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2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 212.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 44 of 209 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports9 fire reports12 injury reports

What owners actually said

209 reports
4,500 miles · Mar 8, 2021
Forward Collision Avoidance

THE 2020 HYUNDAI SANTA FE FOWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE ASSISTANCE SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. WE HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITHOUT RESPONSE. THE SYSTEM IS BRAKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT AND CAUSE. NO CARS ARE IN ANY PROXIMITY AND THE CAR BRAKES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWI…

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THE 2020 HYUNDAI SANTA FE FOWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE ASSISTANCE SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. WE HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITHOUT RESPONSE. THE SYSTEM IS BRAKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT AND CAUSE. NO CARS ARE IN ANY PROXIMITY AND THE CAR BRAKES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE WITHOUT WARNING IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. DEALERSHIP HAS NO ANSWER WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR IN. HYUNDAI CONSUMER LINE DOES NOT RETURN CALLS. IT IS AN EXTREME DANGER WITH OUR SON DRIVING CAR. REAR END COLLISON WILL HAPPPEN IF THIS CONTINUES.

NHTSA ODI #11399665

2,400 miles · Feb 15, 2021
Power Train

WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE AUTO ENGINE TURN OFF KICKS IN AS EXPECTED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. HOWEVER, THE BEHAVIOR IS VERY ERRATIC WHEN I RELEASE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE JUMPS AGGRESSIVELY WITHOUT ME APPLYING ANY ACCELERATION AND SOMETIMES THE ENGINE JUST STARTS AND THE VEHICLE DOES NO…

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WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE AUTO ENGINE TURN OFF KICKS IN AS EXPECTED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. HOWEVER, THE BEHAVIOR IS VERY ERRATIC WHEN I RELEASE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE JUMPS AGGRESSIVELY WITHOUT ME APPLYING ANY ACCELERATION AND SOMETIMES THE ENGINE JUST STARTS AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE UNTIL I APPLY SOME ACCELERATION. I ALMOST REAR ENDED THE CARS INFRONT OF ME FEW TIMES. I GOT WAY TOO SKEPTICAL AND BEGAN TURNING OFF THE AUTO TURN OFF FEATURE WHEN I GET INTO MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11396388

5,600 miles · Feb 6, 2021
Unknown Or Other

ON 9/25/20 I FILED A VEHICLE COMPLAINT BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE HORN ON MY 2020 SANTA FE HAD TWICE WORKING, REQUIRING THE DEALER TO REPLACE PARTS. (TRACKING NUMBER 11371071.) THE HORN HAS AGAIN STOPPED WORKING AND IS BACK IN THE DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATATELY 5600 MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED IN…

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ON 9/25/20 I FILED A VEHICLE COMPLAINT BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE HORN ON MY 2020 SANTA FE HAD TWICE WORKING, REQUIRING THE DEALER TO REPLACE PARTS. (TRACKING NUMBER 11371071.) THE HORN HAS AGAIN STOPPED WORKING AND IS BACK IN THE DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATATELY 5600 MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED IN 7/20.

NHTSA ODI #11395020

1,000 miles · Feb 4, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesSteering

TO MANY PROBLEMS TO LIST.

NHTSA ODI #11394630

5,800 miles · Jan 14, 2021
Visibility/wiper

FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS DEVELOPED NUMEROUS PIN-HEAD SIZE STAR SHAPED CRACKS THAT MOSTLY CAN BE SEEN WHEN CAR IS POINTED TOWARD THE SUN. THIS HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN. I TRIED TO PHOTO BUT I CAN NOT GET A GOOD PICTURE. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11388136

400 miles · Jan 12, 2021
Electrical System

LEASED A 2020 SANTA FE ON APRIL 24, 2020 AND ON JULY 9, 2020 IT STALLED AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE AND AFTER 20 MINS. WAS ABLE TO START IT. THE DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG. IN AUGUST 2020 THE CAR WOULDN'T START, AFTER A ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE JUMP THE DEALER SAID I'M NOT STARTING IT ENOUGH. IN OC…

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LEASED A 2020 SANTA FE ON APRIL 24, 2020 AND ON JULY 9, 2020 IT STALLED AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE AND AFTER 20 MINS. WAS ABLE TO START IT. THE DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG. IN AUGUST 2020 THE CAR WOULDN'T START, AFTER A ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE JUMP THE DEALER SAID I'M NOT STARTING IT ENOUGH. IN OCTOBER SAME THING HAPPENED I GOT A NEW BATTERY FROM THE DEALER. IN DECEMBER THE SAME THING HAPPENED I GOT ANOTHER NEW BATTERY. THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT SOMETHING IS DRAWING POWER FROM THE BATTERY IN THE OFF POSITION. INSTEAD THEY SAY I'M NOT STARTING THE CAR ENOUGH. I START THE CAR 2 TO 3 A WEEK.

NHTSA ODI #11387645

4,862 miles · Dec 9, 2020
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TRANSPORTED, THE CONTACT LEARNED THAT THE GAS CAP HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO O'BRIEN HYUNDAI OF FORT MYERS (2850 COLONIAL BLVD, FORT MYERS, FL 33966; (239) 277-1222) WHERE THE GAS CAP WAS REPLACED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TRANSPORTED, THE CONTACT LEARNED THAT THE GAS CAP HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO O'BRIEN HYUNDAI OF FORT MYERS (2850 COLONIAL BLVD, FORT MYERS, FL 33966; (239) 277-1222) WHERE THE GAS CAP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND OPENED A CASE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,862.

