NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Ratings
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe scores 80 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 7 recalls, and 159 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
Seven recall campaigns, including a park-outside warning, are a notable consideration for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. This model year achieved a NHTSA Safety Index of 80 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band, reflecting its otherwise impressive NHTSA crash-test results.
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD received a five-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA and a NHTSA Safety Index of 80 out of 100, sourced entirely from NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe ranks 78 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 80 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 14.7% |
| Recalls on file | 7 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 159 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 78 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2021 Santa Fe achieves a rare all-five-star NHTSA result across overall, frontal, and side crash protection categories, anchoring a strong crash protection sub-score of 66 out of 70 points. This outstanding performance in impact safety, however, coexists with a defect record that significantly tempers its overall safety profile. The vehicle registers an 80/100 Safety Index, identical to the 2020 model year, but this stability masks considerable internal shifts in the underlying data. Avoidance technology contributes 7.5 out of 10 to the Safety Index. While present, the optional rather than standard status of forward collision warning is a notable point for consumers considering specific used examples. The defect record sub-score, at 6.5 out of 20, is the primary factor limiting a higher overall Safety Index for the 2021 Santa Fe. Seven recalls were issued, including a critical "park outside" campaign linked to the trailer hitch wiring harness, a fuel delivery hose recall affecting turbocharged variants, and an automatic transmission recall. These recalls, combined with 159 owner complaints primarily concerning powertrain and engine components, indicate a measurable safety burden despite the robust crash-test performance.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Santa Fe AWD achieved a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, matching this top-tier performance for both frontal and side impact protection. Its rollover resistance registered at four out of five stars, based on a 15 percent rollover risk and a "No Tip" outcome in the dynamic tip test.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15915
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?
Seven recall campaigns cover this model year. Components include the rearview camera sensing system, trailer hitches, the automatic transmission, windshield manufacturing defects, and fuel delivery hoses on 2.5L turbocharged engines. The trailer hitch recall carries a park-outside or do-not-drive designation, the most serious safety classification NHTSA assigns, and demands immediate attention.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA24V879000
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.
Reported 2024-11-21
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
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION22V746000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2022-10-06
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
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS21V524000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2021-07-09
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS21V308000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2021-05-03
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE21V185000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2021-03-17
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Owners have filed 159 unverified complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently alleged problem areas are the powertrain (49 reports), unknown or other issues (40), engine (36), electrical system (29), and forward collision avoidance (18). These are unverified consumer allegations, not confirmed defects.
159 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Seven recall campaigns on record for the 2021 Santa Fe make pre-purchase VIN verification essential for any prospective owner. Among these is a "park outside" recall related to the trailer hitch, underscoring the critical need to confirm all remedies have been completed by a dealership. An unresolved "park outside" recall indicates the vehicle should not be garaged until the necessary repairs are performed.
- The 2021 Santa Fe carries a park-outside or do-not-drive recall specifically tied to the trailer hitch component, the most urgent recall classification, requiring VIN-level verification that the remedy has been completed.
- NHTSA's dynamic tip test returned a No Tip result for this model year's AWD configuration, supporting the four-star rollover rating and a measured 15 percent rollover risk.
- Forward collision warning is listed as optional, not standard, on this model year, meaning individual used examples may not be equipped with it, which directly affects the avoidance technology portion of the Safety Index.
- The defect record sub-score of 6.5 out of 20 is the single largest drag on the 2021 Santa Fe's Safety Index, driven by seven recall campaigns and 159 unverified owner complaints concentrated in powertrain, engine, and electrical categories.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe places
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Hyundai Santa Fe safety questions
Was the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 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 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 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 14.7%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 7 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 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 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 159 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 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 (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tesla Model X 5-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 6-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 7-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-3 | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15915), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Hyundai Santa Fe 2021.
- 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 78 of 118 in the SUV class for 2021.
- 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.