My 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy has experienced transmission problems since it was new and currently has approximately 20,000 miles. I brought it to the dealership approximately three to four times for these concerns, but I was told they could not find a problem or any diagnostic codes. Recently, while driving on the highway, the vehicle lost power and would not accelerate even with the accelerator pedal pressed all the way down. I had to pull over to the side of the highway. Without turning off the engine, I shifted into Park and then back into Drive. The vehicle began moving again, but the transmission continued slipping. On [XXX] I brought the vehicle to Key Hyundai of Manchester for scheduled maintenance and again reported the recurring transmission problems. The dealership requested a diagnostic fee of more than $200, which I declined because I had repeatedly reported this problem since the vehicle was new. They completed the scheduled maintenance without performing the requested transmission diagnosis. After leaving the dealership that same day, the vehicle repeatedly malfunctioned while I was driving, and the check engine light came on. I returned to the dealership. A scan showed three fault codes related to the transmission, clutch, and a sensor. I asked to leave the vehicle and receive a loaner because I feared another loss of power on the highway could cause a rear-end collision. I was told the person who could authorize a loaner had left for an appointment, could not be contacted, and that I should return Monday. On [XXX], I called and spoke with Anthony, whom I was told was in charge. He told me I needed to bring the vehicle in and would have to join a waiting list for a loaner. On [XXX], I brought the vehicle back, and it is currently at the dealership being evaluated. My primary concern is safety: recurring transmission slipping and a loss of acceleration that left me unable to maintain speed on the highway. IINFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe: check engine light
15 of the 216 complaints about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe describe check engine light.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- recalls
- 0
Check engine light by model year
What owners say
I own a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD equipped with the 2.5L turbo engine and 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. At approximately 39,900 miles, the check-engine light illuminated. Hyundai Bluelink diagnostics reported powertrain/TCU diagnostic trouble code P1C2D03, identified as a high-pressure electric oil pump motor position sensor fault. I am concerned because this same diagnostic trouble code and high-pressure electric oil pump/transmission issue was associated with Hyundai Safety Recall 236 (the federal safety agency Recall 22V746) involving certain earlier Santa Fe model years. Hyundai's recall documentation described the possibility of the transmission high-pressure electric oil pump malfunctioning and causing loss of motive power while driving. My vehicle is a 2023 model and therefore was not included in that earlier recall, but Hyundai has subsequently issued technical service information covering 2021–2023 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with the 2.5T engine and 8-speed wet DCT, including vehicles displaying DTC P1C2D03. The current Hyundai service procedure indicates that affected vehicles may require transmission replacement. I have stopped driving the vehicle because of my concern about a possible loss of propulsion and have scheduled an appointment with a Hyundai dealership for diagnosis. At this time, I have not experienced a loss of motive power or an accident. I am reporting the issue because a 2023 vehicle outside the original recall population is displaying the same fault code associated with the previously recalled transmission condition. I believe the federal safety agency should evaluate whether the affected population should include additional model years.
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving and decelerating to approximately 10 MPH onto an exit ramp, the vehicle suddenly stalled and failed to restart. The contact noticed that there was blue smoke coming from the exhaust pipes, and several unknown warning lights and messages illuminated, including the Check Engine warning light. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that a fuel injector had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 35,652.
While running errands around town, I noticed my 2023 Sante Fe 2.5T was sluggish shifting out of first gear into second. The RPMS revved to about 3K before the transmission shifted into 2nd. I didn't notice any problem shifting into 3rd and above. I drove to a gas station for fuel and shut off my car. When I started it and began to drive, I received an immediate warning to take the car to a dealer and the check engine light came on. The car had the same problem getting out of 1st gear at each of the traffic signals I got caught at on my way to the dealership about 2 miles away. The following day, the service department contacted me and determined I needed a new transmission due to the failure of the Dual Clutch electric high pressure oil pump in the transmission. They submitted a parts request and Hyundai approved a refurbished DCT warranty replacement. The transmission only has 50200 miles on it I am second owner but the car was a CPO so I have full warranty coverage. I was given a loaner under Hyundai' warranty provisions. My main concern is that although this vehicle is a 2023 Sante Fe, it was put in service around August of 2022 and would therefore have the same transmission as the 2021 and 2022s covered under Hyundai recall 236, but this has yet to be acknowledged as far as I know. Please investigate my situation and consider further requirements of Hyundai! Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Two unsafe scenarios in past two months: 1) Driving 80 mph, engine misfire, vehicle will not accelerate past 1 rpm, had to drive home from out of town with very slow acceleration, dangerous to not be able to accelerate efficiently on highways 2) Driving 55 mph, all driver safety systems malfunction, accelaration completely disabled, had to coast to safe stopping point. Restarted vehicle and could drive home with check engine light on, incredibly dangerous for car to lose all ability to accelerate in the middle of a highway.
Component/System Failure: The electronic throttle control system malfunctioned. The vehicle is reporting powertrain diagnostic trouble codes P2118 and P2101 through the Hyundai manufacturer mobile application (Bluelink), indicating an electronic throttle actuator / throttle control motor issue. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This malfunction poses a safety risk because it can cause sudden loss of throttle response, reduced engine power (limp mode), or stalling while driving. Loss of throttle control increases the risk of a crash, especially in traffic or at intersections. Reproduction / Confirmation: The issue is ongoing. The check engine light remains illuminated and the fault codes continue to be displayed in the Hyundai mobile application. The problem has not yet been diagnosed by a dealership due to lack of immediate service availability. Inspections Performed: The vehicle has not yet been inspected by a Hyundai dealership or the manufacturer due to delayed service appointments. No inspections have been performed by police or insurance representatives. Warning Indicators / Symptoms: The check engine light illuminated and remains on. Diagnostic trouble codes P2118 and P2101 are displayed in the Hyundai mobile application. The warning light first appeared in late January 2026. Current Vehicle Condition: The vehicle is considered unsafe to drive due to the active electronic throttle control fault and risk of sudden loss of power.
Fuel injectors are bad. The car misfires, I smell gas, runs rough. They fixed one the second week of December 2025. I had the same symptoms when my light came on again on December 23,2025, they said they couldn’t find anything and gave me the car back. On January 3, my engine light came on again, I had warnings sent to my email and phone app about potential engine failures they said today ( 1/6/26) that it was another fuel injector and was told they would not replace the rest until they went out. When I asked them how safe I would be on an upcoming trip, I was told to just check the car every day before I go!
Engine died suddenly at various speeds and a beeping alarm was activated along with the Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine), Engine Oil Pressure, and Charging System warning lights on the instrument panel. The instrument panel also read, "Engine off! Shift to N, then start engine”. The car must then be coasted off the road to safety. When the car was brought to a stop, the Parking Brake and Brake Fluid warning light was illuminated alongside the other warning lights on the instrument panel. The instrument panel also showed that the car was in Neutral; none of the gear shift buttons were operable. Pressing the start/stop engine button restarted the car, removed all alarms and warning lights, and the car operated normally until the next occurrence. This scenario occurred five times: 4.05.25, 4.15.25 (twice), 4.22.25, and 5.28.25. The odometer readings were 12,250, 12421 and 12,425, 12,454, and 12,976, respectively. I have videos or photos of the instrument panel for all events but the first one, frightened as I was by that initial experience. The car was taken to Hyundai of North Charleston (HONC) for analysis 3 times: 4.16.25, 04.22.25, and 5.29.25. On 4.16.2025 the service advisor told me that they found 2 diagnostic codes, one of which related to the front radar, so it was replaced. I picked the car up on 4.22.25 and drove less than 3 miles when the problem recurred. I immediately returned to HONC. On this visit the front upper camera was replaced. My car was at HONC for 3 weeks waiting on the part and completing the installation. The problem reoccurred on 5.28.25 and the car was taken to HONC on 5.29.25 for inspection. On 5.30.25 the service advisor told me they didn't find any diagnostic codes and could not replicate the problem. The advisor said I could leave the car at HONC or they could "release" to me. I picked the car up on 5.31.25. Afraid to drive the car now, its use has been limited to necessary local trips on roads that have pullover access.
Driving at a low speed and blind spot warning light comes on, then all warnings light up and car loses all power and goes into limp mode. Engine light stays on, but will start back up after it is shut off, open and shut car door and restart. Engine light stays on. Has happened to me three or four times. In the past, the engine light will eventually go off before I can get it to the dealership. Hyundai said they couldn’t duplicate the problem last time it was taken in, so nothing could be done. Gives error code P063512 each time and says EMS which I assume means emissions.
Several times lately of extended crank. Saturday evening, car had been parked for 4 hours, did remote start and had extended crank of about 2 seconds. Car ran for about 3 minutes before we left. We left home and hit main road, tried to accelerate and vehicle seemed to go into limp mode. Would keep cutting the fuel out if tried to accelerate even above 40 mph. No check engine light came on. Put in neutral, could not get above about 3500 rpm. Vehicle was in smart mode where decides which mode to be in (normal, fuel economy or sport), when would try to accelerate it would try to change to sport as it knew power was not there. Was on a 6 lane highway and could not get up to speed. Finally was able to pull to side of road, shut engine off, waited a few seconds, restarted and issue went away, still no check engine light. I have contacted my local dealer, they said they have seen on another vehicle, was not sure of outcome, having service manager call me. Lots of complaints online forums of similar issues.
This same scenario has happened 3 times since I purchased this vehicle - first event at mileage of 6273, 2nd event @ 7586 miles, and 3rd event @ 12,506 miles. All events were the same - while driving, dash board light start to flash and the vehicle looses all ability to accelerate. For each event, we have been able to coast out of traffic, turn the car off & restart. Once the car is restarted the acceleration works again, but the check engine light remains on along with an error code of P065312 Possible Power Train Issue. We have been very fortunate each time that we were on a road where we were able to coast out of traffic, but if this happened on a busy Interstate or Hwy traveling at high speeds we could have been rear-ended. The vehicle has been to the dealership twice for service and no problems have been found. The vehicle will be returned to the dealership tomorrow for 3rd service attempt.
When traveling along the front collision warning system is triggered even though nothing is around the vehicle. The car remains running, but there is no response from the gas pedal. I have to coast to the side if possible or stop and turn on flashers (very dangerous on interstate highway). Once safely stopped, turning off the car and then starting again reboots the system and it runs fine until it happens again randomly. The check engine light stays on for a day, but does not light up the next morning. The dealership does diagnostics, but nothing shows up as wrong. It happens so fast there is no way to take a picture or video before the warning disappears. So far I have been lucky as this has happened at least 6 times. It is dangerous and I am terrified someone will not see flashers and run into me at highway speeds.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- Difficulty starting in cold weather
- DTCs P218100, P2181F0, and/or P2181F1 (Cooling System Performance) set in the Electronic Control Unit...
- This bulletin provides the procedure to update the Engine Control Module (ECM) and the Transmission...
- Warning lamp illumination for a diagnostic trouble code P2181 that is related to the Integrated Thermal...
- Been produced with a damaged oil level sensor during assembly
- This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe check engine light
Is check engine light a common problem on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?
15 of 216 owner complaints about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe (7%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?
There are 0 recalls and 9 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
Sunroof shattered 20Adaptive cruise 12Loss of power 11Stalling 11Collision warning 9Engine failure 9Won't shift 9ABS 8Transmission failure 7Jerking 6Shudder 6Brake failure 5Fire or smoke 5Hesitation 5Slipping 5
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