Complaint volume
158 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints
158 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, grouped by component category.
158 Total complaints
4 Crash reports
1 Fire reports
2 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are power train, unknown or other, engine. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 4 crash reports, 1 fire report, 2 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 29 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 27,196 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to power train, unknown or other, engine?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe complaints?
4 Crash
1 Fire
2 Injury
0 Fatality
6 Towed
1 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe complaint categories?
POWER TRAIN 31
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 23
ENGINE 12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 6
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 6
VISIBILITY 6
VISIBILITY/WIPER 6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 4
BACK OVER PREVENTION 3
158 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The transmission in my 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe has failed multiple times. The first failure occurred within the first two years of owning the vehicle. The car began jerking, hesitating, and struggling to accelerate, and the check engine light came on. The dealership confirmed a transmission issue and replaced the transmission under warranty. After that replacement, the same symptoms returned, and the transmission had to be replaced a second time, again under warranty. The most recent transmission replacement was only a few weeks ago, and the same symptoms are already returning — the vehicle hesitates, jerks, and occasionally loses power when trying to accelerate. These problems create serious safety concerns, especially when merging onto highways or crossing intersections. The hesitation and loss of power make it unpredictable and unsafe to drive. I have two young children who ride in car seats, and I no longer feel confident that this vehicle is safe for my family. Hyundai service employees have acknowledged that this is a known, recurring issue with this model’s transmission design. However, no permanent fix or recall has been issued, and I have been told to continue replacing the transmission under warranty until the coverage runs out. This approach does not address the underlying safety defect. The issue has been confirmed by Hyundai dealerships multiple times. The check engine light has come on before each failure. I am reporting this because repeated transmission failures that cause hesitation and power loss are a clear safety risk, and Hyundai has not provided a lasting solution. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the controls on the steering wheel became inoperable. In addition, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with clock spring failure. The contact was informed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the Department of Motor Vehicles declined the registration renewal due to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and several cases were filed. In addition, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall nor special program. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 60,000 |
| Sep 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The horn on my 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe has completely stopped working. This is a severe safety hazard. I recently attempted to warn another driver who was drifting into my lane but was unable to, forcing me to swerve and nearly resulting in a head-on collision. The horn failed without any warning. After researching online, I have found that this appears to be a known issue with the Santa Fe model and Hyundai vehicles in general. I am requesting a diagnostic and repair as this is a safety feature failure that could lead to a serious accident. Please let me know if this issue qualifies for a recall. Thank You | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, a bystander noticed that the glass partition had shattered without impact. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the part replacement was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,677. | Crash: No Fire: No | 46,677 |
| Aug 2025 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | For a few month now the light of ABS have been turning on. At the beginning there was no diagnosis specific, cause kept turning off. Two or three months ago again turn on and gave code of back caliper on the left and was changed. An now yesterday August 5, 2025 the diagnosis its need of change of the SBS module whole. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The car horn stopped working very suddenly, without any prior warning, while I was driving. The car has around 36000 miles on it, so the horn dying out was a surprise. Driving without a functioning horn has also become a safety issue. I have an upcoming appointment with the dealership to diagnose and fix the problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I am writing to formally report an issue with my vehicle that I believe may warrant a recall investigation. The issue involves the fuel door, which is failing to open after the car has been turned off. This has occurred repeatedly and is preventing me from refueling the vehicle, posing a significant inconvenience and potential safety concern. Despite ensuring that the vehicle is unlocked and powered down as instructed, the fuel door remains stuck and will not release. This malfunction requires manual intervention or technical assistance each time I need to access the fuel tank, which is not only frustrating but could also become