Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe SportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 165 owner complaints for the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Most complaints involve engine (95) and electrical system (22). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Apr 2021
Owner complaints
165
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Park outsideFree remedy

Hyundai 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, hydraulicReported Apr 28, 2021NHTSA 21V303000

Service brakes

Park outsideFree remedy

Hyundai 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, hydraulicReported Aug 27, 2020NHTSA 20V520000

Engine

Free remedy

Hyundai 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.

EngineReported Dec 28, 2018NHTSA 18V934000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

165 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2017 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine95
  2. Electrical system22
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic17
  4. Power train13
  5. Service brakes10
  6. Engine and engine cooling10
  7. Structure8
  8. Fuel/propulsion system8
  9. Vehicle speed control7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Santa Fe Sport model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2013204
2014165
201584
201672
2017357
2018422
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
16
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

95 reports11 fires
“1. 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Theta 2 Engine Failure It was available for inspection upon request at local dealer and service After engine failedXXX abruptly while driving, it was towed to the service for inspection. 2. The Theta 2 engine in countless 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe models has been a safety risk for all citizens on the roads. This has been an unannounced recall failure due to manufacture shards of metal found within the engine, causing vehicle damage and failure. My car stopped abruptly on the road. I have maintained it through due oil changes and service. 3. The independent dealership that serviced my vehicle has verbally recognized that Theta 2 engines are a safety risk, after my family and I did research to expose underlying cause of engine failure. 4. It has been inspected by Allen Turner Hyundai in [XXX]. No known national manufacturers have been present or documented in case. 5. No, abrupt stop while driving along with burning smells and smoke coming from hood of vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2026EngineODI 11767435

Electrical system

22 reports7 fires
“There was a low noise when I got in the vehicle in the morning. I looked at the engine and it was coming from the abs system. I took it to the mechanic shop and the noise was even louder, the abs part on the passenger side of the firewall in the engine blew up and catch fire. Luckily they were able to put the fire down right away. I’m glad that didn’t happen while driving or while in the driveway of our house were there’s more vehicles parked. There was an Abs light on the dashboard due to an abs sensor for the rear right wheel.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026Electrical system, Service brakesFire reportedODI 11770765

Service brakes, hydraulic

17 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V303000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 27, 2022Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11486679
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Santa Fe Sport 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,600387
Santa Fe Sport 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
192622$2,750403
Santa Fe Sport 4WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
192521$2,850415
Santa Fe Sport 4WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive
182421$2,850427
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 8129Vehicle 8128
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 Santa Fe Sport questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems?

Owners filed 165 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (95), electrical system (22), service brakes, hydraulic (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026