NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Ratings
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe scores 82 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 5 recalls, and 187 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
For the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SUV AWD, five-star overall NHTSA crash protection and a full suite of standard crash avoidance technologies establish a strong safety profile. This places the vehicle in the Strong band on the NHTSA Safety Index, with a score of 82/100. However, five active recalls, including one mandating the vehicle be parked outdoors, introduce significant concern and temper the overall assessment.
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SUV AWD received a 5-out-of-5 overall crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 82 out of 100 based on NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 135 SUVs from 2022 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe ranks 87 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 | 82 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 14.7% |
| Recalls on file | 5 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 187 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 87 of 135 SUVs tested for 2022 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2022 model year represents a two-point Safety Index gain over the 2021 Santa Fe, moving from 80 to 82 within the same Strong band. That incremental improvement is supported by a near-perfect crash-protection sub-score of 66 out of 70 and a clean sweep of 10 out of 10 on avoidance technology, reflecting standard fitment of forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control. Where this year specifically underperforms is the defect record sub-score, which lands at only 6.25 out of a possible 20. That drag comes directly from five recall campaigns active on this model year, a count that is notably higher than many competitors in its segment. The park-outside trailer hitch recall is the most operationally disruptive of the five, as it restricts where the vehicle can be stored until remedied. The turbocharger oil pipe and fuel line campaigns on turbocharged variants add a layer of concern specific to owners of those powertrains. The gap between a strong crash-test profile and a weaker defect record is the defining tension of this particular model year.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe perform in crash tests?
The 2022 Santa Fe Hybrid AWD achieves NHTSA's highest rating in overall, frontal, and side crash protection, securing 5 out of 5 stars in each. The rollover assessment presents a slight deviation, with 4 out of 5 stars and a 15 percent rollover risk. The dynamic tip-test recorded "No Tip," indicating stability in that specific evaluation.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15994
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?
Five recall campaigns cover this model year. Components involved include the backup camera sensing system, trailer hitches, automatic transmission, a turbocharger oil supply pipe, and fuel delivery lines on 2.5L turbocharged engines. The trailer hitch campaign carries a park-outside designation, meaning owners were advised not to park the vehicle in an enclosed space until the remedy was applied. Shoppers should verify all five campaigns are resolved by VIN.
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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER22V197000
Risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall 222.
Reported 2022-03-28
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
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has received 187 unverified owner complaints for this model year. Alleged problem areas include Power Train with 53 reports, Engine with 52, and Electrical System with 29. Eight alleged crashes and one alleged fire are among the unverified allegations on file.
187 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Before purchasing any used 2022 Santa Fe, consumers should verify recall completion through NHTSA's VIN lookup tool. Five open or recently closed recall campaigns affect the 2022 Santa Fe, one of which advises owners to park the vehicle outside. Ensuring all recall remedies have been performed by a dealership is a critical safety measure.
- The 2022 model year carries five NHTSA recall campaigns, the highest defect-record burden reflected in its sub-score of 6.25 out of 20, which is the primary reason the Safety Index did not climb higher despite elite crash-test results.
- One of the five recalls, covering trailer hitches across 2019-2023 Santa Fe vehicles, carries a park-outside designation, a directive specific to this recall campaign that required owners to avoid enclosed parking until the remedy was completed.
- NHTSA has logged 187 unverified complaints for this model year, with Power Train and Engine components each drawing over 50 alleged reports, and Forward Collision Avoidance drawing 15 alleged reports despite that system being rated standard.
- The rollover sub-rating of 4 out of 5 stars, paired with a 15 percent rollover risk figure and a No Tip dynamic result, is the only crash-test category where this model year falls short of a perfect score.
RANKINGSWhere the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe places
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2022 Hyundai Santa Fe safety questions
Was the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 82 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 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2022 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 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 5 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2022 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 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 187 owner complaints are on file for the 2022 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 (2022)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Tesla Model Y 5-Seat | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2022 Infiniti Qx55 | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2022 Buick Encore GX | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2022 Buick Envision | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2022 Nissan Murano | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2022 Buick Enclave | 94/100 | 4 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15994), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Hyundai Santa Fe 2022.
- 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 87 of 135 in the SUV class for 2022.
- 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.