Hyundai Santa Fe 2019–2023
4th generation (TM)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20261,411 complaints, 250 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
- Reports with mileage
- 250
- Median of reported failures
- 11,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Engine (18.4%)
- Recalls
- 9
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, 52% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 1 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000.
Figure 1 · Hyundai Santa Fe 2019–2023 · 250 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 20,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 161 complaints.
- First 12,000 miles — 52% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 10%
- 309
- 25%
- 2,400
- Median
- 11,445
- 75%
- 37,500
- 90%
- 75,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20,000 | 161 | 64.4% |
| 20,000–40,000 | 31 | 12.4% |
| 40,000–60,000 | 20 | 8.0% |
| 60,000–80,000 | 17 | 6.8% |
| 80,000–100,000 | 20 | 8.0% |
| 100,000–120,000 | 1 | 0.4% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,411 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019–2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, and 250 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
52% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 1 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
The most-reported areas are the engine (18.4% of complaints, typically around 16,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (16.3% of complaints, typically around 7,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (14.4% of complaints, typically around 16,000 miles).
9 recall campaigns cover this generation. 1 of them carry a severe NHTSA advisory.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
Note: in 2019, both this generation and the previous one were sold at the same time, and NHTSA complaints are not separated by body.
How many miles does a 2019–2023 Hyundai Santa Fe last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2019–2023 Hyundai Santa Fe were filed by 11,000 miles and 90% by 75,000 miles — figures drawn from 250 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
Before you buy a 2019–2023 Santa Fe: the 3-minute check
Generated from 250 mileage-tagged complaints, 9 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 9 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Ask for problems owners could not categorise repair records. This area fails at a median of 7,000 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Ask for electrical system repair records. This area fails at a median of 5,000 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Check engine — theta ii family (2.4l/2.0t) on 2019–2020 cars. The 2019-2020 carryover 2.4L GDI and 2.0T remain in the Theta II family covered by Hyundai's knock sensor detection system software campaigns for connecting-rod bearing wear. The 2021 switch to the Smartstream 2.5L is a…
- Check transmission — 8-speed wet dual-clutch on 2021–2023 (2.5T only) cars. Drivability complaints (low-speed shudder, hesitation from a stop, jerky engagement) with the wet DCT paired to the 2.5L turbo introduced in the 2021 facelift.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 52% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, the engine and problems owners could not categorise are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Problems owners could not categorise in particular shows a median failure mileage of 7,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Hyundai Santa Fe 2019–2023
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Electrical system145 reports5,0002,000–40,000Electrical system: 145 reports, median 5,000 miles, middle half 2,000 to 40,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise230 reports7,000309–18,000Problems owners could not categorise: 230 reports, median 7,000 miles, middle half 309 to 18,000 miles.
- Brakes57 reports9,5002,500–33,000Brakes: 57 reports, median 9,500 miles, middle half 2,500 to 33,000 miles.
- Engine260 reports16,0002,500–41,000Engine: 260 reports, median 16,000 miles, middle half 2,500 to 41,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline203 reports16,0008,000–61,000Transmission and driveline: 203 reports, median 16,000 miles, middle half 8,000 to 61,000 miles.
- Visibility equipment34 reports29,0009,000–43,000Visibility equipment: 34 reports, median 29,000 miles, middle half 9,000 to 43,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 260 | 18.4% | 16,000 | 2,500–41,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 230 | 16.3% | 7,000 | 309–18,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 203 | 14.4% | 16,000 | 8,000–61,000 |
| Electrical system | 145 | 10.3% | 5,000 | 2,000–40,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 119 | 8.4% | — | — |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 64 | 4.5% | — | — |
| Brakes | 57 | 4.0% | 9,500 | 2,500–33,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 46 | 3.3% | — | — |
| Body structure | 36 | 2.6% | — | — |
| Visibility equipment | 34 | 2.4% | 29,000 | 9,000–43,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Hyundai Santa Fe 2019–2023 · 250 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 85% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
85% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 16,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 7,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 5,000 mi
- Brakes — median 9,500 mi
- Visibility equipment — median 29,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 8,000–61,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
94% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 16,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 7,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 16,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 5,000 mi
- Brakes — median 9,500 mi
- Visibility equipment — median 29,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
100% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 16,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 7,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 16,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 5,000 mi
- Brakes — median 9,500 mi
- Visibility equipment — median 29,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 11,445 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 18.4% of complaints (260 reports, 40 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 16,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 2,500 and 41,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 16.3% of complaints (230 reports, 31 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 7,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 309 and 18,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 14.4% of complaints (203 reports, 43 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 16,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 8,000 and 61,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 10.3% of complaints (145 reports, 27 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 5,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 2,000 and 40,000 miles.
