2021 Hyundai Santa FE driver assistance & safety tech problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

24 owners have reported driver assistance & safety tech problems with the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE, 14% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 16,000 mi.

Driver Assistance & Safety Tech complaints
24
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Related recalls
1
Median mileage
16,000 mi

Specific components reported

Driver Assistance & Safety Tech covers: Automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, backup camera, stability and traction control.

ComponentComplaints
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking15
Forward collision avoidance: warnings6
Back over prevention4
Back over prevention: rearview system braking2
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control2
Back over prevention: warnings1
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera1

Driver Assistance & Safety Tech complaints across Hyundai Santa FE years

220081120101122013872015511201721620192124202123402023232420257
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech complaints by model year. The 2021 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

2Under 10k310k–30k130k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 24V879000Nov 21, 2024226,118 vehicles
    BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

    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."

    Risk: 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.

What owners say

  1. Filed Aug 12, 2026VADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    My rear back up camera intermitting stops working. I can shift into reverse sometimes and the camera does not come on at all, other times the screen blinks and other times the screen has green lines and glitchy lines. The camera will also come on while I'm DRIVING forward
    NHTSA complaint #11756508 · source
  2. Filed Jul 21, 2026VADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    When i select (R) reverse my camera does not come on. It started as just a flashing screen, but does not come on. It has come on momentarily while I am (D)driving. it has flashed a green screen before.
    NHTSA complaint #11751769 · source
  3. Filed Mar 16, 202650,667 miNJDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V879000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION), but the failure occurred. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera displayed a distorted image or a black screen occasionally while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The dealer was contacted, and the…
    NHTSA complaint #11724716 · source
  4. Filed Jan 14, 2026WVBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
    Was coming off an exit on the interstate and started slowing down. My brakes act like they didn’t want to work. Grinding and the pedal was twitching under my foot. The car stopped thankfully, but then all Linda of lights came on the my dash and will not go off. And 3 warning come up!
    NHTSA complaint #11710993 · source
  5. Filed Jan 2, 2026TXDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    On 1/1/26 while traveling on the highway with no traffic in front of or right of my vehicle the ADAS emergency brakes applied themselves and slowed the vehicle nearly causing my vehicle to be rear ended. Vehicle is available for inspection. Faulty assistance nearly caused a rear end collision along the highway. Not aware of ADAS being tested inspected although multi-point inspection was done 10/2025. No warnings prior to incident.
    NHTSA complaint #11708328 · source
  6. Filed Aug 6, 2025PRDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    For a few month now the light of ABS have been turning on. At the beginning there was no diagnosis specific, cause kept turning off. Two or three months ago again turn on and gave code of back caliper on the left and was changed. An now yesterday August 5, 2025 the diagnosis its need of change of the SBS module whole.
    NHTSA complaint #11678694 · source
  7. Filed May 27, 2025CADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
    I am writing to formally express my deep concern and dissatisfaction with the ongoing quality and safety issues I have experienced with my 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, which I purchased new in March 2021. Despite regular maintenance and careful ownership, this vehicle has presented a persistent pattern of failure—most notably involving the electrical systems, onboard cameras, and overall build quality. Specifically, the following issues have occurred: •The rear backup camera has…
    NHTSA complaint #11663198 · source
  8. Filed Dec 30, 2024AZDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown
    I hadn't been begging Hyundai to help remove a public safety risk for years ! Today, The service lady witnessed my car have a severe safety defect. Although initially offering a rental car, ultimately denied due to my inability to provide insurance until the 1st. My insurance is valid until tomorrow. N they REFUSED to provide the rental without the insurance being dated for 4 days from today. The man in the service office asked if I needed a ride home!? Suggesting i drive…
    NHTSA complaint #11633275 · source
  9. Filed Dec 18, 2024CADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V879000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.…
    NHTSA complaint #11631455 · source
  10. Filed Mar 19, 2024NJBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The Automatic Emergency Braking system activated without there being any vehicle in front.This was on a highway at 60 mph. It lightly braked for a couple of seconds with the warning light flashing and beeping as well.There was no prior indication prior. I will be taking vehicle to dealer.
    NHTSA complaint #11578359 · source
  11. Filed Feb 22, 202416,000 miFLDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine
    The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic signal, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. Additionally, the contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse(R) the back over protection camera screen was black. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the reverse image screen…
    NHTSA complaint #11573313 · source
  12. Filed Sep 23, 2023AZDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngineOther / Unknown
    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 tried to to catch up with the car. It had my family inside screaming. But I was unable to stop it from slimming into the fireplace. I let Hyundaiusa know. They recommended that I take the car to the dealer. They promised to reimburse me for rental car after the diagnostic came back. they found nothing wrong with the car and never paid for the…
    NHTSA complaint #11546124 · source

Other 2021 Hyundai Santa FE problem areas

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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