Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the headlights suddenly illuminated without the vehicle being turned on, causing the battery to be drained. The contact recharged the battery to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the light switch failed to turn off the high beam headlights; however, the headlights and the indicators were no longer illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who stated that the junction block had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the contact was not sure of the cause of the failure and needed to repair the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle that an interlock casing, fuse, and relay that had melted, and that the switches were not responding, but could not confirm what caused the failure. …
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a blue screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The warning system failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the GPS showed the wrong directions. Due to the failure, the vehicle went into the wrong lane. In addition, several unknown warning lights illuminated while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was too old for the update. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 65 MPH, he heard an abnormal banging sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the sunroof glass had shattered. The contact stated that the sunroof was not impacted by an object to have shattered. The contact stated that her husband had not noticed any warning lights being illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated there were multiple electrical failures with the vehicle. The contact stated that the cruise control was not functioning, and the tailgate was opening independently. The contact stated that the electrical failures were constant. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there were no electrical failures found, and a new sunroof glass was ordered. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating while accelerating. Additionally, there were exhaust fumes entering the cabin of the vehicle with white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but no failure was found. The contact retrieved the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who later diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Also, after turning the vehicle off, the radio remained activated causing the battery to drain and the vehicle could not be restarted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 139,000.
The contact's son owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jump-started and taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the battery; however, the failure recurred several times. The contact stated that she was able to jump-start the vehicle. The contact also stated that the audio system of the vehicle had failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the battery and the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,698.
Engine caught fire while driving. Vehicle is a total loss as fire department did not arrive for 20 min. Currently at a Copart yard in Gainesville, ga. Lucky I was on a rural road and my dog and I were able to get out of car. Only injury is cough that has not gone away after 4 weeks. No warning lights, but did smell what seemed like burning brake fluid prior to fire. Both Hyundai and Farmers insurance have inspected the car. Of note is that Hyundai replaced the engine at around 60k miles due to engine oiling issues.
I am writing to express my concern regarding an ongoing and persistent issue with excessive engine oil consumption in my 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe, Subject: Severe Oil Consumption Issue - 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe - VIN: [redacted] The vehicle consumes an alarming amount of oil, approximately 1 quart every 300 miles. This rate of consumption is far beyond what is considered normal and strongly suggests a serious mechanical or manufacturing defect. I have already taken the vehicle to a mechanic to diagnose and attempt to resolve this problem. Based on their professional advice, the following parts were recently replaced: 1.Engine Valve Cover Gasket 2.Turbo Charger Oil Line 3.Spark Plugs Unfortunately, despite these repairs, the issue of excessive oil consumption remains unresolved. The rate of oil loss remains consistent and dangerously high. …
Put in reverse to move backwards 5 feet or so the vehicle kept going and moving faster I applied the brake and hitting the brakes as well I didn't wonna hit the parked cars behind me so I put in park thinking that will also help stop the vehicle nothing worked it only stopped after hitting my other car that was parked on the street I tried everything to stop it it just took off I came out a beautiful morning to change the radiator it was dripping from the bottom I purchased a new one I put the car front wheels on ramps to look underneath to see what sockets I needed I got in vehicle just to lower off ramps backing down slow foot covering brake once the car touch ground it accelerated not fast but wouldn't stop it happened so fast but I applied the emergency brake its moving faster applying the brake as well im looking in the mirror at wants behind me as well I put in park thinking that …
NHTSA investigations
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles equipped with Theta II and Lambda II engines (approximately 1.3 million vehicles).
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition.
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Santa Fe Sport years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (22), 2018 (21), 2017 (16), 2013 (15) and 2015 (9) model years. Electrical complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Santa Fe Sport electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for any Hyundai Santa Fe Sport model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Hyundai Santa Fe Sport electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument panel › speedometer/odometer (2 mentions), followed by the 12v/24v/48v battery (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.