Hyundai Santa Fe Reliability Problems

Santa Fe owners have made 988 complaints over 20 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 22nd in overall reliability out of 25 Hyundai models, with real engine and fuel system concerns.

6 Common Hyundai Santa Fe Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Santa Fe owners have to deal with.

  1. Rodents Chew Hyundai's Soy Wiring

    The wiring in cars used to be coated in a petroleum-based plastic, but recently automakers, including Hyundai, have switched to a soy-based material. The soy is biodegradable and helps keep plastic out of the landfill (yay!). Unfortunately …

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Hyundai's Soy Wiring" A hamster holding a record in front of a green Kia Soul, from an advertising campaign.

  2. Blue Link Standard Feature?

    Messages that self-destruct and dastardly extortion – it all sounds like the plot to Mission Impossible, right? But it’s actually the story of Hyundai’s Blue Link systems. Pay up, or it’ll blow up ... or at least shut off.

    Continue reading article "Blue Link Standard Feature?" Superimposed red radiation sign over a Blue Link infotainment screen.

  4. Santa Fe Engine Stalls

    The Santa Fe has an engine with a nasty reputation of stalling at any speed, any time, without any warning. That means no acceleration. No power steering. No power brakes. And one change of pants.

    Continue reading article "Santa Fe Engine Stalls" The front 3/4 view of a gray Santa Fe.

  5. Panoramic Sunroof Explodes

    Hyundai refuses to acknowledge that their sunroofs have been exploding under normal driving conditions, but they’re offering plenty of coverage to owners if (or when) it happens thanks to a 2019 lawsuit settlement.

    Continue reading article "Panoramic Sunroof Explodes" An illustrated interior view of the panoramic sunroof.

  6. Hyundai's Self-Peeling Paint

    Hyundai’s self-healing paint is advertised to heal minor scratches using a chemical compound called scratch recovery clear. However, owners content over time that same compound allows the paint to come off in large sheets.

    Continue reading article "Hyundai's Self-Peeling Paint" White paint is peeling to reveal the gray underbody just above the windshield.

What Santa Fe Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Santa Fe Generations

The Santa Fe has 4 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 2nd generation (2007–2012).

Santa Fe Key Numbers

  1. 988 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 433 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 29 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Santa Fe Class-Action Lawsuits

The Santa Fe has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Zakikhani, et al., v. Hyundai Motor Company, et al.

    1. Case Filed

      A Hyundai ABS module recall announced earlier this year allegedly wasn't good enough to protect Hyundai vehicles from fires. And according to a class action lawsuit, previous Hyundai ABS module recalls haven't provided protection from fires that can occur when water corrodes the modules.

    Problem
    ABS Fire
    Class Vehicles
    • 2007-2010 Elantra
    • 2009-2011 Elantra Touring
    • 2007-2008 Entourage
    • 2007 Santa Fe
    • 2006-2011 Azera
    • 2006 Sonata
    Class Members
    TBD
    Location
    California
  • Dismissed

    Schechter, et. al., v. Hyundai Motor America, et al.

    3:18-cv-13634

    1. Dismissed

      Hyundai has again defeated consumer fraud class claims over an allegedly defective powertrain component in certain Santa Fe SUVs that cause the vehicles to lose power on the road after a New Jersey federal judge said a customer didn't show the automaker knew about the purported defect before he leased his vehicle.

    2. Partially dismissed

      A NJ federal judge dismissed all the claims in the class-action bid except breach of express and implied warranties, and tossed all claims relating to Santa Fe Sport 2.0T and Santa Fe Sport 3.3-liter vehicles.

    3. Case Filed

      The lawsuit alleges Hyundai concealed powertrain defects that cause a loss of power, rough shifting and delayed acceleration when turning or merging onto highways.

    Class Vehicles
    • 2017-2018 Santa Fe
    • 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport
    Class Members
    TBD
    Location
    New Jersey
  • Settlement

    Reniger et al. v. Hyundai Motor America et al.

    1. Approved

      A Hyundai Santa Fe engine stall class-action lawsuit is finally settled and over as a federal judge gave final approval to the settlement terms concerning 2010-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs.

    2. Settlement

      Hyundai has agreed to settle a Santa Fe engine stall lawsuit filed in 2014 after owners complained about engines stalling at any speeds while driving.

    3. Case Filed

      A Hyundai Santa Fe class-action lawsuit has been filed alleging the engine can stall at any speed and leave a driver out of control of the SUV. Plaintiffs Julia Reniger and Greg Battaglia claim model year 2010-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe crossover SUVs have the stalling defect and Hyundai waited years to admit the problem.

