2020 Hyundai Santa FE engine problems
76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2020 Hyundai Santa FE — 36% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“At approximately 122,000 miles, my 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe experienced a serious engine malfunction while I was driving on the highway. The check engine light suddenly illuminated and the vehicle began thrusting/jerking forward unexpectedly. We immediately took action to exit the highway and were…”
filed Sep 10, 2026
“My car has the 2.0 T GDI theta 2 motor and it went into limp mode and after scanning the codes it’s the p1326 code. The vin doesn’t show to be apart of the class action lawsuit but it’s the same motor”
filed Sep 8, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these…
26-01-013H-2 DN · Service Campaign · issued May 21, 2026Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. If present, this condition is…
9C2 060518 · Service Campaign · issued May 19, 2026Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. If present, this condition is…
9C2 DCS 260518 · Service Campaign · issued May 19, 2026Certain 2019 – 2020 model year Santa Fe, 2017 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2015 – 2019 model year Sonata, and 2018 – 2021 model year Tucson vehicles may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. Hyundai is conducting…
9C2 OL · Service Campaign · issued Apr 14, 2026Hyundai Motor America is currently investigating an ongoing issue with software GDS event #1383 related to 2015MY Sonata (LFA) 2.4L vehicles. The matter is currently being investigated for a resolution as soon as…
9C2 Susp DCS · Service Campaign · issued Mar 30, 2026
Engine problems in other Santa FE years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Santa FE | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 Santa FE | 13 | 10% |
| 2024 Santa FE | 12 | 8% |
| 2023 Santa FE | 35 | 17% |
| 2022 Santa FE | 53 | 27% |
| 2021 Santa FE | 37 | 22% |
| 2019 Santa FE | 71 | 36% |
| 2018 Santa FE | 53 | 49% |
| 2017 Santa FE | 643 | 67% |
| 2016 Santa FE | 151 | 64% |
| 2015 Santa FE | 160 | 63% |
| 2014 Santa FE | 274 | 56% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2020 Hyundai Santa FE
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.