2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Steering Problems

internal mechanical failure of the piston rings and cylinder walls. Misfire on Cylinder #2. Further testing revealed that Cylinder #2 is at 80 PSI, which is significantly below the manufacturer's specification. A subsequent leak-down test showed a 90% loss of pressure with air escaping through the oil filler hole. The issue stated above can cause severe mechanical failure of piston rings and cylinder walls can absolutely lead to connecting rod bearing problems by creating excessive debris, poor lubrication, abnormal piston motion, and increased stress, causing premature wear, overheating, and eventual bearing failure, often resulting in catastrophic engine knocking and damage.  Diagnostics completed by Hyundai dealer and stated an engine replacement. Vehicle became difficult to steer and then warning lamp came on. Vehicle was difficult to turn left and right and almost caused a collision.

NHTSA ID

11711643

Incident

Nov 24, 2025

I purchased my 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe on October 29, 2021. Since then, I’ve experienced a series of mechanical and electrical failures that I believe are far beyond normal for a vehicle of this age. - The remote start has never worked. - On October 20, 2023, the hatch latch failed. The only way to open it now is by climbing into the back and manually pulling the latch. - On October 27, 2023, the electric power steering failed. I had to replace the entire steering column at a cost of $4,000. - The paint began deteriorating prematurely and required a full repair. Hyundai covered this under warranty, but the cost was $8,000. - In early spring 2025, all coil packs had to be replaced due to misfires, costing approximately $500. - September 4, 2025, The car stalled while I was driving on a main road and I had to pull over. There were no warning lights and I started home. About a mile from home check engine light came on so contact mechanic. Ended up towing to a dealership and was told the engine must be replaced because the oil had burned off without any warning from the oil light indicator. The turbo also needs replacement. - The combined cost is $14,000. These failures have caused significant financial hardship and stress. I am currently $17,000 underwater on the loan, and the repair costs are overwhelming. The lack of warning before catastrophic engine damage is especially concerning. I believe these issues reflect systemic defects in the vehicle’s design and manufacturing. The repeated failure of critical components—especially the steering system and oil monitoring—make this the worst automotive experience I’ve ever had. I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate these failures and determine whether Hyundai should be held accountable. Consumers deserve protection from vehicles with such extensive and costly problems.

NHTSA ID

11695524

Incident

Sep 4, 2025

The Forward Collision Assist would intermittently disable during driving. The Lane Keeping Assist light illuminated and would not allow me to disable it causing the vehicle to drive straight only and to make left or right turns extremely hard to turn the vehicle. This incident occurred on [XXX] and was dropped off at Johnson Hyundai in Wake Forest on that date. After a week of no contact of a diagnosis, I had to visit the dealer and was told the steering column was the issue and needed to be replaced. I contacted Hyundai America to report this issue and currently waiting on a response from their warranty to see if they will cover all or a percentage of the replacement of the steering column since my mileage is over their 100k (113k to be exact) coverage. While I appreciate their efforts, I also feel this could have resulted in a very serious incident had my daughter been driving on the highway when this occurred. Thankfully, she was picking me from home and it happened as we drove off from our house in our neighborhood. A steering column should outlast any other part(s) of a vehicle. If not, this is a huge safety concern. My [XXX] was also in the car at the time and I cannot even imagine how I would recover if something worse were to happen while he's on board. Hopefully this reporting will keep something bad from happening to others who own this type of vehicle but failed to report it. Thank you for your time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11619452

Incident

Sep 17, 2024

I had a serious issue with the Santa Fe lane keeper system. I was driving on I15 in a winding portion through the Virgin River Gorge in relatively high traffic on a corner. I have used this feature many times in the past and expected a gentle nudge on the steering wheel. But unexpectedly the steering wheel turned hard left, almost causing a total loss of control. I am safe driver always checking for other drivers doing what they shouldn't, but I never expected my car to be the one making dangerous movements. If I hadn't had a firm grip on the wheel, I would have been out of control on a narrow bridge in heavy traffic. Am I the only one with this problem?

NHTSA ID

11584801

Incident

Apr 21, 2024

This is the second time my 2019 Hyundai Santa has suddenly veer right out of the lane. The error message was BAC Active. The dashboard turned red and the vehicle shook for a few seconds. I'm scheduled to take it back to the dealer. I have problems with the engine making noise and have been told the noise is normal.

NHTSA ID

11499805

Incident

Dec 21, 2022

Electric power steering failed after starting car and beginning drive. No power assist was present. Concurrent with this failure the instrument panel displayed warnings that Blind Spot Detection System and Lane Keeping System were not working and needed attention. Codes for the later 2 problems were sent to central computer, but no power steering error code was sent. Disconnecting battery from car nor turning car off and on had no effect on errors. Let car set idle for 3 days. Restarted car and all problems were gone. Taking car to dealer on 9/20/22 in attempt to prevent future reoccurrence.

