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2019 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

What owners reported to NHTSA, at what mileage, and every safety recall for this model year.

203owner complaints
2safety recalls
16involved a crash

Also reported: 13 fires, 10 people injured, 0 deaths. Each complaint is counted once even if it lists several components.

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Most reported problems

Complaints by component. One complaint can name more than one component, so these add up to more than 203.

Engine73
Usually 2,650–40,000 miles (middle half of 17 reports with mileage)
Unknown or other47
Usually 1,912–19,926 miles (middle half of 20 reports with mileage)
Power train37
Usually 9,050–64,750 miles (middle half of 10 reports with mileage)
Electrical system27
Usually 2,912–22,083 miles (middle half of 12 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Ignition › anti-theft › immobilizer/proximity › key/sender (1); Interior lamps/bulbs (1)
Structure14
Usually 1,500–1,500 miles (middle half of 1 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Body (14)
Forward collision avoidance13
Usually 69,550–69,550 miles (middle half of 1 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Automatic emergency braking (6); Warnings (5); Adaptive cruise control (2)
Fuel/propulsion system12
Usually 300–4,850 miles (middle half of 4 reports with mileage)
Steering12
Usually 858–2,500 miles (middle half of 5 reports with mileage)
Service brakes11
Usually 2,875–18,450 miles (middle half of 8 reports with mileage)
Air bags7
Usually 1,950–5,650 miles (middle half of 2 reports with mileage)

When problems show up

Reports by odometer reading at the time of the problem, top components. Each bar is a 25,000-mile band, labeled by where it starts (0 = 0–25k miles). Reports without mileage are left out.

Engine

17 reports with mileage · median 16,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Unknown or other

20 reports with mileage · median 10,406 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Power train

10 reports with mileage · median 13,738 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Safety recalls (2)

Recalls that cover the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. Some apply only to certain trims or build dates. This page cannot tell whether a specific car's recall work was done.

Check a specific VIN's open recalls on nhtsa.gov

Trailer hitches

Campaign 23V181000 · 2023-03-17 · 584,784 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

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.

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.

Air bags › side/window

Campaign 18V715000 · 2018-10-11 · 8,204 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

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.

Consequence: 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.

Questions to ask the seller

Has the engine had any repairs, oil leaks, or check-engine lights? Ask for the invoices and listen for knocking or ticking on a cold start.

73 owner complaints mention the engine, half of the reports with mileage are between 2,650 and 40,000 miles.

Has the transmission been serviced or repaired? On the test drive, watch for slipping, delayed engagement, or harsh shifts.

37 owner complaints mention the transmission or drivetrain, half of the reports with mileage are between 9,050 and 64,750 miles.

Any battery drain, dashboard warning lights, or electrical repairs? Test every switch, screen, and power accessory before buying.

27 owner complaints mention the electrical system, half of the reports with mileage are between 2,912 and 22,083 miles.

Any rust, frame damage, or body repairs? Look underneath and ask whether the car has been in an accident.

14 owner complaints mention the body or structure.

Has the automatic emergency braking ever activated with nothing ahead, or shown sensor errors? Ask about windshield or sensor repairs.

13 owner complaints mention the forward collision avoidance system.

Has the open recall work been done? Ask for dealer service records, and check the VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year.

Other Hyundai Santa Fe years

Owner complaints per model year (2010–2022). Older cars have had more time to collect reports.

Compare all years on one chart

Source: NHTSA complaints file (FLAT_CMPL, updated 2026-10-21) and NHTSA recalls file. Page generated 2026-10-22.

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