Hyundai Santa Fe problems by year
Santa Fe vs. Santa Fe Sport: for 2013–2018 Hyundai sold the three-row Santa Fe and the two-row Santa Fe Sport as separate models, and NHTSA and CarComplaints.com list them separately. These pages cover the three-row Santa Fe only; some recalls also apply to the Santa Fe Sport, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Sources: NHTSA model list, 2015 Hyundai, NHTSA recalls API, 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe.
2019 Santa Fe and Santa Fe XL: for 2019 the redesigned two-row model took the Santa Fe name, while the older three-row model was sold as the Santa Fe XL (listed separately by NHTSA). These pages cover the 2019 Santa Fe; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Sources: NHTSA model list, 2019 Hyundai.
| Year | Common issues | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 | 3 |
| 2023 | 5 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 | 3 |
| 2020 | 4 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 | 2 |
Top NHTSA complaint areas (2010–2025)
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2199 |
| Power Train | 744 |
| Unknown Or Other | 593 |
| Electrical System | 513 |
| Service Brakes | 391 |
| Steering | 269 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 268 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 250 |
Source: NHTSA complaints API, per model year (linked on each year’s issue pages).
Hyundai Santa Fe problems by system (all years)
Systems with sourced problem pages in two or more model years. Pages list NHTSA owner complaints and CarComplaints.com reports for that year.
Engine (13 model years)
- 2024: Vehicle entered limp mode
- 2022: Engine complaints (54 NHTSA reports)
- 2020: Engine complaints (85 NHTSA reports)
- 2019: Engine complaints (75 NHTSA reports)
- 2019: Stalled while driving
- 2018: Engine complaints (56 NHTSA reports)
- 2018: Excessive oil consumption
- 2018: Rod bearing failure
- 2017: Loss of power during acceleration
- 2016: Engine failure
- 2015: Engine complaints (161 NHTSA reports)
- 2015: Engine seized
- 2014: Engine blown
- 2014: Engine stalls shuts down while driving
- 2013: Engine failure
- 2013: Violent jerking trying to accelerate
- 2012: Engine complaints (234 NHTSA reports)
- 2012: Engine failure
- 2012: Engine stalls shuts off while driving
- 2011: Car stalls
- 2011: Clunking sound on start up
- 2011: Engine complaints (72 NHTSA reports)
- 2011: Excessive oil consumption
- 2010: Engine failed
- 2010: Engine stalls shuts off while driving
Transmission (10 model years)
- 2025: Power Train complaints (22 NHTSA reports)
- 2024: Power Train complaints (45 NHTSA reports)
- 2023: Power Train complaints (45 NHTSA reports)
- 2022: Power Train complaints (57 NHTSA reports)
- 2021: Transmission failure
- 2021: Vehicle lurches when accelerating from stop
- 2020: Power Train complaints (26 NHTSA reports)
- 2017: Hesitation
- 2016: Up down shifting with cruise engaged
- 2015: Transmission pump failure
- 2010: Power Train complaints (109 NHTSA reports)
Electrical (7 model years)
- 2025: Electrical System complaints (28 NHTSA reports)
- 2024: Electrical System complaints (30 NHTSA reports)
- 2023: Electrical System complaints (36 NHTSA reports)
- 2023: RPMs drop while driving on highway
- 2022: Electrical System complaints (31 NHTSA reports)
- 2020: Start button won't activate starter
- 2014: Wiring harness chewed by rodents
- 2012: Electrical System complaints (43 NHTSA reports)
Windows / windshield (3 model years)
- 2021: Windshield cracked after stone struck it
- 2019: Rain pools on left side of windshield
- 2019: Shattered sunroof glass
- 2016: Sunroof exploded
Brakes (2 model years)
- 2018: Service Brakes complaints (19 NHTSA reports)
- 2015: Service Brakes complaints (29 NHTSA reports)
Forward Collision Avoidance (2 model years)
- 2025: Forward Collision Avoidance complaints (20 NHTSA reports)
- 2023: Forward Collision Avoidance complaints (36 NHTSA reports)
Page last updated .