NHTSA ODI #11378654

500 miles · Nov 12, 2020
Lane Departure

HYUNDAI 2020 SANTA FE LIMITED BLIND SPOT COLLISION-AVOIDANCE ASSIST (BCA) SYSTEM WHEN SET IN ACTIVE MODE AND UNDER THESE CONDITIONS ITS ACTIVATION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS: IN THREE (3) OR MORE LANES OF TRAFFIC. IN NEITHER OF THE OUTER LANES. PASSING A TRUCK IN THE LANE ON THE IMMEDIATE RIGHT. VEHICLE(S) IN THE LANE ON T…

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HYUNDAI 2020 SANTA FE LIMITED BLIND SPOT COLLISION-AVOIDANCE ASSIST (BCA) SYSTEM WHEN SET IN ACTIVE MODE AND UNDER THESE CONDITIONS ITS ACTIVATION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS: IN THREE (3) OR MORE LANES OF TRAFFIC. IN NEITHER OF THE OUTER LANES. PASSING A TRUCK IN THE LANE ON THE IMMEDIATE RIGHT. VEHICLE(S) IN THE LANE ON THE IMMEDIATE LEFT. VEHICLE(S) IN THE LANE ON THE IMMEDIATE RIGHT. AT SPEEDS OF 50 ' 70+ MPH. WHEN THE SANTA FE APPROACHES THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK, THE BOW WAVE OF AIR FROM THE TRUCK PUSHES THE SANTA FE TOWARDS THE LEFT LANE LINE ACTIVATING THE BCA, WHICH VIOLENTLY JERKS THE SANTA FE TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THIS OCCURS AND THE SANTA FE IS MOVED VIOLENTLY TOWARD THE RIGHT LINE LANE, THE BSA DETECTS THE TRUCK (OR OTHER VEHICLES) IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE, AND VIOLENTLY JERKS THE SANTA FE TOWARD THE LEFT HAND LANE. UPON DOING SO THE SANTA FE BSA AGAIN DETECTS VEHICLES IN THE LEFT HAND LANE AND AGAIN IMMEDIATELY JERKS THE SANTA FE TOWARD THE RIGHT HAND LANE. THIS ACTION CONTINUALLY OCCURS UNTIL THE DRIVER FORCIBLY REGAINS CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL, AND/OR DEPRESSES THE BRAKE. THIS REPEATED VIOLENT JERKING THE SANTA FE BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE LANE IT'S IN HAS VERY NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IN AT LEAST TWO (2) OCCASIONS (OCT 27 & 28, 2020) UNTIL WE FOUND THAT THE BCA COULD BE DEACTIVATED AND SET TO WARNING ONLY. THIS VIOLENT ACTION OF THE BCA SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE SANTA FE VEHICLE TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI #11374306

1,140 miles · Sep 25, 2020
Electrical System

WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THE CAR, THE HORN STOPPED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. (THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME IT DIDN'T.) THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR FOR A WEEK. THE DETERMINATION WAS THAT THE "DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING HAS INTERNAL MALFUNCTION". THE PAPERWORK SHOWS THAT IT WAS REPLACED. YESTERDAY, APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS AFTER …

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WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THE CAR, THE HORN STOPPED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. (THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME IT DIDN'T.) THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR FOR A WEEK. THE DETERMINATION WAS THAT THE "DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING HAS INTERNAL MALFUNCTION". THE PAPERWORK SHOWS THAT IT WAS REPLACED. YESTERDAY, APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE HORN FAILED TO WORK AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. (BASED ON PAST EXPERIENCE, SPEED DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A FACTOR.)

NHTSA ODI #11361071

309 miles · Sep 11, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, WITH ONLY 252 MILES ON IT. ON THE THIRD DAY OF OWNING IT WE WERE DRIVING AND WITHIN 5 MILES THE CAR BEGAN ALARMING WITH THE CENTER DRIVER CONSOLE INDICATING THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATED. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS IN THE RED ZONE. AFTER A FEW SECONDS IT DROPPED SLIGHTLY AND FLUCTUATED…

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MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, WITH ONLY 252 MILES ON IT. ON THE THIRD DAY OF OWNING IT WE WERE DRIVING AND WITHIN 5 MILES THE CAR BEGAN ALARMING WITH THE CENTER DRIVER CONSOLE INDICATING THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATED. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS IN THE RED ZONE. AFTER A FEW SECONDS IT DROPPED SLIGHTLY AND FLUCTUATED IN THE UPPER 2/3S OF THE HIGH TEMPERATURE REGION. WE DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH WAS WITHIN 10 MILES. ONCE WE WERE WITHIN HALF A MILE THE CAR ENGINE BEGAN RATTLING EVERY-TIME I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AT THIS POINT REMAINED IN THE REDLINE. IN ADDITION, DURING ALL OF THIS WE TURNED THE HEAT ON TO PULL SOME HEAT FROM THE ENGINE BUT ONLY COLD AIR WOULD BLOW. WE WERE WITHIN THE 3 DAY GRACE PERIOD OF NO QUESTIONS ASKED RETURN POLICY SO WE DECIDED TO RETURN THE CALL AS IT WAS BRAND NEW AND HAD SUCH A SERIOUS MALFUNCTION. WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP AS TO WHY THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA ODI #11354500

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.

21V00M000 · Visibility:windshield

Dec 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 & remedy

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.

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.