2025 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid acceleration & cruise control problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 1, 2026VAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The vehicle repeatedly loses motive power while being driven at highway speed. It slows even with the accelerator pressed to the floor, does not shift into higher gears, and drops to 40 to 50 mph. On [XXX], the vehicle lost power at highway speed while I was driving. I had to stop on the shoulder of the hwy. The vehicle could not be driven and was towed to the dealer. The dealer opened R.O. No. [XXX] on 9-3, recording mileage in of 23,595. It inspected the vehicle and…

   NHTSA complaint #11768315 · source
2. Filed Sep 23, 2026SCEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   The primary component failure is within the hybrid powertrain control architecture, specifically involving the transmission control system or internal transmission clutches/modules (TCM/HEV control module). The vehicle utilizes a 6-speed automatic transmission integrated with an electric motor. During highway cruising, the transmission locks into a single gear ratio or a protective "limp mode," resulting in a total loss of normal acceleration despite high engine RPMs. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11766539 · source
3. Filed Sep 4, 2026TXEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   First Incident – XXX Weekend ([XXX]) Accelerating at an on-ramp to a major highway (I-37S) in [XXX], vehicle suddenly lost power. Speed dropped from 60 mph to 45 mph, then 28 mph, in a 65 mph zone during rush hour traffic. No apparent cause: had ¾ tank of fuel, a clean maintenance history, and no prior issues. Managed to reach the shoulder and, after several minutes, able to exit the highway. Vehicle would not accelerate above 35–45 mph and stayed around 30mph, and the…

   NHTSA complaint #11762194 · source
4. Filed Aug 28, 2026WVEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   When traveling home from work 8/27/26, my cruise control shut off and my car immediately went into “limp” mode. This almost caused me to get into an accident with a tractor trailer, in which, I may not have survived. Immediately pulled over and tried to find out what had caused this and how to get it fixed. Nothing worked to get it out of “limp” mode. There were no warning lights or messages, except LV3. Which was a completely different issue. This issue I was able to…

   NHTSA complaint #11760351 · source
5. Filed Jun 21, 2026MAEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The car went from 70 miles an hour to 25 miles an hour all of a sudden on the highway and then would not allow to accelerate afterwards. Battery stopped charging and we had to stop it multiple times to get it to continue to drive no faults or issue on the dashboard.

   NHTSA complaint #11745451 · source
6. Filed Mar 28, 2026NYEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Gas Motor is not engaging to assist electric drivetrain on a hybrid AWD 2025 Santa Fe. This resulted in a dangerous situation crossing a busy road from a stop sign. The Santa Fe rolled into the intersection at the drivers request, but did not accelerate normally (only to a maximum of a few miles per hour) and felt like an eternity to cross the road. Fortunately oncoming drivers from left and right were paying attention and slowed down and in one case honked aggressively to…

   NHTSA complaint #11727705 · source
7. Filed Feb 6, 2026NHFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has had multiple occasions, most recently on February 3, 2026 with 12,330 miles on the car, where the gas-powered engine fails to provide any power to the drivetrain. The car experiences vast power loss and enters "limp mode" where only the small hybrid battery is powering the vehicle. Max speed ranges from 10 - 25mph and there is little, if any, acceleration, even when the gas pedal is pegged to the floor. It is necessary to pull over,…

   NHTSA complaint #11716187 · source
8. Filed Jan 6, 2026VAOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Sitting at stoplight and attempted to go. Car wouldn’t go above 10mph even with pedal all the way down. Drove for a bit trying to figure out what was wrong. Then flashing red lights and beeping telling me to pull over safely. Pulled over and turned the car off. Restarted and car said charge battery. Apparently this is called “limp mode” and happens when there is something seriously wrong with the car in order to prevent further damage. Very dangerous to not be able to go…

   NHTSA complaint #11709080 · source
9. Filed Dec 25, 2025OHCrash1 injuredTowedEngineOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   I was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green, I proceeded to apply the gas and accelerate. I quickly noticed that the vehicle began accelerating at a faster rate than I was intending. The vehicle continued to accelerate without me applying my foot to the gas pedal. Nothing would stop the continued acceleration (application of brake). I crashed into the rear of a vehicle in my lane going approximately 50-60mph (estimate). I am unsure what the issue was that…

   NHTSA complaint #11707043 · source
10. Filed Dec 7, 2025NCEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

    Description of the Problem: I own a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Limited with approximately 3 months of use. While driving on highway, the vehicle suddenly stalled displaying “Hybrid System Failure-Stop by side”. I had to stop on shoulder and restart, drove it couple of days and it happened again. Engine would not start, leaving the vehicle stuck in EV mode only with no ability to accelerate properly, Vehicle wouldnt go beyond 35mph. The vehicle then stalled and became…

    NHTSA complaint #11703527 · source
11. Filed Sep 12, 2025NYCrashTowedAirbagsDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    My wife was parking our vehicle near the front of our home, simply rolling forward toward the car in front of her to complete parking on the left side of the street when the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated on its own. The vehicle turned hard to the right, struck the bumper of the parked car she was pulling up behind, continued right across the traffic lane where it hit two parked cars on the other side of the street with significant impact, lifting and turning one onto the…

    NHTSA complaint #11686958 · source
12. Filed Aug 14, 2025MDDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    Hyundai disabling critical vehicle safety systems if people wear sunglasses. I brought MY2025 hyundai santafe hybrid, this has driver attention monitoring system. Since the day i brought this vehicle i have been getting issues related to driver attention warning system. This error is being caused for no reason, this comes on when vehicle comes on and stays on (sometimes for days sometimes for weeks and sometimes for hours). HYundai says this issue is because i have a dash…

    NHTSA complaint #11680774 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology