Hyundai Santa FE Structure Problems
Owners have filed 278 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the Hyundai Santa FE across 25 model years. The 2003 model year has the most (30). The words owners use most often: “sub frame” (6% of reports).
- 278structure complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 33mention a crash
- 29mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 46%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Sub frame: mentioned in 17 of 278 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do structure problems happen?
Based on 178 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 278 complaints, 33 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 29 an injury.
Hyundai Santa FE structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Santa FE | 3 | 2% | 22,500 |
| 2024 Santa FE | 5 | 3% | 10,000 |
| 2023 Santa FE | 6 | 3% | 11,591 |
| 2022 Santa FE | 6 | 3% | — |
| 2021 Santa FE | 3 | 2% | 17,750 |
| 2020 Santa FE | 8 | 4% | 1,000 |
| 2019 Santa FE | 14 | 7% | 1,500 |
| 2018 Santa FE | 1 | 1% | 60,000 |
| 2017 Santa FE | 7 | 1% | 37,000 |
| 2016 Santa FE | 6 | 3% | 26,820 |
| 2015 Santa FE | 9 | 4% | 75,848 |
| 2014 Santa FE | 20 | 4% | 59,000 |
| 2013 Santa FE | 23 | 4% | 25,219 |
| 2012 Santa FE | 8 | 2% | 11,450 |
| 2011 Santa FE | 10 | 6% | 61,500 |
| 2010 Santa FE | 11 | 4% | 67,500 |
| 2009 Santa FE | 13 | 4% | 55,750 |
| 2008 Santa FE | 20 | 4% | 72,000 |
| 2007 Santa FE | 18 | 3% | 86,750 |
| 2006 Santa FE | 3 | 3% | 27,000 |
| 2005 Santa FE | 6 | 3% | 61,350 |
| 2004 Santa FE | 12 | 4% | 72,125 |
| 2003 Santa FE | 30 | 10% | 135,000 |
| 2002 Santa FE | 17 | 10% | 157,000 |
| 2001 Santa FE | 19 | 9% | 128,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists structure for the Hyundai Santa FE. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
On May 31, 2025, I suffered a severe facial injury causing trigeminal neuralgia and concussion when the Smart Power Liftgate on my 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT failed to stop or reverse upon encountering obstruction. While unloading the trunk, I went to close the liftgate, lost my balance falling…
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the underbody of the vehicle was rusted from living in an area where anti-icing agents were heavily used. The contact associated the failure with Hyundai Service Campaign 947. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was…
I was driving my car and my âopenâ door light came on out of nowhere. When I stopped I got out and closed my door the light turned off. When I was driving again the light came on and when I tried to open my door, it got stuck. I had someone try to open it from the outside and it sounded like it…
Engine Hood getting so hot it is bending or causing metal to bend , like someone sat on middle of hood. Popped it out and keeps forming a bend after driving. Not instelly but keeps coming back
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently swerved from side to side. The message âConsider Taking A Breakâ was displayed and the Driver Attention Warning (DAW) warning light was illuminated…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Hyundai Santa FEs have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 278 owner complaints about structure for the Hyundai Santa FE. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Hyundai Santa FE structure?
No recall currently lists structure for this vehicle.
What do owners say about structure problems on the Hyundai Santa FE?
The most frequent phrase is “sub frame”, in 17 of 278 complaints.
Other Hyundai Santa FE problems
- Engine problems (2,428)
- Power Train problems (933)
- Electrical System problems (851)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (756)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (588)
- Air Bags problems (506)
- Service Brakes problems (439)
- Suspension problems (436)
See all Hyundai Santa FE problems.