2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

These tires will blow prior to 10,000 miles. They peel, fall apart and are very expensive to replace. These tires are not safe. The Hyundai Santa 2026 are not safe cars

NHTSA ID

11766422

Incident

May 21, 2026

NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint My 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe has a recurring problem when starting the vehicle. When I start the vehicle, the engine jumps abnormally. I have taken the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership multiple times specifically because of this problem. The condition continues to occur, but I have repeatedly been told that the dealership cannot find anything wrong and that they have to wait for a diagnostic code to appear before they can determine the cause. The vehicle has now developed an additional symptom. When I turn the vehicle off, it sometimes makes an abnormal prolonged gurgling/squeaking-type noise that continues for approximately 3-4 seconds. This shutdown noise is new and is occurring in addition to the recurring engine jumping during startup. No cause has been identified or repaired despite multiple dealership visits. I am concerned that an unidentified engine/powertrain problem is continuing and appears to be developing additional symptoms while I continue operating the vehicle. The vehicle remains available for inspection. I have also experienced problems with both middle-row seats not properly retracting/folding. I reported the problem to the dealership, but only one side was addressed. A component from the back of one seat has also detached. The detached component and vehicle remain available for inspection. I am reporting these conditions because they have continued despite repeated attempts to obtain diagnosis and repair. I do not know the underlying cause, and the dealership has not identified one. Its becoming worse then before so something is wrong.

NHTSA ID

11765440

Incident

Dec 1, 2025

Pirelli Scorpion 255/45 R20 I am filing this complaint regarding a serious and unacceptable defect with my Pirelli tires. To date, two of the four tires have proven to be defective. In both instances, the defect was not readily apparent while the tires were mounted on the vehicle. The problem was discovered only when a qualified tire technician attempted to remove the tires from their rims. In both cases, the tire structure collapsed during removal. This is extremely concerning. A tire should not collapse or fail structurally simply because a trained tire technician is removing it from the wheel. The fact that this has now occurred with two out of four tires strongly suggests that this is not an isolated incident. I have also researched complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and have found numerous complaints involving Pirelli tires and sidewall failures, including sidewall bulges, blowouts, tread separation, and other structural failures. My research indicates that there are at least 15 complaints specifically involving the sidewall giving way. NHTSA states that consumer complaints are used to identify potential safety-defect trends. There are also recent NHTSA complaints involving Pirelli tires reporting sidewall bulges and failures, including complaints involving relatively new tires. Given that 50% of my four tires have now exhibited a serious structural failure, I am extremely concerned about the safety and reliability of the remaining two tires. I do not believe I should be expected to continue using tires that may contain the same defect. I am requesting that Pirelli: Immediately investigate all four tires, including the two that have already failed. Provide a written explanation as to why these tires collapsed during professional removal from the rims. Determine whether this represents a manufacturing or structural defect. Replace all four tires at no cost to me, rather than requiring me to wait for additional

NHTSA ID

11764176

Incident

Sep 8, 2026

ON 3 separate occasions the vehicle has suddenly quit going.twice going through an intersection after taking off. the third time going up hill near my house. the car would only go 10 mph. A message would come up on the dash that reads " transmission system error, Check transmission oil immediately. That was not the problem. The Hyundai dealership performed a recall update on the computer the first time.but that didn't solve the problem as a week later the same thing happened .Again the car was towed to the dealership. this time another transmission service was performed according to a tech line information. after retrieving my car from the dealership I drove it for less than a week and the same thing happened. The car was towed back to the dealership again.Now the dealership says they can't do any repairs as the computer will not store any malfunction codes so they will know what to repair. I have been in contact with Hyundai Motor America and a case file has been established. " 43176412 ". Hyundai will not accept any responsibility for placing a computer in a car that will not retain a MIL code. Hyundai now tells me they have done all they can and for me to get my car from the dealership and drive it. That is ridiculous. Hyundai wants me to put myself in danger of having a wreck because the car loses power in front of traffic behind me. People start slamming on brakes to keep from hitting me and blowing their horns.I'm also afraid of some loose cannon out there having road rage at me because I can't get out of the way. As for the car and Hyundai , no mention of the shortcomings of the computer was mentioned until the 3rd time the car was towed back to the dealership. Also, there is some type of serious problem with the transmission which Hyundai is failing to be concerned with . This is a dangerous situation. do I need to be seriously injured or worse before Hyundai addresses this issue ?

NHTSA ID

11764017

Incident

Aug 27, 2026

While driving, the chest clip fell apart into multiple little pieces. I was not aware until we were parked at our destination and I went to remove my child from the seat. I am unaware how long he did not have a chest clip for during the duration of the ride. It also broke apart into pieces small enough for my child to choke on. I have reached out to the company.

