The Lemon Index

All cars · Hyundai Santa Fe · 2011

2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index82100 = average car
Complaints74NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold74,391U.S. model year
Per 100K sold99complaints
Year rank#8 of 21#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 5

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.4L 4-cylAuto 6-spdFWD20 / 27 / 23Regular$2,700
2.4L 4-cylAuto 6-spd4WD20 / 25 / 22Regular$2,850
2.4L 4-cylManual 6-spdFWD19 / 26 / 21Regular$2,950
3.5L 6-cylAuto 6-spdFWD20 / 26 / 22Regular$2,850
3.5L 6-cylAuto 6-spd4WD20 / 25 / 22Regular$2,850

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 21,800 and 98,400 miles. Median 44,100, from 149 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine47,50023,600–103,20050
Electrical80,00031,000–116,00022
Speed control26,00015,500–59,10021
Transmission & drivetrain22,7009,700–33,50016
Steering44,0009,600–79,30016

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine39%
Transmission & drivetrain22%
Speed control22%
Steering11%
Brakes11%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
181128715

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 13V113000 Apr 2013 Exterior Lighting / Brake Lights / Switch

    Defect. 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, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai

    Risk. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

    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 number is 110.

  • 11E040000 Oct 2011 Equipment

    Defect. 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 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO THE CONVERTER MODULE AND DEFEAT THE MODULE'S INTERNAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION.

    Risk. WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

    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 MANUFACTURING AT 1-715 831-8713.

  • 10V613000 Dec 2010 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Disc / Caliper

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. AS A RESULT, BRAKE FLUID WILL LEAK, FOLLOWED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATING THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS LOW AND SHOULD BE CHECKED, THEN A SOFT OR SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL FEEL, AND IF NOT SERVICED, REDUCED BRAKING POWER WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedLoss of motive power20222023
ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities20212023
ClosedNon-crash vehicle fires20192021
ClosedNon-crash vehicle fires20182019
ClosedSteering shaft universal joint failure20122013

Manufacturer communications 111

Hyundai filed 111 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Check engine light on, transaxle held in third gear, and trouble codes stored
  • See document search button for owner letter
  • The shift lever on some 6-speed vehicles may intermittently not shift out of park

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Hyundai Santa Fe SUV 4WDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆
Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20081319570,994Airbags
2009925980,343Speed control
201011910676,680Transmission & drivetrain
2011827474,391Engine
201214011371,016Engine
201316317688,844Steering
2014106125107,906Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data