2023 Hyundai Santa Fe problems, complaints & recalls
MoreWithin ±30% year on year
NHTSA has received 290 owner complaints about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, or 76.5 per year on the road — more complaints than typical (complaint index 1.90, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #76 of 92 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Hyundai models its rate is 42% higher; against other Midsize SUVs it is 46% higher.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2022-09-03 and 2026-10-12. Median delay from incident to filing: 9 days.
290Complaints
76.5Complaints per year on the road
1.9Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls · ⚠ 1
4.8%Share involving a crash or fire
77Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2022) drew 55.1 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2024) drew 68.1 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2023 model collected 152 complaints, 83% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (22.1% of complaints), followed by Unspecified or other (16.9%) and Transmission / powertrain (14.8%). 14 reports (4.8%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 17 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 21 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the second year (32% of incidents). In the last 12 months 77 new complaints were filed, versus 82 in the 12 months before — down 6%.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.9
vs. other Hyundai models1.42
vs. other 2023 models1.81
vs. other Midsize SUVs1.46
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (152)1.83
We were at full stop with Auto Hold feature enabled. Car lurched / jumped forward with no depression of the gas pedal. This caused us to strike the car in front of us.
Engine · 2026-06-11 · ODI 11743508 · Crash
I was in a car accident on September 30, 2025. I was hit from behind by a dump truck and was pushed into the car in front of me. My seat belt in my Santa Fe did not tighten, and my head hit the steering wheel. There is something wrong with the seat belts.
The vehicle is a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in hybrid. Purchased new in January 2024. It currently has 40,087 miles. My wife and I were traveling were traveling at the posted speed limit when we heard a loud bank. The operation of the vehicle was not effected.
Unspecified or other · 2026-10-12 · ODI 11770614
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.
Engine · 2026-10-10 · ODI 11770334
My 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy has experienced transmission problems since it was new and currently has approximately 20,000 miles.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-10-05 · ODI 11769015
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: 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.
Remedy: 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.
