MYRModel Year Report

2011 Hyundai Santa FE

● Typical for this model
2011 Hyundai Santa FE
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:02:13.998Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Hyundai Santa FE Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 highlighted. 2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2003: 308 complaints 2004: 303 complaints 2005: 216 complaints 2005 2006: 106 complaints 2007: 683 complaints 2008: 541 complaints 2009: 358 complaints 2009 2010: 258 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2011 2012: 353 complaints 2013: 605 complaints 2013 2014: 493 complaints 2015: 254 complaints 2016: 236 complaints 2017: 962 complaints 2017 2018: 108 complaints 2019: 197 complaints 2020: 209 complaints 2021: 166 complaints 2021 2022: 197 complaints 2023: 207 complaints 2024: 145 complaints 2025: 131 complaints 2025 2026: 35 complaints 2026
2011: 181 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2001209
2002165
2003308
2004303
2005216
2006106
2007683
2008541
2009358
2010258
2011181
2012353
2013605
2014493
2015254
2016236
2017962
2018108
2019197
2020209
2021166
2022197
2023207
2024145
2025131
202635

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE 35%

35% of complaints: engine — 64 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING HOME ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 12 2018 MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED UP THE WHOLE FRONT END.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181213

CAR WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 10 MILES AND THEN PARKED INSIDE AN ATTACHED GARAGE. NO ISSUES WERE PRESENT DURING THE DRIVE. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND KEY REMOVED FROM VEHICLE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR HAD PASSED THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180322

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND MADE CONTACT WITH SOMETHING WHICH I COULD NOT SEE FROM MY REAR VIEW OR SIDE VIEW MIRRORS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130304

Also filed under VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: electrical system — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

About this date had accidentair bags failed to go off for any off us

NHTSA ODI report, 20240107

Also filed under AIR BAGS and EXTERIOR LIGHTING

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 13%

13% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 24 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 13%

13% of complaints: service brakes — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY
POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20101217 — service brakes, hydraulic

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 28, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 25, 2010. SOME OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MACHINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CALIPERS AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 17, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AT 1-800-243-7766.

Campaign 10V613000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20111017 — equipment

CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 55538, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009

Remedy: CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT M

Campaign 11E040000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20121009 — PE (closed 20130626)

Steering Shaft Universal Joint Failure

R 20130422 — exterior lighting

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

I 20180821 — DP (closed 20190510)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

I 20190329 — PE (closed 20211222)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

I 20211112 — DP (closed 20230620)

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

I 20220912 — DP (closed 20231212)

Loss of Motive Power

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Hyundai Santa FE — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (64 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (26 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 10V613000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11E040000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V113000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2026 ▲ 2006 ▲ 2018

WORST YEARS

■ 2017 ■ 2007 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.