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2019 Hyundai Santa Fe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 212.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

65 reports with mileage · 132 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports12 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

197 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2019
Engine

THIS IS A REPORT ON A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2.0L TURBO WITH LESS THAN 1600 MILES. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE OIL. ALLOWABLE LIMITS ARE LESS THAN 2.0% FROM NORMAL CAUSES. THIS ENGINE HAS 3.3%, ENOUGH TO BE A PROBLEM.THE OIL LEVEL IS RISING ON THE STICK. THE 5W/30 OIL HAS BEEN THINNED TO THE CONSISTENCY OF 20W O…

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THIS IS A REPORT ON A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2.0L TURBO WITH LESS THAN 1600 MILES. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE OIL. ALLOWABLE LIMITS ARE LESS THAN 2.0% FROM NORMAL CAUSES. THIS ENGINE HAS 3.3%, ENOUGH TO BE A PROBLEM.THE OIL LEVEL IS RISING ON THE STICK. THE 5W/30 OIL HAS BEEN THINNED TO THE CONSISTENCY OF 20W OIL. DEALER SHRUGGED IT OFF AND CLAIMED THAT DRIVING A 100 MILE TRIP WOULD RETURN ALL TO NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #11258549

9,200 miles · Sep 22, 2019
Power Train

THE FIRST TIME IS WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE HESITATED SLOWED DOWN AND I EVENTUALLY HAD TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY BEFORE IT COMPLETELY TURNED OFF. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AS I WAS MBV AKING A RIGHT TURN ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11257195

5,014 miles · Sep 17, 2019
Electrical System

AFTER DRIVING MY SANTE FE FOR LITTLE OVER 1000 MILES, I WAS WAITING BEHIND SEVERAL VEHICLES AT A STOP LIGHT IN HYATTSVILLE AND MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WOULDN'T START. AFTER TRYING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES, IT FINALLY STARTED. I DROVE TO THE NEXT STOP LIGHT AND HAD TO STOP AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART.…

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AFTER DRIVING MY SANTE FE FOR LITTLE OVER 1000 MILES, I WAS WAITING BEHIND SEVERAL VEHICLES AT A STOP LIGHT IN HYATTSVILLE AND MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WOULDN'T START. AFTER TRYING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES, IT FINALLY STARTED. I DROVE TO THE NEXT STOP LIGHT AND HAD TO STOP AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THIS HAPPEN TWO MORE TIMES AND THEN FINALLY IT STARTED AND I DROVE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IN GAITHERSBURG (FITZGERALD AUTO MALL). I REPORTED THE INCIDENT AND THEY CLAIM TO BE UNABLE TO RECAPITULATE THE INCIDENCE. AT AROUND 5014 MILES, WHEN I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT IN DC, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AGAIN AND WOULD RESTART. THE COPS CAME AND PUSH ME OUT OF THE ROAD AND I WAS THEN ABLE TO RESTART. I DROVE TO THE NEXT STOP LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AGAIN AND WOULD START. EVENTUALLY, THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. I DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PERFORMANCE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE AND GIVEN BACK TO ME. THE FOLLOWING DAY DRIVING ON GERMANTOWN ROAD THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AGAIN AT A STOP LIGHT. I CALL THE DEALER AND THEY ASKED THAT I TAKE IT BACK THE NEXT DAY. ON MY WAY TO THE DEALER IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AGAIN. I TOOK BACK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM THAT I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE ANYMORE AND THEY SHOULD REPLACE IT. THE MATTER WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFUSE TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE AND OFFER $500 COMPENSATION FOR MY INCONVENIENCE WHICH I REFUSE TO ACCEPT. I AM SEEKING YOUR ASSISTANCE TO THIS ISSUE. P.S. I DO HAVE PICTURE OF THE INFORMATION THAT WAS DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENCE AND MY NIECE WAS WITH ME ON TWO OF THOSE OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11256225

3,000 miles · Sep 16, 2019
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SMART SYSTEM CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BRAKE ON ITS OWN. ALSO, THE LANE CHANGE WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE INTO THE WRONG LANE INTO A BARRIER. IN ADDITION, WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SMART SYSTEM CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BRAKE ON ITS OWN. ALSO, THE LANE CHANGE WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE INTO THE WRONG LANE INTO A BARRIER. IN ADDITION, WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN. AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FITZGERALD HYUNDAI ROCKVILLE (11411 ROCKVILLE PIKE, ROCKVILLE, MD 20852, (301) 881-4000) TWICE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS NOT CALIBRATING PROPERLY AND THE EASY PASS INTERFERED WITH THE SMART SYSTEM. THE EASY PASS WAS MOVED AWAY FROM THE CAMERA, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 16086926. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11255796

