The Used Car Index

2015 Hyundai Santa FE problems

NHTSA lists 254 complaints for the 2015 Hyundai Santa FE, 9 of them mention a crash and 13 mention a fire. 7 complaints mention an injury, with 10 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as HYUNDAI SANTA FE.

At a glance

Complaints
254
With crash
9
With fire
13
With injury (complaints)
7
Injuries
10
Deaths
0
Recalls
2
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
1
Recall potential units (maximum)
1,649,478
Investigations
3
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
110

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. The available sales group does not match this vehicle variant.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ENGINE16063.0%
POWER TRAIN228.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER228.7%
SERVICE BRAKES218.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM207.9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM135.1%
AIR BAGS93.5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING93.5%
STRUCTURE93.5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC83.1%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY9
LANE DEPARTUREBLIND SPOT DETECTION4
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING2
VISIBILITYSUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY2
BACK OVER PREVENTIONSENSING SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMIGNITION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM1
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGHEADLIGHTS1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIRANTILOCK1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure13352.4%0.86
loss of control4116.1%0.84
electrical electronic218.3%0.83
fire or overheating176.7%0.86
restraint or airbag103.9%0.89
fluid or fuel leak93.5%0.79
unclear83.1%0.78
structural or corrosion72.8%0.63
visibility or lighting52.0%0.86
noise or comfort31.2%0.68
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate16966.5%0.80
low5722.4%0.68
high228.7%0.82
critical62.4%0.87

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 254 tagged complaints of 254 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

2 recalls.

23V651000

Date: 2023-09-22. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can re (excerpt)

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. (excerpt)

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: Yes.

17V358000

Date: 2017-06-05. Systems: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.

Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Consequence: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

3 investigations; 1 open.

AQ23002

Opened: 2023-11-17. Closed: Not listed.

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect

Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

DP22003

Opened: 2022-09-12. Closed: 2023-12-12.

Loss of Motive Power

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints i

Systems: ENGINE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

DP21003

Opened: 2021-11-12. Closed: 2023-06-20.

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007

Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

110 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM40
EQUIPMENT20
POWER TRAIN18
ENGINE10
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY9
STEERING8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
AIR BAGS5

11033679

Date: 2026-05-23. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Certain 2012 a 2017 model year Accent, 2012 a 2017 model year Azera, 2013 a 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2013 a 2019 model year Santa Fe, and 2012 a 2017 model year Veloster vehicles may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may be set. At Hyun

11032525

Date: 2026-04-25. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s) B1763 (OCS ECU Defect), and/or B1764 (OCS Mat Defect) may be stored. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) / Occupant Detection System (ODS) to 18 ye

11032526

Date: 2026-04-25. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s) B1763 (OCS ECU Defect), and/or B1764 (OCS Mat Defect) may be stored. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) / Occupant Detection System (ODS) to 18 ye

11032522

Date: 2026-04-10. Type: Other. Systems: AIR BAGS.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit drivera side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prio

11032523

Date: 2026-04-10. Type: Other. Systems: AIR BAGS.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous drivera s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the ve

11028950

Date: 2026-02-11. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This service procedure describes to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize the flowcharts as a guide to ensure

11028951

Date: 2026-02-11. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize the flowcharts as a guide to en

11029907

Date: 2026-02-11. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 26-EM-002H describes the procedure to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize t

11026704

Date: 2025-12-19. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

In response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method and made it available to owners of eligible models free of charge at authorized Hyundai dealers since early 2023. In addition to the anti-theft software, wea ve developed a new zinc-reinforced

11027035

Date: 2025-12-15. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Upon customer's request ONLY, the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-01-089H provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front windows. This repair procedure is being provided in addition to the previous Anti-Th

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
SANTA FE254

Same model, other years

All model years | All Hyundai models

Other Hyundai models, 2015

Sources

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