Hyundai Santa Fe 2013–2018 problems by year and mileage
3rd generation (DM/NC) — 'Santa Fe Sport' SWB and long-wheelbase 'Santa Fe' / 'Santa Fe XL'
NHTSA data through 24 September 20263,843 complaints, 1,610 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
Close- Median failure report
- 65,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 803
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
At least 40% of the complaints about the 2013 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported on the 2013
- Engine381 reports · median 89,000 mi
- Steering99 reports · median 11,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise77 reports · median 68,000 mi
7 recall campaigns name the 2013: Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Engine; Latches/locks/linkages — hood. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe
Close- Median failure report
- 62,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 654
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
At least 40% of the complaints about the 2014 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported on the 2014
- Engine367 reports · median 79,000 mi
- Electrical system70 reports · median 53,000 mi
- Steering57 reports · median 33,000 mi
7 recall campaigns name the 2014: Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Engine; Latches/locks/linkages — hood. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe
Close- Median failure report
- 67,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 336
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
At least 40% of the complaints about the 2015 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported on the 2015
- Engine201 reports · median 86,000 mi
- Electrical system29 reports
- Transmission and driveline29 reports
4 recall campaigns name the 2015: Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Latches/locks/linkages — hood. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe
Close- Median failure report
- 64,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 305
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
At least 40% of the complaints about the 2016 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported on the 2016
- Engine193 reports · median 83,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise39 reports
- Transmission and driveline24 reports
3 recall campaigns name the 2016: Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Latches/locks/linkages — hood; Seat belts — front. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
Close- Median failure report
- 25,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,316
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
At least 40% of the complaints about the 2017 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported on the 2017
- Engine849 reports · median 47,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline203 reports · median 4,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise127 reports · median 23,000 mi
7 recall campaigns name the 2017: Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Engine and engine cooling — engine; Seat belts — front. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
Close- Median failure report
- 41,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 429
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
At least 40% of the complaints about the 2018 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported on the 2018
- Engine250 reports · median 63,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise50 reports
- Hydraulic brake circuit48 reports
5 recall campaigns name the 2018: Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Steering — steering wheel/handle bar; Air bags — side/window. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. † marks a year whose median likely understates the mileage: much of its reporting came after 2020, when most complaints stopped recording an odometer reading. The 2015 reports latest and the 2017 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2015 has had 2 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.
The short answer
“Is the 2013–2018 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 56,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 126,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 1,610
- Recalls
- 18
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading, so the median likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported
- Engine58.3% of complaints · median 78,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline10.3% of complaints · median 13,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise9.8% of complaints · median 36,000 mi
Documented problems
- Engine — Theta Ii Gdi Connecting Rod Bearings2013–2018
- Brakes — ABS/Hecu Module2013–2015
Owners filed 3,843 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013–2018 Hyundai Santa Fe; the engine leads with 58.3% of them, and half of the 1,610 that record an odometer reading came by 56,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
24% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 9.9 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2013–2018 Hyundai Santa Fe last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2013–2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, half of the 1,610 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 56,000 miles and 90% by 126,000 miles.
59 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 7 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Santa Fe reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Hyundai Santa Fe 2013–2018 · 1,610 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 267 complaints.
- First 12,000 miles — 24% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 7 complaints (0.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,079
- 25%
- 14,000
- Median
- 56,000
- 75%
- 95,000
- 90%
- 126,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 267 | 16.6% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 68 | 4.2% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 75 | 4.7% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 53 | 3.3% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 66 | 4.1% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 33 | 2.0% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 59 | 3.7% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 50 | 3.1% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 39 | 2.4% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 35 | 2.2% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 44 | 2.7% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 46 | 2.9% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 62 | 3.9% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 49 | 3.0% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 54 | 3.4% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 55 | 3.4% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 54 | 3.4% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 48 | 3.0% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 50 | 3.1% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 44 | 2.7% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 49 | 3.0% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 34 | 2.1% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 43 | 2.7% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 26 | 1.6% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 40 | 2.5% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 20 | 1.2% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 33 | 2.0% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 12 | 0.7% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 28 | 1.7% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 15 | 0.9% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 10 | 0.6% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 7 | 0.4% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 8 | 0.5% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 8 | 0.5% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 7 | 0.4% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common Santa Fe problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Hyundai Santa Fe 2013–2018
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Transmission and driveline396 reports13,0001,000–62,000Transmission and driveline: 396 reports, median 13,000 miles, middle half 1,000 to 62,000 miles.
- Steering216 reports15,0001,000–65,000Steering: 216 reports, median 15,000 miles, middle half 1,000 to 65,000 miles.
