10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,556 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.

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems

engine problem

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2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

May 012024

Santa Fe

  • miles

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

While driving on the highway loss of power and all the light on the info area lit up had to pull over on shoulder and shut off car and restart. And on two separate occasion while on low speed local road brake pedal locked up and I could not stop the car using the brake it was like it was press down already and I was unable to stop.

- Jamaica, NY, USA

problem #22

Jun 132024

Santa Fe

  • miles
Twice while driving in traffic my vehicle-??s engine randomly shut off. This left me in very unsafe conditons as one as at a busy intersection which resulted in cars going around me while I attempted to restart my vehicle. The problem hasn-??t been reproduced by a dealership. The vehicle hasn-??t been inspected. No warning lights or dtc. First failure was 6ish weeks ago.

- Wadsworth, OH, USA

problem #21

Mar 182024

Santa Fe

  • miles
Prior to these occasions, the Hyundai Santa Fe was constantly needing oil added. On top of that, starting on [XXX], my 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe coded with a check engine light blinking in the upper right corner of the dashboard. I was on [XXX] in NW Indiana on my way to a meeting. The SUV would not accelerate past 2,000 rpm and bogged down on a national interstate sending me into a panic. I had my car towed back to my house. I called my brother in law, [XXX], who sold me the vehicle in November 2020, to get advice on what to do next. I was told to have the vehicle towed to the nearest dealership. After having my car sit there for two weeks, Webb Hyundai finally looked at it. They upgraded the knock sensor software and had the knock sensor replaced. With the plethora of things that I asked to be repaired or looked at, they only fixed the knock sensor. Due to an extended warranty, I paid $100. Two days later, the SUV got a flat tire. The SUV sat for a week or week and a half due to a flat tire and the place not having it in stock. [XXX] driving back from getting my new tire put on in Valparaiso, Indiana, the vehicle coded again on [XXX]. It caused another very dangerous situation as the vehicle slows to 2,000 rpms. Once again, I had the SUV towed back to my home in Cedar Lake, Indiana. It sat for a few days while I was deciding my next move. This time, I had the vehicle towed to Gerald Hyundai, where my brother in law works and where the vehicle was originally purchased. The vehicle arrived [XXX], 2024. The SUV only sat for one day before telling me all the work that needed to be done. Some of the charges were covered by the extended warranty. Total bill was $540. The work was done on May 13, 2024. I could not pick up the vehicle until the weekend. However, my other car was in an accident, so I did not make it until [XXX] 2024. Shortly after picking up my vehicle, the SUV coded again on [XXX] going back to Indiana. More to follow.. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C

- Cedar Lake, IN, USA

problem #20

Oct 092023

Santa Fe

  • 14,500 miles

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

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light flashed on the instrument panel, prompting her to pull into a parking area and contact Roadside Assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the knock sensor. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was again towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a general failure with the engine, requiring a replacement engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 14,500.

- The Villages, FL, USA

problem #19

Nov 072023

Santa Fe

  • miles
My engine light came on December of 2022. I took it to Autozone and had them to a diagnostic text to read the code. They stated it was a misfire on 3. My vehicle was also burning oil. I took it to the dealer(Napleton). They changed the spark plug. That didn-??t fix the issue. I took it back because the check engine light came back on. Napleton Downtown Chicago, IL, kept the vehicle for 5 months because they stated they had to replace the engine. About 2 weeks ago my check engine light came back on. I made an appointment to take it into to Napleton Downtown Chicago on November 27, 2023. Yesterday November 22, 2023, my vehicle cut off, started smoking and didn-??t cut back on, I had to have it towed to Napleton in Urbana, IL. Clearly this vehicle is having engine problems. I been telling Napleton Downtown Chicago that there-??s a defect with this vehicle and to replace it. Please look into for me.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #18

Jan 212023

Santa Fe

  • miles
On 01/21/2023 after exiting thr highway and pulling into a shopping center signals started popping up on my dashboard and ny car lost speed. I tried making it down the rd to a tire discounters but ny car lost complete power and would not turn on. A tow truck toad it to the tire discounters and once on the flat bed it was a puddle of oil and a trail of oil coming from my car. Once there tire discounters states that my car needed to go to a dealership. It set at kerry hyundai Alexandria until may 2023 waiting to be diagnosed. Once diagnosed it stated that ny car was missing the drain plug and that I needed a brand new engine. I had a oil change at car x on 12/10/2023 and hyundai blamed car x stating that they didn't tighten my plug. But car x denied. I got a lawyer n began to sue car x when car x lawyer responded stating that there were other people having the same problem and hyundai was being investigated. My car is currently still sitting at hyundsi because I don't have 7800 for a engine and hyundai will not cover the engine under warranty

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #17

Nov 022023

Santa Fe

  • miles

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

After having a warranty repair for a valve cover gasket' at CENTEREACHHYUNDAI, I picked up my car. Only 8 minutes into my drive home the engine light went on and engine error code appeared. At that piont smoke was coming from the hood when I heard a pop and flames appeared at my passenger side window. I turned the car off removed my phone and exited the vehicle. No one else was in the car but within minutes the fire was totally involved. I also noted it took the fire department very long to arrive. If anyone was trapped in the car they would have peristed.

