VehicleVerdict

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid sits mid-pack among Santa Fe Hybrid years: 61 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 59, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (13), transmission (12), and electrical system (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

61

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2022 compare to other Santa Fe Hybrid years?

Santa Fe Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted125 complaints2021: 37 complaints2022: 61 complaints2023: 112 complaints2024: 58 complaints2025: 125 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Santa Fe Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Fe Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1321%
Transmission1220%
Electrical System813%
Fuel System610%
Other610%
Driver Assistance58%
Speed Control35%
Brakes23%
Seat Belts23%
Body & Structure23%
Steering12%
Visibility & Wipers12%

Does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V879000Driver AssistanceNovember 21, 2024 · 226,118 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV and 2022 Elantra N and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles. Due to a damaged printed circuit board, the rearview camera image may fail to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 271.

23V181000Trailer HitchMarch 17, 2023 · 584,784 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

Consequence

A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.

22V816000Seat BeltsOctober 31, 2022 · 14,933 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023 Genesis G80 Electric, 2021-2022 Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.

Consequence

An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.

Remedy

Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 238/011G. This recall is an expansion of recall numbers 22V-354 and 22V-458.

21V00K000Electrical SystemDecember 28, 2021 · 714 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe HEV and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles. The instrument cluster liquid-crystal display (LCD) may invert the image on the screen upon vehicle startup, making the display illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Consequence

An illegible instrument cluster will not show information such as vehicle speed or safety system warnings, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the instrument cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 217.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The car was idling for about 30 mins as I waited for delivery of groceries at curbside pickup. I put the car in drive but the motor did not kick on. I was able to drive on electrical power until the hybrid battery died. I lost complete power in the middle of the Interstate but I was able to coast…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 23, 2023

“When pressing the accelerator from a full stop, the car would either not move at all, idle/roll forward, or unsteadily jerk forward. In addition, the car would brake while driving despite not applying any pressure to the brake pedal. This issue persisted regardless of "drive mode" and no cruise…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 21, 2024

“While accelerating at a light, the accelerator became unresponsive, only propelling the vehicle a couple miles per hour. I was not able to pull over, as I was in the left lane of a very busy road. After about 15 seconds of lack of acceleration, the accelerator responded enough for me to pull over.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 18, 2025

“Power loss with no warning or errors - hybrid system frequently fails to start gasoline engine when needed, resulting in sudden power loss and limited to 35 mph without warning. Serious concern at intersections and on major roads.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 15, 2024

“I was driving on the highway when my car all of a sudden started to beep and told me it was activating the emergency brake. I was driving safely and was not at risk of a collision. The car slowed slightly. Just as soon as the emergency brake warning popped up, it was gone. It was terrifying for the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 24, 2023

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid reliable?

It is close to typical for the Santa Fe Hybrid: 61 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2022 Santa Fe Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (13 complaints), transmission (12 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints).

Does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Santa Fe Hybrid years to avoid are 2025, 2023. The cleanest record among Santa Fe Hybrid years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.