2014 Hyundai Santa FE Sport engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V934000Dec 28, 2018150,730 vehicles
  ENGINE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

  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, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.

  Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: 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 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.

• Recall 17V226000Mar 31, 2017572,000 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  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.

  Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: 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 service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 162.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 28, 2026FLEngine

   1. 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Theta 2 Engine Failure It was available for inspection upon request at local dealer and service After engine failedXXX abruptly while driving, it was towed to the service for inspection. 2. The Theta 2 engine in countless 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe models has been a safety risk for all citizens on the roads. This has been an unannounced recall failure due to manufacture shards of metal found within the engine, causing vehicle damage and failure. My car…

   NHTSA complaint #11767435 · source
2. Filed Sep 17, 2026157,596 miFLTowedEngine

   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 to restart and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11765036 · source
3. Filed Aug 14, 202689,687 miCATowedEngine

   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 the parking lot of an AutoZone where a diagnostic scanner displayed the code "P0302". The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed,…

   NHTSA complaint #11757038 · source
4. Filed Jul 28, 2026AKFireBrakesElectrical SystemEngine

   On June 20, 2026, while the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport was being driven on Richardson Highway near Mile 155 in Alaska, smoke and flames developed from the engine compartment without any collision. The driver stopped and both occupants exited before the vehicle became fully engulfed. The fire created an immediate risk of serious injury or death and blocked the northbound lane. There were no known prior drivability problems, warning lamps, or other symptoms before the…

   NHTSA complaint #11753388 · source
5. Filed Jul 16, 2026120,577 miMDTowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started to lose power while depressing the accelerator pedal, with black smoke coming from the engine compartment. The oil, check engine, and battery warning lights were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and discovered black smoke coming from under the hood. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and…

   NHTSA complaint #11750844 · source
6. Filed Jul 3, 2026COEngine

   On March 20, 2026, while driving, my 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (VIN: [XXX]) equipped with a Theta II 2.4L GDI engine, the car experienced a catastrophic, sudden loss of motive power. The engine suffered a total mechanical failure/seizure, creating an immediate highway safety hazard. This vehicle is part of the "In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation II" settlement population due to known factory manufacturing defects where residual metal debris blocks oil flow to the…

   NHTSA complaint #11748225 · source
7. Filed Jun 27, 2026NYEngine

   ID # 11746004. I accidentally entered the wrong incident date on my original submission. The correct date of the incident is June 17, 2026. Please update my file to reflect this correct timeline.

   NHTSA complaint #11746944 · source
8. Filed Jun 23, 2026NYEngine

   The engine failed completely and is currently available for inspection at my residence. While traveling on a family vacation at highway speeds, the engine suffered a catastrophic connecting-rod bearing failure and seized. This caused an immediate loss of motive power, braking assistance, and steering control, nearly resulting in a fatal multi-car collision with my child in the vehicle. Warning lights illuminated on the dashboard during the failure as a sudden metallic…

   NHTSA complaint #11746004 · source
9. Filed May 19, 2026FLElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Engine code p1326. The engine went into limp mode it was only able to drive about 15 miles then check engine light came popped on and the vehicle stopped and I had the get the vehicle towed. Yes Route 60 of Hyundai in Vero Beach was aware of the issue and also I took the vehicle to Hyundai in Fort pierce where they also was well aware of the engine issue. When I received a recall letter in the mail and brought my vehicle into Route 60 Hyundai of Vero Beach. My vehicle was…

   NHTSA complaint #11738905 · source
10. Filed Apr 13, 2026FLEngineOther / Unknown

    Failure consistent with known recall defect (NHTSA Recall 17V226) involving premature bearing wear resulting in engine seizure and sudden loss of power while driving.

    NHTSA complaint #11730941 · source
11. Filed Dec 23, 2025167,000 miMAEngine

    The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and blinked intermittently. The contact stopped at a gas station. The contact filled up the fuel tank and checked the coolant reservoir. When the contact restarted the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle…

    NHTSA complaint #11706822 · source
12. Filed Dec 19, 2025CAEngine

    Engine seized while driving. Recall-covered failure mode. Hyundai denial despite recall. Screenshots showed recall with VIN for engine recall and suddenly removed by Hyundai next day.

    NHTSA complaint #11706191 · source

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. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology