VehicleVerdict

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe carries two red flags at once: 679 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 2.3× the Santa Fe norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Santa Fe years to avoid. Complainants reported 37 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 41% of all reports (277 of 679), far ahead of electrical system at 60.

679

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

7

Investigations · 1 open

27

Crash-involved

43

Fires reported

37

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2014 compare to other Santa Fe years?

Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted1,231 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
Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Fe years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine27741%
Electrical System609%
Brakes599%
Steering528%
Other426%
Transmission365%
Fuel System325%
Speed Control274%
Body & Structure203%
Visibility & Wipers162%
Airbags122%
Lighting112%
Driver Assistance91%
Tires & Wheels81%
Seat Belts71%
Suspension61%
Seats51%

Does the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

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

23V651000BrakesSeptember 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

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.

13V624000Tires & WheelsDecember 16, 2013 · 28 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

The damaged sidewall may result in a separation between the belt edges which could cause tread detachment or rapid air loss, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai notified dealers to suspend sales of affected Santa Fe Sport vehicles equipped with the P235/65R17 103T tires, and replace them with alternative tires. All affected vehicles were remedied prior to retail sale. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151.

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.

“My steering would work while I was driving with my kids in the car, my breaks were barely working, the hood started smoking and something under the hood in the engine caught on fire, there was a horrible smell when I was breaking and the breaks would jolt. The engine and cooling was not turning off…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 1, 2025 · fire

“My steering would work while I was driving with my kids in the car, my breaks were barely working, the hood started smoking and something under the hood in the engine caught on fire, there was a horrible smell when I was breaking and the breaks would jolt. The engine and cooling was not turning off…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 1, 2025 · fire

“The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that after driving the vehicle at 55 mph, the vehicle was parked for a few hours. When the contact attempted to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start up. The contact lifted the hood of the vehicle and noticed that there were…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 29, 2021 · fire

“My steering would work while I was driving with my kids in the car, my breaks were barely working, the hood started smoking and something under the hood in the engine caught on fire, there was a horrible smell when I was breaking and the breaks would jolt. The engine and cooling was not turning off…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 1, 2025 · fire

“On October 20, 2022 my husband was driving the vehicle traveling around 40mph. He said he noticed that the engine light went on and then it sounded different and the vehicle struggled to accelerate. He quickly pulled into the first parking lot that was available and he parked, turned off the car…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 20, 2022 · fire

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe — common questions

Is the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 679 complaints put the 2014 model at #5 of 26 Santa Fe years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Santa Fe years to avoid.

What are the most common 2014 Santa Fe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (277 complaints), electrical system (60 complaints), brakes (59 complaints).

Does the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 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 years should you avoid?

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

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.