Four powertrains, eight recalls, and a hybrid file that is almost entirely one sentence: check hybrid system, stop safely.

The plain 2.5-litre four has one recurring fault and Hyundai documents it precisely: "some vehicles equipped with a 2.5L GDI Theta III engine (non-Turbo) may exhibit one or more misfire codes due to the GDI fuel injectors leaking internally. This may be caused by internal filter breakage in the injector. Follow the procedure in this TSB to replace all 4 injectors." A TSB is a Technical Service Bulletin, the fix instructions a manufacturer sends its dealers. The bulletin's own scope is 2021 to 2022 Santa Fe. What that looks like from the driver's seat is in this file: "In November 2025, my 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe began to hesitate when accelerating and would almost [stall]." And at its worst: "Fuel injector failed [and took] the entire engine on my 2022 Santa Fe — had to be completely replaced. The dealership put in a new engine." Another owner lists "three fuel injector system failures" alongside two transmission failures on one car. Because the fix is all four injectors, ask when they were last done and whether it was done as a set.

On the 2.5 turbo, the transmission is the risk rather than the engine. Recall 22V746 covers 2021–2022 Santa Fe: the "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power. Dealers inspect and replace the transmission as necessary and update the control software, free. Hyundai's internal number is 236, and a follow-up bulletin points straight at it — the procedure "applies only if Recall 236 or Service Campaign T8N has been performed and the 8 speed wet dual clutch transmission replacement is necessary" due to high-pressure electric oil pump codes P1C2D03, P193B79 or P0868. Owners describe both the symptom and the aftermath: "2022 Hyundai Santa Fe 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, specifically the transmission oil pump or hydraulic pressure s[ensor]"; "the transmission warning symptoms first appeared on March 9, including a transmission warning light, delayed gear engagement, slipping gears." Hyundai's other bulletins on this gearbox cover judder — a control unit update revising "touch point learning variation, improving drivability and judder symptoms," with some units getting "an updated clutch spring" — and preventing "moisture intrusion of the HP EOP connector," which causes "corrosion and insufficient connection of the terminals." A mechanic reviewing this powertrain calls the gearbox "a problem waiting to happen" in a daily driver, while conceding it shifts beautifully once moving.

Specific to 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz: the oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment. Oil onto hot exhaust components is a fire. Dealers replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe free, and owner letters went out in May 2022. A community teardown of this generation independently names it — "some 2022 models equipped with 2.5 T engine have been recalled in the U.S. because the turbo oil feed tube may be cracked at the fitting on the turbo" — which matches the campaign exactly. Also still live on the turbo: 21V524, fuel leaking at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and the fuel rail.

Plug-in hybrids only: the fuel tank on certain 2022 Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid vehicles may have been improperly molded, which can result in a fuel leak, and a fuel leak near an ignition source is a fire risk. Dealers inspect and replace the tank as necessary, free; owner letters went out in March 2023. The complaint that most likely sits behind it is stark: a new car, 1,100 miles old, "started leaking gasoline on garage floor, street and driveway at rate of approx one drop every two seconds," with the owner unable to get a service appointment for three weeks. If you are looking at a 2022 plug-in, this is the first VIN check to run.

One of the most-repeated complaints across 2021 to 2023, and the answer is unusually good. "On my vehicle I've had to have the horn replaced at least three times. Paying about $500 for the last two instances." Hyundai's bulletin names the population and the cause: "certain 2021 – 2023 model year Santa Fe, 2021 – 2023 model year Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2022 – 2023 model year Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid vehicles may experience an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize." And the remedy: "Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this condition to 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date of original ret[ail delivery]." Any owner who paid for one out of pocket should be asking about that. Press the horn on the test drive.

Three more recalls, all free, all easy to leave undone. 24V879: a damaged printed circuit board means the rearview camera image may fail to display, a federal rear-visibility standard failure; dealers replace the camera. Owners describe "the rearview camera went completely w[hite]" and "a green screen instead of the camera view." 21V00K: on 2022 Santa Fe HEV and PHEV, the instrument cluster's LCD may invert the image at startup, making the display illegible so you cannot read your speed or safety warnings; dealers replace the cluster. 22V816: on the hybrid and plug-in, the front seat belt pretensioners may explode on deployment and project metal fragments into the cabin; dealers secure them with a cap. And 23V181, the tow hitch harness fire recall, applies here as it does across 2019 to 2023 wherever a hitch harness was fitted.

Three complaint-file patterns with no bulletin behind them. Phantom automatic emergency braking recurs across gas and hybrid: "on multiple occasions while driving on the highway using cruise control, the automatic emergency braking has engaged for no apparent reason"; "I was driving safely and was not at risk of a collision. The car slowed slightly." The panoramic sunroof shatters spontaneously: "the panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded... the roof was not hit by a rock or any other item"; "the roof spontaneously exploded, sending glass particles throughout the inside of the car" at 70 mph with the roof tilted open. Hyundai's sunroof glass warranty extension does not reach this generation, so that is a comprehensive-insurance item. And a single but alarming report: "While driving to work, the rear driver-side window suddenly fell down into the door without warning. The power window/regulator system appears to [have failed]."