19 complaints reported

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
19
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Dec 2026

Replaced horns a couple times, after doing research, this seems to be a deeper and ongoing issues with this car ok a larger scale. Horns die out or stop completely, causing multiple replacements.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2026
Jan 2026

Horns stopped working entirely. Car was crossing into my lane and I attempted to honk horn and no sound. No warning lights or messages on dash. Is available for inspection. No inspections conducted currently.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2026
Sep 2025

The horn on my 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe has completely stopped working. This is a severe safety hazard. I recently attempted to warn another driver who was drifting into my lane but was unable to, forcing me to swerve and nearly resulting in a head-on collision. The horn failed without any warning. After researching online, I have found that this appears to be a known issue with the Santa Fe model and Hyundai vehicles in general. I am requesting a diagnostic and repair as this is a safety feature failure that could lead to a serious accident. Please let me know if this issue qualifies for a recall. Thank You

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2025
Apr 2025

Horn stopped working on my 2021 Santa Fe. Reported to dealer and they confirmed that both horns (high and low?) were broken. There was no indication that the horn was malfunctioning. It worked and then it didn't.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2025
Jan 2025

I bought this vehicle brand new in 2021. It failed its first safety inspection in 2022. I was asked ..did you know your horn is not working? Took it to the dealer and was told this has been a common issue, the relays are freezing and popping in the cold. Have lots in stock because of this issue. The service dept has stated on each replacement parts are in stock because this happens all the time. It has now become an annual replacement for me. I just had my third set of horns in 3 years installed on 1/21/25. So for one this is a vehicle safety requirement to pass inspections in NYS. Two: I dont know my horn isnt working until I go to use it because I need to in a dangerous situation and its dead. There is no fix other than replacing the horns which is a huge inconvenience since closest dealer is 30+ miles away and can be weeks before they can get it in. There also has been no recall on this. My repair invoices are available in required.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2025
Dec 2024

Rearview Camera does not work (Signal Loss message appears). I nearly hit 1 adult and 2 small children that were passing behind my vehicle in a parking lot. I felt the need to report this even though a recall is being put into place. I have an appointment already to have the camera repaired.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2024
May 2024

Vehicle horn continues to stop working. Problem occurred within a month of purchase. I have had it repaired 3 times, and each time it has been repaired it works for only a few days and then stops working. I am tired of paying to have it fixed, only to work a few days. It has been a safety concern as I have not been able to alert pedestrians, other vehicles, or animals to my presence. Having a working horn is a required safety feature for my employment and driving on company property.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2021
Mar 2024

The fuel door release button on my SUV has stopped working. It is a press and spring opening fuel door. While trying to get gas, it would not open, prohibiting me from putting gas in my car. (May 18, 2024) I went to the dealer on a Saturday in an emergency instance and while in the lane, because the shop had no openings, the technician had to remove the inside trunk panel and other trunk parts to separate the fuel door compartment from the car to get the fuel door open. He put tape over the door engaging mechanism, so it would not engage and become stuck closed again. There is no inside car release button for my model. Also, there was no indication in the health stats in the My Hyundai mobile app. I scheduled a service appt for the following Friday and received the notice that the part (fuel door release button) was on backorder with no ETA. (May 24, 2024). While speaking with the Service Agent, she mentioned that another 2 customers had this fuel door problem. (no details). This poses a problem for me because I have been driving with my fuel door open. Someone could tamper with my very expense SUV by breaking my fuel door completely off, chiffon my gas out, or putting something in my gas tank.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2024
Jan 2024 Crash

On two different occasions the car is rolled away from me and while I was out of the car and walking away from the vehicle. The first time it rolled backwards across the parking lot and into a flagpole and the second time it was a McDonald's parking lot and I was able to jump back in the car in time but it started to roll forward as I was bending down to get my debit card off the ground.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2022
Aug 2023

The panoramic sunroof which is made of tempered glass is a large piece above the back passenger. There is also a small piece above the windshield. The sunroof sits in between these two pieces (not made of tempered glass). I noticed a crackling sound driving my daughter to day care on Friday August 11. I couldn’t figure out what it was. The next day I was on the highway, my husband driving our car and my toddler in the back when there was a loud pop like a gunshot. We pulled over assessed the car and realized the panoramic roof was shattering. We drove it home and realized the front piece above the windshield was also shattering and there was no impact. I googled this and apparently it’s happening to a lot of people and the dealerships aren’t helping saying it’s not a manufacture defect when in fact it is. There was no impact that caused this. Anyone else would have lost control of the car and crashed hearing that loud pop or if the shade was open we could have had glass showering down on us. This is unacceptable if anyone would have mentioned this would happen I would have never bought this vehicle. I filed a claim and State Farm paid the claim to have it replaced but this car is only 2 years old and it should be under warranty and this is a definite defect. Please google panoramic roof shattering and see what comes up. I don’t think enough people have reported this although some people have commented that they have so I’m not sure if this is currently under investigation. If not please help

