2013-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe: engine and fire recalls by year

Last reviewed 2026-10-09 · Data: NHTSA, official settlement and manufacturer documents · Independent site, not affiliated with Hyundai, Kia or NHTSA

Short answer

This is the 3-row 2013-2018 Santa Fe, the 2019 Santa Fe XL and the 2019-2023 Santa Fe, not the 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport (that one has its own guide). None of these Santa Fes is named in the Theta II settlement. What they do have is a stack of recalls: a 2017 3.3L V6 crankshaft recall, ABS module and tow-hitch harness fire recalls that tell owners to park outside, fuel-pipe recalls on the 2.5L turbo, and Hyundai's KSDS campaign for the 2019 Santa Fe.

Check your VIN to see recalls and which programs list your exact engine.

Which versions and years are involved

2013-2018 Santa Fe (3-row) and 2019 Santa Fe XL, 3.3L V6: not in either engine settlement. Certain 2017 3.3L engines have crankshaft recall 17V-578.
2019 Santa Fe, 2.4L: Hyundai's Campaign 953 page lists the 2019 Santa Fe for free KSDS. It is not on the Theta II settlement's class list, so ask Hyundai what engine warranty comes with the campaign on your VIN.
2021-2022 Santa Fe, 2.5L turbo: fuel-pipe recalls 21V-308 and 21V-524.
2022 Santa Fe: turbo oil supply pipe recall 22V-197 (certain vehicles).
2010-2012 Santa Fe, 2.4L MPI (outside this table): on the Hyundai Engine II settlement list, and the 2012 is part of recall 20V-746 for early bearing wear.

NHTSA's decoder sometimes labels a Santa Fe Sport as "Santa Fe", so some 2013-2018 complaints counted below may be Sport owners.

Programs that may apply

KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) is free dealer software that listens through the knock sensor for the vibration pattern of a worn connecting-rod bearing. If it hears it, it turns on the check-engine light and limits engine power so the car can be driven to a dealer instead of the engine failing on the road. Kia's dealer letter names the trouble code P1326 for this condition.

KSDS (Campaign 953): listed for the 2019 Santa Fe. Free at any Hyundai dealer; VIN check on the campaign page.
Engine II settlement (2010-2012 Santa Fe 2.4L MPI only): 15 years / 150,000 miles from original retail delivery for connecting-rod bearing damage, KSDS required first unless the car was under recall 20V-746. Cash claims expired July 8, 2024.
Anti-theft: the Campaign 993 bulletin lists certain 2013-2018 Santa Fe, the 2019 Santa Fe XL and certain 2019-2022 Santa Fe for the software. 2011-2012 Santa Fes can't take it and get an ignition cylinder protector or steering wheel lock. The multistate settlement site lists Santa Fe 2013-2022 and Santa Fe XL 2019.

Engine and fire recalls

NHTSA's remedy text for 22V-056, 23V-651 and 23V-181 tells owners to park outside and away from structures until the repair is done. The tow-hitch recall applies whether the harness came from the factory or was bought as a Hyundai dealer accessory.

17V-578 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The crankshaft assemblies may have been produced with surface irregularities in the crankshaft pin, causing engine bearing wear.
22V-056 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
23V-651 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
23V-181 · TRAILER HITCHES
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
21V-308 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 2.5-litre Turbo engines. The fuel pipe connecting the high pressure fuel pump to the fuel rail may not have been tightened properly.
21V-524 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Hyundai 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 connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
22V-197 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.

Recall text quoted from NHTSA. Whether a recall is still open on a specific car can only be checked by VIN at NHTSA or the manufacturer.

What owners report to NHTSA

3,659 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013-2023 Santa Fe. 1,882 of them name an engine component.

Model year	All complaints	Engine complaints	Engine + fire	Typical mileage mentioned (engine)
2013	605	279 (46%)	27	78,877 (n=46)
2014	494	278 (56%)	21	93,500 (n=56)
2015	254	160 (63%)	7	100,000 (n=56)
2016	236	153 (65%)	2	98,493 (n=55)
2017	968	669 (69%)	13	90,000 (n=217)
2018	109	56 (51%)	3	83,500 (n=18)
2019	202	75 (37%)	6	20,500 (n=24)
2020	214	84 (39%)	4	80,000 (n=23)
2021	166	37 (22%)	1	too few (n=5)
2022	200	54 (27%)	0	18,000 (n=10)
2023	211	37 (18%)	1	too few (n=4)

Source: NHTSA complaints API, pulled 2026-10-09. "Engine complaints" are complaints where the owner picked an ENGINE component (one complaint can list several components). Mileage is the median of mileages owners typed into their complaint text, shown only when at least 10 complaints mention one. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and counts reflect how many owners filed, not how many cars failed.

2017 stands out, with 669 engine complaints and the largest mileage sample in this range. For 2013-2018 the engine share sits between roughly 45% and 70%. From 2021 the power train overtakes the engine as the most-named component in most years. The newest years are young cars, so low mileage figures there mean little.

Warning signs to take seriously

A knock or rumble from a 2017 V6 that rises with RPM (the crankshaft recall describes bearing wear).
Fuel smell around the engine on a 2.5L turbo.
Trailer lights acting up, a blown fuse, or a burning smell near the hitch connector.
Smoke from the engine bay with the car parked: get away from the vehicle and call for help.

What to do, step by step

Run your VIN at NHTSA and Hyundai. Fire recalls with a park-outside warning go first.
If you tow, ask the dealer specifically about the tow-hitch harness recall, even if the hitch was added later.
2019 owners: run the Campaign 953 check and book KSDS if it's open.
Turn-key cars: run hyundaiusa.com/anti-theft.
With engine symptoms, call a Hyundai service department with the VIN before paying for diagnosis.

Dealer insider note

Check the paperwork for the model name first. The guide above separates the 3-row Santa Fe (2013-2018, plus the 2019 Santa Fe XL), the 2019-2023 Santa Fe, and the Santa Fe Sport, which has its own guide and a different engine settlement. A wrong model on a repair order or a lookup can send you to the wrong recalls. Ask the advisor to confirm the model, the engine and the VIN together.

For these Santa Fes the story is recalls, not a settlement. They include the crankshaft recall on certain 2017 3.3L V6 engines, ABS module and tow-hitch harness fire recalls that say to park outside, and fuel-pipe recalls on the 2.5L turbo. The 2019 Santa Fe also has a KSDS campaign.

At the desk say: "Please run this VIN for every open recall and campaign, and do them all in one visit." Ask for the repair order to list each recall number. If you were told to park outside, ask about a loaner or rental while the car waits for parts.

A family buying a 3-row should ask for: recall repair history by VIN, a printout of open recalls, any ABS or tow-hitch repair paperwork, and maintenance records.

Until the campaign check is done, do not sign a customer-pay repair order or anything blank, and do not approve a paid engine repair or diagnostic fee without asking whether a campaign or settlement applies to your VIN.

A reasonable outcome is every open recall closed at no charge and a repair order that lists them. If the shop stalls or says no, call the manufacturer's customer-care line (number is in your owner's manual). Give the VIN and repair order, ask for a case number, and keep every receipt.

Questions

Is the 2013-2018 Santa Fe V6 in the Theta II settlement?

No. The settlement lists the Santa Fe Sport with the 2.4L or 2.0T Theta II engines, not the 3-row Santa Fe with the 3.3L V6. Certain 2017 3.3L engines have their own crankshaft recall (17V-578).

Do I have to park my Santa Fe outside?

Only until the relevant recall repair is done, if your VIN has an open recall with that warning. NHTSA's remedy text for the ABS module recalls (22V-056, 23V-651) and the tow-hitch harness recall (23V-181) says to park outside and away from structures.

My 2019 Santa Fe got the KSDS update. Is the engine covered for life?

The 2019 Santa Fe isn't on the Theta II settlement's class list, so don't assume the lifetime short-block warranty applies. Ask Hyundai what warranty is attached to Campaign 953 on your VIN.

What about a 2012 Santa Fe 2.4?

The 2010-2012 Santa Fe 2.4L MPI is on the Hyundai Engine II settlement list, and the 2012 is in recall 20V-746 for early connecting-rod bearing wear. Check the VIN with Hyundai.