Hyundai Santa FE problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 3,596 owner complaints and 37 recalls on file for the Hyundai Santa FE (2005–2026). The 2017 Santa FE has the most serious complaints, most often about engine.

Complaints
3,596
Recalls
37
Model years
22
Worst year
2017

Complaints by model year

1220059552007566420095238201112830920133272022015196781201785169201921416620212002112023153133202536
NHTSA complaints per Hyundai Santa FE model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Hyundai Santa FE years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2017 Hyundai Santa FE — 781 complaints, 8 crashes, 20 fires; top problem: Engine
  2. 2014 Hyundai Santa FE — 327 complaints, 7 crashes, 21 fires; top problem: Engine
  3. 2013 Hyundai Santa FE — 309 complaints, 2 crashes, 28 fires; top problem: Engine
  4. 2020 Hyundai Santa FE — 214 complaints, 14 crashes, 9 fires; top problem: Engine
  5. 2023 Hyundai Santa FE — 211 complaints, 11 crashes, 3 fires; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2005 (12 complaints).

Every Hyundai Santa FE model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2026 Santa FE360014Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2025 Santa FE1335045Electrical System
2024 Santa FE15311197Transmission & Drivetrain
2023 Santa FE211113151Transmission & Drivetrain
2022 Santa FE2009145Transmission & Drivetrain
2021 Santa FE1664227Transmission & Drivetrain
2020 Santa FE214149152Engine
2019 Santa FE169131082Engine
2018 Santa FE856362Engine
2017 Santa FE781820106Engine
2016 Santa FE1964223Engine
2015 Santa FE20231212Engine
2014 Santa FE32772193Engine
2013 Santa FE30922853Engine
2012 Santa FE1283721Engine
2011 Santa FE384412Engine
2010 Santa FE520402Transmission & Drivetrain
2009 Santa FE646082Engine
2008 Santa FE564223Engine
2007 Santa FE552044Engine
2006 Santa FE91221Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2005 Santa FE121011Airbags

Most common Hyundai Santa FE problem areas (all years)

  • Engine
    1,831 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    484 complaints
  • Electrical System
    407 complaints
  • Brakes
    327 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    228 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    222 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    151 complaints
  • Steering
    123 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    109 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    106 complaints

Complaint trend

2020202120222023202420252026
Complaints about the Hyundai Santa FE received by NHTSA each month.

Hyundai Santa FE recalls

  • Recall 26V218000Apr 6, 2026294,448 vehiclesModel years 2024–2026

    Risk: A detached seat belt anchor will not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

  • Recall 26V047000Jan 26, 202641,651 vehiclesModel years 2026

    Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V809000Nov 20, 2025258 vehiclesModel years 2025–2026

    Risk: Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.

  • Recall 25V808000Nov 20, 2025143,472 vehiclesModel years 2024–2025

    Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V659000Oct 2, 2025135,386 vehiclesModel years 2024–2025

    Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 25V549000Aug 25, 202529 vehiclesModel years 2025–2026

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 24V879000Nov 21, 2024226,118 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022

    Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V843000Nov 7, 202434,964 vehiclesModel years 2024

    Risk: A sunshade that closes unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.

  • Recall 24V561000Jul 26, 202449,719 vehiclesModel years 2024

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 24V529000Jul 11, 202412,349 vehiclesModel years 2024

    Risk: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.

  • Recall 24V246000Apr 2, 202418,206 vehiclesModel years 2024

    Risk: An obstructed rearview camera image reduces rearward visibility and increases the risk of a crash or injury.

  • Recall 23V651000Sep 22, 20231,649,478 vehiclesModel years 2013–2015

    Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

  • Recall 23V181000Mar 17, 2023584,784 vehiclesModel years 2019–2023

    Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

  • Recall 22V746000Oct 6, 202256,148 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022

    Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V197000Mar 28, 202216 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 22V056000Feb 3, 2022357,348 vehiclesModel years 2016–2018

    Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

  • Recall 21V00M000Dec 28, 202126,413 vehiclesModel years 2020–2021

    Risk: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

  • Recall 21V524000Jul 9, 202115,752 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022

    Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 21V308000May 3, 20212 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: An insufficiently tightened fuel pipe may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 21V185000Mar 17, 202110 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 20V746000Dec 1, 2020128,948 vehiclesModel years 2012

    Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 20V061000Feb 4, 2020476,111 vehiclesModel years 2007

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 18V715000Oct 11, 20188,204 vehiclesModel years 2019

    Risk: In the event of a crash, if the air bags become damaged during deployment they may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 18V118000Feb 17, 201841,070 vehiclesModel years 2018

    Risk: A steering wheel separation while driving can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 17V578000Sep 20, 2017420 vehiclesModel years 2017

    Risk: The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Other Hyundai models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology