2024 Santa Fe Hybrid Limited - Dead Battery Issue

Technical
1

Came back from vacation to find my 2024 Santa Fe Hybrid with a dead battery and a check engine light. I tried jumping it, and it would start, but as soon as I turned it off, it wouldn’t hold the charge. It also kept showing a ‘user authentication’ message. Took it to the dealer, and they said a plugged-in seatbelt device for my dog’s harness drained the battery. Initially, this seemed odd, but a quick Google search showed it’s an issue with other cars, like Rivian.

They also ordered a new charging pad because mine malfunctioned.

Has anyone else experienced something similar?

2

What exactly is a seatbelt device?

3

Ash said:
What exactly is a seatbelt device?

A seatbelt plug. I leave it connected because my dog travels with me, and it didn’t occur to me that it would drain power.

4

Ty said:
Wait, a seatbelt plug can drain the battery? How?

Yep, that’s what they told me! If the seatbelt is connected, it drains the battery even when the car is off. I Googled it, and it’s apparently a known issue with Rivian as well. I’ll ask the dealer for more details when I pick it up.

5

I’d think a seatbelt connection might trigger alerts, like a push notification for a passenger or pet left in the car.

6

Vale said:
I’d think a seatbelt connection might trigger alerts, like a push notification for a passenger or pet left in the car.

Exactly! It sounds strange, but it seems like a sensor might keep drawing power if the seatbelt is plugged in, even when the car’s off.