2019 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 200 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 16 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 10 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Trailer hitchesPark outsideMar 17, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.
Campaign 23V181000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowOct 11, 2018
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. The Side Curtain Air Bag (SCAB) mounting bolts may interfere with and damage the air bags during deployment.
In the event of a crash, if the air bags become damaged during deployment they may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the SCAB installation bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 177.
Campaign 18V715000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
200 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, May 19, 2022
I was driving and the car just turned off. A check engine light went on. I was able to restart the car. The dealer says they cant see any issues. I was put at risk because I was actively driving and the cars around me were driving.
Tires, Apr 13, 2022
The contact's son owns a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe equipped with KUMHO Tires, Tire Line: Solus, Tire Size: 235/65/R17, DOT Number: H25AYA8U1221. The contact stated that while his son was driving 35 MPH, the passenger’s side front tire had a blowout causing damage to the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and the front end was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Air bags, Apr 8, 2022, crash
Auto accident. Front end gone Air bag did not deploy. Only driver in car. Suffered 2 Broken ribs and broken sternum. Insurance company totaled car after inspection. No warning lights or messages presented at any time prior to accident.
Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2022, fire
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, approximately 30 minutes later the neighbor informed that the vehicle was on fire. The contact rushed outside to discover flames and smoke were present coming from the rear driver's side of the vehicle. A fire extinguisher was used to extinguish the flames. The fire department was called to the scene. During the incident, the contact sustained a burned right hand which required medical treatment. The cause of the fire was not yet determined. A fire report was taken at the scene. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 48,000.
Forward collision avoidance, Feb 10, 2022
12/26/2021 Driving on I40 E between Santa Rosa and Tucumcari using adaptive cruise control (SCC) at approx 68 m.p.h the brakes were harshly applied which resulted in the vehicle rapidly de-accelerating from approximately 68 m.p.h to approximately 5 m.p.h. (There was a warning displayed on the odometer panel). no vehicle or other obstacle within eyesight to the front, side of rear of our vehicle. Vehicle resumed driving on cruise. No warning prior to the event. Vehicle was taken to the local Hyundai dealership on 12/30/2021 for diagnosis, the mileage was 21066. The technician reported no DTC's found and suggested it might have been caused by the windshield mounted "dash cam", the "dashcam" was not in a position where it could possibly interfere with the vehicle camera, (it has been in the same position since vehicle purchase and remains in the same position today), possibly some critter that ran out in front of us and we did not notice it or maybe a big bug flew into the vehicle. also there was no obstruction to the forward vehicle radar. The vehicle was not road tested. This fault since the first instance has not happened again. this fault has been noted by other owners on various Hyundai owners blogs. This vehicle has FCA + Pedestrian, SCC, LKA.
Forward collision avoidance, Dec 15, 2021
"FCA" system disabled radar blocked" error came on while test driving on 3 separate occasions but no diagnostic code recorded, prior to taking possession they replaced a camera they thought to be the cause 11 days later during a snowy morning I got the same error again. Again it didn't register a code and I was told by the dealership no code, no problem. Spoke with Hyundai customer relations and was told I have to take it back to the dealership for them to diagnose it, and the condition has to be reproduced for them to note the error but We have not had snow since that morning therefore the system error has not reappeared. The likelihood of being able to reproduce the circumstance during business hours and be able to get it to them to witness the situation is minuscule at best. If this safety feature is deactivated when something as simple as a snowflake blocks the sensor then it isn't really a safety feature. The safety features contributed to my decision to purchase this vehicle (Nov 1st) but all I am told was the radar was blocked and therefore caused the deactivation, but again how can something as simple as a snowflake cause this error and the manufacturer not address this as a safety concern.
Electrical system, Dec 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle there were multiple warning messages displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle would not accelerate to exceed 10 MPH. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who disconnected the battery and reset the computer and the failure was remedied. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.
Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2021
truck, not speeding up at times when gas peddle is pushed.
