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Hyundai · NHTSA safety record

2026 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 21 safety complaints about the 2026 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid with the US government. Of those, 2 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 6 complaints, 29% of the total.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers June 2026 to October 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

21 complaints on file

21

Complaints

0

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

2

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6 · 29%
ENGINE 5 · 24%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 5 · 24%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 4 · 19%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3 · 14%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 · 14%
LANE DEPARTURE 2 · 10%
POWER TRAIN 2 · 10%
STEERING 2 · 10%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 2 · 10%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 · 5%
SEATS 1 · 5%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 21.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2026 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

26V218000 · April 6, 2026

The defect
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2026 Genesis G90, 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.
The risk
A detached seat belt anchor will not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and reinforce or replace the seat belt anchors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning May 29, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 and Genesis customer service at 844-340-9741. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 298 and 032G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov April 8, 2026.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 294,448 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

26V047000 · January 27, 2026

The defect
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
The risk
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 293. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 28, 2026.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 41,651 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

25V809000 · November 21, 2025

The defect
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
The risk
Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 289 and 029G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 258 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured

Please keep in mind that I am not a mechanic and only a consumer so my specific knowledge of vehicle systems is limited. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. On July 9, 2026 while reversing out of my sloped driveway my Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy Hybrid conducted a sudden, uncommanded emergency brake stop without warning or cause. This occurred one week prior as well on an unknown date. The system appears to misinterpret the angle of the incline and encroaching tall vegetation as a solid obstacle. This uncommanded malfunction caused a rapid deceleration that directly caused and exacerbated my post concussive syndrome, cervical strain, occipital neuralgia, hyperacusis, and

NHTSA complaint 11759180, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS

1 injured

There is a safety risk on the 2nd row seats crushing a child. In my 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid (Calligraphy trim), I've had two incidents where a child in the 3rd row pressed the button in the trunk to close the 2nd row captain's chair seats, crushing a child that was in the seat. These seats are not supposed to fold down when occupied. When the vehicle is moving, or not in park, or the seat belt is engaged, the seats correctly do not fold when the folding button on the top of the seat is pushed. The same holds true when the folding button is engaged from the 3rd row/trunk, EXCEPT the seat will STILL fold while the car is in Park and the seatbelts are engaged. I believe this is a design

NHTSA complaint 11765532, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Traveling the PA Turnpike with the cruise control on and traveling 73 mph. I was in the far left lane and just passed a slower car. There was nothing in front of me in the far left lane or the lane next for at least a half a mile. After just passing the slower car the forward collision avoidance came on and tried to stop the car. I put my foot on the brake as an instinctive action which I believe disengaged the Forward Collision Avoidance system. The dash board lit up saying it was the Forward Collision system. If there was another car/truck following me closely they would have hit our car and at that speed I am sure I would not be here writing this. Calling today the dealer to have this

NHTSA complaint 11772919, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
Steering wheel makes a squeaking sounds after 5k problem. Widespread problem on the forums like in the Santa Fe Reddit page. Issue comes back even after new steering wheel replacement. Issue is believe to be the clock spring

NHTSA complaint 11772601. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This is the SECOND occurrence in the past two weeks. I was traveling on a HEAVILY trafficked 10 lane divided interstate, doing the speed limit on cruise control when the vehicle suddenly and inexplicably lost power. It went into "limp mode" (will not go over 30 mph). Thankfully i was able to negotiate to the shoulder but the maneuver was EXTREMLY dangerous as the rest of traffic was moving between 60 and 80 mph. It was harrowing and extremely frightening. Warning lights that were displayed- First, a "Check hybrid system" message appears. Accompanied by SEVERAL other warning lights. Eventually, a "stop vehicle and check power supply" message appeared and would not even move in "limp mode".

NHTSA complaint 11771798, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
On October 9, 2026, a 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy with approximately 2,702 miles experienced abnormal braking and severe jerking/vibration while being driven at low speed in a parking lot. The brake pedal had to be pressed all the way down to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The tow truck driver independently experienced the same braking behavior while handling the vehicle. Multiple warning indicators appeared simultaneously, including ABS, brake system, electronic stability control, and driver assistance warnings. Dashboard messages included “Check Forward Safety System” and “Check Driver Assistance System.” Due to the impaired braking and drivability, the vehicle was not

NHTSA complaint 11770318, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Vehicle lost power and went into "limp mode" at highway speed on a busy interstate. I was able to get to the shoulder and "limp" to the next exit (would not exceed 30 mph) but I was lucky to be able to safely get there. The dealership said it was a battery issue? They acted like it was no big deal. To unexpectedly lose power at highway speed on a busy interstate was very frightening. (I had to negotiate several lanes to get on the shoulder). I also feel Hyundai is not taking it seriously. The dealership (Southern States) said no incidents came up in the computer scan and they just ran the engine for an hour to recharge the battery. Nothing makes sense here. About 15 minutes before the

NHTSA complaint 11770066, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My digital instrument cluster is intermittently going black and displaying 'Lost Signal' while driving. I took the vehicle in a month ago and they stated they could not replicate and this was not a known problem, that I would need to record the issue in a video.

NHTSA complaint 11768959. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 105 3 —
2024 36 4 —
2023 58 1 —
2022 37 3 —
2021 20 3 —

Other 2026 Hyundai models

Palisade 132 Tucson 66 Ioniq 9 39 Santa FE 38 Tucson Hybrid 34 Ioniq 5 29 Kona 11 Palisade Hybrid 7

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Hyundai on this site — 206 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst