Hyundai Santa FE Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 7,687 consumer complaints across the 26 model years of the Hyundai Santa FE (2001–2026) that have at least 5 complaints. 2017 has the most, with 971. Across all years, the part named most often is engine (2,430 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Santa FE years →
All Santa FE model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 37 | 5,100 | 4 | 12 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2025 | 135 | 10,024 | 5 | 41 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 155 | 13,500 | 7 | 41 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 213 | 9,100 | 1 | 50 | 59 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 201 | 17,500 | 5 | 97 | 77 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 168 | 20,500 | 7 | 103 | 77 · More | Stable |
| 2020 | 218 | 15,000 | 2 | 113 | 54 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 203 | 10,000 | 2 | 185 | 47 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 110 | 21,900 | 2 | 117 | 7 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 971 | 19,554 | 6 | 143 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2016 | 236 | 61,150 | 3 | 114 | 17 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2015 | 255 | 63,090 | 2 | 113 | 14 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2014 | 493 | 60,000 | 3 | 121 | 53 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 605 | 55,135 | 3 | 161 | 72 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 355 | 71,348 | 1 | 101 | 45 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 181 | 44,100 | 2 | 111 | 28 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 260 | 41,500 | 2 | 122 | 44 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 359 | 77,000 | 2 | 65 | 40 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 541 | 73,668 | 4 | 67 | 56 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 684 | 74,015 | 7 | 81 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 106 | 62,141 | 1 | 50 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 216 | 79,500 | 3 | 51 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 303 | 72,500 | 3 | 55 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 308 | 80,000 | 4 | 54 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 165 | 104,500 | 4 | 49 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 209 | 102,954 | 4 | 51 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine2,430 31%
- Fuel system959 12%
- Transmission and drivetrain934 12%
- Electrical system852 11%
- Other or unknown756 9.8%
- Brakes723 9.3%
- Vehicle speed control588 7.6%
- Air bags506 6.5%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2017: “The engine throttles while accelerating and leaks oil and a burning smell comes from under the hood. the smell passes through the air vents and fills the car. I am afraid it might catch fire under the hood. The suspension makes noise and can also feel on the steering wheel. I will appreciate the company if they take safety measures in fixing this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11511091, filed 2023-03, 142,609 miles2013: “Since I bought this vehicle it has done nothing but burn oil. I do regular oil changes on a regular basis. In between these oil changes I have to add 3 to 5 quarts of oil every 2 weeks. I have only had the vehicle for 2 yrs and 6 months. I am constantly checking the oil I believe there needs to be a recall on this vehicle engine.”
NHTSA complaint #11510525, filed 2023-03, 98,005 miles2015: “When driving on the highway 65mph after 15 min there is a burning rubber smell, the oil is low even though I changed it 3 weeks ago, it is consuming twice as much gas as before. I called a certified Hyundai dealer and they have no availability, I have a saftey concern because engine fires can happen. Not sure if this is related to ABS recall”
NHTSA complaint #11403056, filed 2021-03, 99,000 milesOther Hyundai models
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1,297 complaintsHyundai Genesis
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology