Hyundai Santa Fe 2007–2012 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation (CM)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20262,377 complaints, 1,939 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
Close- Median failure report
- 74,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 684
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2007
- Fuel and propulsion system121 reports · median 90,000 mi
- Airbag system102 reports · median 46,000 mi
- Electrical system97 reports · median 82,000 mi
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Exterior lighting — brake lights · Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
Close- Median failure report
- 74,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 541
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2008
- Fuel and propulsion system215 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Electrical system74 reports · median 84,000 mi
- Airbag system70 reports · median 13,000 mi
Recall areas Exterior lighting — brake lights · Air bags — frontal · Equipment — other
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
Close- Median failure report
- 77,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 358
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2009
- Fuel and propulsion system109 reports · median 88,000 mi
- Engine60 reports · median 90,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control51 reports · median 27,000 mi
Recall areas Exterior lighting — brake lights · Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
Close- Median failure report
- 42,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 260
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2010
- Transmission and driveline109 reports · median 10,000 mi
- Engine37 reports
- Electrical system28 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting — brake lights · Power train — driveline
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe
Close- Median failure report
- 44,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 181
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2011
- Engine64 reports · median 48,000 mi
- Electrical system25 reports
- Throttle and speed control24 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting — brake lights · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
Close- Median failure report
- 71,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 353
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2012
- Engine228 reports · median 90,000 mi
- Electrical system43 reports · median 56,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control40 reports · median 16,000 mi
Recall areas Engine
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2009; earliest: the 2010, and the 2009 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2007–2012 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 70,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 130,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 1,939
- Recalls
- 10
Most reported
- Engine21.2% of complaints · median 88,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system19.7% of complaints · median 85,000 mi
- Electrical system13.3% of complaints · median 80,000 mi
Owners filed 2,377 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2012 Hyundai Santa Fe; the engine leads with 21.2% of them, and half of the 1,939 that record an odometer reading came by 70,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 30,000 to 100,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2007–2012 Hyundai Santa Fe last?
On the 2007–2012 Hyundai Santa Fe, half of the 1,939 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 70,000 miles and 90% by 130,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
106 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 17 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Santa Fe reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Hyundai Santa Fe 2007–2012 · 1,939 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 175 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 17 complaints (0.9%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 5,500
- 25%
- 30,000
- Median
- 70,000
- 75%
- 100,000
- 90%
- 130,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 175 | 9.0% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 77 | 4.0% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 57 | 2.9% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 59 | 3.0% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 68 | 3.5% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 49 | 2.5% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 45 | 2.3% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 38 | 2.0% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 55 | 2.8% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 48 | 2.5% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 65 | 3.4% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 55 | 2.8% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 87 | 4.5% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 66 | 3.4% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 92 | 4.7% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 90 | 4.6% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 102 | 5.3% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 69 | 3.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 68 | 3.5% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 73 | 3.8% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 81 | 4.2% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 54 | 2.8% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 56 | 2.9% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 43 | 2.2% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 42 | 2.2% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 25 | 1.3% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 30 | 1.5% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 23 | 1.2% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 31 | 1.6% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 10 | 0.5% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 21 | 1.1% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 11 | 0.6% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 11 | 0.6% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 14 | 0.7% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 13 | 0.7% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 17 | 0.9% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Santa Fe problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Hyundai Santa Fe 2007–2012
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Throttle and speed control246 reportsmedian 38,000middle half 18,000–73,000
- Transmission and driveline233 reportsmedian 40,000middle half 7,000–92,000
- Airbag system223 reportsmedian 44,000middle half 5,000–80,000
- Brakes150 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 30,000–107,000
- Electrical system317 reportsmedian 80,000middle half 49,000–107,000
- Fuel and propulsion system468 reportsmedian 85,000middle half 65,000–105,000
- Engine503 reportsmedian 88,000middle half 51,000–119,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 503 | 21.2% | 88,000 | 51,000–119,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 468 | 19.7% | 85,000 | 65,000–105,000 |
| Electrical system | 317 | 13.3% | 80,000 | 49,000–107,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 246 | 10.3% | 38,000 | 18,000–73,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 233 | 9.8% | 40,000 | 7,000–92,000 |
| Airbag system | 223 | 9.4% | 44,000 | 5,000–80,000 |
| Brakes | 150 | 6.3% | 60,000 | 30,000–107,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 140 | 5.9% | 87,000 | 54,000–108,000 |
| Fuel system | 121 | 5.1% | 70,000 | 50,000–83,000 |
| Steering | 113 | 4.8% | 72,000 | 19,000–106,000 |
Known problems with the 2007–2012 Santa Fe
Engine — 2.4L Theta II (family Context) 2010–2012
The 2.4L Theta II introduced here belongs to the engine family later subject to the connecting-rod bearing failure actions. IMPORTANT PRECISION: Hyundai's engine recalls concentrated on the GDI (direct-injection) Theta II from MY2013 onward; the 2010-2012 Santa Fe's port-injected 2.4L Theta II is not the primary recall population. State the family relationship, not a recall, on this page.
Before you buy a 2007–2012 Santa Fe: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,939 mileage-tagged complaints, 10 recall campaigns, 1 documented problem area.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 10 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine — 2.4L theta II (family context) on 2010–2012 (2.4L only) cars. What it looks like: Known problems.
- Years differ here: from 181 to 684 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Santa Fe problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi41% below | At 90k mi67% below | At 120k mi86% below | At 150k mi95% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 51,000–119,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 65,000–105,000 | later | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 49,000–107,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 18,000–73,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 7,000–92,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 5,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 30,000–107,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Hyundai Santa Fe 2007–2012 · 1,939 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 41% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 67% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 86% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 95% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2007–2012 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls (10)
NHTSA records 10 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the hydraulic brake circuit (2), the exterior lighting (2), the airbag system (2) (why one area can repeat).
Dec 2020 · 2012 · EngineA damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
What can happen. A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor…
Feb 2020 · 2007 · Service Brakes, HydraulicAn electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the…
What can happen. An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall…
Apr 2013 · 2007–2011 · Exterior LightingFailure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could…
The defect. Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe…
What can happen. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the…
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall…
Jul 2012 · 2007–2009 · Air BagsImproper classification or detection may cause the front passenger airbag not to deploy in the event of a…
The defect. Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from April 19, 2006, through July 7, 2008. The occupant classification system (OCS) may need recalibration to accurately detect small statured adults.
What can happen. Improper classification or detection may cause the front passenger airbag not to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the classification software free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Sep 2011 · 2007–2008 · Air BagsIf the clock spring develops high resistance, in the event of a crash, the drivers air bag will not deploy…
The defect. Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Hyundai veracruz vehicles manufactured from december 26, 2006, through march 21, 2008, and model year 2007-2008 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from april 19, 2006 through march 20, 2008. The clock…
What can happen. If the clock spring develops high resistance, in the event of a crash, the drivers air bag will not deploy and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.
The free fix. Hyundai dealers will replace the vehicle's driver's air bag clock spring contact assembly free of charge. The safety recall began in november 2011. Owners may contact Hyundai customer connect center…
Apr 2011 · 2010 · Power TrainDamage to the transmission may cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2010 Santa Fe 2wd vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines manufactured from october 15, 2009 through march 5, 2010. The intermediate shaft may suffer from noise and excessive wear due to a…
What can happen. Damage to the transmission may cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the right side output gear and intermediate shaft free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during june 2011. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer assistance center…
Dec 2010 · 2011 · Service Brakes, HydraulicAs a result, brake fluid will leak, followed by illumination of the malfunction indicator light indicating…
The defect. Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2011 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from september 28, 2010, through november 25, 2010. Some of the rear brake calipers may not have been properly machined.
What can happen. As a result, brake fluid will leak, followed by illumination of the malfunction indicator light indicating the brake fluid level is low and should be checked, then a soft or spongy brake pedal feel…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the rear calipers and replace it if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on december 17, 2010. Owners may contact Hyundai roadside assistance at 1-800-243-7766.
Apr 2009 · 2007 · Exterior LightingAny of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, may lead to a crash.
The defect. Hyundai is recalling 532,633 my 2006-2007 accent, entourage, sonata, my 2007 azera, elantra and Santa Fe, my 2005-2007 tucson and my 2007-2008 veracruz vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch…
What can happen. Any of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, may lead to a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on june 29, 2009. Owners may contact the Hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
Jun 2008 · 2007–2008 · EquipmentOverloading your vehicle may adversely affect handling and braking and may cause tire damage, resulting in…
The defect. Hyundai is recalling 88,943 my 2007-2008 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles equipped with p235/60r18 tires. These vehicles fail to comply with the labeling requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110 "Tire selection and rims for motor vehicles." The…
What can happen. Overloading your vehicle may adversely affect handling and braking and may cause tire damage, resulting in tire failure and a crash without warning.
The free fix. Hyundai will mail corrected certification labels along with the instructions to the affected owners. The customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The recall…
Aug 2006 · 2007 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, the wall thickness of the right forward baffle of the fuel tank may be below specifications.
What can happen. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and, if necessary, replace them. All vehicles are either still at the manufacturing plant or in dealerships. No vehicles have been sold to consumers.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 2,377 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 119 (5.0%)
- Fires
- 51
- Injury reports
- 62
- Fatality reports
- 4
Santa Fe problems by model year
The 2007 drew the most complaints of this generation, 684, most of them about the fuel and propulsion system, and the 2011 the fewest, 181. A typical year drew about 356.
The first year of the generation, 2007, drew more complaints than a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 684 | 563 | 74,000 | Fuel and propulsion system (121) | 7 |
| 2008 | 541 | 458 | 74,000 | Fuel and propulsion system (215) | 4 |
| 2009 | 358 | 278 | 77,000 | Fuel and propulsion system (109) | 2 |
| 2010 | 260 | 212 | 42,000 | Transmission and driveline (109) | 2 |
| 2011 | 181 | 149 | 44,000 | Engine (64) | 2 |
| 2012 | 353 | 279 | 71,000 | Engine (228) | 1 |
What Santa Fe owners reported
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the underbody of the vehicle was rusted from living in an area where anti-icing agents were heavily used. The contact associated the failure with Hyundai Service Campaign 947. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired…
2012 · 130,000 miles · Body structure
The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal odor coming from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and discovered that there was oil leaking from the valve cover onto the alternator. No warning lights…
2007 · 97,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to immediately start, but started after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the starter, oil…
2010 · 145,000 miles · Electrical system
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 142,000. It was later discovered, during a VIN check, that the mileage was 223,000. The mileage was last recorded in…
2010 · 223,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 1,939 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Santa Fe generations
- Santa Fe 2001–2006 1,007 reports with mileage, most about the suspension
- Santa Fe 2013–2018 1,610 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Santa Fe 2019–2023 197 reports with mileage, most about the engine