NHTSA ID

11762722

Incident

Sep 6, 2026

I am reporting a potential safety defect involving repeated windshield chipping and cracking on my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The vehicle was purchased new. The first incident occurred on April 15, 2025, approximately three months after I purchased the vehicle. While driving approximately 60 mph on a highway in clear, dry conditions with no gravel or unusual road conditions, a small rock struck the upper-right portion of the windshield. The windshield cracked from the impact. The windshield was subsequently replaced on June 6, 2025. In June 2026, while again driving approximately 60 mph on a highway under clear and dry conditions, a small rock struck the center of the windshield and caused a chip. In July 2026, approximately one month later, another small pebble struck the upper-middle portion of the windshield and caused another chip. There were no crashes, sudden braking, turning maneuvers, or unusual driving conditions involved in these incidents. I am concerned because the windshield has repeatedly chipped or cracked from relatively small rocks or pebbles. I have owned and driven other vehicles for many years and have never experienced this level of repeated windshield damage from minor road debris. The windshield was supplied by Hyundai. I believe the repeated failures warrant investigation into the quality, durability, material, manufacturing, or specifications of the windshield glass used in this vehicle. The windshield is an important safety component, and a chip can potentially develop into a larger crack and impair the windshield's integrity while the vehicle is being driven. I have photographs of the most recent chip and an invoice documenting the windshield replacement performed on June 6, 2025. I am requesting that NHTSA review this complaint and determine whether similar complaints exist and whether a safety-related defect or trend may be present in the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe.

NHTSA ID

11761426

Incident

Jun 6, 2025

While operating the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly began severely hesitating and stalling. During the incident, engine RPM surged to approximately 6,000 RPM and accelerator pedal response became abnormal. The vehicle was not responding normally to accelerator input, which significantly affected the ability to operate the vehicle safely. The vehicle subsequently recorded diagnostic trouble code P0304 – Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected. The abnormal operation of the vehicle during the incident was also captured on video. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Hyundai dealership for diagnosis. The dealership has advised that because the condition is not currently occurring and they have been unable to duplicate the problem, they may be unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The safety concern is not simply an illuminated check-engine light or a stored P0304 code. The concern is the combination of severe hesitation/stalling, abnormal accelerator response, and the engine surging to approximately 6,000 RPM while the vehicle was being driven. The cause of the condition has not been identified and, at the time of this complaint, the vehicle has not been repaired for the underlying problem. I am concerned that this condition could recur without warning while accelerating, entering or crossing traffic, or traveling at highway speeds. A recurrence could result in an inability to accelerate normally, unexpected vehicle behavior, loss of normal vehicle operation, or a collision. Hyundai has been notified of the issue and I have requested further technical investigation of the engine misfire as well as the transmission/TCU and electronic throttle/accelerator systems due to the high-RPM event and abnormal accelerator response. I am submitting this complaint because this appears to be a potentially serious safety-related defect and I want NHTSA to have a record of the incident and determine whether similar stalling, high-RPM, acceleration, transmission, or engine-misfire.

NHTSA ID

11760466

Incident

Aug 21, 2026

Auto had a very strong gas smell after arriving at work. Check the engine and underneath the car for leaks but no fluids on the ground or my garage. Smell persisted while out of town and made appointment for inspection. The dealer service man said it was suffering numerous leaks and we’re awaiting parts. Latest info was still leaks present and would advise after making certain no leaks persist.

NHTSA ID

11757825

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles may exhibit a 12-volt battery drain due to the passive entry feature of the Digital Key 2 premium causing repeated wakeup of the vehicle. This bulletin provides instructions to perform software updates for the Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) and Body Domain Control (BDC) modules.

Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles equipped with natural leather or Nappa leather seating surfaces may exhibit wrinkling on the first or second row seat cushions or seat backs, or tearing along the perforation holes due to the stiffness of the leather material. This bulletin provides instructions to replace the wrinkled or torn seat covers.

Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles equipped with power seats with or without Integrated Memory System (IMS) may produce buzz, squeak, rattle noises when the driver’s front seat is adjusted forward or backwards due to friction within the motor’s tube. This bulletin provides instructions to remove the motor tube.

This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. Refer to the 2026 1st Navigation Map and Software Update Key Improvements and Additional Improvements tables in this TSB for a list of specific changes. The software can be downloaded via Navigation Updater (NAU) and updated by USB.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may rupture during deployment, and have caused serious injuries and fatalities. Please see attached announcement, provided by NHTSA, for more details.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during deployment, posing a serious risk of injury or death due to metal fragments entering the vehicle cabin. To date, Hyundai is aware of three people who have died while driving a Hyundai vehicle with one of these substandard replacement airbag inflators that deployed in what likely would have been a survivable crash. NHTSA has issued a public advisory urging vehicle owners and service professionals to have vehicles inspected if there is reason to believe that a non-genuine replacement airbag may have been installed. Vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles, prior airbag deployments, or unknown repair histories may present a higher risk. NHTSA strongly cautions against self-inspection by vehicle owners and recommends inspection by trained technicians.