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#BS-2021-HYUSAN-39C52021 Hyundai Santa FeProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 243 owners and 7 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Think Twice
Based on 243 complaints, 4 crashes, 2 fires, and 7 recalls.
Top reported problems
transmission failure
3 complaints • Severity 8.7/10
windshield cracked after stone struck it
3 complaints • Severity 8.7/10
vehicle lurches when accelerating from stop
2 complaints • Severity 8/10
trim piece has come loose
1 complaints • Severity 4/10
many electrical system issues
1 complaints • Severity 4/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
51 owners reported drivetrain issues — failures commonly reported around 19K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (28 reports) • Median: 19K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Drivetrain (51 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 21% of all reports filed for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, with 51 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 18,500 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 19K-mile mark.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 15% of all reports filed for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, with 37 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 12% of all reports filed for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, with 28 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking Issues
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, with 15 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recent trend: increasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (7 recalls)
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
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.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
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."
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
+ 2 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (1)
All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.
Loss of Motive Power
ENGINE
The worst model year for the Hyundai Santa Fe is the 2012 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Class Average (Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD)
This vehicle
243
Class avg
206
Complaint volume is roughly in line with other small sport utility vehicle 2wd vehicles from 2021.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 243 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 7 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated . NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Hyundai Santa Fe Model Years
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 243 owner reports. Know before you buy.