VehicleVerdict

Hyundai Santa Fe years to avoid

The Hyundai Santa Fe years to avoid are 2017, 2007, 2013, 2008, 2014, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2026 is the cleanest year on record.

10,255

Total complaints

49

Recall campaigns

2001–2026

Years covered

10

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Hyundai Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year1,231 complaints2001: 293 complaints2002: 219 complaints2003: 390 complaints2004: 386 complaints2005: 300 complaints2006: 143 complaints2007: 981 complaints2008: 718 complaints2009: 506 complaints2010: 331 complaints2011: 268 complaints2012: 474 complaints2013: 806 complaints2014: 679 complaints2015: 331 complaints2016: 288 complaints2017: 1,231 complaints2018: 143 complaints2019: 268 complaints2020: 270 complaints2021: 236 complaints2022: 292 complaints2023: 307 complaints2024: 186 complaints2025: 170 complaints2026: 39 complaints
Hyundai Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Santa Fe years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2017High complaints + open investigation1,231
2007High complaint rate981
2013High complaints + open investigation806
2008High complaint rate718
2014High complaints + open investigation679
2009High complaint rate506
2012High complaint rate474
2015Open safety investigation331
2016Open safety investigation288
2018Open safety investigation143

Every Santa Fe year

YearComplaintsRecalls
2026394
20251705
20241867
20233071
20222925
20212367
20202702
20192682
2018avoid1432
2017avoid1,2316
2016avoid2883
2015avoid3312
2014avoid6793
2013avoid8063
2012avoid4741
20112683
20103313
2009avoid5063
2008avoid7186
2007avoid9819
20061431
20053003
20043863
20033904
20022194
20012934

Common questions

What are the worst Hyundai Santa Fe years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Santa Fe years to avoid are 2017, 2007, 2013, 2008, 2014, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018. The cleanest year on record is 2026.

What is the best year for the Hyundai Santa Fe?

By complaint volume, 2026 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Santa Fe years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Hyundai Santa Fe have?

Across all model years, the Santa Fe has 49 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 10,255 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.