2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe has a Complaint Index of 25 with 166 complaints and 7 recalls, ranking 16th worst out of 21 model years. NHTSA capped its verdict at Caution because one recall requires owners to park outside, despite an otherwise moderate complaint level.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 Santa Fe years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 166
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 22 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain50 (30%)
- Engine42 (25%)
- Other41 (25%)
- Electrical System31 (19%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras24 (14%)
- Visibility & Wipers14 (8%)
- Fuel System10 (6%)
- Structure & Body7 (4%)
- Brakes6 (4%)
- Seat Belts3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the 12V phone charger connector melting and damaging cords, with one case tied to a fire.
- Some describe the driver's side door opening on its own after being struck in a collision.
- Owners report the engine catching fire at highway speed, sometimes preceded by a dead radio and a strong odor inside the cabin.
- Several describe a dark spot in the low-beam headlight pattern that blocks illumination of people, animals, or signs.
- Owners report the sunroof shattering or cracking loudly while driving with no object striking it.
- Some describe the forward collision system slamming on the brakes and swerving the vehicle with no object present.
- A few report the transmission failing and the vehicle stopping in the road within the first month of ownership.
- Owners describe the windshield cracking from a small pebble strike or with no impact at all, shortly after purchase.
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls
7 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 22V746000Oct 6, 2022Transmission & Powertrain56,148 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 24.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,650
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
- NHTSA lists 166 complaints and a Complaint Index of 25 for the 2021 Santa Fe, ranking 16th worst among 21 model years. Its verdict is Caution, not because of complaint volume alone but because one of its seven recalls tells owners to park outside.
- What problems does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
- The top problem area is Transmission & Powertrain, accounting for 30% of complaints, followed by Engine at 25% and Electrical System at 19%. Median mileage at failure for transmission complaints is 17,050 miles.
- Does the 2021 Santa Fe have a Do Not Drive or park-outside recall?
- Yes. Recall 23V181000, covering a tow hitch harness issue in Structure & Body, tells owners to park outside and away from structures until repaired.
- How does the 2021 Santa Fe compare to other Santa Fe years?
- With a Complaint Index of 25, the 2021 model ranks better than years like 2017 (100), 2009 (95), and 2023 (90), which carry Avoid verdicts, but worse than top years like 2011 (Best, index 15).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2021 Santa Fe, covering components including the rearview camera, transmission, windshield bonding, fuel system, tow hitch harness, and airbags.