Used Hyundai Santa Fe 2013-2018 reliability

When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.

The Santa Fe is a large car that will have been used in tight city centre car parks and on urban rat runs so check the bodywork very carefully for any dings and dents, and also check the alloy wheels for any signs of damage. It’s a good idea to check that all the seats slide and fold as they should, and that all the electrical apparatus inside function.

There are no specific areas of concern but the majority of reported problems stem from non-engine electrics, with some minor issues relating to the sat-nav and the infotainment system generally, but most problems were fixed under warranty and within a week of first appearing.

Check with your local dealer that the following recall notices have all been carried out.

Water ingress into the bonnet release cable may cause corrosion and affect the operation of the cable which could lead to the unintentional opening of the bonnet.

On affected vehicles when the steering wheel is turned from lock to lock it will be possible for the outer rim of the steering wheel to break away from the boss. If this occurs the vehicle cannot be steered by the driver.

The cushion within the curtain airbag may be damaged when it is deployed.

Click here for more information. Contact your local Hyundai dealer if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.

This generation of Santa Fe is substandard for reliability – although we should mention it didn't appear in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey. In the last survey it appeared in, it came last in the large SUV class. Its overall score was 76%.

Hyundai as a car brand finished in seventh place out of 32 manufacturers in our most recent survey, with an excellent overall score of 94.3%. That placed it above brands like Audi, BMW and Mercedes, but below Lexus, Mini and Suzuki.

Used Hyundai Santa Fe: owners' reliability data

As part of our 2023 Reliability Survey, What Car? readers said the Hyundai Santa Fe diesel models from 2013-2018 present a poor picture regarding reliability and dealer service. While some owners praised the Santa Fe's overall dependability, citing few issues over several years of ownership, others reported recurring problems. Common issues included faulty DPFs and warning lights related to the engine management system, leading to costly repairs.

Several readers noted that their experiences with Hyundai dealerships varied significantly. Some praised the efficiency and professionalism of their local service centres, highlighting quick and effective fixes. However, a notable number of respondents expressed frustration with long wait times for parts and repairs, coupled with high service costs. A few also mentioned inconsistent diagnosis of issues, leading to repeated visits to the dealership.