The Lemon Index2024 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is so far worse than average by owner complaints: 191 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 179, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 22 to 36 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Santa Fe year is 2016.
Early read
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 191 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year. 2024 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 26K miles on the car (14 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 7
- seat belts 2026
The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.
- back over prevention 2025
The rearview camera may not have been installed properly, which can damage the wiring harness and cause the rearview camera image not to display.
- electrical 2025
The B+ positive terminal cover on the starter motor assembly may be improperly installed, which can cause an electrical short during a crash.
Show all 7 recalls
- electrical 2024
The overhead console rear sunshade switch knob may not be fully recessed, which can result in unintentional closing of the sunshade.
- airbags 2024
The main floor wiring harness may chafe against the passenger-side second-row bench seat assembly and become damaged, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally or prevent the air bags from deploying in a cra…
- transmission & drivetrain 2024
A software error in the transmission control unit may result in a vehicle roll away when the vehicle is in PARK.
- back over prevention 2024
The rearview camera image may be obstructed by a trailer parking assist message.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 49 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Certain vehicles (See Applicable Vehicles List below) equipped with the 12-inch instrument…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Cruz PU/CC AWD Early Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Cruz PU/CC FWD Early Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Cruz PU/CC AWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Cruz PU/CC FWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1800–2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
I was trying to back up a few times and not being able to see some objects behind while looking at the rear view camera on my Hyundai Santa Fe 2024.
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe owner · NHTSA complaint 11738780
More owner reports
On multiple occasions the error âtransmission system error check transmission oil immediatelyâ Have taken vehicle to dealership 3 separate times. Believe entire unit to be faulty
NHTSA complaint 11758995
Driving the car in a shaded area. All lights went off on the dash telling me every warning. Car stalled out and died on the side of the road. 5th time this exact thing has happened and Hyundai dealer said nothing is wrong.
NHTSA complaint 11768778
Quick answers
Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn 1.8× the average car's complaints per car sold, against other 2024 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 179; 100 is average). The best Hyundai Santa Fe year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (28%), electrical (22%) and automatic emergency braking (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
7 safety recalls (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
22 to 36 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 28% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe cost in fuel a year?
About $1800 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Santa Fe year is better than the 2024?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works