2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Report

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Report

179Complaints
1Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
85/100Reliability Score
10Crash Reports
3Fire Reports
15Injuries
Most reported components: Unknown Or Other (35)Power Train (18)Engine (14)Electrical System (12)Visibility/Wiper (7)Forward Collision Avoidance (7)Service Brakes (6)Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance (6)Electrical System,Unknown Or Other (4)Vehicle Speed Control,Forward Collision Avoidance (3)

Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Signal Summary
SignalValueWhat to inspect next
Recall burdenModerate (1)Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below.
Owner complaintsHigh (179)Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates.
Crash and fire reports13Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item.
Primary component hubUnknown Or OtherCompare unknown or other issues across vehicles.
Cleaner nearby model year2026Compare against the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe with 13 complaints and 3 recalls.
Riskier nearby model year2020Check the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe before buying across this generation.

Hyundai Santa Fe Year-by-Year Comparison

The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Hyundai Santa Fe years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.

Nearby Hyundai Santa Fe Model Years
Model YearComplaintsRecallsUse case
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe 98 6 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe 169 5 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe 80 4 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 152 7 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe 13 3 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe 172 2 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Complaint Theme Map

Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.

Unknown Or Other

35 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Unknown Or Other issues Hyundai only

Power Train

18 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Power Train issues Hyundai only

Engine

14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Engine issues Hyundai only

Electrical System

12 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System issues Hyundai only

Visibility/Wiper

7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Visibility/Wiper issues Hyundai only

Forward Collision Avoidance

7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Hyundai only

AI Safety Analysis for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has accumulated 179 complaints and 1 recalls in the NHTSA database. It received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Among the complaints, 10 involved crashes and 3 involved fires. There have been 15 reported injuries and 0 reported deaths. The most frequently reported problem areas are unknown or other (35 complaints), power train (18 complaints), engine (14 complaints). Hyundai has issued a recall for certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe models due to trailer hitch issues. Additionally, power train, engine, and electrical system malfunctions have been reported, affecting vehicle stability and safety. Common issues include horn failures, which have occurred multiple times, and electronic throttle control system malfunctions, leading to potential power loss while driving. Key known issues to be aware of include Trailer Hitch, Power Train, Electrical System. Consider the recall for trailer hitch issues and the frequency of horn failures when purchasing a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Reliability Score

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.

NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.

Overall
★★★★★
5/5
Frontal Crash
★★★★★
5/5
Side Crash
★★★★★
5/5
Rollover
★★★★☆
4/5

Known Issues for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Trailer Hitch
Hyundai is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe models due to trailer hitch issues, which could lead to improper towing and potential accidents.
Medium Rare 30k-60k miles
Power Train
Power train malfunctions have been reported, causing sudden loss of power and potential safety hazards.
High Common 30k-60k miles
Electrical System
Electrical system failures, including horn malfunctions, have been reported, posing safety risks.
High Common 30k-60k miles
Electronic Throttle Control
Electronic throttle control system malfunctions have been reported, leading to potential power loss and safety concerns.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe:

Horn 23% of complaints

Horn failures have been reported multiple times, affecting safety.

Trailer Hitch 18% of complaints

Trailer hitch issues have been reported, affecting towing safety.

Power Train 14% of complaints

Power train malfunctions have been reported, causing sudden loss of power.

Electrical System 12% of complaints

Electrical system failures, including horn malfunctions, have been reported.

Recall Details for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe by NHTSA:

Trailer Hitches
Campaign #23V181000 17/03/2023

Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previou...

Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America

NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.

Crash Reports: 1 Injury/Fatality Reports: 2
Wheels
03/19/2026

I have been fighting this issue now for 2 years, vibration while driving interstate speeds, especially right rear seat. I have had tires replaced twice trying to fix balance issue only to find out that one rim will not road force balance correctly, even with tire matched it only reduced road force balance to 20lbs (30lbs with out match). I have had it at discount tire and Gettel Hyundai of Lakewoo...

ODI #11725596
Unknown Or Other
03/16/2026

Driving to work and a loud noise (pop) was heard and then I realized the sunroof had basically exploded. Glass was all over the car and all over myself. I immediately got off the road and turned on my hazard lights to assess the situation. This could have caused an accident had I not remained calm. Contacted dealership this morning. Waiting to hear back. No prior warning to this happening.

ODI #11724541
Fuel/Propulsion System
03/15/2026

While driving on the interstate at 70mph the vehicle’s fuel injectors failed causing the vehicle to lose power suddenly.

ODI #11724503
Power Train
03/08/2026

On 6/7/2023 with the original owner, the vehicle displayed code P1c2D03, according to carfax history the transmission was replaced 7/12/2023. I purchased the vehicle in May, 2025. In December, 2025, while driving to work I experienced intermittent loss of ability to accelerate, followed by the vehicle again displaying code P1C2D03 in the Bluelink app. The dealership performed a software update and...

ODI #11722808
Unknown Or Other
03/04/2026

I have attached a photo since I couldn’t save it

ODI #11722136
Engine
03/04/2026

I am submitting this complaint regarding a safety-related incident involving my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe on February 14, 2026. While driving, the vehicle suddenly began to overheat, creating an immediate safety hazard. I was close to my home and was able to return there safely, but once parked, I observed coolant leaking from the front of the vehicle. Due to the risk of further overheating or engine...

ODI #11722135
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other
02/17/2026

The horn stops working which is a safety hazard in case someone is backing into you, etc. This horn has stop working 4 times and had to be replaced.

ODI #11718566
Unknown Or Other
02/16/2026

1. The factory-supplied scissor-type jack that came with my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe failed. While changing a flat tire on the side of the road, the jack collapsed three times and could not hold the vehicle. Yes, the jack is still available for inspection. I have it in my possession and have provided photographs of the jack, its capacity label, and the incident location as evidence. 2. My safety was ...

ODI #11718300
Electrical System
02/09/2026

Needed to use horn in an emergency situation and that's when I found out my horn no longer works. 20,000 miles on 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe.

ODI #11716823
Electrical System
02/03/2026

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Horn How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My horn stopped working - cannot use it when driving to warn other drivers - safety issue Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Not reproduced, but dealership has confirmed the horn stopped...

ODI #11715329
Unknown Or Other
02/02/2026

Total horn failure, both horns. Took vehicle to the dealership, diagnosed both horns need to be replaced. None in stock. Horns ordered , no dates known by Hyundai when they will be in stock. Hyundai admits it h. Known with many models Driving a car in Buffalo NYwith. Out a horn driving a vehicle,r Nissan , is VERY DANGEROUS and scary. I do not think that Hyundai is taking this issue seriously and ...

ODI #11714950
Unknown Or Other
02/01/2026

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy repeated horn failures since purchasing vehicle new. Will be having 5th and 6th horns replaced with no effective remedy as vehicle has less than 11K miles on it and this urgently safety failure needs to be corrected. There is no warning of the horn failure until you need them to prevent an emergency/collision warning.

ODI #11714851
Electrical System
01/27/2026

While driving after dark, a different car traveling in opposite direction almost caused head on collision while driving in the wrong lane. Driver of the Santa Fe attempted to activate horn on vehicle to alert other vehicle that they were traveling in the wrong lane/direction, but horn failed to sound. Driver was narrowly able to avoid physical collision as a result. Driver took vehicle to dealersh...

ODI #11713619
Power Train
01/27/2026

Component/System Failure: The electronic throttle control system malfunctioned. The vehicle is reporting powertrain diagnostic trouble codes P2118 and P2101 through the Hyundai manufacturer mobile application (Bluelink), indicating an electronic throttle actuator / throttle control motor issue. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This malfunction poses a safety risk...

ODI #11713618
Visibility/Wiper
01/27/2026

The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while there was snow on the roof of the vehicle, the windshield wipers failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer because there was space between the hood and the windshield where the snow was collected, causing the windshield wipers to fail to operate as intended. The dealer tightened the wiper blades; howev...

ODI #11713548
Electrical System,Wheels
01/25/2026

Horn stopped working at 47,474 miles Check Tire Pressure System light is on, poor sensor at 45,650

ODI #11713260
Unknown Or Other
01/16/2026

My panoramic sunroof spontaneously blew while driving on freeway

ODI #11711408
Electrical System
01/07/2026

Horn completely out, yes available. I was unable to warn another driver from entering my lane several times. Warn a pedestrian from stepping out into traffic. Confirmed by the dealer. The horn was Inspected replaced at my own cost on March 2025 by December 2025 the part is no longer operational. I asked the dealer to honor the warranty they declined saying the mileage was passed the warranty te...

ODI #11709529
Fuel/Propulsion System
01/06/2026

Fuel injectors are bad. The car misfires, I smell gas, runs rough. They fixed one the second week of December 2025. I had the same symptoms when my light came on again on December 23,2025, they said they couldn’t find anything and gave me the car back. On January 3, my engine light came on again, I had warnings sent to my email and phone app about potential engine failures they said today ( 1/6/2...

ODI #11709104
Unknown Or Other
01/03/2026

I stopped to fill the gas on my road trip and the gas panel would not open. As a single women driving alone this is not ideal. It took 45 min of continuous unlocking/locking with pushing to get it to pop open. There needs to be an alternative/emergency handle to pull so this does not happen again. I was standing in 32 degree weather the entire time! NOT SAFE

ODI #11708546

Showing 20 of 179 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

Has the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE been recalled?

Yes, the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.

How many complaints does the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE have?

The 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has 179 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 10 involved crashes. 15 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.

What is the safety rating for the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?

The 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.

What are the most common problems with the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE involve unknown or other (35 complaints), power train (18 complaints), engine (14 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, visibility/wiper, forward collision avoidance.

How many crash reports does the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE have?

There are 10 crash reports associated with the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE out of 179 total complaints (5.6% of complaints involved crashes).

How many fire reports does the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE have?

There are 3 fire reports for the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE out of 179 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.

Are there any deaths reported for the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?

No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE.

How many injuries are reported for the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?

15 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.

Should I buy a 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE is acceptable with caveats. It has 179 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.

What components fail most on the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?

The components with the most failures on the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (35 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (18 complaints), 3. ENGINE (14 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (12 complaints), 5. VISIBILITY/WIPER (7 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 35 complaints.

What should I know before buying a 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?

Consider the recall for trailer hitch issues and the frequency of horn failures when purchasing a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has 179 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).

How reliable is the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?

The 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 179 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 13 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Trailer Hitch and Power Train.

What are the known issues with the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?

Known issues with the 2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE include: Trailer Hitch, Power Train, Electrical System, Electronic Throttle Control. These are based on patterns found across 179 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.

What is the most common issue reported for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Horn failures are the most common issue reported.

Is there a recall for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Yes, Hyundai has issued a recall for certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe models due to trailer hitch issues.

What safety concerns are associated with the electronic throttle control system malfunction?

Electronic throttle control system malfunctions can lead to sudden power loss, posing safety risks.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Consider the recall for trailer hitch issues and the frequency of horn failures when purchasing a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The data includes 179 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 10 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 15 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.

Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.

Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16