Worst 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Electrical Faults
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 48 | — | — | 23,719 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 34 | — | — | 29,289 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 28 | 1 | 1 | 20,000 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 15 | 1 | — | 1,100 mi | |
| Fuel System | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 6 | — | — | 1,100 mi | |
| Brakes | 6 | — | — | 58,800 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Backup Camera | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Sunroof/Moonroof | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~909,227 vehicles.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
Other Hyundai Santa Fe Years
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
What are common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
How safe is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Santa Fe reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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