelerator was pushed and I had to drive very carefully in traffic due to the low speeds. I was told at the dealership by 3pm that day that there were no active recalls on my vehicle, that the transmission related recall that was showing up on google search for that DCT code wasn't specific enough to my vehicle and to book an appointment for vehicle…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11760554

Engine

54 reports1 crash
“My fiancée’s Hyundai Santa Fe has been taken in for service multiple times due to a serious and recurring safety issue. The vehicle suddenly begins malfunctioning while being driven: all of the lights on the dashboard start flashing, multiple warning lights come on, the vehicle shuts off, and both the steering and accelerator become disabled until the vehicle can be restarted. This has occurred twice while driving on the interstate at speeds of 70+ mph, creating an extremely dangerous situation. Unfortunately, the issue occurred again today and resulted in my fiancée driving into a ditch when the steering locked up while she was making a right turn. Thankfully, she was not injured and was able to restart the vehicle and safely get out of the ditch. The vehicle has been brought in for service multiple times by different hyundai dealerships in an attempt to identify and repair the issue. However, each time, the dealership has stated that they cannot replicate the problem and that they cannot find anything wrong with the vehicle. We have video evidence documenting the vehicle malfunctioning and have provided the vehicle for inspection after these incidents. The…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2026Steering, Unknown or other, EngineCrash reportedODI 11768909

Electrical system

32 reports1 fire
“I am filing a formal safety complaint against Hyundai Motor America for non-compliance with federal safety recall regulations regarding Recall 244 (NHTSA Campaign 23V181/235) for my 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe (VIN #[XXX]. I have been experiencing a severe parasitic battery drain that leaves the vehicle completely dead if parked for more than three days. This is a known, definitive symptom of moisture intrusion and short-circuiting within the tow hitch harness module covered under this active fire-hazard safety recall. The vehicle has died four times and required a full battery replacement. I have asked to have a re-check of the recall under Federal rule 49 USC 30120. I have filed a complaint with Hyundai and have a case #. They have now told me there's nothing they can do and I will have to pay to have it checked. The tow hitch is showing live voltage on a meter reader too. I've been advised to pull the fuses but there are none in the trailer hitch spots in the fuse box. The empty slots show an incomplete recall fix was performed or wired wrong causing an un-remedied parasitic power short active in this car. My car is a fire hazards! Hyundai won't help me. I have…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2026Electrical systemODI 11774301

Fuel/propulsion system

28 reports
“At approximately 67,000 miles, the vehicle experienced a sudden vibration when accelerate and decelerate. Engine light was on and vehicle had a hard time to maintain speed above 40mph. Cars were honking behind us due to the lack of speed on road. It happen all of a sudden and cause me and my wife panic at first. The car was took to the closest dealer ([XXX] Hyundai [XXX]) and they found the problem was due to an internally leaking fuel injector, requiring a complete out-of-pocket replacement. This is a known, widespread manufacturing defect directly addressed by Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin TSB #25-FL-001H (which supersedes 23-FL-002H-1). The bulletin explicitly states that 2021–2022 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5L GDI engines suffer from premature internal fuel injector failure caused by internal filter breakage, forcing owners to pay out of pocket for a design flaw acknowledged internally by the manufacturer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11760358

Forward collision avoidance

16 reports1 crash
“Vehicle on initial start up shows no issue. Driving for a short distance or stationary for a short time. Vehicle instrument panel will show a fault of Forward safety system. Errors on Lane keeping assist, High beam assist, and Driver attention warning. Smart camera module will be hot to the touch causing failure of Front view camera and Front Radar Module.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2026Lane departure, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11762513

Vehicle speed control

16 reports2 crashes
“Vehicle began to display Front collision avoidance system error/ radar blocked. This also disabled the 'smart' cruise control features. This happened any time the cruise control was engaged and we encountered traffic. The unit was in the dealer's service department for a week, and the front radar module was replaced and reprogrammed under warranty.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2025Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11689104
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.