# Hyundai Santa Fe check engine light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 602 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (264) - **Related recalls:** 6 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 602 owner complaints about the check engine light on the Hyundai Santa Fe (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (264). There are **6 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: With a steady light and a car that drives normally, yes, it is usually safe to keep driving for a few days while you get the code read. ## Hyundai Santa Fe check engine light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the check engine light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 66 | 339 | 19% | | 2016 | 64 | 308 | 21% | | 2017 | 264 | 1328 | 20% | | 2018 | 79 | 434 | 18% | | 2019 | 27 | 229 | 12% | | 2020 | 23 | 218 | 11% | | 2021 | 19 | 170 | 11% | | 2022 | 29 | 203 | 14% | | 2023 | 15 | 214 | 7% | | 2024 | 8 | 157 | 5% | | 2025 | 7 | 142 | 5% | | 2026 | 1 | 37 | 3% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Hyundai Santa Fe recalls related to the check engine light **[24V529000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24V529000)** (2024 models, reported 2024-07-12): 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.... **[22V746000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V746000)** (2021-2022 models, reported 2022-10-06): Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** 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. **[22V197000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V197000)** (2022 models, reported 2022-03-28): An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. **[21V524000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V524000)** (2021-2022 models, reported 2021-07-09): A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire. **Remedy:** Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. **[21V308000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V308000)** (2021 models, reported 2021-05-03): An insufficiently tightened fuel pipe may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire. **Remedy:** Dealers inspected and tightened the fuel pipe connection, free of charge. The affected vehicles have been repaired and therefore no owner notification letters will be sent. **[17V578000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=17V578000)** (2017 models, reported 2017-09-20): The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Hyundai will notify all owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Hyundai Santa Fe owners report - "No errors or messages or engine lights of any sort were displayed anywhere. Even after removing our daughter it happened several times again." -- owner of a 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2026 - "Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?There are absolutely no dashboard warning lights, check engine indicators, error messages, or mechanical symptoms prior to the failures. The engine shuts down instant" -- owner of a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2026 - "23 September, all of the transmission lights, warning, lights and check engine light came on. The vehicle is being towed back to the dealership with transmission issues again." -- owner of a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2025 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the check engine light means The check engine light means the engine computer has stored a diagnostic trouble code for an emissions, engine or transmission fault. Common causes include a loose gas cap, a failing oxygen sensor, a worn catalytic converter, and misfires from plugs or coils. A steady light is usually not an emergency, but a flashing light means a severe misfire and you should reduce speed and get it checked right away. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Loose gas cap or EVAP system leak** (common) 2. **Failing oxygen sensor** (common) 3. **Catalytic converter efficiency below threshold** (common) 4. **Misfire from worn spark plugs or ignition coils** (common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Check engine light](/warning-lights/check-engine). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Hyundai Santa Fe check engine light? Yes. NHTSA lists 6 related recalls (24V529000, 22V746000, 22V197000, 21V524000, 21V308000, 17V578000) covering 2017-2024 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Hyundai Santa Fe years have the most check engine light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2017 and 2018 Santa Fe model years have the most complaints mentioning the check engine light, with 264 for 2017. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Hyundai Santa Fe with the check engine light on? Drive to a shop this week. With a steady light and a car that drives normally, yes, it is usually safe to keep driving for a few days while you get the code read. If the light is flashing, the engine runs very rough, or the temperature or oil light also comes on, stop driving and have it checked. ### How do I check if my Hyundai Santa Fe has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Hyundai dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Hyundai Santa Fe warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-santa-fe): 45 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/hyundai-santa-fe): 45 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/hyundai-santa-fe): 17 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/hyundai-santa-fe): 43 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/hyundai-santa-fe): 43 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-santa-fe): 175 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/hyundai-santa-fe): 35 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/hyundai-santa-fe): 12 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/hyundai-santa-fe): 51 complaints ## Check engine light on other models - [Ford Escape](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/ford-escape): 2245 complaints - [Ford Edge](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/ford-edge): 1380 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chevrolet-silverado): 911 complaints - [Kia Soul](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-soul): 785 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-sonata): 731 complaints - [Hyundai Tucson](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-tucson): 705 complaints - [Chevrolet Malibu](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chevrolet-malibu): 666 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chrysler-pacifica): 630 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/jeep-cherokee): 587 complaints - [Kia Sorento](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-sorento): 578 complaints ## Hyundai Santa Fe - [Hyundai Santa Fe specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-santa-fe) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-santa-fe Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.