2021 Hyundai Santa Fe: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 155 complaints, with Transmission / Drivetrain as the top reported area.
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 6 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 6 trims analysed.
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
14.7% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
14.7% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe has 155 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 7 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Hyundai
- Model
- Santa Fe
- Model year
- 2021
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 155
- Crash-related complaints
- 4
- Safety recall campaigns
- 7
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 26
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 25 / 28
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Uncategorized Issues
Engine Problems
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Uncategorized Issues, Engine Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
Inspection Focus
- Inspect transmission/drivetrain for any signs of issues during test drive.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, engine, and electrical repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect transmission/drivetrain for any signs of issues during test drive.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, engine, and electrical repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe are concentrated in the transmission/drivetrain and engine, with a notable number of uncategorized issues. The data suggests potential concerns with these systems, though the low confidence level and limited year range warrant caution.
- Transmission/drivetrain complaints account for the largest share of reported issues.
- Engine problems are the third most reported component, with 34 complaints.
- Forward collision avoidance (AEB) has 18 complaints, indicating possible system concerns.
- Transmission / Drivetrain issues are the most frequently reported.
- Engine Problems are a significant concern with 34 complaints.
- Electrical Faults have 29 complaints, suggesting potential electrical system issues.
All 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 48 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 38 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 34 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 29 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 18 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
My 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe (VIN starting with 5NM) began experiencing a significant failure of the air conditioning system during its third year of ownership. The vehicle developed a persistent refrigerant leak that now requires annual recharges to remain functional. Multiple inspe…
First instance at 50-55 mph the transmission violently shook the car when downshifting to accelerate on multiple occasions. Dealership diagnosed the problem as a faulty transmission and replaced it at 44064 miles on March 18, 2025. Second time the car failed to accelerate when …
My vehicle loses power on the highway intermittently. I had my car set on cruise control at 55 and with no other vehicle in front of me the speed decreased to 45. It frequently sputters going up hills. My car has had 4 oil leaks.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V879000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION), but the failure occurred. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera displayed a distorted image or a black scree…
-shift lever in transmutation stopped working so car would go into auto shut off and then would not drive once I took my foot off the break. Would not switch gears or drive. Had to shut car off then turn back on to get it to switch gears. -safety was put at risk majorly. Car did…
My horn stopped working. Not under warranty but I believe it is a safety issue. A replacement horn is not available and not under warranty. Online search revealed this is a common issue
When I try to open the fuel cover it wont' open. I have to lock and unlock my car, sometimes up to 10 times, to get the fuel fill door to open. This eventually is going to leave me stranded somewhere stranded. Some of my same year and model are covered under recall for this iss…
The dealership I bought it from (Vineland Hyundai) I have had trouble with before where they say they fix things and they don’t. Last year there was a recall for the back camera not working. I took it in and supposedly they fixed it. Well, a few months later, the camera does not …
I was about to turn into a 2 lane road and a warning came on my dash, "shifter system malfunction service immediately " my vehicle was in Drive I was unable to move my vehicle, unable to shift into any other gear. It was sudden with no warning or loss of power prior to the warnin…
The rearview backup camera system malfunctioned. The camera was replaced under a safety recall on my 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. Within four days of the recall repair, the camera continued to fail intermittently, displaying a blank/black screen and not providing a rearview image when …
Replaced horns a couple times, after doing research, this seems to be a deeper and ongoing issues with this car ok a larger scale. Horns die out or stop completely, causing multiple replacements.
Horns stopped working entirely. Car was crossing into my lane and I attempted to honk horn and no sound. No warning lights or messages on dash. Is available for inspection. No inspections conducted currently.
Vehicle has now had several incidences of completing losing all acceleration power while driving at both high and low speeds, resulting in need to turn on hazards and abruptly pull to side of road. Pushing on gas pedal does nothing and vehicle will even roll backwards if I pull o…
Code P1C2D03 is popping up on my 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe after the dealership "fixed" the recall in 2023. My car is going into limp mode, failing while driving, and unsafe. Dealership and corporate won't help me. The transmission was never replaced with the recall and they are cl…
Horns assemblies are Failing repeatedly. Since ownership of the vehicle (2023 and a CPO Platinum Wrap), I have had to replace a single horn, or both horns three times with local Hyundai dealerships. mostly the right horn would fail, then the left. I am currently making efforts to…
Horn stopped working due to the same issue other Hyundai horns stopped working.
Was coming off an exit on the interstate and started slowing down. My brakes act like they didn’t want to work. Grinding and the pedal was twitching under my foot. The car stopped thankfully, but then all Linda of lights came on the my dash and will not go off. And 3 warning come…
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle experienced hard shifting while attempting to change gears, and the vehicle hesitated, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an ind…
Car misfiring symptoms like rough or shaky idle, hesitation and loss of power during acceleration, stumbling, unusual popping/backfiring noises, poor fuel economy, and a lit Check Engine Light. Felt vibrations / heard sputtering sounds, as if the engine skipped a beat, often beco…
On 1/1/26 while traveling on the highway with no traffic in front of or right of my vehicle the ADAS emergency brakes applied themselves and slowed the vehicle nearly causing my vehicle to be rear ended. Vehicle is available for inspection. Faulty assistance nearly caused a rear …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe.
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Recalls
7 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. 7 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 155 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 7 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (48 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (38 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (34 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, NHTSA complaints include 4 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 155 total complaints. 2 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?▾
Yes. 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. A major recall area is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. 7 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Santa Fe reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.