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Model year record

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls & problems

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe has 2 safety recalls and 218 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (81 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints218filed by owners
Crashes · fires14 · 9reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

1 recall for this model year carries an NHTSA park outside advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

Trailer hitchesMar 17, 2023

Trailer hitches

Recall 23V181000584,784 vehicles

NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from buildings until repaired (fire risk).

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
VisibilityDec 28, 2021

Windshield

Recall 21V00M00026,413 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
Risk
A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 216.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk14.6%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk15.5%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Santa Fe FWD

25mpg combined
City / highway22 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Santa Fe AWD

24mpg combined
City / highway21 / 27 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Santa Fe FWD

23mpg combined
City / highway20 / 27 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Santa Fe AWD

22mpg combined
City / highway20 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Engine8124219,000 mi
Unknown or other422622,959 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel261213,020 mi
Power train2600027,823 mi
Forward collision avoidanceWarnings; Automatic emergency braking19102—
Fuel/propulsion system143011,000 mi
VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Condensor/evaporator1400029,000 mi
Lane departureBlind spot detection; Assist10000500 mi
StructureBody9000—
Service brakes9403—
Air bags7407—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Oil/lubrication › Sump/tank › Drain plug700099,181 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations