2015 Hyundai Santa FE Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine trouble: knocking or rattling noises, oil that drops between changes, stalling and, in a number of complaints, a seized engine needing replacement. Complaints appear from low mileage up past 130,000 miles rather than clustering, and several owners mention being asked for maintenance records before repairs were covered. Brake complaints center on the ABS warning light and on a recall for the ABS module where owners say no remedy was available at the time.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine noise, stalling and seized engine

   • 154 complaints (60%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,344 (median of 15 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe a knocking or rattling sound from the engine that worsens under acceleration or going uphill, sometimes with black smoke. In many complaints the engine then stalls or shuts off while driving, and in several cases it could not be restarted and was towed in for a replacement engine. Complaints say dealers sometimes found worn rod bearings or metal debris in the oil, and several owners report being asked for oil-change records or being offered only partial coverage toward the repair. Reported from as low as 12,000 miles up to roughly 195,000 miles, with most sample complaints between about 50,000 and 135,000 miles.

   8 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for a full service history with oil-change receipts, listen for a knock or rattle at cold start and under load, and check the oil level and colour on the dipstick. Ask whether any engine inspection or warranty extension work has already been done under the 3.3L engine bulletins.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving on the interstate the engine started making a noise and the check engine light illuminated. At that point driving it straight home the engine stalled several times, once while making a turn through a busy intersection, I was left with no power. This is similar to the issues I read involving Santa Fe engine recalls for the 2013, 2014, and 2017 model years.”

   NHTSA complaint #11221051, filed 2019-06, 54,000 miles

   “After getting gas, I noticed a strange sound coming from my car. I dropped it off with my mechanic who recognized this as a Hyundai gdi engine having defects. I had the car towed to a Hyundai dealership that confirmed the bearings were worn and engine rod was almost through the engine. Hyundai has refused to cover expense to repair.”

   NHTSA complaint #11399390, filed 2021-03, 88,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS warning light and brake recall without remedy

   • 27 complaints (11%)
   • median 73,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe the ABS, traction control and hill-assist warning lights coming on, sometimes along with a blind-spot warning message, and some owners report the brakes locking or the pedal feeling stiff. Many reference the ABS module recall and say the dealer had no fix available yet, or told them their vehicle was not included in the campaign. A few owners describe brake fluid leaking from the ABS module or smoke and fire from the engine compartment. Reported from roughly 55,000 miles up past 145,000 miles, with several complaints filed while the recall remedy was still pending.

   Recall 23V651000

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS module recall (23V651000) has been completed and request written confirmation. Check for an ABS light on the dash at key-on and look for fluid residue or corrosion around the ABS module.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 complaint #11362224, filed 2020-10, 56,000 miles

   “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 complaint #11376863, filed 2020-11, 95,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine oil loss and burning oil

   • 70 complaints (27%)
   • median 92,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,858 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Several owners report the oil level dropping well before the next scheduled change with no visible leak, and some describe smoke from the exhaust or a burning smell after highway driving. Complaints mention shops adding multiple quarts just to reach the dipstick, and a few owners who kept up with oil changes still found the engine low on oil when it failed. Service bulletins for this engine family describe an inspection and combustion-chamber cleaning procedure for higher-than-expected oil consumption. Mostly reported between about 55,000 and 130,000 miles, often noticed after highway driving.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level before and after a test drive and look for blue or grey smoke from the exhaust. Ask how often oil has been added between changes and whether any oil-consumption inspection was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving on the highway 65mph after 15 min there is a burning rubber smell, the oil is low even though I changed it 3 weeks ago, it is consuming twice as much gas as before. I called a certified Hyundai dealer and they have no availability, I have a saftey concern because engine fires can happen. Not sure if this is related to ABS recall”

   NHTSA complaint #11403056, filed 2021-03, 99,000 miles

   “2015 Hyundai sant fe limited 3.3l awd, purchased new from dealership, 129,280 miles. Routine oil service with mobil 1 synthetic and wix filters since purchased. Traveling 75mph on I-10 (florida) with cruise control on. Not towing, traveling straight. As the vehicle started up a small grade in the road, the cruise control surged (as normal to maintain vehicle speed) I heard a bang, check engine light came on, oil light came on, engine died immediately. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11389546, filed 2021-01, 129,280 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission and torque converter failure

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe delayed or harsh engagement, a loud rev followed by a bang and then the vehicle lurching into gear, and occasional loss of power. Some complaints say the dealer found no fault codes and did no further work, and in a few cases the torque converter or transmission was later replaced, with metal debris found inside. Others describe hard shifting and vibration when reversing on an incline. Sample complaints range from about 25,000 to 180,000 miles, with most appearing around 100,000 miles or more.

   What to check: Drive from a stop and through an incline in reverse, feeling for hesitation or a bang on engagement, and ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced or the unit replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My transmission went out at 114,000 miles they found metal shavings in it, we had it replaced. Now at 134,000 miles the engine went out, they found metal shavings in that also. It has been sitting at Hyundai since december 2019 it is now february 2020 and still without a car or a rental. Service department built and new engine after they tested the engine it started making noises again and apparently Hyundai sent them some part that didn't fit now they have to fix it again... …”

   NHTSA complaint #11310420, filed 2020-02, 134,000 miles

   “Hit accelerator and won't shift into gear, loud revs and then hear a bang and the car jumps as it finally shifts into gear. This has happened randomly throughout the life of my car at random, I didn't think much of it, then last week, I start to lose power, and same thing, it happens multiple times on the same drive. Never once when this happens did I get a check engine light. Then it got scary as while on the freeway the vehicle would downshift when traveling at a high rate of speed on its own while in drive. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11113618, filed 2018-07, 67,430 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and non-deployment in impacts

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the airbag warning light staying on or the passenger seat-belt reminder not working with someone in the seat, and warranty extensions for the occupant classification sensor have been issued for this model. Several owners also report that no airbags deployed in a collision, including a pole impact and an intersection crash, and say they received no explanation from the dealer or manufacturer. Reported from about 36,000 miles up to 125,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Turn the key on and confirm the airbag light goes out after the self-check, and ask whether the occupant classification sensor warranty extension work has been performed. Have any stored airbag codes read before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While exiting the highway at a rate of 20mph on a decline, we began to slide in the snow, as we slid I began pumping the brakes to slow us down but the hill made us gain speed even though the wheels were not spinning. After sliding down hill for close to 100 yards, we made impact with another vehicle driving through the intersection. The front of my vehicle made direct impact with the side of the minivan. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11287247, filed 2019-12, 35,960 miles

   “Bought brad new 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe in 2015. Dealer sold me on safety. I think it was 8 to 10 airbags. Got in accident and not one deployed. Hit solid pole going about 35 to 40. Car totalled no airbags deployed. Made complaint to Hyundai and no response.”

   NHTSA complaint #11203685, filed 2019-04, 125,000 miles

Buying note. The engine is the main thing to verify on this model year: ask for oil-change records and listen at cold start, and confirm what warranty or bulletin coverage still applies to the 3.3L engine. Also check whether the ABS module recall and the airbag sensor warranty work were completed, and factor missing records into the price.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.