Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid Best and Worst Years (2021–2025)
Avoid the 2023 and 2025 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid, which carry Complaint Index scores of 75 and 100 with 57 and 90 complaints respectively. The 2021 model is the Best year, with only 20 complaints and a Complaint Index of 0.
- Model years
- 5
- 2021–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 238
- Recall campaigns
- 9
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 0
- Top problem area
- Engine
Santa FE Hybrid Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid problems and recalls by year
Santa FE Hybrid years to avoid: what went wrong
2025 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid Index 100 · 90 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2025 Santa FE Hybrid has the highest Complaint Index of all years at 100, with 90 complaints, 4 crashes, and 7 injuries reported. Engine problems are 47% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 68,150 miles, while Electrical System issues show a much lower median mileage of 3,300 miles. Owners describe unintended acceleration events and 12-volt battery drain preventing restarts. NHTSA lists three recalls for this year covering seat belt anchors, improperly installed side curtain airbags, and rearview camera wiring harness damage.
2025 engine problems →2025 electrical system problems →2025 fuel system problems →
2023 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid Index 75 · 57 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2023 Santa FE Hybrid logged 57 complaints and a Complaint Index of 75, the second-worst of the five model years. Engine issues make up 47% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 6,800 miles. Owners report hesitation on acceleration, sometimes lasting nearly two seconds, along with failures to accelerate when merging or changing lanes. Transmission and Electrical System complaints each account for a large share as well. NHTSA also lists one recall tied to a tow hitch harness fire risk that required owners to park outside until repaired. Two injuries and one crash were reported for this year.
2023 engine problems →2023 transmission & powertrain problems →
Most common Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine103 (43%)
- Electrical System61 (26%)
- Transmission & Powertrain61 (26%)
- Fuel System47 (20%)
- Other44 (18%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras42 (18%)
- Lane Departure15 (6%)
- Brakes9 (4%)
- Structure & Body9 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (3%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to the 2023 and 2025 model years, which have Complaint Index scores of 75 and 100, the highest among all five years covered.
- What is the best year for the Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid?
- The 2021 Santa FE Hybrid is the Best year, with only 20 complaints, a Complaint Index of 0, and no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported.
- Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid reliable?
- The 2025 model has the highest complaint volume at 90 complaints and the highest Complaint Index of 100, plus 4 crashes and 7 injuries, based on NHTSA data. It also has three recalls covering seat belts, airbags, and the rearview camera.
- Does the Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid have engine problems?
- Engine is the top problem area across all years, accounting for 103 of 238 total complaints (43%). The 2023 and 2025 years show the lowest median failure mileages within that category.
- How many recalls does the Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid have?
- Across the 2021-2025 model years, NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns total, with none classified as do-not-drive.