Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Hyundai Santa Fe Sport model year (2013–2018) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Years to Avoid
2 recalls · 279 complaints
5 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 295
3 recalls · 198 complaints
6 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 219
4 recalls · 136 complaints
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 148
Best Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Years to Buy
0 recalls · 51 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 53
1 recall · 56 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 59
3 recalls · 117 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 126
Found the right year? Verify that specific Santa Fe Sport with a free VIN report.
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 | 198 | 6 | — | 219 | Avoid |
| 2017 | 2 | 279 | 5 | — | 295 | Avoid |
| 2016 | 0 | 51 | 1 | — | 53 | Good |
| 2015 | 1 | 56 | — | — | 59 | Good |
| 2014 | 3 | 117 | — | — | 126 | Caution |
| 2013 | 4 | 136 | — | — | 148 | Caution |
All 6 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2018Recent Santa Fe Sport models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2018 stands out with just 219 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2016Mid-decade Santa Fe Sport units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2016 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Santa Fe Sport should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport if possible. It has 2 recalls, 279 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 295 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Santa Fe Sport to buy?+
The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 53. It has only 0 recalls and 51 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Santa Fe Sport has the fewest problems?+
The 2016, 2015, 2014 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Research
Check a Specific Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 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.
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