2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe has a Complaint Index of 70, ranking 7th worst of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. It logged 493 complaints, mostly engine-related, plus 3 recalls including a brake fire risk and a hood latch issue.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 Santa Fe years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 493
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 30
- Injuries
- 20
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 20 / 0
Top 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine289 (59%)
- Brakes67 (14%)
- Electrical System58 (12%)
- Steering52 (11%)
- Other42 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain36 (7%)
- Fuel System32 (6%)
- Structure & Body25 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers15 (3%)
- Airbags13 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly failed at low speed and caused a collision, with the vehicle showing a median failure mileage of 70,100 for brake complaints.
- Owners describe the transmission shifting or rolling out of park unexpectedly, including one case where the vehicle rolled and struck another car while parked.
- Some owners found no coolant in the reservoir shortly after purchase, followed by a back-up camera replacement and later a loud noise near the hood with the navigation screen going black.
- A vehicle reportedly made clunking noises, lost power while exiting a highway, and then caught fire before it could be restarted.
- One owner reported losing acceleration at about 40 mph with an emission warning light on and smoke from the exhaust, later diagnosed as a timing-related failure.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a crash despite a hard front-end impact.
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V651000Sep 22, 2023Brakes1,649,478 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
- NHTSA 17V358000Jun 5, 2017Structure & Body437,400 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Risk: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
- NHTSA 13V624000Dec 16, 2013Suspension, Wheels & Tires28 vehicles
Tires:sidewall
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2014 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 5, 2013, through November 15, 2013, and equipped with P235/65R17 103T Continental Crosscontact LX tires. The tires may have a damaged sidewall.
Risk: The damaged sidewall may result in a separation between the belt edges which could cause tread detachment or rapid air loss, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai notified dealers to suspend sales of affected Santa Fe Sport vehicles equipped with the P235/65R17 103T tires, and replace them with alternative tires. All affected vehicles were remedied prior to retail sale. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151.
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 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.
2014 compared with other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 Santa Fe has a Complaint Index of 70 and ranks 7th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine complaints make up 59% of all reported issues.
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Santa Fe?
- Engine problems account for 289 complaints, or 59% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 83,000. Brakes, electrical system, and steering follow, each with dozens of reported complaints.
- Does the 2014 Santa Fe have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2014 Santa Fe: a brake-related fire risk recall that tells owners to park outside, a secondary hood latch cable recall, and a tire sidewall damage recall affecting vehicles built in a specific November 2013 window.
- How does the 2014 Santa Fe compare to other years?
- The 2014 model's Complaint Index of 70 is worse than years like 2011 (15, Best) and 2018 (5), but better than 2017 (100, Avoid) and 2009 (95, Avoid).
- What year Hyundai Santa Fe should I avoid?
- Among the years with data, 2017, 2009, 2007, 2013, and 2025 carry Avoid verdicts with Complaint Indexes of 100, 95, 85, 80, and 75 respectively, all higher than the 2014 model's 70.