2021 Hyundai Santa Fe maintenance schedule

Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

2.5L Smartstream inline-4 (191 hp) + 8-speed automatic, FWD/AWD; 2.5L Smartstream Turbo (277 hp) + 8-speed wet dual-clutch (DCT), FWD/AWDSESELSEL PlusMSRP $27,340

⚠ 7 open recalls for this vehicle

A recall means the manufacturer found a safety problem and is required to fix it — these aren't normal wear-and-tear repairs. Check your specific VIN at NHTSA.gov to confirm your car is affected.

✓ Recall repairs are always FREE at any dealer, no matter who currently owns the car or where it was bought.

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.

Why it matters: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

The fix: 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 customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 207.

Reported 09/07/2021 · Campaign #21V524000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

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 a crash.

Why it matters: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

The fix: 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 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 216.

Reported 28/12/2021 · Campaign #21V00M000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Santa Fe vehicles. The Occupant Detection System (ODS) module may not deactivate the air bag upon detection of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Why it matters: In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.

The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ODS module, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been remedied as of May 12, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 202.

Reported 17/03/2021 · Campaign #21V185000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

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.

Why it matters: An insufficiently tightened fuel pipe may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix: Dealers inspected and tightened the fuel pipe connection, free of charge. The affected vehicles have been repaired and therefore no owner notification letters will be sent. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 206.

Reported 03/05/2021 · Campaign #21V308000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.

Why it matters: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.

Reported 06/10/2022 · Campaign #22V746000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

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.

Why it matters: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

The fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.

Reported 17/03/2023 · Campaign #23V181000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV and 2022 Elantra N and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles. Due to a damaged printed circuit board, the rearview camera image may fail to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Why it matters: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 271.

Reported 21/11/2024 · Campaign #24V879000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

Jump to a mileage milestone:

30k miles 60k miles 90k miles 120k miles

Full service timeline

Mileage	Service items	Details
8k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic. Hyundai's Normal schedule is every 7,500 mi; the Severe schedule (short trips under 5 miles, extensive idling, dusty/extreme-temperature climates, towing) is every 3,750 mi — most daily-driven Santa Fes fall closer to Severe than owners assume Check tire pressure and condition, rotate if not already done Inspect all fluid levels: coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid Inspect brake linings
15k mi	Engine oil and filter change (Normal schedule; every 3,750 mi under Severe) Tire rotation Inspect front and rear brake pads, rotors, and calipers Inspect cabin air filter, replace if restricted Inspect steering and suspension components
30k mi	Engine oil and filter change Tire rotation Replace engine air filter Replace cabin air filter Inspect automatic transmission fluid (8-speed) or DCT fluid (2.5T) — level and condition Inspect HTRAC AWD coupling/electronic clutch unit fluid (AWD models only) — no scheduled change yet at this mileage under normal use Inspect drive belt	View →
60k mi	Engine oil and filter change Tire rotation Replace brake fluid Inspect spark plugs — iridium tipped; factory replacement interval is roughly 90,000–100,000 mi on the 2.5L Smartstream engines Replace 8-speed wet DCT clutch/transmission fluid (2.5T models) — Hyundai calls for more frequent DCT fluid service than the conventional 8-speed automatic; treat 45,000–60,000 mi as the severe-service checkpoint if not already done Inspect 8-speed automatic transmission fluid (2.5L models); Hyundai lists this as a long-life fluid but recommends inspection/replacement under severe service around this mileage Replace HTRAC AWD coupling fluid (AWD models) under severe-service schedule	View →
90k mi	Engine oil and filter change Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — iridium (factory interval ~90,000–100,000 mi) Replace engine coolant — Hyundai Long Life Coolant Inspect timing chain and tensioner — the 2.5L Smartstream engines are chain-driven, not belt-driven; no scheduled chain replacement, but have it inspected if you hear rattling on cold start Inspect drive belt for cracking or glazing	View →
120k mi	Engine oil and filter change Tire rotation Replace 8-speed automatic transmission fluid (normal-service schedule) or DCT fluid (2.5T, if not already done) Replace HTRAC AWD coupling fluid (AWD models) Full brake inspection: pads, rotors, calipers, lines, master cylinder Inspect suspension bushings, ball joints, and wheel bearings Note: Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty (original owner only) covers major engine and transmission internals through this window — keep dealer or documented independent-shop maintenance records to protect a claim	View →

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See verified wheel fitments for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe — bolt pattern, hub bore, and offset all checked.

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Common symptoms for this vehicle

Check engine light on? Get a free code scan

If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE — no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.

Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing — the suspects listed above are your starting point.