Hyundai Santa FE — years to avoid
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.
5 model years to avoid, 4 to watch and 4 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.
Avoid5 years
Caution4 years
Best bets4 years
Complaint history
- Avoid
- Caution
- Recommended
Every year, ranked
Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.
| Year | Ranking | Complaints | Compared with a typical year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ▲ Recommended | 38 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2025 | ▲ Recommended | 135 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2024 | ● Recommended | 153 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2023 | ● Recommended | 211 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2022 | ● Recommended | 199 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2021 | ● Recommended | 166 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2020 | ● Recommended | 213 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2019 | ● Recommended | 202 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2018 | ▲ Recommended | 109 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2017 | ■ Avoid | 968 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2016 | ● Recommended | 236 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2015 | ● Recommended | 254 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2014 | ■ Avoid | 493 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2013 | ■ Avoid | 605 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2012 | ◆ Caution | 353 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2011 | ● Recommended | 181 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2010 | ● Recommended | 259 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2009 | ◆ Caution | 358 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2008 | ■ Avoid | 541 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2007 | ■ Avoid | 684 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2006 | ▲ Recommended | 106 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2005 | ● Recommended | 216 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2004 | ◆ Caution | 303 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2003 | ◆ Caution | 308 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2002 | ● Recommended | 165 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2001 | ● Recommended | 209 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
How the rankings work
Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.
- ▲ Recommended
At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.
- ● Recommended
Within 30% of the model’s typical year.
- ◆ Caution
30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.
- ■ Avoid
More than double the complaints of the typical year.
- ○ Not enough data
Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.
Recalls
49
recalls on file across every Hyundai Santa FE model year.
Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.