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.

Last verified September 2026

$515

Avg. repairs/yr

8/10

Reliability

10%

Major repair risk (5yr)

$2,430

Avg. insurance / yr

Estimate the Hyundai Santa Fe's total cost for your mileage and years of ownership →

// RELIABILITY BY YEAR

Which year Santa Fe should you buy?

Green is safe, red means major known issues. Tap any year.
Years scored against Santa Fe's own complaint record — not against other SUVs.

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

Second generation (CM)

Engine: 2.4 L Theta II I4 (175 hp); 3.5 L Lambda V6 (276 hp)

Transmission: 6-speed manual (2.4L FWD); 6-speed automatic

Neutral

Power Train:Automatic Transmission complaints most reported in 2010.

3 recalls on record. Affected systems:

Equipment
Exterior Lighting
Power Train

// 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

Structure

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

// MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Hyundai Santa Fe maintenance schedule

RepairPal's scheduled dealer-service costs for the Hyundai Santa Fe, by mileage interval. This is separate from the avg. repairs/yr figure above, which covers unscheduled repairs only.

Total scheduled service, 0–150k mi

$18,822–$25,057

Hyundai Santa Fe scheduled maintenance cost by mileage interval, with running total
Mileage	Service cost	Running total
6,000 mi	$296–$396	$296–$396
7,500 mi	$178–$225	$474–$621
8,000 mi	$183–$269	$657–$890
10,000 mi	$73–$90	$730–$980
12,000 mi	$424–$570	$1,154–$1,550
15,000 mi	$347–$466	$1,501–$2,016
16,000 mi	$254–$373	$1,755–$2,389
18,000 mi	$296–$396	$2,051–$2,785
20,000 mi	$73–$90	$2,124–$2,875
22,500 mi	$178–$225	$2,302–$3,100
24,000 mi	$467–$625	$2,769–$3,725
30,000 mi	$394–$529	$3,163–$4,254
32,000 mi	$254–$373	$3,417–$4,627
36,000 mi	$424–$570	$3,841–$5,197
37,500 mi	$179–$225	$4,020–$5,422
40,000 mi	$73–$90	$4,093–$5,512
42,000 mi	$506–$658	$4,599–$6,170
45,000 mi	$347–$466	$4,946–$6,636
48,000 mi	$467–$625	$5,413–$7,261
50,000 mi	$106–$134	$5,519–$7,395
52,500 mi	$254–$323	$5,773–$7,718
54,000 mi	$296–$396	$6,069–$8,114
56,000 mi	$191–$280	$6,260–$8,394
60,000 mi	$854–$1,126	$7,114–$9,520
64,000 mi	$262–$385	$7,376–$9,905
66,000 mi	$296–$396	$7,672–$10,301
67,500 mi	$178–$225	$7,850–$10,526
70,000 mi	$73–$90	$7,923–$10,616
72,000 mi	$474–$635	$8,397–$11,251
75,000 mi	$593–$746	$8,990–$11,997
78,000 mi	$296–$396	$9,286–$12,393
80,000 mi	$73–$90	$9,359–$12,483
82,500 mi	$178–$225	$9,537–$12,708
84,000 mi	$615–$810	$10,152–$13,518
85,000 mi	$348–$386	$10,500–$13,904
88,000 mi	$191–$280	$10,691–$14,184
90,000 mi	$403–$544	$11,094–$14,728
96,000 mi	$474–$635	$11,568–$15,363
97,500 mi	$277–$354	$11,845–$15,717
100,000 mi	$175–$227	$12,020–$15,944
102,000 mi	$296–$396	$12,316–$16,340
104,000 mi	$191–$280	$12,507–$16,620
105,000 mi	$538–$705	$13,045–$17,325
108,000 mi	$431–$580	$13,476–$17,905
110,000 mi	$73–$90	$13,549–$17,995
112,000 mi	$262–$385	$13,811–$18,380
112,500 mi	$179–$225	$13,990–$18,605
114,000 mi	$296–$396	$14,286–$19,001
120,000 mi	$945–$1,254	$15,231–$20,255
126,000 mi	$506–$658	$15,737–$20,913
127,500 mi	$178–$225	$15,915–$21,138
128,000 mi	$262–$385	$16,177–$21,523
130,000 mi	$73–$90	$16,250–$21,613
132,000 mi	$431–$580	$16,681–$22,193
135,000 mi	$357–$481	$17,038–$22,674
136,000 mi	$191–$280	$17,229–$22,954
138,000 mi	$296–$396	$17,525–$23,350
140,000 mi	$73–$90	$17,598–$23,440
142,500 mi	$178–$225	$17,776–$23,665
144,000 mi	$474–$635	$18,250–$24,300
150,000 mi	$572–$757	$18,822–$25,057

RepairPal dealer-schedule pricing. Independent shops typically charge less, and your actual cost depends on which services you keep up. Running total is cumulative — each row includes everything before it.

// 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, 2015, and 2016. The exception: if you're buying a 2013 and 2017, 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

$37,100

MSRP including destination charge for base trim

Used Santa Fe

$20,300

KBB Fair Purchase Price, 2023, national average, good condition, ~36k miles

Avg. repairs / yr$515

Major repair risk (any year)10%

Avg. insurance premium / yr$2,430

MPG combined (City/Hwy)23

Value depreciation after 3 yr$9,626

// HEAD TO HEAD

How it compares

Toyota 4Runner

$514/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full comparison

Honda Passport

$521/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full comparison

Chevrolet Blazer

$521/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full comparison

More Midsize SUVs

Chevrolet Blazer Honda Passport Jeep Grand Cherokee Nissan Murano Toyota 4Runner 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. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →