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2015 Hyundai

Santa Fe AWD

Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L

Hyundai Santa Fe: best and worst years
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD

Photo may show a different model year; you're viewing the 2015.

PhotoDinkun ChenCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Drivetrain
All-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission
Automatic (S6)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

Smog score
5/10
SmartWay certified
No

Dimensions & capacity

Safety NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

⚠ This model year has a recall advising owners to park outside or away from structures (fire risk). Check with the manufacturer.

Recalls
4
Owner complaints
339 See on NHTSA
Reported injuries
10

Recalls NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

23V651000 Park outside Sep 22, 2023 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra…

Summary: 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. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

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

Remedy: 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.

Vehicles covered (all models): 1,649,478

Full notice
21V303000 Park outside Apr 28, 2021 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles.

Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.

Consequence: An electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Remedy: 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.

Vehicles covered (all models): 151,205

Full notice
20V520000 Park outside Aug 27, 2020 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles.

Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.

Consequence: If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

Remedy: 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.

Vehicles covered (all models): 151,205

Full notice
17V358000 Jun 5, 2017 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles.

Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Vehicles covered (all models): 437,400

Full notice

Source: NHTSA

Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • ENGINE45%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7%
  • POWER TRAIN7%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER7%
  • SERVICE BRAKES6%
  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC5%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 446 total.

Hyundai Santa Fe: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA record NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • AQ23002Openopened Nov 17, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

    Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

  • DP22003opened Sep 12, 2022ENGINE

    Loss of Motive Power

  • DP21003opened Nov 12, 2021VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE

    Throttle control system vulnerabilities

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

147 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • May 23, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMZ01 Letter

    Certain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2013 – 2019 model year Santa Fe, and 2012 – 2017 model year Veloster vehicles may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may be set. At Hyundai, we are committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value. In an effort to meet this commitment, the warranty coverage for the Occupant Classification System (OCS)/Occupant Detection System (

  • Apr 25, 2026AIR BAGS26-BE-011H TSB

    Some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s) B1763 (OCS ECU Defect), and/or B1764 (OCS Mat Defect) may be stored. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) / Occupant Detection System (ODS) to 18 years/unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. Refer to the warranty and parts informati

  • Apr 25, 2026AIR BAGS26-BE-011H DN

    Some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s) B1763 (OCS ECU Defect), and/or B1764 (OCS Mat Defect) may be stored. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) / Occupant Detection System (ODS) to 18 years/unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. Refer to the warranty and parts informati

  • Apr 10, 2026AIR BAGSDTN DL

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during

  • Apr 10, 2026AIR BAGSDTN DCS

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may rupture during deployment, and have caused serious injuries and fatalities. Please see attached anno

  • Feb 11, 2026ENGINE26-EM-002H TSB

    Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize the flowcharts as a guide to ensure the proper procedure and repair is performed. The warranty coverage for engine repair or replacement related to engine noise or damage has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the date

  • Feb 11, 2026ENGINE26-EM-002H DN

    Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This service procedure describes to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize the flowcharts as a guide to ensure the proper procedure and repair is performed. The warranty coverage for engine repair or replacement related to engine noise or damage has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the date of o

  • Feb 11, 2026ENGINE26-EM-002H DCS

    Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 26-EM-002H describes the procedure to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize the flowcharts as a guide to ensure the proper procedure and repair is performed.

  • and 139 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
5 yr / 60k mi
Powertrain
10 yr / 100k mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr
Maintenance
3 yr / 36k mi
EV battery
10 yr / 100k mi

Source: www.cars.com as of 2026-06

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.