Hyundai Santa Fe FWD
Hyundai · Auto's · 2023
Hyundai Santa Fe FWD (2023)
64
199 complaints
status.label
status.fair
status.fair_sub
product.status_fair_complaints
product.specifications
specs.g_fuel_economy
specs.city_mpg22
specs.highway_mpg28
specs.combined_mpg25
specs.annual_fuel_cost$2700
specs.ghg_score5 / 10
specs.g_engine_drivetrain
specs.engine_size2.5 L
specs.cylinders4
specs.fuel_typeRegular
specs.transmissionAutomatic (AM-S8)
specs.drivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
CO₂365 g/mi
specs.g_classification

specs.data_sourced_from FuelEconomy.gov (specs.energy_dept)

product.complaints_section199 total
HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2023 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
medium
COMPONENT/SYSTEM: The powertrain launch control system — the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) and 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission paired with the 2.5T engine — fails to deliver engine power in response to full accelerator input from a stop. The engine does not rev and the vehicle does not move for approximately 1–2 seconds despite the accelerator pedal being fully depressed, then power engages abruptly and violently. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK: The failure occurs when launching from a stop into intersections and cross-traffic. In the most recent incident, I was turning left across the roadway from a stop with an oncoming vehicle approaching. I applied full accelerator and the vehicle did not respond at all for approximately 2 seconds — no engine response, no movement — leaving me stationary in the oncoming vehicle’s path. Power then engaged violently and without warning, causing the vehicle to lurch across the road. I was nearly struck. Similar events have occurred multiple times throughout my ownership; this was the closest to a collision. DEALER CONFIRMATION: Not yet inspected by a dealer. A dealer service appointment is being scheduled. OTHER INSPECTIONS: The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. WARNING LAMPS/PRIOR SYMPTOMS: No warning lamps or messages have appeared before, during, or after any of the events. The failure is intermittent and occurs without warning. The condition has been present since I purchased the vehicle in October 2022 and has occurred regularly throughout ownership — numerous occurrences over more than three years. No warning lamps have ever accompanied it. ADDITIONAL: Condition persists with Idle Stop & Go disabled, ruling out engine-restart delay. Same 8-speed wet DCT was subject to Recall 236 (NHTSA 22V-746) on 2021–2022 models for similar throttle non-response; 2023 excluded despite identical hardware.
NHTSAUSJul 2026Source →
HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2023 SERVICE BRAKES
low
My dealership has reground the rotors on my car twice. Now with less than 40,000 mileson the car the brakes need ground again. The issue with the brakes is it causes the front end of the car to shake when the brakes are applied. This could lead to loss of control on down hill stops in slippery conditions.
NHTSAUSJul 2026Source →
HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2023 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
high
Vehicle stalled while driving — unsafe loss of power. While driving at normal speed, the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning and the electrical system malfunctioned. I had to pull over and restart car. This created a dangerous situation and could have caused a collision. Prior to this incidenct, the vehicle had intermittent electrical issues during startup (flickering electronics). This is the first time the car has experienced during driving, and is now at the Hyundai dealership. The car has been reported as unsafe to drive. This appears similar to other Hyundai stalling/power loss issues and may indicate a developing safety defect. Requesting investigation.
NHTSAUSJun 2026Source →
HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2023 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
medium
First Failure occurred 7 months after purchase at 5,270 miles on August 1, 2024. The vehicle suddenly went into "Limp Mode" abruptly decelerating to 25 mph with a non-responsive gas pedal. A code reader displayed PO653 Sensor Reference: "Voltage B Circuit High". Dealer found corroded wire to battery and cleaned it. Second Failure: Horn loss to 1 tone. Fixed at 30K mile dealer service on June 12, 2026 and found to have faulty packing resulting in corrosion. At the same standard service the Brake System was flushed. 3rd Failure was 5 days and 437 miles (30,712 miles) after the 30K dealer service. On June 17, 2026 during my early morning commute while merging onto the interstate, alarms began to blare and the gas pedal suddenly became unresponsive. The initial alarms read Blind Spot Failure. Car would not accelerate from 40 mph that it was going coming down the bridge ramp so I took the very close off ramp down from the aqua duct and the console display alert showed "Engine Management System: details: Braking and Body Control System with a recommendation to get "a full system check...TODAY". I brought it to the dealer that afternoon and as of yesterday, 6/26/26 they can find nothing wrong, declaring it an intermittent issue and asked me to come get the car, refusing to continue looking or providing alternate options other than referring me to Hyundai Consumer Affairs.
NHTSAUSJun 2026Source →
HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2023 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
medium
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving and decelerating to approximately 10 MPH onto an exit ramp, the vehicle suddenly stalled and failed to restart. The contact noticed that there was blue smoke coming from the exhaust pipes, and several unknown warning lights and messages illuminated, including the Check Engine warning light. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that a fuel injector had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 35,652.
NHTSAUSJun 2026Source →
product.discussion0 product.comments
product.no_discussion
product.status_history
status.safestatus.fair10 Jun 2026
Lemon Score: 72. 84 data points. v3 scoring.
status.certifiedstatus.safe31 May 2026
Lemon Score: 87. 20 data points. v3 scoring.
status.uncertainstatus.certified27 May 2026
Lemon Score: 100. 0 data points. v3 scoring.
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