2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
25/100
#16 most-complained of 21 Santa Fe years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe has 166 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 25 out of 100 — #16 highest of 21 Santa Fe model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is transmission & powertrain (50 complaints, 30% of the total). Complaints report 4 crashes, 2 fires, and 2 injuries.
- Complaints
- 166
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 22 city / 28 hwy
Top 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
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 a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe ranks #16 of 21 among Santa Fe model years (Complaint Index 25/100, verdict: Good). It has 166 complaints and 7 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- The most reported problem areas are transmission & powertrain (50 complaints), engine (42 complaints), and electrical system (31 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 20,000 miles.
- Does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, most recently reported 2024, covering collision avoidance & cameras, structure & body, transmission & powertrain, and visibility & wipers.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- EPA rates the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe at 24.5 MPG combined (22 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,650. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.