Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems
severe Owners of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Santa Fe | 42 |
| 2020 Santa Fe | 50 |
| 2021 Santa Fe | 15 |
| 2022 Santa Fe | 23 |
| 2023 Santa Fe (this page) | 19 |
| 2024 Santa Fe | 4 |
| 2025 Santa Fe | 3 |
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some Santa Fe (TMA) vehicles may have DTCs P218100, P2181F0, and/or P2181F1 (Cooling System Performance) set in the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), resulting in an illuminated Check Engine warning lamp. Follow the procedure in this TSB to replace the Integrated Thermal Management (ITM) module and update both the Engine Control Module (ECM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) if applicable. Follow the flowchart in this TSB to update the appropriate modules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides the procedure to update the Engine Control Module (ECM) and the Transmission Control Module (TCM) for 2021-2023MY Santa Fe (TMa) vehicles to improve operation of the Idle Stop and Go (ISG) system. Under certain circumstances the vehicle may not restart after the ISG system has engaged and requires a manual restart due to the lack of intake manifold pressure recovery.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 20-22MY Sonata (DN8a), 21-23MY Santa Fe (TMa), and 22-23MY Tucson (NX4a) vehicles may experience a warning lamp illumination for a diagnostic trouble code P2181 that is related to the Integrated Thermal Management Module (ITM). Follow the service procedure outlined in this bulletin to replace the ITM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2023MY Santa Cruz (NXT) and Santa Fe (TMA) vehicles may have been produced with a damaged oil level sensor during assembly. Follow the procedure outlined in this TSB to replace the oil level sensor and gasket to complete the service campaign.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report the engine cutting out suddenly at highway and city speeds, forcing the vehicle into a 10-MPH limp mode or complete shutdown with no throttle response. This happens multiple times on the same vehicle—one owner experienced it five separate times before 13,000 miles, another at least five times in traffic at 70 MPH or highway speeds. The instrument panel floods with warnings: Check Engine, Oil Pressure, Charging System, Parking Brake, Brake Fluid lights, along with messages like "Engine System Emergency" or "Shift to N, then start engine." The car only recovers after a restart. Dealers replace radar sensors and cameras on some vehicles but cannot replicate the problem on others and provide no repair when diagnostic codes don't appear.
Other critical failures include coolant leaks from the radiator in near-new vehicles (one under 38,000 miles), a low-pressure fuel injector spraying gasoline onto the starter and creating a fire hazard, and an uncontrolled cruise control acceleration to over 110 MPH on a vehicle with only 140 miles. One dealer openly told an owner the dual clutch transmission hesitation problem has no solution. Excessive oil consumption at 2 quarts per 1,000 miles was confirmed as a manufacturing defect on another example. Owner complaints show pattern: failures occur early in ownership, dealership diagnostics often fail to find codes, and warranty repairs are frequently denied or unavailable.
Same Hyundai Santa Fe engine reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Sudden engine shutdown / limp mode activation
Engine cuts out while driving at various speeds, forcing vehicle into limp mode at 10 MPH or complete shutdown. Vehicle cannot respond to throttle inputs. Multiple warning lights illuminate (Check Engine, Oil Pressure, Charging System, Parking Brake, Brake Fluid). Control systems may be disabled (gear shift buttons inoperable). Recovery requires restart of engine. Occurs multiple times per vehicle, sometimes several times within weeks.
When: Between 1,108 and 12,976 miles; some complaints after multiple months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine suddenly dies at various speeds; Vehicle enters limp mode, limited to 10 MPH; No throttle response; Multiple warning lights illuminate simultaneously; Check Engine, Oil Pressure, Charging System warnings; Instrument panel message 'Engine off! Shift to N, then start engine' or 'Engine System Emergency, Take Vehicle to the Nearest Dealer'; All power lost; Gear shift buttons become inoperable; Beeping alarm activated; Email notifications sent from vehicle to owner when failure occurs
Codes mentioned: Front radar-related code, 5 Volts drop to ECM, P063512 (emissions-related)
Repairs/costs cited: Front radar replaced on one vehicle; front upper camera replaced on another. No repairs completed on vehicles where dealers could not replicate or found no codes. One vehicle available for inspection but problem could not be reproduced by dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Case opened and later closed without resolution on some complaints. Dealers unable to replicate failures and unable to provide repair when no codes present. One dealership advised no repair needed if Check Engine light not illuminated.
