2021 Hyundai Santa FE

● Typical for this model

2021 Hyundai Santa FE
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:28:09.908Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2021: 162 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2001	209
2002	165
2003	308
2004	303
2005	216
2006	106
2007	681
2008	541
2009	357
2010	256
2011	181
2012	352
2013	604
2014	492
2015	253
2016	235
2017	937
2018	108
2019	190
2020	193
2021	162
2022	187
2023	199
2024	130
2025	116
2026	27

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 31%

31% of complaints: power train — 50 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE 22%

22% of complaints: engine — 36 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%

17% of complaints: electrical system — 28 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

12v connector for phone charger melted my phone cord. Reported to Centennial Hyundai Las Vegas and High Desert Hyundai Kingman Az. Both service departments said my vehicle cannot detect the problem because I purchased a substandard plug-in.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250219

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 9%

9% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

Message: I own a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe with the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist feature installed and activated. The Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist did not function properly to stop my car to avoid a low speed impact.

NHTSA ODI report, 20210713

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 8 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20210503 — fuel system, gasoline

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 2.5-litre Turbo engines. The fuel pipe connecting the high pressure fuel pump to the fuel rail may not have been tightened properly.

Remedy: Dealers inspected and tightened the fuel pipe connection, free of charge. The affected vehicles have been repaired and therefore no owner notification letters will be sent. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

Campaign 21V308000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210512 — air bags

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Santa Fe vehicles. The Occupant Detection System (ODS) module may not deactivate the air bag upon detection of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ODS module, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been remedied as of May 12, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

Campaign 21V185000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210903 — fuel system, gasoline

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe and Sonata vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

Campaign 21V524000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220620 — visibility

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 216.

Campaign 21V00M000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20220912 — DP (closed 20231212)

Loss of Motive Power

R 20230110 — power train

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023.

Campaign 22V746000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20230516 — trailer hitches

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an...

Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge.

Campaign 23V181000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20250114 — back over prevention

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV and 2022 Elantra N and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles. Due to a damaged printed circuit board, the rearview camera image may fail to display.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 271.

Campaign 24V879000 — check if this car was fixed