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ProblemsByVin File / 2007-HYUNDAI-SANTA-FE NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Hyundai

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

The 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe has 682 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 9 active recall campaigns.

The 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe has 682 NHTSA owner complaints and 9 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 89 complaints, typically surfacing around 60,859 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Hyundai Santa Fe owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2005 Santa Fe 216 3
2006 Santa Fe 106 1
2007 Santa Fe (this page) 682 9
2008 Santa Fe 541 6
2009 Santa Fe 357 3
2010 Santa Fe 256 3
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
Photo: Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Hyundai Santa Fe
0 5 10
Reliability score
5.0 / 10

Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.

0
Critical
9
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2007 Santa Fe?
Avoid — the electrical system

The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Buying a used 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 60,859 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 9 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 5.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
89 reports · fails ~60,859 mi · avg $1,100
severe
electrical
75 reports · fails ~86,868 mi · avg $850
severe
visibility
70 reports · fails ~72,476 mi · avg $350
moderate
brakes
50 reports · fails ~47,024 mi · avg $450
severe
cruise control
45 reports · fails ~67,909 mi · avg $600
severe
steering
38 reports · fails ~72,950 mi · avg $700
moderate
engine
34 reports · fails ~75,349 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
fuel system
33 reports · fails ~80,585 mi · avg $1,200
moderate

Your road ahead on this 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe

When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.

  1. ~36,801 mibrakes~$450
  2. ~60,000 miairbags~$1,100
  3. ~68,000 miengine~$3,100
  4. ~68,714 micruise control~$600
  5. ~72,000 misuspension~$900
  6. ~73,998 milighting~$250
  7. ~75,000 mivisibility~$350
  8. ~75,000 misteering~$700
  9. ~80,000 mifuel system~$1,200
  10. ~85,000 mielectrical~$850

"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.

Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2007 Santa Fe's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2007 Santa Fe?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2007 Santa Fe · engine
The front valve cover gasket on the engine has failed. Engine oil is leaking onto the alternator. This creates a significant risk for alternator failure and potential loss of power while driving. *js
12/30/2014 · at 69,605 mi · NHTSA ODI #10668960.0 · see engine pattern →
2007 Santa Fe · lighting
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 Hyundai santa fe. The contact noticed that the check engine warning light illuminated, causing her brake lights to malfunction when the brakes were depressed similar to NHTSA campaign id number: 09v122000 ( service brakes, hydraulic switches:brake…
12/30/2010 · at 87,800 mi · NHTSA ODI #10373474.0 · see lighting pattern →
2007 Santa Fe · lighting
The contact stated while driving at any speed during the night, the headlights only provided 30 feet of illumination. After the 30 foot distance, there was a distinct shadow. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the dealer adjusted the alignment of the headlights but…
2007 Santa Fe · steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Hyundai santa fe. While driving at any speed, the vehicle jerked left and right and leaned on one side without warning. The failure caused the driver to almost lose control of the vehicle. The failure recurred a number of times. The dealer was unable…
12/28/2016 · at 100,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10937882.0 · see steering pattern →
View all 682 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 9

severe NHTSA 20V061000 February 4, 2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles

An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.
severe NHTSA 13V113000 April 1, 2013

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
severe NHTSA 12V354000 July 25, 2012

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from April 19, 2006, through July 7, 2008

Improper classification or detection may cause the front passenger airbag not to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the classification software free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
View all 9 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.0 out of 10 based on 682 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe?

On the NHTSA data, the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 5 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the electrical system; Brakes: 50 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 26,000–59,800 mi; Reliability score 5.0/10 — around the segment average; 9 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 89 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 60,859 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe a good used car to buy?

It scores 5.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 682 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 60,859 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 89 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 60,859 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 60,859 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Hyundai Santa Fe has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 682 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Hyundai/Santa Fe. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Hyundai. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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