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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
2,500 miles · Jul 13, 2019
EngineService BrakesSteering

STOPPED VEHICLE ON SIDE OF NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD ON MODERATE DOWNWARD INCLINE. PLACED VEHICLE IN PARK AND AT IDLE. A FEW MINUTES LATER, SHIFTED CAR INTO DRIVE AND PROCEEDED TO PULL OUT INTO ROADWAY. VEHICLE SEEMED TO LOSE POWER STEERING AS WELL AS POWER BRAKING. AS THE VEHICLE TURNED A CORNER, IT LOST ACCELERATION (CAR SLOWED TO…

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STOPPED VEHICLE ON SIDE OF NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD ON MODERATE DOWNWARD INCLINE. PLACED VEHICLE IN PARK AND AT IDLE. A FEW MINUTES LATER, SHIFTED CAR INTO DRIVE AND PROCEEDED TO PULL OUT INTO ROADWAY. VEHICLE SEEMED TO LOSE POWER STEERING AS WELL AS POWER BRAKING. AS THE VEHICLE TURNED A CORNER, IT LOST ACCELERATION (CAR SLOWED TO A STOP AS ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED) , AND TACHOMETER DECREASED TO ZERO. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AS CAR SLOWED TO A STOP. TOTAL DISTANCE CAR TRAVELLED AT THIS POINT WAS ABOUT 75 FEET). PUT CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES, RESTARTED ENGINE, PLACED CAR IN DRIVE AND DROVE HOME ( ABOUT 40 FEET). PROBLEM: CAR ENGINE STALLED, CAUSE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11231630

6,900 miles · Jun 22, 2019
Unknown Or OtherFire

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE

NHTSA ODI #11221850

7,500 miles · Jun 10, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH AND WAS ABOUT TO SWITCH OVER TO THE LEFT LANE WITH THE LEFT SIGNAL INDICATOR LIGHT ON, THE WARNING LEFT INDICATOR ALERT SENSOR LIGHT FAILED AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT COLLIDED SIDE BY SIDE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH AND WAS ABOUT TO SWITCH OVER TO THE LEFT LANE WITH THE LEFT SIGNAL INDICATOR LIGHT ON, THE WARNING LEFT INDICATOR ALERT SENSOR LIGHT FAILED AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT COLLIDED SIDE BY SIDE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 75-80 MPH, AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER FRONT SIDE DOOR, THE REAR END AND THE FRONT END BUMPER AND TIRE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LEFT ARM, NECK, BACK, WHIPLASH AND A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HALF OF HER BODY WAS NUMB THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND WAS INFORMED BY HER DOCTOR THAT SHE HAD NERVE DAMAGE AND POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MASSEY HYUNDAI DEALER, LOCATED AT 1706 MASSEY BLVD, HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740, (301) 739-6756, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM ANYMORE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE SAFETY FEATURE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SAFETY FEATURES WERE TURNED OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER: 15818438. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500.

NHTSA ODI #11219053

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2019
Engine

ENGINE BEGAN TO SKIP ON ACCELERATION ESPECIALLY GOING UP HILL. VEHICLE WAS TAKES TO DEALER AND ACCESSED. DEALER DIAGNOSED OWNER HAD VEHICLE IN INCORRECT DRIVE MODE FOR ACCELERATION. OWNER EXPRESSED TO DEALER, SUSPENSION OF SPARK PLUG OR COIL PROBLEM GIVEN OWNER EXPERIENCE IN BUYING OWNING HYUNDAI VEHICLES. 1 MONTH LATER, VEH…

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ENGINE BEGAN TO SKIP ON ACCELERATION ESPECIALLY GOING UP HILL. VEHICLE WAS TAKES TO DEALER AND ACCESSED. DEALER DIAGNOSED OWNER HAD VEHICLE IN INCORRECT DRIVE MODE FOR ACCELERATION. OWNER EXPRESSED TO DEALER, SUSPENSION OF SPARK PLUG OR COIL PROBLEM GIVEN OWNER EXPERIENCE IN BUYING OWNING HYUNDAI VEHICLES. 1 MONTH LATER, VEHICLE WAS DISABLED AND DELIVERED TO DEALER BY ROLLBACK. DEALER DIAGNOSED VEHICLE. SPARK PLUG SPLIT IN HALF, SHATTERED PORCELAIN PLUG. FRAGMENTS OF PLUG FELL BETWEEN PISTONS, WARPED PISTONS. NEW ENGINE RECOMMENDED BY DEALER. NEW ENGINE ORDERED. ONE MONT WAIT TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11210109

