2021 Hyundai Santa FE recalls and problems

7 recalls and 167 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE.

7
recalls
167
owner complaints
4
complaints mentioning a crash
2
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2021 Hyundai Santa FE recalls

Back over prevention: sensing system, camera

NHTSA campaign 24V879000 · reported November 21, 2024 · Hyundai Motor America · 226,118 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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."
The risk
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Trailer hitches

NHTSA campaign 23V181000 · reported March 17, 2023 · Hyundai Motor America · 584,784 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix
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.

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 22V746000 · reported October 6, 2022 · Hyundai Motor America · 56,148 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Visibility: windshield

NHTSA campaign 21V00M000 · reported December 28, 2021 · Hyundai Motor America · 26,413 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The 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.

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA campaign 21V524000 · reported July 9, 2021 · Hyundai Motor America · 15,752 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
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.

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA campaign 21V308000 · reported May 3, 2021 · Hyundai Motor America · 2 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An insufficiently tightened fuel pipe may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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.

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification, front passenger · Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

NHTSA campaign 21V185000 · reported March 17, 2021 · Hyundai Motor America · 10 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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."
The risk
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.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 12, 2026 · Power train

On September 20, 2026, my 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy suffered sluggish acceleration while operating on a public roadway due to an internal dual-clutch transmission (DCT) failure. The Malfunction indicator light illuminated, and a diagnostic scan revealed stored history code P1C2D03, indicating a total breakdown…

Sep 9, 2026 · Engine · 58,000 miles · fire reported

The contact owned a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly caught on fire. The contact's wife became aware that the radio was inoperable before the failure. Additionally, the contact’s wife’s eyes were irritated, and there was a hot, harsh odor which…

Aug 27, 2026 · Fuel/propulsion system

The door to the gas tank is a push door which is temperamental. I can be at the pump and push the door to pop it open and it won't. I'm at the point where I have to pop my gas tank open before I even get to the gas station because to pull up to the pump and not be able to put gas in the tank is a waste of time. There…

Aug 12, 2026 · Back over prevention

My rear back up camera intermitting stops working. I can shift into reverse sometimes and the camera does not come on at all, other times the screen blinks and other times the screen has green lines and glitchy lines. The camera will also come on while I'm DRIVING forward

Jul 21, 2026 · Back over prevention

When i select (R) reverse my camera does not come on. It started as just a flashing screen, but does not come on. It has come on momentarily while I am (D)driving. it has flashed a green screen before.

Santa FE model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2018 210964
2019 22031613
2020 2218149
2021 716742
2022 520191
2023 1211113
2024 7155111

Across all years, the 2017 Santa FE has the most complaints (971). All Hyundai Santa FE years →

Questions

Does the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE, the most recent reported on November 21, 2024 (Back over prevention: sensing system, camera). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE?
Owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (51 complaints), followed by unknown or other (41).
How many 2021 Hyundai Santa FE complaints mention a crash or fire?
4 of 167 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 12, 2026.