VehicleVerdict

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is among the quieter years of the Santa Fe Hybrid on NHTSA's books: 37 complaints (38% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (9), transmission (7), and other (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

37

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Santa Fe Hybrid years?

Santa Fe Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted125 complaints2021: 37 complaints2022: 61 complaints2023: 112 complaints2024: 58 complaints2025: 125 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Santa Fe Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Fe Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine924%
Transmission719%
Other514%
Fuel System411%
Electrical System38%
Driver Assistance38%
Seat Belts25%
Seats13%
Speed Control13%
Tires & Wheels13%
Airbags13%

Does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V879000Driver AssistanceNovember 21, 2024 · 226,118 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

23V181000Trailer HitchMarch 17, 2023 · 584,784 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

22V816000Seat BeltsOctober 31, 2022 · 14,933 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“From what I have been told there is no recall on this issue. Purchased a Hyundai Sante Fe Hybrid 2021 brand new in 2021. I live in La Quinta California summers are especially hot. Temps can be anywhere from 105 to 120 . Only had the car for 6months when in light came on saying Inverter needs…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 9, 2023

“I have been taking my 21 Santa Fe hybrid limited into the dealership for a year and a half for the same code . Powertrain code P040B00, and to this day they can not repair this issue. I looked it up and a ton of us are having issues with this same code. It should be investigated, and customers…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 13, 2023

“From what I have been told there is no recall on this issue. Purchased a Hyundai Sante Fe Hybrid 2021 brand new in 2021. I live in La Quinta California summers are especially hot. Temps can be anywhere from 105 to 120 . Only had the car for 6months when in light came on saying Inverter needs…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 9, 2023

“This vehicle hesitates to a dangerous degree when trying to accelerate from a stop or rolling stop. When pressure is applied to the gas pedal, the vehicle will not accelerate until nearly a whole second later. This delay in response has created dangerous situations where merging onto a road in a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 6, 2022

“While driving 80 mph down the highway my brand new vehicle shut off completely, the entire car lost power. In another instance I was going around a roundabout and my acceleration completely went out, my son was in the back seat and another car had to jump the curb to avoid crashing into us. I met a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · November 29, 2022

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 37 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Santa Fe Hybrid year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2021 Santa Fe Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (9 complaints), transmission (7 complaints), other (5 complaints).

Does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Santa Fe Hybrid years to avoid are 2025, 2023. The cleanest record among Santa Fe Hybrid years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.