Vehicle Data Hub

2020 Hyundai Santa FE engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 87 complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Santa FE, 28% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
87 28% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
43,000 miles 13 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
2 and 4
Injuries and deaths
2 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2020 Hyundai Santa FE Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 43,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 5 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 1 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 1 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 1 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 3 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 1 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 1 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 43,000 miles
Based on 13 complaints that include mileage. 54% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles5
20k to 40k miles1
40k to 60k miles1
60k to 80k miles1
80k to 100k miles3
100k to 120k miles1
120k to 140k miles1
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 13 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 43,000 miles, and 54% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 2 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries.

What owners wrote

The contact owned a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH onto the ramp, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle stalled and shut off, and the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact was calling for Roadside Assistance and noticed white smoke coming from under the hood.

Reported at 94,400 miles, November 2025 FireInjury

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. After scanning the vehicle, the contact received a code for torque converter damage. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the TCM update was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure.

Reported at 98,000 miles, September 2025

Other problems reported for the 2020 Hyundai Santa FE

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Hyundai models