2019 Hyundai Santa FE problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 169 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Hyundai Santa FE, most often about engine. There are 2 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
169
Recalls
2
Crashes
13
Fires
10
Injuries
8
Median mileage
28,000 mi
at time of problem

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners to park outside until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 64 of 169 complaints (38%).
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (32) and electrical system (20) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 28,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 13 crashes, 10 fires and 8 injuries.
  • The 2019 Hyundai Santa FE has 2 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 6th of 22 Hyundai Santa FE model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 99% more complaints than the 2018 model year (85).

2019 Hyundai Santa FE problems by category

  • Engine
    64 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 6 crashes
    42 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    32 complaints
  • Electrical System
    20 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    16 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    15 complaints
  • Steering
    9 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    9 complaints
  • Brakes · 2 crashes
    6 complaints
  • Airbags · 4 crashes
    5 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    5 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    5 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 3 crashes
    4 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    3 complaints
  • Lighting
    2 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine62
Unknown or other41
Power train32
Electrical system18
Structure:body13
Steering9
Fuel/propulsion system9
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking6

When problems happen (mileage)

7Under 10k1210k–30k1030k–60k960k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2019 Hyundai Santa FE complaints that list mileage.

2019 Hyundai Santa FE recalls (2)

  • Recall 23V181000Mar 17, 2023584,784 vehiclesPark outside
    TRAILER HITCHES

    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.

  • Recall 18V715000Oct 11, 20188,204 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

    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.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023

    Loss of Motive Power

    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 indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Recent 2019 Hyundai Santa FE complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 5, 2026MTTransmission & Drivetrain
    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). Search of error code P0741 indicates that there is a Technical Service Bulletin TSB-23-AT-005H regarding this KNOWN problem. A stutter or lurch of the vehicle can cause the driver to over react, stop or swerve suddenly in traffic potentially causing an…
    NHTSA complaint #11769096 · source
  2. Filed Oct 2, 2026NJFireElectrical System
    On August 14 2026, I drove my 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe approximately one mile from my residence to work at approximately 5:00 AM. The vehicle was operating normally and I experienced no warning lights, unusual noises, odors, smoke, or other indications of a problem. I parked the vehicle in an outdoor parking lot and the vehicle remained parked and turned off for approximately four hours. At approximately 9am, I was notified that my vehicle was smoking. A person who was walking…
    NHTSA complaint #11768525 · source
  3. Filed Sep 23, 2026TXEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    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. The vehicle did not have the following drivability problem before this software update. Immediately after the 9C2 update, the vehicle began jerking/bucking slightly at low speeds, most noticeably around 10-20 mph when coasting with no accelerator input or when applying very light…
    NHTSA complaint #11766397 · source
  4. Filed Sep 21, 2026HIEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown
    The vehicle experienced a sudden, intermittent engine stall while driving, specifically when slowing down or coasting to a stop in live traffic. When the engine dies, the vehicle immediately loses engine power, power steering, and power braking assist, creating an extreme safety hazard. After stalling, the vehicle refuses to restart for several minutes. An authorized Hyundai dealership previously replaced the high-pressure fuel pump under warranty to address this issue, but…
    NHTSA complaint #11765740 · source
  5. Filed Sep 17, 2026CAEngine
    The car started having problems immediately after replacement with a new battery. The issue with the ISG (Idle Stop and GO System) started appearing. When the Auto Stop Indicator turns green, the car stalls which puts my life at risk. I have spoken to a number of mechanics and I am not getting a satisfactory answer on how to fix this problem.. One mechanic told me it was the starter which turned out not to be true. I have also spoken with a number of other mechanics and they…
    NHTSA complaint #11764874 · source
  6. Filed Sep 11, 2026PAFireEngine
    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. First step is to change the oil and document levels. Engine is tested for 1000 miles then returned to service center. After 1000 miles, service center reports 2.5 qts of oil per 1000 miles. Hyundai corporate was contacted where they approved…
    NHTSA complaint #11763606 · source
  7. Filed Sep 7, 2026NYFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    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. I drove the vehicle to my regular service station. Vehicle has an active fuel leak and this is a fire hazard. I was very concerned whether the vehicle would stall and cause an accident. Warranty coverage was denied.
    NHTSA complaint #11762546 · source
  8. Filed Sep 2, 2026VAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    Update Re: ODI Complaint Number: 11759237 Subsequent Actions and Manufacturer Refusal to Remediate Safety Defect: ​Following the [XXX], acute safety incident—where the vehicle lost motive power and entered severe limp mode on [XXX] immediately upon release from Sheehy Hyundai of Chantilly—the vehicle remained in dealer custody for 11 days (August 20–August 31, 2026). ​Failure to Diagnose Core Defect: Despite recurring total power loss, active diagnostic trouble code P00AF00…
    NHTSA complaint #11761505 · source

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Other 2019 Hyundai models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology