2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems

192 owner complaints filed with the United States safety regulator · top issue: Engine · verdict CAUTION 49/100

Source NHTSA public complaint and recall record · methodology

What breaks, by owner reports

Engine66
Unknown Or Other46
Power Train31
Electrical System26
Structure14
Forward Collision Avoidance13

In the owners’ words

“On March 04, 2026, I took my 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe to the local dealer for oil change service. As part of that service visit, they performed Hyundai recall 9C1 which was supposed to lower tailpipe emissions. The next morning, and ever since, my vehicle ran differently. The engine had several 1000rpm surges and was sluggish at other times. This behavior has continued. Particularly when I first start out in the morning”NHTSA complaint, 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe owner
“Hyundai recently had a service campaign that was issued to address an emissions related issue in CA. The service campaign was 9C2 and the TSB was 25-01-087H. After this software update was applied to my vehicle the engine is now sluggish on a cold start and the transmission is shifting differently at low speeds and low gears. It appears that the performance of my vehicle has been compromised. There is a Hyundai fo”NHTSA complaint, 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe owner
“Engine is burning a tremendous amount of motor oil. Dealer does acknowledge engine is burning oil. No warning lights on. Told burning motor oil is normal for a hyundai engine. Engine can seize during driving with no warning and is a safety issue. Front struts are also failing. No warning and is a safety issue: Currently trying to get dealer to cover defective components under warranty. Nothing has been repaired or re”NHTSA complaint, 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe owner

Recall campaigns

ReportedComponentSummary
11/10/2018Air Bags:Side/Window SAFETYHyundai 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.
17/03/2023Trailer HitchesHyundai 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

Questions owners ask

Is the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

On the federal record it scores 49/100: 192 owner complaints (27.43 per year on the road) and 2 recall campaigns, 1 touching safety-critical systems.

What is the most common problem with the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The most-reported component in NHTSA complaints is Engine, with 66 of 196 categorised reports.

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The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe scored 49/100 on the federal record.

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