2021 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
0/100
#5 most-complained of 5 Santa FE Hybrid years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2021 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid ranks 5th (best) of 5 model years with a Complaint Index of 0 and 20 NHTSA complaints. It carries 3 recalls, including seat belt pretensioners and a rearview camera issue, but no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.
- Complaints
- 20
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 33
- 34.5 city / 30.5 hwy
Top 2021 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine9 (45%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (35%)
- Other5 (25%)
- Fuel System4 (20%)
- Electrical System3 (15%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (10%)
- Seat Belts2 (10%)
- Airbags1 (5%)
- Lane Departure1 (5%)
- Structure & Body1 (5%)
What owners report
- Owners report the gas pedal briefly stops responding while driving, sometimes recurring multiple times before working again.
- Drivers describe a delayed acceleration of nearly a full second when pressing the gas pedal from a stop, creating dangerous merging situations.
- Some owners heard a cracking sound when turning at low speeds while accelerating.
- Several owners in hot climates reported repeated inverter coolant warning lights despite coolant being at the max fill line.
- One owner experienced complete loss of power and engine shutoff at highway speed, and again during a roundabout maneuver.
- A driver-side seat belt pretensioner failed to extend smoothly, tied to an open recall with delayed parts availability.
2021 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V879000Nov 21, 2024Collision Avoidance & Cameras226,118 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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."
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 23V181000Mar 17, 2023Structure & Body584,784 vehiclesPark Outside
Trailer hitches
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.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
- NHTSA 22V816000Oct 31, 2022Seat Belts14,933 vehicles
Seat belts:front
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023 Genesis G80 Electric, 2021-2022 Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 238/011G. This recall is an expansion of recall numbers 22V-354 and 22V-458.
2021 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 34.5 MPG
- Highway
- 30.5 MPG
- Combined
- 33 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,975
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Santa FE Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid reliable?
- Among the 5 model years with data, 2021 ranks best with a Complaint Index of 0 and only 20 complaints logged with NHTSA. No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths were reported for this year.
- What problems does the 2021 Santa FE Hybrid have?
- NHTSA complaints center on the Engine (9 complaints, 45% share) and Transmission & Powertrain (7 complaints, 35% share), including reports of coolant warnings, delayed acceleration, and intermittent power loss.
- Does the 2021 Santa FE Hybrid have any recalls?
- Yes, it has 3 recalls: a rearview camera issue from a damaged circuit board, a tow hitch harness fire risk requiring owners to park outside, and a seat belt pretensioner recall.
- How does the 2021 Santa FE Hybrid compare to other years?
- 2021 has the lowest Complaint Index (0) of all 5 years, ranking best, while 2023 and 2025 both carry a Complaint Index of 100 or 75 and are rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Santa FE Hybrid?
- EPA rates it at 33 mpg combined (34.5 city / 30.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,975.