2022 Hyundai Santa Fe: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, engine, and electrical. The 10 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2022- Owner complaints
- 223
- Recalls
- 8
- 1 urgent
- Crashes reported
- 11
- 2 injuries
One recall on this model year told owners to park outside until the repair was done.
Do not buy until you have dealer paperwork or a recall lookup showing it was completed for this VIN.
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/10 checked
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/5
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Santa Fe is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cylGas | AWD, FWD | 24–26 mpg |
| 1.6L 4-cylHybrid | AWD | 34 mpg |
| 1.6L 4-cylPlug-in hybrid | AWD | 440 mi range |
- The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe was sold in three versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- On the hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Santa Fe that averages well under the EPA 24 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Transmission power loss
2,000–20,000 miles
Warped brake rotors, shaking
7,000–16,000 miles
Repeated horn failure
18,000–60,000 miles
Fuel injector misfires
33,000–60,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Transmission633 crashes
Drive power cuts out without warning. The transmission drops into a neutral-like coast, the engine revs while the car barely moves, or speed stalls at 5 to 30 mph, often when pulling away from a light. A flashing "D" or a transmission warning and code P1C2D03 often appear. Several cars needed new transmissions, some with under 20,000 miles. Owners link this to recall 22V746000, though some cars outside it show the same signs. Three crash reports involve sudden acceleration or lurching while parking. Some owners waited on recall parts that were not yet available.
Engine28No crashes
Misfires from failing fuel injectors are the main complaint. The check engine light comes on, the engine shakes hard, and the car loses power or stalls, sometimes at highway speed. Code P030100 shows up often. Dealers tend to replace one injector at a time, so the misfires return on another cylinder, and some blame bad gas. Repeat failures show up between about 36,285 and 51,000 miles. Other reports include hesitation from a stop with no warning light, an oil leak, and one engine that failed with metal in the oil at 7,042 miles.
Electrical27No crashes
A melted under-hood fuse box and engine harness knock out the blower motor, leaving no airflow, often after a hot or melting smell. Dealers say they see this in multiple 2022 models. One fire report describes a parked car burning from under the driver-side dash near the fuse wiring. Horns keep failing. Some cars shut down completely while driving, which takes away park, the parking brake, and the hazard lights. Other complaints cover rear doors that stay locked, a blank dash screen, and a backup camera that stays dark.
Acceleration and cruise control12No crashes
Smart cruise control shuts off with "Check Forward Safety System" or radar-blocked warnings, sometimes with code C162078. In some cars the dealer replaced the front radar module. Other cars buck, shake, and lose speed on the highway because fuel injectors fail, and the injectors fail again after repair. Some reports describe revs climbing to 5,000 rpm without a shift, which owners tie to transmission recall 22V746000. Other reports describe slowing on its own from 67 mph and smart cruise dragging the brakes downhill until the rotors were ruined at 2,500 miles.
Automatic emergency braking92 crashes
Automatic emergency braking engages for no reason, mostly at highway speed, with an "Emergency Braking" warning and a hard slowdown that nearly gets the car rear-ended. Some owners say it fires as cars pass in the next lane, and one says the car also swerved. Dealers often find no fault. The front radar also drops out, which disables cruise control. Two crash reports say the system failed to stop the car, one at 5 mph and one in 20-degree cold, which the dealer blamed on the weather.
Fuel system9No crashes
Fuel injectors on the 2.5L engine fail again and again. The car hesitates, jerks, shakes, and loses power, and some owners smell gas. Code P0302 is among the misfire codes reported. Bulletin TSB 25-FL-001H covers internal injector filter breakage and calls for replacing all four injectors, but parts were quoted up to three weeks on backorder, and some owners are on their third replacement. Hybrid owners report sudden loss of acceleration with a warning to stop driving. Other complaints describe a fuel range display that stays the same after filling up or reads wrong.
Airbags42 crashes
Two crash reports describe air bags that did not work as designed. In one, the front air bag did not deploy when the car was rear-ended at 55+ mph and pushed into another car, and the driver was hurt. In the other, the steering wheel bag barely deployed and threw sparks and smoke, and a door-side bag tore. Other complaints describe a passenger air bag off light that turns on when a short passenger uses a cushion, and an air bag sensor warning the dealer would not cover.
Brakes42 crashes
Two crash reports describe brakes failing at low speed. In one, the pedal sank to the floor at a red light with no fluid loss. In the other, the car accelerated and braked on its own and hit a house, and the manufacturer blamed the driver. Rotors develop hot spots that make the car shake under braking. This starts around 7,000 miles, and dealers turn the rotors, but the shaking comes back by 16,000. Phantom emergency braking at 50 to 60 mph is also reported.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Santa Fe owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Between January and March 2023, the vehicle had lost power twice when attempting to move after a red light. The vehicle would only move about 5 to 10 miles per hour. In order to make the vehicle work again, you have to turn off the vehicle and turn it back on.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2023
Gray-Epperson Hyundai, Cleveland TN still responds that there is no remedy. Dealers are unable to provide loaner cars and will not do transmission inspection. They will only update the software which does not ensure that high pressure pump is affected. Waiting for Code P1C2D03 to pop can leave me stranded miles from home and an approved dealership. I will have to fight with Hyundai for tow reimbursement.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2023
My Santa Fe limited 2022, has stopped running while traveling at 50 to 60 miles per hour on 3 different occasions. Car has 19000 miles and incidents have occurred over past 10000 miles.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2025
The car was idling for about 30 mins as I waited for delivery of groceries at curbside pickup. I put the car in drive but the motor did not kick on. I was able to drive on electrical power until the hybrid battery died. I lost complete power in the middle of the Interstate but I was able to coast to the shoulder. I had a check engine light and other warning lights on the dashboard but they went away when I restarted the car
Filed with NHTSA, February 2024
I was driving the vehicle my pregnant wife and 1 year old baby were in the car with me. Car started shaking and i was loosing speed right before getting off the freeway. There was a very strong smell of gas as if it was leaking but it was not. I have an appointment to be checked at the dealership Wednesday August 16th. This is the second time something like this happens while driving in the freeway.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2023
Upon starting the vehicle, the gear shift went into Drive mode but did not engage the engine or electric motor when depressing the accelerator. Then it would not allow me to change gear to Park, Neutral or Reverse. It would also not allow me to turn off the car, the electric motor was still running but not moving the vehicle.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2022
Ref NHTSA TRACKING # 11557625 Vehicle broke down again within 5K miles and 45 days of prior repair referenced in above case. Similar conditions, highway speed, bucking and vibrating, loss of speed control, no warning. Subsequent repair confirmed same issue (fuel injector) as original breakdown/repair and my initial notification to NHTSA.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2023
Vehicle began to display Front collision avoidance system error/ radar blocked. This also disabled the 'smart' cruise control features. This happened any time the cruise control was engaged and we encountered traffic. The unit was in the dealer's service department for a week, and the front radar module was replaced and reprogrammed under warranty.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2025
How the 2022 compares with other Santa Fe years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2022 ranks third for owner complaints among 9 Santa Fe years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Transmission6326
- Engine2838
- Electrical2720
- Acceleration and cruise control126
- Automatic emergency braking95
- Fuel system91
Where the 2022 fits in the Santa Fe's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2022 is the fourth model year of the Santa Fe's fourth generation (2019–2023).
It includes the 2021 update.
What changed for 2021
- New platform introduced
- Updated design features
- Enhanced safety technology
Recalls to confirm (8)
Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
23V181000Trailer HitchesPark outsideMar 2023
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.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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 previous recall number 22V-633.
24V879000Backup cameraNov 2024
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV and 2022 Elantra N and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles. Due to a damaged printed circuit board, the rearview camera image may fail to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 271.
23V028000Fuel systemJan 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The fuel tank may have been improperly molded, which can result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 20, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 240.
22V816000Seat beltsOct 2022
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023 Genesis G80 Electric, 2021-2022 Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
Fix: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 238/011G. This recall is an expansion of recall numbers 22V-354 and 22V-458.
22V746000TransmissionOct 2022
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.
22V197000EngineMar 2022
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.
Risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall 222.
21V00K000ElectricalDec 2021
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe HEV and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles. The instrument cluster liquid-crystal display (LCD) may invert the image on the screen upon vehicle startup, making the display illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays.".
Risk: An illegible instrument cluster will not show information such as vehicle speed or safety system warnings, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the instrument cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 217.
21V524000Fuel systemJul 2021
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe and Sonata vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 207.
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2022 owner complaints, side by side
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- Toyota Highlander186
- Ford Explorer208
- 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe223
