Is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe a bad year?
215 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 45, 2.1× a quiet Santa Fe year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 5k–38k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2023 Santa Fe owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 14,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 45 (21%) | 5k–38k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Collision avoidance | 37 (17%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 37 (17%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 37 (17%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 27 (13%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 15 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 13 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 12 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 14,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 215 complaints: 11 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 12 say the car was towed.
67 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe: 1
Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Hyundai: 51
Repair instructions Hyundai sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software update for some vehicles equipped with an 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (8WDCT)
Some vehicles may require replacement of the 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (8WDCT) when the vehicle sets one of the high pressure electric oil pump…
Some Santa Fe (TMA) and Tucson (NX4A) vehicles equipped with a 2.5L GDI engine and 8 speed automatic transmission may have DTC U028700…
Some vehicles may have DTCs P218100, P2181F0, and/or P2181F1 (Cooling System Performance) set in the Electronic Control Unit (ECU)…
Neighbouring years
2022 Santa Fe: 204 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2024 Santa Fe: 157 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Santa Fe years side by side
Other Hyundai models: Hyundai Accent · Hyundai Azera · Hyundai Elantra · Hyundai Elantra Touring · Hyundai Entourage · Hyundai Genesis · Hyundai Genesis Coupe · Hyundai Ioniq 5 · Hyundai Kona · Hyundai Kona Electric · Hyundai Palisade · Hyundai Santa Cruz · Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid · Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · Hyundai Sonata · Hyundai Sonata Hybrid · Hyundai Tiburon · Hyundai Tucson · Hyundai Tucson Hybrid · Hyundai Veloster · Hyundai Veracruz · Hyundai XG350. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe a bad year?
215 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 45, 2.1× a quiet Santa Fe year. At 14,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 5k–38k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (45), collision avoidance (37), electrical system (37), engine (37), brakes (27). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 5k–38k miles.
How many recalls does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Trailer hitch (NHTSA 23V-181). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.