2015 Hyundai Santa Fe
Common Problems
Ranked from 88 federal NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
18 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Engine Failure Due to Oil Consumption
20complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine has failed due to excessive oil consumption, leading to a complete loss of power and potential engine seizure.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Engine Knocking and Loss of Power
16complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine has begun to knock and experience a loss of power, often without any warning lights or indications of an issue.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Engine Seizure Without Warning
16complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine has seized without any warning, leading to a complete loss of power and requiring immediate towing.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Brake system hydraulic issues leading to potential loss of control
12complaintsHigh severityBrakesHydraulic issues in the brake system can lead to brake fluid leaks, causing a loss of braking power and potential vehicle control issues.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V651000
- 5
Engine fire risk due to brake fluid leak
12complaintsSafety riskEngineBrake fluid can leak into the electronic control unit, causing an electrical short and increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Engine stalling and misfiring
12complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine can suddenly stall or misfire without any warning, leading to loss of vehicle control and difficulty restarting.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Sunroof malfunction leading to potential injury
10complaintsMedium severityOtherThe sunroof screen will not close properly, posing a risk of injury if the sunroof shatters while open.
- 8
Electrical system failures affecting safety features
6complaintsMedium severityElectricalElectrical system failures can cause safety features such as airbags and blind spot detection to malfunction or fail entirely.
- 9
Engine Failure During Routine Driving
6complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine fails during routine driving without any prior warning or indicators.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Engine Light On Without Warning
6complaintsMedium severityEngineThe check engine light has come on without any warning, often leading to a loss of power or engine failure.
- 11
Electrical System Issues
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalThere have been multiple reports of electrical system issues, such as warning lights coming on without any apparent cause.
- 12
Engine Stalling or Shutting Off Unexpectedly
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine has stalled or shut off unexpectedly while driving, often without any warning or indicators of an issue.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Engine Failure Due to Complete Oil Loss
4complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine fails due to complete and sudden oil loss, posing a safety risk.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Engine Failure Due to Low Oil Levels
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine fails due to low oil levels, often without any prior warning or indicators.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Engine Overheating and Burning Oil
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine overheats and burns oil, leading to potential engine failure.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Engine Seizure During High-Speed Driving
4complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine seizes during high-speed driving, posing a safety risk.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 17
Engine Stall During Acceleration
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine suddenly stalls during acceleration, often accompanied by a knocking or sputtering noise, and can lead to a loss of power and control.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Steering System Wander and Overadjustment
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe vehicle requires constant minor steering corrections to maintain a straight line, causing it to wander on the highway.
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.