The 2024 Santa Fe Hybrid uses Hyundai's 1.6T hybrid system paired with a 6-speed automatic. Being a first model year of the redesigned fifth generation, early units show teething issues with the hybrid powertrain and electrical integration, plus carryover engine bearing concerns from prior Smartstream platforms.
Engine Bearing Failure (Connecting Rod & Main Bearings)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 20,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Metallic knocking noise from lower engine, especially on cold starts, Low oil pressure warning light intermittent or constant, Metal shavings in oil during oil change, Sudden catastrophic failure with loss of power
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or short block replacement required. 18-24 labor hours for R&R and rebuild, includes new bearings, inspection of crankshaft journals, and clearance verification. Some cases covered under extended powertrain warranty if caught early.
Estimated cost: $6,500-9,500
Hybrid Transmission Oil Cooler Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 15,000-40,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid pooling under vehicle near front crossmember, Overheat warning on instrument cluster during highway driving, Burnt transmission fluid smell after extended driving, Slipping or delayed shifts when transmission is hot
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler and lines. 4-6 labor hours including fluid flush and refill with SP-IV ATF. Early design had inadequate seal retention at cooler connections. Hyundai issued TSB for revised cooler assembly.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800
High-Voltage Battery Cooling Fan Failure
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: EV mode unavailable or severely limited range, Check hybrid system warning on dash, Battery temperature warning light, Reduced fuel economy as system relies more on gas engine
Fix: Replace hybrid battery cooling fan and check coolant flow through battery pack. 3-5 labor hours, requires safe HV shutdown procedures and battery pack access from rear cargo area. Fan motor failures traced to poor sealing allowing moisture intrusion.
Estimated cost: $1,500-2,200
Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 25,000-50,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh clunk when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle with gear engaged, Excessive engine movement visible from engine bay during acceleration, Thumping noise over bumps from front of vehicle
Fix: Replace front transmission mount. 2-3 labor hours with engine support required. OEM mount design inadequate for combined weight and torque from hybrid powertrain. Aftermarket upgraded mounts available with stiffer durometer rating.
Estimated cost: $450-700
Panoramic Sunroof Drain Tube Clogs / Water Intrusion
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Water pooling in front footwells after rain or car wash, Wet headliner near A-pillars, Musty smell in cabin, Puddles in rear cargo area near liftgate hinge area
Fix: Clear sunroof drain tubes using compressed air or flexible wire, reseal sunroof cassette if frame seal deteriorated. 1-2 labor hours. Fifth-gen design routes drains through A-pillars with tight bends that trap debris. Preventive cleaning every 12 months recommended.
Estimated cost: $150-350
12V Battery Premature Failure
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: Vehicle won't start despite full hybrid battery charge, Electrical accessories cutting out randomly, Check charging system warning, Hybrid system won't initialize
Fix: Replace 12V auxiliary battery and test charging system. 0.5-1 labor hour. Hybrid system's frequent cycling of 12V system accelerates battery degradation. OEM AGM battery typically fails in 24-36 months. Use only AGM replacement, not standard flooded battery.
Estimated cost: $350-500
Owner tips
Change engine oil every 5,000 miles maximum with quality synthetic to mitigate bearing wear — shorter interval critical on this platform.
Inspect transmission fluid level and condition every 15,000 miles; do not trust 'lifetime fill' claim — flush at 60K.
Clear sunroof drains annually with compressed air to prevent water intrusion.
Monitor 12V battery voltage monthly; replace proactively at 30 months to avoid being stranded.
Avoid extended idling in EV mode during extreme heat — let engine run to assist cooling system.
Wait for 2025+ model years to let Hyundai sort the first-gen hybrid bugs; if buying a 2024, budget $2K-3K reserve for likely powertrain repairs in first 60K miles.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2026 Genesis G90, 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.
Consequence: A detached seat belt anchor will not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinforce or replace the seat belt anchors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning May 29, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 and Genesis customer service at 844-340-9741. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 298 and 032G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov April 8, 2026.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · 25V808000
2025-11-21
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY · 25V659000
2025-10-02
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.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The overhead console rear sunshade switch knob may not be fully recessed, which can result in unintentional closing of the sunshade. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition and Roof Panel Systems."
Consequence: A sunshade that closes unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the switch knobs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 2, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 270.
AIR BAGS · 24V561000
2024-07-26
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Santa Fe and Santa Fe HEV vehicles. The main floor wiring harness may chafe against the passenger-side second-row bench seat assembly and become damaged, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally or prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally can increase the risk of an injury. An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the wiring harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 22, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 265.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE · 24V529000
2024-07-12
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Santa Fe vehicles. A software error in the transmission control unit may result in a vehicle roll away when the vehicle is in PARK.
Consequence: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to use the emergency parking brake after parking their vehicles. Hyundai will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update for the transmission control unit. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the dual clutch transmission, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning August 26, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 263.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · 24V246000
2024-04-02
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Santa Fe vehicles. The rearview camera image may be obstructed by a trailer parking assist message. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: An obstructed rearview camera image reduces rearward visibility and increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning May 31, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 258.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.