The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly lost power and decelerated to 30 MPH. While in heavy traffic, the contact pulled over to the side of the road, waited for the battery to charge, and drove to the dealer at a slow speed. The dealer inspected the vehicle and associated the failure with low ethanol and heavy contaminants in the fuel. The fuel pump was replaced, and a fuel injector service was performed, but 30 days later the failure reoccurred. The high-pressure fuel pump and the high-pressure fuel pump sensor were replaced and repaired. The contact stated that several days after the repair, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the same dealer, and the contact was informed of a catalytic converter failure caused by the contaminated fuel. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 14,362.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid fuel pump problems
10 of the 286 owner complaints about the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid describe fuel pump failure, most of them for the 2025 model year.
- owner complaints
- 10
- worst model year
- 2025
By model year
- 20258
- 20241
- 20221
Often reported together
Loss of power 5Check engine light 4Won't shift 3Battery drain 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P0191 1
What owners say
While driving at freeway speeds in normal traffic conditions, the vehicle experienced a sudden, complete loss of motive power and rapid deceleration. The accelerator pedal became entirely unresponsive. No warning messages, check engine lights, or diagnostic indicators appeared on the dashboard during or immediately after the failure leaving me blind to the vehicle's state. This loss of propulsion on a high-speed live freeway created an immediate, extreme safety hazard, forcing an emergency maneuver across active lanes of traffic without predictable vehicle control. Component or System: Engine / Powertrain / Fuel System (High-Pressure Fuel Pump / Fuel Rail Sensor) Recurring / Prior History: This is a severe, recurring safety defect. The exact same highway power loss and deceleration event occurred last month. The vehicle was brought to an authorized Hyundai dealership where a repair was allegedly completed on 9/11/2026. However, that repair failed to address the root cause, and the dangerous failure has now repeated itself. The lack of a dashboard warning light masks a systemic component failure (strongly suspected to be the high-pressure fuel pump or associated pressure sensors failing to maintain adequate rail pressure under load
On September 28, 2026, my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid (49,682 miles) experienced a second sudden loss of propulsion while driving on the highway. The vehicle would not accelerate normally, the hybrid battery gauge dropped to a very low level, and the dashboard displayed a warning instructing me to stop the vehicle and leave the engine running to recharge the battery. I pulled over and waited with the engine running until the battery recharged sufficiently to drive to the dealership. This was the SECOND occurrence of a dangerous loss-of-propulsion problem. On August 21, 2026, while driving approximately 70 mph on I-75, the engine RPM increased dramatically despite the vehicle slowing down, as though the transmission had shifted into Neutral. There were no warning lights. The vehicle slowed to a stop and required towing to Hyundai of Kennesaw. Following the first incident, the dealership identified diagnostic code P0191 and replaced the fuel-rail pressure sensor under warranty. However, the September 28 failure occurred despite that repair. During the second dealership visit, technicians again identified P0191, confirmed the previously replaced sensor was functioning properly, and reproduced the problem during a road test. Live diagnostic data showed fuel pressure dropping to low-pressure pump readings. The dealership diagnosed a failing high-pressure fuel pump and replaced it under warranty. I retrieved the vehicle October 7, 2026, after the dealership reported a successful 10–12-mile road test. I am concerned that this repeated, sudden loss of propulsion presents a serious highway safety hazard, particularly because the initial repair did not prevent recurrence. I previously filed an the federal safety agency complaint regarding the August 21 incident.
The car suddenly loses acceleration; the engine still runs and revs to ~3,000 RPM. The car can't drive over 35mph; no check engine light at all. The dealer said a high-pressure fuel pump caused it and replaced it under warranty; after 3 days, the same problem happened again. This is extremely dangerous if the vehicle is on a highway and suddenly loses acceleration. This could be fatal for the driver and other vehicles around it.
I've had this vehicle for 13 months, and it has roughly 13K miles on it. Since 7/3/26, it has been in the service department at Hyundai of Noblesville on three separate occasions. This all started on 7/3/26 when we were driving on the interstate and out of nowhere the vehicle lost critical power and would not go more than 20 MPH. There was some kind of warning message that momentarily popped up but then disappeared. We were so rattled, we didn't get a chance to take notice of what it said. It was towed to the dealership and they said they cleared the codes and drove it a little and the problem was resolved. It was driving OK and then on 7/15/26, we had just got onto the interstate and there was a sudden loss of power AGAIN. We had it towed to the dealership. They replaced the high pressure fuel pump and assured us that the problem was resolved. Then on 8/29/26, the same thing happened again on the interstate--critical loss of power. Had it towed to the dealership again. This morning, they say that it is the fuel pump railings that are the issue. I have placed a formal Hyundai Corporate Case and I am notifying you of this safety issue which presents major risk to the safety of anyone in the car.