Coolant system leak / overheating
Vehicle overheats suddenly while driving with no warning light in some cases. Coolant observed leaking from radiator or front of vehicle. One case involved radiator allegedly damaged by road debris through oversized grille gaps. Another case showed radiator puncture with foreign objects lodged in grille area. Both vehicles under 38,000 miles and relatively new; repairs denied under warranty due to claimed external damage without substantiated evidence.
When: Under 38,000 miles and under 11,591 miles respectively; one incident at February 14, 2026
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle overheating while driving; Coolant visible leaking from radiator or front of vehicle; No warning light illuminated in some cases; No pre-incident warning; Radiator puncture or damage allowing coolant to leak into engine compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator replacement denied under warranty. Dealers attributed failure to road debris impact and foreign object strike. Repair costs not specified but warranty denial imposed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed road debris caused damage, case opened with manufacturer but later closed. No warranty coverage provided. Repair cost borne by owner.
Excessive oil consumption
Engine consumes oil at abnormal rate. One documented case shows 2 quarts per 1,000 miles consumption. Attributed by dealer to manufacturing defect in engine.
When: Early in ownership, symptoms appeared January 13, 2025 on one vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive oil consumption; Engine burning oil; Abnormal engine noise
Repairs/costs cited: Safford Hyundai confirmed 2 quarts per 1,000 miles oil consumption due to manufacturing defect. No repair details provided in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed manufacturing defect. No information on recall or warranty repair provided.
Engine hard start / failure to start on first attempt
Engine requires multiple attempts to start. Owner reports frequent need to press start button multiple times before engine cranks.
When: Early in vehicle ownership, symptoms appeared January 13, 2025
Symptoms owners cite: Engine fails to start on first attempt; Multiple start button presses required; Difficulty achieving ignition
Loss of power / no power response at traffic light
Vehicle loses all power while stopped or at low speed during traffic. Driver unable to move vehicle when traffic light turns green. Message displays 'shift to P or N to start engine.' Shifting to N does not resolve issue. Vehicle must be restarted. No diagnostic codes retrieved despite multiple failures.
When: On at least two separate occasions
Symptoms owners cite: No power available to move vehicle; Message displayed: 'shift to P or N to start engine'; Shifting to neutral does not resolve problem; Vehicle blocks traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer found no diagnostic codes. Technician blamed misaligned driver-side door as cause, but independent mechanic inspection found no door alignment issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer provided diagnosis of door misalignment without substantiated evidence or warning prior to failure.
Low-speed hesitation / DCT transmission lag
Vehicle exhibits hesitation at low speeds with sudden lag followed by engine revving up for several seconds. Occurs at least four times on vehicle with only 3,000 miles. Dealer acknowledges widespread problem with dual clutch transmission and confirms no solution available; advised owner only remedy is different vehicle.
When: Early in vehicle life at 3,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Low-speed hesitation; Lag followed by sudden rev-up; Hesitation when pulling onto highway
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated they have tried everything to remedy but no solution exists.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer acknowledged widespread dual clutch transmission problem with no known fix.
Throttle hesitation / cut-out
Throttle randomly hesitates or cuts off during driving. Occurs approximately 15 times on reported vehicle. Dealer diagnostic found no problem despite repeated occurrences.
When: Multiple occurrences during ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Throttle randomly cuts off; Throttle hesitation; Approximately 15 instances reported
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnostic codes found by dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer reports no problem found despite repeated failures.
Fuel injector leak
Low-pressure fuel injector develops leak allowing fuel to spray onto starter motor causing starter failure. Vehicle stalls and emits strong gasoline odor. Fuel spill creates fire hazard with aerosolized fuel near hot engine and electrical components.
When: At 10 MPH while driving on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts out and runs rough at 10 MPH; Extremely pungent gasoline smell; Engine stalls; Fuel leaking from injector system; Fuel spilling onto starter motor; Aerosolized fuel hazard
Repairs/costs cited: Low-pressure fuel injector and starter replaced under warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repair covered under warranty by dealer.
Uncontrolled cruise control acceleration
Cruise control engages but vehicle accelerates uncontrollably to over 110 MPH when driver attempts to accelerate using toggle at approximately 60 MPH. Brake pedal intervention required to deactivate cruise control and regain control.
When: Early in vehicle ownership at approximately 140 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control engaged; Toggle acceleration attempt causes vehicle to accelerate to over 110 MPH; Uncontrolled acceleration; Loss of normal throttle control
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified.
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 19 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 16,117 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2023/Hyundai/Santa Fe.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.