What year Hyundai Santa Fe Sport should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2017 and 2018 model years are the ones to avoid, with complaint indexes of 80 and 100, the two highest of any Santa Fe Sport year.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe Sport years are the best?

The 2015 and 2016 model years score best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 20 and only 82 and 69 total complaints, the lowest counts in the lineup.

What is the most common problem with the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?

Engine problems are the top issue across all years, accounting for 750 of 1,180 total complaints, or 64%.

Are there recalls on the 2017 and 2018 Santa Fe Sport?

Yes. The 2017 model has 3 recalls and the 2018 model has 4 recalls, including ABS module recalls tied to fire risk that require owners to park outside.

Is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport reliable?

The 2013 model year is listed as Caution, with a complaint index of 60 and 198 complaints, higher than the best years but well below the 2017 and 2018 Avoid years.

Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Best and Worst Years (2013–2018)

The 2017 and 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport are the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 80 and 100 and 350 and 320 complaints respectively, mostly engine-related. The 2015 and 2016 model years score best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 20.

Avoid 2017 Avoid 2018 Best 2015 Best 2016

Model years: 6; 2013–2018
NHTSA complaints: 1,180
Recall campaigns: 11
Crashes reported: 18
Fires reported: 60
Top problem area: Engine

Santa Fe Sport Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

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

Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2013	Caution	60	198	1	14	6	Engine	22.5	5★
2014	Good	40	161	0	15	5	Engine	21.5	5★
2015	Best	0	82	1	6	3	Engine	22	5★
2016	Best	20	69	4	10	1	Engine	22	5★
2017	Avoid	80	350	5	7	3	Engine	22.5	5★
2018	Avoid	100	320	7	8	4	Engine	22.5	5★

Santa Fe Sport years to avoid: what went wrong

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Index 100 · 320 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2018 Santa Fe Sport has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, based on 320 complaints, ranking it the worst year overall. Engine problems drive 65% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 76,003. Brake complaints (15%) failed at a median of 72,500 miles, while fuel system issues (10%) failed earlier, at a median of 26,105 miles. Four recalls apply, including two separate ABS module recalls tied to fire risk and a side curtain airbag recall for components that could detach during deployment.

2018 engine problems →2018 brakes problems →2018 fuel system problems →

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Index 80 · 350 complaints · 3 recalls

NHTSA lists 350 complaints for the 2017 Santa Fe Sport, giving it a complaint index of 80 and rank 2 of the worst years. Engine problems make up 65% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 62,521. Brake issues account for 17% of complaints, failing at a median of 31,500 miles, and owners also reported transmission problems failing as early as 2,450 miles. Three recalls cover this year, including an ABS module that could short and cause a fire, and a driver's seat belt anchor bolt that may not have been tightened properly during assembly.

2017 engine problems →2017 brakes problems →2017 transmission & powertrain problems →

Most common Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Engine750 (64%)
Brakes211 (18%)
Other131 (11%)
Electrical System95 (8%)
Transmission & Powertrain92 (8%)
Fuel System88 (7%)
Structure & Body46 (4%)
Airbags28 (2%)
Steering25 (2%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (1%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Hyundai Santa Fe Sport should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2017 and 2018 model years are the ones to avoid, with complaint indexes of 80 and 100, the two highest of any Santa Fe Sport year.
Which Hyundai Santa Fe Sport years are the best?: The 2015 and 2016 model years score best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 20 and only 82 and 69 total complaints, the lowest counts in the lineup.
What is the most common problem with the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?: Engine problems are the top issue across all years, accounting for 750 of 1,180 total complaints, or 64%.
Are there recalls on the 2017 and 2018 Santa Fe Sport?: Yes. The 2017 model has 3 recalls and the 2018 model has 4 recalls, including ABS module recalls tied to fire risk that require owners to park outside.
Is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport reliable?: The 2013 model year is listed as Caution, with a complaint index of 60 and 198 complaints, higher than the best years but well below the 2017 and 2018 Avoid years.