2019 Hyundai Santa Fe problems, complaints & recalls
FewerWithin ±30% year on year
NHTSA has received 227 owner complaints about the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe, or 29.1 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.72, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 78 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #40 of 78 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Hyundai models its rate is 46% lower; against other Midsize SUVs it is 45% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-10-23 and 2026-10-05. Median delay from incident to filing: 24 days.
227Complaints
29.1Complaints per year on the road
0.72Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls · ⚠ 2
12.3%Share involving a crash or fire
42Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2018) drew 49.2 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 31.8 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 52 complaints, 34% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (37.0% of complaints), followed by Unspecified or other (15.4%) and Body & structure (9.7%). Engine complaints are 1.7 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 28 reports (12.3%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 10 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 52 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (41% of incidents). In the last 12 months 42 new complaints were filed, versus 42 in the 12 months before — virtually unchanged.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year, 2 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 2 NHTSA investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires” (audit query, opened 2023-11-17, still open).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.72
vs. other Hyundai models0.54
vs. other 2019 models0.65
vs. other Midsize SUVs0.55
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (52)0.66
On August 14 2026, I drove my 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe approximately one mile from my residence to work at approximately 5:00 AM.
Electrical · 2026-10-02 · ODI 11768525 · Fire
2019 Santa Fe with 80,000 miles showed signs of excessive oil consumption. Service was scheduled with licensed Hyundai franchise service center. Known oil consumption issues on Theta II engines for that year. Testing requires 3 steps.
Engine · 2026-09-11 · ODI 11763606 · Fire
Driving at highway speed, vehicle stuttered/lurched. The check AWD, engine light, tire pressure warning lights came on. Check by mechanic resulted in error code P0741 (Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck Off).
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-10-05 · ODI 11769096
On 03/26/2026, my 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe received Hyundai Service Campaign 9C2 (TSB 26-01-013H-1), which included an Engine Control Module (ECM) software update for Theta II emissions improvement.
Engine · 2026-09-23 · ODI 11766397
My vehicle had a very strong gas smell inside and outside of the car. I found a gas puddle under the car coming from the back of the vehicle. Car was hesitating when I stepped on the gas. I was afraid it may stall.
Fuel system · 2026-09-07 · ODI 11762546
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: 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.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW Campaign 18V715000 · 2018-10-11
Summary: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the air bags become damaged during deployment they may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
AQ23002 · audit query · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · Opened 2023-11-17 · Model years: 2018, 2019
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect…
Loss of Motive PowerClosed
DP22003 · defect petition · ENGINE · Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints i…
