Reliability
Hyundai

Santa Fe (DM)

2013-2018 · Midsize SUV · 6 engines
3,843 NHTSA Complaints
18 Recalls
174 Fire Reports
83 Crash Reports
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
SANTA FESANTA FE SPORT
View all 5 generations of the Hyundai Santa Fe → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

2.9 / 10

Reliability score

Many more owner complaints than similar midsize SUVs

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Complaints of oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating run well above similar vehicles. They set this score.

Owners filed 2,404 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 1,080.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.8 points better in the typical case.

Complaints are still climbing.

Breakdown
Complaints overall2,404 complaints against about 1,080 for similar vehicles
4.7
Last three years1,068 complaints against about 354 for similar vehicles
3.9
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced1,113 complaints against about 260 for similar vehicles
3.0
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating507 complaints against about 107 for similar vehicles
2.8

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20132.9
  • 20142.7
  • 20153.6
  • 20163.6
  • 20172.2
  • 20182.7

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record · from NHTSA's files, not reviewed by hand

Recall17V226
Engine And Engine Cooling, Engine · 182,284 vehicles (26% of those built) · maker's estimate: 2% have the defect
Engineering analysisEA21003
Engine fires · opened 2021, closed 2024, led to recall 23V877
Recall queryRQ17004
Scope and timeliness · opened 2017, closed 2021, led to recall 19V063

Complaints by Engine Code

DOHC GDI Theta

2.4L
1,352 complaints 225.0 per year Gasoline
71 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
835
brakes
188
transmission
119
electrical
114
other
104

DOHC GDI LAMBDA

3.3L
1,172 complaints 195.3 per year Gasoline
25 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
766
transmission
138
brakes
110
steering
81
electrical
78

DOHC T-GDI Theta

2.0L Turbo
599 complaints 63.5 per year Gasoline
40 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
301
electrical
78
brakes
74
transmission
73
other
59

DOHC GDI THETA II

2.4L 4-cyl
436 complaints 72.7 per year Gasoline
29 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
286
brakes
48
transmission
43
electrical
40
other
36

Hyundai Santa Fe Unidentified Engine

153 complaints 25.5 per year
5 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
66
other
20
steering
16
transmission
15
fuel system
14

DOHC T-GDI THETA-II

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 240 hp
128 complaints 28.2 per year Gasoline
4 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
72
other
18
brakes
18
electrical
10
fuel system
8
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

GDI LAMBDA II

3.3L 6-cyl / 290 hp
2 complaints 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
2
transmission
1
electrical
1

3.5-V6-Gas

3.5L 6-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system
1

Same engine used in

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Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Santa Fe, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 2,328 owner complaints
Brakes: 448 owner complaints
Transmission: 397 owner complaints
Electrical System: 334 owner complaints
Fuel System: 249 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe

On a used 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (2,328), the brakes (448) and the transmission and drivetrain (397). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 2,328 owner complaints on the 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe about the engine, all engines combined.
  2. On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 448 owner complaints on the 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe about the brakes.
  3. Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 397 owner complaints on the 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
  4. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 334 owner complaints on the 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe about the electrical system.
  5. Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 249 owner complaints on the 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe about the fuel system, all engines combined.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe

Recalls (18)

23V651000Sep 22, 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 27, 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.

22V056000Feb 3, 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 28, 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 27, 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.

Show 13 older recalls
18V934000Dec 28, 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 17, 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.

17V801000Dec 13, 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.

17V578000Sep 20, 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 20, 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.

17V358000Jun 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.

17V365000Jun 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.

17V226000Mar 31, 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.

17V142000Mar 6, 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."

16V842000Nov 21, 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."

16V145000Mar 10, 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 16, 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.

13V355000Aug 12, 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.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

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

Alternatives in Midsize SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Owners have filed 3,843 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The systems they name most often are the engine, the brakes and the transmission.

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

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 3,843 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

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

NHTSA has 3,843 owner complaints on file for the 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?

NHTSA lists 18 recalls covering some 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

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

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the brakes and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and 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. 3,843 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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