Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Santa Fe years.
One of the Hyundai Santa Fe years to avoid. All Santa Fe years
656 owner complaints, most about engine. 7 recalls.
Should I buy a 2014 Santa Fe?The 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe has 656 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and service brakes. Owners most often flag catastrophic engine failure (theta ii and related gdi engines, ~2013-2019): sudden engine seizure, knocking, bearing failure, leading to complete replacement. often preceded by excessive oil consumption. warranty coverage is a frequent point of conflict.
Safety record for the 2014 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Santa Fe years only. How we score it
Is 2014 a good year for the Santa Fe?
Across the 26 Santa Fe model years we track, complaint volume runs from 106 (2006) to 1,316 (2017). With 656 complaints, the 2014 Santa Fe sits above the model's median of 287.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2014 Santa Fe
latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Campaign 17V358000Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
tires:sidewall
Campaign 13V624000Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2014 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 5, 2013, through November 15, 2013, and equipped with P235/65R17 103T Continental Crosscontact LX tires. The tires may have a damaged sidewall.
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Campaign 23V651000Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
engine
Campaign 18V934000Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
Show 3 more recalls
engine and engine cooling:engine
Campaign 17V226000Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Campaign 21V303000Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Campaign 20V520000Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by model year and engine type, creating a high-risk, high-reward ownership profile.
- Very frequentCatastrophic Engine Failure (Theta II and related GDI engines, ~2013-2019)
Sudden engine seizure, knocking, bearing failure, leading to complete replacement. Often preceded by excessive oil consumption. Warranty coverage is a frequent point of conflict.
- Very frequentExcessive Oil Consumption (GDI engines, ~2013-2019)
Burning 1 quart or more of oil every 1,000-1,500 miles. Leads to engine damage if not constantly monitored and topped up.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Santa Fe. See the full Santa Fe owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Santa Fe listings typically run $18,687–$28,522.
Other Santa Fe model years
Compare every Santa Fe year side by side to see how 2014 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Santa Fe against its rivals
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