Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 11% | 12,000 miles |
| 2025 | 13 | 10% | 1,000 miles |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% | — |
| 2023 | 13 | 6% | 35,000 miles |
| 2022 | 11 | 5% | 55,000 miles |
| 2021 | 14 | 8% | 35,000 miles |
| 2020 | 18 | 8% | 15,000 miles |
| 2019 | 5 | 2% | 1,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2017 | 8 | 1% | 30,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 2% | 5,000 miles |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% | 15,000 miles |
| 2014 | 15 | 3% | 33,000 miles |
| 2013 | 20 | 3% | 18,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% | 16,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 3% | 31,000 miles |
| 2010 | 9 | 3% | 41,000 miles |
| 2009 | 8 | 2% | 96,000 miles |
| 2008 | 6 | 1% | 85,000 miles |
| 2007 | 78 | 11% | 75,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% | 29,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% | 152,000 miles |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% | 96,000 miles |
| 2003 | 17 | 6% | 59,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% | 102,000 miles |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% | 141,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while attempting to clean the front windshield, the contact noticed that the windshield washer fluid only sprayed approximately 2-3 inches from the lower section of the front windshield, which prevented the contact from cleaning the windshield adequately and created a visibility hazard for the driver. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that it was a known issue but no adjustments to the washer fluid sprayer could be made and there was no defect in the system. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.
It was snowing lightly/moderately, and prior to driving, the windshield was cleared with snow and the wipers set to Low. Once driving began, the wipers stopped working on multiple occasions for a brief period each time, before resuming on their own. During the period that the wipers stopped, the snow accumulation on the windshield caused poor visibility and potential danger to our car as well as others on the road. There were no prior indications on the dashboard or otherwise that anything was wrong with the wipers prior to, during or after the incident, which causes significant concern of a potential repeat of the issue. We returned home with the children immediately and plan to call the dealer first thing in the morning.
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the windshield wiper fluid was low. The contact added additional fluid to the reservoir. After the additional fluid was added, the contact became aware that there was windshield wiper fluid on the garage floor. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the soy-based feeding tubes to the windshield wipers had been chewed on by rodents. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 700. The VIN was not available.
In this car when you are driving and it is raining hard and you are on a big highway at night with cars coming towards you, the windshield does not clear and it streaks really bad so you cannot see. I have sent pictures to the dealership as well as Hyundai of what it looks like just when you clean off the windshield of snow that it streaks really bad then too and the streaks stay on there, so if you clean your window the day before and get up the next day the halo streaks are still on there. I can somewhat handle that part but when you are driving in rain and you cannot see it is very dangerous . This is a brand new car and this is the 4th time I have had it in the shop for this and they keep saying they cannot duplicate it, but they have not had it when it is raining at night. I do not even want to drive this car at night if I think it may rain because it is so bad. …
I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding a sudden and unexplained crack that appeared on the windshield of my vehicle, which was parked in my driveway overnight. The vehicle was stationary, had not been involved in any accidents or incidents, and was not subjected to any apparent external impact Upon discovering the damage, I conducted thorough research and found that more than one owner of the same vehicle or same type of model have experienced an identical issue - a crack that originates at the very top edge of the windshield starting from the top and travels downward through the middle of the glass. The consistency in the location and pattern of the damage strongly suggests a potential manufacturing defect or a design flaw. This issue raises serious concerns not only about product quality but also about driver safety. …
I purchased my new vehicle in June or July of 2024. I had to replace my windshield on September 26, 2024, then again on December 13, 2025 due to a crack. I recently have received another chip in my windshield on or about March 18, 2026. I am unsure whether all of these were due to rocks, but it seems unbelievable that a windshield would need to be replaced so often. I have safety concerns that the windshield is easily breakable and if it were in a crash, what would happen. I also had to pay $100 each replacement and now my insurance is going up because of these claims.
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while there was snow on the roof of the vehicle, the windshield wipers failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer because there was space between the hood and the windshield where the snow was collected, causing the windshield wipers to fail to operate as intended. The dealer tightened the wiper blades; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 35,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the panoramic sunroof exploded. The panoramic sunroof glass and the shades were closed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,100.
Related recalls (1)
Visibility › Windshield
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Santa Fe years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (78), 2013 (20), 2020 (18), 2003 (17) and 2014 (15) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Santa Fe window & wiper problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 21V00M000 (windshield, Dec 28, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Santa Fe window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the sun/moon roof assembly (52 mentions), followed by the windshield (11).
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.