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ProblemsByVin File / 2021-HYUNDAI-SANTA-FE
2021 · hyundai

hyundai Santa Fe problems

3 safety recalls. 154 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
48 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
23 reports · avg $850
severe
engine
14 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
visibility
12 reports · avg $350
moderate
brakes
4 reports · avg $450
moderate
cruise control
3 reports · avg $600
moderate
seatbelts
3 reports · avg $500
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2021 Santa Fe · other
I hadn't been begging Hyundai to help remove a public safety risk for years ! Today, The service lady witnessed my car have a severe safety defect. Although initially offering a rental car, ultimately denied due to my inability to provide insurance until the 1st. My insurance…
12/30/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11633275.0
2021 Santa Fe · other
THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT ISSUED A REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL #22V746000 SINCE THE INITIAL FILING OF THE RECALL ON 10/6022.
12/30/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11499526.0
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…
12/29/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11562514.0
2021 Santa Fe · electrical
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.
12/26/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11561876.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 21V00M000 28/12/2021

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.
severe NHTSA 21V185000 17/03/2021

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.
severe NHTSA 21V308000 03/05/2021

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 154 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.

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. 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. 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 154 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with hyundai. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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