2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
Common Problems
Ranked from 67 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
15 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
Horn Failure
14complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe horn fails to work multiple times, posing a safety risk.
- 2
Sunroof Glass Failure
10complaintsSafety riskOtherThe sunroof glass has shattered or exploded while driving, posing a safety risk.
- 3
Brake Issues
7complaintsHigh severityOtherBrake performance degrades, leading to reduced stopping power and potential loss of control.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunction
7complaintsMedium severityOtherThe forward collision avoidance system engages unexpectedly, causing abrupt deceleration and potential loss of control.
- 5
Engine Performance Issues
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine experiences hesitation, stalling, and misfires, affecting overall vehicle performance.
- 6
Transmission Shifting Issues Leading to Loss of Power
5complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission shifts erratically, leading to loss of power and difficulty in accelerating.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Transmission Shuddering and Misbehavior
5complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission shudders during acceleration, shifting, and braking, leading to unsafe driving conditions.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle when the stop-start system malfunctions.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Sunroof Shattering
4complaintsSafety riskOtherThe sunroof shatters without any apparent external impact, posing a risk to passengers.
- 10
Automatic Emergency Braking System Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityOtherThe automatic emergency braking system malfunctions, applying the brakes unexpectedly and without warning.
- 11
Brake System Malfunctions Leading to Loss of Control
2complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe brake system malfunctions, causing the car to fail to stop or brake improperly, leading to potential accidents.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Engine Randomly Cuts Off or Hesitates
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine randomly cuts off or hesitates, often requiring multiple restarts to continue driving.
- 13
Engine Stall During Operation
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine unexpectedly stalls during operation, causing the vehicle to stop moving and all systems to fail.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Steering System Malfunctions Causing Jerking and Loss of Control
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering system malfunctions, causing the car to jerk and lose control, especially at low speeds.
- 15
Visibility Issues with Headlights and Windshield Cracks
2complaintsLow severityOtherHeadlights produce a dark shadow, and windshields crack without any apparent impact, affecting visibility.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes
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.