Hyundai Santa Fe years to avoid
More than twice the Santa Fe's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Hyundai Santa Fe years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
Hyundai Santa Fe complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Hyundai Santa Fe problems
All model years combined.
- Engine2,638
- Fuel system963
- Transmission937
- Electrical860
- Brakes724
- Acceleration589
- Airbags507
- Suspension438
- Steering409
- Driver assistance380
- Visibility289
- Body281
Most reported problems on the Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Santa Fe problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | - | 39 | Driver assistance | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2025 | - | 139 | Electrical | 11,000 | 5 | 6 | |
| 2024 | - | 165 | Transmission | 15,000 | 7 | 12 | |
| 2023 | - | 216 | Transmission | 9,500 | 1 | 11 | |
| 2022 | 75 | 204 | Transmission | 17,500 | 5 | 9 | |
| 2021 | 76 | 170 | Transmission | 21,000 | 7 | 4 | Fewest complaints |
| 2020 | 75 | 218 | Engine | 15,000 | 2 | 14 | |
| 2019 | 75 | 206 | Engine | 10,000 | 2 | 16 | |
| 2018 | 85 | 110 | Engine | 21,900 | 2 | 6 | Fewest complaints |
| 2017 | 20 | 975 | Engine | 19,554 | 6 | 14 | Avoid |
| 2016 | 74 | 238 | Engine | 62,300 | 3 | 8 | |
| 2015 | 72 | 255 | Engine | 67,430 | 2 | 9 | |
| 2014 | 47 | 493 | Engine | 60,000 | 3 | 16 | Avoid |
| 2013 | 40 | 605 | Engine | 55,870 | 3 | 14 | Avoid |
| 2012 | 60 | 355 | Engine | 71,348 | 1 | 25 | |
| 2011 | 78 | 181 | Engine | 44,100 | 2 | 12 | |
| 2010 | 72 | 260 | Transmission | 42,000 | 2 | 8 | |
| 2009 | 57 | 359 | Fuel system | 77,000 | 2 | 27 | |
| 2008 | 43 | 541 | Fuel system | 74,209 | 4 | 17 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 32 | 684 | Fuel system | 75,000 | 7 | 30 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 83 | 106 | Airbags | 64,000 | 1 | 11 | Fewest complaints |
| 2005 | 74 | 216 | Airbags | 79,500 | 3 | 18 | |
| 2004 | 60 | 303 | Suspension | 73,000 | 3 | 32 | |
| 2003 | 62 | 308 | Suspension | 80,000 | 4 | 26 | |
| 2002 | 80 | 165 | Suspension | 105,000 | 4 | 9 | |
| 2001 | 76 | 209 | Suspension | 104,785 | 4 | 4 |
Recalls 46
Hyundai Santa Fe warranty extensions
Repairs the manufacturer covers beyond the normal warranty. Check whether your car and mileage qualify before paying for one of these.
- Inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize
- Intermittent airbag warning light and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may be set
- Peeling or bubbling on metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk
- Peeling or bubbling on metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk
- Intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s) B1763 (OCS ECU Defect), and/or B1764 (OCS Mat Defect) may be...
- Inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize
- This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s...
- This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s...
- Discharged battery condition due to the Fingerprint Module (FPM) not entering 'SLEEP' mode when the...
- Abnormal engine noise or damage
- Abnormal engine noise or damage
- Abnormal engine noise or damage
- The warranty coverage of certain engines for repairs and replacement has been extended to 15 years or...
- Abnormal engine noise or damage
- Certain 2015 – 2018 model year Elantra, 2015 – 2019 model year Sonata, 2017 – 2021 model year Tucson, 2017...
- Excessive paint peeling or bubbling of the primer/paint film on the exterior metal body panels: hood,...
- Description: Certain Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal...
- Abnormal engine noise or engine damage
- The warranty coverage for engine repair or replacement related to engine noise or damage has been extended...
Compare the Santa Fe
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Hyundai Santa Fe in the news
Questions about the Hyundai Santa Fe
What years of the Hyundai Santa Fe should you avoid?
2007, 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2017. Each has more than twice the Hyundai Santa Fe's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2017 alone has 975, mostly about engine and transmission.
What is the best year for a used Hyundai Santa Fe?
2006, 2018 and 2021 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (106, 110 and 170).
What is the most common problem with the Hyundai Santa Fe?
Engine, with 2,638 complaints across all years, followed by fuel system (963) and transmission (937).
How many recalls does the Hyundai Santa Fe have?
46 recalls between 2001 and 2026. The 2024 model year has the most, with 7.
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