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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Engine complaints

70 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2021
Engine

The engine stalled while driving on highway at 65 miles per hour. When I tried to push the gas the vehicle was resisting to speed. When I took a nearest exit, the car suddenly jerked and slowed on its own without me pressing any brakes. Somehow I managed to drive to a nearest parking area and called for assistance. When it jerk…

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The engine stalled while driving on highway at 65 miles per hour. When I tried to push the gas the vehicle was resisting to speed. When I took a nearest exit, the car suddenly jerked and slowed on its own without me pressing any brakes. Somehow I managed to drive to a nearest parking area and called for assistance. When it jerked and slowed suddenly the person behind me honked so hard. May be the person barely missed hitting my back of the car. It was a scary experience.

NHTSA ODI #11432573

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2021
Engine

The car engine completely shuts off while driving multiple times. While driving on highway and the streets the car just stops almost causing an accident. In order to get the car off the road we had to move it physically off the road.

NHTSA ODI #11430773

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2021
Engine

Stop / Start does not engage at stop light. Dealer finally replace battery and battery cable. This did fix problem. I understand this could be a starter problem and or software problem. The battery does not charge above the 70% required to engage stop /start.

NHTSA ODI #11420743

5 miles · Apr 30, 2021
EngineUnknown Or OtherWheels

YA HE LLEVADO 4 O 5 VECES MI CARRO AL DEALER,EL LADO DE DRIVING CUANDO YO ENTRO A CIERTO DRIVE WAY HACE UN SONIDO EXTRAO AL IGUAL SI ME PARKEO EN RIVERSA Y TENGO QUE MOVER EL QUIA PARA LA DERECHA TAMBIEN, 4/21/2021 ME HICIERON UN TRABAJO Y DESDE ESA FECHA EL MOTOR ESTA TENIENDO UN SONIDO EXTRAO Y LA REBOLUCIONES .

NHTSA ODI #11414600

32,000 miles · Apr 28, 2021
Engine

THE IDLE DOWN FEATURE STOPPED WORKING SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. NO CHANGE IN HOW THE ENGINE RUNS WHEN WE GET TO A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP MAYBE IN FEBRUARY, THEY SAID THEY HADN'T SEEN THE PROBLEM YET. MY WIFE FOUND AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IT SAID THAT SEVERAL CARS HAD CAUGHT FIRE OR STALLED …

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THE IDLE DOWN FEATURE STOPPED WORKING SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. NO CHANGE IN HOW THE ENGINE RUNS WHEN WE GET TO A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP MAYBE IN FEBRUARY, THEY SAID THEY HADN'T SEEN THE PROBLEM YET. MY WIFE FOUND AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IT SAID THAT SEVERAL CARS HAD CAUGHT FIRE OR STALLED IN TRAFFIC. TAKING IT TO THE DEALER ON 5/4/2021. THE REAR POWER GATE ALSO HAS STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. NOT SURE IF THEY ARE RELATED AS OF YET.

NHTSA ODI #11414241

41,000 miles · Jan 5, 2021
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, A THICK, GRAYISH SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE CABIN FROM THE REAR, PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND REQUESTED ALL OCCUPANTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. AS THE CONTACT BEGAN TO CALL 911, AN OFFICER NEARBY CAME O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, A THICK, GRAYISH SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE CABIN FROM THE REAR, PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND REQUESTED ALL OCCUPANTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. AS THE CONTACT BEGAN TO CALL 911, AN OFFICER NEARBY CAME OVER TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EVENTUALLY ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND BOTH A FIRE AND POLICE REPORTS WERE FILED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INITIALLY TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND ONCE INSURANCE WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE, THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE INSURANCE THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT REMAINED IN THEIR POSSESSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INITIALLY OFFERED TO ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH THE PURCHASE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. HYUNDAI THEN SENT OUT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEIR ASSESSMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS ATTACHED TO THE TRAILER HITCH. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000. *BF CONSUMER FILED A CLAIMED WITH U-HAUL THEY SPOKE TO HYUNDAI AND HYUNDAI BLAMES ON WIRING HITCH BECAUSE IT WAS INSTALLED AFTER PURCHASED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11386654

39,800 miles · Aug 28, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

STOPPED THE CAR AT A RED LIGHT AND THE IDLE STOP AND GO (ISG) FEATURE HAS TURNED OFF THE ENGINE... ONCE THE GREEN LIGHT TURNED ON, I PRESSED GAS AND THE ENGINE DID NOT START AND AFTER COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS ALL WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO USE THE KEY TO START THE ENGINE ASWELL. AND SO I HAD TO TURN OFF THE KEY COM…

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STOPPED THE CAR AT A RED LIGHT AND THE IDLE STOP AND GO (ISG) FEATURE HAS TURNED OFF THE ENGINE... ONCE THE GREEN LIGHT TURNED ON, I PRESSED GAS AND THE ENGINE DID NOT START AND AFTER COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS ALL WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO USE THE KEY TO START THE ENGINE ASWELL. AND SO I HAD TO TURN OFF THE KEY COMPLETELY AND THEN START THE ENGINE... BOUGHT THE CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED CAR AT 38000 MILES IN FEB 2020 AND THIS HAPPENED ONLY ONCE IN AUGUST 2020 AND THE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 39800 DURING THAT TIME. LUCKILY I HAD ONLY ONE CAR AT MY BACK WHO HONKED ON ME CONTINUOUSLY... I WAS NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE AFTERWARDS BUT TO BE HONEST I KEPT ONLY ABOUT 50 MILES SINCE THEN. I AM AFRAID IF I WOULD GET STALLED ONE FINE DAY... AND ALSO AFRAID HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER WOULD JUST SAY NOT REPRODUCIBLE AND MAY JUST SAY TO TURN OFF THE FEATURE MAY BE?

NHTSA ODI #11351730

21,000 miles · Apr 20, 2020
Engine

I HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE I GOT THE CAR, ONLY THE ISSUE HAS OCCURED PROGRESSED MORE AS MONTHS WENT BY. NOW AT 21,000 MILES, ENGINE MAKES A RATTLE SOUND FOR 2-3 SECONDS DURING COLD STARTUP AND THEN GOES AWAY. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN ENGINE IS IN A COMPLETE COLD-STATE (EARLY MORNING) OR NOT DRIVEN FOR A FEW HOURS.

NHTSA ODI #11321719

16,000 miles · Jan 21, 2020
Engine

WHEN SITTING AT RED LIGHTS, THE ENGINE COMPLETLEY SHUTS OFF. I HAVE TO PUSH THE PUSH START AT LEAST 10 TIMES BEFORE THE ENGINE WILL RESTART. THIS KEEPS HAPPENING. I'M WORRIED I WILL GET STRANDED. I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE IT WITH HYUNDAI SERVICE, BUT TO MY UNDERSTANDING THEY DO NOT OFFER RENTALS. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD 16000 MILES WH…

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WHEN SITTING AT RED LIGHTS, THE ENGINE COMPLETLEY SHUTS OFF. I HAVE TO PUSH THE PUSH START AT LEAST 10 TIMES BEFORE THE ENGINE WILL RESTART. THIS KEEPS HAPPENING. I'M WORRIED I WILL GET STRANDED. I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE IT WITH HYUNDAI SERVICE, BUT TO MY UNDERSTANDING THEY DO NOT OFFER RENTALS. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD 16000 MILES WHEN THIS ISSUE BEGAN. I PAID 38000 FOR THIS VEHICLE AND NOW TO MY UNDERSTANDING, TO HAVE IT SERVICED I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE RENTAL. MY SAFELY SHOULD BE MORE OF A CONCERN. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA SHOULD BE VERY CONCERNED. THEY SHOULD HAVE REQUESTED A TOW AND OFFERED A RENTAL AS SOON AS I MENTIONED THIS ISSUE!!! NO, INSTEAD I HAVE TO LEAVE IT AT THE DEALER IN HOPES THE ISSUE IS FOUND QUICKLY, SO I DON'T RUN UP A HUGE RENTAL BILL PLUS PAY MY MONTHLY CAR NOTE. WHAT IF MY VEHICLE JUST SHUTS DOWN GOING 65 ON THE FREEWAY? WILL I HAVE BRAKING POWER? I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I COULD BE IN MAJOR DANGER.

NHTSA ODI #11300665

16,000 miles · Dec 27, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 17 MPH, THE BCA BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, WHICH RETURNED IT BACK TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO O'BRIEN HYUNDAI FT MYERS (2850 …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 17 MPH, THE BCA BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, WHICH RETURNED IT BACK TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO O'BRIEN HYUNDAI FT MYERS (2850 COLONIAL BLVD, FORT MYERS, FL 33966, (239) 880-8631) WHERE IT WAS TEST DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 77 MILES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 16693618 AND A LOANER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10167260. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,000.

NHTSA ODI #11291546

Official recalls

2

23V181000 · 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

1

DP22003 · 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.