3,000 miles · May 23, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THE BLUE LINK REMOTE START OFTEN DOES NOT RESPOND. THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET FIXED. THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THIS SYSTEM. HYUNDAI DOES NOT HAVE A CONTACT NUMBER THAT IS EASY TO LOCATE. WHEN YOU DO CALL THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO TALK WITH AND OFTEN JUST HANG UP ON YOU. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING STRUGGLE FOR SEVERAL MONTH…

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THE BLUE LINK REMOTE START OFTEN DOES NOT RESPOND. THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET FIXED. THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THIS SYSTEM. HYUNDAI DOES NOT HAVE A CONTACT NUMBER THAT IS EASY TO LOCATE. WHEN YOU DO CALL THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO TALK WITH AND OFTEN JUST HANG UP ON YOU. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING STRUGGLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH SOMEONE TO TALK TOO ABOUT THIS. THEY HAVE RECENTLY SENT AN E MAIL TELLING ME THAT THAT I MUST ACCEPT CHANGES IN MY BLUE LINK (THEY ARE GOING TO SHARE DATA FROM THAT WITH OTHER COMPANIES). YOU DO NOT HAVE AN OPTION TO DECLINE. THEY GIVE YOU AN OPTION TO AGREE OR THEY NOTE THAT CONTINUED USE OF BLUE LINK GIVES CONSENT. I DO NOT GIVE MY CONSENT. BLUE LINK IS NOT DEPENDABLE AND AS A RESULT DATA FROM THAT SYSTEM IS LIKELY TO INACCURATE. I OWN THREE HYUNDAI'S AND BUYING THE 2019 WAS A MISTAKE. THE BLUE LINK SYSTEM IS A MESS. THE SELL YOU THE SYSTEM IT WORKS ON YOUR PHONE, WORKS FROM ANYWHERE NO DISTANCE LIMITATIONS ECT. BUT AFTER YOU BUY IT THEY POINT OUT THAT YOU CANT COMPLAIN BECAUSE ITS A COMPLEMENTARY SERVICE. THIS ONLY COMES OUT AFTER YOU BUY THE CAR. THEY NEVER TALK ABOUT IT BEFORE THE PURCHASE. AFTER OWNING HYUNDAI'S FOR SEVERAL YEARS (3 OF THEM) I AM BEYOND DISAPPOINTED THEY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SO POOR. WHATS WORSE IS THAT WHEN YOU COMPLAIN THEY CAN'T FIND A NUMBER TO CONTACT WHERE YOU CAN GET HYUNDAI AMERICA TO EVEN LISTEN TO THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11209501

100 miles · May 22, 2019
Air Bags

MY WIFE HAS HAD A BAD BACK FOR MANY YEARS AND REQUIRES A CUSHION TO EASE THE BACK PAIN WHILE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. BY DOING THAT THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIT WILL NOT ACTIVATE. THIS HAS CREATED A REAL PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY. I'VE REACHED OUT TO HYUNDAI TO HAVE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ACTIVE CONTINUOUSLY B…

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MY WIFE HAS HAD A BAD BACK FOR MANY YEARS AND REQUIRES A CUSHION TO EASE THE BACK PAIN WHILE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. BY DOING THAT THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIT WILL NOT ACTIVATE. THIS HAS CREATED A REAL PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY. I'VE REACHED OUT TO HYUNDAI TO HAVE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ACTIVE CONTINUOUSLY BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED. I'M NOT ASKING THEM TO TURN IT OFF, I'M ASKING THEM TO TURN IT ON SO WE CAN BE MORE SECURE IN THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE TRIED MANY DIFFERENT PILLOWS, CUSHIONS AND BACK SUPPORTS TO NO AVAIL. RIDING WITH THE AIR BAG INOPERABLE IS NOT AN OPTION, RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HYUNDAI'S ANSWER IS BUCKLE UP TIGHT AND SIT BACK AWAY FROM THE DASH. THIS IS NOT AN ANSWER TO A PROBLEM THAT CAN EFFECT MILLIONS OF DISABLED PEOPLE SPENDING MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON NEW CARS THAT WANT TO FEEL SAFE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11209227

60 miles · Apr 25, 2019
Unknown Or Other

IDLE STOP AND GO TECHNOLOGY FEATURE CANNOT BE DISABLED. THE SYSTEM TURNS ITSELF ON AFTER I HAVE TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES WITH THE FEATURE TURNED OFF AND STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN, THEREBY TURNING THE TECHNOLOGY BACK ON. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS THINKING MY ENGI…

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IDLE STOP AND GO TECHNOLOGY FEATURE CANNOT BE DISABLED. THE SYSTEM TURNS ITSELF ON AFTER I HAVE TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES WITH THE FEATURE TURNED OFF AND STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN, THEREBY TURNING THE TECHNOLOGY BACK ON. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS THINKING MY ENGINE WAS RUNNING WHEN IT WAS NOT. THERE SHOULD BE A WAY TO DISABLE THIS, NOT JUST TEMPORARILY TURN OFF. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALER'S ATTENTION BUT THEY ARE MYSTIFIED AS I AM. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE PURCHASE LAST SUMMER, THOUGH BELOW I AM ASKED FOR A SPECIFIC DATE IT HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #11203646

2,700 miles · Apr 2, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING UP HILL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,700.

NHTSA ODI #11193340

1,850 miles · Apr 1, 2019
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AS WE SLOWED AND TURNED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. ENGINE REVED, CAR ACCELERATED RAPIDLY, BRAKES DID NO HOLD AND THE VEHICLE PLOWED INTO AND THEN ON TOP OF A SAFETY BARRIER STOPPING JUST SHORT OF A CHAIN LINK FENCE GUARDING A SET OF LARGE PROPANE TA…

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VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AS WE SLOWED AND TURNED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. ENGINE REVED, CAR ACCELERATED RAPIDLY, BRAKES DID NO HOLD AND THE VEHICLE PLOWED INTO AND THEN ON TOP OF A SAFETY BARRIER STOPPING JUST SHORT OF A CHAIN LINK FENCE GUARDING A SET OF LARGE PROPANE TANKS. POLICE WERE CALLED TO SCENE, HE TOOK PICTURES. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP COLLISION CENTER.

NHTSA ODI #11193023

2,650 miles · Mar 15, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

ON MARCH 5, THIS VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND ME AND MY PASSENGER COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND HAS 2600 MILES ON IT. I HAVE FOUND THAT HYUNDAI IS DOING A RECALL TO REPLACE STARTER AND A SOFTWARE UPDATE. I HAVE B…

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ON MARCH 5, THIS VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND ME AND MY PASSENGER COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND HAS 2600 MILES ON IT. I HAVE FOUND THAT HYUNDAI IS DOING A RECALL TO REPLACE STARTER AND A SOFTWARE UPDATE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT BECAUSE OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGY THIS VEHICLE HAS WHICH IS AN AUTOMATIC START AND STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT THAT THE STARTER SHORTED OUT AND APPARENTLY THE SOFTWARE IN THE CAR JUST STOPS THE CAR WHILE DRIVING.. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT 35 MILES/HOUR ON A BUSY STREET. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT I WAS NOT HIT AND INJURED OR KILLED. CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR A NEW STARTER AND SOFTWARE UPDATE WITH A POSSIBLE SHIP DATE OF MARCH 31, 2019. THESE 2019 SANTA FE ARE NOT SAFE TO BE SELLING TO THE PUBLIC WITH THIS KNOWN DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11187081

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.