Hyundai Santa Fe years to avoid (and the best years)
4,746 NHTSA owner complaints and 34 recalls across 17 model years, 2010 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 4,746complaints
- 34recalls
- 178reported crashes
- 172reported fires
- 156reported injuries
- 2reported deaths
Which Hyundai Santa Fe years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Hyundai Santa Fe years to avoid are 2017, 2013 and 2014. The typical Hyundai Santa Fe year has 207 complaints on file.
- 2017: 966 complaints, 4.7 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (69% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (17% of complaints).
- 2013: 605 complaints, 2.9 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (46% of complaints) and the steering (16% of complaints).
- 2014: 493 complaints, 2.4 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (56% of complaints) and the brakes (12% of complaints).
What are the best Hyundai Santa Fe years?
The Hyundai Santa Fe years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2018 (108), 2021 (166) and 2022 (199). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 36 | 0.2× | 4 | 0 | 1 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2025 | 131 | 0.6× | 5 | 5 | 4 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2024 | 146 | 0.7× | 7 | 11 | 9 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2023 | 207 | 1.0× | 1 | 11 | 15 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2022 | 199 | 1.0× | 5 | 8 | 4 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2021 | 166 | 0.8× | 7 | 4 | 2 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2020 | 209 | 1.0× | 2 | 13 | 15 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2019 | 198 | 1.0× | 2 | 16 | 10 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2018 | 108 | 0.5× | 2 | 6 | 6 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2017 | 966 | 4.7× | 6 | 14 | 18 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2016 | 236 | 1.1× | 3 | 6 | 6 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2015 | 254 | 1.2× | 2 | 9 | 10 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2014 | 493 | 2.4× | 3 | 16 | 20 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2013 | 605 | 2.9× | 3 | 14 | 13 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2012 | 353 | 1.7× | 1 | 25 | 7 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2011 | 181 | 0.9× | 3 | 12 | 9 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2010 | 258 | 1.2× | 3 | 8 | 7 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 1,541 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain698 (45%)
- Electrical & infotainment266 (17%)
- Structure & body163 (11%)
- Other systems128 (8%)
- Steering, suspension & tires117 (8%)
Recalls (34)
Seat belts · 26V218000 · Apr 2026 · model years 2024, 2025, 2026
A detached seat belt anchor will not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Electrical system · 26V047000 · Jan 2026 · model year 2026
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V808000 · Nov 2025 · model years 2024, 2025
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 25V809000 · Nov 2025 · model years 2025, 2026
Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Electrical system · 25V659000 · Oct 2025 · model years 2024, 2025
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Engine · 25V549000 · Aug 2025 · model years 2025, 2026
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Safety · 24V879000 · Nov 2024 · model years 2021, 2022
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 24V843000 · Nov 2024 · model year 2024
A sunshade that closes unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Airbags · 24V561000 · Jul 2024 · model year 2024
An air bag that deploys unintentionally can increase the risk of an injury. An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Transmission · 24V529000 · Jul 2024 · model year 2024
A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Safety · 24V246000 · Apr 2024 · model year 2024
An obstructed rearview camera image reduces rearward visibility and increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Brakes · 23V651000 · Sep 2023 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 23V181000 · Mar 2023 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Transmission · 22V746000 · Oct 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Engine · 22V197000 · Mar 2022 · model year 2022
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Brakes · 22V056000 · Feb 2022 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Body & glass · 21V00M000 · Dec 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fuel system · 21V524000 · Jul 2021 · model years 2021, 2022
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Fuel system · 21V308000 · May 2021 · model year 2021
An insufficiently tightened fuel pipe may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 21V185000 · Mar 2021 · model year 2021
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.
Safety · 20V746000 · Dec 2020 · model year 2012
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V715000 · Oct 2018 · model year 2019
In the event of a crash, if the air bags become damaged during deployment they may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Steering · 18V118000 · Feb 2018 · model year 2018
A steering wheel separation while driving can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
Engine · 17V578000 · Sep 2017 · model year 2017
The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V358000 · Jun 2017 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
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 vehicle crash.
Tires · 17V142000 · Mar 2017 · model year 2017
An underinflated inflated tire can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 16V842000 · Nov 2016 · model year 2017
If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 16V145000 · Mar 2016 · model years 2016, 2017
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.
Tires · 13V624000 · Dec 2013 · model year 2014
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.
Transmission · 13V355000 · Aug 2013 · model year 2013
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 a crash.
Exterior lighting · 13V113000 · Apr 2013 · model years 2010, 2011
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 transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 11E040000 · Oct 2011 · model years 2010, 2011
WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Transmission · 11V261000 · Apr 2011 · model year 2010
DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Brakes · 10V613000 · Dec 2010 · model year 2011
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, AND IF NOT SERVICED, REDUCED BRAKING POWER WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.