The Lemon IndexHyundai Santa Fe.
The best Hyundai Santa Fe years are 2016, 2006, 2015. Years to avoid: 2017, 2007, 2013. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 110, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2001 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2016.
Quick answers.
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe a good car?
It is about average, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 110; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2016 and the worst is 2017.
What are the best Hyundai Santa Fe years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2016, 2006, 2015.
What Hyundai Santa Fe years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2017, 2007, 2013.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Santa Fe have?
110 safety recalls across the 25 model years we track. Most: 2007 (9), 2021 (8), 2013 (7). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, transmission & drivetrain and electrical most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 105 | about average | 74 | electrical (39%) | 4 | — | 18–21 |
| 2002 | – | too few complaints to score | 11 | service brakes, hydraulic (18%) | 4 | — | 18–20 |
| 2003 | 121 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 100 | service brakes, hydraulic (23%) | 4 | — | 17–20 |
| 2004 | 78 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 74 | service brakes, hydraulic (23%) | 3 | — | 17–20 |
| 2005 | 73 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 42 | speed control (52%) | 3 | — | 17–20 |
| 2006 | 45 | 2.2× fewer complaints than average | 20 | speed control (30%) | 1 | — | 17–20 |
| 2007 | 164 | 1.6× the average car's complaints | 134 | airbags (34%) | 9 | — | 19–21 |
| 2008 | 131 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 95 | airbags (36%) | 6 | — | 19–20 |
| 2009 | 92 | about average | 59 | speed control (36%) | 3 | — | 19–20 |
| 2010 | 119 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 106 | transmission & drivetrain (57%) | 3 | — | 22–23 |
| 2011 | 82 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 74 | engine (39%) | 3 | — | 21–23 |
| 2012 | 140 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 113 | engine (51%) | 1 | ★★★☆☆ | 21–23 |
| 2013 | 163 | 1.6× the average car's complaints | 176 | steering (30%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 20–24 |
| 2014 | 106 | about average | 125 | engine (41%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 19–23 |
| 2015 | 50 | 2× fewer complaints than average | 57 | engine (33%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 19–23 |
| 2016 | 38 | 2.6× fewer complaints than average | 50 | fuel or EV drive system (12%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 19–23 |
| 2017 | 212 | 2.1× the average car's complaints | 298 | transmission & drivetrain (36%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 19–24 |
| 2018 | 69 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 85 | engine (40%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 19–24 |
| 2019 | 74 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 96 | engine (25%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 19–25 |
| 2020 | 95 | about average | 92 | engine (22%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 22–25 |
| 2021 | 124 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 134 | transmission & drivetrain (34%) | 8 | ★★★★★ | 24–34 |
| 2022 | 130 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 191 | transmission & drivetrain (31%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 24–34 |
| 2023 | 172 | 1.7× the average car's complaints | 269 | transmission & drivetrain (23%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 24–34 |
| 2024 | 179 | 1.8× the average car's complaints | 191 | transmission & drivetrain (28%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 22–36 |
| 2025 | 276 | 2.8× the average car's complaints | 238 | electrical (25%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 22–36 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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