2023 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe sudden loss of drive power while driving, often with a hybrid system or check engine warning, and in some reports the car shuts off. Emergency braking that engages with no obstacle ahead, a delayed response when pressing the accelerator, and sunroof glass that shatters without impact are also described. Most reports do not state mileage, and the quoted figures run from about 600 to about 15,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine

   Sudden loss of drive power while driving

   • 21 complaints (36%)
   • median 6,800 mi at 1.6 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe the car losing drive power abruptly while driving, sometimes until it coasts to the side of the road, and in some reports the vehicle shuts off and takes several minutes to restart. Many complaints mention a hybrid system warning, a battery or EV system warning, or a check engine light before or during the power loss. In some reports the hybrid battery gauge dropped to empty within seconds, and the car would not move. In some complaints the dealer confirmed the problem, but the failure returned after repairs. Most reports do not state mileage, quoted figures run from about 600 to about 15,000 miles, and many happened at highway speed or while merging.

   What to check: Ask whether the car has shown any hybrid system, battery, or check engine warning, and request all dealer repair records for those warnings. On a test drive, including a highway merge, watch for any sudden loss of acceleration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “As I was driving today my Santa Fe Hybrid lost all power while on the road. The hybrid battery gauge went from 3/4th full to empty in 20 second and I could not get the vehicle to move. Thankfully there was no one behind me and I could safely pull off. When I stopped and restarted the car, the system said ready to drive but the car wouldn't move”

   NHTSA complaint #11589427, filed 2024-05

   “Check engine light and HEV warning light come on and vehicle looses all power. It has been confirmed by myrtle beach Hyundai also they tried fixing the problem gave me back car supposedly fixed just to have same problem within 24 hours.The problem started later part of April and is still ongoing vehicle has been towed 3 times so far.My concern is what happens if I loose all power while driving.”

   NHTSA complaint #11529904, filed 2023-07
2. 2
   Forward collision avoidance

   Emergency braking engages with no obstacle ahead

   • 10 complaints (17%)
   • typically at 1.7 yrs old
   • filed 2023–2024

   Owners describe automatic emergency braking or emergency braking activating on highways at about 55 to 70 mph with no vehicle or barrier ahead, sometimes with a sudden stop or a jolt through the steering wheel. Some describe a warning light or tone shortly before the braking, while in other reports the car braked with no alert beforehand. Some complaints say the dealer found no codes or could not duplicate the problem. Some owners say they are now afraid or nervous to drive the car on highways. No mileage is given, and these reports describe highway driving at about 55 to 70 mph with no vehicle ahead.

   What to check: Ask whether the forward collision or automatic emergency braking sensors have been checked or updated, and whether any braking events were logged at the dealer. On a test drive on a highway with clear traffic, check that the car does not brake on its own and that its warnings behave normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On highway, emergency braking enacted. I pulled to side the of the road to turn engine off and restart car. When I did, I could not put the car in gear. I have had other similar incidents happen with this vehicle. After about an hour of waiting for roadside assistance and having NYS troopers come help, the car dash lit up and I was then able to put car in Drive. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11594419, filed 2024-06

   “I was driving approximately 55 mph on an interstate with no hazards nearby. The car's Emergency Braking System engaged causing the vehicle to slow down suddenly to about 35 mph. I continued pushing on the accelerator to try to get the vehicle back to the appropriate speed and was able to do so.”

   NHTSA complaint #11598644, filed 2024-07
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Delayed response when pressing the accelerator

   • 11 complaints (19%)
   • typically at 0.9 yrs old
   • filed 2022–2024

   Owners describe a delay of about 2 seconds, or several seconds in some reports, between pressing the accelerator and the car moving, most often from a stop, at intersections, or when merging. A complaint describes the engine revving and then a sudden surge once the car starts moving, after first crawling forward. A complaint describes the engine cutting out when starting uphill, needing hard pedal pressure to move. A complaint says the dealer denied there was a problem and would not schedule an appointment. Mileage is rarely stated, and where it appears it is about 900 miles, while the delays are described from a stop, at intersections, and when merging.

   What to check: Ask whether the car has shown any delay or lack of response when pressing the accelerator from a stop, and request dealer records of any throttle or propulsion diagnosis. On a test drive, press the accelerator from a stop and during a merge to check that the car responds without a noticeable pause.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I start driving the car if I come up to a hill when I try to accelerate to move forward the cars engine cuts out almost like it stalls. I have to floor or pump the gas which makes a revving sound and the car will go.”

   NHTSA complaint #11603420, filed 2024-07

   “The issue I'm about to describe has occurred multiple times during the seven (7) months I've owned the vehicle - including again today. In all cases, I was attempting gradual acceleration to merge onto a highway or high-traffic street (e.g., when exiting a mall parking lot onto a busy city street). When I press the accelerator nothing happens - NO power whatsoever for at least two seconds! And on three of these occasions, I was almost broadsided by oncoming high-speed traffic! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11526621, filed 2023-06
4. 4
   Other or unknown

   Sunroof glass shatters or bursts while driving

   • 6 complaints (10%)
   • typically at 1.3 yrs old
   • filed 2023–2025

   Owners describe a loud pop, bang, or gunshot-like sound followed by the sunroof glass exploding, shattering, or falling into the cabin. Some describe the glass breaking at speeds of about 45 to 70 mph, and some note that nothing struck the vehicle. In some reports glass fell onto occupants, or a glass panel was found shattered later at a gas stop. No mileage is given, and reports describe highway or freeway driving at about 45 to 70 mph, with nothing striking the glass.

   What to check: Inspect the sunroof glass and its frame for cracks or chips, and ask whether any glass has been replaced under warranty. Ask the seller to open and close the sunroof and confirm the glass seats properly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We were driving at around 55mph and Panasonic sunroof exploded as is something hit it: however, nothing did. The glass tattered and fell on top of us (driver and passenger). We were unhurt but quite shook up.”

   NHTSA complaint #11551190, filed 2023-10

   “As my wife and I were traveling down the interstate at 45 mph, we heard a loud POP, but we were unable to figure out where it came from. Just a few seconds later, the sunroof exploded into a million tiny pieces of glass that partially rained down on our heads and shoulders. It was quite a startling sound. There was a hole about 8 inches across in the moveable sunroof and more pieces were continuing to fall out. To protect our heads, I closed the shade. There was no evidence of an object striking. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11626890, filed 2024-11
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission clunks, skips, or will not shift

   • 6 complaints (10%)
   • typically at 1.4 yrs old
   • filed 2023–2024

   Owners describe clunking or noise when shifting or accelerating, a transmission that seems to skip during acceleration, and a car that will not go into Drive or Reverse. In some complaints the dealer replaced parts such as a transmission, a bearing, or a turbo, but the noise or shifting problem continued. Some describe a loss of power or failure to accelerate alongside shifting problems, with the car not shifting into gear as it should. Mileage is rarely stated, and where it appears it is about 8,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the transmission or hybrid motor has been replaced or repaired, and request any records of noise or shifting complaints. On a test drive, check for clunks or skips when shifting between Park, Reverse, and Drive, and during gentle acceleration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have pinging sound coming from the engine when I accelerate. Transmission seems to skip during acceleration. Took it to the dealership for repair since the car is under warranty. Dealership replaced a bearing in the axle and replaced the turbo. I’m still having the same issues. Dealership had my car for 5 weeks dealing with this issue. I feel they don’t know what’s causing the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11621215, filed 2024-10

   “It started in April 2024. After the dealership performed an oil change we heard a strange noise whenever we accelerated. The dealership said it was either the transmission or the hybrid motor and both were on back order (usually an indicator that these parts are in great demand). After several weeks both parts arrived but they only replaced the transmission because that took care of the noise. A few days after we got the car back, we heard a clunking sound whenever we shifted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11614566, filed 2024-09

Buying note. Owners considering this model year may want to ask whether any hybrid system, battery, or power loss warnings have been recorded, and whether the transmission and forward collision systems have been checked. A test drive that includes a highway merge and some gentle stops and starts can help show whether the accelerator response and emergency braking behave normally.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 56 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.