VehicleVerdict

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe carries two red flags at once: 331 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 years to avoid. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 48% of all reports (160 of 331), far ahead of brakes at 30.

331

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations · 1 open

13

Crash-involved

17

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other Santa Fe years?

Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 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, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Fe years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine16048%
Brakes309%
Other227%
Transmission227%
Electrical System206%
Fuel System134%
Body & Structure103%
Airbags93%
Lighting93%
Driver Assistance82%
Speed Control72%
Steering62%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Tires & Wheels31%
Seat Belts31%
Suspension21%
Seats10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

2 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.

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 car engine caught fire on 04/18/2021 and totaled my car. I just received a recall notice from Hyundai for this issue via the USPS yesterday 06/29/2021. I had only 60,000 miles and expected to own this car another 3-5 years. I am out a new car payment and this could have burned my condo down as I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 17, 2021 · fire

“Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2015 was making sounds when vehicle was off. The ABS warning lights were lit on the dashboard (3 warnings in total) once car was turned on. Drove home hoping the sound would go away but it did not. Once home the sound continued without the vehicle being on. Opened the hood…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 27, 2021 · fire

“Summer of 2020,my engine needed to be replaced for an unknown reason, that work was done at the Herb Chambers Hyundai service department. On 4/22/2022 my car hesitated to start, it did start, I traveled about 12 miles and my engine light came on. I traveled about 3 more miles and then my car…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 22, 2022 · fire

“During routine vehicle operation when entering an interstate highway, , the vehicle developed a loud knocking sound from engine bay along with high RPM abnormal shifting. Vehicle was stopped as soon as possible in the safety lane when it stalled and shut off. No warning lights were present during…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 25, 2024

“Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2015 was making sounds when vehicle was off. The ABS warning lights were lit on the dashboard (3 warnings in total) once car was turned on. Drove home hoping the sound would go away but it did not. Once home the sound continued without the vehicle being on. Opened the hood…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 27, 2021 · fire

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe — common questions

Is the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 331 complaints put the 2015 model at #10 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 2015 Santa Fe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (160 complaints), brakes (30 complaints), other (22 complaints).

Does the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 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 2015 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.