hazardous in certain situations. I would appreciate it if this matter could be reviewed for possible recall consideration or guidance on next steps. Please let me know if additional documentation, including my VIN or service history, is needed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I am writing to formally express my deep concern and dissatisfaction with the ongoing quality and safety issues I have experienced with my 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, which I purchased new in March 2021. Despite regular maintenance and careful ownership, this vehicle has presented a persistent pattern of failure—most notably involving the electrical systems, onboard cameras, and overall build quality. Specifically, the following issues have occurred: •The rear backup camera has intermittently failed for an extended period, frequently displaying a black screen or static lines, rendering it unusable. •The front camera system has now failed entirely, disabling several advanced safety features. A warning alert is permanently displayed on the dashboard and cannot be dismissed. •I was recently informed that repairing this front camera will cost approximately $2,400, a significant expense for a system that should not fail this early in the vehicle's life cycle. •The overall quality of the interior materials has proven to be poor, with excessive wear and inconsistent performance of various controls and features. •In general, the engine power and performance fall well below expectations, especially given Hyundai's advertised standards. These recurring issues have not only affected our driving experience but have also introduced serious safety concerns, particularly as critical systems such as cameras and driver-assist features are now non-functional. We have never experienced this extent of problems with any vehicle in our ownership history. At this point, we are extremely disappointed and frustrated, and we feel that Hyundai has failed to uphold the level of quality and reliability expected from a modern, family-oriented SUV. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2025 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact filed the complaint on behalf of the contact's mother. The contact owned a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the contact's mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was crashed into by an oncoming vehicle. The other vehicle crashed into the front passenger's side close to the front bumper area. The driver's side door independently opened, although it was secured and locked prior to the crash. The contact stated the vehicle spun around and flipped onto the driver's side. In addition, the contact's mother's left leg and left foot were pinned underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. The paramedics and Police arrived on the scene. A Police report was filed. The contact's mother was transported to the local medical center. The contact's mother sustained compartment syndrome, the big toe bone was broken in two places, and the left foot was broken. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| May 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Horn failure, confirmed by Hyundai dealership. No warning or indication of failure. Went to use horn in a safety situation when I needed it, and it was non-functional. A huge safety risk for myself and other drivers on the road. In doing research, this is a known manufacturer defect, with most owners having to replace low and high horns multiple times due to failure. The horn units apparently due to placement and design fill up with water, which leads to failure, again, without warning. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2025 | TIRES | Ever since I have purchased these tires I have been experiencing extreme violent vibration between 60 to 75 Mi an hour on the highway at first I wondered if something was wrong with the balance on the tire so I had them checked at the dealership twice and then I went to another dealership because the problem continue and had them checked same results no issues the balance machine only goes to 55 mph then I took it to a private garage paid out of pocket for the diagnostic twice because the problem over time persisted I also had an alignment done out of pocket and the problem again persisted I did a little research yesterday and there's many threads and forms in which people have complained about the exact same problem with the exact same tires I have screenshots I have video of my car doing it this is a manufacturer's defect that I'm trying to get addressed before somebody gets killed I have spoken to Pirelli corporate itself about this they're going to be issuing me a warranty claim let's see how far I get with that but the problem still is out there for others | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2025 | POWER TRAIN | This vehicle has two instances of transmission disengagement. One at highway speed and the other while driving in a residential area. In both cases the vehicle suddenly started to slow down, and the rpms went up to 4-5 thousand. I was able to stop the car and turn it off and after a few minutes restarted the car and completed the journeys without any further issues. I have contacted the dealer and will be taking the car in for a diagnosis. I did not notice any warning lamps or other symptoms before each occurance. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The horn has failed and been replaced 2 times after purchasing from brand-new. It has failed again but the vehicle is now out of warranty. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Horn stopped working on my 2021 Santa Fe. Reported to dealer and they confirmed that both horns (high and low?) were broken. There was no indication that the horn was malfunctioning. It worked and then it didn't. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the horn had become inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was a common failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 55,000 |