While driving on the freeway at approx 65mph, the car suddenly starting de-celerating and forced me to pull over to emergency shoulder/lane and try to determine the cause. The car is a "Hybrid" and the dashboard stated to put car in Park and Idle the Engine over 2000rpm to charge up the Battery. ( i still don't know which Battery they were speaking of...Engine Battery or Hybrid Battery) I sat there Idling the Engine for 15 minutes and slowly proceeded to get off the freeway and limped the car back to my home. I then called my selling Hyundai Dealer, as the car was still in warranty, and told them of my sudden problem and asking them what could it be??? They said they did not know until they saw the car and tested it with their computer equipment...please have it towed into their shop. So i did and 2 days later they called to say..NO Computer Codes showed any problem. They could not duplicate problem. I said ..."look on the internet...many people have reported sudden lack of power and limp mode activation....all pointing to the High Pressure GDI Fuel Pump Assy failure". Dealer said ..Oh..thanks we will look into that. 5 hours later Dealer called and said I was right, we replaced the Fuel Pump and come pick up the car. 4 months later and 6,000 miles later car is performing normally. I felt compelled to come forward to discuss this part failure as this incident on the freeway could have turned into a tragedy. Thank you
Original letter to Hyundai below. The car is currently at a dealer again for repair of the same issue. Fuel pump replaced in Nov 2025 but issue has returned in March 2026. Videos of the issue recently occurring are available. Good morning, We had our 2024 Santa Fe Hybrid lose power while merging onto the freeway in November 2025. I was pressing the accelerator and it did not do anything, just kept rapidly decelerating. Pulled the car to the shoulder and turned it off completely and back on, and the car started up with the engine running which was unusual- typically the car starts up in silent electric mode. It would not accelerate past a few miles per hour. This has now happened on multiple occasions, disappearing for a few days only to return. It has gotten very dangerous to lose speed and acceleration into a busy freeway and almost caused an accident yesterday. We were thankfully close to a dealer (Glassman Hyundai in Southfield, MI) and were able to limp it a mile down the shoulder at low speed to drop it off. However, they are telling us they have no loaners available to provide us which seems unacceptable with a car under warranty with 18k miles on it. Is there anything you’re able to do to assist? Are there any known fixes for the issue that can be reported to the dealer? Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle went in to limp mode in the middle of driving. Would not accelerate past 30mph. Was able to turn around and pull in to a neighborhood when the vehicle stopped responding altogether and had an additional warning about letting the engine recharge the hybrid system. Restarting the car got it home. This would have been extremely dangerous had it happened on the highway, at highway speeds. Dealership replaced the high pressure fuel pump. Got it back yesterday, we will see if that fixes it.
My 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has experienced repeated, dangerously abrupt power loss while driving at highway speeds, causing the vehicle to go into "limp mode" without any warning or prior indication. This safety hazard occurred on three separate occasions: First Incident: 7/29/25; Mileage: 9,205. Situation: While traveling at 70 MPH on the interstate, the vehicle suddenly decelerated to 35 MPH and entered "limp mode" without any warning lights or notifications. Dealer Repair: Replaced ignition coil assembly (Parts: 27301R1H, 27301-2M417). Second Incident: 8/27/25; Mileage: 12,898 Situation: While accelerating to 65 MPH on the interstate, the same loss of power and abrupt forced deceleration occurred, again with no warning. This sudden loss of speed created a serious safety hazard for me and other drivers. Dealer Repair: Replaced fuel pump & O Ring Assy-High Pressure (Parts: 35326-2M500, 35305-2m414 LH). Third Incident: 9/25/25; Mileage: 14,830. Situation: Traveling at 70 MPH on the interstate, the car abruptly decelerated, again entering limp mode. This caused surrounding vehicles to swerve to avoid rear-ending me, putting myself and others at risk. Dealer Repair: Replaced High Pressure Sensor (3534202M400), Packing Fuel Pump (31115-0W000), and Fuel Pump and Tube Assy (31119-L1400). In all three cases, there was never any warning light, check engine notification, or app alert before the incident. Hyundai and my dealership confirmed and replicated the issue during each repair. I have reported the vehicle to the Texas DMV, Hyundai and the dealer.These recurring “limp mode” incidents have repeatedly jeopardized my safety, my family’s safety, and the safety of the public due to the sudden, unanticipated loss of power at high speeds. Since the underlying issue persists and has required three separate major repairs, I am fearful for my safety while operating this vehicle and believe it constitutes a serious safety defect needing federal investigation.
vehicle will not change out of EV electric mode and return to gas power causing hybrid battery drains to zero, vehicle loses acceleration, you can push the gas pedal to the floor and you have no acceleration, very UNSAFE when you are in traffic, no power to maneuver or avoid other vehicles quickly if needed, potential for accidents, hybrid system warning lights and alarms go on, have to try and pull over safely, battery will not recharge or takes a very long time to do so, only recourse is to shut vehicle off and restart which seems to reset vehicle, which in turn does not leave any warning lights other than codes on to show dealer, very dangerous to lose all acceleration capacity while in traffic, this has happened multiple times with the latest being today 3/23/25, vehicle is available for you to inspect, have had other powertrain codes issues as well, dealer has replaced fuel pump and erg valve but it does not resolve this hybrid issue, this battery drain issue has occurred multiple times but no resolution, help!
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid fuel pump
Which Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid years have fuel pump failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2025 (8 complaints), 2022 (1 complaints) and 2024 (1 complaints).
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