2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
40/100
#13 most-complained of 21 Santa Fe years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe has a complaint index of 40 and ranks 13th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. That rating is capped due to a park-outside recall, even though its complaint index is below several other years.
- Complaints
- 200
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 16 / 12
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18.5 city / 24.5 hwy
Top 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine80 (40%)
- Other48 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain35 (18%)
- Electrical System27 (14%)
- Structure & Body18 (9%)
- Brakes14 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (7%)
- Fuel System12 (6%)
- Steering12 (6%)
- Airbags7 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report brakes failing to respond during low-speed maneuvers, in one case with smoke entering the cabin.
- Some describe sudden unintended acceleration paired with brake pedals that did not hold, leading to collisions.
- Several complaints mention a burning odor or gray smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving, sometimes turning into a fire.
- A few owners say side curtain airbags failed to deploy during crashes, resulting in injuries.
- One complaint describes the idle stop and go system revving the engine unexpectedly while parking, causing a collision.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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 18V715000Oct 11, 2018Airbags8,204 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. The Side Curtain Air Bag (SCAB) mounting bolts may interfere with and damage the air bags during deployment.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the air bags become damaged during deployment they may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the SCAB installation bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 177.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 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.
2019 compared with other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2019 Santa Fe a complaint index of 40, ranking 13th worst of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict.
- Why is the 2019 Santa Fe rated Caution instead of Good?
- Its complaint index of 40 alone would suggest a moderate rating, but the verdict is capped to Caution because of a park-outside recall (campaign 23V181000).
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2019 Santa Fe?
- Engine complaints make up 40 percent of all reports, with a median failure mileage of 16,000 miles, and include 6 fire reports.
- Does the 2019 Santa Fe have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for a tow hitch harness issue that requires parking outside, and one for side curtain airbag mounting bolts.
- How does the 2019 Santa Fe compare to other Santa Fe years?
- With a complaint index of 40, the 2019 model ranks safer than years like 2017 (index 100, Avoid) and 2013 (index 80, Avoid), but worse than 2018 (index 5, Caution).