Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2020 Hyundai Santa FeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 218 owner complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. Most complaints involve engine (81) and power train (26). The EPA rates it 22–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
22–25mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Mar 2023
Owner complaints
218
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Trailer hitches

Park outsideFree remedy

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.

Trailer hitchesReported Mar 17, 2023NHTSA 23V181000

Visibility: windshield

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Dec 28, 2021NHTSA 21V00M000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

218 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2020 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine81
  2. Power train26
  3. Electrical system25
  4. Fuel/propulsion system14
  5. Visibility14
  6. Forward collision avoidance14
  7. Structure9
  8. Service brakes9
  9. Lane departure8

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Santa Fe model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001209
2002171
2003308
2004303
2005216
2006106
2007684
2008541
2009359
2010260
2011181
2012355
2013605
2014494
2015255
2016236
2017972
2018110
2019203
2020218
2021168
2022202
2023214
2024156
2025137
202637
Crashes reported
14
Fires reported
9
Injuries reported
15
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

81 reports2 crashes4 fires
“Hyundai Dealership, Pedder Hyundai of Poway, applied recall 9C2 to 2020 Santa Fe on 10/20/2026. Vehicle idle is now rough at startup and gas pedal angle no longer is reliable for controlling vehicle speed. Engine surges and jerks during initial operation on residential street due to software change. The vehicle did not operate in this manner for the last six years. I never felt like I had erratic engine control due to gas pedal response. I would like this recall removed and the original software re-applied, or my car bought back by Hyundai.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026EngineODI 11773578

Power train

26 reports
“Hyundai Motor America & Wallace Hyundai of StuartVEHICLE: 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe (2.4L Theta II GDI Engine)VIN: 5NMS23AD5LH181669INCIDENT MILEAGE: 181,000 MiHYUNDAI CASE NUMBER: 42981944SECTION 1: CATASTROPHIC INTERSTATE SAFETY INCIDENTOn July 16, 2026, while navigating heavy, high-speed traffic on Interstate 95 (I-95) at approximately 80 to 85 MPH, my vehicle suffered an un-commanded, catastrophic mechanical engine seizure. The vehicle instantly dropped from highway speeds down to a 21 MPH "limp mode," creating an immediate multi-car pile-up hazard on a major interstate. Physical inspection immediately after the failure proved that the engine oil level was completely full. The internal components catastrophically failed due to a documented, systemic factory defect involving premature rod bearing failure and oil starvation mechanisms, entirely unrelated to consumer maintenance.SECTION 2: PRIOR SAFETY COMPLAINTS & DOCUMENTED TIMELINEHyundai Motor America has intentionally forced me to operate a known, life-threatening safety hazard for 17 months, during which I drove an additional 31,000 miles under extreme duress. I filed formal oil consumption complaints with…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026Power train, Engine, Back over preventionODI 11761774

Electrical system

25 reports1 crash2 fires
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Unknown or otherODI 11756946
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Santa Fe FWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$2,550362
Santa Fe AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
212724$2,700377
Santa Fe FWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800399
Santa Fe AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900411
  • Santa Fe FWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe FWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.6%
Overall
5 / 5
Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 14420Vehicle 14414
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 Santa Fe questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

Owners filed 218 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (81), power train (26), electrical system (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe at 22–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026