2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (11) · Fuel/Propulsion System (8) · Vehicle Speed Control (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Trailer Hitches 2023-03-17 · campaign 23V181000 · 584,784 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.
Service bulletins (43)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-10-27 · 26-GI-003H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 2nd navigation map and software update. the changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. refer to the 2026 2nd navigation map and software update key improv
Engine 2026-10-09 · 26-01-081H DCS · Service Campaign
certain santa fe hybrid (tm hev), santa fe plug-in hybrid (tm phev), tucson hybrid (nx4 hev), andtucson plug-in hybrid (nx4 phev) vehicles may experience intake air line freezing and exhaust gasrecirculation (egr) valve corrosion due to excessive condensation accumulating within the egr system.this
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-01-081H TSB · Service Campaign
certain santa fe hybrid (tm hev), santa fe plug-in hybrid (tm phev), tucson hybrid (nx4 hev), and tucson plug-in hybrid (nx4 phev) vehicles may experience intake air line freezing and exhaust gas recirculation (egr) valve corrosion due to excessive condensation accumulating within the egr system. t
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-01-081H DN · Service Campaign
certain santa fe hybrid (tm hev), santa fe plug-in hybrid (tm phev), tucson hybrid (nx4 hev), and tucson plug-in hybrid (nx4 phev) vehicles may experience intake air line freezing and exhaust gas recirculation (egr) valve corrosion due to excessive condensation accumulating within the egr system. th
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Showing the 6 most recent of 43 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-10 · Unknown Or Other“the vehicle came to a complete stop filling cabin with smoke and wouldnt start in a bend on road blocking entrance ramp. its available for inspection but at dealership. my safety was put at risk for collision as well as health with cabin filling with smoke. the dealer still has vehicle going on 3rd day without answers. the vehicle had warning come …”
2026-06-03 · Suspension“i am submitting this formal safety complaint regarding a structural defect in my 2023 hyundai santa fe hybrid that i believe poses a safety concern and warrants federal investigation under the national traffic and motor vehicle safety act (49 u.s.c. § 30101 et seq.). the vehicle exhibits a persistent and recurring structural creak originating from …”
2026-02-22 · Fuel/Propulsion System“own a 2023 hyundai santa fe hybrid and have experienced the following issues over the past year and a half. beginning after maybe 40,000 miles we pulled out onto a roadway and the engine immediately lost power and started flashing a glaring red warning that the hybrid system was failing and to pull over. we luckily were able to and turned t…”
2025-12-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System“one two separate occasions while driving the car has lost the ability to accelerate. there is no acceleration power even when completely flooring the gas pedal. the dash displays a red circle warming that states "check hybrid system. stop safely". i have had to coast to the side of the road and then the car shuts off. it has taken several minutes b…”
2025-12-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the vehicle will not accelerate and comes to a complete stop while driving. within days, it displayed ‘check hybrid system. stop safely’ and lost propulsion while driving. …”
2025-09-25 · Engine“on september 4, 2025 as i pulled on to interstate i-70 my car suddenly lost power. gas engine died. loud attention sound started. instrument cluster started flashing red with message "ev system failure, stop immediately" ev battery showed full depletion although a moment before it showed about 75% power. there was only enough propulsion to keep mo…”
2025-07-22 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i am reporting a serious and recurring safety defect with my 2023 hyundai santa fe hybrid, purchased new in january 2024. the vehicle has suffered from over 30–40 sudden hybrid system failures, including loss of acceleration, “stop vehicle” warnings, and check engine lights. these incidents happen without warning, including while driving at legal s…”
2025-07-06 · Unknown Or Other“we were driving in montana down [xxx] and heard a very large “pop” sound above us. our vehicle was traveling alone in the area at the time, no other vehicles were around ours. there was no debris on the road or flying in air at the time, either. at this point the panoramic roof glass was closed but the interior cloth cover was open and there was no…”
2025-06-23 · Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection“between [xxx] am on [xxx]. i powered on my vehicle and the rear trunk door simultaneously opened. as i was driving my son to school that morning, i noticed water dripping onto my foot. i continued to drive but was distracted by beeping and warning messages but because the dashboard display was constantly switching from daytime to night lighting i…”
2025-05-21 · Power Train“i am reporting an urgent request immediate action regarding a serious unresolved, recurring public safety issue with my vehicle. it is potentially the fault of alexandria hyundai's service department (in alexandria, va) who had just serviced my vehicle for what should have been a routine servicing (on may 7). my car had a catastrophic and complete …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.