2023 Hyundai Santa FE engine problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

37 owners have reported engine problems with the 2023 Hyundai Santa FE, 18% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 1,404 mi.

Engine complaints
37
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
1,404 mi

Specific components reported

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

ComponentComplaints
Engine35
Engine and engine cooling2
Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm):software1

Engine complaints across Hyundai Santa FE years

1200512120071619200917152011100173201320814320151516162017456420198437202154372023141320252
Engine complaints by model year. The 2023 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

4Under 10k110k–30k130k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Aug 5, 2026MDEngine
    I was driving, and the SUV all of a sudden lost power. I was trying to press harder on the gas pedal to keep up with the traffic, but the SUV was stalling. The SUV would not move, and as I kept trying to press on the gas pedal, a roaring noise like something was trying to turn but the engine kept trying to move the car. It felt like something in the car was trying to move but something kept slipping. I had to turn the car off in the middle of the street and restart it before…
    NHTSA complaint #11755136 · source
  2. Filed Jun 11, 2026OKCrashDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine
    We were at full stop with Auto Hold feature enabled. Car lurched / jumped forward with no depression of the gas pedal. This caused us to strike the car in front of us.
    NHTSA complaint #11743508 · source
  3. Filed Jun 8, 202635,652 miVATowedEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving and decelerating to approximately 10 MPH onto an exit ramp, the vehicle suddenly stalled and failed to restart. The contact noticed that there was blue smoke coming from the exhaust pipes, and several unknown warning lights and messages illuminated, including the Check Engine warning light. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that a fuel injector had failed and needed to be…
    NHTSA complaint #11742763 · source
  4. Filed Jun 3, 2026FLElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
    I was driving down the road and came to a stop at a stop light. After accelerating again my car lost the ability to increase speed above 20 miles/hour and would not shift gears. I was heading to the turn lane to get on the interstate and quickly had to change lanes to find an area to pull over as I could not reach highway speeds. I turned the car off. I turned the car back on and the problem resolved. This is the second time this has happened. I have seen this problem…
    NHTSA complaint #11741734 · source
  5. Filed Mar 30, 2026CAElectrical SystemEngine
    During on driving, engine stopped 3 or 4times since Jan/2025 Last time engine stopped yesterday around 6:30pm on 3/30/2026 at [XXX] between [XXX] and [XXX] in Los Angeles INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
    NHTSA complaint #11728083 · source
  6. Filed Mar 4, 2026TNEngine
    I am submitting this complaint regarding a safety-related incident involving my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe on February 14, 2026. While driving, the vehicle suddenly began to overheat, creating an immediate safety hazard. I was close to my home and was able to return there safely, but once parked, I observed coolant leaking from the front of the vehicle. Due to the risk of further overheating or engine failure, the vehicle was not drivable and had to be towed to a local Hyundai…
    NHTSA complaint #11722135 · source
  7. Filed Dec 8, 2025NEDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemEngine
    On a clear road a sencor comes on detect comes on says detection collision. The breaks come on when you are traveling on interstate or two lane roads. When you are traveling 75 mph and breaks come on all of a sudden on the highway. We are lucky we never got hit in the back of the car going that fast. We will stop 75 to 35 mph in 10 seconds.
    NHTSA complaint #11703865 · source
  8. Filed Oct 29, 2025MDEngine
    Was driving at 10 MPH on highway car began to cut out run rough and produce an extremely pungent smell of gasoline.. then stalled.. vehicle serviced and low pressure fuel injector had a leak causing fuel to spill onto the vehicles starter causing it to fail as well.. both were replaced under warranty by dealer. Highly concerned about fuel leaking from injector system onto a hot engine and electrical components and the aerosolized fuel. Police advised not to start vehicle due…
    NHTSA complaint #11696368 · source
  9. Filed Sep 29, 2025PAEngine
    My 2023 Santa Fe Limited has 3,000 mils on it. At least four times it had low speed hesitation (lags then revs up for a few seconds). It’s a problem with the DCT (Dual Clutch Tranny) Hesitation pulling onto a highway poses a significant risk of a faster car colliding into my car. I called my car dealer and the service manager said they know they are having problems with this. He said they tried everything to remedy the problem but, there is no solution. They said the only…
    NHTSA complaint #11690291 · source
  10. Filed Sep 12, 2025NJElectrical SystemEngine
    On [XXX] in Rehoboth, DE, my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe experienced a sudden and complete power failure while reversing out of a parking spot. All electrical systems shut down—including propulsion, dashboard lights, and emergency brake—causing the vehicle to roll backward into oncoming traffic. No warning lights appeared beforehand. After about an hour, power returned on its own. A passing police officer witnessed the situation and a report was filed with the Rehoboth Beach…
    NHTSA complaint #11686936 · source
  11. Filed Jul 7, 2025FLEngine
    While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the fifth of five times…
    NHTSA complaint #11671548 · source
  12. Filed Jul 7, 2025FLEngine
    While driving the engine dropped to 10 mph and would not respond to the pedal inputs. It is available for inspection. Dropping to 10 mph in traffic on a roadway doing 70 mph or even 35 puts everyone on the roadway in danger. The problem was not reproduced but was comfirmed by the dealer who inspected and serviced it. There was no warning before it happened but the dash displayed many warnings and even sent out an email when the engine failed. This was the fourth of five…
    NHTSA complaint #11671543 · source

Other 2023 Hyundai Santa FE problem areas

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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