The Lemon Index2020 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe is about average by owner complaints: 92 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 95, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 22 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 216 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year. 2020 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 1K to 62K miles on the car (45 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 2
- 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.
- visibility 2021
During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
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 113 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a Check Engine light on and one or more of the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- 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 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2550–2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Engine failure the car was calling for road side assistance
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe owner · NHTSA complaint 11504507
More owner reports
Pantalla de instrumentos se apaga instrument display turns off
NHTSA complaint 11513799
Vehicle emitted smell of burning turned on check engine light and oil. Warranty service indicates that the fault corresponds to the oil pump, what is a safety hazard. Santa Fe 2020
NHTSA complaint 11496118
Quick answers
Is the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 95; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Santa Fe year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (22%), electrical (13%) and transmission & drivetrain (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
2 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 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
22 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2020 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 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 1,700 and 62,000 miles. The middle report was at 15,000 miles, from 45 complaints.
Does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Santa Fe year is better than the 2020?
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