2021 Hyundai Santa FE engine problems
37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE — 22% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact owned a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly caught on fire. The contact's wife became aware that the radio was inoperable before the failure. Additionally, the contact’s wife’s eyes were irritated, and there was a…”
filed Sep 9, 2026
“My check engine light came on, and my car was also feeling "sluggish" and slow to accelerate. I scheduled a service appointment at my local dealer 4 days later. At the appointment, the technician stated everything checked out okay and the check engine light was likely an "anomaly" or "outlier" but…”
filed Jun 24, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter…
26-EE-003H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 18, 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% |
| 2020 Santa FE | 76 | 36% |
| 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 2021 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.