Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 21, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

209 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
101

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 7 mention a crash, 4 mention an injury.

sudden stalling 28fluid leaks 16unintended acceleration 13
A recent report: I drove my car from for about an hour to my destination. I get to my destination and park and the car starts smoking lightly from under the hood and then increases. I was still sitting in the car…
Read full complaint

I drove my car from for about an hour to my destination. I get to my destination and park and the car starts smoking lightly from under the hood and then increases. I was still sitting in the car when I was told my car was on fire. It went from a little smoke to a full blown fire in a couple of minutes. I got out the car and within minutes the front of the car caught fire and blew up. The car has been inspected by insurance. There were no warnings prior to this happening. I could have been serious injured or possibly killed. I am currently experiencing PTSD from this event. My son was just in my car previously. I am have this happened when I was there alone. I see that there are certain years that have been affected by fire, but the 2020 should be involved.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11763784 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
27

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

software faults 10fire 4
A recent report: The multifunction/turn signal switch in my Hyundai has failed and causes the left turn signal to operate intermittently. While driving, I am unable to reliably activate the left turn signal when…
Read full complaint

The multifunction/turn signal switch in my Hyundai has failed and causes the left turn signal to operate intermittently. While driving, I am unable to reliably activate the left turn signal when making a left turn or changing lanes. The signal may fail to engage when the turn signal lever is operated, requiring repeated attempts to activate it. College Station Hyundai inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the multifunction switch as the failed component requiring replacement. The replacement component has been identified as Hyundai part number 93400-S1750. I consider this a significant safety concern because the failure prevents me from reliably signaling my intention to turn or change lanes to other motorists. The malfunction occurs during normal operation of the vehicle and creates the risk that surrounding drivers will not know that I intend to turn or change lanes. The vehicle currently has approximately 86,611 miles. I reported the issue to Hyundai Motor America and requested assistance because this is a safety-critical component. Hyundai declined my request because the vehicle is outside the warranty period. I am submitting this complaint because I believe the premature failure of a component necessary for the reliable operation of the vehicle's turn signals may constitute a safety-related defect, and I am requesting that NHTSA document and evaluate this failure.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11756946 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
11

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

software faults 7loss of braking 3sudden stalling 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, while parking and while idling on different occasions, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, while parking and while idling on different occasions, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11740006 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
12

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

loss of steering 1premature wear 1
A recent report: I am reporting severe safety risks and inspection fraud on my AWD 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe (VIN: [XXX]) caused by Universal Hyundai in Orlando. Inspection Fraud: The dealer falsified safety metrics…
Read full complaint

I am reporting severe safety risks and inspection fraud on my AWD 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe (VIN: [XXX]) caused by Universal Hyundai in Orlando. Inspection Fraud: The dealer falsified safety metrics, marking my brakes as a failing 4mm to push a $659.90 repair (RO# XXX), then passed those exact brakes at 5mm eleven days later (RO# XXX). Tire Malpractice: Mechanics over-inflated my tires to a dangerous 39 PSI and botched the alignment. This caused structural tire belt separation and severe sidewall bulges. The rear tire has suffered rapid, catastrophic deflation, dropping flat to 14.5 PSI and down to an empty 5.5 PSI. Crash & Drivetrain Risk: Operating an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle with a rapidly collapsing tire and asymmetric alignment forces the wheels to spin at mismatched speeds, creating severe friction that is destroying the internal powertrain transfer case and causing an immediate highway blowout crash risk. The service manager admitted "human error" and issued a full refund but banned my vehicle to avoid an audit. Hyundai Corporate has been notified under Case #XXX but has delayed resolution. Active consumer fraud file logged with the State of Florida under Case XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11749944 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
11

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 7 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 5software faults 1
A recent report: I was quoted $3,000 to replace defective mat sensor in seat so that the airbag light will go off and my vehicle can be inspected. My family can’t afford this fix and I’m stressed out and do not know…
Read full complaint

I was quoted $3,000 to replace defective mat sensor in seat so that the airbag light will go off and my vehicle can be inspected. My family can’t afford this fix and I’m stressed out and do not know what to do. My vehicle was not in an accident nor was anything done that would cause damage and result in this fault. I am aware that the 2019 Santa Fe has an extended warranty for this exact defective mat sensor. My 2020 has the identical setup and failed just past the standard mileage limit. Because this is a critical SRS safety system that prevents my airbags from working properly I request help form the NHTSA. I read online a lot of owners are in my same situation.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11751706 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
32

Most reports here involve corrosion.

corrosion 1software faults 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00M000 (Visibility); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00M000 (Visibility); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11751040 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
15

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

software faults 3fire 1
A recent report: Unknown

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11745371 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 209 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2020 and 2026, roughly 31 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.