VehicleVerdict

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 7 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 236 owner complaints run below the Santa Fe median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (50), other (40), and engine (36), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

236

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Santa Fe years?

See all Santa Fe years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission5021%
Other4017%
Engine3615%
Electrical System2912%
Driver Assistance2912%
Visibility & Wipers146%
Fuel System94%
Speed Control73%
Brakes63%
Seat Belts31%
Body & Structure31%
Airbags21%
Lighting21%
Seats21%
Trailer Hitch10%
Tires & Wheels10%
Steering10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

7 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.

22V746000TransmissionOctober 6, 2022 · 56,148 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

21V524000Fuel SystemJuly 9, 2021 · 15,752 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe and Sonata vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.

Consequence

A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 207.

21V308000Fuel SystemMay 3, 2021 · 2 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 2.5-litre Turbo engines. The fuel pipe connecting the high pressure fuel pump to the fuel rail may not have been tightened properly.

Consequence

An insufficiently tightened fuel pipe may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers inspected and tightened the fuel pipe connection, free of charge. The affected vehicles have been repaired and therefore no owner notification letters will be sent. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 206.

21V185000AirbagsMarch 17, 2021 · 10 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Santa Fe vehicles. The Occupant Detection System (ODS) module may not deactivate the air bag upon detection of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ODS module, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been remedied as of May 12, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 202.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

Code P1C2D03 is popping up on my 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe after the dealership "fixed" the recall in 2023. My car is going into limp mode, failing while driving, and unsafe. Dealership and corporate won't help me. The transmission was never replaced with the recall and they are claiming they aren't…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 1, 2025

On two different occasions the car is rolled away from me and while I was out of the car and walking away from the vehicle. The first time it rolled backwards across the parking lot and into a flagpole and the second time it was a McDonald's parking lot and I was able to jump back in the car in…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 15, 2022 · crash

It's only been less than a month, since I bought this car and I've driven ~500 miles. Now when I was driving the car yesterday it just stopped in the middle of the road all of a sudden for no reason. After getting the car towed to the service center, they are reporting that there is an issue with…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 19, 2021

Message: I own a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe with the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist feature installed and activated. The Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist did not function properly to stop my car to avoid a low speed impact. I applied the brakes to stop. I could not avoid impacting another vehicle.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · March 28, 2021 · crash

12v connector for phone charger melted my phone cord. Reported to Centennial Hyundai Las Vegas and High Desert Hyundai Kingman Az. Both service departments said my vehicle cannot detect the problem because I purchased a substandard plug-in. I have worked as an operator of high voltage electrical…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 19, 2025 · crash · fire

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe — common questions

Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

It is close to typical for the Santa Fe: 236 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2021 Santa Fe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (50 complaints), other (40 complaints), engine (36 complaints).

Does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 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 2021 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 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 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.