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ProblemsByVin File / 2014-HYUNDAI-SANTA-FE NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Hyundai

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

The 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe has 492 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

The 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe has 492 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 212 complaints, typically surfacing around 87,799 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Hyundai Santa Fe owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2011 Santa Fe 181 3
2012 Santa Fe 352 1
2013 Santa Fe 604 3
2014 Santa Fe (this page) 492 3
2015 Santa Fe 254 2
2016 Santa Fe 235 3
2017 Santa Fe 945 6
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe
Photo: Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Hyundai Santa Fe
0 5 10
Reliability score
6.4 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2014 Santa Fe?
Avoid — the engine

The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine 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 2014 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: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 87,799 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 6.4/10 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 2014 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

engine
212 reports · fails ~87,799 mi · avg $3,100
severe
steering
52 reports · fails ~50,027 mi · avg $700
moderate
brakes
44 reports · fails ~77,527 mi · avg $450
severe
electrical
38 reports · fails ~62,822 mi · avg $850
severe
powertrain
35 reports · fails ~55,516 mi · avg $2,500
severe
body
12 reports · fails ~71,927 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
cruise control
12 reports · fails ~53,297 mi · avg $600
moderate
visibility
11 reports · fails ~20,439 mi · avg $350
severe

Your road ahead on this 2014 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. ~11,920 mivisibility~$350
  2. ~38,000 misteering~$700
  3. ~60,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
  4. ~62,000 mielectrical~$850
  5. ~91,000 miengine~$3,100
  6. ~92,000 mibrakes~$450

"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 2014 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 2014 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

2014 Santa Fe · electrical
One day Im driving to work and out of the blue, my car stereo stopped working, it turns on but no sound comes out of it. Tried replacing amplifier, speakers etc, nothing worked. After that, my car wouldn't start several times a month, had to jump start it frequently for about…
2014 Santa Fe · engine
Was stopped at a red light, and when the light turned green and stepped on the gas, the car moved initially and then stopped accelerating. It sputtered along, slowly accelerating a little bit at a time. This happened for the rest of the ride home. The engine light also was…
12/27/2020 · at 90,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11385128.0 · see engine pattern →
2014 Santa Fe · engine
Driving vehicle on Interstate at 65 mph. With no warning, dashboard lights, or anything, engine just shut down. Heard banging when trying to restart, shut car off. Checked oil, not a drop in engine. Dealer says engine "threw a rod", says it will be $15,000 to replace. Hyundai…
2014 Santa Fe · body
Rear driver side door doesn't open from inside or outside of the vehicle. Based on everything I have been reading seems to be a common problem.
View all 492 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2014 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 3

severe NHTSA 23V651000 September 22, 2023

Hyundai 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

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
severe NHTSA 17V358000 June 5, 2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles

If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
severe NHTSA 13V624000 December 16, 2013

Hyundai 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 damaged sidewall may result in a separation between the belt edges which could cause tread detachment or rapid air loss, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai notified dealers to suspend sales of affected Santa Fe Sport vehicles equipped with the P235/65R17 103T tires, and replace them with alternative tires. All affected vehicles were remedied prior to retail sale. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151.

Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA

AQ Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · opened November 2023

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. AQ23002 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 492 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 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 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe?

On the NHTSA data, the 2014 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 engine was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 14 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the engine; Brakes: 44 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 28,091–110,000 mi; Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 3 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 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 212 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 87,799 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 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 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe a good used car to buy?

It scores 6.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 492 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 87,799 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 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 212 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 87,799 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 87,799 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 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 492 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, 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/2014/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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