2021 Hyundai Santa FE Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 168 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 38,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the air bags of the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE, 1% of the 168 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the controls on the steering wheel became inoperable. In addition, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with clock spring failure. The contact was informed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the Department of Motor Vehicles declined the registration renewal due to the failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11691820, filed 2025-10, 60,000 miles“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at various speeds with an occupant in the passenger’s side front seat, the air bag light off message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that a software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. After driving the vehicle, the air bag off light message was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. …”
NHTSA complaint #11577319, filed 2024-03, 16,000 milesRelated recalls
- 21V185000Mar 17, 2021Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Santa Fe vehicles. The Occupant Detection System (ODS) module may not deactivate the air bag upon…Covers: Hyundai Santa FE 2021
Related service bulletins
- 11032523Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province…
- 11032522Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 1% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 3% |
| 2019 | 7 | 3% |
| 2018 | 6 | 5% |
| 2017 | 20 | 2% |
| 2016 | 9 | 4% |
| 2015 | 9 | 4% |
| 2014 | 13 | 3% |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 2% |
| 2011 | 7 | 4% |
| 2010 | 9 | 3% |
| 2009 | 29 | 8% |
| 2008 | 70 | 13% |
| 2007 | 102 | 15% |
| 2006 | 28 | 26% |
| 2005 | 74 | 34% |
| 2004 | 43 | 14% |
| 2003 | 42 | 14% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE
51 complaintsOther or unknown
42 complaintsEngine
37 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsForward collision avoidance
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology