2021 Hyundai Santa FE Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 168 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 300miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE, 1% of the 168 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 300 miles.
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.
“Dark spot in low beam headlight field causes loss of view for driver as the dark spot passes from object to object. People or animals, even signs lose illumination as the dark spot covers them. Reflective barrels in construction areas lose their reflectivity at night as this spot covers them. This occurs on the low beam function. Hyundai dealer said it is factory created to prevent night blinding of oncoming vehicles. To me it is a serious problem for the driver of the Hyundai. …”
NHTSA complaint #11415375, filed 2021-05, 300 miles“NOTICE: THIS CONCERN IS NOT THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT, IT IS AN ATTEMPT TO BRING ATTENTION TO WHAT I FEEL IS POOR ENGINEERING/DESIGN OF THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS ON THE BACK END OF THE 2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. We recently purchased this vehicle and just noticed, after owning the vehicle for about a week, that the only turn signal indicators on the back of the vehicle are located down low in the bumper. No turn signal indicators on the tail light assemblies located just below the rear window of the SUV as found on EVERY OTHER recently built SUV currently driving on US highways. …”
NHTSA complaint #11422424, filed 2021-06Related service bulletins
- 11025476Nov 6, 2025This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 1% |
| 2023 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 0% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 9 | 4% |
| 2014 | 11 | 2% |
| 2013 | 16 | 3% |
| 2012 | 14 | 4% |
| 2011 | 14 | 8% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 9 | 3% |
| 2008 | 11 | 2% |
| 2007 | 43 | 6% |
| 2006 | 9 | 8% |
| 2005 | 5 | 2% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 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