10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,806 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems

engine problem

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2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 4 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #83

Mar 042023

Santa Fe

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on the interstate at approximately 70 miles per hour, the engine powered down and would not restart. A mechanic advised me the engine seized and would need to be replaced, due to lack of oil in the engine. The oil had been changed at regular intervals, and there was no indication of an oil leak or low pressure. I have reviewed Investigation DP 22-003 and believe I have experienced a similar defect.

- Leeds, AL, USA

problem #82

Jan 042023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Hyundai Dealer claims cam bearing failed causing it to throw a push rod. @ 74k miles. After taking to another local shop for inspection it has no bearing failure or thrown push rod. It actually has a fail/damage piston on #4 cylinder. Timing chains etc are good and oil is still clean. They scoped the cylinder and the piston is bad. This is similar to the failures reported by others on both the v6 and 4cyl Santa Fe. It still runs it-??s just loud.

- Italy , TX, USA

problem #81

Jun 192020

Santa Fe

  • miles
My Santa fe sport has had oil consumption issues since 80k. It got worse prior to 90k. Made appt for oil consumption test. It's burning 1 qt or more every 1000 miles and hyundai refused there was an issue. Since I've had mutiple incidents with check engine light coming on. In spring 2022 I was told I need spark plugs and GDI cleaning which was done. This did not make any difference and check engine light back on couple months later. Recently at 130k I lost power on highway and barely made it home. Dealership reported cylinder 3 is misfiring and need engine. I was told it wasn't covered with extended warranty and I need to pay.

- Colchester, CT, USA

problem #80

Nov 182022

Santa Fe

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine failure at 50,000 miles without lamp warnings or messages (outside mechanics brought to our attention instead). Family safety at risk when car engine popped and stopped running. Engine issues confirmed by dealership after denying there were issues multiple times.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #79

Oct 062022

Santa Fe

  • miles
While I was driving, the car began to jerk and stall and the check engine light came on. I was able to drive about 3 more blocks then the car cut completely off. The car cut off in the middle of the street with myself and my children inside. We had to walk home and send for a tow truck. My car only had 78,000 miles. This same thing happened with my 2013 Sonata a few years ago. There seems to be a pattern of the motors cutting off while driving. This has caused loss of control of the car and the inability to steer or move the vehicle.

- Gwynn Oak , MD, USA

problem #78

May 072022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Driving on a busy, 4-lane street, approaching intersection with larger road (ref: speed limits 40 & 50, respectively). Vehicle suddenly, without warning (normal temp gauge, oil pressure, etc.; check engine light off) lost all ability to accelerate. Narrowly avoided being rear-ended as a car attempted to accelerate while changing lanes. Moving with urgency (2 babies in car-seats at rear, wife at passenger, busy road with some blind spots), I put hazards on, shut the engine off, restarted, and attempted to drive. No response, still no CEL indication. 2nd attempt, shut engine off, restarted, this time shifted to low gear. Able to accelerate up to ~5-10mph and signaling to approaching vehicles with arms through window, we were able to get to a parking lot and called a tow truck. Scary situation to have zero acceleration suddenly with babies in the back on a busy street with blind spots. Towed to a certified Hyundai dealership. Been >5 months now, never received formal diagnosis (however, rec'd quote to replace the engine ILO written cause of failure--odd). Rec'd pics of the engine, told by non-technical service liaison issue was "head got stuck open, during combustion cycle, engine was burned up". This presents identical to previous Hyundai recall RE: failing connecting rod bearing(s) & oil consumption. Upon inspection, motor oil presented: (1) low & (2) copper tinted + fine silver-colored metal shavings--indicative of issue for which Hyundai Theta engine was recalled. Dealer ultimately said Hyundai would not cover and engine failure was due to improper maintenance schedule (I changed oil regularly). This is not an indictment, but resistance to formalized written diagnosis, the evidence in the engine, Hyundai & dealers refusal to cover, and life & history of vehicle (well maintained, 63K miles)--all lead me to suspect Hyundai USA is attempting to sidestep manufacturer responsibility to recall. Similar reports found--compiled a list >100 in one session.

- Lexington, TX, USA

problem #77

Oct 132022

Santa Fe

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Reidsville, NC, USA

problem #76

Aug 292022

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • miles
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. 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.

- Cordova, TN, USA

problem #75

Nov 072022

Santa Fe

  • miles
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.

- Oregonia, OH, USA

problem #74

Oct 182022

Santa Fe

  • miles
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.

- Redmond, WA, USA

problem #73

Oct 082022

Santa Fe

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1. Tranny went out at 115,00 miles. 02/22. Replaced $2400. 2. Engine went out, 125,000. 10/22. Yet to be fixed. MANY 2.4L HAVE DONE THIS.

- Clear Lake , IA, USA

problem #72

Sep 092022

Santa Fe

  • 120,000 miles
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.

- Destin, FL, USA

problem #71

Aug 292022

Santa Fe

  • miles
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

- Sevierville, TN, USA

problem #70

Jul 262022

Santa Fe

  • miles
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.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #69

Aug 022022

Santa Fe

  • miles
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.

- Port Orange, FL, USA

problem #68

Jul 022022

Santa Fe

  • miles
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.

- Sunnyvale, TX, USA

problem #67

Jul 082022

Santa Fe

  • miles
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.

- Iron River, WI, USA

problem #66

Aug 072022

Santa Fe

  • miles
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.

- Auburn, NY, USA

problem #65

May 032022

Santa Fe

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

- Puyallup, WA, USA

problem #64

May 062022

Santa Fe

  • miles
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.

- Apple Valley, MN, USA

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