Your Hyundai Santa Fe push button won’t start the car and you are stuck in the parking lot. This problem is very common in 2013-2021 models. Don’t panic or call a tow truck yet. In most cases you can fix it yourself in minutes with simple checks. This article shows every possible reason and easy solutions.
Key Takeaways
Check if the brake pedal feels hard and press it much harder than normal. Put your foot on the brake, press the push button, and wiggle the steering wheel left and right. Place the key fob close to the push button and try again. Open the key fob, take out the hidden metal key, and touch it to the push button while pressing start. Jump start the car or charge the 12V battery for 30 minutes. Scan for error codes with an OBD2 scanner under the driver side dash.
Common Reasons Your Hyundai Santa Fe Push Button Won’t Start
Many owners face the “Hyundai Santa Fe won’t start push button” problem when the small 12V battery dies. Even if lights and radio work, the battery may not have enough power to turn the starter. A dead battery is the number one cause in 7 out of 10 cases. The second big reason is a weak or dead key fob battery.
When the key fob battery is low, the car cannot read the signal and refuses to start. Water damage or dropping the fob kills the chip inside very fast. Another common issue happens with the brake pedal switch. If the car does not feel your foot on the brake, it will not allow starting for safety.
Dirty or broken stop lamp switch under the brake pedal causes the same problem. Sometimes the starter relay or neutral safety switch fails after 100,000 miles. Loose battery terminals or corrosion also stop the push button starting. In rare cases, the push button itself wears out and needs replacement.
Cold weather makes all these problems worse because batteries lose power in low temperature. Always start checking the simple things first before thinking about expensive parts.
- Dead or weak 12V battery in the engine bay
- Dead key fob battery or damaged fob
- Brake pedal not pressed hard enough or faulty brake switch
- Loose or corroded battery cables
- Failed starter relay or push button switch
How to Do the Emergency Start Trick with Key Fob
Hyundai built a secret backup way to start when the key fob battery dies. This trick works on every Santa Fe from 2013 to 2025. First find the small cover on the steering column below the push button. Pop that plastic cover off with your finger nail or flat tool.
Inside you will see a special spot or slot. Take your key fob and press it directly against that spot. Keep the fob pressed there while you step hard on the brake pedal. Now press the push button as normal and the car should start right away.
Some models have the backup spot under the center console cup holder instead. The owner’s manual shows the exact location for your year. This method works even if the fob battery is completely dead because it reads the chip directly.
Many people get stuck because they only hold the fob near the button instead of touching the hidden spot. Practice this trick when the car works so you know exactly where to put the fob in emergency.
- Remove small cover under steering column
- Press dead key fob directly on the backup sensor spot
- Step firmly on brake pedal
- Press push button and car starts normally
Step by Step Battery Check and Jump Start Guide
Start by opening the hood and looking at the battery terminals. If you see white or green powder around the posts, that’s corrosion. Clean it blocks power. Clean terminals with baking soda water mix and old toothbrush. Make sure both cables are tight and cannot move by hand.
Next check battery voltage with a cheap digital meter from any auto store. Good battery shows 12.6 volts or more when car is off. Below 12.2 volts means it needs charge or replacement. If voltage is low, connect jumper cables to another running car.
Connect red to dead battery positive, red to good battery positive. Then black to good battery negative, and black to metal part on Santa Fe. Let it charge for five minutes before trying to start. Once running, drive for 30 minutes to recharge the battery.
Never connect cables wrong or sparks can cause explosion. Always wear safety glasses when working on battery.
- Clean corroded terminals first
- Test voltage, anything under 12.4V is bad
- Jump start red to red, black to black, last black to metal
- Let charge 5-10 minutes
- Drive 30 minutes after starting
Brake Switch Problems and Quick Fixes
The brake light switch sits behind the brake pedal and tells the car you are pressing the brake. When this switch fails, the push button start refuses to work. Look at the back brake lights when someone presses the pedal. No lights mean bad switch 99% of the time.
You can test by pressing the brake and listening for a small click near the pedal. No click usually means broken switch. The part costs only $15-$30 and takes 10 minutes to change. Remove the panel under the dash, unplug old switch, push in new one.
Some owners fix it temporarily by pulling up hard on the brake pedal with their hand. This moves the switch just enough to make contact again. Many people spent hundreds at the dealer for this cheap part.
Always replace with OEM Hyundai switch because cheap aftermarket ones fail fast.
- Check if brake lights work when pedal pressed
- Listen for click sound behind pedal
- Pull up hard on pedal as temporary fix
- Replace switch in 10 minutes with basic tools
When to Replace the Key Fob Battery or Whole Fob
Most Hyundai key fobs use CR2032 coin battery that lasts 2-3 years. When the battery gets weak, you see “Key Not Detected” message on the dash. Open the fob by sliding the metal key out and prying the case with a coin.
Drop in new CR2032 battery with plus side facing the correct way. Test by locking and unlocking doors from 20 feet away. If doors still don’t respond after new battery, the fob itself is dead.
Water damage or dropping on concrete kills the circuit board inside. New genuine Hyundai fob costs $100-$250 plus programming at dealer. Some locksmiths program fobs for half the price.
Never buy cheap $20 fobs on Amazon because they stop working in weeks.
- Replace CR2032 battery every 2 years
- Test range after new battery
- Get water damaged fob replaced immediately
- Use only genuine Hyundai or good brand fobs
Professional Help: When You Really Need the Dealer
Some problems need dealer help when the problem is deeper than battery. If you tried jump start, key fob trick, and brake switch and still nothing, possible causes are bad starter, blown fuse, or immobilizer issue.
Modern Santa Fe has many computers that can lock out starting for safety. Only dealer scan tool can read deep codes and see why it blocks start. Sometimes the push button start module itself fails after 150,000 miles.
Bring both key fobs when you go to the dealer. They can test which one works and program new ones on spot. Average cost for diagnosis is $100-$150.
Never let regular shop replace the starter without checking battery first. Many shops changed starters that were perfectly fine.
- Go to dealer if simple fixes fail
- Bring both key fobs for testing
- Expect $120 diagnostic fee
- Starter replacement runs $600-$900
Final Thoughts
The “Hyundai Santa Fe won’t start push button” problem is almost always a dead battery, dead key fob battery, or brake switch. Start with the free and easy checks first. Keep a spare CR2032 battery and small wrench in the glove box. Most owners fix this themselves in under 15 minutes and save hundreds in tow and repair costs.
| Problem | Quick Test | Fix Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead 12V battery | Lights dim, voltage under 12.4V | 5-30 min | $0-$180 |
| Dead key fob battery | “No Key Detected” message | 2 minutes | $5 |
| Bad brake switch | Brake lights don’t work | 10 minutes | $20 |
| Weak battery (cold weather) | Starts after jump but dies later | 30 min drive | $0 |
| Bad starter relay | Clicking sound, no crank | Dealer | $150 |
| Failed push button module | Nothing happens, no clicks | Dealer | $400+ |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it safe to jump start my Hyundai Santa Fe myself?
Yes, it is completely safe if you follow the correct order. Always connect red to dead battery first, then red to good car, then black to good car, and last black to bare metal on Santa Fe. Wait 5 minutes before trying to start. Never touch the clamps together and remove in reverse order. Thousands of owners do this every day without problems.
Can a weak battery cause “push button start not working” even when lights work?
Yes, this happens all the time. Dashboard lights and radio need very little power, but the starter needs hundreds of amps. A battery with only 20% charge left can light up the dash but cannot turn the engine. This is why many people get stuck thinking everything is fine when the battery is actually too weak.
Do I need to reprogram the key fob after changing its battery?
No, never. Changing the CR2032 battery does not erase the programming. Just open the fob, swap the battery, close it, and it works instantly. Only when you buy a brand new replacement fob do you need dealer or locksmith programming.
Is it normal for Santa Fe to not start in very cold weather?
Yes, completely normal below 0°F. The 12V battery loses up to 50% power in extreme cold. Always keep the battery fully charged in winter and park in garage when possible. Many owners add a battery tender or blanket for cold climates.
Can I drive normally after jump starting the car?
Yes, but drive at least 30 minutes or charge overnight with a charger. The alternator will slowly recharge the battery while driving. If you only drive 5 minutes and shut off, it may not start again next time.
Do I have to replace both key fobs if one stops working?
No, each fob works independently. Just replace or fix the bad one. Always keep the second fob in a safe place at home so you are never fully locked out.
Is the push button start system covered under warranty?
Yes, the original 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty covers the starter and push button system. If your Santa Fe is under 10 years old and under 100k miles, the dealer fixes it for free.
Can bad ground cable cause push button start failure?
Yes, very common. The black ground cable from battery to chassis can corrode inside and block power. Clean both ends of the ground cable or replace it for $30. Many “dead starter” diagnoses were actually bad grounds.
