2020 Hyundai Santa Fe: won't start

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Engine · MI

The vehicle (2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2.0T, ~88,500 miles) experienced a sudden engine failure with no warning signs—no oil light, knocking, or overheating. After sitting overnight, the vehicle would not start and was later diagnosed by an independent repair facility as having a seized engine requiring replacement. The failure was unexpected and creates a potential safety risk, as it could have resulted in a loss of power while driving. The manufacturer has been notified but denied warranty assistance due to lack of maintenance documentation. The vehicle is currently available for inspection.

Filed Sep 27, 2025 · Engine · OH

On [XXX}, my 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL 2.0T (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced sudden complete engine failure accompanied by a strong burning smell. The vehicle would not start or turn over, stranding me and creating a safety hazard. The burning smell indicated potential fire risk. This appears to be related to the known Theta II engine defect that has caused multiple recalls and engine fires in Hyundai vehicles. Despite dealer confirmation that the engine was clean and well-maintained with no customer fault, Hyundai has denied warranty coverage. The sudden failure pattern with burning odor represents a serious safety defect that could endanger drivers and passengers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 28, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · MA

*Problem Parts:I only could check 1 box- should be Brakes and Steering too *ADAS: Lane Keeping Assistance too Over the course of two days, my 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe experienced a serious electrical and safety system failure. It started with the blind spot monitoring lights flickering in the side mirrors and warnings for Forward Collision Avoidance (disabled), ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Downhill Brake Control, Parking Brake & Brake Fluid (blinking red). The rearview camera failed and the screen remained on the radio display when in reverse. The Lane Keeping Assist Indicator shifted from white/green to orange. The next morning, I had trouble opening the vehicle with the key fob. Auto Hold, Master Warning, Forward Collision, ESC, and Downhill Brake Control lights were now steadily on. The MPH numbers on the dash were blurred, and a message appeared saying “Put in P” even though the vehicle was already parked. The accessories light came on, but the engine would not start. Interior lights continued to work. I had to manually open the car and start it by pressing the fob to the button. While trying to exit a parking garage (where a tow truck couldn’t reach me), more warnings appeared: AWD, Low Tire Pressure, Malfunction Indicator (not engine), and Power Steering. I felt tightness in the wheel and had to pull over. The temp and gas gauges dropped to zero along with the RPMs. I have a newer car battery and recently replaced fob batteries, so this was not a simple battery failure. I’ve reported the issue to Hyundai Consumer Affairs. No recall appears under my VIN, despite similar failures being widely reported in this model. I’m a single parent who typically drives with two young children, including one with serious medical needs. I rely heavily on this vehicle for medical travel. The vehicle has since been towed to a Hyundai dealership for diagnostics. This is a serious safety concern and could have led to a loss of control or failure in an emergency situation

Filed Nov 25, 2024 · Engine · NC

While driving down the highway my car started slowing down and would not accelerate. All the lights came up on the dash board and would not let me accelerate. I had to merge 2 lanes to the shoulder on a busy highway where my car ended up dying and would not turn over. I was concerned for my safety and the speed limit was 70MPH and my car rapidly went down. After 5 minutes my car came back on and then immediately stopped working again. I had my car towed to the local Hyundai dealer where they said I would need a new engine on a 4 year old car. My make and model are in the recall for engine issues but my VIN # was not included. I spoke to Hyundai a few times and they stated there was nothing they can do and we needed to pay for the new engine.

Filed Apr 19, 2023 · Transmission · IL

Purchased my 2020 Santa Fe august 1st 2020. Mother’s Day of 2021 I was driving to Menards for a plant. I was going 40 mph on a street and braked too slow down to go on a ramp that was 25mph. Traffic appeared and I was stopped completely. I have the “auto” stop on and it would not start back up. I had to put my car in park, turn it off and turn it back on in the middle of traffic. So scary. And this happens monthly now, since august 2021.

Filed Dec 23, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · VA

As I was driving on the highway, the engine oil light came on. As I was trying to safely get off highway, the engine light came on. The engine stopped operating, but I was able to coast to a safe spot off highway. Car would not start after that. Towed to dealership. Noticeable oil was on the flat bed. Have not received update on vehicle from the dealership. Car is available for inspection. The safety of me and my family were are risk due to not being able to accelerate on the highway. Oil light came on first. 5 minutes later engine light came on. DTC P123600 appeared in my Hyundai app. Car is owned by me and my wife (Jennifer Reardon)

Filed May 12, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 4,900 miles · FL

New 2020 santafe took delivery on january 4th, 2021, with less than 5000 miles on march 21st the vehicle refuse to start after it was started and shut off while we were sitting in a parking lot. While attempting to start it getting forward collusion warning but the engine would not crank. Towed to the local dealer was told they cannot diagnose the car because they could not read the onboard computer, unable to say what's wrong. The car was towed back to the dealer where purchase and was told it was a blown fuse maybe lighting strike and other theories what's wrong. The dealer would replace the fuse and computer after 52 days the care is still at the dealer waiting on parts. Total electrical failure with no recourse at the moment, hyundai motor of america consumer affairs wants us to sign a settlement agreement to refund our expenses and have not fixed or replaced the car. The manufacture is totally dragging their feet and denying the car suffer a total electrical failure, while the battery was still in working condition according to aaa.

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.

Filed Aug 27, 2020 · Electrical · 4,918 miles · VA

Brake has been sticking last couple of weeks so that I had to pump brake to release to start. This morning I went out to the driveway and could not get into car with either remote or by using blue link on my phone. I used the manual key but could not release any other doors or lift gate. No lights, hazards, radio no nothing. I have had a few dead batteries and never had a car that dead overnight. I drove home from work previous night and I was outside after dark next to my car, no lights left on. I called roadside assistance, first guy said he thought there was a short, parking brake would not release and car still did not start. A different tow truck had to come with dollies and it was towed to the dealer. Dealer said it was a dead battery at 4918 miles! Thankfully I was at home and the heat index was not at 105 degrees yet for the day.