Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving to pickup my dog from daycare centre and when I arrive to house, put my car in Park then a huge amount of smoke came out from the front hood of car. The smoke got bigger and bigger within 30 seconds I couldn't see anything from front of car and around driver's seat. There was no Hazard alerts or signs on my car that my car was overheating. There was no signal or emergency shut off on the car when the overheating began. My boyfriend was in car at time. My dog was walking outside with daycare caretaker when a flame started on Driver's side engine. The flame lit and sparked into a huge flame. I ran out of car while my boyfriend yelled for everyone to back away from car before it explodes. The flame grew and engine bursted into flames, a loud explosion followed. …
My 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport broke down while driving home on 5/30/2022. No active warning lights at time of incident. Vehicle slowed down while driving on interstate and lost the ability to accelerate. A noise was made (may have been considered knocking). Once parked on the side of the highway, nothing happened when START/STOP button was pressed except random lights across dash (NO WARNING LIGHTS). Vehicle did not appear to be ON. Vehicle had to be towed to local Hyundai dealership. Dealership replaced the starter, performed an engine diagnostics, then parked vehicle on lot. The vehicle caught fire on 6/20/2022 after service tech exited it; considered a total loss. The vehicle was inspected by Hyundai Dealership representative, owner's insurance company, and vendor for Hyundai Motor America. …
Bien,mi auto tuvo varios problemas al mismo tiempo: 1-falla en todo el sistema el ctrico,aire acondicionado,control de tr fico ambas partes, Power steering,ABS,P rdida de potencia en el motor,problemas con el receptor de la llave remoto,tiene un problema el ctrico sin precedente todo ocurri de la nada,todo ocurri un mismo d a cuando bamos camino a una excursi n mi familia y yo estuvimos en un gran riesgo,todos los componentes han sido inspeccionados y no he podido a n arreglarlos porque se necesita el consecionario de este autom vil para descubrirle las grandes fallas que presenta,a n tiene 3 se ales en el tablero, check Engine, Power String, ABS, todo prendi despu s del problema
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brake warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuse needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but additional assistance was not provided. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
My steering would work while I was driving with my kids in the car, my breaks were barely working, the hood started smoking and something under the hood in the engine caught on fire, there was a horrible smell when I was breaking and the breaks would jolt. The engine and cooling was not turning off even with my key taken out, the fan engine was running nonstop no matter what, smoking etc
Driving on interstate felt car stall pulled to side of the road placed in park. Looked under hood noticed car hot checked oil and was completely dry. I know for a fact there had not been any leakage prior that was on the ground where I parked and none under where I pulled off road. Not one check engine light or low oil light had came on prior or during the time of the car stalling. Called tow truck to have it taken to dealership where they turned it back on after I advised of issue and that it shouldn't be turned on they said they had to to know what it was doing and the engine at that point was making loud knocking noise. I was told engine would have to be replaced. I was told I'm not the only one that has had this issue with this model car but there is no recall so it would be out of my pocket even though there is a "known issue". …
1) What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? I tried to park in the parking space next to it by making a slight right turn. As soon as I stepped on the brake to park, the car began to rush forward. I noticed again and again that my foot was slamming on the brakes, but the car didn't stop. My car went over the ledge between the parking lot and the store, slammed into the pillar of the building on the left, smashed all the glass in the dance studio, and hit the wall on the right before coming to a stop. It took six seconds from rushing forward to into the store. 2) How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I must have been severe injured if the car didn't stop by hitting a right-side wall of the store. And if there were people, I was not able to avoid casualites. …
I have a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. I was notified the ABS module may leak hydraulic fluid on electronics that can cause a fire while driving or parked. This SAFETY issue was found in September 2023. After 7 months a remedy still has not been found. How long is a suitable amount of time to wait for a solution? How long should I need to wait for this to either burn down or get fixed? A remedy has been found for the Santa Fe Sport. Will this same fix, work for my Santa Fe? If it will I am willing to pay for it and wait for reimbursement. The would be better than wondering if my vehicle is going to catch fire while I'm driving down the highway. Any help you can give me will be appreciated. [redacted]
The vehicle is in excellent condition with all maintenance complete. Starting intermittently at approximately 40,000 miles, and now consistently since 49,000 miles, 3 warning lights illuminate on the dash simultaneously; 1: ABS warning light, 2: TCS warning light, 3: Hill Assist warning light. Reading the codes with a code scan tool indicates the Right Rear Wheel Speed Sensor has a short circuit, an open circuit, or has failed, or the wire connector has failed. If the ABS or TCS systems are not functioning, there is a higher risk of crash. This is a very common problem according to simple google searches, and affected vehicles should be recalled and repaired.
One day Im driving to work and out of the blue, my car stereo stopped working, it turns on but no sound comes out of it. Tried replacing amplifier, speakers etc, nothing worked. After that, my car wouldn't start several times a month, had to jump start it frequently for about 4-5 months. Eventually it became if I didn't turn on my car atleast once a day, it would die and need to be jumped. So Ive been jumping my car almost every 2-3 days for the past month & 1/2.. Changed the battery multiple times. Took it to different mechanics and dealers, NOBODY knew what the issue was. Apparently something is draining my battery and no one knows how to figure it out!
NHTSA investigations
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles equipped with Theta II and Lambda II engines (approximately 1.3 million vehicles).
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition.
Electrical complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the electrical system of the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 10% of the model year's 493 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › fuses and circuit breakers (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 6 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.