- Fuel and propulsion system227 reports30,00010,000–60,000Fuel and propulsion system: 227 reports, median 30,000 miles, middle half 10,000 to 60,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise376 reports36,00013,000–74,000Problems owners could not categorise: 376 reports, median 36,000 miles, middle half 13,000 to 74,000 miles.
- Electrical system295 reports52,00017,000–86,000Electrical system: 295 reports, median 52,000 miles, middle half 17,000 to 86,000 miles.
- Engine2,241 reports78,00039,000–108,000Engine: 2,241 reports, median 78,000 miles, middle half 39,000 to 108,000 miles.
- Hydraulic brake circuit238 reports84,00059,000–120,000Hydraulic brake circuit: 238 reports, median 84,000 miles, middle half 59,000 to 120,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2,241 | 58.3% | 78,000 | 39,000–108,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 396 | 10.3% | 13,000 | 1,000–62,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 376 | 9.8% | 36,000 | 13,000–74,000 |
| Electrical system | 295 | 7.7% | 52,000 | 17,000–86,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 238 | 6.2% | 84,000 | 59,000–120,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 227 | 5.9% | 30,000 | 10,000–60,000 |
| Steering | 216 | 5.6% | 15,000 | 1,000–65,000 |
| Brakes | 201 | 5.2% | 56,000 | 28,000–89,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 167 | 4.3% | 14,000 | 2,500–46,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 98 | 2.6% | 108,000 | 85,000–140,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 56,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 58.3% of complaints (2,241 reports, 746 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 78,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 39,000 and 108,000 miles.
A single system taking 58.3% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 10.3% of complaints (396 reports, 201 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 13,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 1,000 and 62,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 9.8% of complaints (376 reports, 120 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 36,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 13,000 and 74,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 7.7% of complaints (295 reports, 136 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 17,000 and 86,000 miles.
The hydraulic brake circuit accounts for 6.2% of complaints (238 reports, 62 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 84,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 59,000 and 120,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 5.9% of complaints (227 reports, 101 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 30,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 10,000 and 60,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2013–2018 Santa Fe
Engine — Theta Ii Gdi Connecting Rod Bearings 2013–2018
Machining debris left in the crankshaft oil passages during manufacturing restricts oil flow to the connecting rod bearings; the bearings wear, the engine develops a knock, then seizes — producing stalling while driving and, in some cases, engine compartment fires. Remedies included engine inspection/replacement and installation of the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, which detects the onset of bearing wear and puts the vehicle into limp mode. NHTSA campaign 17V-226 covered MY2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport, with later expansions.
Brakes — ABS/Hecu Module 2013–2015
The anti-lock brake control module can suffer an internal electrical short, causing an engine compartment fire whether the vehicle is parked or driving. Owners were told to park outside and away from structures pending repair. One campaign covered 151,205 Santa Fe Sports built 17 June 2013 to 13 May 2015; a later separate campaign covered roughly 44,000 MY2018 Santa Fe Sports. Remedies involved module inspection plus multi-fuse installation.
Before you buy a 2013–2018 Santa Fe: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,610 mileage-tagged complaints, 18 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 18 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine — theta ii gdi connecting rod bearings on 2013–2018 Santa Fe Sport (2.0T and 2.4 GDI). Does NOT affect the 3.3L V6 long–wheelbase models. cars. Machining debris left in the crankshaft oil passages during manufacturing restricts oil flow to the connecting rod bearings; the bearings wear, the engine develops a knock, then seizes — producing stalling while driving…
- Check brakes — ABS/hecu module on 2013–2015 and 2018 Santa Fe Sport cars. The anti-lock brake control module can suffer an internal electrical short, causing an engine compartment fire whether the vehicle is parked or driving. Owners were told to park outside and away from structures pending…
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 24% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, the engine and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 13,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Santa Fe problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi52% below | At 90k mi72% below | At 120k mi87% below | At 150k mi96% below | At 200k mi100% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 39,000–108,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 1,000–62,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 13,000–74,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 17,000–86,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 59,000–120,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 10,000–60,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 1,000–65,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Hyundai Santa Fe 2013–2018 · 1,610 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 52% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 72% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 87% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 96% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 100%: the remaining 0.4% of reports (7) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2013–2018 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls (18)
NHTSA records 18 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
5 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the hydraulic brake circuit (5), the engine and its cooling system (2), the seat belts (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Sep 2023 · 2013–2015 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10…
Oct 2022 · 2018 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
What can happen. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed…
Feb 2022 · 2016–2018 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were…
Apr 2021 · 2013–2015 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideAn electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
What can happen. An electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
The free fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, and inspect and replace the ABS module, as…
Aug 2020 · 2013–2015 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideIf the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
What can happen. If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside as a precaution until the recall repair is…
Dec 2018 · 2013–2014 · EngineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged…
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at…
Feb 2018 · 2018 · SteeringA steering wheel separation while driving can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The steering wheel assembly may break, possibly resulting in the steering wheel separating from the steering column while driving.
