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ProblemsByVinFile / 2015-HYUNDAI-SANTA-FE-SPORTNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Hyundai
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems
The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has 80 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 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has 80 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 33 complaints, typically surfacing around 92,617 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport owner complaints by model year
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2015 Santa Fe Sport?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Engine: 33 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 62,000–121,000 mi
Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport? 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
engine — 33 owner reports
· tends to show around 92,617 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
brakes — 18 owner reports
· tends to show around 56,383 mi · ~$450 to fix
powertrain — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 57,680 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 44,834 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 92,617 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: 7.4/10 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.
Ask anything about your 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
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.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
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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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2015 Santa Fe Sport· body
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Hyundai santa fe sport. The contact stated that the rear passenger door did not lock automatically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (pohanka Hyundai, 1770 ritchie station ct, capitol heights, md 20790, 301-899-0480), where the technician was…
Dealer failure to to remedy engine replacement under settlement. I am entitled under the March 1, 2022, Settlement Agreement (the “E2 Settlement”) due to recurring Theta II engine failures caused by the oil-starvation/connecting-rod bearing defect. Vehicle stalling on highways…
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Hyundai santa fe sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v520000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a…
Was driving on highway and heard a loud noise and car just stock. I read that old models have same problem. I inspected the car and figure that axle shaft turns inside of transmission and broke it from inside.
Had a problem with your 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
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.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles
An electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, and inspect and replace the ABS module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 25, 2021. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20V-520. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 205.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles
If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began December 22, 2020. Note: This recall has been superseded by NHTSA Recall 21V-303 and all affected vehicles will now be repaired under 21V-303. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 194.
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.
Under investigation
1 open at NHTSA
AQService 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 →
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Engine: 33 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 62,000–121,000 mi; Reliability score 7.4/10 — 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 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 33 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 92,617 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 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 80 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 92,617 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 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 33 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 92,617 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 92,617 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 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 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 80 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.
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/2015/Hyundai/Santa Fe Sport.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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