MyCarTSB

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Problems

17 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

17
Complaints
Jan 2024Oct 2025
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (17)

criticalENGINE
Filed: Mar 2026

Your 2023 Santa Fe suddenly overheated while driving and you noticed coolant leaking from the front, forcing you to have it towed. The dealership claimed road debris damaged the radiator but provided no evidence of impact damage—only a video of coolant leaking after a technician pushed something into the grille. Without proof of actual external damage, you're concerned this may be a defective cooling system component rather than debris-related damage. The repair will likely involve radiator replacement or repair and cooling system inspection to identify the root cause.

NHTSA #: 11722135
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2026

Oil pan leak.

NHTSA #: 11727778
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2025

Was driving at 10 MPH on highway car began to cut out run rough and produce an extremely pungent smell of gasoline.. then stalled.. vehicle serviced and low pressure fuel injector had a leak causing fuel to spill onto the vehicles starter causing it to fail as well.. both were replaced under warranty by dealer. Highly concerned about fuel leaking from injector system onto a hot engine and electrical components and the aerosolized fuel. Police advised not to start vehicle due to fuel leaking and smell.

NHTSA #: 11696368
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2025

My 2023 Santa Fe Limited has 3,000 mils on it. At least four times it had low speed hesitation (lags then revs up for a few seconds). It’s a problem with the DCT (Dual Clutch Tranny) Hesitation pulling onto a highway poses a significant risk of a faster car colliding into my car. I called my car dealer and the service manager said they know they are having problems with this. He said they tried everything to remedy the problem but, there is no solution. They said the only way not to have the problem is to get a different car!!! Hyundai should have a recall on this hesitation matter before someone gets injured or killed. It’s a safety issue. The last time it happened will be the date of my incident report.

NHTSA #: 11690291
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2025

While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the first of five times that it has happened.

NHTSA #: 11671522
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2025

While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the SECOND of five times that it has happened.

NHTSA #: 11671527
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2025

While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the THIRD of five times that it has happened so far.

NHTSA #: 11671530
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2025

While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the fourth of five times that it has happened so far.

NHTSA #: 11671543
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2025

While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the fifth of five times that it has happened so far.

NHTSA #: 11671548
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2025

Engine died suddenly at various speeds and a beeping alarm was activated along with the Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine), Engine Oil Pressure, and Charging System warning lights on the instrument panel. The instrument panel also read, "Engine off! Shift to N, then start engine”. The car must then be coasted off the road to safety. When the car was brought to a stop, the Parking Brake and Brake Fluid warning light was illuminated alongside the other warning lights on the instrument panel. The instrument panel also showed that the car was in Neutral; none of the gear shift buttons were operable. Pressing the start/stop engine button restarted the car, removed all alarms and warning lights, and the car operated normally until the next occurrence. This scenario occurred five times: 4.05.25, 4.15.25 (twice), 4.22.25, and 5.28.25. The odometer readings were 12,250, 12421 and 12,425, 12,454, and 12,976, respectively. I have videos or photos of the instrument panel for all events but the first one, frightened as I was by that initial experience. The car was taken to Hyundai of North Charleston (HONC) for analysis 3 times: 4.16.25, 04.22.25, and 5.29.25. On 4.16.2025 the service advisor told me that they found 2 diagnostic codes, one of which related to the front radar, so it was replaced. I picked the car up on 4.22.25 and drove less than 3 miles when the problem recurred. I immediately returned to HONC. On this visit the front upper camera was replaced. My car was at HONC for 3 weeks waiting on the part and completing the installation. The problem reoccurred on 5.28.25 and the car was taken to HONC on 5.29.25 for inspection. On 5.30.25 the service advisor told me they didn't find any diagnostic codes and could not replicate the problem. The advisor said I could leave the car at HONC or they could "release" to me. I picked the car up on 5.31.25. Afraid to drive the car now, its use has been limited to necessary local trips on roads that have pullover access.

NHTSA #: 11664508
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2025

On two separate occasions, I was a stop light in high traffic. I was unable to drive my vehicle when the light turn green because of  no power. A message display prompting me to "shift to P or N to start engine." Unfortunately, that didn't work. I had to sit there for a few mins, signaling other motorists to go around me. Eventually, I had to restart my vehicle. I panicked because I felt unsafe as I was blocking traffic. I took my vehicle to the dealer and was told that there were no code  after the diagnostic test but yet the technician told me the door on the driver side is not aligned and I need to take it to a mechanic. I never got any alert that my door is open so that diagnosis didn't make sense. I took my vehicle le to the mechanic to check the alignment of the door who in return told me that there was no issue with my alignment. I am scared to drive my vehicle because I don't want to cause an accident.

NHTSA #: 11657236
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2025

The purchase price was $35,800. As of today, I have paid a total of $24,590. The vehicle has a manufacturing defect that has significantly impacted its performance. The engine has been problematic, as it appears to be consuming oil, and it often fails to start on the first attempt, requiring me to press the button multiple times. The most concerning issue is that the car can unexpectedly shut off while I am driving. Additionally, there is an abnormal noise coming from the engine. I consider this situation serious, as it poses a significant risk to my safety. These symptoms appear on January 13/2025. I want to emphasize that I have completed all scheduled maintenance on time. I filled out reports regarding this issue, and I have attached two reports that confirm the vehicle is consuming 2 quarts of oil per 1,000 miles, vehicle is consuming oil due manufacturing defect. These reports were given to me by Safford Hyundai.

NHTSA #: 11650089
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2024

Driving at a low speed and blind spot warning light comes on, then all warnings light up and car loses all power and goes into limp mode. Engine light stays on, but will start back up after it is shut off, open and shut car door and restart. Engine light stays on. Has happened to me three or four times. In the past, the engine light will eventually go off before I can get it to the dealership. Hyundai said they couldn’t duplicate the problem last time it was taken in, so nothing could be done. Gives error code P063512 each time and says EMS which I assume means emissions.

NHTSA #: 11612685
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE
Filed: May 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that upon noticing that coolant was leaking onto the ground, he opened the hood and discovered that coolant was leaking from the radiator. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that a foreign object had struck the radiator, causing coolant to leak into the engine compartment. The dealer informed the contact that a failure caused by a foreign object was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that upon examining pictures of the failure provided by the dealer, he noticed that there were rocks stuck in and near the radiator. The contact determined that the large gaps of the front grill were allowing foreign objects to strike the radiator. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, the case was later closed. The failure mileage was approximately 11,591.

NHTSA #: 11587396
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving on three occasions, at approximately 60 MPH, the cruise control was engaged, and the contact attempted to accelerate using the toggle and the vehicle accelerated to over 110 MPH. The brake pedal was depressed, and the cruise control was deactivated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140.

NHTSA #: 11574733
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2024

Throttle randomly cuts off or hesitates. It has done it about 15 times Dealer says no problem found. There is a lot of reports on the internet of the same problem.

NHTSA #: 11562911
mediumENGINE,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2023

The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated. The check engine warning light illuminated, and a message displayed on the infotainment screen indicating “Engine System Emergency, Take Vehicle to the Nearest Dealer”. The contact was able to veer the vehicle into a parking lot where it was idled. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that no appointments were available; however, the technician used a code reader that retrieved message: “5 Volts drop to the ECM”. The contact stated that the technician then pressed the START/STOP button to restart the vehicle and reset the check engine warning light. The contact stated that he was able to drive the vehicle back to his location where he parked the vehicle. The following day he restarted the vehicle however, the failure recurred. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised that if the check engine warning light was not illuminated there was no need to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 1,108.

NHTSA #: 11550142

Other 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Issues