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Model file · HyundaiUpdated · 21 sources

Got a dead Hyundai Santa Fe? Sell it whole

Of 1,320 NHTSA complaints from 2017 Santa Fe owners, 781 point to the engine. That is the most complaints of any Santa Fe year. The engine is also the top complaint in every model year from 2011 through 2020.

A white 2007-2009 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV with a dark hood deflector and chrome wheels, parked in a lot
Photo: Bull-Doser · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Complaints to NHTSA, all years
9,183
Year with the most complaints
2017 (1,320)
Complaints naming the engine
2,682
Engine complaints, 2013-2018
2,041 of 3,853
Recall campaigns
57
First sold
2001 model year, Hyundai's first SUV

If your Santa Fe's engine is knocking, seized or already gone, it can leave your driveway unrepaired. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Five generations, and what each one drew

Wikipedia says the Santa Fe arrived for the 2001 model year as Hyundai's first SUV, named after Santa Fe, New Mexico. Each number below counts Santa Fe owner complaints NHTSA held through October 10, 2026. A single complaint doesn't prove a fault. A 2025 or 2026 Santa Fe has hardly been driven next to a 2013, which keeps its tally small. Recall vehicle figures cover entire campaigns, several of which also include the Sonata, Tucson or Veracruz.

2001-2006: first generation (SM), a suspension story

Wikipedia lists a 2.4-liter Sirius four among this generation's engines and ties it to the EF Sonata. These six years hold 1,307 complaints, and suspension is the top complaint on the 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Recall 14V435000 inspects and replaces front coil springs on 2001-2006 Santa Fes in certain states (271,773 vehicles). Recall 03V520000 sent owners of 2001-2004 SUVs a corrected tire label. Vehicle speed control complaints show up on the 2004 (30) and 2005 (38).

2007-2012: second generation (CM), fuel and air bags

This generation holds 2,376 complaints. The 2007 drew 684, led by air bags (96) and the fuel and propulsion system (93). On the 2008, fuel and propulsion leads by a wide margin: 191 of 541. Power train tops the 2010 (102), and on the 2012 the engine takes over with 203 of 353.

Recall 11V472000 replaced the driver air bag clock spring on 2007-2008 Santa Fes and Veracruzes (205,233 vehicles). Recall 12V354000 recalibrated the passenger occupant classification system on 2007-2009 Santa Fes (199,118). The 2007 also falls under two campaigns spread across many Hyundai models: the stop lamp switch (09V122000 and 13V113000) and an ABS relay (20V061000).

2013-2018: third generation (DM), the engine years

Wikipedia lists 2.0-liter turbo and 2.4-liter Theta II fours for this generation, built in Korea, Montgomery, Alabama and West Point, Georgia. Of 3,853 complaints on these six years, 2,041 name the engine. Fires show up too: 56 complaints on the 2013 and 45 on the 2014 report one.

  • 17V226000: 572,000 vehicles in all, 2013-2014 Sonatas and Santa Fe Sports, where machining errors can wear out engine bearings early. A short block goes in where the inspection finds it necessary.
  • 18V934000: a follow-up for cars already repaired under that recall and an earlier Sonata one. Dealers inspect the high-pressure fuel pipe at the fuel pump (150,730 vehicles).
  • 20V520000 and 21V303000: 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sports whose ABS module can leak brake fluid inside and short out. Park outside until repaired.
  • 22V056000 and 22V810000: ABS multi-fuse replacements on 2016-2018 Santa Fes, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sports and the 2019 Santa Fe XL. The first campaign also covers 2014-2015 Tucsons.
  • 17V358000: a secondary hood latch cable that can corrode and bind, on 2013-2017 Santa Fes and Santa Fe Sports (437,400).

2019-2023: fourth generation (TM)

Wikipedia lists 2.0 turbo and 2.4 fours, an 8-speed dual-clutch among the gearboxes, and a hybrid with a 1.49 kWh battery. Complaints drop to 1,179 over five years. Power train leads on the 2021 (45) and 2022 (57). Recall 23V181000 covers factory or dealer tow hitch harnesses on 2019-2023 Santa Fes, the hybrids and the Santa Cruz (584,784 vehicles), with a park-outside warning. Recall 24V879000 replaces rearview cameras on 2021-2022 models.

2024-2026: fifth generation (MX5)

Wikipedia lists 2.5-liter Smartstream engines, turbocharged and not. These three years have 468 complaints so far. Recall 26V218000 reinforces or replaces front seat belt anchors on 2024-2026 Santa Fes and Santa Fe Hybrids, in a 294,448-vehicle campaign that also covers the Ioniq 6 and Genesis G90.

Complaints and recalls by model year

We built this table from NHTSA's Santa Fe complaints as they stood on October 10, 2026. Because one Santa Fe campaign can reach several model years, the yearly recall numbers sum to more than 57.

