2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Report
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2025 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.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (80) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 5 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2026 | Compare against the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe with 13 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2023 | Check the 2023 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.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe | 13 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe | 98 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe | 179 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe | 169 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe | 152 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe | 172 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2025 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
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Hyundai onlyVisibility/Wiper
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Hyundai onlyForward Collision Avoidance
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Hyundai onlyPower Train
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Hyundai onlyTires
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Tires issues Hyundai onlyElectrical System
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Hyundai onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
Reliability Score
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe receives a reliability score of 80 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 2025 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.
Known Issues for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second Row Power Seat Malfunction Second row power seats may operate even when a car seat is installed using the LATCH system, potentially crushing the occupant. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Issues Issues with the starter assembly and dashboard going black upon starting the car are reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Tire Sidewall Bubbles Sidewall bubbles have appeared in multiple tires, even without significant impact. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunction The forward-facing driver assist system may shut off cruise control if it cannot detect the driver's eyes. |
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 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe:
Second row power seats may operate even when a car seat is installed using the LATCH system.
Issues with the starter assembly and dashboard going black upon starting the car are reported.
Sidewall bubbles have appeared in multiple tires, even without significant impact.
The forward-facing driver assist system may shut off cruise control if it cannot detect the driver's eyes.
Recall Details for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
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.
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The rearview camera may not have been installed properly, which can damage the wiring harness and cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the camera wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning January 15, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 288. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe vehicles. The B+ positive terminal cover on the starter motor assembly may be improperly installed, which can cause an electrical short during a crash.
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the starter motor terminal cover, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 285. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 4, 2025.
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power and engine damage, possibly resulting in an oil leak.
Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 281.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
Second row power seats will operate even when a carseat is present & installed using LATCH system, crushing occupant. Power seat button at base of second row seats are easy to inadvertently press while entering/exiting the seat (i.e when seat belt is not on), causing the seat to move forward crushing occupant. This has happened multiple times since taking ownership.
Dear NHTSA Team, My car was in a minor accident Last. After that, the repair shop replaced my bumper and front camera. Don Franklin Somerset Hyundai performed a calibration on my new radar. They calibrated it six times, but there are still many issues with the HDA driving system. 1. False Dual-Side Warning When a vehicle is present only on the right side, the vehicle camera system incorrectly d...
I am reporting a serious safety concern with my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy (VIN: [XXX] ). While my child was seated in the second row, the folding seat button was accidentally triggered and the seat continued folding while my child was still in the seat. My child screamed in distress, and I am concerned this created a pinching or crushing hazard. This appears to be a dangerous condit...
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that on several occasions, while the vehicle was parked and either running or turned off, the second-row seats closed on the safety seats when the button in the rear of the vehicle was depressed. The contact stated that once the button was pressed, the seat could not be stopped from closing until the button was pressed a second time. The...
With only 3320 miles on vehicle have a Bubble on sidewall didn't hit anything. P 255/ 45 R 20 105V Pirelli States could happen if it was a pothole.
When I start the car or first start rolling the whole dashboard goes black! I can still hear sound but nothing on the screen. This is a safety issue. It flickers while driving then goes black.
Have had two sidewall bubbles appear, one was right front tire with approximately 7000 miles, second was left front tire with 11,500 miles. Both were OEM equipment on 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid limited fwd. Tire size 255/45/R20. No blowouts. Replaced tires at great expense and inconvenience immediately upon finding bubble on sidewall.
I was sent a letter in the mail asking to bring in my vehicle for a safety recall involving the rearview camera. I scheduled an appointment with Key Hyundai of Milford, CT. After waiting for an hour, I was told that the dealership did not have the part needed to perform the repair and that they would call me when the part came in. It has been three weeks and I have not received a call or been cont...
Forward Facing Driver Assist cabin camera will shut off the cruise while you are driving if it cannot detect your eyes. This is NOT a safety feature but rather an extremely dangerous safety hazard!!! While you are traveling at 70+ mph and put on sunglasses and all of a sudden the car starts alarming and decelerates without warning causing the driver to become EXTREMELY distracted trying to figure ...
I purchased a brand new 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy from the dealer and I saw a the tire pressure drop from a normal 36 psi to 32 psi and the vehicle would vibrate. I filled it up right away thinking due to weather. Then, it dropped again after a couple of days to 32 psi and vehicle would vibrate again. I took the vehicle to Costco to get it inspected thinking it's some sort of a slow leak a...
Vehicle experienced sudden loss of power while driving. Transmission warning and ABS warning lights appeared at the same time. The vehicle would not shift properly and began skipping and dropping gears. Smoke was visibly coming from the center underside of the vehicle near the transmission area. There was a strong burning oil or rubber smell inside and outside the vehicle. This created a serious ...
All normal sounds completely stop working, no audio or volume at all: no turn signal, no collision warning, no GPS audio, no radio; no hands-free phone volume. Hyundai Service department advised they have never heard of this type of incident. All warning systems are completely silent.
I purchased this vehicle on September 8, 2025, from Antwerpen Hyundai of Clarksville. Since purchase, the vehicle has had persistent problems that substantially impair its use and market value. Issue 1: HVAC / Ventilation Defect: Outside air enters through the center dash vents even when the fan is turned off. The recirculation feature disengages automatically after a few minutes, allowing outside...
NHTSA Complaint Summary Vehicle: 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Issue: Airbag non‑deployment in a 40‑mph side‑impact collision On January 20, 2026, my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe was struck by another motorist directly along the driver side awaiting to make a left turn. The other motorist crossed the centerline at an estimated impact speed of approximately 40 mph, according to the police report. The collision ...
Side view camera that displays blind spot area in dash screen cluster, screen intermittently shows just a green screen and not the blind spot.
I was driving on a 5 Lane Highway when suddenly what sounded like a gunshot or grenade going off in my right ear turned out to be my sunroof shattering. I thought someone shot at me since there were traffic on my right, but when I looked to my right I saw no evidence until I looked up, then immediately felt glass particles falling in all around.
Three separate original equipment Pirelli Scorpion MS tires experienced sidewall structural failures on my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy within the first 8,000 miles. One tire suffered a sudden blowout at approximately 3,000 miles. Two additional tires developed visible sidewall bubbles at approximately 6,000–8,000 miles. These failures occurred without impact damage or misuse and represent a...
After making right turn after being stopped at traffic light, when I attempted to accelerate the vehicle would not shift from low gear to higher gear(s). This caused very high engine RPMs for the time it took to pull the vehicle off to the side of the road and stop and turn of the vehicle . I looked at dash board for any indicator lights but didn’t see any. Restarted the vehicle accelerated back o...
In this car when you are driving and it is raining hard and you are on a big highway at night with cars coming towards you, the windshield does not clear and it streaks really bad so you cannot see. I have sent pictures to the dealership as well as Hyundai of what it looks like just when you clean off the windshield of snow that it streaks really bad then too and the streaks stay on there, so if ...
I am reporting premature tire wear on OEM Goodyear Assurance 235/60R18 tires installed on my AWD 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL (VIN: [XXX] ). Component/System: OEM tires; documented and can be inspected at the dealership, which serves as a neutral, third-party verifier, or via submitted records. Safety risk: AWD vehicles require uniform tires; uneven tread risks drivetrain damage and unsafe handli...
Showing 20 of 80 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
TSBs are manufacturer-acknowledged issues with recommended fixes. Unlike recalls, TSB repairs are not always free.
Hyundai has become aware that some vehicles equipped with the 2.5 Turbo-GDI Theta III engine may exhibit coolant seepage on the back side (exhaust side) of the engine caused by a crack in the cylinder block.
This is a follow-up to a previous launch of Service Campaign TEJ. Updates include the following: - A new GDS Event #1328 for certain ECU part numbers ending in '820'/'830' - Related ROM ID & Manual Mode Password Information.
Certain 2025MY Santa Cruz (NXT) and Santa Fe (MX5A) vehicles equipped with the 2.5T-GDI Theta III engine may exhibit coolant residue on the back side (exhaust side) of the engine caused by a crack in the cylinder block. Follow the procedure outlined in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-01-052H to ...
Certain Santa Fe (MX5A) vehicles equipped with 8-speed dual clutch transmissions (8DCT) may set one of the high pressure electric oil pump (HP EOP) DTCs listed below. This bulletin provides the service procedure to update the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) with improved logic to address the DTCs ab...
Certain 2025MY Santa Cruz (NXT) and Santa Fe (MX5A) vehicles equipped with the 2.5T-GDI Theta III engine may exhibit coolant residue on the back side (exhaust side) of the engine caused by a crack in the cylinder block. Follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin to replace the engine sub-assembl...
Certain 2025MY Santa Cruz (NXT) and Santa Fe (MX5A) vehicles equipped with the 2.5T-GDI Theta III engine may exhibit coolant residue on the back side (exhaust side) of the engine caused by a crack in the cylinder block. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these vehicles may be rel...
Hyundai Motor America is currently investigating an ongoing concern with software GDS event #1306 for certain Hyundai Santa Fe (MX5A) vehicles. The software update is not appearing for some impacted vehicles. In the interim, Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-01-072H will be removed from Hyundai Te...
Certain Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Cruz (NXT) vehicles equipped with 8-speed dual clutch transmissions (8DCT) may set one of the high pressure electric oil pump (HP EOP) DTCs listed below. Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) 25-01-071H (for Santa Fe vehicles) and 25-01-072H (for Santa Cruz vehicles) pr...
Certain Santa Fe (MX5A) vehicles equipped with 8-speed dual clutch transmissions (8DCT) may set one of the high pressure electric oil pump (HP EOP) DTCs listed below. This bulletin provides the service procedure to update the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) with improved logic to address the DTCs ab...
Hyundai has become aware that some vehicles may exhibit a “pop,” “tick,” or “creak” noise from the right front subframe area while driving. The noise may be caused by a missing weld on the right front subframe mounting stud.
This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2025 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system as described in this TSB.
Certain Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles may produce a “pop”, “tick”, or “creak” noise from a missing weld on the mounting stud of the right front subframe while driving. The vehicle’s structural integrity is maintained even with a missing weld; however, drivers may report an ...
Certain Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles may produce a “pop”, “tick”, or “creak” noise from a missing weld on the mounting stud of the right front subframe while driving. The vehicle’s structural integrity is maintained even with a missing weld; however, drivers may report an ...
This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2024 2nd Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. Refer to the 2024 2nd Navigation Map and Software Update Improvements section in this TSB for a list ...
Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink functions. This may be due to an occasional disconnection on Verizon’s communication network. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to verify Bluelink Data Communication Unit (DCU) network connection a...
Certain vehicles (See Applicable Vehicles List below) equipped with the 12-inch instrument cluster display and separate Instrument Cluster Module require software verification PRIOR to odometer mileage writing. If the Cluster Module does not have the latest software, the incorrect mileage may be wri...
Certain Santa Fe (MX5A) vehicles may experience battery drain due to incorrect ECU logic for the Seat Heater Unit – Front (SHU_FRT). This bulletin provides instructions to perform the software update for the Seat Heater Unit – Front to correct the logic.
Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink functions. This may be due to an occasional disconnection on Verizon’s communication network. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to verify Bluelink Data Communication Unit (DCU) network connection a...
Hyundai Motor America has noted that several vehicles were impacted by a telecommunications outage that occurred on Sunday, February 9th , resulting in the potential loss of connectivity or interruptions when attempting to use Bluelink functions. Voice Recognition, Sports Media, and Weather will not...
Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink functions. This may be due to an occasional disconnection on Verizon’s communication network. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to reset the Connected Car Data Communication Unit (DCU) in Dealer Mo...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
Has the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE been recalled?
Yes, the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE have?
The 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has 80 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 5 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
The 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE involve unknown or other (11 complaints), visibility/wiper (8 complaints), forward collision avoidance (7 complaints). Other affected components include power train, tires, electrical system.
How many crash reports does the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE have?
There are 5 crash reports associated with the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE out of 80 total complaints (6.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE have?
There are no fire reports for the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE is acceptable with caveats. It has 80 complaints, 4 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
The components with the most failures on the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (11 complaints), 2. VISIBILITY/WIPER (8 complaints), 3. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (7 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (6 complaints), 5. TIRES (5 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 11 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
Be cautious of potential electrical system and second row power seat issues. Ensure regular maintenance and check for recalls. The 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has 80 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
The 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE receives a reliability score of 80/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 80 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 5 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Second row power seat malfunction and Electrical system issues.
What are the known issues with the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
Known issues with the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE include: Second row power seat malfunction, Electrical system issues, Tire sidewall bubbles, Forward collision avoidance system malfunction. These are based on patterns found across 80 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any known electrical system issues with the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Yes, issues with the starter assembly and dashboard going black upon starting the car are reported.
What should I do if I notice sidewall bubbles on my tires?
Have the tires inspected by a professional to ensure they are safe to drive on.
Can the second row power seats operate when a car seat is installed?
Yes, there have been reports that the second row power seats may operate even when a car seat is installed using the LATCH system.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential electrical system and second row power seat issues. Ensure regular maintenance and check for recalls.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The data includes 80 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 5 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 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