YearToAvoid

2023 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

75/100

#2 most-complained of 5 Santa FE Hybrid years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2023 Santa Fe Hybrid ranks 2nd worst of 5 model years, with 57 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 75. Engine issues dominate, making up 47% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 6,800 miles. Verdict: Avoid relative to other years.

Complaints
57
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
33
34.5 city / 30.5 hwy

Top 2023 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine27 (47%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain15 (26%)
  3. Electrical System13 (23%)
  4. Fuel System13 (23%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (21%)
  6. Other10 (18%)
  7. Lane Departure4 (7%)
  8. Brakes3 (5%)
  9. Structure & Body3 (5%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)

What owners report

  • Engine hesitates or delays acceleration for up to about two seconds when the accelerator is pressed, with no warning lights.
  • Engine has shut down suddenly while driving at highway speed, with no warning, lights, or alarms before the shutdown.
  • Vehicle fails to accelerate in traffic, with the accelerator producing no power for several seconds during lane changes or merging.
  • Check engine and hybrid warning lights come on together with a complete loss of power, sometimes recurring within a day of a repair attempt.
  • Automatic emergency braking failed to engage in time during a hard-braking situation, resulting in a crash.
  • Vehicle brakes suddenly and unexpectedly with no obstacle present, causing jarring stops.
2023 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month8Dec 2022Aug 2023Jan 2024Jun 2024Nov 2024Jun 2025Feb 2026
105 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2022 to Jun 2026; peak Jul 2024 (8).

2023 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V181000Mar 17, 2023Structure & Body584,784 vehiclesPark Outside

    Trailer hitches

    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.

    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 previous recall number 22V-633.

2023 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
34.5 MPG
Highway
30.5 MPG
Combined
33 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,975
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2023 compared with other Santa FE Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Best020333
2022Good2537433
2023Avoid7557133
2024Caution5034435
2025Avoid10090335

All Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2023 Santa Fe Hybrid ranks 2nd worst among 5 model years with data, with a complaint index of 75 and 57 total complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the 2023 Santa Fe Hybrid?
Engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 27 of 57 complaints (47% share), with a median failure mileage of 6,800 miles.
Does the 2023 Santa Fe Hybrid have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2023 Santa Fe Hybrid, campaign 23V181000, related to a tow hitch harness issue affecting structure and body; it is not a do-not-drive recall but owners are told to park outside.
How does the 2023 Santa Fe Hybrid compare to other years?
The 2021 model is rated Best with a complaint index of 0, and 2022 is rated Good at 25. The 2023 model, with an index of 75, and the 2025 model, with an index of 100, are the two worst years.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.