2020 Hyundai Santa Fe: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
2 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 38% about engine & cooling.
Ask for the VIN and check it, then get a pre-purchase inspection.
Known problems on the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe
No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Trailer HitchesFire risk
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Details 23V181000
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.
Fix: 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.
- Visibility & wipers
A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Details 21V00M000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 216.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Engine: Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions.
- Exhaust and emissions: Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation.
- Warranty extension: Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service functions.
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
211 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other Hyundai Santa Fe years
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023 2024
Printable inspection checklist · Out-the-door price calculator