Is the 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE reliable?

The 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE has 166 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: OTHER problems.

What are common problems with the 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE?

Top problems: OTHER (27 complaints, avg repair $500); SPEED CONTROL (21 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (21 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:CRITICAL FASTENERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY, BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE. Contact any Hyundai dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE?

The 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE is approximately $2,278/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2025 Hyundai SANTA FE

Q: Is the 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE often stolen?

The Hyundai SANTA FE was the #22 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 4,500 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: high.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE has 166 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 289. The most common issue is other problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: hyundai distracted driver feature is faulty and very hazardous! if someone puts on sunglasses to drive safely, the vehicle says you are distracted; and cuts the cruise control and starts braking on its own. very bad!!! the vehicle is almost undrivable. many others are having their dealerships buy. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.

3 crash reports 3 injuries

166

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

OTHER

27 complaints

16%

• Hyundai Distracted Driver feature is FAULTY and VERY hazardous! If someone puts on sunglasses to drive SAFELY, the vehicle says you ARE distracted; and cuts the cruise control and starts braking on its own. VERY BAD!!! The vehicle is almost undrivable. Many others are having their dealerships buy
• When approaching red light at low speed, about 3mph, the engine cut off in traffic, "apply brakes" or similar, started strobbing across the screen and then it said to put in park. The pedals were not working for brakes. Car came to a stop and put it in park and started it again. The Sante Fe has
• I am writing to raise a safety concern regarding this suv, specifically the lower trim level that lack dedicated ventilation to the third-row seating and small ventilationair ways for second rows. In these vehicles, airflow to rear passengers is minimal to nonexistent, as air vents are only provided

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Hyundai Distracted Driver feature is FAULTY and VERY hazardous! If someone puts on sunglasses to drive SAFELY, the vehicle says you ARE distracted; and cuts the cruise control and starts braking on its own. VERY BAD!!! The vehicle is almost undrivable. Many others are having their dealerships buy”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE

Based on 14 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 9K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred. This vehicle is under 5 years old, so most of the fleet hasn't accumulated high mileage yet — low-mileage peaks reflect fleet age, not necessarily premature failure.

Recalls (5)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:CRITICAL FASTENERS26/08/2025

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power and engine damage, possibly resulting in an oil leak.

Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 281.

High theft risk

#22 most stolen in 2025

The Hyundai SANTA FE was the #22 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 4,500 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Kia Boys challenge affected pre-2022 keyless models

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,278

Full coverage / month

$190

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

+36%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.15x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.15x

= Full coverage estimate$2278

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Hyundai SANTA FE Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (1.6T, 2.0T) need premium fuel and more frequent oil (some owners service at 5,000 miles).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Hyundai New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / unlimited mi

10 years/100K powertrain warranty is transferable only to first purchaser after initial owner

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 166 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: Hyundai Distracted Driver feature is FAULTY and VERY hazardous! If someone puts on sunglasses to drive SAFELY, the vehicle says you ARE distracted; and cuts the cruise control and starts braking on its own. VERY BAD!!! The vehicle is almost undrivable. Many others are having their dealerships buy
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: Hyundai Distracted Driver feature is FAULTY and VERY hazardous! If someone puts on sunglasses to drive SAFELY, the vehicle says you ARE distracted; and cuts the cruise control and starts braking on its own. VERY BAD!!! The vehicle is almost undrivable. Many others are having their dealerships buy
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: Vehicle fails to appropriately recognize when it is put in Park. The dash shows a "P" indicating the vehicle is in park, but emits a continuous beeping sound with a message on the dash that reads, "Auto Stop is Off. Shift to P or N and start engine manually." However, when pressing "P" as it states
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The Hyundai Bluelink system in my car, which interfaces with interfaces with almost all other computer-controlled systems on the car and through which software updates can be received and installed fails to work on an intermittent basis and the onboard system gives no warning when the Bluelink syste
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Hyundai dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)