The Lemon Index2025 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is so far one of the worst years by owner complaints: 238 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 276, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 5 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 238 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year. 2025 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 4K to 16K miles on the car (17 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 5
- 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.
- airbags 2025
The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
Show all 5 recalls
- 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.
- engine 2025
The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power and engine damage, possibly resulting in an oil leak.
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 46 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Higher-than-expected engine oil
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- 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 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Cruz PU/CC FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 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
Car had an unintended acceleration. I had been stopped prior to entering my garage. I had started to slowly accelerate when the car accelerated hard. It took a lot of effort to stop the car.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe owner · NHTSA complaint 11712801
More owner reports
Vehicle went into â limp modeâ It is a hybrid and the electric motor was in operative and top speed is around 35 MPH Unsafe to drive
NHTSA complaint 11771054
While driving in the evening around 9:00 pm with AC on crash detection lights came on along with other emergency dashboard lights . Speed was limited to 23 miles per hour .
NHTSA complaint 11759322
Quick answers
Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn 2.8× the average car's complaints per car sold, against other 2025 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 276; 100 is average). The best Hyundai Santa Fe year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (25%), engine (20%) and transmission & drivetrain (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
5 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 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
22 to 36 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2025 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 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe cost in fuel a year?
About $1800 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Santa Fe year is better than the 2025?
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