2019 Hyundai Santa Fe reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe has 200 complaints with NHTSA after 8 years, or 23 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Santa Fe years here — under the median of the other years, which is 33. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Trailer hitch and Side and window.

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe — Photo by Elise240SX, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

200

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (73 of 200), then Powertrain (35) and Electrical system (26). Those filings include 16 that report a crash, 12 that report a fire, and 10 that report an injury.

Next to 2018 and 2020

The 2018 Santa Fe has 109 complaints, 10 per year, and the 2020 has 213 complaints, 18 per year. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (2)

Recall trailer hitch 2023-03-17 · NHTSA campaign 23V181000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall air bags, side and window 2018-10-11 · NHTSA campaign 18V715000

Summary Hyundai 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.

Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the SCAB installation bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 177.

Complaints by component (200 total)

Engine

Powertrain

Electrical system

Structure

Forward collision avoidance

Fuel and propulsion system

Steering

Service brakes

Air bags

Speed control

Lane departure

Seat belts

Visibility

Visibility and wipers

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Engine and engine cooling

Exterior lighting

Seats

Trailer hitch

Wheels

Fire-related

Other or not sure

Suspension

Tires

Show 16 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"On 03/26/2026, my 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe received Hyundai Service Campaign 9C2 (TSB 26-01-013H-1), which included an Engine Control Module (ECM) software update for Theta II emissions improvement. The vehicle did not…"
Powertrain, Engine · filed 2026-09-23
"The vehicle experienced a sudden, intermittent engine stall while driving, specifically when slowing down or coasting to a stop in live traffic. When the engine dies, the vehicle immediately loses engine power, power…"
Unknown or other, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-21
"The car started having problems immediately after replacement with a new battery. The issue with the ISG (Idle Stop and GO System) started appearing. When the Auto Stop Indicator turns green, the car stalls which puts…"
Engine · filed 2026-09-17
"2019 Santa Fe with 80,000 miles showed signs of excessive oil consumption. Service was scheduled with licensed Hyundai franchise service center. Known oil consumption issues on Theta II engines for that year. Testing…"
Engine · filed 2026-09-11
"My vehicle had a very strong gas smell inside and outside of the car. I found a gas puddle under the car coming from the back of the vehicle. Car was hesitating when I stepped on the gas. I was afraid it may stall. I…"
Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-07

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD	5 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD	5 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Santa Fe all-wheel drive	2.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	21	27	23 MPG	$2800
Santa Fe all-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	19	24	21 MPG	$3100
Santa Fe front-wheel drive	2.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	Front-wheel drive	22	29	25 MPG	$2600
Santa Fe front-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	Front-wheel drive	20	25	22 MPG	$2950
Santa Fe XL all-wheel drive	3.3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	18	24	20 MPG	$3250
Santa Fe XL front-wheel drive	3.3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	18	25	21 MPG	$3100
Santa Fe XL Ultimate all-wheel drive	3.3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	17	22	19 MPG	$3400
Santa Fe XL Ultimate front-wheel drive	3.3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	18	23	20 MPG	$3250

Specs and fitment

4th generation (TM), 2019–present

Body styles SUV

Oil 0W-20 (2.5L and turbo 2.5L where equipped) , 5 qt capacity

Tire size 235/65R17 to 255/45R20 (trim dependent)

Towing capacity 5,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 21V524000. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe and Sonata vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail. A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire. 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.

Compare

Previous year 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Next year 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe See every Hyundai Santa Fe model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

What are common problems with a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Is the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe more reliable than the years next to it?

Has the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe been recalled?

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Owners have filed 200 complaints about the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is 21.4 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Santa Fe take?

5W-20 or 5W-30 (2.4L and 3.3L V6 per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 17V-358 cover on the Hyundai Santa Fe?

NHTSA campaign 17V358000.

What generation is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?

3rd generation (DM) (2012-2018).