2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Electrical Problems

Vehicle is 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. Component that failed was the electrical system, specifically, the 12 V battery drained leaving the vehicle's electrical systems completely dead. Happened on two occasions: first in XXX, and second in XXX. Vehicle had to be towed in both instances. Our safety was put at risk in that my wife and I, who are both senior citizens, were essentially stranded in dark parking garages at night and left to arrange towing services under very difficult circumstances. In both instances, the electrical system was examined by Hyundai service technicians. The first time I was without the vehicle for 11 days. The second time I was without the vehicle for 22 days. Both service calls identified and confirmed that an unknown power drain was the source of the problem, and in both instances replacing the 12V battery was "the solution". The dealerships that serviced the vehicle ran all diagnostics and could not pinpoint the source of power drain; neither could assure me that it would not happen again, more or less at random. There were no warning lamps, messages or other indications of the problem prior to failure and the dealerships that serviced the vehicle (one in [XXX] and one in [XXX]) indicated that if it were to happen again, there likely would be no advance notice in that instance, either. Result: I have no confidence that the vehicle will not leave me stranded in an unsafe location/condition far from home or a vehicle service facility. Vehicle is parked in a surface lot next to our apartment in [XXX] while I shop for a new (non-Hyundai hybrid) vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11776545

Incident

Jun 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. During an oil change appointment, the dealer informed the contact of Hyundai TSB Number: 25-01-028H-1 (Seat Heater Unit Software Update) and associated the bulletin with the failure. The dealer completed the repair; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure identified in the TSB had caused the battery to drain. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the HPCU and main wiring harness were replaced twice, the battery was replaced once, and the transmission was replaced once; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-25 MPH and coming to a stop on an incline, the vehicle shut off. Several messages, including "HEV Low Battery - Hibernation Mode", were displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was shifted into neutral and rolled into a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and email, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 23,489.

NHTSA ID

11775071

Incident

Dec 2, 2025

Mileage

23,489 mi

I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, which I purchased as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle in April 2026 with approximately 15,000 miles. The vehicle currently has approximately 27,000 miles. While driving on the [XXX], my vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly lost propulsion. The vehicle’s electrical systems remained on, but it would no longer accelerate normally. There were no warning lights, messages, or alerts before the loss of power. I was in active freeway traffic with numerous vehicles behind me. Because my vehicle could no longer maintain speed or accelerate, I was placed in an extremely dangerous situation. I feared being struck from behind by another vehicle. It was a terrifying experience. I was eventually able to pull over to the side of the freeway. I turned the vehicle off and waited briefly before restarting it. I was then able to get off the freeway and reach a gas station. Once at the gas station, multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard, and I observed that the hybrid battery was not charging. The vehicle ultimately became undrivable. The vehicle was towed to Centennial Hyundai in [XXX] for diagnosis. The dealership advised that diagnosis could take approximately two to three days. This is the first time the vehicle has experienced this failure. However, the sudden loss of propulsion without any prior warning created a serious risk of a rear-end collision. I am concerned that this failure could happen to other Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid owners while driving at freeway speeds. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident as a potential vehicle safety defect, including the sudden loss of propulsion, lack of advance warning, and apparent hybrid charging-system malfunction. At the time of this complaint, the cause of the failure has not yet been confirmed by the dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11774907

Incident

Oct 29, 2026

My 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has multiple ongoing problems. Several are intermittent. BRAKES: The brake pedal intermittently sticks when I first start the car. STARTING/ELECTRICAL: On two occasions the vehicle would not start and roadside assistance had to come to start it. It is also sometimes hard to start. The Digital Key on my phone intermittently fails to unlock the doors or start the car. On occasion, all audio is lost at startup, including the radio, speakers, and turn signal sound. The front left speaker intermittently cuts out or sounds distorted. The passenger front door exterior handle/unlock intermittently fails. The driver side temperature knob is stuck at 77 degrees F. POWER TRAIN: The vehicle hesitates/stutters during the first half mile of driving after starting. SEATS: The driver seat memory intermittently fails to move to the saved position when the car starts. SUSPENSION: A creaking, spring-like noise occurs when the car rocks during initial acceleration and braking, possibly from the driver side front. I have reported this to the dealer twice before. Inspection: I have reported these problems to Westlake Hyundai in Thousand Oaks, CA, on previous visits and have another service appointment scheduled. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance. I am concerned about the brake pedal and no-start problems as safety issues.

NHTSA ID

11774623

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

Vehicle went into “ limp mode” It is a hybrid and the electric motor was in operative and top speed is around 35 MPH Unsafe to drive

NHTSA ID

11771054

Incident

Jun 28, 2026

The vehicle has a recurring intermittent failure that can leave it completely undriveable. When starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster displays “Check Hybrid System,” “Check Emergency Stopping function,” the check-engine light, and multiple warning indicators. The vehicle remains in Park and will not shift into Drive. This has happened multiple times. Disconnecting and reconnecting the 12-volt battery temporarily restores operation, but the problem later returns. After a reset, the check-engine light may remain illuminated for approximately one day before disappearing. During the most recent occurrence, the vehicle became disabled at approximately 8:00 PM in a retail parking lot while my family, including two young children, was with me. The vehicle would not move. We had to leave the vehicle and walk in the rain to obtain tools so the 12-volt battery could be disconnected and reconnected in order to get the vehicle operating again. The problem was reported in writing to a Hyundai dealership before an August 10, 2026 service appointment, including a request to retrieve and document stored and history diagnostic trouble codes. The condition remains unresolved and continues to recur. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Separately, this vehicle also has an unrepaired Safety Recall 288 involving the rearview camera. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer for recall service, but the recall remains incomplete because the dealer stated the required part was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11770667

Incident

Sep 29, 2026

Driving vehicle on surface street, engine would not accelerate past 3000 RPM. No immediate codes or warnings, backed off gas pedal and went to accelerate again. This time many warnings illuminated. Second report from myself for same issue. Wife has had the vehicle in for same problem 4 times, last time was last week.

NHTSA ID

11769868

Incident

Oct 8, 2026

While driving on a highway at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle abruptly suffered a catastrophic loss of power and entered "Limp Mode," creating a severe safety hazard on the roadway. The vehicle was safely maneuvered and pulled over to the side of the road. Upon shutting the vehicle down and attempting to restart it after a few minutes, the powertrain completely failed to engage, refusing to shift into either Drive or Reverse. The vehicle became entirely disabled and required a flatbed tow to the dealership. ​Dashboard Warning Messages: - ​"Transmission Control System" - ​"Check Hybrid System" ​Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): - ​P177700 (Transmission / Hybrid Powertrain Control Malfunction) - ​P178400 (Transmission Control System / Electric Oil Pump or Actuator Circuit Fault)

NHTSA ID

11765583

Incident

Sep 2, 2026

**What component or system failed, and is it available for inspection?** The vehicle's electrical/power system failed, causing a complete loss of power while driving. This is the fourth occurrence of this failure. The vehicle is currently at the Hyundai dealership and available for inspection. **How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?** The power failure occurred while driving on a busy road. The driver struggled to safely maneuver the vehicle (executing a U-turn) to get out of traffic and reach a safe location. The vehicle had to be towed as a result. **Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?** The vehicle has been brought to the Hyundai dealership for this same issue four times. As of the most recent update, the dealership has not been able to identify the root cause or confirm a fix. **Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others?** The vehicle is currently with the Hyundai dealership (manufacturer-affiliated) for the fourth time for inspection related to this issue. No inspection by police or insurance has been reported. **Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?** There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure. Warning lamps/messages appeared only after the vehicle lost power.

NHTSA ID

11764110

Incident

Jun 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the instrument panel went blank. The contact was able to pull over safely after the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V047000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not include in the recall. The dealer was contacted by phone. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,900.

NHTSA ID

11761919

Incident

Aug 10, 2026

Mileage

7,900 mi

While driving in the evening around 9:00 pm with AC on crash detection lights came on along with other emergency dashboard lights . Speed was limited to 23 miles per hour .

NHTSA ID

11759322

Incident

Aug 20, 2026

Everything normal when parked in store parking lot. When vehicle was started to leave I noticed the vehicle had no sounds ... no radio sound from any source at any volume setting, no turn signal clicks, no parking proximity beeps, no navigation voice guidance, no sounds at all. All dashboard/visual displays were normal. Parked vehicle in garage when I got home and the next morning the battery was dead. Had to jump start the vehicle (the dead battery "fixed" the sound problem). An AI search shows this is a known issue for the 2024 & 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and I found AI & You Tube fixes saying to "soft reset" the Infotainment/Sound system by turning the ignition to the "On" position (not starting the vehicle ... foot off the brake and push ignition once, then again). Use a paper clip or pen to press and hold the little dimple reset button just below the right side radio knob until the system resets, then foot on the brake and start the vehicle. If this does not work, disconnect the starting battery's Negative battery cable for 15 minutes. This is a mid level safety issue because audible warning systems will not work. Took the vehicle to the Hyundai dealer we bought it from but they didn't offer any acknowledgement that other same model vehicles have had similar problems and said they could not check or do anything since the vehicle wasn't currently having the problem. I had to argue like hell just to get them to record that the issue had occurred.

