The most-reported Santa Fe Sport run is 5NMZU3LBXHH (2017 builds) with 15 complaints, 6× the typical run. Engine problems make up 46% of reports; 2017 is the worst model year at 3.1 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for Santa Fe Sport model years 2013–2018.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has 453 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 5% of every Santa Fe Sport complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5NMZU3LBXHH•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 5XYZU3LB1EG•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| 5NMZU3LB4HH•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 5NMZU3LB0HH•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 5NMZU3LB1HH•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 5NMZUDLB6HH•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 5NMZU3LB2HH•••••• | 2017 | — | 1 | |
| 5NMZU3LB5HH•••••• | 2017 | — | 1 | |
| 5NMZUDLB1HH•••••• | 2017 | — | 1 | |
| 5XYZU3LB7EG•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| 5NMZU3LB3HH•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 5NMZUDLB9HH•••••• | 2017 | — | — |
Each of the other 441 Santa Fe Sport runs has 8 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 73 Santa Fe Sport VINs so far, most often 2013, 2018, 2014 builds; 3 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport the gap between build years is 2.1×: a 2017 car draws 3.1 complaints per run, a 2015 one 1.5.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 318 | 124 | 7 | |
| 2017 | 335 | 108 | 4 | |
| 2016 | 69 | 37 | 4 | |
| 2015 | 82 | 53 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 157 | 66 | — | |
| 2013 | 191 | 70 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 2017 at 3.1 complaints per run; lightest is 2015 at 1.5.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 46% of everything Hyundai Santa Fe Sport owners report: Engine, 670 of 1,152 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 40 | |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 7 | |
| Hydraulic | — | 3 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | 14 | |
| Power Train | 1 | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 1 | 17 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | — | 11 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 5 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 11 recall campaigns on the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport; the 6 below cover build years 2013 to 2018. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 17V358000 | Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch | 2013–2017 |
| 21V303000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module | 2013–2015 |
| 20V520000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module | 2013–2015 |
| 22V056000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module | 2017–2018 |
| 18V934000 | Engine | 2013–2014 |
| 17V226000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 2013–2014 |
17V358000 was opened in 2017 on cars built from 2013: 4 years on the road before the recall.
The Santa Fe Sport against its rivals
The Santa Fe Sport draws 2.5 complaints per production run; the Lincoln MKX 3.7 and the Lincoln MKC 2.2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Fe Sport | 1,152 | 453 | 1.5% | |
| Lincoln MKX | 1,326 | 359 | 3.8% | |
| Lincoln MKC | 586 | 269 | 3.1% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,152 reports on the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, 1.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Hyundai Santa Fe Sport | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,152 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 17 (1.5%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 60 (5.2%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 17 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 74% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport share of that is 1,152 complaints over 453 runs, 0.1% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Hyundai Santa Fe Sport VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,152 NHTSA complaints from 453 Santa Fe Sport runs and 11 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Santa Fe Sport production run has the most complaints?
5NMZU3LBXHH, a 2017 build, with 15 complaints. The typical Santa Fe Sport run has 2.5.
Which Santa Fe Sport years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2017 is heaviest at 3.1 complaints per run and 2015 lightest at 1.5.
Does the Santa Fe Sport get more complaints than the Lincoln MKX?
No: 2.5 complaints per production run for the Santa Fe Sport against 3.7 for the Lincoln MKX.
How many Santa Fe Sport complaints involve a crash?
1.5% of 1,152 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 60 involved a fire.
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