2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control is the largest identified problem area: 71 of 284 complaints (25%) mention it. 73 complaints mention a component NHTSA leaves uncategorised.
Complaints filed rose from 262 in 2022 to 284 in 2023.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | vs. 2023 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,850–2,600 | 1,850–2,600 | 1,850–2,600 | 1,750–2,850 | 1,750–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–34 | 24–34 | 24–34 | 22–36 | 22–36 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–36 / 25–31 | 21–36 / 25–32 | 21–36 / 25–32 | 19–36 / 26–35 | 19–36 / 26–35 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 264–378 | 264–378 | 264–378 | 249–409 | 249–409 | |
| Complaints filed | 186 | 262 | 284 | 179 | 216 | |
| Recalls issued | 8 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 9 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 3 | 17 | 11 | 11 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
EPA rates it 24–34 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?
EPA estimates $1,850–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 33 mpg | 30 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,950 | 283 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 36 mpg (high) | 31 mpg | 34 mpg (high) | $1,850 (low) | 264 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 25 mpg | 28 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 344 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg | 28 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 365 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 22 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 378 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (low) | 28 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 375 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 33 mpg | 32 mpg (high) | 33 mpg | $1,900 | 111 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 63 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 61 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 28 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical | 54 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 29 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 71 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 73 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
TRAILER HITCHES · Campaign 23V181000 · Mar 20, 2023
Defect: Hyundai 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 equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence: 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 recall number 22V-633.
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER; SEAT BELTS:FRONT · Campaign 22V816000 · Nov 1, 2022
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023 Genesis G80 Electric, 2021-2022 Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
Consequence: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 238/011G. This recall is an expansion of recall numbers 22V-354 and 22V-458.