Owners have reported 4 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to NHTSA for the 2021 Hyundai Santa-FE. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints52
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent transmission failures in the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, often resulting in sudden loss of acceleration power and hesitation while driving. Typical symptoms include the vehicle going into limp mode, hard shifting, failure to accelerate, and unexpected deceleration at various speeds. These issues are commonly reported around 40,000 miles, with some cases occurring as early as 13,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as multiple owners describe near-miss incidents due to sudden power loss, particularly on highways and in intersections. Buyers should be aware of these recurring transmission issues, especially in vehicles that have undergone recall-related repairs.
Owner complaints28
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report multiple issues with the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, with the most common being horn failures, where horns stop working suddenly without warning, often requiring repeated replacements. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle rolling out of park, resulting in at least one crash and one injury, with incidents occurring in parking lots and drive-thrus. Some owners also describe problems with the fuel door not opening and sunroof glass shattering without impact. These issues often arise soon after purchase or within the first few years of ownership, posing potential safety risks, particularly with the vehicle's tendency to roll away unexpectedly.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe frequently report issues with the vehicle's horn assembly, citing repeated failures often without warning, which poses a significant safety concern. Many complaints indicate that the horn stops functioning around 14,000 to 55,000 miles, with some owners having to replace it multiple times. Additionally, there are reports of electrical system failures affecting the rear and front cameras, resulting in non-functional safety features and warning alerts on the dashboard. One complaint involves a melting phone charger connector leading to a fire, and another describes a loss of vehicle control following a recall repair, posing serious safety risks. These issues may be pertinent to potential buyers considering the reliability and safety of the vehicle's electrical components.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints15
ENGINE
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe frequently report engine-related issues, including stalling, loss of power, and unexpected shutdowns. Common symptoms described include the engine misfiring, rough idling, hesitation during acceleration, and the vehicle unexpectedly shifting to neutral or failing to accelerate beyond certain speeds. These issues are often accompanied by a lit Check Engine Light and occur at varying mileages, with some reports as early as 14,000 miles and others around 67,000 miles. Safety implications are noted in instances where vehicles stall at high speeds or lose power unexpectedly, posing risks of collisions due to loss of control. Buyers should be aware of these recurring engine problems and the potential for unresolved issues even after dealer visits.
Owner complaints7
VISIBILITY
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe frequently report issues with glass components, particularly the panoramic sunroof and windshields. Multiple complaints describe the sunroof glass shattering spontaneously, sometimes while driving, with reported mileages ranging from 7,000 to 46,677 miles. There are also reports of windshield cracks forming suddenly, either while parked or driving, often described as starting with a small impact or noise. Safety implications include potential driver distraction and minor injuries from shattered glass. Some owners mention difficulties with warranty coverage for these repairs, and one complaint notes a delay in recall part availability.
Owner complaints6
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report that the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe's Forward Collision Avoidance system frequently activates unnecessarily, leading to abrupt braking without any apparent obstacles. Complaints indicate this issue occurs both on highways and local roads, with some incidents happening at speeds ranging from 30 to 65 mph. Symptoms include sudden brake application, vehicle swerving, and warning indicators on the dashboard. One report involves a minor crash due to the system failing to activate when needed. Multiple owners express concerns about the risk of rear-end collisions as a result of these unexpected brake activations. The system's reliability is questioned, with some owners noting that the feature automatically reactivates upon restarting the vehicle, requiring manual deactivation each time.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints4
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe report issues with the automatic emergency braking system activating unexpectedly, both on highways and while reversing, without any obstacles present. Complaints frequently mention brake pedal issues, including instances where the pedal must be depressed to the floor to stop the vehicle, and in one case, the pedal lost resistance entirely, leading to a near-miss at an intersection. These issues are reported at varying mileages, with one specific mention at approximately 58,800 miles. Safety implications include the potential for unexpected braking and loss of braking capability, posing risks of collisions or near-misses. Used car buyers should be aware of these reported symptoms and consider having the braking system inspected.
Owner complaints4
SEAT BELTS
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe frequently report issues with the seat belts, primarily involving slow retraction and improper positioning. Complaints describe seat belts that retract slowly or require manual assistance, and some owners note that the driver's side seat belt does not extend smoothly, occasionally becoming stuck and needing excessive force to operate. In addition, one owner mentions a seat belt that crosses the neck despite adjustments, raising safety concerns about potential injury in an accident. These issues are reported at various mileages, with one specific case noting the problem at approximately 26,000 miles. No crashes or injuries are reported in the complaints, but safety concerns are expressed due to improper seat belt positioning.
Owner complaints3
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe report issues primarily related to the air bag system. Complaints frequently mention air bag warning lights illuminating, often associated with clock spring failure or software-related issues. In some cases, the air bag system fails to recognize an occupant due to seat cushions, and replacements or software updates do not resolve the issue. Problems are noted at mileages ranging from approximately 16,000 to 60,000 miles. Safety implications include potential air bag non-deployment, though no crashes or injuries are reported. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring air bag system concerns.
Owner complaints3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe report issues related to unexpected acceleration and transmission slippage. Multiple owners describe incidents where the vehicle accelerates without pressing the accelerator, particularly after releasing the brakes on an incline, with no prior warnings or indicators. Another frequent complaint involves the transmission slipping out of gear, causing a sudden increase in RPM and temporary inability to accelerate, which poses a risk of traffic disruption. Additionally, the adaptive cruise control is reported to slow the vehicle significantly when detecting other vehicles, leading to abrupt speed changes that can surprise surrounding traffic and potentially cause rear-end collisions. These issues typically occur within the first year of ownership, with no specific mileage range mentioned.
