Hyundai

Santa Fe (DM)

2013-2018 · Midsize SUV ยท 7 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.9)
3,651 NHTSA Complaints
18 Recalls
165 Fire Reports
80 Crash Reports
Includes data from: SANTA FESANTA FE SPORT
View all 5 generations of the Hyundai Santa Fe → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (14.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (14.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (14.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (14.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (14.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (14.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

T-GDI THETA II

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 240 hp
โœ… Recommended (3.9)
15 complaints 7.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
8
transmission
3
brakes
2
cooling
1
electrical
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (8 complaints)
Transmission Issues (3 complaints)
Brakes Issues (2 complaints)

Hyundai Santa Fe Unidentified Engine

โŒ Avoid (1.8)
150 complaints 25.0 per year
5 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
64
other
20
steering
16
transmission
15
fuel system
14

Known Issues

Engine Issues (64 complaints)
Steering Issues (16 complaints)
Transmission Issues (15 complaints)

DOHC T-GDI THETA-II

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo
โŒ Avoid (1.8)
109 complaints 27.2 per year Gasoline
4 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
60
other
17
brakes
16
electrical
9
safety systems
7

Known Issues

Engine Issues (60 complaints)
Brakes Issues (16 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (9 complaints)

DOHC T-GDI Theta

2.0L Turbo
โŒ Avoid (1.4)
579 complaints 60.8 per year Gasoline
40 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
287
electrical
77
brakes
73
transmission
72
other
57

Known Issues

Engine Issues (287 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (77 complaints)
Brakes Issues (73 complaints)

DOHC GDI THETA II

2.4L 4-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.3)
397 complaints 66.2 per year Gasoline
27 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
256
brakes
46
transmission
35
electrical
34
other
33

Known Issues

Engine Issues (256 complaints)
Brakes Issues (46 complaints)
Transmission Issues (35 complaints)

DOHC GDI LAMBDA

3.3L
โŒ Avoid (1.2)
1,137 complaints 189.5 per year Gasoline
24 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
741
transmission
133
brakes
107
steering
80
electrical
76

Known Issues

Engine Issues (741 complaints)
Transmission Issues (133 complaints)
Brakes Issues (107 complaints)

DOHC GDI Theta

2.4L
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
1,261 complaints 209.8 per year Gasoline
65 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
773
brakes
184
transmission
103
electrical
101
other
98

Known Issues

Engine Issues (773 complaints)
Brakes Issues (184 complaints)
Transmission Issues (103 complaints)
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

GDI LAMBDA II

3.3L 6-cyl / 290 hp
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
2 complaints 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
2
transmission
1
electrical
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (2 complaints)
Transmission Issues (1 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (1 complaints)

3.5-V6-Gas

3.5L 6-cyl
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system
1

Known Issues

Fuel System Issues (1 complaints)

Same engine used in

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Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Hyundai Santa Fe regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (2,191 complaints)
engine critical
Brakes Issues (428 complaints)
brakes critical
Transmission Issues (362 complaints)
transmission critical
Electrical System Issues (311 complaints)
electrical critical
Fuel System Issues (178 complaints)
fuel_system critical

Recalls (18)

23V651000Sep 21, 2023serious
Service Brakes

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.

22V810000Oct 26, 2022serious
Service Brakes

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

22V056000Mar 1, 2022serious
Service Brakes

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.

21V303000Apr 27, 2021serious
Service Brakes

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.

20V520000Aug 26, 2020serious
Service Brakes

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.

18V934000Dec 27, 2018serious
Engine

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.

18V118000Feb 16, 2018serious
Steering

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The steering wheel assembly may break, possibly resulting in the steering wheel separating from the steering column while driving.

17V226000Mar 30, 2017serious
Engine & Cooling

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

17V578000Sep 19, 2017serious
Engine & Cooling

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The crankshaft assemblies may have been produced with surface irregularities in the crankshaft pin, causing engine bearing wear.

17V577000Sep 19, 2017serious
Suspension

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The front coil springs may have been improperly manufactured and, as a result, may fracture under certain loads while driving.

17V801000Dec 12, 2017serious
Air Bags

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.

17V142000Jun 2, 2017serious
Tires

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that may not have been set in the correct mode during vehicle assembly, and therefore will not provide an appropriate warning in the event of an underinflated tire. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

17V358000May 5, 2017serious
Latches/Locks/Linkages

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.

17V365000May 5, 2017serious
Seat Belts

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolt for the driver's seat belt anchor might not have been sufficiently tightened during assembly.

16V842000Nov 20, 2016serious
Electrical System

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

16V145000Oct 2, 2016serious
Seat Belts

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses may be damaged by the seat's height adjuster mechanism, resulting in a failure to provide an audible warning when front seat occupants do not fasten their seat belts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

13V624000Dec 15, 2013serious
Tires

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.

13V355000Dec 7, 2013serious
Powertrain

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2013 front wheel drive Santa Fe Sport vehicles manufactured July 13, 2012, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

The 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe has accumulated 3,651 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Brakes, Transmission. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe engine is most reliable?

The 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe was offered with 9 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.0L Turbo 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe a good used car?

The 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 3,651 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe have?

The 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe has 3,651 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?

There are 18 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe?

Before buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Brakes, Transmission, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Santa Fe?

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (15.7% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 3,651 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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