HyundaiSanta Fe2021Overview/hyundai/santa-fe/2021/base/

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Santa Fe.

Transmission Automatic (AM-S8)

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe arrives with an automatic transmission and EPA‑rated fuel economy of 21/28/24 mpg, reflecting its powertrain configuration. Owner complaint data show a total of 162 reports for this model year, with power‑train issues accounting for the bulk of the concerns and seven recall actions issued. Compared with the model’s history, the 2021 figure falls far short of the 941 complaints recorded in 2017 yet remains above the projected 28 complaints for 2026, suggesting a gradual improvement in reliability over time.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque80.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/28/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. battery, OE oil filter 263312J000. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage.OEM · verified
Tire size235/55R19 101HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter263312J000 alt 263502S001
Fuel filter31112L1000
Spark plug1887509085
Battery37110F9620
Serpentine belt252122T000
Cabin air filterKLC79AC001

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.6 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase109.1 in
Curb weight3812 lb
Track (front / rear)64.6 / 65 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 28 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Santa Fe of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.0–8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.00 sec — 2021 Calligraphy 2.5T HTRAC
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021Calligraphy 2.5T HTRAC 2.5L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.50 sec277 hpAWD
2021Calligraphy 2.5T HTRAC 2.5L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.60 sec277 hpAWD
2021Hybrid Limited HTRAC 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec 1.5-kWh7.50 sec15.70 sec226 hpAWD
2021Hybrid Limited HTRAC 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec 1.5-kWh8.20 sec16.20 sec226 hpAWD
2021Hybrid Limited HTRAC 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec 1.5-kWh8.50 sec16.40 sec226 hpAWD
2022Plug-in Hybrid Limited HTRAC 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec 12.4-kWh7.00 sec15.20 sec261 hpAWD
2022Plug-in Hybrid Limited HTRAC 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec 12.4-kWh7.50 sec15.70 sec261 hpAWD
2022XRT HTRAC 2.5L I-49.60 sec17.20 sec191 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 80.0-94.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14.0-17.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80.0-94.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Turbo: 640; Not Turbo: 630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Turbo: 660; Not Turbo: 630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerHyundai
Spark Plug Torque11.0-18.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum285 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum4,978 psi
RPM70.0-75.0 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16.0-23.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque58.0-72.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.5
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.024; Rear: .370
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: .0002; Rear: .0004
Maximum Rotor Runout.0016"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M6 Bolts43–69 in
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
185.0-89.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 68-72°85–89 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0-27.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-95°, Step 3: 90-95°24–27 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the coolant every 24,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 24,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level)
At 8,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 8,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 16,000 miBrake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 20,000 miEngine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 24,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
Every 32,000 miRack & Pinion Assembly (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
At 40,000 miEngine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 40,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe sits amid a decline in complaints from its 2017 peak of 941, falling to 162 complaints that year, with 7 recalls compared to 6 in 2017 and 2 in 2018. Its recall count jumps again to 7 in 2021, the highest since 2024, while investigations remain low at one. Power‑train issues top the complaint list with 32 incidents, followed by 24 unknown or other and 12 engine complaints, indicating a focus on drivetrain reliability. Crash and fire complaints are minimal, with only 4 and 1 respectively. Overall, the 2021 model shows fewer complaints than its immediate predecessor but a higher recall rate, suggesting that while it may be more reliable, potential buyers should verify that the specific recall issues have been addressed.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
98
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
162
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 162 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train32
Unknown Or Other24
Engine12
Electrical System8
Visibility/Wiper7
Power Train,Engine6
Forward Collision Avoidance6
Visibility6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V524000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 09/07/2021

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. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai…

21V00M000Visibility:WindshieldReported 28/12/2021

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in… Remedy: Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 98 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
26-AT-005H TSB2026-06-04Power TrainThis bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software…
26-EE-003H TSB2026-04-17Electrical SystemSome vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the…
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
Z09 OL2026-03-30Unknown Or OtherCertain 2021 – 2023 model year Santa Fe, 2021 – 2023 model year Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2022…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Santa Fe. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2021 Santa Fe have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Santa Fe get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg.