2021 Hyundai Santa FE Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 6%of 168 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the fuel system of the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE, 6% of the 168 complaints for this model year. 2 recall campaigns on record are 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.
“When I try to open the fuel cover it wont' open. I have to lock and unlock my car, sometimes up to 10 times, to get the fuel fill door to open. This eventually is going to leave me stranded somewhere stranded. Some of my same year and model are covered under recall for this issue by when I call Hyundai my VIN is not covered. I would like it to be covered and repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #11722432, filed 2026-03“While driving and must stop due to traffic light, stop sign or intersection and the auto start is on as soon I lift the foot foot from the brake pedal to continue driving the vehicle stumble and it completely stop the engine while the vehicle transmission is still in drive. In order to start again I have to switch transmission to park and turn key ignition switch to start vehicle, it start again and I can continue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11576264, filed 2024-03“I am writing to formally report an issue with my vehicle that I believe may warrant a recall investigation. The issue involves the fuel door, which is failing to open after the car has been turned off. This has occurred repeatedly and is preventing me from refueling the vehicle, posing a significant inconvenience and potential safety concern. Despite ensuring that the vehicle is unlocked and powered down as instructed, the fuel door remains stuck and will not release. …”
NHTSA complaint #11668144, filed 2025-06“The door to the gas tank is a push door which is temperamental. I can be at the pump and push the door to pop it open and it won't. I'm at the point where I have to pop my gas tank open before I even get to the gas station because to pull up to the pump and not be able to put gas in the tank is a waste of time. There is no lever to flip along side the driver seat because it is a push to open door.. it is available for inspection, however, it is temperamental. I will video it so I have proof as it works and it doesn't work. …”
NHTSA complaint #11760005, filed 2026-08“This SUV has been plagued with issues, and yet after 5-6 visits to the dealership, they don't seem to be able to fix them all. The vehicle (2.5T AWD) currently has around 14k miles and within the past month the gas pedal suddenly became unresponsive, worst of all while carrying my kids and wife in the car. Coming to a dead stop to cross an intersection, went to accelerate to join traffic and the car wouldn't accelerate. …”
NHTSA complaint #11486570, filed 2022-09Related recalls
- 21V524000Jul 9, 2021Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe and Sonata vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe…Covers: Hyundai Santa FE 2021–2022, Sonata 2021–2022
- 21V308000May 3, 2021Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 2.5-litre Turbo engines. The fuel pipe connecting the high pressure…Covers: Hyundai Santa FE 2021
Related service bulletins
- 11027589Jan 7, 2026Some vehicles equipped with a 2.5L GDI Theta III engine (non-Turbo) may exhibit one or more misfire DTCs due to the GDI fuel injectors leaking internally. This may be caused by…
- 11012819Jan 9, 2025Some vehicles equipped with a 2.5L GDI Theta III engine (non-Turbo) may exhibit one or more misfire DTCs due to the GDI injectors leaking internally. This may be caused by…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 5 | 4% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2023 | 12 | 6% |
| 2022 | 33 | 16% |
| 2021 | 10 | 6% |
| 2020 | 17 | 8% |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% |
| 2018 | 5 | 5% |
| 2017 | 62 | 6% |
| 2016 | 9 | 4% |
| 2015 | 13 | 5% |
| 2014 | 32 | 6% |
| 2013 | 42 | 7% |
| 2012 | 12 | 3% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 19 | 7% |
| 2009 | 127 | 35% |
| 2008 | 273 | 50% |
| 2007 | 157 | 23% |
| 2006 | 9 | 8% |
| 2005 | 22 | 10% |
| 2004 | 40 | 13% |
| 2003 | 17 | 6% |
| 2002 | 7 | 4% |
| 2001 | 13 | 6% |
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 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsAir bags
2 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