The most-reported Santa Fe run is 5NMSH13E67H (2007 builds) with 31 complaints, 9.1× the typical run. Engine problems make up 34% of reports; 2008 is the worst model year at 7.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 49 recall campaigns for Santa Fe model years 2001–2026.
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 has 2,088 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 2% of every Santa Fe complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5NMSH13E67H•••••• | 2007 | 1 | — | |
| 5NMSH13EX7H•••••• | 2007 | 3 | — | |
| 5NMSH13E77H•••••• | 2007 | 2 | — | |
| 5NMSG13D98H•••••• | 2008 | 1 | — | |
| KM8SRDHF1HU•••••• | 2017 | — | 1 | |
| 5NMSH13E27H•••••• | 2007 | 1 | — | |
| 5NMSH13E47H•••••• | 2007 | 2 | 1 | |
| 5NMSH13E87H•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| 5NMSH13E37H•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| 5NMSH13E17H•••••• | 2007 | 2 | — | |
| KM8SC83D71U•••••• | 2001 | — | 1 | |
| 5NMSH13E57H•••••• | 2007 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 2,076 Santa Fe runs has 19 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 334 Santa Fe VINs so far, most often 2026, 2017, 2023 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 the gap between build years is 4.5×: a 2008 car draws 7.7 complaints per run, a 2018 one 1.7.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 28 | 25 | — | |
| 2025 | 133 | 85 | 5 | |
| 2024 | 152 | 75 | 11 | |
| 2023 | 208 | 101 | 11 | |
| 2022 | 197 | 101 | 9 | |
| 2021 | 166 | 80 | 4 | |
| 2020 | 211 | 85 | 13 | |
| 2019 | 196 | 83 | 15 | |
| 2018 | 101 | 59 | 5 | |
| 2017 | 944 | 168 | 13 | |
| 2016 | 230 | 106 | 6 | |
| 2015 | 246 | 114 | 7 | |
| 2014 | 479 | 150 | 16 | |
| 2013 | 571 | 152 | 13 | |
| 2012 | 331 | 89 | 20 | |
| 2011 | 165 | 77 | 12 | |
| 2010 | 231 | 79 | 7 | |
| 2009 | 311 | 52 | 24 | |
| 2008 | 459 | 60 | 16 | |
| 2007 | 568 | 84 | 28 |
Heaviest year here is 2008 at 7.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2026 at 1.1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 34% of everything Hyundai Santa Fe owners report: Engine, 2,345 of 7,010 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 26 | 114 | |
| Power Train | 28 | 7 | |
| Electrical System | 21 | 58 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 33 | 37 | |
| Service Brakes | 79 | 30 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 12 | 16 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 71 | 3 | |
| Air Bags | 100 | 4 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 49 recall campaigns on the Hyundai Santa Fe; the 6 below cover build years 2001 to 2026. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 14V435000 | Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs | 2001–2006 |
| 23V181000 | Trailer Hitches | 2019–2023 |
| 17V358000 | Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch | 2013–2017 |
| 13V113000 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch | 2007–2011 |
| 03V520000 | Equipment:other:labels | 2001–2004 |
| 26V218000 | Seat Belts:front:anchorage | 2024–2026 |
14V435000 was opened in 2014 on cars built from 2001: 13 years on the road before the recall.
The Santa Fe against its rivals
The Santa Fe draws 3.4 complaints per production run; the Toyota RAV4 2.3, the Honda CR-V 3.7 and the Honda Pilot 3.9.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 7,010 | 2,088 | 4.6% | |
| Toyota RAV4 | 8,453 | 3,661 | 8.5% | |
| Honda CR-V | 14,848 | 4,017 | 5.1% | |
| Honda Pilot | 8,694 | 2,227 | 3.6% |
How serious were they
Of the 7,010 reports on the Hyundai Santa Fe, 4.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Hyundai Santa Fe | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 7,010 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 320 (4.6%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 207 (3%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 282 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 8 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Hyundai Santa Fe share of that is 7,010 complaints over 2,088 runs, 0.63% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Hyundai Santa Fe VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 7,010 NHTSA complaints from 2,088 Santa Fe runs and 49 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Santa Fe production run has the most complaints?
5NMSH13E67H, a 2007 build, with 31 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Santa Fe run has 3.4.
Which Santa Fe years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2008 is heaviest at 7.7 complaints per run and 2026 lightest at 1.1.
Does the Santa Fe get more complaints than the Toyota RAV4?
Yes: 3.4 complaints per production run for the Santa Fe against 2.3 for the Toyota RAV4.
How many Santa Fe complaints involve a crash?
4.6% of 7,010 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 207 involved a fire.
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