2023 Hyundai Santa Fe problems, complaints & recalls
MoreSteady
NHTSA has received 282 owner complaints about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, or 76.8 per year on the road — more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.83, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #76 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Hyundai models its rate is 38% higher; against other Midsize SUVs it is 45% 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 2026-08-27. Median delay from incident to filing: 10 days.
282Complaints
76.8Complaints per year on the road
1.83Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls · ⚠ 1
5.0%Share involving a crash or fire
77Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2022) drew 55.8 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2024) drew 65.4 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 (22.3% of complaints), followed by Interior & equipment (16.3%) and Transmission / powertrain (14.5%). Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “engine”, “roadway everyone”, “roadway danger”, “reproduced comfirmed” and “everyone roadway”. 14 reports (5.0%) 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 (33% of incidents). In the last 12 months 77 new complaints were filed, versus 90 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 2% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.83
vs. other Hyundai models1.38
vs. other 2023 models1.83
vs. other Midsize SUVs1.45
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 fuel range calculation is often very wrong in our plug in hybrid. This issue has been brought to the attention of the manufacturer and dealer with no results but pointing at the other organizations.
Interior & equipment · 2026-08-19 · ODI 11757840
Subject: Formal Dispute: Warranty Breach and Failure to Repair – 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Timeline & Facts:11/2/25 (~52,000 miles): I officially reported an intermittent loss of power and severe engine revving (up to 7,000 RPM).
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-08-12 · ODI 11756570
This complaint concerns a serious, unresolved powertrain/propulsion safety defect in my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. While traveling approximately 70 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion and would not accelerate normally while surrounded by highway…
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-08-10 · ODI 11755949
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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?
282 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, or about 76.8 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 22.3% of complaints.
Does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 77 new complaints were filed, versus 90 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 282 owner complaints about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, or 76.8 per year on the road — more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.83, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #76 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Hyundai models its rate is 38% higher; against other Midsize SUVs it is 45% higher.