# Hyundai Santa Fe coolant temperature warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 43 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (12) - **Related recalls:** 3 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 43 owner complaints about the coolant temperature warning light on the Hyundai Santa Fe (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (12). There are **3 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Stop driving: No. ## Hyundai Santa Fe coolant temperature warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the coolant temperature light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 6 | 339 | 2% | | 2016 | 3 | 308 | 1% | | 2017 | 12 | 1328 | 1% | | 2018 | 4 | 434 | 1% | | 2019 | 3 | 229 | 1% | | 2020 | 3 | 218 | 1% | | 2022 | 2 | 203 | 1% | | 2023 | 3 | 214 | 1% | | 2024 | 6 | 157 | 4% | | 2025 | 1 | 142 | 1% | 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 coolant temperature warning light **[25V549000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25V549000)** (2025-2026 models, reported 2025-08-26): A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2025. **[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. **[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 - "Passengers, particularly children, seated in the third row can experience overheating or discomfort during travel, even when the vehicle's main air conditioning is running. Basic airflow should not be considered an optional or luxury feature, as it is critical to passenger well-being and safety. By tying proper..." -- owner of a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2025 - "When this happens, there's no speedometer, engine temperature, or any information about the vehicle. This vehicle is 1-month old and has about 1300 miles." -- owner of a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2024 - "On [XXX] I was on [XXX] in Houston, TX southbound in the Woodlands area when my vehicle warning light for overheating went on. I pulled over on [XXX] and contacted Vehicle Assistance and the vehicle was towed to my dealer, Northwest Houston Hyundai. There was damage to a tube in front of the radiator and a/c..." -- owner of a 2023 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 coolant temperature warning light means A red coolant temperature light means the engine is overheating or about to. The most common cause is low coolant from a leak, followed by a stuck thermostat, a failed radiator fan, and a worn water pump. Pull over and shut the engine off as soon as it is safe, because continued driving can warp the cylinder head and destroy the engine. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low coolant from a leak** (most common) 2. **Thermostat stuck closed** (common) 3. **Radiator fan not working** (common) 4. **Failing water pump or broken belt** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Coolant temperature warning light](/warning-lights/coolant-temperature). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Hyundai Santa Fe coolant temperature light? Yes. NHTSA lists 3 related recalls (25V549000, 22V197000, 17V578000) covering 2017-2026 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 coolant temperature light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2017 and 2024 Santa Fe model years have the most complaints mentioning the coolant temperature warning light, with 12 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 coolant temperature light on? Stop driving. No. Stop driving as soon as it is safe and shut the engine off. Driving an overheating engine even a few miles can cause damage that costs thousands of dollars to repair. ### 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 - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-santa-fe): 602 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 ## Coolant temperature warning light on other models - [Ford Escape](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ford-escape): 1520 complaints - [Ford Edge](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ford-edge): 752 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ford-explorer): 222 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/honda-accord): 193 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/jeep-wrangler): 143 complaints - [Nissan Rogue](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/nissan-rogue): 140 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/chrysler-pacifica): 139 complaints - [Kia Sorento](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-sorento): 138 complaints - [Jeep Compass](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/jeep-compass): 112 complaints - [Kia Soul](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-soul): 110 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/coolant-temperature/hyundai-santa-fe Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.