VehicleVerdict

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport carries two red flags at once: 104 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Santa Fe Sport years to avoid.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 40% of all reports (42 of 104), far ahead of brakes at 22. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

104

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

3

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Santa Fe Sport years?

Santa Fe Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted456 complaints2013: 239 complaints2014: 216 complaints2015: 104 complaints2016: 84 complaints2017: 456 complaints2018: 406 complaints
Santa Fe Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Fe Sport years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4240%
Brakes2221%
Other77%
Electrical System77%
Transmission77%
Steering44%
Airbags33%
Latches & Locks33%
Fuel System33%
Lighting22%
Body & Structure22%
Speed Control11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V303000BrakesApril 28, 2021 · 151,205 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, and inspect and replace the ABS module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 25, 2021. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20V-520. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 205.

20V520000BrakesAugust 27, 2020 · 151,205 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began December 22, 2020. Note: This recall has been superseded by NHTSA Recall 21V-303 and all affected vehicles will now be repaired under 21V-303. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 194.

17V358000Latches & LocksJune 5, 2017 · 437,400 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

Driving on freeway and noticed smoke. Realized I needed to pull over and brakes weren’t working. Off ramp was at an incline so car came to a stop just in time to get toddler and myself out of vehicle. Car was on fire.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 31, 2025 · fire

Driving on freeway and noticed smoke. Realized I needed to pull over and brakes weren’t working. Off ramp was at an incline so car came to a stop just in time to get toddler and myself out of vehicle. Car was on fire.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 31, 2025 · fire

Put in reverse to move backwards 5 feet or so the vehicle kept going and moving faster I applied the brake and hitting the brakes as well I didn't wonna hit the parked cars behind me so I put in park thinking that will also help stop the vehicle nothing worked it only stopped after hitting my other…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 5, 2025 · crash

WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND CAR JUST STOCK. I READ THAT OLD MODELS HAVE SAME PROBLEM. I INSPECTED THE CAR AND FIGURE THAT AXLE SHAFT TURNS INSIDE OF TRANSMISSION AND BROKE IT FROM INSIDE.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 13, 2018

Put in reverse to move backwards 5 feet or so the vehicle kept going and moving faster I applied the brake and hitting the brakes as well I didn't wonna hit the parked cars behind me so I put in park thinking that will also help stop the vehicle nothing worked it only stopped after hitting my other…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 5, 2025 · crash

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport — common questions

Is the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 104 complaints put the 2015 model at #5 of 6 Santa Fe Sport years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Santa Fe Sport years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 Santa Fe Sport problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (42 complaints), brakes (22 complaints), other (7 complaints).

Does the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe Sport years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Santa Fe Sport years to avoid are 2017, 2018, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016.

How safe is the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.