What can happen. A steering wheel separation while driving can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will check the production lot number of the steering wheel assembly, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 26, 2018. Owners may…
Dec 2017 · 2018 · Air BagsIf the component detaches during deployment, the curtain air bag may not inflate properly during a crash…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
What can happen. If the component detaches during deployment, the curtain air bag may not inflate properly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, if the detached component were to enter the…
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai…
Sep 2017 · 2017 · Engine and Engine CoolingThe engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify all owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at…
Sep 2017 · 2018 · SuspensionIf the coil spring fractures, it can puncture the tire, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The front coil springs may have been improperly manufactured and, as a result, may fracture under certain loads while driving.
What can happen. If the coil spring fractures, it can puncture the tire, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. All of the affected vehicles are currently unsold on dealer lots. Dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge prior to the vehicle's sale. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners…
Jun 2017 · 2017 · Seat BeltsIf the bolt was not sufficiently tightened, driver's seat belt may come unanchored in a collision, increasing…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolt for the driver's seat belt anchor might not have been sufficiently tightened during assembly.
What can happen. If the bolt was not sufficiently tightened, driver's seat belt may come unanchored in a collision, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will verify that the driver's seatbelt anchor is properly secured, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service…
Jun 2017 · 2013–2017 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesIf the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position…
What can happen. If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a…
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059.…
Mar 2017 · 2013–2014 · Engine and Engine CoolingBearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
What can happen. Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine, replacing the engine short block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer…
Mar 2017 · 2017 · TiresAn underinflated inflated tire can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that may not have been set in the correct mode during vehicle assembly, and therefore will not provide an…
What can happen. An underinflated inflated tire can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the TPMS sensors, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number…
Nov 2016 · 2017 · Trailer HitchesIf the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped…
What can happen. If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact…
Mar 2016 · 2016–2017 · Seat BeltsWithout a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. Without a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Dec 2013 · 2014 · TiresThe damaged sidewall may result in a separation between the belt edges which could cause tread detachment or…
The defect. Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2014 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 5, 2013, through November 15, 2013, and equipped with P235/65R17 103T Continental Crosscontact LX tires. The tires may have a damaged sidewall.
What can happen. The damaged sidewall may result in a separation between the belt edges which could cause tread detachment or rapid air loss, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai notified dealers to suspend sales of affected Santa Fe Sport vehicles equipped with the P235/65R17 103T tires, and replace them with alternative tires. All affected vehicles were remedied…
Aug 2013 · 2013 · Power TrainA fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels.
The defect. Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2013 front wheel drive Santa Fe Sport vehicles manufactured July 13, 2012, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture.
What can happen. A fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, it may roll away. Either condition increases the risk of…
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Custom Care Center at…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 3,843 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 83 (2.2%)
- Fires
- 173
- Injury reports
- 63
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Santa Fe problems by model year
The 2017 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,316, most of them about the engine, and the 2016 the fewest, 305. A typical year drew about 542.
That makes the 2017 stand out at roughly 2.4 times a typical year. A count like this follows how many cars of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as how often they failed, so it is not by itself evidence of a worse year; what each year's reports name, in its card and row, is the useful part.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 803 | 478 | 65,000† | Engine (381) | 7 |
| 2014 | 654 | 349 | 62,000† | Engine (367) | 7 |
| 2015 | 336 | 131 | 67,000† | Engine (201) | 4 |
| 2016 | 305 | 96 | 64,000† | Engine (193) | 3 |
| 2017 | 1,316 | 424 | 25,000† | Engine (849) | 7 |
| 2018 | 429 | 132 | 41,000† | Engine (250) | 5 |
What Santa Fe owners reported
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment with an abnormal burning odor entering the vehicle through the A/C vents. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and turned off. The vehicle failed…
2014 · 158,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the front driver’s side door failed to unlatch as intended using either the interior or exterior door handles or the locking mechanism. In addition, the contact exited the vehicle using the front passenger’s side door to exit the vehicle. An…
2013 · 143,000 miles · Latches and locks
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was coolant in the engine and that the knock sensor detection system needed…
2016 · 111,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at 60 MPH the vehicle began to shake violently, and the engine experienced a complete loss of automotive power, the service vehicle soon, ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact veered off an exit into…
2014 · 90,000 miles · Engine
Built from 1,610 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · 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 2007–2012 1,939 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Santa Fe 2019–2023 197 reports with mileage, most about the engine