2015 Hyundai Santa FE Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 161about this part
- Share
- 63%of 255 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 161 complaints about the engine of the 2015 Hyundai Santa FE, 63% of the 255 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“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“While driving the vehicle on the highway, I noticed the check engine light came on. I checked the oil level and other fluids. The oil was very low. I put in a few quarts of oil immediately and took the vehicle to get an oil change professionally shortly after. I noticed the engine with hesitate and idling became rough. At the same time, the fuel miles per gallon decreased drastically.”
NHTSA complaint #11103603, filed 2018-06, 58,091 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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11038430Oct 8, 2026Certain Palisade (LX2) and Santa Fe (NC) vehicles equipped with Lambda II 6-cylinder engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the…
- 11038456Oct 7, 2026Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures…
- 11029907Feb 11, 2026Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 26-EM-002H…
- 11028951Feb 11, 2026Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This bulletin describes the procedure to…
- 11028950Feb 11, 2026Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This service procedure describes to inspect the…
- 11022378Aug 15, 2025The warranty coverage of certain engines for repairs and replacement has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles (15years or 240,000km) from the date of original retail…
- 11021408Jul 30, 2025Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This bulletin describes the procedure to…
- 11021407Jul 30, 2025Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. The vehicle will be repaired based on the…
- 11012335Dec 31, 2024Certain 2013 – 2019 model year Santa Fe/Santa Fe XL vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may experience abnormal engine noise or engine damage. At Hyundai, we are…
- 11006230Aug 5, 2024The warranty coverage for engine repair or replacement related to engine noise or damage has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 14 | 10% |
| 2024 | 13 | 8% |
| 2023 | 35 | 16% |
| 2022 | 54 | 27% |
| 2021 | 37 | 22% |
| 2020 | 81 | 37% |
| 2019 | 73 | 36% |
| 2018 | 54 | 49% |
| 2017 | 650 | 67% |
| 2016 | 151 | 64% |
| 2015 | 161 | 63% |
| 2014 | 274 | 56% |
| 2013 | 273 | 45% |
| 2012 | 228 | 64% |
| 2011 | 64 | 35% |
| 2010 | 37 | 14% |
| 2009 | 60 | 17% |
| 2008 | 60 | 11% |
| 2007 | 54 | 8% |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% |
| 2005 | 11 | 5% |
| 2004 | 16 | 5% |
| 2003 | 8 | 3% |
| 2002 | 10 | 6% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2015 Hyundai Santa FE
29 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsLane departure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Hyundai Santa FE
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology