VehicleVerdict

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 125 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median Santa Fe Hybrid year — the 2025 model ranks #1 of 6 Santa Fe Hybrid years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across driver assistance (24), electrical system (21), and engine (19), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

125

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2025 compare to other Santa Fe Hybrid years?

Santa Fe Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted125 complaints2021: 37 complaints2022: 61 complaints2023: 112 complaints2024: 58 complaints2025: 125 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Santa Fe Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Fe Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance2419%
Electrical System2117%
Engine1915%
Speed Control1613%
Fuel System1411%
Transmission108%
Other108%
Tires & Wheels32%
Airbags22%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Suspension11%
Seat Belts11%
Brakes11%
Steering11%

Does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid have recalls?

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

26V218000Seat BeltsApril 6, 2026 · 294,448 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2026 Genesis G90, 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.

Consequence

A detached seat belt anchor will not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and reinforce or replace the seat belt anchors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning May 29, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 and Genesis customer service at 844-340-9741. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 298 and 032G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov April 8, 2026.

25V808000Driver AssistanceNovember 20, 2025 · 143,472 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The rearview camera may not have been installed properly, which can damage the wiring harness and cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the camera wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning January 15, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 288. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.

25V809000AirbagsNovember 20, 2025 · 258 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.

Consequence

Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 289 and 029G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · September 10, 2025 · crash

“When you stop the car , you cannot lock- unlock the car with keyfob. Nothing happens when you press these buttons on keyfob. And Media screen inside the car is still ON. But the car is OFF for sure. After few minutes only, keyfob works fine and you can lock-unlock, remote start etc. So for 5…”

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 17, 2025 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 17, 2025 · crash

“While driving at highway speeds (59–75 mph), the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion power and entered a reduced-speed “limp mode,” rapidly decelerating and creating a dangerous traffic situation. The dashboard displayed a “Hybrid Power Control Unit” warning along with audible alarms. During…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 8, 2025

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 125 complaints put the 2025 model at #1 of 6 Santa Fe Hybrid years. It is one of the Santa Fe Hybrid years to avoid.

What are the most common 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (24 complaints), electrical system (21 complaints), engine (19 complaints).

Does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid earned an overall rating of 4 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.