2022 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Complaints

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate, as if the transmission was stuck in high gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact believed that the failure was associated with Manufacturer Recall: 236. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,300.

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that intermittently, the gear shifter was inoperable, and the message "Gear Shift Malfunction" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure required that the vehicle be turned, which automatically engaged the parking brake. The contact stated that upon pressing the Start button, and then depressing the brake pedal, the contact was able to move the gear shifter to park(P) and to the other gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wiring was open between the transaxle, the rain switch, and the shift control unit. The dealer replaced the wiring. Upon test-driving the vehicle, the dealer noticed that the vehicle was still experiencing abnormal vibrations. The dealer recommended that the transmission be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

Vehicle purchased 9/1/24 from Courtesy Hyundai of Tampa. Dealership failed to file registration/tags until 10/4/24. 7/12/25: Vehicle experienced involuntary acceleration and braking, resulting in impact with my mother’s home. 7/16/25: Dealer issued written report stating vehicle was operating normally and documented a recall-related display/audio/camera software update. 8/14/25: Hyundai engineering inspection performed without my knowledge. No report has ever been released. 8/27/25: Hyundai issued corporate denial, blaming driver error and stating braking/acceleration systems were normal. 12/5/25: Second involuntary braking incident at highway speed on I-275. Five uncommanded braking events over ~20 miles. Service Manager stated failure was due to sensor/camera malfunction and instructed that the vehicle should not be driven and to tow immediately. Despite this, the vehicle had been released into roadway operation. VIN lookup shows an open, unrepaired federal recall (24V879000 / Recall 271) for the rearview camera system, marked Recall Incomplete, despite the dealer’s documentation that recall-related camera/software work was completed on 7/16/25. BBB Auto Line denied my claim only because the vehicle was outside Florida Lemon Law eligibility. No safety determination was made. Hyundai released no engineering, sensor, or camera data despite an engineering inspection. This vehicle has experienced repeated involuntary braking and acceleration at highway speed, involving braking, camera, and automatic emergency braking systems, creating a serious risk of loss of control, collision, injury, or death. Despite repeated failures, contradictory diagnostics, withheld engineering data, and an open federal recall, the vehicle was released back into public roadway operation. I request that NHTSA formally investigate this safety defect.

The vehicle has activated it emergency breaking feature several times now on the last couple of months witouth any reason to do so. Presenting a major risk for the occupants and to other vehicles on the roads.

Ever since I bought by car in 2022 brand new the car has been shaking when I press on the brakes going around 70 mph. I took the car multiple times to the dealership and all they do is resurface the rotos. One time they refused to even look at the car so I called corporate and they got the dealership to do the same thing as before. But still the car shakes. I called corporate and they said to take to dealership to once again get the rotos resurfaced (how many times are they planning to resurface the damn rotors?) I took to dealership because the car was saying it was overheating. They ended up changing the thermostat or something related to it. And I asked them to once again look at the rotors because of the issue. The guy came back and said “we didn’t look at your rotors but you need brakes and that’s $500”. They refused to guarantee me if doing the break job will fix my issue. And I’m fed up. I looked online and as it turns out, the Santa Fe’s have a lot of possible manufacture defects. Such as: -Breaking System (Shudder / Vibration Common Issue) -Cooling System (Common Failures) - Suspension & Steering Components -AWD / Drivetrain (If AWD) -Electronics & Software - TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) Audit - Turbo oil-supply pipe crack / oil leak risk -Fuel-system pipe / fuel-rail hose leak (on certain turbo models -Transmission oil-pump / transmission-system recall (power-train issues) -Rear-view / backup-camera defect (visibility / electronics issue) (this actually did happen to me and they fixed it, but they denied it was a recall when I asked if this was common. So they lied) -Trailer-hitch wiring harness fire-risk recall And possibly more issues I’ve yet to come across other owners having. These are pretty serious issues. Some causing even the car to catch fire. This is extremely worrisome and I need peace of mind. Please help me out Thank you for your time

I purchased my 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid brand new and in three years, both horns (high and low) have stopped working every year. I have had the horns replaced in March 2023, January 2024 and as I type this complaint, both horns are out again. It is a serious safety issue driving a vehicle without a horn. There is no warning that the horn is going to stop working; and I have discovered the malfunction while driving when I needed to alert another driver before we potentially collided. It has also been extremely inconvenient for me to take off work to take the car in for more service. What's more frustrating is I was told by a service manager that they (Hyundai USA) are aware of the defect with these particular horns but has chosen to continue to replace the defective horns with more defective horns. Now I drive an unsafe vehicle until I can take off work again to have my horns replaced with parts that will last for one year, if I'm lucky. I am asking for some assistance with this matter since it is clear that Hyundai USA has not made it a priority to solve this ongoing safety problem for all its customers who are having the same issue. Thank you.

Vehicle experienced a spontaneous interior fire while parked and turned off. No collision, no injuries. Fire originated under the driver-side lower dash/kick panel near the fuse/BCM wiring, then spread into the driver door harness/trim. Exterior body and engine bay show no impact or external origin. Details: Heavy charring/melt concentrated at lower dash/junction area with upward/sideways spread along wiring paths; interior plastics, dash switches, and door wiring damaged. Vehicle was unoccupied. Aftermarket: No hardwired accessories in the origin zone. A dashcam was powered via center console USB/12V with a small battery pack (not connected to the under-dash fuse block). Status: Towed to [Dealer, City/State]; Hyundai Corporate Case #XXX opened. Insurance comprehensive fire claim opened; origin-and-cause inspection pending. Request: NHTSA investigation into potential electrical/wiring defect in driver lower dash/door-harness area on this model/year; safety risk of parked, unattended fires. Photos/videos available. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

First the vehicle randomly lost all power and engine function, so was taken to the Hyundai service center. It was a safety issue as we had to coast to the margin in heavy traffic. Hyundai attempted a fix and returned it to us. It developed issues before we even got home. Now it is has been 6 months in the service center with continuously new issues. Every time they assure us it is fixed and we try to take it home, it develops another failure and the check engine light returns. The technicians have told us they have no explanation for the multiple failures and are not confident they can permanently fix the vehicle. The failures are unrelated and are with the manifold, gasket, CVVD,, oxygen sensor, and battery. A bolt also sheared off in this time frame and had to be drilled out. In the last failure, the car began smoking heavily and dripping oil. We've requested a replacement. Hyundai said they will not replace the vehicle (nor buy back) and it is acceptable that multiple systems and parts fail within 3 years.

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.

Fuel access door does not open correctly. Fuel door does not have a lock or a require pressing of a button to open; you would normally just 'push' on closed door to make it pop open. Over the past (3) months, this has not always been working. Sometimes it requires multiple high-pressure pushes (or a light bump) for door to open. On other occasions, unlocking the vehicle (all doors) and not just the driver's door that unlocks when exiting the vehicle has somehow contributed to getting the fuel door open. Multiple online Hyundai Santa Fe forums make mention of the fuel door being a widespread issue and suggest requiring replacement of an actuator in fuel door by dealership or prying the fuel door open with a screwdriver. Prying door open, in my opinion, is not an option because of potential damage to door and painted surfaces around the fuel door.