Before you buy a used Hyundai Santa Fe (III).
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 2 documented, sourced faults across its 2 engines.
- That is not much data: if no other faults show up here, it does not mean it has none.
- They all depend on the equipment or the production date: ask what this car has.
- 4 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
- According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the 2.2 CRDi (Diesel).
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 2 of its engines.
- Ball joints, drive shafts and all-wheel drive on the Santa Fe IIISuspension and steering
- Period mentioned
- 2012–2018
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Third-generation Santa Fe; the all-wheel-drive part only on 4x4 versions.
2.4
Petrol
- Period mentioned
- 2009–2019
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Same Theta II engine as the cars in the campaigns; confirm by VIN.
2.2 CRDi
Diesel
We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4Petrol | 22 with conditions | 4 |
| 2.2 CRDiDieselFewest documented | 11 with conditions | 4 |
According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the 2.2 CRDi (Diesel).
By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Diesel.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Hyundai dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Hyundai airbag and seat-belt recalls (2003–2026)Airbags and seat belts
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryHyundai brake recalls (2004–2024)Brakes
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryHyundai steering recalls (2014–2018)Steering
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryHyundai body, seat and fitting recalls (2017–2025)Bodywork
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 2 checked
Engine
Look out for: Metallic engine knock that rises with revs, oil-pressure warning, loss of power and, in the worst case, a broken connecting rod with an oil leak and fire risk.
Ask them to check: Ask Hyundai or Kia by VIN about a campaign or KSDS update; with knocking or the oil warning, stop and do not keep driving; check the oil level often.
Suspension and steering
Look out for: Worn ball joints and torn drive-shaft boots at the roadworthiness test; on 4x4 versions, the rear wheels hop when turning and there are drivetrain noises.
Ask them to check: Check the ball joints and boots; on 4x4 versions, check on a tight turn whether the rear wheels hop and read the all-wheel-drive codes.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
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