2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid recalls and problems

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has 3 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer.

Urgent: recall 23V-181 carries a "park outside" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

0 / 0

Injuries / deaths

0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid recalls

Recall 24V-879: Back Over Prevention

Reported Nov 21, 2024 · 226,118 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor America

Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV and 2022 Elantra N and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles. Due to a damaged printed circuit board, the rearview camera image may fail to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 271.

Recall 23V-181: Trailer Hitches

Park outsideReported Mar 17, 2023 · 584,784 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor America

Problem: 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.

Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 22V-816: Seat Belts

Reported Oct 31, 2022 · 14,933 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor America

Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023 Genesis G80 Electric, 2021-2022 Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.

Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.

Fix: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 238/011G. This recall is an expansion of recall numbers 22V-354 and 22V-458.

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Engine	8
Power Train	7
Unknown or Other	5
Fuel/Propulsion System	4
Electrical System	3
Seat Belts	2
Air Bags	1
Seats	1
Tires	1
Vehicle Speed Control	1
Lane Departure	1
Back Over Prevention	1

Most reported parts

Lane Departure › Warning — 1
Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 1
Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 1
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 31,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine and Engine Cooling · at 32,000 miles · reported Jul 8, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the camshaft sensor needed to be replaced. In addition, the vehicle was repaired several times however, the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet…

Engine · at 31,000 miles · reported Jan 9, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle lost motive power. A message indicating that there was no power was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, a red Hybrid warning light with a stop safely message was displayed. The contact stated that…

Engine · at 25,000 miles · reported Jan 4, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle failed to restart, and the vehicle was towed. A message indicating that there was no power was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and…

Power Train · reported Jul 22, 2023

I have been taking my 21 Santa Fe hybrid limited into the dealership for a year and a half for the same code . Powertrain code P040B00, and to this day they can not repair this issue. I looked it up and a ton of us are having issues with this same code. It should be investigated, and customers should be warned. Hyundai needs to recall these vehicles or provide a solution. A year and a half is unacceptable

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Jun 27, 2023

While driving 80 mph down the highway my brand new vehicle shut off completely, the entire car lost power. In another instance I was going around a roundabout and my acceleration completely went out, my son was in the back seat and another car had to jump the curb to avoid crashing into us. I met a woman in the dealership who has been waiting over a year for her recalled tow hitch to be fixed. When it rains or snows the forward safety systems shut off and the alert repeats extremely distracting on your dash, like sounds, red flashing lights, over and over again. You have to constantly hit the…

Other Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid years

2026 2025 2024 2023 20222021

Compare all Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid years · All Hyundai models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid: 24V-879 (back over prevention), 23V-181 (trailer hitches), 22V-816 (seat belts). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid?

Owners report engine problems most often (8 reports), followed by power train (7). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 31,000 miles.

Are Hyundai recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Hyundai dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.