Which Santa Fe years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Santa Fe, based on complaint index scores of 85, 95, 80, 100, 90 and 75 respectively.

Which Sorento years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017 as Avoid years for the Sorento, with complaint index scores ranging from 75 to 100.

Which has more complaints overall, the Santa Fe or the Sorento?

The Sorento has 9,631 total complaints (459 per model year) versus the Santa Fe's 6,630 total complaints (316 per model year), but NHTSA does not publish sales figures so these totals are not adjusted per vehicle sold.

Do both models have a best year?

Yes: the Santa Fe's best year is 2011 with a complaint index of 15, and the Sorento's best year is 2024 with a complaint index of 15.

How do fuel costs compare?

Both models average 21.3 MPG combined; annual fuel costs range from $3,500 for the earliest Santa Fe (2005) to $2,600 for the newest Sorento years, reflecting improved efficiency over time in both lineups.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Kia Sorento: Which Years to Avoid

Hyundai Santa Fe years to avoid are 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023 and 2025; Kia Sorento years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. The Santa Fe logs 6,630 total complaints and 41 recall campaigns across 21 model years versus 9,631 complaints and 38 recalls for the Sorento; both average 21.3 combined MPG.

Head to head

Hyundai Santa Fe

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 6,630
Per model year: 316
Recall campaigns: 41
Years to avoid: 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023, 2025
Best years: 2011
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 21.3
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.6 ★

Kia Sorento

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 9,631
Per model year: 459
Recall campaigns: 38
Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
Best years: 2024
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 21.3
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.6 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Santa Fe				Sorento
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Good	216	3	18.5	Good	307	0	16
2006	Good	106	1	18.5	Good	242	1	16
2007	Avoid	683	7	19	Good	154	4	17
2008	Caution	541	4	19.5	Good	217	3	17
2009	Avoid	358	2	19.5	Good	55	2	17
2010	Good	258	2	23	No verdict	3	1	—
2011	Best	181	2	22	Avoid	1,517	7	22
2012	Caution	353	1	22	Avoid	880	5	22
2013	Avoid	605	3	20.5	Avoid	981	5	22
2014	Caution	493	3	20	Avoid	986	6	21
2015	Caution	254	2	20	Caution	750	3	21
2016	Caution	236	3	20	Avoid	1,250	8	21
2017	Avoid	966	6	20	Avoid	804	4	22
2018	Caution	109	2	20	Caution	254	3	22
2019	Caution	200	2	21	Caution	426	2	22.5
2020	Caution	213	2	23.5	Caution	135	1	22.5
2021	Caution	166	7	24.5	Caution	247	4	24.5
2022	Caution	199	5	25	Caution	189	6	25
2023	Avoid	210	1	25	Good	119	3	25
2024	Caution	150	7	23	Best	41	2	25
2025	Avoid	133	5	23	Caution	74	3	25

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which Santa Fe years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Santa Fe, based on complaint index scores of 85, 95, 80, 100, 90 and 75 respectively.
Which Sorento years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017 as Avoid years for the Sorento, with complaint index scores ranging from 75 to 100.
Which has more complaints overall, the Santa Fe or the Sorento?: The Sorento has 9,631 total complaints (459 per model year) versus the Santa Fe's 6,630 total complaints (316 per model year), but NHTSA does not publish sales figures so these totals are not adjusted per vehicle sold.
Do both models have a best year?: Yes: the Santa Fe's best year is 2011 with a complaint index of 15, and the Sorento's best year is 2024 with a complaint index of 15.
How do fuel costs compare?: Both models average 21.3 MPG combined; annual fuel costs range from $3,500 for the earliest Santa Fe (2005) to $2,600 for the newest Sorento years, reflecting improved efficiency over time in both lineups.