High Risk / Avoid NHTSA Record ID #2023-hyundai-santa-fe

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems & Recalls

Comprehensive defect analysis based on official US Federal safety databases.

← Compare All Santa Fe Years
Defect Risk Score
73 / 100
Year to Avoid
Owner Complaints
214
Filed with NHTSA
Safety Recalls
1
Free Dealer Fixes
Incidents Reported
15
11 Crashes • 4 Fires
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2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Top Failure Categories

Distribution of driver complaints across vehicle components according to federal taxonomy.

Unknown Or Other 22.4%
48 reported failures
Powertrain & Transmission 20.6%
44 reported failures
Electrical System 14%
30 reported failures
Engine & Cooling 9.3%
20 reported failures
Braking System 8.4%
18 reported failures
Driver Assist & Tech 5.6%
12 reported failures
🚨 Official Federal Campaigns

Official Safety Recalls for 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe (1)

Dealer Repairs are 100% Free
NHTSA Campaign #23V181000 Component: Trailer Hitches

Defect Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

Safety Hazard: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Free Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.

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🗣️ Real Driver Reports

Verified NHTSA Owner Complaints

Excerpts of actual incident reports submitted to the federal Office of Defects Investigation (ODI).

ODI #11774093 • Braking System 10/27/2026

"I was at a stop light, when it turned green I accelerated and the car automatically implemented emergency braking. No one was in front of me. Thank goodness no one was behind me or they would’ve rear-ended me."

ODI #11774024 • Firerelated 10/27/2026

"The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle had caught on fire, however, the origin of the fire was unknown. The vehicle was unoccupied during the fire. The fire was self-extinguished. A Fire Department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure ..."

ODI #11773775 • Braking System 10/26/2026

"No crash, injury, warning lamp, message, or loss-of-braking event occurred. The issue involves the brake hydraulic system and the fluid specified for my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy. Hyundai’s owner specification requires SAE J1704 DOT-4 LV / ISO 4925 Class 6 brake fluid. During a brake-fluid exchange, an authorized Hyundai dealer installed B..."

ODI #11769015 • Powertrain & Transmission 10/05/2026

"My 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy has experienced transmission problems since it was new and currently has approximately 20,000 miles. I brought it to the dealership approximately three to four times for these concerns, but I was told they could not find a problem or any diagnostic codes. Recently, while driving on the highway, the vehicle lost..."

ODI #11766702 • Unknown Or Other 09/24/2026

"I bought my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe at Auto Fair Hyundai in [XXX] in XXX new. This is my third Hyundai from this location over the years. I have always serviced it there ever since I bought it. ( oil changes, tire rotation etc.) Back in XXX while driving home from [XXX] to [XXX] on [XXX] I hit the brakes in the left hand lane, in traffic and my veh..."