2021 Hyundai Santa FE Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

36Engine complaints

22.2%Of all 162 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN50 · 30.9%

Unspecified / other41 · 25.3%

ENGINE36 · 22.2%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28 · 17.3%

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING15 · 9.3%

Share of the 162 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE overview page.

What owners report

“April 2022 My 2020 one, Honda Santa Fe started rolling backwards in rolling to a flagpole as I was walking away from the car. I…”NHTSA complaint 11546124 — filed 09/23/2023

“During low speeds the car stalls out which could cause a safety issue for my family”NHTSA complaint 11544648 — filed 09/14/2023

“I have been having problems with the vehicle. Apparently it has problems with the start-stop system ; the car turns off even while driving…”NHTSA complaint 11540213 — filed 08/22/2023

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE have engine problems?

Engine is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE: 36 of 162 complaints on file (22.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE have in total?

162 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 4 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, 2 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.