Hyundai Santa Fe Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Hyundai Santa Fe model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2018 drew the fewest (109) and the 2017 the most (968).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
36 | 4 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 21–24 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
109 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 19–23 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
134 | 5 | Electrical system | 4★ | 22–24 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
151 | 7 | Power train | 4★ | 22–24 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
166 | 7 | Power train | 5★ | 24–34 |
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
181 | 2 | Engine | — | 21–23 |
| 2022 | 199 | 5 | Power train | 5★ | 24–34 |
| 2019 | 201 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 19–25 |
| 2023 | 210 | 1 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 24–34 |
| 2020 | 213 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 22–25 |
| 2016 | 236 | 3 | Engine | — | 19–22 |
| 2015 | 254 | 2 | Engine | — | 19–22 |
| 2010 | 259 | 2 | Power train | — | 22–23 |
| 2012 | 353 | 1 | Engine | 3★ | 21–23 |
| 2009 | 358 | 2 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 19–20 |
| 2014 | 493 | 3 | Engine | — | 19–21 |
| 2008 | 541 | 4 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 19–20 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
605 | 3 | Engine | — | 20–21 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
683 | 7 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 19–21 |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
968 | 6 | Engine | — | 19–23 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Hyundai Santa Fe years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe: 968 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 649 (67%); Power train 165 (17%); Electrical system 68 (7%).
Reports mention 14 crashes, 23 fires, 18 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 19,554 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe: 683 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel/propulsion system 121 (18%); Air bags 102 (15%); Electrical system 97 (14%).
Reports mention 30 crashes, 8 fires, 32 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 75,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe: 605 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 273 (45%); Steering 95 (16%); Service brakes 63 (10%).
Reports mention 14 crashes, 41 fires, 13 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 55,870 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
The Hyundai Santa Fe years with the fewest complaints
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe: 109 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 54 (50%); Service brakes 19 (17%); Power train 10 (9%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 21,900 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe: 166 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 50 (30%); Engine 37 (22%); Electrical system 29 (17%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 20,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Hyundai Santa Fe: 181 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 64 (35%); Electrical system 25 (14%); Vehicle speed control 24 (13%).
Reports mention 12 crashes, 8 fires, 9 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 44,100 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Hyundai Santa Fe owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 134 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 10,024 |
| 2024 | 151 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 15,000 |
| 2023 | 210 | 11 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 9,100 |
| 2022 | 199 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 17,500 |
| 2021 | 166 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2020 | 213 | 13 | 9 | 15 | 0 | 15,000 |
| 2019 | 201 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 10,000 |
| 2018 | 109 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 21,900 |
| 2017 | 968 | 14 | 23 | 18 | 0 | 19,554 |
| 2016 | 236 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 62,300 |
| 2015 | 254 | 9 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 67,430 |
| 2014 | 493 | 16 | 30 | 20 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2013 | 605 | 14 | 41 | 13 | 0 | 55,870 |
| 2012 | 353 | 25 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 71,348 |
| 2011 | 181 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 1 | 44,100 |
| 2010 | 259 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 42,000 |
| 2009 | 358 | 27 | 5 | 26 | 3 | 77,000 |
| 2008 | 541 | 17 | 7 | 12 | 0 | 74,209 |
| 2007 | 683 | 30 | 8 | 32 | 2 | 75,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Hyundai Santa Fe recalls
- Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently (2007–2011 model years; 1,712,336 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2013; 13V113000)
- ABS Unit May Cause Engine Compartment Fire (2013–2015 model years; 1,649,478 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2023; 23V651000)
- Tow Hitch Harness Fire While Parked or Driving (2019–2023 model years; 584,784 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2023; 23V181000)
- STOP LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY (2007 model year; 532,633 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2009; 09V122000)
- ABS Module May Short Circuit (2007 model year; 476,111 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2020; 20V061000)
All 46 Hyundai Santa Fe recall campaigns · Hyundai Santa Fe problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Hyundai Santa Fe years FAQ
Which Hyundai Santa Fe year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2018 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (109). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Hyundai Santa Fe years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2017, 2007 and 2013 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Hyundai Santa Fe problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (2,367 of 6,350 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Santa Fe have?
NHTSA lists 46 recall campaigns covering the Hyundai Santa Fe. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Hyundai Santa Fe recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.