HYUNDAI SANTA FE PLUG-IN HYBRID · model year

2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE PLUG-IN HYBRID

28 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2023HYUNDAISANTA FE PLUG-IN HYBRID carries 28 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2023 SANTA FE PLUG-IN HYBRID is electrical system with 4 filings, followed by service brakes (2) and forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2023 SANTA FE PLUG-IN HYBRID, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

28
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

28 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
SERVICE BRAKES2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING2
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
POWER TRAIN2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
EQUIPMENT1
SEATS1
SUSPENSION1
AIR BAGS1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
STEERING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN1

Recalls (2)

22V81600031/10/2022

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

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.

23V18100017/03/2023

TRAILER HITCHES

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 acc

Recent Complaints

20251112VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

While operating the vehicle, the cruise control turns off without any warning. The warning messages that come up only after the cruise control is turned off by the vehicle state "Smart cruise conditions not met" and "forward safety system disabled. Radar blocked". This disables the vehicle from utilizing cruise control in any manner. This happened on the highway with the cruise set at 72 mph, with a semi truck right behind my vehicle in moderate traffic! The semi slammed brakes on and after initial shock, I was able to accelerate the vehicle somewhat to avoid a collision. The dealership claims that "ALL" new vehicles do this when operated in wintery weather, snow, or mud kicked up from the road, or when sensors get iced over. They claim that there is NO reprogramming that can be done to fix this HUGE safety issue. I have NEVER heard of this or experienced this in any other vehicle other than this Hyundai Santa Fe! As a disabled veteran, this honestly scared the hell out of me and make

20251112SERVICE BRAKES

While operating the vehicle, the cruise control turns off without any warning. The warning messages that come up only after the cruise control is turned off by the vehicle state "Smart cruise conditions not met" and "forward safety system disabled. Radar blocked". This disables the vehicle from utilizing cruise control in any manner. This happened on the highway with the cruise set at 72 mph, with a semi truck right behind my vehicle in moderate traffic! The semi slammed brakes on and after initial shock, I was able to accelerate the vehicle somewhat to avoid a collision. The dealership claims that "ALL" new vehicles do this when operated in wintery weather, snow, or mud kicked up from the road, or when sensors get iced over. They claim that there is NO reprogramming that can be done to fix this HUGE safety issue. I have NEVER heard of this or experienced this in any other vehicle other than this Hyundai Santa Fe! As a disabled veteran, this honestly scared the hell out of me and make

20251112FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

While operating the vehicle, the cruise control turns off without any warning. The warning messages that come up only after the cruise control is turned off by the vehicle state "Smart cruise conditions not met" and "forward safety system disabled. Radar blocked". This disables the vehicle from utilizing cruise control in any manner. This happened on the highway with the cruise set at 72 mph, with a semi truck right behind my vehicle in moderate traffic! The semi slammed brakes on and after initial shock, I was able to accelerate the vehicle somewhat to avoid a collision. The dealership claims that "ALL" new vehicles do this when operated in wintery weather, snow, or mud kicked up from the road, or when sensors get iced over. They claim that there is NO reprogramming that can be done to fix this HUGE safety issue. I have NEVER heard of this or experienced this in any other vehicle other than this Hyundai Santa Fe! As a disabled veteran, this honestly scared the hell out of me and make

20250219POWER TRAIN

Two issues with powertrain/transmission: 1- The powertrain/transmission fails intermittently- vehicle RPM goes sky high but vehicle receives no power, seems to fail/lose power. Has happened in very dangerous road conditions where unexpectedly was struggling to get the motor to engage/get power to the vehicle. Check engine and check hybrid system lights accompanies the problem. 2- The car should be driveable in electric only mode without use of gasoline. The powertrain/transmission seems to struggle to shift between electric and gas motors. HYUNDAI cannot seem to correctly diagnose or fix the issue. Does not seem they have proper diagnostic process included on the car- despite finding error messages stored in computer, they initially said they could not recreate the problem and therefore could not fix. 3 different trips to Hyundai dealership repair center, in total they have had my car for 10 weeks. They have replaced the transaxle and sent the car home, but that did not cure the iss

20250219ENGINE

Two issues with powertrain/transmission: 1- The powertrain/transmission fails intermittently- vehicle RPM goes sky high but vehicle receives no power, seems to fail/lose power. Has happened in very dangerous road conditions where unexpectedly was struggling to get the motor to engage/get power to the vehicle. Check engine and check hybrid system lights accompanies the problem. 2- The car should be driveable in electric only mode without use of gasoline. The powertrain/transmission seems to struggle to shift between electric and gas motors. HYUNDAI cannot seem to correctly diagnose or fix the issue. Does not seem they have proper diagnostic process included on the car- despite finding error messages stored in computer, they initially said they could not recreate the problem and therefore could not fix. 3 different trips to Hyundai dealership repair center, in total they have had my car for 10 weeks. They have replaced the transaxle and sent the car home, but that did not cure the iss

