Hyundai Santa Fe Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Avoid 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023, and 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe model years; 2017 has the highest complaint index (100) and 966 complaints, largely engine-related. The 2011 model year is rated Best with a complaint index of 15, and 2005, 2006, and 2010 are rated Good.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2007Avoid 2009Avoid 2013Avoid 2017Avoid 2023Avoid 2025Best 2011
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 6,630
- Recall campaigns
- 41
- Crashes reported
- 281
- Fires reported
- 195
- Top problem area
- Engine
Santa Fe 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.
Hyundai Santa Fe problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 10 | 216 | 18 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 0 | 106 | 11 | 3 | 1 | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 85 | 683 | 30 | 8 | 7 | Fuel System | 19 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 55 | 541 | 17 | 7 | 4 | Fuel System | 19.5 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 95 | 358 | 27 | 5 | 2 | Fuel System | 19.5 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 35 | 258 | 8 | 6 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 15 | 181 | 12 | 8 | 2 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 50 | 353 | 25 | 17 | 1 | Engine | 22 | 3★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 80 | 605 | 14 | 41 | 3 | Engine | 20.5 | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 70 | 493 | 16 | 30 | 3 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2015 | Caution | 30 | 254 | 9 | 13 | 2 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 20 | 236 | 6 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2017 | Avoid | 100 | 966 | 14 | 23 | 6 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2018 | Caution | 5 | 109 | 6 | 4 | 2 | Engine | 20 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 40 | 200 | 16 | 12 | 2 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 60 | 213 | 13 | 9 | 2 | Engine | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 25 | 166 | 4 | 2 | 7 | Transmission & Powertrain | 24.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 45 | 199 | 8 | 1 | 5 | Engine | 25 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 90 | 210 | 11 | 3 | 1 | Engine | 25 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 65 | 150 | 11 | 1 | 7 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Avoid | 75 | 133 | 5 | 0 | 5 | Electrical System | 23 | 4★ |
Santa Fe years to avoid: what went wrong
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Index 100 · 966 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2017 Santa Fe ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100 and 966 complaints, the highest total in the lineup. Engine problems account for 701 complaints (73% share) with a median failure mileage of 39,000. Owners reported engine fires, smoke from the engine bay, sudden loss of power, and unintended acceleration at low speeds during parking. NHTSA lists 6 recalls, including a crankshaft-related engine replacement campaign, a park-outside ABS module recall, and a hood latch cable recall.
2017 engine problems →2017 transmission & powertrain problems →2017 brakes problems →
2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Index 95 · 358 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2009 Santa Fe has a complaint index of 95, among the highest for the model, with 358 complaints. Fuel system problems dominate at 127 complaints (35% share), with a median failure mileage of 85,000, followed by engine issues at 116 complaints. Owners reported unintended acceleration while parking or backing up, and one case described a parked vehicle moving on its own. NHTSA lists 2 recalls, covering the stop lamp switch and airbag occupant classification system.
2009 fuel system problems →2009 engine problems →2009 electrical system problems →
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Index 90 · 210 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2023 Santa Fe has a complaint index of 90 despite only 210 total complaints, reflecting a high rate relative to its size. Engine complaints lead at 48 (23% share) with a very low median failure mileage of 1,404, followed by transmission and electrical issues. Owners reported airbags catching fire after deployment, brake failure while parking, and a vehicle accelerating into park mode instead of stopping. NHTSA lists 1 recall for a tow hitch harness issue requiring owners to park outside.
2023 engine problems →2023 transmission & powertrain problems →2023 electrical system problems →
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Index 85 · 683 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2007 Santa Fe carries a complaint index of 85 and 683 complaints, with fuel system problems (157 complaints, 23% share) as the top area, followed closely by electrical system and brake issues. Owners reported dashboard fires and smoke, failed airbag deployment in crashes, and brake light switch faults. Median mileage at failure across top areas ranged from 67,000 to 87,300 miles. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this year, including an airbag occupant classification recalibration and a brake relay fix.
2007 fuel system problems →2007 electrical system problems →2007 brakes problems →
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Index 80 · 605 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2013 Santa Fe posts a complaint index of 80 and 605 complaints, with engine problems leading at 293 complaints (48% share) and a median failure mileage of 85,500. Steering complaints followed at 95, with a notably low median mileage of 6,142. Owners reported sudden acceleration while parking, hood latch cable corrosion, and wheel/suspension failures on curbs. NHTSA lists 3 recalls, including a park-outside brake recall, a hood latch cable recall, and an axle shaft recall.
2013 engine problems →2013 steering problems →2013 brakes problems →
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Index 75 · 133 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2025 Santa Fe carries a complaint index of 75 from 133 complaints, with electrical system issues topping the list at 28 complaints (21% share) and a median failure mileage of 3,350. Owners reported seat belt anchors detaching in crashes, airbags failing to deploy after animal strikes, and rearview camera malfunctions causing minor collisions. NHTSA lists 5 recalls, including seat belt anchor reinforcement, improperly installed side curtain airbags, and a rearview camera wiring harness defect.
2025 electrical system problems →2025 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2025 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
Most common Hyundai Santa Fe problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine2,876 (43%)
- Electrical System888 (13%)
- Fuel System879 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain828 (12%)
- Other729 (11%)
- Brakes715 (11%)
- Airbags413 (6%)
- Steering348 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires297 (4%)
- Structure & Body282 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Hyundai Santa Fe should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, avoid the 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023, and 2025 Santa Fe model years. The 2017 model has the highest complaint index at 100 with 966 total complaints, mostly engine-related.
- Which Hyundai Santa Fe year is the best?
- The 2011 Santa Fe is rated Best among all model years, with the lowest complaint index (15) and only 181 total complaints.
- Is the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable based on complaints?
- The 2017 Santa Fe has the worst record in the lineup, ranking first out of all years for complaint volume with 966 complaints and a complaint index of 100. Engine problems make up 73% of its complaints, and NHTSA lists 6 recalls for that model year, including a crankshaft-related engine recall.
- Does the Hyundai Santa Fe have engine recalls?
- Yes. Engine is the top overall problem area across all Santa Fe years, accounting for 2,876 complaints (43% share). The 2017 model year specifically had a recall for crankshaft surface irregularities requiring engine inspection or replacement.
- What are the most common Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
- Across all model years, engine issues account for 43% of complaints (2,876), followed by electrical system (13%, 888 complaints), fuel system (13%, 879 complaints), and transmission and powertrain (12%, 828 complaints).