SUV · Hybrid
Hyundai Santa Fe 2024–2026 (MX5)
- Your fit
- Take the quiz
- Price
- $33,900–$46,000
- MPG
- 36
- Strength: Excellent safety
- Strength: Strong running costs
- Strength: Strong passenger space
- Watch-out: Poor cargo & utility
- Watch-out: Poor reliability
How it scores for you10 scores
A five-star-safe, three-row family hauler with efficient hybrid economy and roomy seats-folded cargo, but modest 191-hp performance and powertrain complaints temper the appeal.
Recalled about 50% more often than cars of the same model years (over-the-air software recalls count half); 4 of its 10 recalls were serious. About 5% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted -2 points for its wider reputation.
4-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 4, side 5, rollover 4).
About $1,850 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 78% of cars we track.
14.6 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 8% of other SUVs we track.
Three-row seating for 7 and huge 80.7 cu ft max cargo make it notably roomy versus midsize peers, though third row is tight.
Family SUV tuned for comfort, not sport. 191 hp (hybrid figure) is modest; adequate but unremarkable acceleration and handling typical of the segment.
Latest Santa Fe offers dual curved displays, modern infotainment, and strong driver-assist features, above segment average for its generation.
Boxy new design maximizes space and offers quiet, comfortable ride with upscale interior; well-regarded for family comfort.
SUVs and hybrids usually hold their value better than average.
Rated to tow 2,000 lb; all- or four-wheel drive available.
Safety & recalls16 recalls
16 recalls · 9 common complaint areas across 2024–2026
- Powertrain — 49 complaints (2024)
- Recall — Engine and engine cooling: critical fasteners (2026)
- Electrical — 42 complaints (2025)
2026
- RecallEngine and engine cooling: critical fasteners25V549000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power and engine damage, possibly resulting in an oil leak.
- RecallAirbags: side/window: curtain25V809000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
- RecallElectrical: instrument cluster/panel26V047000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display
- RecallSeat belts: front: anchorage26V218000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2026 Genesis G90, 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other10 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rear Back Up Camera Had Moisture In The Lenses Making The Rear Back Up Assist Worthless. Nearly Caused Multiple Collisions While In Revers.
- Complaint clusterElectrical6 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This vehicle constantly pops up an alert to "consider taking a break" on the dash. It mutes everything else and causes a distraction. This vehicle was operated at normal highway driving conditions. THERE IS NO WAY TO DIABLE THIS. After looking online there is a reddit post from 2 years ago where thi
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper5 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER
Driving down the road and the sunroof just exploded. No rock, no nearby cars that could have kicked something up. Just crumbled in.
- Complaint clusterSeats5 complaintscomplaints:SEATS
I bought a 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD Calligraphy on April 25, 2026 from Pohanka Hyundai. On April 27, the second row captain's seat on the driver's side folded, pressing my child's chest to his knees. He had his seatbelt on and stated that, even though he tried, he was unable to resist the pressure
2025
- RecallEngine and engine cooling: critical fasteners25V549000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power and engine damage, possibly resulting in an oil leak.
- RecallElectrical: starter assembly25V659000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe vehicles. The B+ positive terminal cover on the starter motor assembly may be improperly installed, which can cause an electrical short during a crash.
- RecallBack over prevention: display function25V808000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The rearview camera may not have been installed properly, which can damage the wiring harness and cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requ
- RecallAirbags: side/window: curtain25V809000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
- RecallSeat belts: front: anchorage26V218000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2026 Genesis G90, 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.
- Complaint clusterElectrical42 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving on the on ramp to [XXX] the car completely stopped and all systems shut off. There were two dash lights that flashed quickly with one being the check engine light but I did not see the other long enough to identify it. The dealership could not reproduce the issue but has the car now
- Complaint clusterPowertrain36 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
While operating the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly began severely hesitating and stalling. During the incident, engine RPM surged to approximately 6,000 RPM and accelerator pedal response became abnormal. The vehicle was not responding normally to accelerator input, which significantly affected the a
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other25 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On 6/6/2026, my husband and I were driving on I70 west bound near the Golden CO exit. Out of nowhere, we heard a very loud pop sound and then heard wind over our head. The front sunroof spontaneously shattered. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection up
- Complaint clusterCruise control22 complaintscomplaints:VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle independently accelerated while the accelerator pedal was only lightly depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the pedal sensor was adjust
- Complaint clusterTires17 complaintscomplaints:TIRES
235/60R18 103H While driving the 1year old car, the tire pressure reading in the vehicle began to go down, upon exiting the vehicle it was determined that two holes blew through in the side wall of the tire. Thankfully, this was not as dangerous of a situation as it could’ve been as the car had just
2024
- RecallBack over prevention: software24V246000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Santa Fe vehicles. The rearview camera image may be obstructed by a trailer parking assist message. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: control module: software24V529000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Santa Fe vehicles. A software error in the transmission control unit may result in a vehicle roll away when the vehicle is in PARK.
- RecallAir bags; electrical: wiring24V561000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Santa Fe and Santa Fe HEV vehicles. The main floor wiring harness may chafe against the passenger-side second-row bench seat assembly and become damaged, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally or prevent the air bags from dep
- RecallElectrical: wiring: switches/knobs/buttons; visibility: sun/moon roof assembly24V843000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The overhead console rear sunshade switch knob may not be fully recessed, which can result in unintentional closing of the sunshade. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Feder
- RecallElectrical: starter assembly25V659000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe vehicles. The B+ positive terminal cover on the starter motor assembly may be improperly installed, which can cause an electrical short during a crash.
- RecallBack over prevention: display function25V808000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The rearview camera may not have been installed properly, which can damage the wiring harness and cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requ
- RecallSeat belts: front: anchorage26V218000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2026 Genesis G90, 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.
- Complaint clusterPowertrain49 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
Our vehicle does this all the time and has done so for almost two years. After starting the vehicle and then shifting to a gear, either drive or reverse. The vehicle does not always go into gear. When you take your foot off the brake to push on the accelerator, the vehicle will start to roll in the
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other33 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Electric oil pump failure in transmission
- Complaint clusterElectrical26 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe gasoline model. My VIN was included in Hyundai Safety Recall 263 / NHTSA Recall 24V-529 involving the Transmission Control Unit and potential damage to the dual-clutch transmission. On September 25, 2024, at fewer than 5,000 miles, the transmission failed and the vehicle was t
- Complaint clusterBrakes9 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES
Despite having the DCT software recall repaired, today the parking brake disengaged after the car was idling for a few minutes at my son’s school. It lurched forward, startling me, and then I was alerted that the emergency parking brake deployed. The rollaway could have injured a child in the park
- Complaint clusterForward collision avoidance8 complaintscomplaints:FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Hyundai - DAW - Driver Attention Warning / Forward Attention Warning System This issue warrants immediate consideration for a recall. Despite wearing glasses, sunglasses, or no glasses, the problem persists. I occasional do remove my glasses while driving, and the warning continues to sound. This oc
Cost to own$32,000 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$33,900–$46,000
Estimated used price, by model year
$1,850/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
36
Highway MPG
35
Combined MPG
36
Horsepower
191 hp
Doors
4
Length
190.2 in
Width
74.8 in
Height
67.7 in
Wheelbase
110.6 in
Curb weight
4,486 lb
Cargo volume
14.6 cu ft
Cargo (seats folded)
80.7 cu ft
Towing capacity
2,000 lbs
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