What 253 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev

My engine blew after owning it for 16 months. I couldn’t find all of my oil change receipts so my warranty denied it. So I started digging and found there’s so many other people with 2015 Santa Fe’s with blown engines. I took care of my car and have never had any issues with my cars before. I started speaking to others who have the same issues as me. The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe sport engine was recalled. i was driving to a repair shop with rhe only indication of an issue was an off engine noise then all of a sudden my engine blew and went into limp mode. At some point the amount of people I have seen with a blown engine should be an indication that’s it’s the engine not the driver.

NHTSA ODI 11493997

I bought a Santa Fe Sport made by Hyundai Theta Engine Settlement Ext Warranty on March 18, 2022. Also, I did the maintenance and changed the oil after about three months. On August 29, my vehicle shut off while driving without any alarm and did not start again. Imagine what a severe accident may happen to me; thankfully, no one was injured. I towed the car to the Hyundai Wolfchase dealership, in Cordova, TN, and they set an appointment for October 20, 2022. After waiting 50 days, I towed it again there, and their inspections showed the engine seized, and the estimation for repair is $8,200.00. I contacted Hyundai's customer care to use the vehicle warranty that can recall the engine for a vehicle less than ten years old. But they declined my request due to Campaign 953 software that should be installed in my car!!! I did not know about it, and it was not my fault that this car did not have this alarm system.

NHTSA ODI 11493112

I was driving on highway and my car lost power and went into limp mode and check engine light started blinking on and off. I was driving about 60 to 65 miles a hour and it went to 25 mph with no warning. We have taken care of our car with regular oil changes at every 3,000 to 3,500 miles. We checked oil and it was 3 quarts low for the second time in between oil changes with NO WARNING LIGHTS coming on but that was a month ago. I was told that losing oil is common for these motors by Valvoline instant oil change and a private mechanic. I'm not sure what to do and after reading about all these other motors doing same thing I'm really scared and we are not financially able to fix this and we have a payment on it for 2 more years. It seems like all these motors are having same issue around same milage. I am not sure why something isn't being done to help us.

NHTSA ODI 11492869

Sudden loss of power and ability to accelerate on the freeway, which was caused by a failure of the Engine Timing System. This is concerning since we had engine failure on our previous Hyundai ( a Sonata). This model of the Santa Fe isn't listed under that recall.

NHTSA ODI 11492800

1. Tranny went out at 115,00 miles. 02/22. Replaced $2400.00. 2. Engine went out, 125,000. 10/22. Yet to be fixed. MANY 2.4L HAVE DONE THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11489363

This vehicle is an All Wheel Drive. While approaching an intersection right before coming to a stop the vehicle's rear differential locked up. Attempted several times but the vehicle would not move forward. The vehicle would drive forward but would move in reverse. I drove the car in reverse back to the house. We lifter the car and the rear differential lock while moving forward but works moving backwards. My wife is afraid that even if they fix this issue what if its a defect and the rear axel locks up at higher speeds the outcome would be different.

NHTSA ODI 11489264

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the engine started making an abnormal sound. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off the roadway and stopped the engine and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rod bearing was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 (Engine). The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11489276

Engine replaced during recall 10 months prior. New fuel line on new engine begins leaking fuel onto exhaust vehicle smoking no warning lights or indicators

NHTSA ODI 11485456

Was driving and it just quit with smell from under hood

NHTSA ODI 11481680

Was driving like normal all of a sudden engine started loosing power and than started hearing grinding noise. Than engine overheated than RPM died brakes failed and slowly my car stopped in incline I was able to dodge a serious collision by taking safety precaution . Than my car did not start. Turns out engines has been seized due to mechanical failures in my engine. I performed oil change regularly and coolant was perfectly filled. There was no negligence from our end as a driver. My vehicle had 98k miles which was mentioned on Hyundai warranty that it's Powertrain warranty coverage is valid for 100k miles. I was denied my warranty because they mentioned I'm not a primary owner. How does a secondary owner affect this warranty? Secondary owner did not modified the engine to be declined warranty. How did that happen I have serious concern about Hyundai engine.

