VehicleVerdict

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe sits mid-pack among Santa Fe years: 307 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 295, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 23 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (59), driver assistance (51), and transmission (41), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

307

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

23

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2023 compare to other Santa Fe years?

Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted1,231 complaints2001: 293 complaints2002: 219 complaints2003: 390 complaints2004: 386 complaints2005: 300 complaints2006: 143 complaints2007: 981 complaints2008: 718 complaints2009: 506 complaints2010: 331 complaints2011: 268 complaints2012: 474 complaints2013: 806 complaints2014: 679 complaints2015: 331 complaints2016: 288 complaints2017: 1,231 complaints2018: 143 complaints2019: 268 complaints2020: 270 complaints2021: 236 complaints2022: 292 complaints2023: 307 complaints2024: 186 complaints2025: 170 complaints2026: 39 complaints
Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Fe years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other5919%
Driver Assistance5117%
Transmission4113%
Engine3712%
Electrical System3411%
Brakes237%
Visibility & Wipers145%
Speed Control134%
Fuel System114%
Body & Structure62%
Tires & Wheels62%
Seat Belts31%
Lighting31%
Steering31%
Airbags21%
Trailer Hitch10%

Does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The accelerator stuck and the vehicle crashed. The vehicle is totaled. It happened [XXX]. No one has yet inspected the vehicle. I notified Hyundai about 5 days ago. The phone number of the towing company is [PHONE]. The following link is a YouTube video of the accident: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 2, 2025 · crash · fire

“I had adaptive cruise control on and debris hit my windshield and I went into the rumble strip and eventually into the guard rail where the car essentially pingponged from there until it eventually stopped when the metal hit the front. It appears the emergency brake did not activate and the lane…”

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

“Early March 2025 the vehicle was put car in park, got out of car to close yard gate, turned around to walk back to car but car was rolling forward and hit the flat bed trailer causing approximately $5000 in damage. It was put in park before getting out but jumped gear before getting back in.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 1, 2025 · crash

“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. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 16, 2026 · crash

“I was driving the car moving in reverse to exit my driveway. I placed the car in Park and while the engine was running I exited the car. Upon exiting the car, the car immediately started to roll forward and crashed through my garage door leveling it to the ground. The car continued moving forward…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 9, 2024 · crash

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe — common questions

Is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

It is close to typical for the Santa Fe: 307 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2023 Santa Fe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (59 complaints), driver assistance (51 complaints), transmission (41 complaints).

Does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Santa Fe years to avoid are 2017, 2007, 2013, 2008, 2014, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018. The cleanest record among Santa Fe years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe 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.