VehicleVerdict

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe sits mid-pack among Santa Fe years: 270 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 297, with 2 recalls and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 21 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 74 reports (27% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

270

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

21

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Santa Fe years?

Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted1,231 complaints2001: 293 complaints2002: 219 complaints2003: 390 complaints2004: 386 complaints2005: 300 complaints2006: 143 complaints2007: 981 complaints2008: 718 complaints2009: 506 complaints2010: 331 complaints2011: 268 complaints2012: 474 complaints2013: 806 complaints2014: 679 complaints2015: 331 complaints2016: 288 complaints2017: 1,231 complaints2018: 143 complaints2019: 268 complaints2020: 270 complaints2021: 236 complaints2022: 292 complaints2023: 307 complaints2024: 186 complaints2025: 170 complaints2026: 39 complaints
Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Fe years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine7427%
Other3814%
Driver Assistance2810%
Electrical System249%
Transmission228%
Visibility & Wipers187%
Fuel System145%
Brakes104%
Tires & Wheels93%
Body & Structure83%
Airbags62%
Steering62%
Speed Control41%
Seat Belts31%
Trailer Hitch21%
Lighting21%
Suspension10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

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

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.

21V00M000Visibility & WipersDecember 28, 2021 · 26,413 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“After having a warranty repair for a valve cover gasket' at CENTEREACHHYUNDAI, I picked up my car. Only 8 minutes into my drive home the engine light went on and engine error code appeared. At that piont smoke was coming from the hood when I heard a pop and flames appeared at my passenger side…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 2, 2023 · fire

“This car just caught on fire in my fathers driveway at midnight last night...doesnt appear to be from engine compartment”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 10, 2022 · fire

“I was at a standstill waiting for oncoming traffic to pass with my foot on the brake and all of a sudden the car accelerated and the forward collision warning fail to come on and I hit a trailer because of it”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · April 13, 2026 · crash

“The vehicle seat caught fire overnight, Sept 26th, and was discovered the morning of Sept 27th 2024. The fire was contained to inside the vehicle and melted parts of the driver seat and lower part of steering wheel. The vehicle interior was covered in orange dust and had extremely toxic smell…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 26, 2024 · fire

“2020 SantaFe Limited AWD with ~81200 miles. This is the 3rd or 4th time the P07410 code pops up with the Engine Check light. Hyundai said they found no issues and cleared the code, again. There was once when the code came up and it cleared itself after 50 miles. Not sure exactly what the cause is…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 4, 2025

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe — common questions

Is the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

It is close to typical for the Santa Fe: 270 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2020 Santa Fe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (74 complaints), other (38 complaints), driver assistance (28 complaints).

Does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Hyundai Santa Fe years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Santa Fe years to avoid are 2017, 2007, 2013, 2008, 2014, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018. The cleanest record among Santa Fe years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe 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.