Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Owners filed 218 complaints about the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe with NHTSA between Jan 2020 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (81).

Complaints
218
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
14
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
15
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Engine and engine cooling7
  11. Air bags7
  12. Steering6
  13. Vehicle speed control5
  14. Visibility/wiper5

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
202013
202118
202224
202337
202417
202551
202658

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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

Fuel/propulsion system

14 reports3 crashes
“THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THIS MODEL … I HAVE A CLAIM INTO HYUNDAI TO ALLOW MY VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED UNDER THE SAME RECALL. This is a very dangerously problem and wish it to be investigated for the 2.0 Turbo as well. X Hyundai issued two main fuel-related recalls for the 2021 Santa Fe equipped with 2.5-liter turbocharged engines due to risks of fuel leaks and fires: & • Campaign 206 (NHTSA Recall 21V308000 / May 2021): The fuel pipe connecting the high-pressure fuel pump to the fuel rail may not have been tightened to the proper torque during manufacturing. Dealers inspected and retightened the connection for free. • Campaign 207 (NHTSA Recall 21V524000 / July 2021): Covering select 2021-2022 Santa Fe and Sonata models with 2.5L turbo engines, this recall addressed fuel pipes from a specific production run installed with insufficient torque or improper concentricity. Dealers inspected and either retightened or replaced the fuel pipe at no charge.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11770189

Visibility

14 reports1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2026VisibilityODI 11751040

Forward collision avoidance

14 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2026Wheels, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11749944
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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