NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach from the vehicle structure.
This page covers 12 recalls, 141 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe.
23–36 mpg combined
6.5–10.2 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2024 Santa Fe, powertrain complaints make up the largest share of what owners report. The most common pattern involves the transmission throwing a system error on startup that clears after a restart, along with hesitation during acceleration. Several owners also describe the vehicle dropping into limp mode while driving, with the drive indicator flashing on the dash, a frustrating situation because the vehicle reportedly clears the fault code before a technician can read it, making diagnosis difficult. Forward collision avoidance is the second most-reported system, with owners describing unexpected activation or system warnings triggering without an obvious hazard ahead. Electrical system complaints follow, covering a range of issues including inoperative seatbelt components and rear camera failures. The limp-mode and transmission error pattern, particularly its tendency to self-clear and leave no stored codes, comes up repeatedly across multiple reports.
141
Total Complaints
9
Crash-Related
5
With Injuries
By System
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe has 12 recalls, the most serious involving airbags that can deploy without warning or fail to deploy in a crash, a rollaway risk when parked, and an exposed starter terminal that can short-circuit and cause a fire. The airbag and rollaway issues affect both standard and hybrid models. The floor wiring harness can chafe against the second-row seat and become damaged, causing airbags to misfire or go inert in a crash. A software error in the transmission control unit can allow the vehicle to roll away when left in park without the parking brake applied. The starter motor's positive terminal cover can be improperly installed, leaving it exposed to contact nearby components in a crash and creating a short-circuit fire risk.
On the restraint side, the driver and passenger seat belt anchors can detach, leaving occupants without adequate protection in a crash. Rear visibility is affected by two separate issues: the rearview camera can be improperly installed in a way that damages its wiring and prevents the image from displaying, and a software problem can allow a trailer parking assist message to block the camera view while reversing. There is also a concern with the overhead console sunshade switch, which can be triggered unintentionally and close the sunshade unexpectedly, creating a pinch risk.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach from the vehicle structure.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seat belt anchors and reinforce or replace them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera may not have been installed correctly, which can damage its wiring harness and prevent the camera image from displaying on your screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the camera wiring harness at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The starter motor's terminal cover may not be installed properly, leaving the positive terminal exposed. In a crash, this terminal could contact nearby components and cause a short circuit.
What the fix does
A dealership will inspect the starter motor and reinstall the positive terminal cover if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The positive terminal cover on the starter motor may be installed incorrectly, which could cause an electrical short if the vehicle is in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the starter motor terminal cover and reinstall it correctly if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The sunshade switch in the overhead console may not be designed to prevent accidental activation, which could violate Canadian safety regulations.
What the fix does
Hyundai will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where technicians will replace the sunshade switch knobs in the overhead console.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The overhead console rear sunshade switch knob may not fully recess, allowing the sunshade to close unintentionally.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the switch knobs at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The floor wiring harness can rub against the passenger-side second-row seat assembly and become damaged, which may cause airbags to deploy without warning or fail to deploy during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the wiring harness and repair or replace it as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The floor wiring harness may not be properly secured and could become damaged, preventing airbags from deploying in a crash or causing them to deploy unexpectedly. The airbag warning light will illuminate.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the floor wiring harness, secure it if needed, and replace it if damage is found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software problem could damage the transmission, causing the vehicle to move unexpectedly while parked without the parking brake applied.
What the fix does
The dealer will inspect the transmission, replace it if needed, and update the transmission control unit software.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the transmission control unit may cause the vehicle to roll away while parked in PARK.
What the fix does
Hyundai will send an over-the-air software update to the transmission control unit. Dealers will inspect and replace the dual clutch transmission if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A trailer parking assist message can block the rearview camera image on the display, obstructing the driver's rear visibility.
What the fix does
Hyundai will push an over-the-air software update to fix the display issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software issue may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying properly when reversing, which violates Canadian safety requirements.
What the fix does
Hyundai will mail you instructions to visit a dealership for a rearview camera software update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
