Which Santa Fe years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2013, 2017, 2023 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Santa Fe, with 2017 carrying the highest complaint index of 100 and 605 complaints logged for 2013.

Which Sorento years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2016 as Avoid years for the Sorento. The 2011 model has the highest complaint index of 100 with 1,517 complaints and 7 recalls.

Does the Santa Fe or Sorento have more complaints overall?

The Sorento has 8,656 total complaints versus 4,726 for the Santa Fe, and averages 541 complaints per model year compared to 295 for the Santa Fe. NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which has better fuel economy, Santa Fe or Sorento?

The Sorento averages 22.8 mpg combined across its years versus 22 mpg combined for the Santa Fe, a small difference.

What is the top complaint area for each model?

Engine complaints lead both models: 52% of Santa Fe complaints (2,438) and 45% of Sorento complaints (3,900) involve the engine.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Kia Sorento: Which Years to Avoid

Avoid 2013, 2017, 2023 and 2025 for the Hyundai Santa Fe, and 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2016 for the Kia Sorento. The Santa Fe logs 4,726 complaints and 32 recalls across 16 model years; the Sorento logs 8,656 complaints and 35 recalls, though totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

Hyundai Santa Fe

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 4,726
Per model year: 295
Recall campaigns: 32
Years to avoid: 2013, 2017, 2023, 2025
Best years: 2011, 2016, 2018, 2021
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 22.0
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.6 ★

Kia Sorento

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 8,656
Per model year: 541
Recall campaigns: 35
Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016
Best years: 2018, 2023, 2024
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 22.8
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
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	Caution	986	6	21
2015	Good	254	2	20	Caution	750	3	21
2016	Best	236	3	20	Avoid	1,250	8	21
2017	Avoid	966	6	20	Caution	804	4	22
2018	Best	109	2	20	Best	254	3	22
2019	Good	200	2	21	Caution	426	2	22.5
2020	Caution	213	2	23.5	Good	135	1	22.5
2021	Best	166	7	24.5	Good	247	4	24.5
2022	Good	199	5	25	Good	189	6	25
2023	Avoid	210	1	25	Best	119	3	25
2024	Caution	150	7	23	Best	41	2	25
2025	Avoid	133	5	23	Good	74	3	25

Complaint Index by year

Hyundai Santa Fe

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Kia Sorento

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Santa Fe years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2013, 2017, 2023 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Santa Fe, with 2017 carrying the highest complaint index of 100 and 605 complaints logged for 2013.
Which Sorento years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2016 as Avoid years for the Sorento. The 2011 model has the highest complaint index of 100 with 1,517 complaints and 7 recalls.
Does the Santa Fe or Sorento have more complaints overall?: The Sorento has 8,656 total complaints versus 4,726 for the Santa Fe, and averages 541 complaints per model year compared to 295 for the Santa Fe. NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which has better fuel economy, Santa Fe or Sorento?: The Sorento averages 22.8 mpg combined across its years versus 22 mpg combined for the Santa Fe, a small difference.
What is the top complaint area for each model?: Engine complaints lead both models: 52% of Santa Fe complaints (2,438) and 45% of Sorento complaints (3,900) involve the engine.