The Lemon Index2019 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is better than average by owner complaints: 96 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 74, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 19 to 25 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Santa Fe year is 2016.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 228 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year. 2019 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 40K miles on the car (70 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 2K–80K miles
Recalls 3
- trailer hitches 2023
Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
- brakes 2022
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
- airbags 2018
The Side Curtain Air Bag (SCAB) mounting bolts may interfere with and damage the air bags during deployment.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 201 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a ?Check Engine?
- Hyundai has developed a new engine monitoring technology called a Knock Sensor Detection…
- Check Engine warning lamp
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Fe XL SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Fe XL SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2550–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Painful low frequency cabin pressure when idling and driving at low speeds under 30mph. Happens consistently and only subsides when stopped or accelerating
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe owner · NHTSA complaint 11232946
Quick answers
Is the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 74; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Santa Fe year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (25%), electrical (16%) and brakes (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
3 safety recalls (latest: trailer hitches). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
19 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 2,400 and 40,200 miles. The middle report was at 11,600 miles, from 70 complaints.
Does the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Santa Fe year is better than the 2019?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works