unsafe "Driver Attention Warning (DAW) system" the Smart Sense safety
Subject: Critical Safety Concern – Smart Cruise Control Malfunction in 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
Dear Hyundai Team,
I’m a loyal Hyundai owner with two of your vehicles—a 2023 Palisade, which has been exceptional in every way, and a 2025 Santa Fe, which I also admire. However, I’ve encountered a serious safety flaw in the Santa Fe’s Smart Cruise Control (SCC) system that demands immediate attention.
The issue centers around the Driver Attention Warning (DAW) system and its interaction with SCC when sunglasses are worn. Despite the presence of a setting to disable DAW, it does not function properly. Even when disabled, the system continues to disengage cruise control based on perceived driver inattention—triggered solely by the use of sunglasses.
Through extensive testing with various lens colors and transmission levels, I discovered that lightly tinted brown lenses allow the system to function intermittently. However, changes in ambient light—caused by cloud cover, directional shifts, or passing through shadows—still result in sudden disengagement of SCC. The accompanying warning sound is subtle and easily missed, making this behavior extremely hazardous.
One incident in particular highlights the gravity of this flaw. While driving from a northern dealership to my home in Florida, I was traveling through Atlanta, Georgia, on a six-lane highway. I was in lane four, surrounded by vehicles moving at approximately 67 mph, many of them following closely. As the road curved and the sun angle shifted, SCC disengaged abruptly. My vehicle began to decelerate without warning, and I heard the tires of the car behind me screeching. I immediately accelerated manually and narrowly avoided a collision—by mere feet. Had I not reacted instantly, this could have resulted in a multi-vehicle accident with serious injuries or fatalities.
I’ve experienced another similar incident, which I won’t detail here for brevity. I’ve given Hyundai time to address this issue, but that window has now closed. If I do not receive a response with a clear plan to resolve this problem within the next two weeks, I will report both incidents to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
A straightforward and effective fix would be to correct the software so that disabling DAW in the settings fully prevents it from interfering with SCC. If left unresolved, this defect could lead to serious harm and pose significant liability and reputational risk for Hyundai.
I want to reiterate my appreciation for your vehicles. The Palisade has been outstanding, and the Santa Fe has the potential to be just as impressive—provided this critical safety issue is addressed.
Sincerely,
John Chambers, retired USAF test pilot
F16chambers@gmail.com
904-420-7414
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