NHTSA ODI 11480460

Premature engine failure due to bearing. Car has oil consumption problem causing a ceased engine. Car stalled going 40 mph under a intersection, managed to pull over and car started fire and smoking. Fire Smothered itself.

NHTSA ODI 11479424

An engine warning light came on. The warning was for crankshaft sensor. With a couple of days the engine stopped while I was on the freeway. Barely made it to the exit s d turned right on the street when it came to a complete stop. Had it towed to Carmax as it was the place I bought it from. They said it was the engine. Took it to Hyundai waited several weeks to find out that they won’t cover it. The car has around 130,000 miles. Hyundai service manager said thos was very similar to the other Hyundai’s that are having engine trouble. The service manager said he tried his best with Hyundai and they are not going to replace the engine.

NHTSA ODI 11479169

My 2015 Santa Fe was known to lose oil between routine changes, and spontaneously increase rpms, and two mechanics were unable to find any reasons for this. While driving home from work, my engine began to knock, smoke, and within minutes seized. I was able to coast to the side of the busy highway, and had to arrange for a tow. Two mechanics stated the bearings were shot, though with routine maintenance and less than 90k miles, they could find no cause. When brought to a Hyundai dealership, they advised there was no warranty and they declined to offer any good faith assistance.

NHTSA ODI 11478908

My engine failed while I was driving with no warning. No lights or system check warnings prior. That day I was driving on a road at 50mph as I was accelerating I started to hear a knocking or sputtering noise, within 6 minutes of the noise starting my engine failed. I was driving at an incline with cars behind and beside me. I lost all engine power, my gas pedal went limp, and my brakes tightened. My engine light, battery light, and oil light came on and my exhaust from the rear was Smokey. Luckily I was able to pull over with out causing an accident. I turned the vehicle off and waited for a tow. My car electronics turn on but the engine will not start. The mechanic it was brought to confirms that the engine needs to be replaced. My 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe limited only has 47,692 miles and was serviced regularly. It had an oil change and passed the NYS inspection Jan 25, 2022 and engine failed August 7, 2022. Many similar issues with other owners of this vehicle, this engine should have been recalled, Hyundai won’t tell me if I’m entitled to the extended warranty coverage from the many lawsuits they’ve had from these vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11478540

While traveling 75 mph on the freeway, the vehicle began to violently shake. At this time, a warning message appeared that said the vehicle was performing a "system check". Another message then appeared that said to pull off the road and activate the "Blue Link". By this time, I was losing power but was able to maintain control while merging over two lanes of freeway traffic before the vehicle totally died on the side of the road. Losing all power while traveling 75 mph on a freeway created a safety issue for both myself and other drivers. I brought the vehicle to the Hyundai dealership who diagnosed an engine failure due to "misfire on number 2 cylinder, piece of valve missing". The vehicle is available for inspection at the dealership where it has been for 3 months because the manufacturer says the defect is not covered under warranty and I don't have $11,000 to replace the engine.

NHTSA ODI 11474835

engine bearing rod change, and crank shaft change on 127,000 miles

NHTSA ODI 11474838

Was driving vehicle to get on high way vehicle rpm went to 4,000 an then vehicle shut down dash board lite up like Christmas tree no power had to coast to break down lane put in park an nothing no clicking nothing motor seized up sat for 6 hours waiting for tow truck an now it’s costing me $4,200 dollars out of pocket to have fixed an vehicle is just a hundred miles out of factory power Tran warranty of 100,000 miles is there anything that can be done on this at all thank you in advance..

NHTSA ODI 11470962

While driving, there was a noise coming from the car on acceleration. Had been using cruise control and when canceled cruise, and accelerated- the noise became worse. Car stalled and I was able to get it to the side of the road without incident. Lucky there was no other vehicles on the road at the time. Checked the oil and level was fine and no temp issues indicated. When I tried to restart, an engine light came on the dash. Got the car home by coasting in neutral, it was only 2 blocks. Couldn't get an appt for repair for over a week. Had car towed to a repair shop and they said it was a Variable Valve Timing Solenoid. On first drive after replacing this piece- indicator light came on the dash again. Left the car where it was.

