2015 Hyundai Santa FE engine problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

143 owners have reported engine problems with the 2015 Hyundai Santa FE, 71% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 109,409 mi.

Engine complaints
143
Crashes
1
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
109,409 mi

Specific components reported

Engine covers: stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating.

ComponentComplaints
Engine143
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:catalytic convertor1

Engine complaints across Hyundai Santa FE years

1200512120071619200917152011100173201320814320151516162017456420198437202154372023141320252
Engine complaints by model year. The 2015 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k10k–30k330k–60k660k–100k15100k–150k2150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Jul 21, 2026FLEngine
    Driving on highway no warning lights appeared the car made a loud pop noise and heavy smoke appeared from under the hood. Immediately pulled over and noticed all of the oil poured out and was nasty looking. The car was up to date on oil change. My car was towed home and bone dry no oil and no coolant the engine now had loud knocking and needs to be replaced for failure. The car was looked at by independent mechanic. Miles on the car are 152010. I had no warnings and up until…
    NHTSA complaint #11751822 · source
  2. Filed Jun 12, 2026TXEngine
    I was driving down the road ( a busy Farm to market road) and my car lost power and died. Luckily i got off of the road. I tried to start the car again, but it kept dying. I had my son in law come help me move the car to a friends house so that I could get it to the dealership. It was after hours. I regularly get my oil changed and when my SIL checked the oil there was none on the dipstick. My SIL put oil in the car. My car was coming up on being due for a oil change. I am a…
    NHTSA complaint #11743719 · source
  3. Filed May 17, 2026CAEngine
    The engine failed due to complete and sudden oil loss. The vehicle is currently at Fremont Hyundai and available for inspection. Safety risk: the engine failed while driving on the highway with children in the vehicle. A check engine light appeared with no prior warning, the vehicle immediately lost power and stalled, requiring an emergency exit and tow. This is a direct collision risk at highway speed. The failure was confirmed by an independent mechanic who found zero oil…
    NHTSA complaint #11738413 · source
  4. Filed May 9, 2026CABrakesEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited, 3.3L Lambda II GDI V6, ~102,000 miles. In December 2022, an authorized Hyundai dealer replaced three specific parts under a Hyundai recall/campaign (records requested). On Sunday [DATE] at approximately [TIME] PM, I was driving on [FREEWAY], [STATE], at 55–70 mph at night. With NO prior warning — no warning lights, no chimes, no loss of power buildup, no knocking, no engine protection mode — the engine suddenly and completely died. The failure…
    NHTSA complaint #11736814 · source
  5. Filed Apr 22, 2026WIEngine
    Vehicle engine started knocking heavily while driving down the road. Had vehicle inspected for issue and was told vehicle had burned all the oil down to one quart and the engine was destroyed. Vehicle recently serviced with oil change within roughly 3,000 miles.
    NHTSA complaint #11733051 · source
  6. Filed Feb 20, 2026ALEngine
    I purchased this vehicle one year ago from a used car dealership with 148,000 miles on it. Within a few months it was throwing crankshaft position, sensor codes, camshaft codes, and burning oil. I cannot bring my RPMs above two without my check engine light coming on and blinking. My car will go into limp mode. Hyundai does not have my car included in the engine recall they only have the sport Santa Fe included. They released an extended warranty for 150,000 miles but by the…
    NHTSA complaint #11719329 · source
  7. Filed Nov 9, 2025NMEngine
    On 08/15/2025 I started the vehicle and heard a ticking noise that lasted for 3 seconds and stopped. The same noise happened when I would start the car in the mornings. It never lasted more than 3 seconds and I wasn't too sure what the noise was. There was no engine lights that came on so I wasnt too worried about it. On 8/21/2025 my husband went to the store and when he came back the car shut off while backing into the driveway. He said it made a weird noise and just shut…
    NHTSA complaint #11698430 · source
  8. Filed Jul 24, 2025SCEngine
    015 Santa Fe Ultimate. 134,000 miles. Original owner. All maintenance done per manual. Wife on hwy 2 hrs. Started loud engine knocking noise. No warning whatsiever.Pulled off closet exit. Stalled.Restarted.Pulled into gas station. Trusted mechanic inspected. Stated not to drive. He had identical vehicle at shop,identical problem.110,000 miles. Needs new engine.Noticed on fbook Forum,"Hyundai Engine Problems". Alot of similar complaints posted. Hyundai not warranting over…
    NHTSA complaint #11675906 · source
  9. Filed Oct 31, 2024GAEngine
    At 110K miles my Sante Fe Sport began burning increasing amounts of oil. My mechanic says he does not know why it is burning oil. Today it has 134171K miles on it. It has been burning a quart or more of oil weekly. I drive about 200 miles per week.
    NHTSA complaint #11622913 · source
  10. Filed Oct 27, 2024NCElectrical SystemEngine
    The engine has basically come apart. There is a timing chain issue, the engine is not recalled and it is getting where the car cannot drive. There is a constant smell of burning electrical wires. There’s also issues with the heating and air that is related to electrical.
    NHTSA complaint #11622164 · source
  11. Filed Oct 18, 2024CAEngine
    My car burns a lot of oil. The Hyundai dealership service center ran a controlled test and validated that my car burned a quart of oil in 1000 miles. This is not normal. It turns out that there are a lot of Hyundai owners with the exact same problem. It seems there are bad piston rings.
    NHTSA complaint #11620707 · source
  12. Filed Sep 21, 2024MNEngine
    I am filing this complaint regarding my 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, which recently suffered engine failure due to an unresolved issue related to error code P1326. The check engine light began flashing, and despite multiple visits to my local Hyundai service center (Gateway Hyundai Nissan in Fargo, ND), the problem was not properly diagnosed or repaired, resulting in catastrophic engine damage. The vehicle has a branded title, but I have confirmed that, according to…
    NHTSA complaint #11615734 · source

Other 2015 Hyundai Santa FE problem areas

  • Brakes (28)
  • Other / Unknown (17)
  • Electrical System (16)
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (16)
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (8)
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (7)
  • Lighting (6)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (5)
  • Airbags (3)
  • Body & Structure (3)
  • Steering (2)
  • Visibility & Wipers (2)
  • Wheels & Tires (2)
  • Suspension (1)
  • Seats & Seat Belts (1)

Back to all 2015 Hyundai Santa FE problems →

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