| Mar 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Upon starting the vehicle and placing in drive, it drove like it was stuck in a low gear. A few seconds later the vehicle stopped moving while in drive and would not respond to drive or reverse despite turning off the ignition and restarting. I was stranded in an intersection and the car would not move. It had to be towed to the dealer. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 12v connector for phone charger melted my phone cord. Reported to Centennial Hyundai Las Vegas and High Desert Hyundai Kingman Az. Both service departments said my vehicle cannot detect the problem because I purchased a substandard plug-in. I have worked as an operator of high voltage electrical systems. I understand in some circumstances that a system cannot detect a fault, however the company is still responsible for the fire it caused. This is unsafe and can cause serious consequences. It must be corrected. | Crash: Yes Fire: Yes | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | SEAT BELTS | The seat belt is incredibly slow to retract. Most times I need to help it along. I've tried pulling it out to check for kinks (none there) and tried cleaning it but it still won't retract | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I bought this vehicle brand new in 2021. It failed its first safety inspection in 2022. I was asked ..did you know your horn is not working? Took it to the dealer and was told this has been a common issue, the relays are freezing and popping in the cold. Have lots in stock because of this issue. The service dept has stated on each replacement parts are in stock because this happens all the time. It has now become an annual replacement for me. I just had my third set of horns in 3 years installed on 1/21/25. So for one this is a vehicle safety requirement to pass inspections in NYS. Two: I dont know my horn isnt working until I go to use it because I need to in a dangerous situation and its dead. There is no fix other than replacing the horns which is a huge inconvenience since closest dealer is 30+ miles away and can be weeks before they can get it in. There also has been no recall on this. My repair invoices are available in required. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I hadn't been begging Hyundai to help remove a public safety risk for years ! Today, The service lady witnessed my car have a severe safety defect. Although initially offering a rental car, ultimately denied due to my inability to provide insurance until the 1st. My insurance is valid until tomorrow. N they REFUSED to provide the rental without the insurance being dated for 4 days from today. The man in the service office asked if I needed a ride home!? Suggesting i drive the car home. Hyundai has witnessed this cars emergency parking failing, and are aware that this car has rolled out of gear TWO TIMES, W my son in it !!?? Until today, claiming unable to "duplicate" the defect. And unable to "substantiate " my claims due to not being able to duplicate the deflect. They duplicated the defect today. The car no longer has a safety system, that safely parks the car, when the door is open. The safety system fails, at more then half of the attempts,engage and the car will roll in either direction with the car door wide open The service department duplicated the defect today. They claim to have documented the defect . i would like to believe they will finally do what is right.. The realistic fact that they have chosen to disregard the safety of the community, and refuse to offer the rental car, is extremely dangerous to the community and neglectful to the laws of the Safety Act and my Consumer rights. With now, TWO (NOT AT FAULT) Rollaway accidents , insurers are refusing n to provide coverage for the vehicle. Some only offer liabilit, or want 4 xs the quoted rate. Hyundai is aware that this car is defective.. Hyundai has a recent consent order, for over 54 millionth dollars, for untimely recalls and falsafying reports to the NHSTA . They are now, as they then, are in violation of the Safety Act and the NHSTA Consent Order with Kia in the Theta II engines Class Action The purpose of the Safety Act, is to prevent serious injuries, from known defects before | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Rearview Camera does not work (Signal Loss message appears). I nearly hit 1 adult and 2 small children that were passing behind my vehicle in a parking lot. I felt the need to report this even though a recall is being put into place. I have an appointment already to have the camera repaired. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V879000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I have a problem with the horns on this vehicle. The horns have been replaced by the dealer 5 times so far and they are out again. THE HORNS LAST ABOUT 1 TO 2 MOUNTHS. There is no warning that the horn stopped working, and if it's needed in an emergency to avoid an accident and doesn't work, myself and others could get hurt. This is ongoing problem that should to be addressed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating after a cold start. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle. The contact's husband restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 41,122. | Crash: No Fire: No | 41,122 |
| Jul 2024 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted to neutral(N). The contact pulled over to the side of the road and attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 67,000 |