7,000 miles · Sep 9, 2019
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BRAKED HARD AND VEERED TO THE LEFT FOR A DURATION OF A SECOND AND A HALF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES OVER A FOUR MONTH PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STOCKTON HYUNDAI (2979 AUTO CENTER CIR, STOCKTON, CA 95212, (209) 662-6400), BUT THEY WERE UNA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BRAKED HARD AND VEERED TO THE LEFT FOR A DURATION OF A SECOND AND A HALF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES OVER A FOUR MONTH PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STOCKTON HYUNDAI (2979 AUTO CENTER CIR, STOCKTON, CA 95212, (209) 662-6400), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE DEALER TURNED THE ISSUE OVER TO A CASE MANAGER WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL BACK WITHIN THREE TO FIVE DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ODI #11254146

1,500 miles · Sep 3, 2019
Structure

WHILE DRIVING, THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED, LEAVING SHATTERED GLASS WITHIN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FOREIGN OBJECTS WHICH MAY HAVE STRUCK THE CAR CAUSING THE ROOF TO CRACK AS IT DID.

NHTSA ODI #11253008

9,000 miles · Sep 2, 2019
EnginePower Train

I BOUGHT SANTA FE 2019 LIMITED FWD, IT HAS AN ISSUE WITH ACCELERATION, IT HESITATES AROUND 2000 RPM, IT CREATE A BIG ISSUE WHEN I CHANGE LANE TO OVERTAKE OR DRIVING TO UPHILL, I HAVE TO PUSH ACCELERATION PADEL REALLY DOWN TO KEEP GOING. IT JERKS SOMETIMES. I TOOK TWO HYUNDAI DEALERS FOR CHECK AND BOTH SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR…

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I BOUGHT SANTA FE 2019 LIMITED FWD, IT HAS AN ISSUE WITH ACCELERATION, IT HESITATES AROUND 2000 RPM, IT CREATE A BIG ISSUE WHEN I CHANGE LANE TO OVERTAKE OR DRIVING TO UPHILL, I HAVE TO PUSH ACCELERATION PADEL REALLY DOWN TO KEEP GOING. IT JERKS SOMETIMES. I TOOK TWO HYUNDAI DEALERS FOR CHECK AND BOTH SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR, THEY DID NOT FIND ANY CODE OR ISSUE. IT IS SO FRUSTRATING SOMETIMES. MY 12-YEAR-OLD PILOT HAS A BETTER RIDE AND PERFORMANCE THAN 2019 SANTA FE. THIS IS MY FIRST HYUNDAI CAR AND I PAID A LOT OF MONEY . I LIKED THE INTERIOR, INFO SYSTEM, AND EXTERNAL LOOK. LOOKS LIKE TO ME ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFTING

NHTSA ODI #11252807

110 miles · Aug 26, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

ON A BRAND NEW 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, THE ENGINE STALLED TWICE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS INTO/OUT OF A PARALLEL PARKING SPACE ON A VILLAGE STREET. I HAD TO RESTART THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO CONTINUE MANEUVERING THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS I COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #11246589

5,000 miles · Aug 16, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainCrash

TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE, DRIVING INTO A PARKING LOT AT AN EXTREMELY SLOW SPEED, THE IDLE STOP &GO (ISG) ENGAGED. THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED AS WELL AS THE HAND BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE, DRIVING INTO A PARKING LOT AT AN EXTREMELY SLOW SPEED, THE IDLE STOP &GO (ISG) ENGAGED. THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED AS WELL AS THE HAND BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH AN A PARKED VEHICLE NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CENTENNIAL HYUNDAI (6200 CENTENNIAL CENTER BLVD, LAS VEGAS, NV 89149 (702) 483-2200) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF AN UNKNOWN SAFETY WARNING BULLETIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNKNOWN SAFETY WARNING BULLETIN WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE UNKNOWN SAFETY WARNING SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CASE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE IDLE STOP & GO FEATURE HAS BEEN DISENGAGED ON THE VEHICLE BUT UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE FEATURE WAS REENGAGED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER CLOSED HER CASE SENDING PAPERWORK WITH INCORRECT VEHICLE INFORMATION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000.

NHTSA ODI #11244452

300 miles · Jul 17, 2019
Engine

PAINFUL LOW FREQUENCY CABIN PRESSURE WHEN IDLING AND DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS UNDER 30MPH. HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY AND ONLY SUBSIDES WHEN STOPPED OR ACCELERATING

NHTSA ODI #11232946

Official recalls

2

23V181000 · Trailer Hitches

Mar 17, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: 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.

18V715000 · Air Bags:side/window

Oct 11, 2018

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. The Side Curtain Air Bag (SCAB) mounting bolts may interfere with and damage the air bags during deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags become damaged during deployment they may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the SCAB installation bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 177.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.