The best and worst Hyundai Santa Fe years, by the numbers
Short answer: among Hyundai Santa Fes old enough to judge (2005–2022), the 2006, 2018–2019 and 2021 have the fewest owner complaints per 10,000 sold. The 2007–2008, 2013 and 2017 have the most.
We counted every owner complaint filed with the federal government (NHTSA) for each model year and divided by how many were sold that year, so a year that sold more doesn’t look worse just for being popular. Years newer than 2022 are shown but not ranked — they haven’t been on the road long enough. How this is calculated.
Years with the most complaints
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe · 64.6 per 10,000 sold (2.6× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Fuel pump and sending unit, typically around 81,000 miles; then body control and other modules.
2008 Hyundai Santa Fe · 68.7 per 10,000 sold (2.8× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Fuel pump and sending unit, typically around 80,000 miles; then stalling and no-start.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe · 68.1 per 10,000 sold (2.8× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically around 90,100 miles; then tie rods, linkage, shaft and column.
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe · 72.2 per 10,000 sold (2.9× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically around 96,750 miles; then oil consumption and leaks.
Years with the fewest complaints
2006 Hyundai Santa Fe · 13.5 per 10,000 sold (0.5× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Airbags, seatbelts and restraints, typically around 78,316 miles.
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe · 9.2 per 10,000 sold (0.4× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically around 84,500 miles.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe · 15.4 per 10,000 sold (0.6× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Stalling and no-start, typically around 3,757 miles.
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe · 14.6 per 10,000 sold (0.6× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Harsh, delayed or erratic shifting, typically around 16,000 miles.
Every year: complaints per 10,000 sold
Typical Hyundai Santa Fe year: 24.6 per 10,000 sold.
Complaints are counted once each, even when an owner lists several parts. Sales are US units sold in the calendar year, a close stand-in for the model year.
Common questions
What is the worst year for the Hyundai Santa Fe?
Among Hyundai Santa Fes old enough to judge (2005–2022), the 2017 has the most owner complaints per 10,000 sold: 72.2, about 2.9× a typical Hyundai Santa Fe year. The 2007–2008 and 2013 also stand out.
What is the best year for the Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2018 has the fewest owner complaints per 10,000 sold among Hyundai Santa Fes from 2005–2022: 9.2, against 24.6 for a typical year. The 2006, 2019 and 2021 are also well below typical.
What goes wrong on the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The most-reported problem on the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe is internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically around 96,750 miles.
Why aren't the newest Hyundai Santa Fe years ranked?
The 2023–2026 haven't been on the road long enough. Newer cars have fewer complaints mainly because they're newer, so ranking them would flatter them.
Looking at a specific Hyundai Santa Fe?
See what it’s likely to cost you over the next 3 years from its year and mileage.
Open the cost estimator → Full Hyundai Santa Fe reportCompare the Hyundai Santa Fe with
Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; US sales from public industry figures. Complaints are self-reported and not independently verified. This is not an inspection and not a recommendation to buy or avoid any vehicle.