Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial fallout. In rare cases, the paint can become clouded under the PPF. These spots are the result of moisture trapped between the PPF and the paint.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Hyundai Santa Fe body problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the body at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Santa Fe | 5 |
| 2017 Santa Fe | 7 |
| 2019 Santa Fe | 14 |
| 2020 Santa Fe (this page) | 8 |
| 2022 Santa Fe | 4 |
| 2023 Santa Fe | 4 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Certain 2019-2020 Nexo (FE), 2020 Palisade (LX2), and 2019 - 2020 Santa Fe (TM) vehicles equipped with the power tailgate may experience a nonoperational condition. This campaign provides service procedures to inspect and when necessary, perform the power tailgate spindle wire harness revision.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2019 - 2020 Nexo (FE), 2020 Palisade (LX2), and 2019 - 2020 Santa Fe (TM) vehicles equipped with the power tailgate may not operate. This bulletin provides the service procedure to inspect and when necessary perform the power tailgate spindle wire harness revision.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Hyundai/Santa Fe.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.