Other or unspecified, Electrical system, Nov 7, 2021
The dome lighting, lights do not go off when the doors are closed. I check repeatedly to make sure that all doors are closed. The dome gets extremely extremely hot. I believe this could very easily be a fire hazard. This has happened 3 times this year 2021.
Other or unspecified, Oct 6, 2021
This is the 2019 Santa Fe that this has occurred on (formally owned) as well as two 2020 Santa Fe that we now own within the last 2 years. The windshield does not take rock hits well. On all three vehicles a rock strike on the windshield not only left a large star impact, but the crack from the impact reaches all the way to the roof pillar. The crack is long. I believe the windshield glass is substandard and needs to be looked into closer as being a possible safety risk. Replacing the windshield and camera recalibration is expensive.
Engine, Sep 11, 2021
The engine stalled while driving on highway at 65 miles per hour. When I tried to push the gas the vehicle was resisting to speed. When I took a nearest exit, the car suddenly jerked and slowed on its own without me pressing any brakes. Somehow I managed to drive to a nearest parking area and called for assistance. When it jerked and slowed suddenly the person behind me honked so hard. May be the person barely missed hitting my back of the car. It was a scary experience.
Engine, Aug 27, 2021
The car engine completely shuts off while driving multiple times. While driving on highway and the streets the car just stops almost causing an accident. In order to get the car off the road we had to move it physically off the road.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 16, 2021, crash
While pulling into a parking space at an extremely low speed, foot tapping the brake, the car excelerated (uncommanded) at what appeared to be full throttle. Depressing the brake had little to no effect and the vehicle stopped after hitting a metal pole. The vehicle sustained severe damage and was determined to be a total loss. The airbags did not deploy.
Engine, Jun 13, 2021
Stop / Start does not engage at stop light. Dealer finally replace battery and battery cable. This did fix problem. I understand this could be a starter problem and or software problem. The battery does not charge above the 70% required to engage stop /start.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 30, 2021
YA HE LLEVADO 4 O 5 VECES MI CARRO AL DEALER,EL LADO DE DRIVING CUANDO YO ENTRO A CIERTO DRIVE WAY HACE UN SONIDO EXTRAO AL IGUAL SI ME PARKEO EN RIVERSA Y TENGO QUE MOVER EL QUIA PARA LA DERECHA TAMBIEN, 4/21/2021 ME HICIERON UN TRABAJO Y DESDE ESA FECHA EL MOTOR ESTA TENIENDO UN SONIDO EXTRAO Y LA REBOLUCIONES .
Engine, Apr 28, 2021
THE IDLE DOWN FEATURE STOPPED WORKING SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. NO CHANGE IN HOW THE ENGINE RUNS WHEN WE GET TO A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP MAYBE IN FEBRUARY, THEY SAID THEY HADN'T SEEN THE PROBLEM YET. MY WIFE FOUND AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IT SAID THAT SEVERAL CARS HAD CAUGHT FIRE OR STALLED IN TRAFFIC. TAKING IT TO THE DEALER ON 5/4/2021. THE REAR POWER GATE ALSO HAS STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. NOT SURE IF THEY ARE RELATED AS OF YET.
Other or unspecified, Mar 23, 2021
MY SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. NO CARS WERE ANYWHERE AROUND US, WE WERE NOT NEAR ANY OVERPASSES, THERE WAS NO ROAD DEBRIS & NOTHING HIT OUR CAR. THERE WAS ONE LOUD BANG LIKE THE SOUND OF A RIFLE SHOT.
Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2021
I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT DIRECTLY STRAIGHT, IT WAS SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT. IF IAM PARKING UP OR DOWN HILL I MUST TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE CURB. IF I CONTINUE TO DO THIS, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP, AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION.
Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2021, crash
MY WIFE WAS DROPPING OFF A FRIEND AT HIS HOUSE USING THE BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO THE GARAGE DAMAGING THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE GARAGE. I CAN ONLY INCLUDE THE VEHICLE PHOTO DUE TO PHOTO SIZE LIMITATIONS. HER FRIEND WAS A WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT I ESTIMATE TOTAL DAMAGE TO GARAGE AND VEHICLE TO BE $10000. HYUNDAI SAID TO CALL BACK TOMORROW.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 17, 2021, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP, ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A WATER PIPE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWEDFOLSOM LAKE HYUNDAI (12530 AUTO MALL CIR, FOLSOM, CA 95630; (916) 293-4760) WHO WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE THEREFORE WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN THE LAST 18 MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2021
WE WERE SITTING AT RED LIGHT IN A BUSY INTERSECTION AT NIGHT AND THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING AND CUT OFF. WE TRIED PRESSING THE AUTOMATIC START AND IT KEPT HESITATING AND EVERYTHING WENT BLACK ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.AFTER 3RD TIME IT STARTED AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET HOME. IT STARTED HAVING MORE HESITATION WHILE TO GO UP HILLS AND LOW SPEEDS. THE AUTOMATIC START /STOP ALSO STOPPED WORKING IN THE VEHICLE. I ALSO WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE BLUE LINK SYSTEM, THEY WERE HAVING TO RESET IT EACH MONTH UNTIL THEY DECIDED TO MAKE A TICKET FOR REPAIR IN WHICH TOOK A MONTH OR SO IN ORDER FOR THE ENGINEERS TO SEE IF IT WAS DEFAULT ON THERE END. THEN THEY DECIDED TO SET ME UP FOR A APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT THROUGH HYUNDAI, WHICH NOW THEY SAW I HAVE TO HAVE WHOLE NEW HEAD RADIO HEAD UNIT WITH BLUE LINK AND ALSO A NEW TRANSMISSION. PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND IT HAS LOW MILEAGE AND NEED TRANSMISSION. I'M LOOSING FAITH IN HYUNDAI!
Other or unspecified, Feb 4, 2021
CAR WAS IN MOTION APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN SOME UNIDENTIFIED, UNSEEN OBJECT CRASHED INTO THE SLIDING PANORAMIC ROOF. THE RESULT WAS A 12 X 8 INCH HOLE AND A SPIDERWEB OF CRACKS THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE GLASS. FORTUNATELY, THE INSIDE COVER WAS CLOSED AND THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE OBJECT WAS NOT RECOVERED. IT WILL TAKE 3-5 BUSINESS DAYS FOR THE REPAIR COMPANY TO ORDER AND RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT. THE CAR IS UNUSABLE TILL THEN.
Engine, Jan 5, 2021, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, A THICK, GRAYISH SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE CABIN FROM THE REAR, PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND REQUESTED ALL OCCUPANTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. AS THE CONTACT BEGAN TO CALL 911, AN OFFICER NEARBY CAME OVER TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EVENTUALLY ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND BOTH A FIRE AND POLICE REPORTS WERE FILED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INITIALLY TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND ONCE INSURANCE WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE, THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE INSURANCE THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT REMAINED IN THEIR POSSESSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INITIALLY OFFERED TO ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH THE PURCHASE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. HYUNDAI THEN SENT OUT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEIR ASSESSMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS ATTACHED TO THE TRAILER HITCH. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000. *BF CONSUMER FILED A CLAIMED WITH U-HAUL THEY SPOKE TO HYUNDAI AND HYUNDAI BLAMES ON WIRING HITCH BECAUSE IT WAS INSTALLED AFTER PURCHASED.*JB
Air bags, Dec 31, 2020, crash
IT'S A RENTAL CAR. IT WAS A SNOW DAY AND HIT ON THE CONCRETE WALL BUT THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. COMPARED TO THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR, IT IS A SAFETY CONCERNS.
Other or unspecified, Dec 4, 2020, crash
MY 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAD SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE I WAS TRYING TO PARK THE CAR IN THE PARKING LOT. IT SUDDENLY CROSSED OVER THE PARKING CEMENT BLOCK AND JUMPED INTO THE SIDEWALK LANDSCAPE AND THEN STOPPED. THE AIRBAG ALSO DEPLOYED DUE TO THIS INCIDENT. I DID NOT STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL.