Hyundai Santa Fe owners filed 2,823 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 26 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe drew the most complaints (966); across all years, owners complain most about engine (46% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2017, with 966 complaints, led by engine (647) and 6 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Engine drew 1,309 complaints and 3 recalls.
- Stop-driving recalls: 3 recalls told owners to park outside until repaired (23V651000, 23V181000, 22V056000).
- Over-the-air fixes: recall 24V246000 can be repaired by a software update, without a dealer visit (1 of 26).
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2017 (4.9 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: speed control / acceleration complaints came at a median 9k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 70 complaints mention a fire and 103 a crash, with 99 injuries reported.
Hyundai Santa Fe complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 2 recalls | 254 | Engine (160), Transmission / powertrain (22), Brakes (21) median 66k mi · 9 crashes · 13 fires |
| 2016 3 recalls | 236 | Engine (151), Transmission / powertrain (21), Electrical system (11) median 62k mi · 6 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2017 6 recalls | 966 | Engine (647), Transmission / powertrain (163), Electrical system (67) median 20k mi · 14 crashes · 23 fires |
| 2018 2 recalls | 108 | Engine (53), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (12), Transmission / powertrain (10) median 22k mi · 6 crashes · 4 fires |
| 2019 2 recalls | 198 | Engine (71), Transmission / powertrain (34), Electrical system (26) median 10k mi · 16 crashes · 12 fires |
| 2020 2 recalls | 210 | Engine (76), Transmission / powertrain (26), Electrical system (25) median 15k mi · 13 crashes · 9 fires |
| 2021 7 recalls | 166 | Transmission / powertrain (50), Engine (37), Electrical system (29) median 20k mi · 4 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2022 5 recalls | 199 | Transmission / powertrain (57), Engine (53), Electrical system (31) median 18k mi · 8 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2023 1 recall | 207 | Transmission / powertrain (44), Electrical system (36), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (35) median 9k mi · 11 crashes · 3 fires |
| 2024 7 recalls | 146 | Transmission / powertrain (42), Electrical system (28), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (15) median 15k mi · 11 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2025 5 recalls | 133 | Electrical system (29), Transmission / powertrain (22), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (20) median 10k mi · 5 crashes |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 42, more than the 26 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Hyundai Santa Fe problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,309 | 46% | 3 | 55k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Transmission / powertrain | 491 | 17% | 2 | 12k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Electrical system | 311 | 11% | 3 | 17k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Fuel system | 165 | 6% | 2 | 12k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
| Brakes | 143 | 5% | 2 | 27k mi | Brake repair cost |
| Automatic emergency braking / collision warning | 143 | 5% | 0 | 39k mi | — |
| Speed control / acceleration | 134 | 5% | 0 | 9k mi | — |
| Steering | 77 | 3% | 1 | 10k mi | Power steering repair cost |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Hyundai Santa Fe owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Engine
Engine failure due to "rod failing". Car lost power and rpms. Mileage was 119325. Car always serviced at dealership. Dealership recognized the issue and referred me to customer service. Case file #1959318 was files with Hyundai customer service. They rejected any assistance in replacing engine citing that it was more than 10% over 100,000 miles. Replaced used engine cost $10,146.04.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11466702
My engine stalled on the highway with no warning lights or symptoms. I've owned it for 6MO. It had regular recorded maintenance and showed no issue. Then as I was driving home from work, the car seized up and jerked to a full stop at previously 65MPH. Inspection by dealership revealed that my engine blew at 70,800 miles. With no warning. No symptoms.
2016 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11422389
Related recalls: 17V578000 (2017): The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. 25V549000 (2025): A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire. 22V197000 (2022): An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
1,309 owners reported engine problems; the engine overhaul cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Transmission / powertrain
My vehicle transmission failed on july 9,2024. There was no warning. The dashboard lite up with a DTC warning and the car would not accelerate properly. I found there was a recall for the vehicle but it was never sent to me. I was fortunate to be close to home and not on a highway or in a busy intersection at the time. Had I been there could have been a serious accident.
