Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 166 safety complaints
about the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 2 people were injured and no death is recorded. 6 recall campaigns are open against it.
The most complained-about system is the power train,
named in 50 complaints, 30% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 20,000 miles,
the median across the 31
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers March 2021 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
166 complaints on file
166
Complaints
4
Describe a crash
2
Mention fire
2
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
Complaints rose by half year on year: 33 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 19 in the twelve before.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 50 · 30%
50 30%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 41 · 25%
41 25%
ENGINE 37 · 22%
37 22%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 29 · 17%
29 17%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 18 · 11%
18 11%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9 · 5%
9 5%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 7 · 4%
7 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 · 4%
7 4%
VISIBILITY 7 · 4%
7 4%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 7 · 4%
7 4%
SERVICE BRAKES 6 · 4%
6 4%
SEAT BELTS 3 · 2%
3 2%
02346
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 166.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2022 at 43.
48 36 24 12
212021222022232023242024252025262026
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2021 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2021 Hyundai SANTA FE, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
SUV AWD
SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
14.7%
15.5%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Hyundai Motor America · up to 226,118 vehicles across all model years covered
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 accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
The risk
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The 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. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.
Hyundai Motor America · up to 584,784 vehicles across all model years covered
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
The risk
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The 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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.
Hyundai Motor America · up to 56,148 vehicles across all model years covered
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
The risk
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The 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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 207.
Hyundai Motor America · up to 15,752 vehicles across all model years covered
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
The risk
An insufficiently tightened fuel pipe may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 206.
Hyundai Motor America · up to 2 vehicles across all model years covered
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
The 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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 202.
Hyundai Motor America · up to 10 vehicles across all model years covered
Defect investigations
1 on file
An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A
preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering
analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.
Loss of Motive Power
DP22003
Closed defect petition · opened September 12, 2022 · closed December 12, 2023
the engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1 injured · crash · towed
The contact filed the complaint on behalf of the contact's mother. The contact owned a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the contact's mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was crashed into by an oncoming vehicle. The other vehicle crashed into the front passenger's side close to the front bumper area. The driver's side door independently opened, although it was secured and locked prior to the crash. The contact stated the vehicle spun around and flipped onto the driver's side. In addition, the contact's mother's left leg and left foot were pinned underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss …
NHTSA complaint 11663064, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 injured
The passenger door has a sharp edge at the bottom exactly like the palasade hyundai recall. Both my daughter and my 82 year old mother have gashed their ankle on the door. In the case of my mother she was lucky we did not need stitches! I have a picture of the injury. I made a case submission to Hyundai.
NHTSA complaint 11471807. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
fire · towed · 58,000 miles
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. Additionally, the contact’s wife’s eyes were irritated, and there was a hot, harsh odor which grew stronger very quickly. The odor was inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the smoke was black, and flames started shooting out from under the hood to consume the vehicle. The vehicle was a total loss. The fire was extinguished by the Murphysboro Fire Department. The Fire Department was unable to determine where the fire had started. There was a Police report filed. …
NHTSA complaint 11763201, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
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. I applied the brakes to stop. I could not avoid impacting another vehicle. The damage was minor. Hyundai did inspect my vehicle braking system on June 8 at Hyundai of Cool Springs. I was not provided full report on findings/corrective action. Hyundai America was supposed to provide a follow up report. I was called today and the Hyundai representative had no details on the brake inspection to share with me. I am suspicious. I think Hyundai is hiding a safety issue. I am …
NHTSA complaint 11424621, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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. I'm at the point where I have to pop my gas tank open before I even get to the gas station because to pull up to the pump and not be able to put gas in the tank is a waste of time. There is no lever to flip along side the driver seat because it is a push to open door.. it is available for inspection, however, it is temperamental. I will video it so I have proof as it works and it doesn't work. It has not been inspected by anyone only because if it is a defect in the motor for the door, I want Hyundai to recall it. I have gone on YouTube to see if there are …
NHTSA complaint 11760005, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
My rear back up camera intermitting stops working. I can shift into reverse sometimes and the camera does not come on at all, other times the screen blinks and other times the screen has green lines and glitchy lines. The camera will also come on while I'm DRIVING forward
NHTSA complaint 11756508. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
When i select (R) reverse my camera does not come on. It started as just a flashing screen, but does not come on. It has come on momentarily while I am (D)driving. it has flashed a green screen before.
NHTSA complaint 11751769. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The windshield wipers intermittently stop working. This has been occurring for 2 years and the 5dealership cannot find an issue because they always work when the car is in for service. They also now want to charge a diagnostic fee each time it's in since the car is no longer under warranty
NHTSA complaint 11748720. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Fuel door mechanism stops working leaving you unable to add fuel. Is a constant complaint in 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. My vehicle's door mechanism as stopped working 53,000 miles as well.
NHTSA complaint 11748829. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed November 21, 2024.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst