Which years should I avoid for the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Santa Fe?

For the Telluride, avoid 2020 and 2024. For the Santa Fe, avoid 2013, 2017, 2023, and 2025, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls relative to other years of each model.

Which model has more total complaints?

The Santa Fe has 4,726 total complaints across 16 model years versus the Telluride's 1,987 across 6 years, but the Telluride averages more complaints per model year (331 vs 295). Totals are not normalized for sales.

How do the two compare on recalls?

The Santa Fe has 32 total recall campaigns across its 16 covered years, compared with 17 for the Telluride across 6 years. Neither model shows any do-not-drive recalls in the data.

What is the worst year for each model based on the complaint index?

The Telluride's worst year is 2020, with a complaint index of 100 and 761 complaints. The Santa Fe's worst is 2017, also with a complaint index of 100 and 966 complaints.

Which model gets better fuel economy?

The Santa Fe averages 22 mpg combined versus the Telluride's 21.7 mpg combined across their respective model years, based on EPA data.

Kia Telluride vs Hyundai Santa Fe: Which Years to Avoid

Kia Telluride owners should avoid 2020 and 2024, while Hyundai Santa Fe owners should avoid 2013, 2017, 2023 and 2025. Telluride averages 331 complaints per model year across 6 years (1,987 total, 17 recalls); Santa Fe averages 295 per year across 16 years (4,726 total, 32 recalls). Telluride gets 21.7 mpg combined vs Santa Fe's 22 mpg.

Head to head

Kia Telluride

Model years: 2020–2025 (6)
NHTSA complaints: 1,987
Per model year: 331
Recall campaigns: 17
Years to avoid: 2020, 2024
Best years: 2021, 2023
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 21.7
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

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 ★

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	Telluride				Santa Fe
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	—	—	—	—	Good	258	2	23
2011	—	—	—	—	Best	181	2	22
2012	—	—	—	—	Caution	353	1	22
2013	—	—	—	—	Avoid	605	3	20.5
2014	—	—	—	—	Caution	493	3	20
2015	—	—	—	—	Good	254	2	20
2016	—	—	—	—	Best	236	3	20
2017	—	—	—	—	Avoid	966	6	20
2018	—	—	—	—	Best	109	2	20
2019	—	—	—	—	Good	200	2	21
2020	Avoid	761	7	22	Caution	213	2	23.5
2021	Best	365	5	22	Best	166	7	24.5
2022	Caution	324	7	22	Good	199	5	25
2023	Best	207	6	22	Avoid	210	1	25
2024	Avoid	217	5	21	Caution	150	7	23
2025	Good	113	3	21	Avoid	133	5	23

Complaint Index by year

Kia Telluride

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

Hyundai Santa Fe

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

Frequently asked questions

Which years should I avoid for the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Santa Fe?: For the Telluride, avoid 2020 and 2024. For the Santa Fe, avoid 2013, 2017, 2023, and 2025, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls relative to other years of each model.
Which model has more total complaints?: The Santa Fe has 4,726 total complaints across 16 model years versus the Telluride's 1,987 across 6 years, but the Telluride averages more complaints per model year (331 vs 295). Totals are not normalized for sales.
How do the two compare on recalls?: The Santa Fe has 32 total recall campaigns across its 16 covered years, compared with 17 for the Telluride across 6 years. Neither model shows any do-not-drive recalls in the data.
What is the worst year for each model based on the complaint index?: The Telluride's worst year is 2020, with a complaint index of 100 and 761 complaints. The Santa Fe's worst is 2017, also with a complaint index of 100 and 966 complaints.
Which model gets better fuel economy?: The Santa Fe averages 22 mpg combined versus the Telluride's 21.7 mpg combined across their respective model years, based on EPA data.