NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Ratings
The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe scores 80 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 2 recalls, and 193 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's safety profile is marked by a critical recall requiring vehicles to be parked outdoors. This specific defect impacts an otherwise strong safety showing, as evidenced by its NHTSA Safety Index of 80/100. The vehicle achieved solid performance in NHTSA crash testing and is equipped with a full suite of standard crash-avoidance technology.
The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe holds a 5-out-of-5 overall NHTSA crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 80 out of 100, derived entirely from NHTSA crash-test, recall, and complaint data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 107 SUVs from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe ranks 74 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 80 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 14.6% |
| Recalls on file | 2 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 193 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 74 of 107 SUVs tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2020 Santa Fe represents a meaningful safety step forward from the prior year. The NHTSA Safety Index climbed from 72 out of 100 in 2019, an Average band score, to 80 out of 100 in 2020, landing firmly in the Strong band. That 8-point gain is driven by strong crash-test results and a perfect avoidance-tech sub-score of 10 out of 10, reflecting forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control all being standard equipment. The crash-protection sub-score of 61 out of 70 anchors the index, consistent with the 5-star overall NHTSA rating. The defect record sub-score of 9 out of 20 is where this year loses ground. Two recall campaigns, including one carrying a park-outside designation tied to trailer hitches, and 193 unverified owner complaints, with a notably high Engine category of 69 alleged reports, pull the defect component down. The 13 alleged Forward Collision Avoidance complaints are worth noting given that the system is standard equipment on this year.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe perform in crash tests?
The 2020 Santa Fe AWD achieved an overall 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA, matching that top rating in its side protection test. Frontal and rollover protection results were each 4 out of 5 stars. The vehicle recorded a 15 percent rollover risk, with no tip in the dynamic tip test.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14420
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?
Two federal recall campaigns cover the 2020 Santa Fe. The first, a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, involves trailer hitches and spans a broad range of Santa Fe model years. The second targets the windshield, with manufacturing defects that could affect visibility. The park-outside designation signals elevated risk and warrants immediate attention.
TRAILER HITCHES23V181000
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 rec
Reported 2023-03-17
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD21V00M000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2021-12-28
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has received 193 unverified owner complaints for this model year. Alleged problem areas include Engine (69 reports), Unknown Or Other (37), Electrical System (23), Power Train (22), Forward Collision Avoidance (13), and Visibility (13). Thirteen reported crashes and 7 alleged fire incidents are among the unverified allegations on file.
193 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Any shopper considering this 6-year-old vehicle should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall database before purchase. The park-outside trailer hitch campaign and the windshield visibility recall must both be confirmed as remedied. Unresolved recall status on a used vehicle transfers to the new owner.
- The 2020 Santa Fe carries a park-outside or do-not-drive recall tied to trailer hitches, a designation NHTSA reserves for defects considered to pose elevated safety risk, and remedy completion must be verified by VIN.
- A separate 2020-specific windshield recall covers manufacturing defects introduced during production, making this a year-of-manufacture issue rather than a field-failure pattern.
- The Safety Index rose 8 points over the 2019 model year, from 72 Average to 80 Strong, with a perfect avoidance-tech sub-score of 10 out of 10 reflecting three standard active-safety systems.
- Unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA show Engine as the top alleged problem category with 69 reports, alongside 13 alleged Forward Collision Avoidance reports, a component that is standard equipment on this model year.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe places
The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Hyundai Santa Fe safety questions
Was the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 80 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 14.6%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 2 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 193 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Santa Fe years
Rivals in SUV (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Infiniti Qx50 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 2 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-3 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-30 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 3 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T5 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T6 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T8 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 14420), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Hyundai Santa Fe 2020.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 74 of 107 in the SUV class for 2020.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.