So as title says, I have the 2025 hybrid. Lowest trim available for the hybrid version. It’s been about 2-3 months since I bought it and it’s been a pleasure to drive for the most part.
Now the actual issue: I can’t seem to unlock my car. The car hasn’t been driven since Thursday evening (and it is Sunday night at time of writing). I try the key fob. A green LED flashes every time I press a button but the car doesn’t respond. I try remote unlock via Bluelink. The request is sent but errors out after a while. I try my digital key on my iPhone and my Apple Watch. No dice. I’m truly unsure what’s going on, it’s like my car just isn’t listening to any external wireless signals.
The car is undamaged/unvandalized and the Bluelink vehicle health page says all systems are working. So why won’t my car unlock? Thank you to anyone who may have any insight.
Edit: SOLVED my battery was dead. Figured out how to pry open the cover to access the manual keyhole. Got my car jump started so I’ll be able to visit the shop tomorrow for a new battery. Thanks to all!
C.cole4 said:
You have an actual old-school key that came with the fob.
I do not. Not only was I not given a key with the fob, there isn’t even a keyhole on the door handle.
Edit: I checked and turns out I do have a physical key! So narrow and hard to hold! But I forget what it’s for since again, no keyhole on the outside of the car anywhere.
2nd edit: you did send me down a googling chain so thanks for pointing that out tho. Apparently there’s a lock cover I have to remove first. I’ll update with success/failure!
@Zacky
There is a keyhole hidden underneath the cover where the touchpad is for your thumb. Pry that open, use the physical key to unlock the door, open it, and get your car jumped. The OEM 12v batteries are known to be terrible so that likely discharged in the 3-4 days since you last drove.
@Austin
I feel like there should be some technique I’m not getting to make this easier, but right now my solution is to push that latch down all the way and use a screwdriver as a mini crowbar. Heaven forbid I don’t have my Swiss Army knife on me.
@Zacky
In your owner’s manual it describes how to use the mechanical key to remove the cover of the hidden key cylinder on the underside of the door handle. In my manual it’s page 5-11. The paragraph is titled Key Cylinder (driver door).
A key cylinder is located on the driver side door handle hidden behind a plastic cover. Using the mechanical key, push and hold the key cylinder cover release button located on the underside of the door handle. Use the mechanical key inserted into the release button slot to open the cover outward. Once the cover is off, the mechanical key can be inserted into the key cylinder to lock or unlock the vehicle.
@esleystanley
The physical manual is in the car so couldn’t get to it. I maybe probably definitely should have looked up the pdf tho. Anyhow, thanks for copying it over for quicker reference!
Now with a dead battery (assuming that’s it) you would see nothing happen when you get in - no lights, car won’t start, etc. That may be your first indication it’s the battery.
In a hybrid, the battery is in the trunk, which you can’t open with a dead battery. So you’re going to have to climb in and to the back of the car. At the back of the lift gate, on the inside center, there is a cover trim piece you remove that will allow you to open the lift gate manually.
Now you have access to the battery compartment which is under the rear cover back there (just lift up on the pull tab).
Now you can hopefully get another car back there or have long enough cables to connect a battery to it and jump start the car. Or you can replace the battery from there as well.
Good luck, let us all know what you figure this out to be!
@NinaCaldwell
The keyhole cover is tough to remove! But I got it open and am sitting in my car.
Tentatively think you’re right; it is a dead battery. Even before I got in the car, I did find it strange how dark it was - the clock on the dash wasn’t coming up. Anyways back to the battery, there’s a metal strap in the way but it looks like my factory battery is a 12V one, but I’m only reading about 2-3V out of it. A housemate lent me a portable jump starter so I got my engine running enough to make it to work and the shop tomorrow. Also fun fact, I don’t need to open up the trunk to jump start the car - there are connection points and conveniently placed screw heads under the hood at the front of the car - in the fuse box.
@NinaCaldwell
Aren’t you supposed to jump start from the front (irrespective of the battery location on the Santa Fe hybrid)? There is a terminal for a booster battery connection under the engine compartment fuse cover?
@Zacky
All I know is “it’s drawing power from the battery.” I have heard nothing from Hyundai and the dealership is being told to wait for the engineers.
Barack said: @Zacky
All I know is “it’s drawing power from the battery.” I have heard nothing from Hyundai and the dealership is being told to wait for the engineers.
What a non-answer. Well I guess I’ll see what’s up with mine as well. At least I’m still within the warranty period.