2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Recalls, Problems & MPG
NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 187 owner complaints for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The EPA rates it 24 to 34 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
- Recalls
- 8
- Owner complaints
- 187
- Crashes / fires reported
- 4 / 2
- EPA combined
- 24–34 MPG
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls
Back Over PreventionNov 21, 2024 · NHTSA 24V879000+
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
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.
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."
Trailer HitchesMar 17, 2023 · NHTSA 23V181000+
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
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.
Seat BeltsOct 31, 2022 · NHTSA 22V816000+
Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
Fix: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 238/011G. This recall is an expansion of recall numbers 22V-354 and 22V-458.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023 Genesis G80 Electric, 2021-2022 Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
Power TrainOct 6, 2022 · NHTSA 22V746000+
Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
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.
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.
VisibilityDec 28, 2021 · NHTSA 21V00M000+
Risk: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
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.
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.
Fuel System, GasolineJul 9, 2021 · NHTSA 21V524000+
Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
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.
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.
Fuel System, GasolineMay 3, 2021 · NHTSA 21V308000+
Risk: An insufficiently tightened fuel pipe may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
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.
Air BagsMar 17, 2021 · NHTSA 21V185000+
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.
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.
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."
Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.
Most reported 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.
- Power Train58
- Unknown or Other46
- Engine45
- Electrical System32
- Forward Collision Avoidance19
- Fuel/Propulsion System13
- Back Over Prevention8
- Vehicle Speed Control8
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe gas mileage
EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).
| Version | Engine | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Hybrid Blue | 1.6 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM-S6) | 36 | 31 | 34 | $1,900 |
| Santa Fe Hybrid | 1.6 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM-S6) | 33 | 30 | 32 | $2,000 |
| Santa Fe FWD | 2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S8) | 25 | 28 | 26 | $2,450 |
| Santa Fe FWD | 2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM-S8) | 22 | 28 | 25 | $2,550 |
| Santa Fe AWD | 2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM-S8) | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,700 |
| Santa Fe AWD | 2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S8) | 22 | 25 | 24 | $2,700 |
Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.
Questions
Does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, most recently for the back over prevention (Nov 21, 2024). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
Owners filed 187 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are power train (58), unknown or other (46), engine (45).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe at 24 to 34 MPG combined (best version: 36 city / 31 highway).
Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.