MYRModel Year Report

2021 Hyundai Santa FE

● Typical for this model
2021 Hyundai Santa FE
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:57:02.729Z

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
168
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2021

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

30% of complaints

Complaints per year

2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2003: 308 complaints 2004: 303 complaints 2005: 216 complaints 2005 2006: 106 complaints 2007: 684 complaints 2008: 541 complaints 2009: 359 complaints 2009 2010: 260 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 355 complaints 2013: 605 complaints 2013 2014: 493 complaints 2015: 255 complaints 2016: 236 complaints 2017: 971 complaints 2017 2018: 110 complaints 2019: 203 complaints 2020: 217 complaints 2021: 168 complaints 2021 168 2022: 201 complaints 2023: 213 complaints 2024: 156 complaints 2025: 138 complaints 2025 2026: 39 complaints
2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2003: 308 complaints 2003 2004: 303 complaints 2005: 216 complaints 2005 2006: 106 complaints 2007: 684 complaints 2007 2008: 541 complaints 2009: 359 complaints 2009 2010: 260 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2011 2012: 355 complaints 2013: 605 complaints 2013 2014: 493 complaints 2015: 255 complaints 2015 2016: 236 complaints 2017: 971 complaints 2017 2018: 110 complaints 2019: 203 complaints 2019 2020: 217 complaints 2021: 168 complaints 2021 168 2022: 201 complaints 2023: 213 complaints 2023 2024: 156 complaints 2025: 138 complaints 2025 2026: 39 complaints
2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2003: 308 complaints 2003 2004: 303 complaints 2005: 216 complaints 2005 2006: 106 complaints 2007: 684 complaints 2007 2008: 541 complaints 2009: 359 complaints 2009 2010: 260 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2011 2012: 355 complaints 2013: 605 complaints 2013 2014: 493 complaints 2015: 255 complaints 2015 2016: 236 complaints 2017: 971 complaints 2017 2018: 110 complaints 2019: 203 complaints 2019 2020: 217 complaints 2021: 168 complaints 2021 168 2022: 201 complaints 2023: 213 complaints 2023 2024: 156 complaints 2025: 138 complaints 2025 2026: 39 complaints

2021: 168 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2001209
2002165
2003308
2004303
2005216
2006106
2007684
2008541
2009359
2010260
2011181
2012355
2013605
2014493
2015255
2016236
2017971
2018110
2019203
2020217
2021168
2022201
2023213
2024156
2025138
202639

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

30% · 51 reports
Show complaint excerpts

On September 20, 2026, my 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy suffered sluggish acceleration while operating on a public roadway due to an internal dual-clutch transmission (DCT) failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-12

Engine

22% · 37 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly caught on fire. The contact's wife became aware that the radio was inoperable before the failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-09

Electrical system

17% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing horn.

CRASHFIRE
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, 2025-02-19

Forward collision avoidance

14% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing automatic emergency braking and warnings.

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, 2021-07-13

Fuel/propulsion system

5% · 9 reports
Show complaint excerpts

The door to the gas tank is a push door which is temperamental. I can be at the pump and push the door to pop it open and it won't.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-27

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2021-05-03Fuel system, gasoline21V308000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2021-05-12Air bags21V185000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2021-09-03Fuel system, gasoline21V524000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2022-06-20Visibility21V00M000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2022-09-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-12-12 Loss of Motive Power
  6. R
    2023-01-10Power train22V746000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2023-05-16Trailer hitches23V181000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2025-01-14Back over prevention24V879000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2021 Hyundai Santa FE — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 51 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 37 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 29 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 21V308000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 21V185000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21V524000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 21V00M000 · Visibility
  • Recall 22V746000 · Power train
  • Recall 23V181000 · Trailer hitches
  • Recall 24V879000 · Back over prevention
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.