2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Body & structure Problems

I am reporting what I believe may be a safety-related defect involving the driver's door latch/lock actuator assembly in my 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, VIN [XXX]. The driver's door latch failed while the door was in the closed position. As a result of the failure, the driver's door could not be opened using either the interior door handle or the exterior door handle. The door remained mechanically stuck in the closed position. This was not simply a power door lock that failed to electronically lock or unlock. The failure prevented the driver's door itself from being opened from either side. Because the door was stuck closed, the inability to open the door normally substantially increased the difficulty and cost of the repair. SAFETY CONCERN My primary concern is occupant egress during an emergency. If this failure occurred during or immediately following a crash, vehicle fire, electrical failure, medical emergency, flooding event, or another situation requiring rapid evacuation, the driver or occupant could be unable to exit through the affected door. This presents an even greater concern for an elderly person, a person with a disability or limited mobility, or another occupant who may not be physically capable of climbing across the center console and exiting through another door. Depending upon the circumstances, an occupant could potentially remain trapped until another door could be accessed, a window could be broken, or emergency personnel could gain entry. The safety concern therefore is not merely that the door lock or actuator stops functioning. The concern is that failure of the latch/lock assembly can potentially eliminate a normal means of emergency egress from the vehicle. NHTSA has previously recognized in its investigations that an inability to open vehicle doors and circumstances involving potential occupant entrapment can create safety concerns, particularly when rapid access to or escape from a vehicle may be necessary. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U

NHTSA ID

11767395

Incident

May 29, 2026

The passenger-side doors do not latch properly and may open after closing. This creates a safety risk while driving. The issue occurs continually and has worsened over time. Vehicle has approximately 106,265 miles. this causes the auto door locks no to work.

NHTSA ID

11728573

Incident

Mar 1, 2026

The stationary glass that is in front of the panoramic sunroof shattered for no reason. I found that this has happened to many other people's vehicle like mine. In several incidents, the glass chips fell on passengers in the car when they opened the sunroof. I had a glass repair shop look at it. It will cost $400.00 out of pocket and I don't really want to file a claim to insurance. Can you offer any help?

NHTSA ID

11691473

Incident

Aug 11, 2025

I closed my door and the driver door latch became stuck and will no longer open from the inside or outside. I have tried to open it myself, ask a mechanic and a locksmith and no one can open the door without damaging the door.

NHTSA ID

11673959

Incident

Jul 13, 2025

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the center console became loosened. The contact stated that the center console started to crack and fall apart. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

NHTSA ID

11547207

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

Mileage

73,000 mi

TAKATS RECALL THE HOOD AND ROOF OF THE WHITE PAINT IS CHIPPING AND CAUSING THE CAR TO RUST.

NHTSA ID

11222561

Incident

Jun 5, 2019

TAMARA RECALL I HAVE A 2014 HYUNDAI SANTE FE SPORT, THE PAINT HAS STARTED TO CHIP ON THE FRONT PART OF THE HOOD.

NHTSA ID

11163654

Incident

Sep 1, 2018

Mileage

78,000 mi

AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE 15 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY, WE DROVE ON RESIDENTIAL STREET FOR ABOUT 1.5 MILES. AS I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING STRUCTURE THE ENGINE STOPPED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. I GLIDED THE VEHICLE TO A RED ZONE NO PARKING AREA ON THE STREET AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. BLACK SMOKE QUICKLY APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FLAMES QUICKLY APPEARED. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SOON BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES SHOOTING 4-6 FEET HIGH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND SPRAYED THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WITH A FOAM FIRE RETARDANT. THEN THEY CUT THE HOOD LATCH AND OPEN THE HOOD. THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WINDSHIELD AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS MELTED TO THE STREET AND THE TOW DRIVER HAD TO SMASH IT LOOSE.

NHTSA ID

11105401

Incident

Jun 28, 2018

Mileage

55,000 mi