Hyundai Santa Fe Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Hyundai Santa Fe years to avoid: 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023, and 2025. Best years: 2005, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2018. Based on 6,630 NHTSA owner complaints and 41 recall campaigns across 21 model years (2005–2025).
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 2005Best 2006Best 2011Best 2016Best 2018
- 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 | Best | 10 | 216 | 18 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2006 | Best | 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 | Good | 30 | 254 | 9 | 13 | 2 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2016 | Best | 20 | 236 | 6 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2017 | Avoid | 100 | 966 | 14 | 23 | 6 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2018 | Best | 5 | 109 | 6 | 4 | 2 | Engine | 20 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 40 | 200 | 16 | 12 | 2 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 60 | 213 | 13 | 9 | 2 | Engine | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Good | 25 | 166 | 4 | 2 | 7 | Transmission & Powertrain | 24.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 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
Owners filed 966 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, led by engine (701), transmission & powertrain (163), and brakes (69). NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 14 crashes and 23 fires.
2017 engine problems →2017 transmission & powertrain problems →2017 brakes problems →
2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Index 95 · 358 complaints · 2 recalls
Owners filed 358 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe, led by fuel system (127), engine (116), and electrical system (57). NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 27 crashes and 5 fires.
2009 fuel system problems →2009 engine problems →2009 electrical system problems →
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Index 90 · 210 complaints · 1 recalls
Owners filed 210 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, led by engine (48), transmission & powertrain (44), and electrical system (39). NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this year. Complaints mention 11 crashes and 3 fires.
2023 engine problems →2023 transmission & powertrain problems →2023 electrical system problems →
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Index 85 · 683 complaints · 7 recalls
Owners filed 683 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe, led by fuel system (157), electrical system (137), and brakes (136). NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 30 crashes and 8 fires.
2007 fuel system problems →2007 electrical system problems →2007 brakes problems →
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Index 80 · 605 complaints · 3 recalls
Owners filed 605 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe, led by engine (293), steering (95), and brakes (72). NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 14 crashes and 41 fires.
2013 engine problems →2013 steering problems →2013 brakes problems →
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Index 75 · 133 complaints · 5 recalls
Owners filed 133 complaints with NHTSA about the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, led by electrical system (28), collision avoidance & cameras (21), and suspension, wheels & tires (21). NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 5 crashes.
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. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- 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%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Hyundai Santa Fe should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023, and 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe have the highest Complaint Index among 21 model years and are the years to avoid. The 2017 model year ranks worst with 966 complaints and 6 recalls.
- What is the best year for the Hyundai Santa Fe?
- The 2005, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe have the lowest Complaint Index of the years we track, with the 2006 at 106 complaints and 1 recalls. Complaint counts are adjusted for how long each model year has been on the road.
- What are the most common problems with the Hyundai Santa Fe?
- Across all model years, the most reported problem areas in NHTSA complaints are engine (2,876, 43%), electrical system (888, 13%), and fuel system (879, 13%).
- How many recalls does the Hyundai Santa Fe have?
- NHTSA lists 41 distinct recall campaigns covering Hyundai Santa Fe model years 2005–2025. Recalls are repaired free of charge by dealers; check any specific vehicle by VIN before buying.