2021 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability
The 2021 Hyundai Santa-FE has good reliability. There are 10 recalls and 165 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Hyundai Santa-FE. Severity signals include 4 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Power Train (52), Unknown Or Other (28), Electrical System (25).
Santa-FE reliability snapshot
Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.
Used-car research
Research the Hyundai Santa-FE before checking the VIN
Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.
Most-reported 2021 Hyundai Santa-FE issues
Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.
- Power Train52
- Unknown Or Other28
- Electrical System25
- Engine15
- Visibility7
- Forward Collision Avoidance6
Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2021 Hyundai Santa-FE
Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.
- Test transmission for hesitation or hard shifting
- Check horn functionality multiple times
- Inspect for any engine warning lights or rough idling
- Verify Forward Collision Avoidance system does not activate unnecessarily
- Ensure sunroof and windshield are intact without cracks
- Check for any unexpected braking or brake pedal issues
- Test all seat belts for smooth retraction and proper positioning
2021 Santa-FE recalls (8)
Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2021 Santa-FE. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINENHTSA 21V308000May 3, 2021
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.
Consequence: An insufficiently tightened fuel pipe may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
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.
- BACK OVER PREVENTIONNHTSA 24V879000Nov 21, 2024
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."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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 HITCHESNHTSA 23V181000Mar 17, 2023Park outside until repaired
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.
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
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 TRAINNHTSA 22V746000Oct 6, 2022
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.
Consequence: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
- VISIBILITYNHTSA 21V00M000Dec 28, 2021
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.
Consequence: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
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, GASOLINENHTSA 21V524000Jul 9, 2021
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.
Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
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.
- AIR BAGSNHTSA 21V185000Mar 17, 2021
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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy
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.
- SEAT BELTSNHTSA 22V816000Oct 31, 2022
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.
Consequence: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
Remedy
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.
Used-market value
2021 Hyundai Santa-FE resale snapshot
Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.
2021 Hyundai Santa-FE on the road
112,705 2021 Hyundai Santa-FE units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.
How the 2021 Hyundai Santa-FE stacks up against rivals
The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.
Reliability verdict for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
With a score above the segment average, the 2021 Hyundai Santa-Fe lands in the solid range for overall reliability. The data points to a generally favorable ownership profile versus peers, suggesting lower-than-typical exposure to frequent problems for this class.
Issue reports are not evenly spread across the vehicle. They cluster most heavily in the powertrain, with secondary concentration in electrical-system and engine-related areas, while other categories trail well behind. That pattern indicates the main reliability risk is tied to core drivetrain and supporting electronics rather than a broad set of unrelated faults. Recall activity is elevated, which adds procedural risk even with an above-average score.
Overall, the Santa-Fe presents an above-average reliability outlook with moderate buyer risk driven by concentrated powertrain-related concerns and elevated recalls.
What you get in a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe report
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2021 Hyundai Santa Fe — Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
With a score above the segment average, the 2021 Hyundai Santa-Fe lands in the solid range for overall reliability. The data points to a generally favorable ownership profile versus peers, suggesting lower-than-typical exposure to frequent problems for this class.
How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
8 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
The most-reported 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe problem areas are: Power Train (52), Unknown Or Other (28), Electrical System (25).
Should I run a VIN check on a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.