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ProblemsByVin Index / 2021-HYUNDAI-SANTA-FE / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe owner complaints

158 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle . Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

powertrain 10 complaints shown

48 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/29/2023 15,600 mi ODI #11562514.0

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 driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shut off temporarily and almost came to a complete stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was stated that he continued driving the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and scheduled an appointment for a diagnostic test; however, the contact decided to trade the vehicle due to safety concerns. The vehicle was traded for another vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximatel

12/16/2022 ODI #11497809.0

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 stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

12/15/2022 ODI #11497665.0

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 NHTSA. Drive would not engage even after multiple restart attempts. The short amount of time and reduced speed could cause a serious accident. Very fortunate that I knew what I was happening and reacted quickly to get vehicle to side of highway. Dealer service has confirmed problem. Awaiting new transmission.

12/12/2022 13,000 mi ODI #11497116.0

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast off the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 13,000.

12/10/2022 ODI #11496881.0

The issue first came up in June 2022. When driving the vehicle and coming to a stop the vehicle lost power and would not drive at all. After a few seconds the check engine light came on. After multiple attempts to shift into gear and restart the vehicle the vehicle did have power but for only about 10 miles before doing it again. We ended up having the vehicle towed to the Hyundai dealership. They told us it was a transmission electric oil pump going out (which is now recalled). They replaced the pump but immediately after getting the vehicle and driving down the road less than a couple of miles, the vehicle lost power again and did the exact same thing. The dealership towed the vehicle back and this time said they will need to replace the whole transmission assembly. After waiting over 3

12/09/2022 ODI #11496750.0

I have been aware of this SAFETY DEFECT/RECALL for over 2 months now yet Hyundai has no remedy planned thus placing owners and others on the road in serious danger. This is unacceptable and I wish to file a formal complaint with the NHTSA. (NHTSA recall number 22V-746)

12/08/2022 11,900 mi ODI #11496616.0

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while making a turn from a complete stop, the vehicle responded but suddenly stopped. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle 5 minutes later. However, upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine made abnormal roaring sounds. The contact was able to drive after several attempts and pulled into a parking lot, however, the failure reoccurred. The contact restarted the vehicle and pulled into a parking spot. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. An unknown software update and an unknown repair were completed; however, the vehicle hesitated to respond while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the check engine warnin

12/07/2022 ODI #11496467.0

There were two warning (?) "bings" from the instrument cluster and then vehicle completely lost power and would not exceed maybe 2 MPH. Vehicle had forward drive, but no willingness for engine to speed up beyond idle speed. Was like this for several city blocks until I was able to restart at a traffic light and then it resumed normal operation. Did not notice any warning lights and no messages popped up in the instrument or vehicle display. Just the two "bings" before power loss. This is actually the second time this has happened. Last time was while accelerating on a freeway onramp, but vehicle corrected itself more quickly and without need for restart.

10/29/2025 ODI #11696391.0

My transmission failed, even after the #236 recall in 2022. My car was recalled for Recall #236 in 2022. My car was updated and "fixed" and now in 2025 is showing the p1c2d03 code and requiring a new transmission. The same recall, without the fix.The car is in great health and never had issues until I was going 60 miles per hour on a busy highway and it reduced to 26 miles per hour during busy traffic. Causing me to almost get rear-ended multiple times and people swerving off the highway to miss me. My car was not going, even with the gas pedal down. I had no warnings, it happened out of nowhere.

10/27/2022 ODI #11491168.0

The vehicle will not move forward or reverse, when drive or reverse is selected. The car has been at the dealership since 10/11/2022. I was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. No one in the hyundai organization (including the dealership) can tell me when replacement will be.

other 4 complaints shown

12/30/2024 ODI #11633275.0

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 is valid until tomorrow. N they REFUSED to provide the rental without the insurance being dated for 4 days from today. The man in the service office asked if I needed a ride home!? Suggesting i drive the car home. Hyundai has witnessed this cars emergency parking failing, and are aware that this car has rolled out of gear TWO TIMES, W my son in it !!?? Until today, claiming unable to "duplicate" the defect. And unable to "substantiate " my claims due to not being able to duplicate the deflect. They duplicated t

12/30/2022 ODI #11499526.0

The manufacturer has not issued a remedy for this recall #22v746000 since the initial filing of the recall on 10/6022.

12/23/2024 ODI #11632063.0

Rearview Camera does not work (Signal Loss message appears). I nearly hit 1 adult and 2 small children that were passing behind my vehicle in a parking lot. I felt the need to report this even though a recall is being put into place. I have an appointment already to have the camera repaired.

12/18/2024 ODI #11631455.0

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V879000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

electrical 3 complaints shown

23 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/26/2023 ODI #11561876.0

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.

12/12/2022 ODI #11497009.0

I was accelerating after being at a stop sign onto a major two lane road when all of the warning systems came on and the car stalled while the front of the car was partially on the major two lane road. The alarms, including the collision warning were going off, and it took me several minutes to restart the engine. I was very lucky that I was not hit by oncoming traffic. This was immediately reported to our local Hyundai dealer. They took two weeks to schedule our appointment and then told us nothing was wrong and that everything "checks out". Today, I receive the recall notice telling me the loss of power "could increase the risk of a crash" and yet they do not yet have a fix for it. This means I am paying for a car that is unsafe to use with no remedy in sight. Had this occurred on the hi

11/03/2021 ODI #11439221.0

While driving in the fast lane on the freeway at speed limit the car suddenly began to slow/stop, after which a warning flashed on the display that said Danger, collision imminent, or something like that. There was no one close in front of me when that happened. This exact scenario has happened three times now in this car, in the same way! I felt my life was endangered every time by the sudden and unnecessary braking of my car.

visibility 2 complaints shown

13 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $350 · see visibility cluster analysis →
11/30/2022 ODI #11495549.0

The windshield has waves through it causing parts of the windshield to be blurry.

11/06/2022 ODI #11492466.0

While backing out of our garage, the “eyebrow” glass portion of the panoramic sunroof shattered. Nothing struck the glass. Our insurance is paying for the repair and rental car for a week. Hyundai will not cover the glass damage under the warranty. Online searches indicate that Hyundai has a lengthy history of faulty panoramic sunroofs.

steering 1 complaint shown

11/13/2022 ODI #11493337.0

While driving the crash avoidance emergency braking came on out of nowhere, and the steering locked up. I was driving on a straight and level roadway with no vehicles in front of me when suddenly the whole dash lit up with warning lights and the car, a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, came to a emergency stop, the steering wheel was shaking and wouldn't turn. This was the second time this happened. The first time on 09/29/22 I called the car dealer and was told that "They knew of the problem and that there was no remedy". This is extremely dangerous, both times it happened while I was driving on a highway at a steady speed, thankfully the roadway was dry if it had been raining I would have probably crashed.

Showing 300 of 158 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Hyundai/Santa Fe#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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