- Ronkonkoma , NY, USA

problem #16

Nov 052023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Oil leak from oil pan area. Took the car to the dealer twice to get it fix and the problem temporarily stop but now is continuing to leak again. All they did was retighten the oil plug the first time and then the second time replaced the oil plug with a new one. They said it was a bad oil plug washer and now it should stop the leak, but now it-??s leaking again. Took notice of the leak when the car was parked in garage overnight and a pool of oil formed under the car again. This is scary because losing oil like this is not normal and if it continue it could seize the engine while the driver is driving it risking the safety of the driver and car.

- Blaine, MN, USA

problem #15

Sep 052023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Oil pan cracked leaking oil

- Mechanicsville, MD, USA

problem #14

Mar 122023

Santa Fe

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact state that while driving into the driveway, the engine seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil drain plug had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000. The VIN was unavailable The vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense with no assistance provided from the manufacturer.

- Hampden, MA, USA

problem #13

Jun 152023

Santa Fe

  • miles

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

The vehicles oil was changed on 3/22/23 at 22,395 miles. Almost 3 months and 1500 miles later when driving the engine seized. No lights came on. Vehicle was towed to Hyundai dealership who said it is the fault of whoever did the last oil change as the drain plug came loose. After doing research it appears that this is a known issue with Hyundai. Also, fresh oil was all over the driveway which was not noticed when car was leaving the driveway.

- Stuart , FL, USA

problem #12

Jun 072023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Car stalling and don't move when it's in a complete stop

- Carmel, NY, USA

problem #11

May 112023

Santa Fe

  • miles
On Thursday, May 11, 11:45 am, I experienced a distressing incident at Moulton Elementary School in Laguna Niguel, CA, 92677. my car was parked near the school building, with the engine turned off and the gear set to park. I was there to pick up my children, and at that time, nobody was inside the vehicle. Unexpectedly, my car started moving backward as if in neutral gear, despite being in park mode. I estimate I was approximately 10 feet from the vehicle in front of the school building. The situation was alarming because numerous children were nearby, which could have resulted in a tragedy. Thankfully, no one was injured or hit by the moving vehicle. Instinctively, I attempted to stop the car by using my entire body to push against it. Unfortunately, my efforts were unsuccessful, and as a result, I sustained severe back pain. I have been on bed rest for the past five days due to the discomfort caused by the incident. Subsequently, the vehicle collided with another car, which belonged to a teacher. The incident shocked everyone, and the reason behind the car's unexpected movement remains unclear. Later, I discovered through online research that my car was actually on the recall list, but I had not been informed of this beforehand. As a result of the incident, we contacted the police, and they arrived at the scene can confirm that the car was indeed in park gear during the incident. It is vital to investigate this matter thoroughly to determine the cause of the vehicle's accidental movement and prevent future accidents. I hope that this statement provides a clear account of the accident that occurred at Moulton Elementary School. I strongly urge authorities and the involved parties to take immediate action to address the issues surrounding my car's movement and prevent any similar incidents from happening again.

- Laguna Niguel, CA, USA

problem #10

Mar 202023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Driving down the road I heard a loud noise when I stopped I noticed oil under my car. When I was 0.1 mile from my house the oil light came on. I arrived home called Hyundai and they towed the vehicle and reported that the oil plug had was missing and I need to contact the place that changed my oil last.

- Ahoskie, NC, USA

problem #9

Mar 152023

Santa Fe

  • miles
I got flashing check engine light in my 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T. My car won-??t rev beyond 2000rpm when it happened. Blue link app and car-??s infotainment notified of P1326 Error. It is available for inspection. I was turning left in a yield on green light, I was at risk when my car stuttered and won-??t rev beyond 2000rpm. I contacted my local dealer, they said they can-??t take my car even for diagnosis due to no appointment availability till June 1st week. I was able to get hold of another dealer who can take my car in this Friday itself. Hyundai Roadside assistance said they will only tow vehicle to my local dealer and I would have to pay for tow charges if I go to any other dealer. They can-??t provide me loaner car at all. My insurance said they won-??t provide rental car unless it is an accident. My vehicle has not been inspected by anyone yet. Based on my initial research there has been class action lawsuit against Hyundai on Theta II 2.0T engines but it only covers till 2019 model. I received flashing check engine light warning in my dashboard and app notification in Bluelink about ECM fault DTC P1326. I was driving vehicle normally without any issues on engine before this happend

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #8

Jan 222023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Engine failure the car was calling for road side assistance

- Cheshire, CT, USA

problem #7

Dec 212022

Santa Fe

  • miles
As I was driving on the highway, the engine oil light came on. As I was trying to safely get off highway, the engine light came on. The engine stopped operating, but I was able to coast to a safe spot off highway. Car would not start after that. Towed to dealership. Noticeable oil was on the flat bed. Have not received update on vehicle from the dealership. Car is available for inspection. The safety of me and my family were are risk due to not being able to accelerate on the highway. Oil light came on first. 5 minutes later engine light came on. DTC P123600 appeared in my Hyundai app. Car is owned by me and my wife (Jennifer Reardon)

- Vienna, VA, USA

problem #6

Dec 022022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Vehicle emitted smell of burning turned on check engine light and oil. Warranty service indicates that the fault corresponds to the oil pump, what is a safety hazard. Santa Fe 2020

- Toa Baja, PR, USA

problem #5

Jul 152022

Santa Fe

  • 19,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #4

Jul 222022

Santa Fe

  • miles
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. Consumer writes in regard to high engine acceleration while vehicle was parked. The consumer stated the once the engine was started the vehicle began roaring. The rpms were over 5,000mph befor releasing the brake pedal. The consumer restarted the vehicle and it ran as normal. The failure occurred at 33,350 miles.

- St Peters, MO, USA

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