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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 198 owner complaints, and gets about 22 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

  • Engine 4-cyl 2L
  • Drive All-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

Should you worry?

Look closer

Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

2 open

Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.

Caution

What do owners report?

15 injuries reported

15 of 198 reports (~8%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.

Good

How did it score in crash tests?

5 out of 5 stars

5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2020.

  • 20182recalls
  • 20192recalls
  • 2020 · this car2recalls
  • 20217recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 23, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

Overall
5 / 5 stars
Frontal
4 / 5 stars
Side
5 / 5 stars
Side pole
5 / 5 stars
Rollover
4 / 5 stars

Factory safety & driver-assist equipment

Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Standard
Lane-departure warning
Standard
Government crash-test photo
Photo from a government crash test of this model

Tested as: 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD · 2 versions tested

Open safety recalls

2 open

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

  1. Visibility

    28/12/2021

    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.

    How they fix it: 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.

  2. Trailer Hitches

    17/03/2023

    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.

    How they fix it: 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.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 23, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2020.

  • 2018108reports
  • 2019192reports
  • 2020 · this car198reports
  • 2021164reports

198 owner reports on file

13 crash mentions 7 fire mentions 15 injury mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 198 total reports.

  • ENGINE 47 of 198

    Unknown

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 27 of 198

    2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited. The panoramic sunroof glass suddenly shattered/exploded without a collision and without any known impact. Glass shattered completely and created a safety hazard to occupants and traffic. Vehicle was purchased

  • POWER TRAIN 21 of 198

    I am currently burning through 2.5 quarts of oil approximately every 800 miles.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21 of 198

    On the morning of February 20 2026 at around 6:35am. I was on my way to work when the engine light started flashing and the speed started to decrease. I was traveling on a major highway in heavy rain with a lot of traffic. I had to put o

  • VISIBILITY 12 of 198

    The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00M000 (Visibility); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that

  • STRUCTURE 8 of 198

    OVER THE LAST 4 WEEKS (NOTICED APRIL 15 AROUND 6PM GOING TO CHURCH) THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR OPENS AUTOMATIOCALLY WITHOUT ANYONE OPENING IT. THE DOOR IS LITTERALLY LOCKED AND SFERT DRIVEING THE DOOR JUST OPENS. FROM 4/15/26 UNITL 5/7/2026 T

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 23, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Sold in 2 versions

They range from 22 to 23 mpg combined. Figures below are the base version. Pick yours to see its own numbers.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2020.

  • 201820mpg
  • 201923mpg
  • 2020 · this car22mpg
  • 202124mpg

$2,800

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 20 mpg
Highway driving 26 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 22 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to cost about $3,000 more on fuel.

Spends more Saves more

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 23, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

4-cyl 2L

Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic (S8)

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
4-cyl 2L
Cylinders
4
Displacement
2 L
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S8)
Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 23, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Confirm the recalls were fixed

This model has 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the visibility). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

Have a mechanic check the engine

Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe listings

    Quick answers

    What is recalled on the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe? +

    NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, including the visibility. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

    What gas mileage does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe get? +

    The EPA rates the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe at 22 mpg combined (20 city / 26 highway), about $2,800 a year in fuel.

    How safe is the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe? +

    NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.

    What do owners complain about on the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe? +

    Owners have filed 198 complaints with NHTSA for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, including 13 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.

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