2020 Hyundai Santa Fe: engine stalls while driving

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Engine · VA

The vehicle is experience severe, progressive engine oil consumption, completely depleting its engine oil below the safe operating limit ("Low" mark on the dipstick) every 500 miles. This creates an imminent risk of sudden engine seizure, catastrophic mechanical failure, and sudden stalling at highway speeds. The authorized dealers (Safford Hyundai Manassas) and corporate case management (Case #43193472) have failed to fix the issue after multiple visits. Furthermore, dealership service staff explicitly instructed me that I must continue operating the vehicle for an additional 1000 miles even if the oil falls below the safe "Low" limit to satisfy corporate test parameters. Forcing a consumer to drive a vehicle with depleted engine oil is a severe safety hazard to myself and other drivers on the road. The manufacturer is also underreporting oil consumption volumes on service invoices to avoid warranty repairs.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Engine · SC

At times the engine will freeze up, stall the car while driving, or the car will altogether turn off when at a stop sign or light, while the car is still on. I've had the oil changed before the mileage indicated expired because the engine light came on and I was told the car had no oil at all when I know the oil was just changed within a 3 months time frame.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Engine · NY

2020 hyundai santa fe sel with 2.4l theta ii engine experiences severe oil consumption and repeated engine stalling during normal operation. The vehicle has a documented history of repeated low-oil conditions despite regular oil service. The problem progressed to the engine repeatedly stalling when returning to idle. When braking to a stop or while stopped at a traffic light or stop sign, the engine may stall unless the driver maintains additional throttle. This creates a safety concern because the engine can shut off during normal traffic operation. The vehicle was presented to centereach hyundai for diagnosis. According to the hyundai service advisor, the dealership found the engine with very little/nearly no engine oil despite the vehicle having traveled less than approximately 500 miles since its most recent oil service/top-off. The hyundai technician reportedly suspects that the engine timing may have jumped and that this condition may be related to the low-oil condition and may explain the engine stalling. Hyundai has directed that an oil-consumption test be performed. The initial oil service/engine-flush procedure has been authorized by the owner at approximately $400. The procedure then contemplates approximately 1,000 miles of additional vehicle operation to measure oil consumption. This creates an additional safety concern because the vehicle being required to accumulate approximately 1,000 miles is the same vehicle that has been reported to repeatedly stall at idle and for which the hyundai technician reportedly suspects a timing problem. The owner has requested that hyundai document whether the vehicle has been evaluated for the stalling condition and whether hyundai considers it appropriate to operate for the required mileage-accumulation test. Hyundai motor america case number: 43164946. Vin: 5nms3cad4lh173916.

Filed Aug 12, 2026 · Transmission · 74,558 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle lunged forward. In addition, the vehicle almost stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact was informed that no fault codes were displayed. The contact was informed that the issues with the vehicle were just a case of bad luck. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure had occurred shortly after the vehicle was repaired under Technical Service Bulletin: 9C2, in May 2026. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 74,558.

Filed Apr 24, 2026 · Engine · MO

I was driving out of the parking garage at work and happened to catch the oil light flicker on and then go off. I immediately drove it to an auto shop where I told them what happened. They looked at the dipstick and there was no oil showing on the dipstick. If I had just written the light off as an oddity I would have driven the car home from work (around 20 miles) and the engine could have stalled at 60mph creating a safety hazard. I have the oil changed regularly (about every 5,000 miles) and have my receipts. My car has around 80,000 miles in it and I’m the original owner. The auto shop said that I would need to take it to the dealership for an oil consumption test. I called and scheduled the appointment immediately and am in the process of having the test completed. The dealership noted a TSB for the issue on the write up and based on my research online this is not an unusual problem. Why have owners not been made aware of this issue? I don’t feel safe driving my car and am frustrated that this seems to be a known issue. There was no oil on the dipstick, no indicator that stayed on indicating an issue.

Filed Dec 20, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Excessive oil consumption under warranty, . Hyundai says its normal consumption within 1,000 miles. engine its doing stalls now.

Filed Nov 25, 2025 · Engine · 94,400 miles · MN · fire · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH onto the ramp, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle stalled and shut off, and the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact was calling for Roadside Assistance and noticed white smoke coming from under the hood. The stated that the smoke then turned dark brown and then black, and then flames appeared under the hood. The contact grabbed several things of value and exited the vehicle and started running. The vehicle was engulfed in flames, and the EDR was destroyed. The contact sustained minor scratches after falling while running away from the vehicle. No medical attention was sought. The Police and Fire Department were called to the scene. The contact stated that a Police report was not filed due to the incident not being related to a crash. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The local dealer where the vehicle was purchased was contacted; however, no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had been purchased two months prior to catching on fire. The vehicle was inspected by the Insurance provider and declared a total loss. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V181000 (TRAILER HITCHES); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 94,400.

Filed Oct 4, 2025 · Engine · KY

Car was burning a significant amount of oil in between oil changes. The driving down the highway the car started missing and almost stalled out at 60 mph almost causing a accident now vehicle will not run properly and is blowing black smoke out of the tailpipe

Filed Jun 8, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CO

Driving vehicle at highway speed, engine RPMs dropped to less than 1500, could not maintain any speed, CEL illuminated. As soon as vehicle was pull to side of road, it would no longer run. It would start, idle roughly then stall out. Vehicle was towed to Mountain Hyundai in Denver. High pressure fuel pump failed, fuel pump in one cylinder failed, fuel was dumped into oil fouling all spark plugs. This is the second high pressure fuel pump failure on this vehicle.

Filed Jul 21, 2023 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving out of the driveway, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated at high speed without warning. Additionally, while in traffic, the vehicle started to stall with a delay while accelerating. The contact attempted to shift into reverse however, the vehicle failed to respond with the transmission warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 35,000.

Filed Jun 7, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

Car stalling and don't move when it's in a complete stop

Filed Jan 12, 2021 · Electrical · 400 miles · NY

Leased a 2020 santa fe on april 24, 2020 and on july 9, 2020 it stalled and all the lights on my dashboard lit up like a christmas tree and after 20 mins. Was able to start it. The dealer said nothing wrong. In august 2020 the car wouldn't start, after a road side assistance jump the dealer said I'm not starting it enough. In october same thing happened I got a new battery from the dealer. In december the same thing happened I got another new battery. They refuse to admit something is drawing power from the battery in the off position. Instead they say I'm not starting the car enough. I start the car 2 to 3 a week.