2022 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems

“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…”

“Symptoms are those described in Hyundai recall 236 (delayed shifting,hesitation, stalling). Vehicle has had multiple TSP services at Hyundai but symptoms persist intermittently. Software updates do not fix issue. Hyundai dealer has no other remedies.”

“While driving, my vehicle displayed “Shifter System Malfunction! Service Immediately.” Immediately after, I was unable to shift the vehicle from Drive into Park, Reverse, or Neutral. The only way to park the vehicle was to turn the engine off while it was still in Drive, restart it, and then shift into Park. This is an extreme safety hazard. A driver who cannot change gears can lose control of the situation during an emergency, be unable to safely park, reverse, or place the vehicle in neutral if needed. Having to shut the engine off while the transmission is still in Drive is unsafe and not how the vehicle is intended to operate. This issue first occurred around 45,000 miles while the vehicle was under warranty, but it temporarily resolved on its own. It has now returned in June 2026 at approximately 65,500 miles, after the warranty expired, and is happening repeatedly. After researching online, I found many Hyundai owners reporting the same “Shifter System Malfunction” with identical symptoms, indicating this may be a widespread defect. I request that NHTSA investigate this issue, as it poses a serious risk to driver and public safety.”

“Vehicle: 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe | Current Mileage: 140,000 Description of Safety Defect: While operating a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe at speed, the vehicle suffered a sudden, complete, and catastrophic loss of motive power in the middle of a live, active roadway without any prior warning or dashboard indicator lights. The transmission abruptly dropped out of gear and the engine shut down entirely, trapping the driver and three young children in active traffic and creating an immediate, life-threatening highway safety hazard. The vehicle was towed to Sport Durst Hyundai in Durham, NC, where technicians confirmed a total internal transmission failure where the gears fail to engage. This exact mechanical failure mechanism directly mirrors the severe engineering defect detailed in NHTSA Campaign Number 22V746000 (Hyundai Safety Recall 236) for electric oil pump failures causing a sudden loss of drive power. Hyundai Motor America Corporate Case Management has issued a flat denial of all safety and goodwill repair coverage based strictly on the vehicle's 140,000 miles, claiming that mileage absolves them of product liability for a catastrophic drivetrain safety defect that…”

“Beginning on 04/17/2026, my vehicle began displaying multiple safety-related dashboard warnings simultaneously, accompanied by audible alerts. The warnings included the Forward Collision Safety System, Blind-Spot Monitoring, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), Stability and Traction Control, Lane Keep Assist, and AUTO HOLD — all activating at the same time. These warnings reappeared on several occasions and were photographed with date and location data embedded in each image. My vehicle was brought to Burlington Hyundai dealership, where a repair order was opened and a loaner was provided. The car was returned without the issue being fixed. Within days, the same warnings reappeared and the situation worsened. On multiple occasions, the engine shut off completely and the transmission shifted into neutral on its own while my vehicle was being driven at approximately 20 to 40 mph. On at least one occasion, the parking brake engaged automatically without any input from the driver. A dashboard photo clearly documents the message "Engine Off! Shift to N, then start engine." These failures are a serious danger to everyone on the road. When the engine shuts off while…”

“This vehicle has experienced: • Multiple roadside breakdowns • Three fuel injector system failures • 2 complete transmission failures and replacements • Loss of propulsion • Fuel and chemical odor safety risks • A cumulative total of over 60 days out of service, currently at dealer since 4-15-26. SUMMARY OF SAFETY-RELATED FAILURES AND REPAIR HISTORY Incident #1 — May 20, 2022 (Mileage In: 4,899 | Mileage Out: 4,909) Vehicle broke down roadside in an unsafe, unlit area, requiring towing. Failure attributed to fuel injector defect. Vehicle remained in repair until May 24, 2022. Incident #2 — July 19, 2022 (Mileage In: 9,316 | Mileage Out: 9,321) Vehicle emitted strong gasoline odor, creating a potential fire and safety hazard. Vehicle was not drivable and required towing. Released July 26, 2022. During a recorded phone call, Hyundai Case Manager provided a verbal assurance that this failure would not recur. Incident #3 — September 9, 2025 (Mileage In/Out: 65,232) Vehicle exhibited engine shuddering, suspected fuel injector failure, and transmission shifting defects. Dealer released vehicle without resolving the defect on September 9, 2025. Incident #4 — January…”