2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe has a complaint index of 30, ranking 15th worst out of 21 model years. It's rated Caution, capped from a lower complaint-index tier because of a Park Outside brake recall. Engine problems dominate, making up 64% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 91,500.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 30/100
- #15 of 21 Santa Fe years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 254
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 13
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17.5 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
Top 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine163 (64%)
- Brakes29 (11%)
- Electrical System27 (11%)
- Other22 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (9%)
- Fuel System13 (5%)
- Structure & Body11 (4%)
- Airbags9 (4%)
- Steering6 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartments produced smoke and flames while driving at low speeds, in some cases destroying the vehicle before any recall notice arrived.
- Owners report the ABS module in the brake system overheating or catching fire, sometimes with dashboard warning lights and smoke entering the cabin vents.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact crashes at speeds around 35 to 40 mph, despite the vehicle having numerous airbags.
- Structural door components reportedly failed to absorb impact energy in a side collision, contributing to occupant injuries.
- Brake-related smoke was sometimes traced to an oil-burning engine rather than the brakes themselves, requiring diagnosis at a dealer.
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls
2 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.
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 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.
2015 compared with other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2015 Santa Fe has a complaint index of 30 and ranks 15th worst among 21 model years, with a Caution verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2015 Santa Fe?
- Engine complaints are the largest category, accounting for 64% of all reports (163 of 254 complaints), with issues typically surfacing at a median mileage of 91,500.
- Does the 2015 Santa Fe have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: a 2023 brake-related recall with a Park Outside advisory, and a 2017 recall for a corroding secondary hood latch cable.
- Why is the 2015 Santa Fe rated Caution instead of a lower tier?
- Its verdict is capped to Caution because of a Park Outside recall, even though its complaint index of 30 alone would suggest a milder rating.
- How does the 2015 Santa Fe compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 30, 2015 is safer than years like 2017 (index 100, Avoid) and 2009 (index 95, Avoid), but worse than 2011, which is rated Best with an index of 15.