The brakes account for 4.0% of complaints (57 reports, 11 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 9,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 2,500 and 33,000 miles.
Visibility equipment accounts for 2.4% of complaints (34 reports, 13 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 29,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 9,000 and 43,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2023 model year drew the most — 316 complaints — while 2021 drew the fewest at 240. The median year sits at 285.
One caveat on the year figures: in 2019, the manufacturer sold both this generation and the previous one at the same time, and NHTSA records do not distinguish between them. Complaints filed under that year may describe either vehicle.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 9 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
1 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the fuel system (2), the airbag system (2), the reversing camera and sensors (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,411 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 81 (5.7%)
- Fires
- 35
- Injury reports
- 50
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Engine — Theta Ii Family (2.4l/2.0t) 2019–2020
The 2019-2020 carryover 2.4L GDI and 2.0T remain in the Theta II family covered by Hyundai's knock sensor detection system software campaigns for connecting-rod bearing wear. The 2021 switch to the Smartstream 2.5L is a clean powertrain break within the generation.
Transmission — 8-Speed Wet Dual-Clutch 2021–2023 (2.5T only)
Drivability complaints (low-speed shudder, hesitation from a stop, jerky engagement) with the wet DCT paired to the 2.5L turbo introduced in the 2021 facelift.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 mixed | 272 | 94 |
| 2020 | 285 | 59 |
| 2021 | 240 | 43 |
| 2022 | 298 | 28 |
| 2023 | 316 | 26 |
Recalls (9) — is your car included?
Jan 2025 · 2021–2022 · Back Over PreventionA rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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."
What can happen. A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
The free 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.
May 2023 · 2019–2023 · Trailer Hitches park outsideA fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The free 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.
Jan 2023 · 2021–2022 · Power TrainLoss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The free 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.
Jun 2022 · 2020–2021 · VisibilityA windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The free 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.
May 2022 · 2022 · Engine and Engine CoolingAn oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.
What can happen. An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall 222.
Sep 2021 · 2021–2022 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The free 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.
May 2021 · 2021 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase…
The defect. 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."
What can happen. 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 free 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.
May 2021 · 2021 · Fuel System, GasolineAn insufficiently tightened fuel pipe may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. An insufficiently tightened fuel pipe may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free 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.
Dec 2018 · 2019 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, if the air bags become damaged during deployment they may not inflate properly…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. The Side Curtain Air Bag (SCAB) mounting bolts may interfere with and damage the air bags during deployment.
What can happen. In the event of a crash, if the air bags become damaged during deployment they may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the SCAB installation bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 177.
What owners reported
As i was driving on curves, the wheel going out of control pulling to left toward emergency lane and getting extremely hard to control by hands. The car was driving good under 50 miles, however when i speed up to 65 or 70, i was not able to control the steering wheel. Driver attention warning sets to high" which will…
2019 · 30 miles · Steering
Idle stop and go technology feature cannot be disabled. The system turns itself on after i have turned off without warning. After driving a few miles with the feature turned off and stopped at a light, the engine will shut down, thereby turning the technology back on. I have almost been in several accidents thinking…
2019 · 60 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
My new 2019 Hyundai sante fe from the time i bought it had the yellow check engine light come on. It said the bsm system wasn't working. Then the engine would not start on 4 separate occasions. I had to wait to get it to start. There have been 3 occasions when it did start it sounded like it was going die, very…
2019 · 100 miles · Electrical system
My wife has had a bad back for many years and requires a cushion to ease the back pain while riding in the passenger seat. By doing that the air bag on the passenger sit will not activate. This has created a real problem for people with a disability. I've reached out to Hyundai to have the passenger air bag active…
2019 · 100 miles · Airbag system
Built from 250 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page