NHTSA has 217 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe[1]. The engine group is named most often, with 85 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name several parts. Here are the groups, biggest first.
- Engine. 85 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe stalling, overheating warnings, a car that would not start, and oil or oil pump trouble. Median mileage at failure was 43,000[2].
- Unknown or other. 42 complaints[6]. These reports do not fit a clear part group, and the median mileage at failure was 2,959[6].
- Power train. 26 complaints[7]. Owners describe rough behavior when the engine restarts at a stop, gear shifting trouble, and a car slipping out of park. Median mileage at failure was 27,823[7].
- Electrical system. 25 complaints[8]. Owners describe a car that goes dark or will not start, a horn that cuts out, and air conditioning that quits in the heat. Median mileage at failure was 3,020[8].
- Fuel and propulsion system. 14 complaints[9]. Owners describe weak response when pulling into traffic, sudden loss of power on the road, and a car that surged forward when the driver expected it to slow.
- Visibility. 14 complaints[10]. Median mileage at failure was 29,000[10].
- Forward collision avoidance. 14 complaints[11].
- Brakes. 11 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2020 Santa Fe is necessarily included.
- Trailer Hitches (23V181), March 2023. About 584,784 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Visibility › Windshield (21V00M), December 2021. About 26,413 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Santa Fe FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 22 / 29 / 25 | $2,700 |
| Santa Fe AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[16] | 20 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 |
| Santa Fe AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[17] | 21 / 27 / 24 | $2,800 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
How 2020 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 209 | 4 |
| 2002 | 165 | 4 |
| 2003 | 308 | 4 |
| 2004 | 303 | 3 |
| 2005 | 216 | 3 |
| 2006 | 106 | 1 |
| 2007 | 684 | 7 |
| 2008 | 541 | 4 |
| 2009 | 358 | 2 |
| 2010 | 260 | 2 |
| 2011 | 181 | 2 |
| 2012 | 354 | 1 |
| 2013 | 805 | 7 |
| 2014 | 657 | 7 |
| 2015 | 339 | 4 |
| 2016 | 306 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1,326 | 7 |
| 2018 | 432 | 5 |
| 2019 | 229 | 3 |
| 2020 | 217 | 2 |
| 2021 | 187 | 8 |
| 2022 | 265 | 8 |
| 2023 | 290 | 2 |
| 2024 | 191 | 7 |
| 2025 | 238 | 5 |
| 2026 | 56 | 4 |
NHTSA's counts for the Santa Fe show 217 complaints and 2 recalls for 2020[3]. Among the 27 model years listed, 9 have fewer complaints than 2020 and 17 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2017 (1,326)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2020 Santa Fe?
The 2020 Santa Fe has a real number of owner complaints, 217 in all[1]. Engine reports lead the list at 85[2]. The electrical and unknown groups show low median mileage at failure, 3,020 and 2,959, so reports in those groups were made at low mileage[8][6]. These are unverified reports and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold[1]. Check the recall and safety sections on this page before you buy or keep one.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- The engine group has the most complaints, 85[2]. Power train and electrical follow with 26 and 25[7][8].
- Does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?
- Yes, the by-year data lists 2 recalls[3]. See the Recalls section of this page for the list.
- How many complaints does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
- NHTSA has 217 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified reports.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
- Owner reports point to the engine group most often[2]. Read the problems, recalls and safety sections together before you decide.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Hyundai Santa Fe
Compare all model years of the Hyundai Santa Fe
Other Hyundai models from 2020
Similar cars from 2020: small suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 217 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe (14 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 15 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 85 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Santa Fe model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Santa Fe FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 42 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 6 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 2,959). NHTSA vehicle records
- 26 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,823). NHTSA vehicle records
- 25 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 3,020). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 23V181, filed March 17, 2023: Trailer Hitches. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V00M, filed December 28, 2021: Visibility › Windshield. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Santa Fe FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Santa Fe AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Santa Fe AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 235 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 185 hp. www.epa.gov