IllustrationThe Airbag light keeps coming on and saying it’s not activated, the wiring also keeps blowing out brand new headlights due to faulty wiring.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 212.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Santa Fe years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
440–25K
1225–50K
150–75K
875–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
65 reports with mileage · 132 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports12 fire reports10 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
7 reportsAt 1641, I was driving 55mph on tonganoxie rd with the right of way & no stop signed. The other driver did have a stop sign but did not yield and entered the intersection causing my vehicle to strike the middle of the passenger side and spinning my vehicle and stopped 90’ to my right facing the direction she was traveling. All…
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At 1641, I was driving 55mph on tonganoxie rd with the right of way & no stop signed. The other driver did have a stop sign but did not yield and entered the intersection causing my vehicle to strike the middle of the passenger side and spinning my vehicle and stopped 90’ to my right facing the direction she was traveling. All of my air back opened and inflated properly, except the driver side airbag. Because of this, my head slammed into the glass window, which then threw up upper body towards the passenger side. Had I not had a seatbelt on I would have ended up there. Due to the kinetic impact to the window (airbag only inflated about 1/4 of the way) I suffered a TBI severe concussion, tore my upper ribs from the breast bone, whiplash to my neck and back. There was a recall for this EXACT vehicle and driver airbag issue but mine was not listed as being on it. It has been a month and I still have a lump and tenderness at the impact site, brain fog and severe headaches, neck and back pain causing my to out of work at leave without pay. The headaches are worsening a bad do not want anyone else hurt.
Front side airbags only came down maybe sun visor length. Broadsided a car that pulled out in front of me, I was going 55mph when I hit her and no time to brake. I am 5’4” and when I hit her my head hit below the bag and into the glass getting a concussion. This is a major safety factor. Progressive Insurance claim #[XXX], v…
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Front side airbags only came down maybe sun visor length. Broadsided a car that pulled out in front of me, I was going 55mph when I hit her and no time to brake. I am 5’4” and when I hit her my head hit below the bag and into the glass getting a concussion. This is a major safety factor. Progressive Insurance claim #[XXX], vin [XXX]. I have not received police incident report yet. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Auto accident. Front end gone Air bag did not deploy. Only driver in car. Suffered 2 Broken ribs and broken sternum. Insurance company totaled car after inspection. No warning lights or messages presented at any time prior to accident.
IT'S A RENTAL CAR. IT WAS A SNOW DAY AND HIT ON THE CONCRETE WALL BUT THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. COMPARED TO THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR, IT IS A SAFETY CONCERNS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH AND WAS ABOUT TO SWITCH OVER TO THE LEFT LANE WITH THE LEFT SIGNAL INDICATOR LIGHT ON, THE WARNING LEFT INDICATOR ALERT SENSOR LIGHT FAILED AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT COLLIDED SIDE BY SIDE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH AND WAS ABOUT TO SWITCH OVER TO THE LEFT LANE WITH THE LEFT SIGNAL INDICATOR LIGHT ON, THE WARNING LEFT INDICATOR ALERT SENSOR LIGHT FAILED AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT COLLIDED SIDE BY SIDE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 75-80 MPH, AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER FRONT SIDE DOOR, THE REAR END AND THE FRONT END BUMPER AND TIRE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LEFT ARM, NECK, BACK, WHIPLASH AND A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HALF OF HER BODY WAS NUMB THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND WAS INFORMED BY HER DOCTOR THAT SHE HAD NERVE DAMAGE AND POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MASSEY HYUNDAI DEALER, LOCATED AT 1706 MASSEY BLVD, HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740, (301) 739-6756, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM ANYMORE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE SAFETY FEATURE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SAFETY FEATURES WERE TURNED OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER: 15818438. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500.
MY WIFE HAS HAD A BAD BACK FOR MANY YEARS AND REQUIRES A CUSHION TO EASE THE BACK PAIN WHILE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. BY DOING THAT THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIT WILL NOT ACTIVATE. THIS HAS CREATED A REAL PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY. I'VE REACHED OUT TO HYUNDAI TO HAVE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ACTIVE CONTINUOUSLY B…
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MY WIFE HAS HAD A BAD BACK FOR MANY YEARS AND REQUIRES A CUSHION TO EASE THE BACK PAIN WHILE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. BY DOING THAT THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIT WILL NOT ACTIVATE. THIS HAS CREATED A REAL PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY. I'VE REACHED OUT TO HYUNDAI TO HAVE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ACTIVE CONTINUOUSLY BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED. I'M NOT ASKING THEM TO TURN IT OFF, I'M ASKING THEM TO TURN IT ON SO WE CAN BE MORE SECURE IN THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE TRIED MANY DIFFERENT PILLOWS, CUSHIONS AND BACK SUPPORTS TO NO AVAIL. RIDING WITH THE AIR BAG INOPERABLE IS NOT AN OPTION, RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HYUNDAI'S ANSWER IS BUCKLE UP TIGHT AND SIT BACK AWAY FROM THE DASH. THIS IS NOT AN ANSWER TO A PROBLEM THAT CAN EFFECT MILLIONS OF DISABLED PEOPLE SPENDING MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON NEW CARS THAT WANT TO FEEL SAFE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS. THANK YOU.
Official recalls
223V181000 · Trailer Hitches
Mar 17, 2023
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 & remedy
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.
18V715000 · Air Bags:side/window
Oct 11, 2018
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. The Side Curtain Air Bag (SCAB) mounting bolts may interfere with and damage the air bags during deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags become damaged during deployment they may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the SCAB installation bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 177.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.