NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach from the vehicle structure.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seat belt anchors and reinforce or replace them as needed at no cost.
This page covers 6 recalls, 160 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2025 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
Complaints about the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe are dominated by forward collision avoidance system issues, which draw the highest complaint volume by a wide margin. Owners consistently describe the system triggering unexpectedly, phantom braking events at highway speeds, false alerts with no obstacle present, and the system activating in normal traffic or open road conditions. Electrical system complaints come in second, with several owners reporting sudden power loss and the vehicle entering a reduced-power state, sometimes accompanied by dashboard warnings to pull over and let the hybrid battery charge. A few owners also describe unexpected deceleration and stalling at speed. Tire-related complaints are the third most-reported area, though the specific failure modes vary across reports. The forward collision avoidance pattern is the clearest recurring theme, with owners describing unpredictable interventions during everyday highway driving.
160
Total Complaints
8
Crash-Related
5
With Injuries
By System
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe has 6 recalls, the most serious being two separate fire risks: a starter motor terminal cover that can cause an electrical short in a crash, and engine connecting rod bolts that can loosen, cutting drive power and leaking oil onto hot engine components.
On the occupant safety side, side curtain airbags may not have been installed correctly and can fail to deploy in a crash, and seat belt anchors on both front seats can detach, leaving occupants without proper restraint. The rearview camera can also fail to show an image when reversing, either because the wiring harness was not manufactured correctly or because the camera itself was not properly installed. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue, and both filings address the same underlying problem.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach from the vehicle structure.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seat belt anchors and reinforce or replace them as needed at no cost.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
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 →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera wiring harness may be improperly made, causing the wiring to get damaged and the camera image to stop displaying when you shift into reverse.
What the fix does
A dealership will replace the rearview camera wiring harness.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Side curtain air bags may not have been installed correctly, preventing them from deploying in a crash as designed.
What the fix does
Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags at no cost to you.
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 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
Engine connecting rod bolts may not be tight enough, causing loss of power, engine damage, and possible oil leaks.
What the fix does
The engine will be replaced at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
