2007 Hyundai Santa FE
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 209 |
| 2002 | 165 |
| 2003 | 308 |
| 2004 | 303 |
| 2005 | 216 |
| 2006 | 106 |
| 2007 | 681 |
| 2008 | 541 |
| 2009 | 357 |
| 2010 | 256 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 352 |
| 2013 | 604 |
| 2014 | 492 |
| 2015 | 253 |
| 2016 | 235 |
| 2017 | 937 |
| 2018 | 108 |
| 2019 | 190 |
| 2020 | 193 |
| 2021 | 162 |
| 2022 | 187 |
| 2023 | 199 |
| 2024 | 130 |
| 2025 | 116 |
| 2026 | 27 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
18% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 121 distinct reports on file.
CRASH14% of complaints: electrical system — 93 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
2007 SANTE FE ALTERNATOR ISSUE. POST RECALL FIX, OIL LEAK STILL HAPPENING AND THIS TIME THE ALTERNATOR ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE. SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190722
RE: 2007 HYUD SANTA FE G. 49880 MILES (AT OIL CHANGE 11/02/2009). I DROVE MY CAR APPROX 90 MILES ON A SHOPPING TRIP.
NHTSA ODI report, 20091117
10% of complaints: air bags — 70 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The vehicle, (2007 Hyundai Santa Fe in excellent condition) struck a cow head on at 60 miles per hour and the airbags failed to deploy. It is available on request for a few months.
NHTSA ODI report, 20210805
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND TWO PEOPLE SUSTAINED INJURIES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120904
MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WAS IN A ROLLOVER CRASH ON 12/23. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS OPENED. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20090108
10% of complaints: electronic stability control (esc) — 68 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 54 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I WAS GOING TO PARK IN MY PARKING SPOT AND THE CAR JUST ACCELERATED AND JUMPED A GRANITE CURB AND STRUCK A 4 IN POLE IN THE GROUND. THE CAR KEPT HITTING THE POLE ALMOST DRIVING UP IT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120612
SAFETY TIMELINE
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WALL THICKNESS OF THE RIGHT FORWARD BAFFLE OF THE FUEL TANK MAY BE BELOW SPECIFICATIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANKS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. ALL VEHICLES ARE EITHER STILL AT THE MANUFACTURING PLANT OR IN DEALERSHIPS. NO VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SOLD TO CONSUMERS.
Campaign 06V317000 — check if this car was fixed
THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY RECALL 08E-055. HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,387 TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESSES EITHER INCLUDED WITH A TRAILER HITCH OR SOLD AS A SERVICE PART MANUFACTURED BY THULE TOWIN
Remedy: HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 08E016000 — check if this car was fixed
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 88,943 MY 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH P235/60R18 TIRES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDAR
Remedy: HYUNDAI WILL MAIL CORRECTED CERTIFICATION LABELS ALONG WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE AFFECTED OWNERS. THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BE
Campaign 08V272000 — check if this car was fixed
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,387 TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESSES EITHER INCLUDED WITH A TRAILER HITCH OR SOLD AS A SERVICE PART MANUFACTURED BY THULE TOWING SYSTEMS AND DISTRIBUTED BY HYUNDAI FOR INSTALLATIO
Remedy: THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES A PREVIOUS RECALL CONDUCTED BY HYUNDAI AFFECTING THE SAME TRAILER HITCH WIRING COMPONENTS CONCERNING HIGH CURRENT LEAKAGE OR A SHORT CIRCUIT OF CAPACITOR C1. (PLEASE SEE 08E016
Campaign 08E055000 — check if this car was fixed
STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILURE
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 532,633 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 09V122000 — check if this car was fixed
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 26, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED
Remedy: HYUNDAI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CONNECT CENTER
Campaign 11V472000 — check if this car was fixed
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from April 19, 2006, through July 7, 2008. The occupant classification system (OCS) may need recalibration to
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the classification software free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 12V354000 — check if this car was fixed
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall
Campaign 13V113000 — check if this car was fixed
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020.
Campaign 20V061000 — check if this car was fixed
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2007 Hyundai Santa FE — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (121 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (93 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (70 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06V317000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08E016000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V272000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08E055000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V122000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V472000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V354000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V113000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V061000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2007 Hyundai Santa FE reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2007 Hyundai Santa FE is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2007 Hyundai Santa FE?
The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2007 Hyundai Santa FE have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.