NHTSA ID

11754202

Incident

Jul 21, 2026

1. The SUV experiences complete power loss and goes into limp mode. Have been in nearly 3 accidents on highways with a vehicle that goes from 65 to 35 with no warning and then cannot accelerate or gain speed. 2. Battery, out of no where, goes from 3/4 full to 1 or 2 bars. 3. Extreme shaking of the vehicle while driving and at rest. 4. Vehicle is less than a year old and has been in for the same issue 4x. Currently with dealership since 6 July with no communication despite calls and in-person visits. 5. Loaner not provided despite car being under warranty and brand new.

NHTSA ID

11752967

Incident

Feb 9, 2026

Vehicle went into limp mode while driving on the freeway and then would not go past 30 MPH even after pulling over and restarting it. At first there were no errors but after a restart the following warning showed up: "Park with engine On to charge battery". Everything worked fine earlier that day.

NHTSA ID

11752584

Incident

Jul 22, 2026

Less than 10 month old Santa Fe Calligraphy suddenly started flashing warning signs like Check Drivers Assistance System, Check Headlight LED, Check door assistance system. It comes on randomly, sometimes when the car is running, sometimes when the car is stopped. It flashes these warnings rapidly. When it is going on, the side view cameras stop working. One time when this was happening, I was at a stop light and it automatically went to park. It has happened multiple times so far. I have 2 children ages [XXX] and [XXX] that I drive around with and am concerned about safety. I have taken it to two different service centers at 2 different dealerships based on recommendation from Hyundai and they have not been able to replicate the problem hence they can't find the diagnostics of what is wrong. We have opened a case with Hyundai. The case number is XXX The case manager is [XXX] [XXX] I have taken videos of it whenever it has happened. I am not sure how to upload it as your documentations only allow photos. I am sharing the photos with you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11752261

Incident

Jul 2, 2026

WHAT FAILED: The 12-volt battery / no-start system. Beginning XXX, my 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid (bought new XXX suffered seven (7) sudden 12V battery failures causing a complete no-start. Each time the vehicle became inoperable with no warning, stranding my family - including two minor children (ages [XXX] and [XXX]) - and requiring roadside assistance and towing. Events: XXX (tow), 1XXX; the vehicle has sat immobilized at the dealer since XXX (~113 days). 5 dealer repair orders are attached to this complaint. SAFETY RISK: A repeated no-start can strand occupants in unsafe locations and prevent the vehicle from starting in an emergency. Once it had to be extracted from inside our garage by AAA after a 3+ hour wait; on XXX the battery died ~2 minutes after a jump-start, before I drove away. CONFIRMED BY SERVICE CENTER: Yes. AAA certified 0% state of charge at each failure; an independent OBD scan showed 4% ('Not Getting Full Done'). Hyundai issued TSBs 26-01-016H (XXX) and 26-01-016H-1 (XXX) identifying the root cause as the Fingerprint Module (FPM) failing to enter SLEEP mode when the ignition is off, draining the 12V battery - the exact defect my vehicle showed, and it applies to my vehicle. An OTA remedy released the week of XXX was never applied. INSPECTED BY MANUFACTURER: Yes - the dealer and a Hyundai field engineer inspected it. The dealer repeatedly blamed my behavior (windows down, unlocked doors, short commutes ~20 mi/day); its own draw test showed no draw, yet the diagnosis was never corrected. A Final Repair Opportunity in Jan 2026 did not fix it; failures recurred XXX and XXX As of this writing (XXX) the vehicle remains at the dealership since XXX without any status on repairs done or pending. WARNING SYMPTOMS: Sudden no-start / no-crank with no prior warning lamp, beginning XXX and recurring repeatedly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11749047

Incident

Nov 8, 2025

The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the Apple CarPlay system unexpectedly interrupted the operation of the vehicle and initiated a live software update. The navigation system, infotainment system, and other vehicle functions became inoperable. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated and continuously cycled on the instrument panel. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 2,774.

NHTSA ID

11744397

Incident

May 8, 2026

Mileage

2,774 mi

"My 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has experienced repeated parasitic battery drain. Dealer diagnostic reports dated 5/12/26 and 5/14/26 document 'Excessive dark current draw condition identified' with dark current spikes well above the normal threshold of 50mA. Vehicle was at Kelly Hyundai of Stroudsburg PA for approximately two weeks. Dealer replaced fingerprint sensor module as best guess repair but could not confirm it was the definitive cause. Battery replacement was denied as battery did not meet Hyundai's replacement threshold despite documented drain. Service technician verbally acknowledged this is a known issue across 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. DTCs C173300 Undervoltage Detected were found on both front door handle sensor modules. Concerned about long term battery health and potential for repeated drain leaving vehicle inoperable."

NHTSA ID

11740209

Incident

May 4, 2026

Driving home from church this morning, the vehicle experiences a sudden loss of power and the car went into “limp mode”. Even the pedal floored and the engine rpms high, the car would barely go about 25 or 30 mph. A message from the dash board told me to pull over and leave the engine running to charge the EV batteries. The batteries would charge enough for what I thought would get me home but quickly drained leaving repeat the action until I could limp the six miles home with flashers on and cars passing me to get around. No warning lights and no indication there was a problem until it happened leaving me baffled and frustrated. I was just thankful that I wasn’t going faster when it happened. If I had been going faster when this happened, it could have created a major accident. Dangerous! Since this happened on Sunday, the dealer wasn’t open. I hope to get it to the dealer tomorrow to find out what is going on and how to fix it. The car has only 14850 miles on it.

NHTSA ID

11736908

Incident

May 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated to 25 MPH with a “Vehicle Will Shut Down” warning message displayed. The contact stated that the engine then began to shut down, and although the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate and stalled. The failure occurred on multiple occasions, requiring the vehicle to be towed each time. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and the contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and multiple cases were opened, The failure mileage was approximately 3,300.

NHTSA ID

11736009

Incident

May 6, 2026

Mileage

3,300 mi

Since February 2026 I have had daily incidents of the hybrid system error where the vehicle is only relying on the hybrid battery to move. I've had a few near miss accidents as my car crawls through an intersection. Was almost rear-end after leaving a stop sign and the hybrid system error popped up and the car doesn't accelerate. In order to temporarily fix the system, the car must be shut off and restarted. There is not always a safe place to be pulled over to perform this shut down. It is a driving hazard and not safe to drive. It has been to the shop now a 3rd time with no resolution. I have reached out direct to Hyundai Corporation with my concerns and they have documentation. The car is a 2025 model and has less than 5,000 miles. I fear a serious accident from this system error and Hyundai needs to resolve ASAP.

NHTSA ID

11733192

Incident

Feb 13, 2026

Sudden loss of power (multiple incidences in the first 3000 miles, multiple service visits). While driving normally there was a sudden loss of power. Once at an interstate on ramp while attempting to merge, and three times while driving on city streets. The first dealer visit resulted in no action due to no codes and the problem not replicating. When I pulled into the dealer and shut off the car; I received an alert that the vehicle was officially transferred to me. When I restarted the vehicle, it operated normally. The consensus was that the vehicle was left in “dealer mode” and it was several days after I purchased the vehicle before the system was updated. The second insident was deemed to be a bad catalytic converter which was replaced by the dealer. The third incident was said to be due to a bad fuel rail sensor which also caused the catalytic converter from the second incident. The fourth incident occurred the day after the vehicle was repaired from the third instance. The vehicle was not safe to drive and was towed to the dealer, where it is today.

NHTSA ID

11730277

Incident

Apr 8, 2026

Vehicle went in to limp mode in the middle of driving. Would not accelerate past 30mph. Was able to turn around and pull in to a neighborhood when the vehicle stopped responding altogether and had an additional warning about letting the engine recharge the hybrid system. Restarting the car got it home. This would have been extremely dangerous had it happened on the highway, at highway speeds. Dealership replaced the high pressure fuel pump. Got it back yesterday, we will see if that fixes it.

NHTSA ID

11720923

Incident

Feb 22, 2026

While driving at highway speeds (59–75 mph), the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion power and entered a reduced-speed “limp mode,” rapidly decelerating and creating a dangerous traffic situation. The dashboard displayed a “Hybrid Power Control Unit” warning along with audible alarms. During the second incident, the vehicle failed to shut off when the engine stop button was pressed. Multiple adult witnesses were in the vehicle on each dangerous traffic situation.

NHTSA ID

11714689

Incident

Nov 8, 2025

Supplemental Update – Ongoing Safety Concerns and Extended Loss of Use Since submitting my initial complaint, my leased Hyundai vehicle (VIN [XXX] ) has now been presented for service for the third time for the same unresolved safety-related issues. The vehicle has been held by the dealership for eight (8) consecutive days during this service visit with no resolution and no clear timeline for return. Safety concerns remain unresolved, including: Persistent toxic/chemical odor inside the cabin Random rear hatch opening while vehicle is parked and locked Repeated false “windows open” alerts Electrical/body control system irregularities To date, I have not been provided with documentation confirming that cabin air quality testing, exhaust intrusion testing, or comprehensive electrical diagnostics have been performed. These unresolved conditions present ongoing safety risks and loss of use. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11708797

Incident

Jan 5, 2026