Model yearComplaintsFiresRecall campaignsPart named most
200120944Suspension (67)
200216524Suspension (48)
200330854Suspension (45)
200430373Suspension (56)
200521603Air bags (69)
200610631Air bags (28)
200768487Air bags (96)
200854174Fuel/propulsion (191)
200935852Fuel/propulsion (87)
201025962Power train (102)
201118182Engine (51)
2012353171Engine (203)
2013804567Engine (331)
2014656457Engine (329)
2015337194Engine (184)
2016305123Engine (180)
20171,320307Engine (781)
2018431125Engine (236)
2019227133Engine (71)
202021492Engine (66)
202118628Power train (45)
202226418Power train (57)
202328832Unknown or other (59)
202418817Power train (39)
202522805Electrical system (39)
20265204Unknown or other (10)

Should you fix it?

  1. Enter the 17-digit VIN in NHTSA's recall search. A 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport can have engine, fuel pipe and ABS recalls open.
  2. Engine failed on a 2013-2014 Sport? Ask a Hyundai dealer about 17V226000 for your VIN before you price a used engine. If it isn't covered, the blown engine guide lays out how to decide.
  3. Engine failed on a 2015-2020? Engine complaints run high on these years too. Set a shop's written quote next to the price a working Santa Fe of that year fetches.
  4. An unfinished recall doesn't block a sale. See selling with an open recall.

Selling the Santa Fe whole

  1. Note the VIN, mileage and symptom, and whether it's a Santa Fe, Santa Fe Sport, XL or Hybrid, front- or all-wheel drive.
  2. Request an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
  3. Tell us where it's parked. An SUV with a locked-up engine can still roll in Neutral; say if it can't, so the truck brings a winch. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
  4. Leave the parts on, including the wheels, the converter and any tow hitch. Mention anything already removed.
  5. On Santa Fe pickup day, sign the title to us and show your ID. For plates and insurance afterward, see after you sell.

No title? Read selling without a title. Other Hyundai SUVs: Tucson, Palisade, Veracruz, or browse every Hyundai model.

Questions people ask

Which Santa Fe years have the most engine complaints?
The 2017, where 781 of 1,320 complaints name the engine, as of October 10, 2026. The 2013 (331) and 2014 (329) come next, then the 2018 (236) and the 2012 (203). These are owner complaints, not confirmed failures.
Is my 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport engine covered by a recall?
It may be. Recall 17V226000 reaches 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sports, alongside Sonatas, because of engine machining errors linked to premature bearing wear. For the Santa Fe, a dealer inspects the engine and fits a new short block when it's needed. Recall 18V934000 then checks the high-pressure fuel pipe on cars already repaired under that recall. Check the VIN on NHTSA's site.
Will you buy a Santa Fe with a seized engine?
Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US. Say whether it rolls, whether it's all-wheel drive, and where it's parked.
Why does a recall say to park my Santa Fe Sport outside?
Recalls 20V520000 and 21V303000 cover 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sports whose ABS module can leak brake fluid inside and short out. Hyundai advises parking outside, away from buildings, until the repair is done.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.

  1. NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
  2. NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
  3. EPA fuel economy data: Hyundai Santa Fe model years and variants fueleconomy.gov
  4. NHTSA recall 03V520000: tire label, 2001-2004 nhtsa.gov
  5. NHTSA recall 14V435000: front coil springs, 2001-2006 Santa Fe nhtsa.gov
  6. NHTSA recall 11V472000: driver air bag clock spring, 2007-2008 Santa Fe and Veracruz nhtsa.gov
  7. NHTSA recall 12V354000: occupant classification, 2007-2009 Santa Fe nhtsa.gov
  8. NHTSA recall 17V226000: engine bearings, 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport nhtsa.gov
  9. NHTSA recall 18V934000: high-pressure fuel pipe after engine recalls nhtsa.gov
  10. NHTSA recall 17V358000: secondary hood latch cable, 2013-2017 nhtsa.gov
  11. NHTSA recall 20V520000: ABS module leak, 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport nhtsa.gov
  12. NHTSA recall 21V303000: ABS module leak, 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport (second campaign) nhtsa.gov
  13. NHTSA recall 22V056000: ABS multi-fuse, Santa Fe and 2014-2015 Tucson nhtsa.gov
  14. NHTSA recall 22V810000: ABS multi-fuse, 2018 Santa Fe Sport nhtsa.gov
  15. NHTSA recall 23V181000: tow hitch harness, 2019-2023 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz nhtsa.gov
  16. NHTSA recall 26V218000: seat belt anchors, 2024-2026 Santa Fe and other models nhtsa.gov
  17. NHTSA recall 09V122000: stop lamp switch, 2007 Santa Fe and other models nhtsa.gov
  18. NHTSA recall 13V113000: stop lamp switch, 2007-2011 Santa Fe and other models nhtsa.gov
  19. NHTSA recall 20V061000: ABS relay, 2007 Santa Fe and other models nhtsa.gov
  20. NHTSA recall 24V879000: rearview camera, 2021-2022 Santa Fe and Elantra nhtsa.gov
  21. Wikipedia: Hyundai Santa Fe (generations, engines, plants) en.wikipedia.org