Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2025 | 8 | 6% | 9,000 miles |
| 2024 | 10 | 6% | — |
| 2023 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% | 85,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% | 8,000 miles |
| 2017 | 7 | 1% | 7,000 miles |
| 2016 | 8 | 3% | 20,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% | 36,000 miles |
| 2014 | 7 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 0% | 100,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% | 6,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% | 43,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% | 79,000 miles |
| 2008 | 6 | 1% | 41,000 miles |
| 2007 | 7 | 1% | 41,000 miles |
| 2006 | 5 | 5% | 76,000 miles |
| 2005 | 18 | 8% | 94,000 miles |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% | 40,000 miles |
| 2003 | 9 | 3% | 99,000 miles |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% | 91,000 miles |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% | 154,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owned a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the driver's front door was making an abnormal creaking sound. The contact stated that while driving, but at a standstill, a 2008 Toyota Camry rear-ended the vehicle. There was significant damage on the driver's side of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The alert was making the normal dinging sound for the approaching vehicle. The driver sustained a concussion. The passenger sustained injuries to her hip, back, pelvis, and orthopedic system, and medical attention was provided. The contact's daughter was occupying the passenger-side seat, and the seat belt dislodged near her waist from the outside near the door (the seat belt retractor connected to the vehicle's structure). A police report was filed. There was no fire or airbag deployment. …
The contact owned a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact's spouse stated that while at a stop, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle. The spouse reported that during the collision, the driver's seat belt became inoperable and detached from the driver's seat. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was required. The spouse also stated that the air bags did not deploy during the incident. A police report was filed, and a report number was provided to the contact. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was declared totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,500. The VIN was not available.
Hola, he llevado mi coche al concesionario 4 veces las 2 primeras veces me dijeron que eran recall el auto en parking sigui caminado los volv a llevar despu s de 20 d as dijeron que unos roedores se hab an comido el harness ese fue el diagn stico que me dieron habl con el seguro y el seguro iba a pagar pa reparaci n cuando les pidi foto del problema cambiaron la versi n de que no que disculpa que no est comido por roedores cuando ellos me dieron un papel que dec a eso me cobraron 570 diales por otro diagn stico ya el seguro no quiso arreglar eso pude una queja con Hyundai motor y nada nadie se hace responsable e llevado el auto a 3 talleres diferentes y nadie sabe que tiene el auto y el dealer cada vez que fuy me dec a una cosa diferente que puedo hacer al respecto
We just brought this vehicle in for the ongoing transmission problem (previously reported to your agency after the car self-accelerated), as well as the missed seatbelt recall that was not addressed at the last dealership. I advised the service advisor that the seatbelt recall needed to be fixed. The service advisor contacted us several hours later to tell us that they were replacing the transmission. 10 days later we picked up the vehicle after the transmission replacement, and the service advisor told us they did not do the seatbelt repair, citing lack of parts and/or special order. I asked if this was a safety issue and if I should leave the vehicle with them for longer, but was told not to worry about it, and to bring the vehicle back at another time. Fast forward to today, and the vehicle is rolling forward when we start it. …
I was in a car accident on September 30, 2025. I was hit from behind by a dump truck and was pushed into the car in front of me. My seat belt in my Santa Fe did not tighten, and my head hit the steering wheel. There is something wrong with the seat belts. I was going to take it to the dealer to check after repairs, but my car is a total loss. Just wanted you to know the seat belts failed, and it could happen to others who own this type of vehicle. The air bag did not deploy, but my understanding is that the car has to be going a certain speed.
The seat belt in the middle seat of the second row did not work. And it was not fastened. So when braking, my child was thrown toward the center console. I think it's a big safety issue if the seat belt doesn't work.
The driver side seat belt crosses at my neck. I have adjusted it as much as it will adjust and it still cuts into my neck. I am very concerned that if I am in an accident it will choke me or even decapitate me. In addition it is very uncomfortable but I am mostly concerned about the safety issue. I have not brought the issue to the dealer and I am unaware of any actual instances of injury happening. I assume you have access to that information.
Emergency braking comes on with no vehicles in front for 1/4 mile. Passenger front seat belt is no working properly. Caution Collision comes on sporadically. Clock does not show correct time. Stop-Start System works sporadically. A/C fan blows out defrost sometimes. Remote start does not always work or shuts off too soon. Case Manager does not return calls. Changed Case Manager but NO BETTER. Hyundai DOES NOT CARE.
Related recalls (2)
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2026 Genesis G90, 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinforce or replace the seat belt anchors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning May 29, 2026.
Seat belts › Front › Warning light/devices
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses may be damaged by the seat's height adjuster mechanism, resulting in a failure to provide an audible warning…
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses to their proper locations, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016.
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Santa Fe years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (18), 2024 (10), 2003 (9), 2004 (8) and 2016 (8) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Santa Fe seat belt problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 26V-218 (anchorage, Apr 6, 2026); 16V-145 (warning light/devices, Mar 10, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Santa Fe seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rear/other (6 mentions), followed by the front › buckle assembly (3).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.