Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Owners filed 494 complaints about the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe with NHTSA between Jan 2014 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is engine (275).

Complaints
494
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
16
Reported by owners
Fires
30
Reported by owners
Injuries
20
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine275
  2. Steering52
  3. Electrical system49
  4. Power train36
  5. Service brakes32
  6. Vehicle speed control27
  7. Fuel/propulsion system27
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic22
  9. Structure20
  10. Air bags13
  11. Exterior lighting11
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)11
  13. Visibility9
  14. Seat belts7

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 3, 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
201423
201532
201617
201736
201819
201939
202068
202158
202261
202358
202461
202516
20266

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

275 reports3 crashes21 fires
“We are the original owner of a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. The vehicle is experiencing issues from internal engine oil consumption caused by a manufacturing defect in the GDI powertrain. In 2023, while driving under normal operating conditions, the vehicle began severely jerking, shuddering and hesitating during acceleration. This hesitation and sudden drop in power creates a severe and immediate traffic hazard, as the vehicle loses acceleration capabilities unpredictably while driving, merging, entering a highway or crossing intersections. I have since experience low oil volume due to this systemic oil consumption. On April 7, 2023 while I was under the 100,000 mile factory warranty (at 99,644), the issues were reported to the dealership but they found no issues. Since then the engine light come up regularly and we must add or change oil soon. On June 15, 2026 we took it back with the same issue and we have been told after checking it and filling it up we must repeat the process from 2023, drive it for 1000 miles without changing or adding oil, even if it dries up. This will create a safety hazard not only for the public but for my family. Now we are told the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2026EngineODI 11744914

Steering

52 reports1 fire
“The vehicle is making a loud clunking noise in the steering column when driving down the road. It is veering all over the road and when I hit a bump it’s very bad. It’s difficult to keep in the lane. I brought it to my mechanic who said it was most likely the electronic steering motor assembly. He said he would not drive it in its current condition. Hyundai themselves said that it would be dangerous to operate. On the complaint website I was looking on there was around 50 complaints that have been reported to the NHTSA already and the website said it would also be very dangerous to drive.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 3, 2025SteeringODI 11652572

Electrical system

49 reports4 crashes6 fires
“Bien,mi auto tuvo varios problemas al mismo tiempo: 1-falla en todo el sistema eléctrico,aire acondicionado,control de tráfico ambas partes, Power steering,ABS,Pérdida de potencia en el motor,problemas con el receptor de la llave remoto,tiene un problema eléctrico sin precedente todo ocurrió de la nada,todo ocurrió un mismo día cuando íbamos camino a una excursión mi familia y yo estuvimos en un gran riesgo,todos los componentes han sido inspeccionados y no he podido aún arreglarlos porque se necesita el consecionario de este automóvil para descubrirle las grandes fallas que presenta,aún tiene 3 señales en el tablero, check Engine, Power String, ABS, todo prendió después del problema”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 30, 2025Power train, Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11684072

Power train

36 reports4 crashes1 fire
“In relation to this incident, approximately 3,00 miles after an oil change, the engine oil drain plug fell out and caused all oil to leak and cause engine damage. Engine oil change was at approximately 125,000 miles. Drain plug fell out at approximately 128,000 miles. No warning lights or symptoms were present prior to vehicle shutting off and dying while driving. Vehicle was then towed to shop who previously did oil change. Shop confirmed drain plug was missing and oil level was empty. I am the manager of this shop submitting this on behalf of the customer with this vehicle. We are aware of the ongoing concerns in relation to case DP22-003 and would like to submit this information as further evidence for this case”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2025Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11683753

Service brakes

32 reports5 crashes2 fires
“The start of this journey to Wesley Chapel Hyundai service department were 4 or 5 lights on the dashboard. I can’t remember what day I called to make the appointment-probably a week before the appointment as followed. I made appointment to take my Sante Fe Sport to Wesley Chapel for Monday 02/17/2025. The vehicle was not driven after the multiple lights came on the dashboard. That was their earliest appointment for service. On [XXX] the Santa Fe Sport was towed to Westly Chapel service department because a neighbor came over to tell us that the car lights were blinking. The car was not on. When they lifted the hood on the vehicle there was smoke and the smell of something burnt. They disconnected the battery, and the vehicle was towed by AAA to the Westley Chapel Hyundai. We live in a mobile home and park the car close to the kitchen window. This scared me. What could have been was losing my home to fire. Thankfully it didn’t happen. My question is how does an ABS ASSY go bad under 30,000 miles on a vehicle? And we are being told that some pump went bad first that caused the ABS ASSY to go bad. So also, I question how does a pump go bad under 30,000 miles on a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2025Service brakesODI 11649385

Vehicle speed control

27 reports1 crash
“The engine has been running rough for awhile and emissions light came on. My car was having problems accelerating, 2 years ago the light came on but didn’t stay on so the dealer couldn’t diagnose problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2025Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11688912
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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