2015 Hyundai Santa FE Sport problems, complaints & recalls

2015 Hyundai Santa FE Sport recalls (3)

• Recall 21V303000Apr 28, 2021151,205 vehiclesPark outside
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

  Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.

  Risk: An electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

  Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, and inspect and replace the ABS module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 25, 2021. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20V-520. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 205.

• Recall 20V520000Aug 27, 2020151,205 vehiclesPark outside
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

  Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.

  Risk: If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

  Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began December 22, 2020. Note: This recall has been superseded by NHTSA Recall 21V-303 and all affected vehicles will now be repaired under 21V-303. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 194.

• Recall 17V358000Jun 5, 2017437,400 vehicles
  LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

  Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

  Risk: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

  Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.

NHTSA defect investigations

• AQ23002Opened Nov 17, 2023Open

  Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

  The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, …

• DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023

  Loss of Motive Power

  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain…

Recent 2015 Hyundai Santa FE Sport complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 2, 2026NJOther / Unknown

   I had my engine replaced on XXX from a Hyundai dealership in [XXX]. About a year and some months I was at the Sansone auto mall on [XXX] in [XXX]. I did have a transmission replaced under warranty XXX at that same dealership. My problem is that every so often I lose acceleration when I step on the gas. It's very random and happens more on highway driving. Long story short they said it was my catalytic converter. This was in 2025 I believe and I do have the receipt in my…

   NHTSA complaint #11768622 · source
2. Filed Aug 13, 2026NCElectrical SystemEngine

   The vehicle suffered a severe engine overheating failure that created an immediate fire risk and electrical safety signaling failure. A brand-new replacement engine was installed by an authorized dealership in April 2026 under a goodwill warranty and had only been driven ~ 3,100 miles since installation. While operating the vehicle, the air conditioning suddenly stopped functioning. Upon restarting, the check engine light illuminated; however, there was never any dashboard…

   NHTSA complaint #11756640 · source
3. Filed Jul 12, 2026SCDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine

   Today while driving to church we started hearing a ping noise ever so often. This just started then . After leaving church to go home the pinging noise got louder than the engine stalled and wouldn't start again. I had to have my car towed to my house. That is where it is now. The tow truck driver said that it was a rod. He said that he was mostly sure that it was happened. He stated that he has towed similar ones like mine with the same problem.

   NHTSA complaint #11749858 · source
4. Filed Jul 8, 2026PABrakesElectrical System

   For a few months- the ABS light, Downhill assist light, and Slippery road light have all been on. Read it could be due to a bad sensor. Then on Saturday July 4th, I turned the car on and the Ebrake light was on but my ebrake was NOT initiated. Car was making a low humming noise on front passenger side of vehicle as well. I read the ebrake light could come on due to low brake fluid, so I wanted to drive it around the block to further try and diagnose the issue. My car then…

   NHTSA complaint #11749067 · source
5. Filed Jun 28, 2026FLBrakesElectrical SystemSteering

   FHW Garage used car dealer [XXX], sold this Hyundai Santa fe 2015 knowing the vehicle is defective. It Stalls and stops in the middle of the road in High Traffic. This Hyundai Santa Fe 2015 Lock up the Steering Wheel, Lock up the breaks, Lock up the gas. it Stalls and stops without Warning then after it freeze and stop it flashes all of the Warning Lights on the dash board. FHW Garage is Falsely Advertising this vehicle in Excellent Condition. Its Advertised on Craigs List,…

   NHTSA complaint #11747002 · source
6. Filed Jun 28, 2026TXEngine

   On 4/25/2026 I lost power on business freeway an orange light flash on along with whining noise I had to steer to right side shoulder for safety. Had it towed to dealership on 4/27/2026 they informed me 3 days later on 4/30/2026 that my car overheated. My car never overheated no smell of coolant nor no steam from the car when I exit to shoulder and turn car off. Retrieved manual from glove compartment it stated it had went into limp model. This has been a constantly…

   NHTSA complaint #11746986 · source
7. Filed Apr 13, 2026155,000 miGATowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the check engine warning light started flashing, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, where the vehicle failed to restart and was towed to a parking lot, where a mobile mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine had seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then towed to the dealer, where it…

   NHTSA complaint #11730805 · source
8. Filed Apr 6, 2026TNEngine

   Engine failed while driving down the road, car was looked at by two mechanics with no known reason for engine failure so car was took to Hyundai of murfreesboro for diagnostic testing and was there for a total of 12 days for inspection, in which during that time i as asked to submit maintenance records for vehicle which i provided 18 pages of oil changes, other records. I was then told my claim was denied by Hyundai due to maintenance neglect as worded by the technician…

   NHTSA complaint #11729381 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. 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