2021 Hyundai Santa FE
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 209 |
| 2002 | 165 |
| 2003 | 308 |
| 2004 | 303 |
| 2005 | 216 |
| 2006 | 106 |
| 2007 | 683 |
| 2008 | 541 |
| 2009 | 358 |
| 2010 | 258 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 353 |
| 2013 | 605 |
| 2014 | 493 |
| 2015 | 254 |
| 2016 | 236 |
| 2017 | 962 |
| 2018 | 108 |
| 2019 | 197 |
| 2020 | 209 |
| 2021 | 166 |
| 2022 | 197 |
| 2023 | 207 |
| 2024 | 145 |
| 2025 | 131 |
| 2026 | 35 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
30% of complaints: power train — 50 distinct reports on file.
22% of complaints: engine — 37 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow 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, 20260909
17% of complaints: electrical system — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing horn.
CRASH FIREShow 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
14% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic emergency braking and warnings.
CRASHShow 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
5% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 9 distinct reports on file.
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, 20260827
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
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
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
Loss of Motive Power
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
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
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
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2021 Hyundai Santa FE — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (50 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (37 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (29 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 21V308000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V185000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V524000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V00M000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V746000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V181000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V879000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.