Hyundai Santa Fe 2021 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls issued for the Hyundai Santa Fe 2021 and 166 complaints filed by owners. One of them carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning until repaired. It has 36% fewer complaints than the average Hyundai Santa Fe from 2016–2025 (259 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Hyundai Santa Fe 2021? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Hyundai Santa Fe 2021
Backup camera and sensors
NHTSA campaign 24V879000 · 2024-11-21
What happens
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."
Consequence
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 271.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Trailer hitch
NHTSA campaign 23V181000 · 2023-03-17 !
Owners are advised to park it outside and away from structures until repaired (fire risk).
What happens
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.
Consequence
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Powertrain and transmission
NHTSA campaign 22V746000 · 2022-10-06
What happens
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.
Consequence
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Visibility (glass and mirrors)
NHTSA campaign 21V00M000 · 2021-12-28
What happens
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.
Consequence
A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Fuel system
NHTSA campaign 21V524000 · 2021-07-09
What happens
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.
Consequence
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 207.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Fuel system
NHTSA campaign 21V308000 · 2021-05-03
What happens
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.
Consequence
An insufficiently tightened fuel pipe may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Air bags
NHTSA campaign 21V185000 · 2021-03-17
What happens
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."
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
166 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
4 with a crash · 2 with a fire · 2 injuries
Most reported problems on the Hyundai Santa Fe 2021
- Powertrain and transmission: 50 (30% of complaints)
- Engine: 37 (22% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 29 (17% of complaints)
- Forward collision avoidance: 18 (11% of complaints)
- Fuel and propulsion: 9 (5% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Hyundai Santa Fe 2021
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- On the test drive, check for smooth shifts with no jerks, slipping or noises; check the transmission fluid condition.
- Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
- Test lights, windows, locks, the screen and dashboard warning lights; have trouble codes scanned.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Hyundai Santa Fe recalls by year
- 2016 : 3 recalls · 236 complaints
- 2017 : 6 recalls · 968 complaints
- 2018 : 2 recalls · 109 complaints
- 2019 : 2 recalls · 202 complaints
- 2020 : 2 recalls · 214 complaints
- 2021 : 7 recalls · 166 complaints
- 2022 : 5 recalls · 200 complaints
- 2023 : 1 recalls · 211 complaints
- 2024 : 7 recalls · 153 complaints
- 2025 : 5 recalls · 134 complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Hyundai Santa Fe 2021 have?
NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls issued for the Hyundai Santa Fe 2021. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Hyundai Santa Fe 2021?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: powertrain and transmission (50 of 166 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 13, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).