general problems of the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

19 problems related to power train have been reported for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe based on all problems reported for the 2020 Santa Fe.

1 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/29/2026

I was driving on the road and all of the sudden my car went limp and would only move 45 miles per hour. I took it to the dealer which I have lifetime powertran on my car. It has been there for over a month at the dealer. They asked me to provide all oil changes,services, and registrations. I did that and then fidelity asked them to tear down the engine again to see if I had carbon build up. Then after the dealer did that they ask the dealer to tear the motor down even further to see if the exhaust valve was bad and if it was bad they would not replace my motor. My car consumed so much oil that I was changing my oil so often. I have been renting a car just to get back and forth to work. In my contract it says that the exhaust valve is covered under my lifetime powertran. I feel like Hyundai and fidelity are giving me the run around. I took very good care of my car and I have shown that. Hyundai has had alot of problem with there motors with the oil consumption and motors just going limp. I feel I will never buy a Hyundai again. I am losing money everyday because of the dealer and fidelity. I need the motor replaced and it was no abuse on my part I took care of my car. I want fidelity to tell me how I abuse the exhaust valve. I did my oil changes and took care of my car. I am still paying on my Hyundai and can't afford another car. I have alot of medical bills that I pay. Any help would be great. Sincerely [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

2 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/30/2025

I had been driving about 1. 5 hours when I exited the interstate and the car engine shut off at a traffic light. When I shifted the car into park and tried to restart the car, smoke filled the cabin. Unbeknownst to me, an oil leak occurred while driving. No warning lights or other indicators that anything was awry. I had the vehicle towed to the nearest Hyundai dealer. Though the SUV is under warranty, they say the oil leak was caused by improper oil plug installation at the last oil change. The oil leak caused the motor to seize and the resulting damage is in excess of $10,000. Hyundai says the warranty won't cover this as it is a service issue. Jiffy lube says their technician did nothing incorrect and they won't take responsibility for the repairs.

3 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/20/2025

Transmission issues with dtc light coming on, dealership did software update which did not resolve the problem. Transmission has rough shift and shuddering. Dealership is recommending complete transmission replacement.

4 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/14/2025

Maintenance has been maintained on this SUV. SUV has about 20,000 miles. While at a complete stop at stop light, the SUV jerked a few times and when attempting to drive the accelerator pedal the SUV would not respond. I then put in park then back in drive slow acceleration, was able to pull over. After turning SUV off and waiting a few minutes , turned SUV back on engine light is on. Home is 10min. Away, engine light is on and acceleration sucks. By time I park the engine light is off. Wait 2 hrs. Drive around the block no light acceleration is off. Dealership is not helpful no engine lights can 0914not tell what is wrong with SUV. Its has been a week no engine light but acceleration still fill off.

5 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/04/2025

2020 santafe limited awd with ~81200 miles. This is the 3rd or 4th time the p07410 code pops up with the engine check light. Hyundai said they found no issues and cleared the code, again. There was once when the code came up and it cleared itself after 50 miles. Not sure exactly what the cause is and Hyundai is saying "there is nothing wrong". Most recent occurrence sept. 4. 2025.

6 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/02/2025

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.

7 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/14/2025

High utilization of motor oil. Using 1 quart of oil every 300miles. Hyundai dealership (gurnee Hyundai-illinois) completed a "combustion system cleaning" but oil consumption continues unabated. Getting run-around from dealership and manufacturer. I am original owner. Care has 87k miles.

8 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/17/2024

First of all the transmission locked up at 97,423 miles when I was on my way to work. It took almost a month to get this fixed under warranty. I bought the vehicle in 2021 with 55 miles on it. Now at 164,000 it has to have a new motor. It has burnt more than a quart of oil every week for the last 2 years. I have had it to the dealership multiple times to be checked and never got a response as to why it was burning oil. Then in December of 2024 I was on my way to work and the vehicle was struggling to go. I would push the gas and it would go a little but as soon as I let off the gas it would stop running. Took it to the mechanic recently (due to other issues) and was told that it is only running on 3 cylinders. Also that in order for it to stop burning 2 quarts of oil a week that the pistons needed replaced. Mechanic stated it would be cheaper and better with the other issue to replace the whole motor.

9 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/14/2023

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.

10 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/07/2023

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

11 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/15/2023

I got flashing check engine light in my 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe 2. 0t. My car won’t rev beyond 2000rpm when it happened. Blue link app and car’s infotainment notified of p1326 error. It is available for inspection. I was turning left in a yield on green light, I was at risk when my car stuttered and won’t rev beyond 2000rpm. I contacted my local dealer, they said they can’t take my car even for diagnosis due to no appointment availability till June 1st week. I was able to get hold of another dealer who can take my car in this Friday itself. Hyundai roadside assistance said they will only tow vehicle to my local dealer and I would have to pay for tow charges if I go to any other dealer. They can’t provide me loaner car at all. My insurance said they won’t provide rental car unless it is an accident. My vehicle has not been inspected by anyone yet. Based on my initial research there has been class action lawsuit against Hyundai on theta ii 2. 0t engines but it only covers till 2019 model. I received flashing check engine light warning in my dashboard and app notification in bluelink about ecm fault dtc p1326. I was driving vehicle normally without any issues on engine before this happend.

12 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/03/2023

Vehicle not moving transmisión fail after u turn off the engine it will work again oil leak by bolt in the oil pan.

13 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/23/2023

La guagua a tenido problemas con el tren delantero. Comenzó con un sonido en el guía. La Hyundai le reparo esa pieza y luego continuó con el mismo ruido. Ahora tienen que cambiarle el rack and piñogn. Mi guagua tiene solo 19,750 millas creo que vino mala DE fábrica.

14 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/23/2022

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that he shifted to park(p), turned off, and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure had recurred 5 times while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the immobilizer warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 30,595.

15 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/21/2022

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).

16 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/27/2022

On 07/12/2020 my 2020 Santa Fe slipped out of park while in garage. It rolled backward until it hit neighbor's porch damaging my tailgate and tail light. It was taken to Hyundai dealership and they said they could not replicate the problem. On about 08/28/22 the next incident was the transmission slipped down into low gear and would not go over 40 mph. Again the dealer cannot replicate and the car is still at he dealer.

17 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/09/2021

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.

18 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/21/2021

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.

19 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 02/14/2021

When stopped at a traffic light and the auto engine turn off kicks in as expected with my foot on the brake pedal. However, the behavior is very erratic when I release my foot from the brake. Sometimes the vehicle jumps aggressively without me applying any acceleration and sometimes the engine just starts and the vehicle does not move until I apply some acceleration. I almost rear ended the cars infront of me few times. I got way too skeptical and began turning off the auto turn off feature when I get into my car.


Other Power Train related problems of the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe


Santa Fe Service Bulletins
Santa Fe Safety Recalls
Santa Fe Defect Investigations