Hyundai Santa Fe Problems by Year

We compared every Hyundai Santa Fe model year from 2001–2026 using 7,679 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 46 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2017, 2025, 2023, 2013 and 2024, which drew far more complaints than other Santa Fe years at the same age. The best years are 2018 and 2011.

26model years
7,679complaints
46recalls
2017, 2025worst years
2018, 2011best years

Complaints by model year

’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2620916530830321610668454135826018135460549325523697010920321716720121115513537
Owner complaints per model year, Hyundai Santa Fe. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2026373.2×4Collision AvoidanceAvoid
20251352.9×5ElectricalAvoid
20241552.1×7TransmissionAvoid
20232112.6×1TransmissionAvoid
20222011.9×5TransmissionCaution
20211671.4×7TransmissionCaution
20202171.4×2EngineCaution
20192031.3×2EngineAverage
2018109−40%2EngineGood
20179704.4×6EngineAvoid
2016236typical3EngineAverage
2015255typical2EngineAverage
20144931.8×3EngineCaution
20136052.1×3EngineAvoid
20123541.3×1EngineAverage
2011181−35%2EngineAverage
2010260typical2TransmissionAverage
20093581.2×2Fuel SystemAverage
20085411.9×4Fuel SystemCaution
20076842.4×7Fuel SystemAvoid
2006106−66%1AirbagGood
2005216−52%3AirbagGood
2004303−23%3SuspensionAverage
2003308−15%4SuspensionAverage
2002165−65%4SuspensionGood
2001209−36%4SuspensionAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Santa Fe year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Latest Hyundai Santa Fe recalls

Seat belts › Front › Anchorage

NHTSA recall 26V-218 · Apr 6, 2026 · 294,448 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2026 Genesis G90, 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinforce or replace the seat belt anchors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning May 29, 2026.

Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA recall 26V-047 · Jan 26, 2026 · 41,651 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.

Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026.

Back over prevention › Display function

NHTSA recall 25V-808 · Nov 20, 2025 · 143,472 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The rearview camera may not have been installed properly, which can damage the wiring harness and cause the rearview camera image not to display.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the camera wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning January 15, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

Air bags › Side/window › Curtain

NHTSA recall 25V-809 · Nov 20, 2025 · 258 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.

Remedy: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

Electrical system › Starter assembly

NHTSA recall 25V-659 · Oct 2, 2025 · 135,386 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe vehicles. The B+ positive terminal cover on the starter motor assembly may be improperly installed, which can cause an electrical short during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the starter motor terminal cover, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning October 22, 2025.

All 46 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Hyundai Santa Fe should you avoid?

2017, 2025, 2023, 2013, 2024 and 2022 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Santa Fe years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2017.

What is the best year for the Hyundai Santa Fe?

2018 has the fewest complaints compared with other Santa Fe years at the same age, followed by 2011. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (2,630), fuel & propulsion system (959) and transmission & drivetrain (934). Engine complaints peak in the 2017 model year.

How many recalls has the Hyundai Santa Fe had?

46 recalls across 2001–2026. The model year with the most is 2007. See all Hyundai Santa Fe recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.