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

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited, 3.3L Lambda II GDI V6, ~102,000 miles. In December 2022, an authorized Hyundai dealer replaced three specific parts under a Hyundai recall/campaign (records requested). On Sunday [DATE] at approximately [TIME] PM, I was driving on [FREEWAY], [STATE], at 55–70 mph at night. With NO prior warning — no warning lights, no chimes, no loss of power buildup, no knocking, no engine protection mode — the engine suddenly and completely died. The failure was instantaneous. There was no limp-home mode and no opportunity to reach the shoulder under engine power. The vehicle lost forward momentum and rolled backward in a live highway travel lane, where it remained stranded until a tow truck recovered it. No injuries. The 12V battery and electrical system remained fully active throughout. The instrument cluster was operational and capable of displaying warnings before the failure. None were displayed. Dashboard warning lights illuminated only seconds AFTER the engine had already died — a post-failure consequence of engine shutdown, not a pre-failure warning. An independent mechanic diagnosed a seized engine due to loss of oil flow. No oil pressure or low-oil light had ever illuminated. The vehicle was then transported to the Hyundai dealer that performed the 2022 service; they promised a diagnostic call and have not provided one or any written diagnostic. This failure mode matches Hyundai TSB 24-EM-003H (15yr/150k extended warranty for 3.3L Lambda II engines in 2013–2019 Santa Fe), NHTSA Recall 21V-727 (acknowledging stall risk at highway speed), and the active class action Burns v. Hyundai Motor Company (C.D. Cal. 2025). Hyundai's KSDS is documented to trigger a blinking MIL, audible chime, and reduced-power Engine Protection Mode upon bearing wear. None of these protective behaviors occurred.

NHTSA ODI 11736814

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was notified and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11578785

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed flames originating near the firewall. The contact was able to extinguish the flames himself with a fire extinguisher. No warning lights were illuminated. A fire report was filed. A police report was not filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V303000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 126,000.

NHTSA ODI 11576910

My 2015 Santa Fe Limited with 44,000 miles developed a knocking sound coming from the engine. No lights appeared on the dashboard, no low oil pressure warning, etc. I was able to drive it to my local dealership, but the brakes were very jerky and the car shut off when I pulled into the parking lot. I was told I needed a new engine, but was denied Hyundai paying for it because the 5 years/100,000 mile warranty had expired. I called corporate and pointed out many instances of excess oil consumption, recalls, and extended warranties due to engines. I was told that my engine didn’t qualify and I would have to pay to have it fixed. I was also given a phone number for a class action lawsuit because Hyundai knows of these kinds of engine problems on my make and model.

NHTSA ODI 11567671

While driving at 65 mph on an urban expressway, the engine quit without warning and would not restart. This resulted in diminished steering and braking control as well as exposure near the edge of traffic on a narrow berm of an overpass bridge. Full tank of fuel, good battery, the engine would not crank or restart. All electrical accessories work fine.

NHTSA ODI 11542427

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS, hill assist, and traction control warning lights illuminated and the "BSD Cancelled" message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

NHTSA ODI 11537239

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

Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2015 was making sounds when vehicle was off. The ABS warning lights were lit on the dashboard (3 warnings in total) once car was turned on. Drove home hoping the sound would go away but it did not. Once home the sound continued without the vehicle being on. Opened the hood and listened for the location of the sound. It was the ABS module on the left. This part then caught on fire while parked and off (keys were out).

NHTSA ODI 11431709

The contact owned a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, when he lost control of the vehicle and multiple warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated while attempting to park on the side of the road, he saw smoke entering the AC vents. The contact and his son (front passenger) were able to exit the vehicle before it exploded. The contact stated the fire was located in the front of the vehicle. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire, but was unaware if a fire report was filed. The police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance company deemed the vehicle total loss. The vehicle was towed to a towing yard. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact stated two days after the incident, he received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V303000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) and associated the failure with this recall. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

NHTSA ODI 11430124

ABS failed while merging causing a collision that ended up totaling my car.

NHTSA ODI 11422818

Leak which may cause a fire. This is second recall for same problem. I feel unsafe while driving. They say if ABS light comes on to stop immediately. Unable to park in my garage or close to the house. No incidents as of now. I do not understand why this is taking so long and we are expected to drive an unsafe vehicle. Value of car has also dropped.

NHTSA ODI 11421003

RECALL 194 IS RELATED TO POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL FIRE. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN OUT SINCE 9/2020 AND YET NO DEALERSHIP HAS PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CALL AT LEAST 3 TIMES AND GET TOLD "PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE". LAT CALL IS THE DATE BELOW.

NHTSA ODI 11395890

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE; TOLD TO PARK CAR OUTSIDE AS IT COULD CATCH FINE. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. WAS TOLD DIAGNOSTIC SHOW ABS MODULE WAS NOT LEAKING, THEREFORE NO REPAIR NEEDED ALTHOUGH THEY COULDN'T GUARANTEE IT WOULDN'T LEAK IN THE FUTURE. CALLED HYUNDAI CORPORATE (LISTENED TO CAMPAIGN 953) DETAILING THAT AN ELECTRONIC UPDATE WAS INSTALLED WHICH IF THE LEAK OCCURS, THE CAR WOULD BE PLACED IN A MODE THAT WOULD NOT ALLOW IT TO BE DRIVEN FAST AND TO IMMEDIATELY GO TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. I WANT MY CAR REPAIRED AND PART REPLACED. THIS ELECTRONIC UPDATE DOES NOT DO THAT ... IF THE CORPORATION KNOWS THE PART IS FAULTY THEY SHOULD REPLACE ALL, NOT JUST THOSE THAT TEST BAD AT THE TIME OF THE CHECK. WAS GIVEN NO OTHER RECOURSE.

NHTSA ODI 11388659

MY 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM (ABS) MODULES THAT COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID INTERNALLY AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICA SHORT OVER TIME. THE PISTON SEALS IN THE ABS MODULES'S HYDRAULIC VALVE COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID INTO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (EUC) . AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE ABS MODULE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE SAFETY RECALL LETTER I RECEIVED 12-24-20 STATED TO CALL THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. I CALLED ON JAN 12, 2021 TO MY DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS TO FIX THE RECALL WERE NOT IN YET AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHEN THEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I FIND THIS TO BE VERY CONCERNING THAT I MAY HAVE A CAR THAT ANYTIME COULD CATCH ON FIRE AND HYUNDAI CANNOT FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI 11387877

AS PART OF NHTSA RECALL #20V-520, HYUNDAI RECALL #194, I WAS INFORMED THE PART THAT HAS STARTED FIRES, WOULD MAY MERELY BE INSPECTED AND NOT REPLACED. THIS PART SHOULD BE REPLACED SINCE IT IS KNOWN TO START FIRES.

NHTSA ODI 11386604

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V520000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO CIOCCA HYUNDAI OF WILLIAMSPORT (202 LYCOMING MALL DR, MUNCY, PA 17756; (570) 567-2000) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11378680

I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE MAP SENSOR AND THE BATTERY LAST YEAR. CAR WAS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. RECENTLY IN LAST COUPLE MONTHS NOTICED ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKES WHILE ON FREEWAY THE STEERING WOULD SHAKE AND FEEL LIKE I HAD NO CONTROL. JUST RECEIVED NOTICE OF A BRAKE RECALL BUT THERE IS STILL NO REMEDY. HOW LONG DO I WAIT FOR THEM TO COME UP WITH A REMEDY?

NHTSA ODI 11376863

IN LATE SEPTEMBER WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION ("CAMPAIGNE194") FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT A BREAK FLUID LEAK IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WITH POTENTIAL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MY WIFE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE DEALER, FITZGERALD HYUNDAI ROCKVILLE MD, TO GET IT FIXED. THEY SAID THE FIX WAS NOT READY AND THAT WE WOULD BE CONTACTED. WHEN TOLD THEM THAT WE PLANNED TO DRIVE TO SOUTH FLORIDA (FROM JUST NORTH OF WASHINGTON DC), THEY BRUSHED OFF HER CONCERN WITH A CARELESS ATTITUDE. WE ARE NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ALL AND SEE ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS OBLIGED "TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY RECALL FOR YOUR VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER". WE HAVE RECEIVED NO FOLLOW-UP FROM THEM AND FEEL THAT GIVEN THIS BEGAN IN AUGUST, A "TIMELY MANNER" HAS NOT BEEN MET. IS OUR VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE?! WE THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR QUICK RESPONSE.

NHTSA ODI 11375726

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V520000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. GREENWAY HYUNDAI OF ATHENS (4160 ATLANTA HWY, ATHENS, GA 30606, (706) 612-9500) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11374039

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V520000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11367095

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V520000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. FAMILY HYUNDAI DEALER, SERVICE & PARTS (8101 W 159TH ST, TINLEY PARK, IL 60477, (708) 444-7100) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11366523

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR EMISSIONS TESTING AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V520000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED HER TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11365358

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND STARTED TO SHIFT WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT FLASHING. THE CONTACT CALLED NALLEY HYUNDAI (7909 MALL PKWY, STONECREST, GA 30038) AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V520000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,225.

NHTSA ODI 11364450

I FOUND ABS ALARM MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD. WHEN I VISITED LOCAL DEALER SHOP, IT IS PROBLEM ON ABS MODULE. BUT I HEARD 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS RECALL FOR ABS MODULE. BUT DEALER SHOP TOLD ME MU CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL.I JUST WONDER WHY MY CAR IS NOT AVAILABLE RECALL. IT IS SAME KIND OF CAR. I WOULD LIKE THEY INVESTIGATE MY CAR IS AVAILABLR RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11362224

TL* THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BURNING OIL AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE OIL WAS CHANGED IN HOPES IT WOULD REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO HERB CONNOLLY HYUNDAI, 520 WORCESTER RD, FRAMINGHAM, MA 01702, AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL WAS PERFECT ON ARRIVAL AND WAS NOT REPLICATING THE FAILURE OF THE SMOKE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO MIRAK HYUNDAI, 1165 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, ARLINGTON, MA 02476, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TOO MUCH OIL WAS ADDED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT WAS TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE FOR THE OPEN RECALL OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V520000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECTED. - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ODI 11360928