Santa Fe (TM)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Engine Reliability Ratings
T-GDI GAMMA-II
1.6L TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
DOHC GDI LAMBDA
3.3LView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
T-GDI Gamma-II
1.6L 4-cyl Turbo / 177 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
T-GDI THETA III
2.5L 4-cyl Turbo / 281 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
GDI THETA III
2.5L 4-cyl / 191 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
T-GDI THETA II
2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 235 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
GDI THETA II
2.4L 4-cyl / 185 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2019-2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
That's near the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.5 per year). Within the normal range for the category.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 62 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2024] I was riding on a suburban street and ran over a branch I did not see due to rain and darkness. I went back and looked at the incident and the branch did not seem like it was that big but I quickly lost power and my car stalled and I could not get it restarted. I later found out that that branch took out my hybrid battery connection under the car which rendered the car useless. It is a 5000 fix.
- [2023] Own a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and have experienced the following issues over the past year and a half. Beginning after maybe 40,000 miles we pulled out onto a roadway and the engine immediately lost power and started flashing a glaring red warning that the hybrid system was failing and to pull over. We luckily were able to and turned the car off and waited. I tried to turn it on and
- [2023] One two separate occasions while driving the car has lost the ability to accelerate. There is no acceleration power even when completely flooring the gas pedal. The dash displays a red circle warming that states "Check Hybrid system. Stop Safely". I have had to coast to the side of the road and then the car shuts off. It has taken several minutes before it can start again, and then displays a warn
Electric Propulsion
- [2023] Component/System Failure: The electronic throttle control system malfunctioned. The vehicle is reporting powertrain diagnostic trouble codes P2118 and P2101 through the Hyundai manufacturer mobile application (Bluelink), indicating an electronic throttle actuator / throttle control motor issue. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This malfunction poses a safety risk
- [2023] On September 4, 2025 as I pulled on to Interstate I-70 my car suddenly lost power. Gas engine died. Loud attention sound started. Instrument cluster started flashing red with message "EV system failure, stop immediately" EV battery showed full depletion although a moment before it showed about 75% power. There was only enough propulsion to keep moving slowly. Since this was a construction zone th
- [2023] I am reporting a serious and recurring safety defect with my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, purchased new in January 2024. The vehicle has suffered from over 30–40 sudden hybrid system failures, including loss of acceleration, “Stop Vehicle” warnings, and check engine lights. These incidents happen without warning, including while driving at legal speeds (40–70 mph), on residential streets and high
High-Voltage Battery
- [2023] On September 4, 2025 as I pulled on to Interstate I-70 my car suddenly lost power. Gas engine died. Loud attention sound started. Instrument cluster started flashing red with message "EV system failure, stop immediately" EV battery showed full depletion although a moment before it showed about 75% power. There was only enough propulsion to keep moving slowly. Since this was a construction zone th
- [2023] Bought the car in July 2023. Nov 23: I had a check hybrid system followed by check engine + red battery warning while driving in the interstate. The car lost power abruptly. Coasted out of the interstate, took the exit, and turned it off. Restarted after 15 mins. Only the check engine light came back on. We drove it back home. Just as we were entering the garage, the sequence happened again: Che
- [2023] On nine separate occasions between mid-June 2023 (mileage appx. 600) and July 21, 2023 (mileage 1994), my vehicle lost power (decrease or loss of power and/or hesitated, sputtered, or stalled) when I was accelerating from a stop or slow speed. During these times, I have noticed that the air conditioner starts blowing only warm air. The only way to correct the issue has been to turn off the engin
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2023] Twice, the car refused to switch from EV mode back to gas mode. This resulted in the hybrid battery dying and the car losing power. The first time, I was merging onto the freeway and the gas pedal was all the way at the floor, but I was only maintaining speed (not accelerating). Both times, the car was driveable for approximately one mile on the hybrid battery alone. However, a warning came on t
- [2022] The car was idling for about 30 mins as I waited for delivery of groceries at curbside pickup. I put the car in drive but the motor did not kick on. I was able to drive on electrical power until the hybrid battery died. I lost complete power in the middle of the Interstate but I was able to coast to the shoulder. I had a check engine light and other warning lights on the dashboard but they went aw
- [2022] While Driving home from work, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Vehicle's, Hybrid battery began to discharge rapidly, the Gasoline Engine did not start to charge the system, within 1/4 mile the Hybrid Battery fully discharged, and the Vehicle lost all acceleration , the Dash warning " CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, STOP SAFELY " came on along with a loud audible warning beeping. I pulled off the road as soo
Thermal Events
- [2022] 2022 santa fe PHEV Pebble or road debris punctured inverter cooling radiator causing to leak out. Quality or design flaw ? If happens and driver is unaware until too late, entire inverter system could be ruined or possible battery fire. Took to dealer for repair. ~1600.00$ Non covered repair cost. Warning light went on, who's to say caught it in time to prevent worse damage to inverter / battery
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Hyundai Santa Fe regardless of engine variant.
All Generations
Alternatives in Midsize SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2019-2024 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
The 2019-2024 Hyundai Santa Fe has accumulated 1,157 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Transmission, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Hyundai Santa Fe engine is most reliable?
The 2019-2024 Hyundai Santa Fe was offered with 7 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.5L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2019-2024 Hyundai Santa Fe a good used car?
The 2019-2024 Hyundai Santa Fe can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,157 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2019-2024 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
The 2019-2024 Hyundai Santa Fe has 1,157 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2019-2024 Hyundai Santa Fe?
There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2019-2024 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe?
Before buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Transmission, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Santa Fe?
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (17.4% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard & Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,157 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.