2022 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11608222
I had been driving about 1.5 hours when I exited the interstate and the car engine shut off at a traffic light. When I shifted the car into park and tried to restart the car, smoke filled the cabin. Unbeknownst to me, an oil leak occurred while driving. No warning lights or other indicators that anything was awry. I had the vehicle towed to the nearest Hyundai dealer.
2020 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11703389
Related recalls: 22V746000 (2021–2022): Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. 24V529000 (2024): A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
491 owners reported transmission / powertrain problems; the transmission repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Electrical system
Vehicle has been consuming oil between oil changes. Recently the ABS, down hill assist, and traction control lights came on. We took it to the dealer and were advised it was a wheel speed sensor in the passenger rear, but they wanted over $600 so we did not repair. Two days later all the lights went off and we had no issues. A month later I drove to florida, checked and filled the oil with a little over one quart.
2015 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11542203
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa fe. The contact stated that the horn had become inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was a common failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
2021 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11646266
Related recalls: 25V659000 (2024–2025): An electrical short increases the risk of a fire. 24V843000 (2024): A sunshade that closes unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury. 16V842000 (2017): If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
311 owners reported electrical system problems; the alternator / electrical repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Hyundai Santa Fe recalls
Check these first: 23V651000 (2015, service brakes, hydraulic: park outside); 23V181000 (2019–2023, trailer hitches: park outside); 22V056000 (2016–2018, service brakes, hydraulic: park outside).
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V218000 | 2026-04-06 | 2024–2025 | Seat belts | A detached seat belt anchor will not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 25V808000 | 2025-11-21 | 2024–2025 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 25V809000 | 2025-11-21 | 2025 | Air bags | Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 25V659000 | 2025-10-02 | 2024–2025 | Electrical system | An electrical short increases the risk of a fire. |
| 25V549000 | 2025-08-26 | 2025 | Engine and cooling | A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire. |
| 24V879000 | 2024-11-21 | 2021–2022 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash. |
| 24V843000 | 2024-11-07 | 2024 | Electrical system | A sunshade that closes unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury. |
| 24V561000 | 2024-07-26 | 2024 | Air bags | An air bag that deploys unintentionally can increase the risk of an injury. An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 24V529000 | 2024-07-12 | 2024 | Transmission / powertrain | A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury. |
| 24V246000 (OTA) | 2024-04-02 | 2024 | Backup camera / rear sensors | An obstructed rearview camera image reduces rearward visibility and increases the risk of a crash or injury. |
| 23V651000 | 2023-09-22 | 2015 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. |
| 23V181000 | 2023-03-17 | 2019–2023 | Trailer Hitches | A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. |
| 22V746000 | 2022-10-06 | 2021–2022 | Transmission / powertrain | Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. |
| 22V197000 | 2022-03-28 | 2022 | Engine and cooling | An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire. |
| 22V056000 | 2022-02-03 | 2016–2018 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. |
| 21V00M000 | 2021-12-28 | 2020–2021 | Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) | A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury. |
| 21V524000 | 2021-07-09 | 2021–2022 | Fuel System, Gasoline | A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire. |
| 21V308000 | 2021-05-03 | 2021 | Fuel System, Gasoline | An insufficiently tightened fuel pipe may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 21V185000 | 2021-03-17 | 2021 | Air bags | 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. |
| 18V715000 | 2018-10-11 | 2019 | Air bags | In the event of a crash, if the air bags become damaged during deployment they may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 18V118000 | 2018-02-17 | 2018 | Steering | A steering wheel separation while driving can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash. |
| 17V578000 | 2017-09-20 | 2017 | Engine and cooling | The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 17V358000 | 2017-06-05 | 2015–2017 | Latches and locks | If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. |
| 17V142000 | 2017-03-06 | 2017 | Tires | An underinflated inflated tire can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 16V842000 | 2016-11-21 | 2017 | Electrical system | If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 16V145000 | 2016-03-10 | 2016–2017 | Seat belts | Without a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash. |
What this data can and can't tell you
2,823 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Hyundai models in the index
- Hyundai Tucson (4,848)
- Hyundai Sonata (3,717)
- Hyundai Elantra (2,503)
- Hyundai Palisade (2,302)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.