The 2021 Santa Fe is mostly solid but has significant engine reliability concerns on certain powertrain combinations, plus transmission cooling issues that can cascade into expensive repairs if ignored. The 2.5L turbo and base 2.5L have the most documented problems.
Catastrophic Engine Failure - Theta II 2.5L Turbo
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 30,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: metal shavings in oil, knocking sounds from bottom end, sudden loss of oil pressure, check engine light with bearing-related codes, complete engine seizure
Fix: Rod bearings fail prematurely due to debris from manufacturing process not fully cleared in earlier Theta engines. Requires complete engine replacement or full rebuild with new short block. 18-25 labor hours depending on AWD vs FWD. Many customers qualify for extended warranty coverage under settlement, but out-of-pocket is brutal.
Estimated cost: $8,000-12,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid mixing with coolant (strawberry milkshake in reservoir), transmission slipping or harsh shifts, overheating transmission, coolant loss with no external leaks
Fix: Internal cooler inside radiator fails, cross-contaminating fluids. Requires radiator replacement, complete transmission flush (sometimes multiple flushes), new transmission fluid and filter. If caught late, transmission rebuild needed. This is THE failure mode to watch. 6-8 hours for cooler/flush, add 15-20 if trans is damaged.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500 (cooler only), $4,500-7,000 (with trans damage)
Fuel Line Connector Leaks
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: strong fuel smell, visible fuel puddles under vehicle, fuel gauge drops faster than normal, check engine light for evaporative system
Fix: Recall-documented issue where fuel feed hose connector can crack or separate. Fire risk makes this urgent. Hyundai has issued recalls (check VIN), but pre-recall or out-of-coverage repairs involve fuel line assembly replacement. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $400-800 (if not recall-covered)
Backup Camera Failures
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 20,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: intermittent black screen when shifting to reverse, distorted or flickering camera image, camera works only when cold/hot, complete camera failure
Fix: Water intrusion or connector corrosion at tailgate camera. Sometimes covered under recall, sometimes not. Requires camera replacement and occasionally tailgate wiring harness repair. 1.5-2 hours.
Estimated cost: $350-650
Transmission Mounts Premature Wear
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking when shifting from park to drive, excessive vibration at idle, lurching feeling during acceleration, visible sagging of transmission when inspected
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount fails earlier than expected, especially on turbo models with more torque. Replacement is straightforward but requires supporting powertrain. 2-3 hours.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Windshield Stress Cracks
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: cracks originating from upper edge near mirror mount with no impact point, cracks starting at A-pillar area, rapid crack propagation in cold weather
Fix: Stress cracks from manufacturing or bonding issues, covered under recall for some VINs. Windshield replacement with recalibration of forward collision systems. 3-4 hours including ADAS calibration.
Check oil level religiously every 1,000 miles on 2.5T engines — consumption and bearing wear are real concerns
Inspect coolant reservoir monthly for discoloration (pink/red turning brown = trans cooler failure starting)
Run VIN through Hyundai's recall checker quarterly — they've issued rolling recalls for engine and fuel system
Consider extended warranty if buying used — engine replacement costs exceed many vehicle values
Avoid the 2.5L turbo if possible; base 2.5L and 3.5L V6 have better track records
Buy the 3.5L V6 or skip it — the turbo four-cylinders carry too much catastrophic engine risk for a 2021, and transmission cooler failures are common enough to make this a gamble without warranty coverage.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 24V879000
2024-11-21
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV and 2022 Elantra N and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles. Due to a damaged printed circuit board, the rearview camera image may fail to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 271.
TRAILER HITCHES · 23V181000
2023-03-17
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.
Consequence: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 22V746000
2022-10-06
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Consequence: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD · 21V00M000
2021-12-28
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.
Consequence: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 21V524000
2021-07-09
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe and Sonata vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 207.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 21V308000
2021-05-03
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 2.5-litre Turbo engines. The fuel pipe connecting the high pressure fuel pump to the fuel rail may not have been tightened properly.
Consequence: An insufficiently tightened fuel pipe may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers inspected and tightened the fuel pipe connection, free of charge. The affected vehicles have been repaired and therefore no owner notification letters will be sent. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 206.
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE · 21V185000
2021-03-17
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Santa Fe vehicles. The Occupant Detection System (ODS) module may not deactivate the air bag upon detection of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ODS module, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been remedied as of May 12, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 202.
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