2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Report

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe presents a mixed safety picture, achieving excellent crash test ratings from NHTSA but showing a concerning pattern of mechanical and electrical complaints, alongside a significant number of recalls. It earned a perfect 5-star overall safety rating, with 5 stars in frontal and side crash tests, and 4 stars in rollover. This indicates strong occupant protection in collision scenarios. However, the vehicle has accumulated 169 total complaints, including 7 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries, which is notable for a relatively new model year. A major concern is the high number of recalls, with 5 issued, many addressing critical safety issues such as loss of drive power, fire risks from tow hitch harnesses and turbocharger oil leaks, and rearview camera failures. Complaint data highlights significant issues with the POWER TRAIN (33 complaints) and ENGINE (16 complaints), often related to the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) experiencing failures, delayed gear engagement, and sudden loss of power. Several complaints describe the vehicle failing to accelerate or jerking, with some instances leading to diagnosis of transmission failure or defective fuel injectors. The 'ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER' recall specifically addresses a turbocharger oil supply pipe crack that could lead to fire, aligning with the single reported fire incident. The 'POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION' recall directly addresses the 'fail-safe' limited-mobility drive mode potentially causing loss of drive power. Beyond powertrain issues, there's a recurring problem with the horn, with multiple complaints detailing repeated failures and replacements, some even after warranty expiration. Electrical system issues are also present, including reports of melted fuse boxes and engine harness replacements. The 'FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE' system has also generated complaints about erroneous activations or malfunctions. While the crash test performance is reassuring, the volume and nature of complaints, coupled with the five recalls, suggest potential reliability and safety vulnerabilities that buyers should be aware of.

Our recommendation: Despite strong crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe's significant powertrain issues, numerous recalls, and recurring electrical problems like horn failures. Thoroughly investigate the vehicle's service history, especially for transmission and recall repairs, and consider an extended warranty.