Menu

Hyundai Santa FEYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 7,724 NHTSA owner complaints across 26 model years, the Hyundai Santa FE years to avoid are 2017, and the strongest years are 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2018. The Santa FE has 46 safety recalls on record.

Hyundai Santa FE
Years to avoid'17Use caution: 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2023, 2024Best years'01 '02 '06 '18Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints7,724Top: EngineSafety recalls462001–2026 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: Chanokchon, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Best & worst years

Hyundai Santa FE years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Santa FE median. Tap a year for its full report.

'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2026Too new–/10039 complaints · 4 recalls2025Too new–/100139 complaints · 5 recalls2024Caution37/100165 complaints · 7 recalls2023Caution38/100217 complaints · 1 recall2022Solid47/100204 complaints · 5 recalls2021Solid57/100170 complaints · 7 recalls2020Solid50/100218 complaints · 2 recalls2019Solid53/100208 complaints · 2 recalls2018Best72/100110 complaints · 2 recalls2017Avoid28/100976 complaints · 6 recalls2016Solid60/100238 complaints · 3 recalls2015Solid57/100255 complaints · 2 recalls2014Caution40/100493 complaints · 3 recalls2013Caution36/100605 complaints · 3 recalls2012Solid47/100355 complaints · 1 recall2011Solid63/100181 complaints · 2 recalls2010Solid58/100260 complaints · 2 recalls2009Solid47/100359 complaints · 2 recalls2008Caution40/100541 complaints · 4 recalls2007Caution34/100684 complaints · 7 recalls2006Best74/100106 complaints · 1 recall2005Solid60/100216 complaints · 3 recalls2004Solid48/100303 complaints · 3 recalls2003Solid50/100308 complaints · 4 recalls2002Best67/100165 complaints · 4 recalls2001Solid64/100209 complaints · 4 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Hyundai Santa FE problems

All model years combined: 7,724 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine2440145
Power train93847
Electrical system86090
Fuel/propulsion system76129
Vehicle speed control59087
Air bags507123
Service brakes44374
Suspension43913
Steering40922
32 other systems2358219
46 recalls

Hyundai Santa FE recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

68%Front: anchorage26V-218 · 2024–2026 · Apr 6, 2026 · 294,448 vehicles96%Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel26V-047 · 2026 · Jan 26, 2026 · 41,651 vehicles77%Side/window: curtain25V-809 · 2025–2026 · Nov 20, 2025 · 258 vehicles69%Back over prevention: display function25V-808 · 2024–2025 · Nov 20, 2025 · 143,472 vehicles89%Electrical system: starter assembly25V-659 · 2024–2025 · Oct 2, 2025 · 135,386 vehicles100%Engine and engine cooling: critical fasteners25V-549 · 2025–2026 · Aug 25, 2025 · 29 vehicles65%Sensing system: camera24V-879 · 2021–2022 · Nov 21, 2024 · 226,118 vehicles96%Wiring: switches/knobs/buttons24V-843 · 2024 · Nov 7, 2024 · 34,964 vehicles97%Air bags24V-561 · 2024 · Jul 26, 2024 · 49,719 vehicles99%Control module: software24V-529 · 2024 · Jul 11, 2024 · 12,349 vehicles98%Back over prevention: software24V-246 · 2024 · Apr 2, 2024 · 18,206 vehicles25%Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module23V-651 · 2013–2015 · Sep 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 vehiclesPark outside

Showing the 12 newest of 46 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

15 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Santa FE

  1. 3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)DP24001 · 2017 · closed May 16, 2024
    No recall
  2. Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresAQ23002 · 2013–2018 · still open
    Open
  3. Loss of Motive PowerDP22003 · 2010–2021 · closed Dec 12, 2023
    No recall
  4. Engine FiresEA21003 · 2012–2014 · closed Feb 5, 2024
    Led to recall 23V-877
  5. Throttle control system vulnerabilitiesDP21003 · 2007–2016 · closed Jun 20, 2023
    No recall
  6. Non-crash Vehicle FiresPE19003 · 2011–2014 · closed Dec 22, 2021
    Led to recall 20V-061
  7. Non-crash Vehicle FiresDP18003 · 2011–2014 · closed May 10, 2019
    Led to recall 18V-907
  8. Scope and TimelinessRQ17004 · 2012–2014 · closed Dec 22, 2021
    Led to recall 17V-226
  9. Front Axle Shaft FailurePE13025 · 2013 · closed Sep 20, 2013
    Led to recall 13V-355
  10. Steering Shaft Universal Joint FailurePE12029 · 2011 · closed Jun 26, 2013
    No recall