2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Report

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe: Strong crash ratings, but numerous early recalls and powertrain complaints raise concerns.

98Complaints
6Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
55/100Reliability Score
6Crash Reports
2Injuries
Most reported components: Power Train (16)Unknown Or Other (15)Electrical System (6)Visibility/Wiper (4)Power Train,Engine (4)Service Brakes (4)Forward Collision Avoidance (4)Seat Belts (3)Unknown Or Other,Forward Collision Avoidance (3)Engine (3)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presents a mixed safety picture, with strong crash test performance but a notable number of early-life complaints and recalls. NHTSA awarded the vehicle an impressive 4-star overall safety rating, including 5 stars for side impact and 4 stars for frontal and rollover tests, indicating robust occupant protection in typical crash scenarios. However, the vehicle has accumulated 98 complaints, 6 crashes, and 2 injuries, which is significant for a new model year. A concerning pattern of issues related to the POWER TRAIN (16 complaints) and UNKNOWN OR OTHER (15 complaints) components has emerged, alongside specific problems with electrical systems and forward collision avoidance. The vehicle has also been subject to 6 recalls, addressing critical safety concerns such as rearview camera malfunction, potential electrical shorts leading to fire risk, unintended air bag deployment, and vehicle roll-away due to transmission software errors. These recalls highlight several manufacturing and software defects that could compromise safety.

Reliability Score

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Rearview Camera Malfunction
Recalled due to improper installation damaging wiring or software errors obstructing the image, reducing rear visibility and increasing crash risk.
High Occasional new-unknown miles
Electrical Short/Fire Risk
Recalled due to improperly installed B+ positive terminal cover on the starter motor assembly, increasing fire risk.
High Rare new-unknown miles
Unintended Air Bag Deployment/Non-Deployment
Recalled due to main floor wiring harness chafing against the second-row bench seat, potentially causing unintended air bag deployment or non-deployment.
High Rare new-unknown miles
Vehicle Roll-Away In Park
Recalled due to a software error in the transmission control unit that may cause the vehicle to roll away when in PARK.
High Rare new-unknown miles
Second-Row Seat Entrapment/Crushing
Complaints describe second-row captain's chairs failing to stop when folding, potentially crushing occupants or child seats.
High Occasional new-unknown miles
Powertrain/Transmission Failure
Multiple complaints of catastrophic powertrain failure, transmission system errors, loss of motive power, and hesitation/reduced acceleration.
High Occasional 20000-30000 miles
Dashboard/System Blackout
Vehicle dashboard goes completely black and reboots while driving, leading to loss of acceleration and system functionality.
Medium Occasional new-25000 miles
Driver Attention Warning (Daw) System False Alerts
The DAW and Forward Attention Warning systems frequently trigger false alerts, even when the driver is attentive, leading to annoyance and system deactivation.
Low Common new-unknown miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe:

Power Train 16% of complaints

Frequent complaints regarding transmission issues, hesitation, loss of power, and catastrophic failures, including a recall for roll-away risk.

Unknown Or Other 15% of complaints

A significant number of complaints categorized as 'unknown or other' suggest diverse, unclassified issues, including windshield cracking and tire defects.

Electrical System 6% of complaints

Issues include dashboard blackouts, auto-dimming headlight malfunctions, and a recall for starter assembly wiring increasing fire risk.

Visibility/Wiper 4% of complaints

Complaints about windshield cracking, noisy wipers, and wiper blade malfunctions, alongside rearview camera recalls.

Forward Collision Avoidance 4% of complaints

Reports of the brake assist not working as intended and false warnings from driver attention systems.

Service Brakes 4% of complaints

Issues with the vehicle failing to stop as intended, jerking, and accelerating instead of braking at low speeds.

Seat Belts 3% of complaints

Difficulties buckling/unbuckling, seatbelts unbuckling on their own, and false alerts about unbuckled children.

Air Bags 0% of complaints

While no direct complaints are listed, a recall exists for potential unintended air bag deployment or non-deployment due to wiring harness chafing.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe received strong crash test ratings (4-star overall, 5-star side), indicating good occupant protection. However, it has a high number of early complaints (98 total, 2 injuries) and 6 recalls addressing critical safety defects like rearview camera failure, fire risk, unintended airbag deployment, and vehicle roll-away. While it performs well in crashes, the numerous recalls and complaints suggest potential reliability and safety issues that buyers should be aware of.

What are common problems with the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The most reported issues for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe are related to the POWER TRAIN (16 complaints), including transmission failures and hesitation. Other common problems involve 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' issues (15 complaints), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM malfunctions (6 complaints) like dashboard blackouts, and VISIBILITY/WIPER issues (4 complaints) such as windshield cracking and rearview camera problems. There are also concerns with FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE and SERVICE BRAKES.

Has the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe been recalled?

Yes, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe has been subject to 6 recalls. These include issues with the rearview camera (2 recalls), potential electrical shorts in the starter assembly leading to fire risk, unintended air bag deployment, a software error causing vehicle roll-away when in PARK, and an overhead console switch issue.

Are there any issues with the transmission in the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Yes, the POWER TRAIN is the most complained-about component with 16 complaints. Owners have reported catastrophic powertrain failures, 'Transmission system error' warnings, loss of motive power, and hesitation/reduced acceleration. Additionally, there is a recall for a software error in the transmission control unit that could lead to vehicle roll-away when in PARK.

What are the crash test ratings for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe received an Overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. It scored 4 stars for Frontal crash, 5 stars for Side crash, and 4 stars for Rollover resistance.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Despite strong crash test ratings, potential buyers should be cautious due to the high number of early complaints and 6 safety recalls for critical components; ensure all recall remedies have been performed before purchase.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The data includes 98 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 6 reported crashes, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.