2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
Common Problems
Ranked from 48 federal NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
12 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
Seat Belt Malfunction
10complaintsMedium severityOtherThe seat belts, especially in the middle row, fail to function properly, preventing safe restraint.
- 2
Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunction
9complaintsSafety riskOtherThe forward collision avoidance system frequently malfunctions, causing false alerts and disabling critical safety features.
- 3
Severe Electrical System Failure
8complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe vehicle suddenly loses all electrical power and stops functioning, often while driving.
Related recall: 25V659000
- 4
Steering Column Noise and Safety Concerns
8complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering column produces a persistent squeaking noise, indicating potential safety issues.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Tire Blowout Due to Sidewall Bubbles
7complaintsHigh severityOtherMultiple tires developed bubbles in the sidewall without any apparent cause, leading to blowouts.
- 6
Seating Mechanism Safety Issues
6complaintsSafety riskOtherThe second-row seats can fold down unexpectedly, posing a risk of crushing occupants, especially children.
- 7
Adaptive cruise control issues
2complaintsMedium severityOtherIssues with adaptive cruise control, including false alerts and disabling when wearing sunglasses.
- 8
Battery drain issues
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalRecurring instances of the battery draining completely overnight, requiring jumpstarts.
$150–$700est. parasitic-drain diagnosis + battery · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 25V659000
- 9
Driver Monitoring System Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe driver monitoring system activates unnecessarily, interrupting normal driving and cruise control usage.
Related recall: 25V659000
- 10
Sunroof spontaneous shattering
2complaintsHigh severityOtherThe sunroof spontaneously shattered without any impact or external force.
- 11
Transmission Slipping Gears
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission slips gears, particularly when driving downhill or reversing on an incline.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Windshield issues
2complaintsMedium severityOtherWindshields cracked or chipped repeatedly within a short period of time.
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.