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2023
Aug 2023

After jacking up the car to do a tire swap from winter tires and wheels to the OEM tires and wheels on the front passenger side using the factory supplied scissors jack the vehicle rocked slightly, causing the jack to fall over and the vehicle to drop. I had already completed the tire and wheel swap on the driver side of the vehicle without incident. At this point the lug nuts were loose but had not yet been removed, so no damage to the vehicle occurred. This event happened in my garage that has a flat concrete floor with an epoxy coating. I was not touching the vehicle at the time. The vehicle was in park but the electronic parking brake was not manually set (not sure if that can be done). I believe the transmission (8 speed DCT) allows too much movement fore and aft before engaging the parking pawl that locks the front axles and prevents movement. Also, due to the height of the vehicle, the scissors jack must be extended near the very top of the maximum lifting height to raise the tires about 1/2" above the ground level, where the jack is naturally the least stable. I used wheel chocks on the opposite diagonal corner for the remaining wheels. The jack sustained a bent threaded shaft but otherwise appeared to be ok and the support arms did not seem to be bent. I will be replacing this jack with a sturdier unit soon and will not use this one again, however I will keep it in case in its needed for examination.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2023
Apr 2023

Front sunroof shattered on the interstate at 80 mph. There were no other vehicles near me and it was an unobstructed road (no bridges crossing the road) temperature was 40 degrees and sunny.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2023
Mar 2023

Unknown vigorous shaking in rear of vehicle check engine light on. Stopped after turning car off and restarting. Hyundai found no causes and no codes when inspected for issue.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2022
Dec 2022

THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT ISSUED A REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL #22V746000 SINCE THE INITIAL FILING OF THE RECALL ON 10/6022.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2022
Aug 2022

While on a high speed highway in New Jersey the transmission suddenly lost power and the car was unable to move. It had to finally be towed to the Hyundai dealer on 7/26/2022 where it remains awaiting a new transmission. Neither dealer or Hyundai Corporate has any information as to when new transmission will arrive and be installed.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2022
Jun 2022 Injury

The passenger door has a sharp edge at the bottom exactly like the palasade hyundai recall. Both my daughter and my 82 year old mother have gashed their ankle on the door. In the case of my mother she was lucky we did not need stitches! I have a picture of the injury. I made a case submission to Hyundai.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2022
Jul 2021

Vehicle stalled 5 times when finally got it to restart wouldn’t accelerate more than two mph. Broke down on a busy road was finally able to get the car into a parking lot but was almost hit from behind cause the vehicle was obstructing traffic. Towed to dealership where was told it would take them a week to look at it and they won’t provide any alternative transportation for me that I would have to pay out of pocket. My car is only 2 months and 2400 miles old

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2021
Jul 2021

Engine shut off while driving 70mph in the middle of the mountains in PA during a road trip from VA to MI, 2 adults and one child. No Warning No Check Engine lights No alarms, just shut off. I tried to press the ignition start button but it would not function until the engine was in park, gave no warning or alarm when I pressed it, the engine start button wouldn't respond. At Shutoff, going ~70mph, I had: Zero acceleration Zero power No blinkers No Instrument Cluster (LED Cluster screen installed) The only way I could signal to merge onto the shoulder was to turn on the hazard lights and attempt to merge from the fast lane to the shoulder, completely crossing faster traffic with no blinkers to guide my merging and warn other drivers on the highway. Instrument cluster turned white as if it was being reset and music was still playing in the car Bluetooth connected to my phone. Conditions of the vehicle during shutoff: 1. Adaptive Cruise Control was on, set to 3 car lengths of distance. 2. Lane Keep Assist was on 3. Lane Departure Warning was on 4. Bluetooth was connected 5. Navigation was active and guiding Once I was able to merge to the shoulder, I shifted into park and sat there for about a minute while I tried to calm my family down from what had happened so unexpectedly. After a minute or so, I was able to start the vehicle back up and nervously proceeded back on the highway to continue on with the rest of the trip. I immediately contacted Hyundai when I returned to VA and explained the issue, they took the vehicle into the service department of the dealership that I purchased the vehicle from. Hyundai kept my vehicle for 2 days and drove it "120 miles" but were unable to recreate the problem. They stated that all the systems checked out and there was nothing more they could do. I have since created 2 cases with Hyundai Corporate office to rectify this issue to no avail. Without the issue being recreated, there is nothing they will do for my family.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2021
Mar 2021

WHILE IN DRIVE AND STATIONARY, MY VEHICLE HAS CONTINUOUSLY CAD CONNECTIONS ISSUES WITH MY MOBILE PHONE. I HAVE RECEIVED THE SAME ERROR MESSAGE STATING 'PHONE NOT RESPONDING. PLEASE RECONNECT IT AND TRY AGAIN.' THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AREAS I'M UNFAMILIAR WITH AND PUT MYSELF AND OTHERS AT RISK WHILE TRYING TO REGAIN CONNECTION. I'VE LEFT MY VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP, BUT WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS MY CELLPHONE AND WAS ADVISED TO PURCHASE A NEW PHONE. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE WOMAN AT THE CORPORATE HYUNDAI NUMBER, SHE ADVISED ME THAT MY PHONE WAS VERY MUCH COMPATIBLE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY CONNECTION PROBLEMS, WE TROUBLESHOOTED MANY TIME, BUT I STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Feb 2021

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Quick Summary

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe has 19 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.