2011 Hyundai Santa Fe Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe has a complaint index of 15, the second-lowest of all 21 model years covered, earning a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 181 complaints and 2 recalls, with engine problems making up 48% of reports.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 15/100
- #18 of 21 Santa Fe years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 181
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 12
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 20 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 1
Top 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine87 (48%)
- Electrical System37 (20%)
- Brakes27 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain21 (12%)
- Steering20 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (10%)
- Structure & Body11 (6%)
- Fuel System8 (4%)
- Airbags7 (4%)
- Other7 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine can emit a loud banging noise and catch fire while driving at highway speed.
- A loud pop from the rear can precede a tire failure and loss of control.
- Drivers report the steering feeling odd shortly before a crash or loss of control.
- Vehicles have reportedly lunged forward unexpectedly while shifting into park or accelerating from a stop.
- Brake warning light failures have been linked to the brakes not engaging in low-speed parking situations.
- Smoke or fire has appeared near the steering column or headlight area, in one case after the car was parked and turned off.
2011 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V113000Apr 1, 2013Electrical System1,712,336 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
- NHTSA 10V613000Dec 9, 2010Brakes1,785 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2011 santa fe vehicles manufactured from september 28, 2010, through november 25, 2010. Some of the rear brake calipers may not have been properly machined.
Risk: As a result, brake fluid will leak, followed by illumination of the malfunction indicator light indicating the brake fluid level is low and should be checked, then a soft or spongy brake pedal feel, and if not serviced, reduced braking power which could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear calipers and replace it if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on december 17, 2010. Owners may contact hyundai roadside assistance at 1-800-243-7766.
2011 Hyundai Santa Fe fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
- Among Santa Fe model years, 2011 ranks 18th out of 21 for complaint volume relative to its era, with a complaint index of 15 and a Best verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- Engine issues are the top complaint area, accounting for 87 of 181 complaints (48%), followed by electrical system problems (20%) and brakes (15%), according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 Santa Fe: one for a stop lamp switch issue affecting several Hyundai models, and one for improperly machined rear brake calipers. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- At what mileage do engine problems tend to show up in the 2011 Santa Fe?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 38,550 miles at the time engine problems were reported.
- How does the 2011 Santa Fe compare to other Santa Fe years?
- The 2011 model has the lowest complaint index among the years shown except 2006, and is rated Best, while years like 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023, and 2025 are rated Avoid with much higher complaint indexes.