2022 Hyundai Santa Fe User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical Complaints
- Loss of engine power- There are a significant number of consumer complaints regarding the loss of engine power for the Hyundai Santa Fe lineup. Registered consumer complaints mention a sudden drop in engine output and performance while accelerating and ultimately stalling. A problem like this can lead to dangerous scenarios while driving out on the road. However, this is not yet seen with 2022 Santa Fe as of now.
- Gearbox jamming/hanging- 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe gearbox problems have been a serious issue for Hyundai consumers. As per user complaints, there have been a significant number of instances wherein consumers have come across the 2020 Santa Fe gearbox being jammed up and hanging up and thereby not allowing upshifting of gears. 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission problems have been well taken care of by Hyundai since there have been no registered complaints regarding the issue with the new 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe release.
- Steering system malfunction- 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe again sees the recurring problem of steering system malfunction known with the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL. Santa Fe consumers have complained about cases where the instrumentation cluster displays a message saying the failure of the steering system and pops up lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, and driver attention warning. Apart from the warnings on the instrument cluster, the complaints also mention disabled steering wheel, lack of steering output while driving leads to a risky situation for all motorists.
- Engine compartment fire- The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe lineup has seen a few cases of engine compartment fires. Users have registered complaints regarding the engine compartment catching fire in both moving as well as parked vehicle scenarios. A few dealership responses have made mentions of the ABS module to be the root cause of the fires.
Electric System Complaints
- Forward collision warning system malfunction- Front collision system malfunctions have been a common issue with the Hyundai Santa Fe lineup and have been passed on from the previous generation to the fourth generation introduced in 2019 and the problem remains to be even with the 2021 iteration of the Hyundai SUV. As per complaints registered users have complained about the sudden engagement of the Forward Collision Warning System without any tangible and visible threat. This leads to sudden application of brakes and risks being rear-ended which can have serious consequences.
- Sudden Battery drains- User complaints regarding sudden discharge and drain of battery has been a common occurrence with Santa Fe owners. Although the issue has been majorly seen with the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe models, primarily with the standard gas engine models whereas this issue is not seen with the Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid lineup for both years. User complaints mention sudden discharge of battery with parked vehicles, sudden loss of electric power, and loss of electronic systems while driving. This can be a fatal risk for the operator as well as other motorists on the asphalt.
Structural Complaints
- Explosion of the sunroof- Sunroof explosions have been a known but not a common issue with the Hyundai Santa Fe lineup. Customers have complained about sudden sunroof explosions and implosions when driving the car as well as when parked. The problem history has a common trend of the appearance of cracks on the sunroof glass before the actual explosion. This creates a risk for potential injury to the operator and the occupants of the car. Even after the introduction of two new iterations for the fourth generation Santa Fe lineup, Hyundai still hasn’t found the cause or a solution for this.
- Shattering of the windshield- Complaints regarding the use of poor quality windshields have been comparatively common and a serious issue with the Hyundai Santa Fe lineup. Most registered complaints show weak impacts as the root cause but in a few odd cases, customers have ended up with shattered windshields even if their vehicles were parked. This happens to be a quality problem at Hyundai’s end and is required to be taken care of. The new 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe as well as 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe models have shown much improvement in terms of quality as compared to the 2019 and 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe models.
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Category
|
Number of complaints
|
|
Fuel and Propulsion System
|
6
|
|
Powertrain
|
14
|
|
Wheels
|
2
|
|
Brakes
|
11
|
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Recalls
Hyundai has a fair reputation of recalling vehicles with serious problems and taking desperate measures to fix the issue. The 2017 Santa Fe has been the most recalled model year with 6 recalls. For the latest fourth-generation Santa Fe, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe gasoline variant, has been recalled four times. 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid variant has the best record with no recall history. As for Hyundai Santa Fe 2022, the iteration has seen two recalls with 2022 Santa Fe plugin hybrid and 2022 Santa Fe hybrid variants with one recall. Across the two generations of the Hyundai Santa Fe lineup, recalls owing to structural faults have been a common occurrence. The lineup has had a long history of shattering sunroofs and windshields and although this has possessed a danger, none of these cases have resulted in any serious injury. Compared to structural flaws which are common, it is the issues with fuel line leakage and loose connections which possess a higher risk of injuries, although, there have been no records of any fires owing to fuel line leakages. Hyundai assured diligent and timely fixes here. However, it is the history of engine compartment fires owing to ABS unit malfunction which have led to a total loss of the vehicle in a few cases. Although, the issue has majorly persisted in models dating back to 2019.
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S. No
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Date
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NHTSA ID
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Issues Noticed
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Additional Remarks
|
|
1
|
February 3, 2022
|
22V056000
|
ABS unit may cause a fire in the engine compartment.
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An engine compartment fire when parked can be a potential injury risk.
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|
2
|
December 28, 2021
|
21V00M000
|
Inadequate windshield bonding.
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Detachment of windshield from the vehicle in case of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
|
|
3
|
December 28, 2021
|
21V00K000
|
Ineligible Instrument cluster display/ FMVSS 101
|
Inelliglible display does not show vehicle information like speed and warnings which can increase the risk of a crash.
|
|
4
|
July 9, 2021
|
21V524000
|
Leakage at fuel pipe connection.
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Leakage on the fuel pipe can be a potential fire threat.
|
|
5
|
May 3, 2021
|
21V308000
|
Loose fuel pipe connections.
|
Loose fuel pipe may lead to fuel like which can be a fire threat.
|
|
6
|
March 17, 2021
|
21V185000
|
Occupant detection system malfunction/ FMVSS 208
|
Deployment of front passenger airbag with a child in seat increases the risk of injury to the child in event of a crash.
|
|
7
|
October 11, 2018
|
18V715000
|
Bolts damaging side curtain airbags
|
Damaged airbags may not inflate properly in event of a crash and may cause injury.
|
Comparing the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe with its batchmates in 2022 Honda Passport, 2022 Toyota Venza, and 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, none of its competitors have a recall record as of now compared to two recalls for the Santa Fe 2022 lineup. But it still remains to come to a strong conclusion about the class.
|
Component Affected
|
2022
|
2021
|
2020
|
2019
|
2018
|
2017
|
2016
|
|
Safety
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
|
Exterior
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
|
Electric
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
|
Interior
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Drive System
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
|
Fuel System
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Engine
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
Which Hyundai Santa Fe model year should you avoid?
The Hyundai Santa Fe lineup has had a history of being a versatile vehicle with both daily driving capabilities as well as touring capabilities. With both the conventional IC gasoline engine drivetrain as well as hybrid electric drivetrain options available, Santa FE has made for a reliable vehicle over the years. The lineup has offered composed driving dynamics, practical and efficient list of features, and a comfortable experience overall. But, the Hyundai SUV has seen a fair share of troubles through the years too. Based on the record of complaints and recalls, it would be the third generation 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe lineup that finds itself under the pump. As for the latest fourth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe lineup, owing to persistent issues and complaints, it is the 2019 Santa Fe that makes for a bad choice to go ahead with.
Should you buy a used Hyundai Santa Fe?
For a short answer, yes. Even though the Hyundai Santa Fe lineup has seen a handful of issues through the years, the lineup qualifies for a value for money investment with a pleasant driving experience for a reasonable budget. On a rational note, it is advisable to go for the fourth-generation Santa Fe lineup ranging from 2019 to 2021 for used vehicles with an exception of the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL variant. But it’s the hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants that are the best investments wherein all hybrid variants for the Hyundai Santa Fe have done a great job across their respective years.
