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ProblemsByVinFile / 2021-HYUNDAI-SANTA-FENHTSA data synced 3 days ago
2021 · Hyundai
Hyundai Santa Fe problems
158 owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
Reliability score
7.0 / 10
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2021 Santa Fe?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2021 Santa Fe· powertrain
The contact owned a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated received notification of Hyundai Recall Campaign Number: 236, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the 8-speed dual clutch transmissions (DCT) TCU software update was performed. The contact stated while…
This vehicle has to replace car horn 3 time unsafe to drive this vehicle have opened repair . Unable to get load . have to Walt for service day .this vehicle have only 14000 mile I am disable person.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact…
Vehicle warning alarm activated, car went into limp mode for about 20 seconds, and then lost all drive. Warning message for Transmission Control Unit problem. Several previous temporary failures with no stored codes over past two or three months, one previously reported to…
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Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles
A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Santa Fe vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 2
An insufficiently tightened fuel pipe may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 158 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 48 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 28,458 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 28,458 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Hyundai Santa Fe has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 158 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Hyundai/Santa Fe.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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