YearToAvoid

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#9 most-complained of 21 Santa Fe years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe has a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 9th worst among 21 model years, with 213 complaints and 2 recalls. It carries a Caution verdict, driven mainly by 88 engine complaints (41% of all reports).

Complaints
213
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
13 / 9
Injuries / deaths
15 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23.5
20.5 city / 27 hwy

Top 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine88 (41%)
  2. Other43 (20%)
  3. Electrical System27 (13%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain26 (12%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers18 (8%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras16 (8%)
  7. Fuel System15 (7%)
  8. Structure & Body11 (5%)
  9. Brakes10 (5%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden power steering failure at highway speed accompanied by stalling and warning alerts.
  • Some vehicles have unexpectedly accelerated forward or failed to stop despite the brake pedal being pressed, leading to low-speed collisions.
  • Engine fires have occurred after warranty repairs, with smoke and flames appearing from the hood shortly after driving away.
  • Electrical system fires have been reported inside the seat and steering wheel area, causing total loss of the vehicle interior.
  • Airbags have failed to deploy in front and rear collisions, including high-speed impacts.
  • Fuel system complaints describe unintended acceleration cutting out while merging onto a freeway.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe complaints: complaints filed per quarter302020 Q12021 Q12022 Q12023 Q12024 Q12025 Q12026 Q1
288 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2020 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q4 (30).

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 21V00M000Dec 28, 2021Visibility & Wipers26,413 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.

    Risk: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 216.

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20.5 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
23.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,750
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.

2020 compared with other Santa Fe years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Caution5109220
2019Caution40200221
2020Caution60213223.5
2021Caution25166724.5
2022Caution45199525

All Hyundai Santa Fe years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Santa Fe has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 9th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict.
What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The Engine is the top problem area, accounting for 88 complaints, or 41% of all reports, with a median failure mileage of 43,000 miles.
Does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?
NHTSA lists two recalls: one for a tow hitch harness fire risk (campaign 23V181000, park outside advised) and one for a windshield bonding issue that could let the windshield detach (campaign 21V00M000).
How does the 2020 Santa Fe compare to other years?
Its Complaint Index of 60 is worse than years like 2018 (5) and 2021 (25), but better than 2017 (100) and 2009 (95), which are rated Avoid.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.