Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems

Owners filed 165 complaints about the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport with NHTSA between Jun 2017 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (95).

Complaints
165
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
16
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Steering5
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)4
  12. Lane departure3
  13. Service brakes, air3
  14. Seat belts2

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201717
201820
201920
20207
202116
202220
20238
20246
202530
202621

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

95 reports11 fires1 related recall
“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 fire2 related recalls
“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

Power train

13 reports1 fire
“Engine code p1326. The engine went into limp mode it was only able to drive about 15 miles then check engine light came popped on and the vehicle stopped and I had the get the vehicle towed. Yes Route 60 of Hyundai in Vero Beach was aware of the issue and also I took the vehicle to Hyundai in Fort pierce where they also was well aware of the engine issue. When I received a recall letter in the mail and brought my vehicle into Route 60 Hyundai of Vero Beach. My vehicle was also apart of the Theta 2 issue class act litigation.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11738905

Service brakes

10 reports3 fires
“On June 20, 2026, while the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport was being driven on Richardson Highway near Mile 155 in Alaska, smoke and flames developed from the engine compartment without any collision. The driver stopped and both occupants exited before the vehicle became fully engulfed. The fire created an immediate risk of serious injury or death and blocked the northbound lane. There were no known prior drivability problems, warning lamps, or other symptoms before the incident. The exact failed component is UNKNOWN. Potential areas requiring investigation include the engine, electrical system, ABS/HECU brake module, multi-fuse, fuel system, and other engine-compartment components. Alaska Department of Public Safety responded. Its report states that there was no obvious cause, but that the fire appeared to have originated in the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed and preserved for the manufacturer. Hyundai inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the inspection was completed on July 11, 2026. Hyundai later stated orally that it did not find an engine defect, but it has not provided the complete inspection report, testing methods, photographs, technical…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 28, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineFire reportedODI 11753388

Engine and engine cooling

10 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started to lose power while depressing the accelerator pedal, with black smoke coming from the engine compartment. The oil, check engine, and battery warning lights were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and discovered black smoke coming from under the hood. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the engine was replaced. Two weeks after the replacement, the starter failed to operate as needed, and the vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic, where the starter was replaced. Upon investigation, the mechanic discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V226000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); and associated the vehicle with the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle remained with the independent mechanic and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,577.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 16, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11750844
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026

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