2025 Hyundai SANTA FE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE has 166 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is other problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: hyundai distracted driver feature is faulty and very hazardous! if someone puts on sunglasses to drive safely, the vehicle says you are distracted; and cuts the cruise control and starts braking on its own. very bad!!! the vehicle is almost undrivable. many others are having their dealerships buy.

3 crash reports 3 injuries

166

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

OTHER

27 complaints

16%

• Hyundai Distracted Driver feature is FAULTY and VERY hazardous! If someone puts on sunglasses to drive SAFELY, the vehicle says you ARE distracted; and cuts the cruise control and starts braking on its own. VERY BAD!!! The vehicle is almost undrivable. Many others are having their dealerships buy
• When approaching red light at low speed, about 3mph, the engine cut off in traffic, "apply brakes" or similar, started strobbing across the screen and then it said to put in park. The pedals were not working for brakes. Car came to a stop and put it in park and started it again. The Sante Fe has
• I am writing to raise a safety concern regarding this suv, specifically the lower trim level that lack dedicated ventilation to the third-row seating and small ventilationair ways for second rows. In these vehicles, airflow to rear passengers is minimal to nonexistent, as air vents are only provided

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Hyundai Distracted Driver feature is FAULTY and VERY hazardous! If someone puts on sunglasses to drive SAFELY, the vehicle says you ARE distracted; and cuts the cruise control and starts braking on its own. VERY BAD!!! The vehicle is almost undrivable. Many others are having their dealerships buy”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

21 complaints

13%

• Hyundai Distracted Driver feature is FAULTY and VERY hazardous! If someone puts on sunglasses to drive SAFELY, the vehicle says you ARE distracted; and cuts the cruise control and starts braking on its own. VERY BAD!!! The vehicle is almost undrivable. Many others are having their dealerships buy
• The forward attention warning (FAW) on the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe calligraphy can not be deactivated. Correction, it can be turned off for normal driving. For instance, driving around the city or not using smart cruise control. As soon as you turn on the smart cruise control it's reactivated and
• The forward attention warning (FAW) on the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe calligraphy can not be deactivated. Correction, it can be turned off for normal driving. For instance, driving around the city or not using smart cruise control. As soon as you turn on the smart cruise control it's reactivated and

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

21 complaints

13%

• Vehicle fails to appropriately recognize when it is put in Park. The dash shows a "P" indicating the vehicle is in park, but emits a continuous beeping sound with a message on the dash that reads, "Auto Stop is Off. Shift to P or N and start engine manually." However, when pressing "P" as it states
• The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and taking her eyes off the road ahead, there was a warning chime and a red warning light illuminated, advising the driver to "Consider taking a Break". The contact stated that the safety feature is the
• I am reporting a critical safety defect involving my brand-new 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving on the freeway, the vehicle experienced a complete brake system failure, nearly causing a serious accident. My boyfriend was driving at the time, and when he tried to brake, the vehicle did not stop.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Vehicle fails to appropriately recognize when it is put in Park. The dash shows a "P" indicating the vehicle is in park, but emits a continuous beeping sound with a message on the dash that reads, "Auto Stop is Off. Shift to P or N and start engine manually." However, when pressing "P" as it states ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

15 complaints

• The Hyundai Bluelink system in my car, which interfaces with interfaces with almost all other computer-controlled systems on the car and through which software updates can be received and installed fails to work on an intermittent basis and the onboard system gives no warning when the Bluelink syste
• The Hyundai Bluelink system in my car, which interfaces with interfaces with almost all other computer-controlled systems on the car and through which software updates can be received and installed fails to work on an intermittent basis and the onboard system gives no warning when the Bluelink syste
• The Hyundai Bluelink system in my car, which interfaces with interfaces with almost all other computer-controlled systems on the car and through which software updates can be received and installed fails to work on an intermittent basis and the onboard system gives no warning when the Bluelink syste

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The Hyundai Bluelink system in my car, which interfaces with interfaces with almost all other computer-controlled systems on the car and through which software updates can be received and installed fails to work on an intermittent basis and the onboard system gives no warning when the Bluelink syste”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

15 complaints

• I have had issues with my dual-clutch transmission slipping gears in multiple ways while driving; most commonly while in drive and going downhill the tachometer will aggressively rev when just idling and without pressing the accelerator. Also, when trying to reverse out of a parking space on an incl
• Re: 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN: [XXX] I am facing several issues that require immediate attention. Below are the unresolved concerns: Transmission Problems 1. When driving downhill with the cruise control on, the transmission produces significant vibrations and makes a lot of noise. This is unacc
• We have experienced sluggish/poor acceleration response, scary hesitation at take off regardless of how hard you depress the gas pedal and when driving and are at a speed approx.45-55 mph and press the gas pedal as much 75% and there is no acceleration. I have had the vehicle at an authorized Hyunda

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I have had issues with my dual-clutch transmission slipping gears in multiple ways while driving; most commonly while in drive and going downhill the tachometer will aggressively rev when just idling and without pressing the accelerator. Also, when trying to reverse out of a parking space on an incl”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 166 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: Hyundai Distracted Driver feature is FAULTY and VERY hazardous! If someone puts on sunglasses to drive SAFELY, the vehicle says you ARE distracted; and cuts the cruise control and starts braking on its own. VERY BAD!!! The vehicle is almost undrivable. Many others are having their dealerships buy
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: Hyundai Distracted Driver feature is FAULTY and VERY hazardous! If someone puts on sunglasses to drive SAFELY, the vehicle says you ARE distracted; and cuts the cruise control and starts braking on its own. VERY BAD!!! The vehicle is almost undrivable. Many others are having their dealerships buy
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: Vehicle fails to appropriately recognize when it is put in Park. The dash shows a "P" indicating the vehicle is in park, but emits a continuous beeping sound with a message on the dash that reads, "Auto Stop is Off. Shift to P or N and start engine manually." However, when pressing "P" as it states
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The Hyundai Bluelink system in my car, which interfaces with interfaces with almost all other computer-controlled systems on the car and through which software updates can be received and installed fails to work on an intermittent basis and the onboard system gives no warning when the Bluelink syste
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)