NHTSA ODI 11468807

On Mothers day 2022 while driving 70 mph on I-295 in FL, my 2015 Hyundai Sante Fe 2.0 Turbo quickly reduced speed down to 38 mph without any warning. I had to quickly cross over 2 lanes of traffic to pull over before my vehicle stopped completely it was then I noticed my check engine light on. After I pull to the side I immediately place my car in park and shut off the engine. My 15 year old son asked what was going on and why did the car smell as if something was burning. This is a huge safety issue and could have caused grave damage had I not acted as quickly as I did. With the reduced speed due to engine failure another vehicle could have slammed in the back of my vehicle and or hitting another car trying to avoid a rear end collision. My car is currently at the Hyundai dealership in Jax FL. I'm realizing there is a safety recall on my vehicle as well as a lot of others. I still don't have my vehicle back and I'm waiting on Hyundai to replace my engine. Hyundai has a backlog of vehicle different models. I loved my car and wouldike it fixed in a timely manner. Hyundai made the car with issues, they have identified their issues with the recalls now they need to take ownership and repair the issues. Something has to be done about unexpected engine stalls and or failure.

NHTSA ODI 11466127

Daughter was driving vehicle when began hesitating on road and losing power. She also heard knocking sound coming from engine. Concerned she would get rear ended she pulled off to side of road. No engine warning lights. Had vehicle towed to dealership where upon inspection determined total engine failure.

NHTSA ODI 11465820

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact steered the vehicle off of the roadway safely. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 194,353.

NHTSA ODI 11464185

Summer of 2020,my engine needed to be replaced for an unknown reason, that work was done at the Herb Chambers Hyundai service department. On 4/22/2022 my car hesitated to start, it did start, I traveled about 12 miles and my engine light came on. I traveled about 3 more miles and then my car stalled in the middle of the highway, I headed to the breakdown lane very quickly. As soon as I put the car in park, the car started to smoke, I ran down the highway on foot, called 911, I turned around and my car was engulfed in flames. This whole incident went awry very quickly, about 5 minutes. I am writing in as I was offered $16000.00 as a settlement for my vehicle and all losses from Hyundai. My insurance company is offering about $1500.00 more than Hyundai. Hyundai is not even performing an inspection which was not what they communicated initially. I was told an inspection needed to be done prior to any settlement decision. Their is a known recall, I understand, recall #205, which I had not yet been notified of. I want to reiterate that no inspection on Hyundai's part was done to confirm damage/recall issue. At this point I do not have a vehicle and not in a position to buy a new car.

NHTSA ODI 11462810

It appears to be a problem with all the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. It has abs, downhill, stability control lights on at the same time. It appears to be wheel speed sensor but they do not know which one. The service manager had said it happens to be a lot of the time the rear sensor that goes out. The service manager made it seem like it happens frequently. When I check online a lot of owners appear to be having the same issue. THREE LIGHTS, ESC, DBC, and ABS warning lights turn on. I am in fear for my life, due the safety on the road if the tires would lose control!

NHTSA ODI 11460210

The car was parked for about 4 hours and suddenly catches fire and reports says it was ABS anti brake system and i got my car burnt. Is there any help Hyundai can assist me.

NHTSA ODI 11459838

This vehicle has only 25,000 original miles on it, and I am the original owner and bought it new. In separate incidents, several months apart, first the right-front coil spring broke, with a piece falling out and nearly puncturing the right-front tire. Several months later, the same thing happened to the left-front coil spring, with the broken piece damaging a front C-V joint boot. Both incidents occurred without warning and, thankfully, happened at slow speed with no subsequent crash or accident. These failures, however, if they happened at highway speed, could have been disastrous due to causing a punctured tire, or a broken C-V joint, or by making steering/controlling the vehicle difficult. With both failures, the vehicle became hard to steer and the front suspension made loud banging sounds when trying to turn, both of which prompted me to immediately stop and have the vehicle towed. Both of the failed coil springs and associated parts were replaced by my local Hyundai dealership's service department and thy retained the replaced parts after the repairs. Hyundai did not offer to cover these defects, so my 3rd party maintenance agreement and I had to pay 100% of the repair costs.

NHTSA ODI 11458535