2020 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 213 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, filed between 2020-01-03 and 2026-09-23. The most common problem areas are the engine (78, 37%), power train (26, 12%) and electrical system (25, 12%). Owners reported 13 crashes, 9 fires and 15 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 78 | 37% | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Unknown or other | 42 | 20% | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| Power train | 26 | 12% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 25 | 12% | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 14 | 7% | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Visibility | 14 | 7% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 6% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Lane departure | 8 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 4% | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Structure | 8 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 7 | 3% | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 2% | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Engine: 78 complaints
- 78 complaints of 213 (37%) name the engine.
- 15 of them also name the power train; owners reported 1 crash, 4 fires and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe covers this system.
Power train: 26 complaints
- 26 complaints of 213 (12%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 15 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe covers this system.
Electrical system: 25 complaints
- 25 complaints of 213 (12%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 7 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe covers this system.
Forward collision avoidance: 14 complaints
- 14 complaints of 213 (7%) name the forward collision avoidance — forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
- 3 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 1 crash and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe covers this system.
Visibility: 14 complaints
- 14 complaints of 213 (7%) name the visibility — the windshield, windows, mirrors, wipers and defrosters.
- 3 of them also name the unknown or other; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe; the recall, campaign 21V00M000, says: “During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.”
Fuel/propulsion system: 12 complaints
- 12 complaints of 213 (6%) name the fuel/propulsion system — the fuel tank, pump, lines, injectors and fuel-system controls.
- 4 of them also name the engine; owners reported 2 crashes and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 37 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 51 |
| 2026 | 53 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names SANTA FE, model year 2020. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's most common problem areas are the engine (78 of 213 complaints), power train (26 of 213 complaints) and electrical system (25 of 213 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
NHTSA has 213 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, including 13 reported crashes and 9 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's problems?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe; 1 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.