20250219FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Two issues with powertrain/transmission: 1- The powertrain/transmission fails intermittently- vehicle RPM goes sky high but vehicle receives no power, seems to fail/lose power. Has happened in very dangerous road conditions where unexpectedly was struggling to get the motor to engage/get power to the vehicle. Check engine and check hybrid system lights accompanies the problem. 2- The car should be driveable in electric only mode without use of gasoline. The powertrain/transmission seems to struggle to shift between electric and gas motors. HYUNDAI cannot seem to correctly diagnose or fix the issue. Does not seem they have proper diagnostic process included on the car- despite finding error messages stored in computer, they initially said they could not recreate the problem and therefore could not fix. 3 different trips to Hyundai dealership repair center, in total they have had my car for 10 weeks. They have replaced the transaxle and sent the car home, but that did not cure the iss

20250206FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

>>>>What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? According to the Hyundai Bluelink app, the problem is caused by the battery management system, producing error code P0AA600. The result is that the vehicle does not get power to the wheels for a few seconds after giving it gas. It looks like the car is not moving, then it very slowly gains speed, followed by sudden acceleration. It is available for inspection upon request. >>>>How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? It is a safety issue because other vehicles on the road may not be able to stop in time when the car pauses unexpectedly. Also the driver cannot predict when the car will surge forward. Merging or crossing traffic is very dangerous. >>>>Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The vehicle has been to the dealership two times to be inspected for this problem. They state that they cannot duplicate the issue but

20250203ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Horn will not work. This occured on [XXX]. Appointment made with dealer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20250102ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Horns stopped working. Consider this to be a safety issue for obvious reasons. Checked horn fuse and it was not blown. Contacted local dealer to have it repaired. Awaiting an appointment

20241230ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

"check turn signal error". This message pops up at random times. When this error does pop up, the rear turn signal ceases to operate until the error message clears itself. Dealership "cannot duplicate". I have photographed the warning many times. Hyundai corporate is of no help. Check LED headlamp error issue as well.

20241230EXTERIOR LIGHTING

"check turn signal error". This message pops up at random times. When this error does pop up, the rear turn signal ceases to operate until the error message clears itself. Dealership "cannot duplicate". I have photographed the warning many times. Hyundai corporate is of no help. Check LED headlamp error issue as well.

20241230ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Windshield wiper in auto mode. Sometimes wipers turn on automatically in bright sunny days with nothing on windshield. When it rains, sometimes automatic wipers will not activate until windshield is completely covered with rain, and visibility is greatly reduced. Sensitivity adjustment has zero effect.

20241230VISIBILITY/WIPER

Windshield wiper in auto mode. Sometimes wipers turn on automatically in bright sunny days with nothing on windshield. When it rains, sometimes automatic wipers will not activate until windshield is completely covered with rain, and visibility is greatly reduced. Sensitivity adjustment has zero effect.

20241115UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The rear section of panoramic sunroof exploded. We were traveling approximately 60 MPH on HWY 395 crossing the bridge on the Columbia River between WA and OR. Suddenly we heard a very loud explosion. When we stopped to investigate we found a hole in the sunroof. It exploded up and outward. There were very few glass shards inside the vehicle and no debris or evidence of anything that could have caused the breakage. The Hyundai dealer was unwilling to repair it as a warranty item. We paid a glass company through our insurance company to replace the glass. I’m aware that there were problems a few years ago with the Hyundai sunroofs and was advised to file this incident report. It was extremely scary to experience the noise.

20240917ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

Well i have this a year and the horn went a month ago. I also have a hyundai Kona 2022 and it has had the horn replaced twice. Its a common issue with hyundai and safety issue especially where we drive in a city full of new college students from out of town snd people make erratic moves and safety concerns. It is a required part on a car and now this will be the 3rd time i need to replace it

20240719POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated after starting the vehicle, the transmission would only shift into neutral and would not shift into any other gear. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle failed to turn off as needed. The contact activated the parking brake to exit the vehicle safely. The contact stated prior to the failure, the vehicle had failed to shift into reverse; however, the failure was self-corrected. The contact stated several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated an independent mechanic was able to release the emergency hatch and disconnect the battery to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was temporarily repaired. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for additional diagnostic tests. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

Mileage: 9,000

20240520VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

on the freeway and along side another car and "emergency breaking activation" warning. Happened 2 times in a month. Car swerved but I was able to control it. I was doing about 65 mph in each case.

20240520STEERING

on the freeway and along side another car and "emergency breaking activation" warning. Happened 2 times in a month. Car swerved but I was able to control it. I was doing about 65 mph in each case.

20240520FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

on the freeway and along side another car and "emergency breaking activation" warning. Happened 2 times in a month. Car swerved but I was able to control it. I was doing about 65 mph in each case.

20240307STRUCTURE:BODY

Rear passenger door cannot be opened from the inside. Lock operates remotely and manually and door can be opened from the outside. This is a safety issue. The door cannot be opened from the inside in an emergency. The door has not been assessed by a dealer tech. I have an appointment at the dealer to repair. There were no warning lights, messages or warning tones.

Compare 2023HYUNDAISANTA FE PLUG-IN HYBRID to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE PLUG-IN HYBRID have?
The 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE PLUG-IN HYBRID has 28 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE PLUG-IN HYBRID?
Yes, the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE PLUG-IN HYBRID has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE PLUG-IN HYBRID?
The most-complained component for the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE PLUG-IN HYBRID is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING.
Is the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE PLUG-IN HYBRID safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.