What is the best year for a Hyundai Santa Fe?

Avoid 2013-2014 (604 and 492 complaints) and especially 2017 (929 complaints), which coincides with the Theta II engine recall era. The 2021 Santa Fe (158 complaints, 10/10 safety, 5 severe) is the strongest mature used pick. The current generation is consistent: 2024 (121, 8/10, 11 severe) and 2025 (112, 8/10, 6 severe) are solid options for buyers wanting newer.

How much does Hyundai Santa Fe insurance cost?

Santa Fe insurance averages about $2,430/year — roughly $203/month.

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is cheaper to maintain by $86/year — $429 versus $515 for the Santa Fe. Note the RAV4 is a compact SUV while the Santa Fe is a midsize, so they serve somewhat different buyers. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability (10%); the Santa Fe has a slightly lower repair frequency (24% vs. 26%). The cost gap is real, but so is the size difference.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Santa Fe?

Major repair probability of 10% and repair frequency of 24% are both well below midsize segment averages. Extended warranty isn't needed for 2021 and newer. For used models in the 2013-2014 and 2017 range, the documented engine recall history makes coverage worth taking seriously.

Hyundai Santa Fe Maintenance Cost

Hyundai Santa Fe maintenance costs. Full year-by-year breakdown, common problems, and which years to buy or avoid.

$515

Annual maint.

8/10

Reliability

10%

Major repair risk (5yr)

$2,430

Avg. insurance / yr

// RELIABILITY BY YEAR

Which year Santa Fe should you buy?

Tap any year to see what to expect. Green is safe, red means known issues.

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

Neutral

Power Train:Automatic Transmission complaints most reported in 2010.

3 recalls on record. Affected systems:

Equipment
Brakes
Transmission

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks on the Santa Fe

Top issues ranked by share of total NHTSA complaints.

Engine

Common

Years affected: 2010–2026

Vehicle speed control, engine

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2026

Service brakes, hydraulic

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2025

Electrical system

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2026

Steering, suspension, power train

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2020, 2022–2026

Visibility/wiper

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2011, 2013–2026

Structure, tires

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2016, 2018–2026

Air bags, seat belts, unknown or other

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2025

Fuel/propulsion system

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2024

Exterior lighting

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2021, 2023–2024

// EXTENDED WARRANTY

Is a Santa Fe extended warranty worth it?

Probably not. The Hyundai Santa Fe's 10% major repair probability over 5 years is below the segment average — 90 out of 100 owners won't hit a repair that exceeds the warranty cost. The most reliable years to buy are the 2011 and 2018. The exception: if you're buying a 2017, 2019, and 2023, check the known issues before deciding.

// NEW VS USED

Buy new or save on a used Santa Fe?

The Santa Fe holds 73% of its value after 3 years — in line with the midsize SUV average.

73%

Value retained · 3 yr

54%

Value retained · 5 yr

42%

Value retained · 7 yr

New Santa Fe

$35,050

MSRP including destination charge for base trim

Used Santa Fe

$25,989

KBB Fair Purchase Price, 2024, national average, good condition, ~36k miles

Avg. maintenance / yr$515

Major repair risk (any year)10%

Avg. insurance premium / yr$2,430

MPG combined (City/Hwy)26

Value depreciation after 3 yr$9,626

// HEAD TO HEAD

How it compares

Toyota RAV4

$429/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full comparison

Honda CR-V

$407/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full comparison

More Midsize SUVs

Chevrolet Blazer Honda Passport Jeep Grand Cherokee Nissan Murano All Midsize SUVs →

// FAQ

Common questions

The Santa Fe averages $515/year in maintenance — $58 below the midsize segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 24% is well below the class average of 40%. Major repair probability of 10% is well below the 13% norm. Reliability score of 8 is above the midsize average of 7. It outperforms the segment average on every ownership-cost metric.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →