Hyundai Santa Fe Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy

Q: What year Santa Fe should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe has the most documented problems with a problem score of 0 — driven primarily by 0 recalls, 0 complaints, and issues with No complaints on record.

Q: What is the best year Santa Fe to buy?

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is the best-scoring year in our analysis with a problem score of only 0, meaning 0 recalls and 0 complaints on record.

Q: Which Santa Fe has the fewest problems?

The 2013, 2014, 2015 model years have the fewest reported problems in the NHTSA database. Always verify a specific vehicle's history with a VIN report before purchasing.

Every Hyundai Santa Fe model year (2013–2021) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, injuries, and deaths. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.

Hyundai Santa Fe Years to Avoid

#1 WORST

2013

0 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Problem score: 0

#2 WORST

2014

0 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Problem score: 0

#3 WORST

2015

0 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Problem score: 0

Best Hyundai Santa Fe Years to Buy

#1 BEST

2013

0 recalls · 0 complaints

Main area: No significant complaints

Problem score: 0

#2 BEST

2014

0 recalls · 0 complaints

Main area: No significant complaints

Problem score: 0

#3 BEST

2015

0 recalls · 0 complaints

Main area: No significant complaints

Problem score: 0

Found the right year? Verify that specific Santa Fe with a free VIN report.

Hyundai Santa Fe — Year-by-Year Problem Report

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Problem Score	Verdict
2021	0	0	0	Excellent
2020	0	0	0	Excellent
2019	0	0	0	Excellent
2018	0	0	0	Excellent
2017	0	0	0	Excellent
2016	0	0	0	Excellent
2015	0	0	0	Excellent
2014	0	0	0	Excellent
2013	0	0	0	Excellent

Higher scores indicate more reported safety issues across recalls, complaints, and injury data.

Hyundai Santa Fe Shopping Guide by Era

2018–Present

Best: 2021

Recent Santa Fe models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. Lower problem scores typically appear in this era. The 2021 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.

2013–2017

Best: 2017

Mid-decade Santa Fe units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year Santa Fe should I avoid?+

Avoid the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe if possible. It has 0 recalls, 0 owner complaints, and the most common complaint category is No complaints on record. The overall problem score is 0 — the highest in our dataset.

What is the best year Santa Fe to buy?+

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 0. It has only 0 recalls and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.

Which Santa Fe has the fewest problems?+

The 2013, 2014, 2015 model years have the fewest documented problems across recall and complaint databases. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.

More Hyundai Santa Fe Research

Reliability Score

Overall reliability rating and score breakdown for the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Common Problems

Full breakdown of every reported defect for the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Check a Specific Hyundai Santa Fe VIN

Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.

Run a Free VIN Report →