  • Guy Coss v. Hyundai Motor America.

    1. Case Filed

      A Hyundai Blue Link lawsuit alleges the automaker failed to inform owners the telematics system will be disabled if inactive for more than one year, and to reactivate the system an owner will allegedly be forced to change hardware at a minimum cost of $500.

Recent Santa Fe News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Another owner has sued Hyundai and Kia for knowingly equipping vehicles with defective Theta II engines.

    Proving once again that when it comes to engines that catch on fire, people generally aren't fans. The automakers have settled similar lawsuits and issued recalls for these clunkers, but the plaintiff suggests not all affected vehicles were included.

    About the lawsuit ∞

    • These gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines are plagued with problems. From bearing failure, to connecting rod knocks, to oil consumption, and yes – engine infernos.
    • The plaintiff bought their car used and shortly after learned that the car needed a new short block to the tune of $7,000. The work also took 6 months because there're a backorder on parts.
    • In December Hyundai recalled 128,000 vehicles over concerns they could catch on fire. But the lawsuit wants more coverage for the 2012 Santa Fe
      2011-2013, 2016 Sonata Hybrid, and 2015-2016 Veloster.
    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Not Enough Vehicles Were Covered in the Theta II Recalls"

  2. More than 1,300 Hyundai vehicles have burst into flames, now the government wants to know why. It’s about time.

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was petitioned to look into these non-collision fires last June. The fires are responsible for 26 injuries in Hyundai vehicles and over 100 if you include Kia. The investigation will focus on the Theta II engine, but the NHTSA plans on looking into tail lights and other potential combustion sources as well.

    keep reading article "Feds Open Investigation into Hyundai’s Non-Collision Fire Epidemic"

  3. Multiple State Attorneys are looking to turn up the heat on Hyundai and Kia.

    An increasing number of cars are going up in spontaneous flames and I’m glad to see somebody’s willing to step up and investigate. We’re still waiting on a decision from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The investigation will focus on the Theta II engine and the automaker’s handling of prior recalls.

    keep reading article "State Attorneys Open Investigation into Theta II Engine Fires"

  5. Hyundai has proposed a settlement that would offer owners extended coverage in case their sunroofs explode.

    If approved, the settlement would double the existing sunroof warranty, reimburse certain previously-paid expenses, and even offer cash to those that decide to sell their car within the next 90 days.

    Hyundai still won’t admit the sunroof is defective, but they’re sure acting like it is.

    keep reading article "Hyundai Has Offered to Settle an Expoding Sunroof Lawsuit Settlement And It’s Good News for Owners"

  6. What are the odds that your car will set itself on fire without ever being involved in a collision?

    Much higher than you’d think, especially if you’re one of these 3 million Hyundai and Kia owners.

    The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) has put together a list of vehicles that they say should be taken off the road until a pending government investigation ends with a comprehensive recall.

    CAS says Kia and Hyundai have done nothing but provide empty statements about working directly with vehicle owners who report fires. In addition, both automakers seem to be waiting for NHTSA to conclude its investigation to determine if additional actions should be taken.…

    keep reading article "Are 3 Million Hyundai and Kia Cars Too Dangerous to Drive?"

  7. The 2018 Santa Fe Sport already has an airbag recall.

    The side curtain airbag probably won't deploy properly to be able to protect an occupant. In addition, Hyundai says it can't guarantee the detached diffuser will remain in the airbag, and if it doesn't, occupants could be harmed by the projectile.

    This is the same problem affecting Kia and Ford vehicles. The affected SUVs were built between 09/05/17 and 11/30/17.

    keep reading article "Projectile Airbag Diffusers in the 2018 Santa Fe Sport"

  8. **Hy

    ndai has announced a recall of certain 2017 Santa Fe SUVs with 3.3-liter engines. The automaker says the crankshaft assemblies may have been manufactured with irregularities in the crankshaft pins, something that can cause the engine bearings to wear down. If the SUV continues to be driven with a worn engine bearing, the engine could become damaged to the point of stalling.

    Hyundai is blaming the problem on a heat treatment coil that wasn’t in the right place during manufacturing from January 26, 2017 to February 13, 2017. This led to insufficient heat treatment on the pins.

    keep reading article "A Few Hundred Santa Fe SUVs Need New 3.3-liter Engines"

See All Santa Fe News

Other Hyundai Models