NHTSA ID

11485281

Incident

Sep 14, 2022

WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30-35 MPH ON CURVY BACK ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR WENT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HEAD ON COLLISION. AFTERWARDS THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED A POPPING/THUD NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE. THAT TOOK ALMOST A MONTH. THEN THEY REPLACED THE RACK AND THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. THAT STILL DIDN'T FIX THE SOUND. NOW THEY ARE REPLACING A CLOCK SPRING. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S WRONG AND ARE JUST THROWING PARTS AT THE CAR HOPING IT'S FIXED. IT'S BEEN 44 DAYS AND GOING ON 3 REPAIRS. HYUNDAI SAYS I DON'T MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A BUYBACK OR EXCHANGE AND HAVE FRANKLY BEEN EXTREMELY RUDE. I WILL NEVER TRUST THIS CAR WITH HOW THIS HAS BEEN HANDLED AND WILL NEVER BE GIVING MY BUSINESS TO THEM AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11372452

Incident

Sep 17, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11352436

Incident

Aug 29, 2020

Mileage

2,000 mi

MY VEHICLE APPLIES THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY ROADS WHEN NOTHING IS IN MY PATH. I'VE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES BECAUSE OF IT AND HYUNDAI HAS NO RESOLUTION. THEN ALSO MY VEHICLE HAS LANE ASSIST AND THE COMPUTER FOUGHT ME STEERING THE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. HYUNDAI REPLACED STEERING COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE BUT DON'T KNOW WHY IT HAPPENED SO THEY NEVER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE TRIED TO GO TO HYUNDAI ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT BASICALLY THEY ONLY CARE ABOUT OUR MONEY WE PAY AND NOT OUR SAFETY.

NHTSA ID

11310137

Incident

Oct 15, 2019

Mileage

13,600 mi

AS I WAS DRIVING ON CURVES, THE WHEEL GOING OUT OF CONTROL PULLING TO LEFT TOWARD EMERGENCY LANE AND GETTING EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL BY HANDS. THE CAR WAS DRIVING GOOD UNDER 50 MILES, HOWEVER WHEN I SPEED UP TO 65 OR 70, I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. DRIVER ATTENTION WARNING SETS TO HIGH" WHICH WILL CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO ACTS HAPTIC TO SHAKE STEERING AS DESIGNED". I CONTACTED THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH CASE # 16268782 ADDRESSING THE ISSUE AND REQUESTED THE COMPENSATION FOR $4,500 EACH FOR MYSELF AND MY OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS OF TWO IN THE CAR FOR EMOTIONAL STRESS, FEAR, ANGER AND ANXIETY DURING THE TRIP . THEY SEND ME A RESPONSE THAT HYUNDAI IS ONLY ABLE TO OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR HYUNDAI OWNERS WHICH IS ENTERPRISE RENT A CAR. TODAY, I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR, INDICATING THAT I SHOULD NOT CALL, EMAILS REGARDING THIS ISSUE TO ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR AREA MANAGER, AS THEY DONE THEIR PART TO TAKE THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND MY FUTURE EMAIL WILL BE CONSIDER AS HARASSMENTS TO THEM. WE HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM EMOTION STRESS, FEAR, AND ANXIETY DURING THE TRIP, AND HYUNDAI WOULD SEND A COMPENSATION TO ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR AND ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR ASKING TO NOT TO FURTHER CONTACT THEM REGARDING THIS ISSUE. PLEASE FOLLOW UP THE ISSUE WITH HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR AND MAKE SURE THE COMPENSATION MAKE TO PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM INCIDENT NOT THE ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR, AND IF THEY SEND A COMPENSATION TO OWNER (RENTAL CAR), THEY WILL FORWARD IT TO ME.

NHTSA ID

11270310

Incident

Sep 19, 2019

Mileage

30 mi

STOPPED VEHICLE ON SIDE OF NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD ON MODERATE DOWNWARD INCLINE. PLACED VEHICLE IN PARK AND AT IDLE. A FEW MINUTES LATER, SHIFTED CAR INTO DRIVE AND PROCEEDED TO PULL OUT INTO ROADWAY. VEHICLE SEEMED TO LOSE POWER STEERING AS WELL AS POWER BRAKING. AS THE VEHICLE TURNED A CORNER, IT LOST ACCELERATION (CAR SLOWED TO A STOP AS ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED) , AND TACHOMETER DECREASED TO ZERO. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AS CAR SLOWED TO A STOP. TOTAL DISTANCE CAR TRAVELLED AT THIS POINT WAS ABOUT 75 FEET). PUT CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES, RESTARTED ENGINE, PLACED CAR IN DRIVE AND DROVE HOME ( ABOUT 40 FEET). PROBLEM: CAR ENGINE STALLED, CAUSE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11231630

Incident

Jul 12, 2019

Mileage

2,500 mi

ON AT LEAST 2 OTHER OCCASIONS AND WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, A WARNING SHOWS UP IN THE SPEEDOMETER AREA ALONG WITH A WARNING LIGHT COMING ON. THE WARNING STATES: "CHECK BLIND-SPOT WARNING (BCW) SYSTEM". THE WARNING ONLY TURNS OFF AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND NOT AGAIN STARTED FOR SEVERAL HOURS.

NHTSA ID

11173339

Incident

Jan 28, 2019

Mileage

858 mi