Hyundai’s first-ever SUV enjoyed early success as a budget-friendly, reliable vehicle with limited problems and an expected lifespan of 150,000 to 200,000 miles or more. But in later years, the Santa Fe struggled with engine and transmission failure, leaving many to question the model’s longevity.
Key Points
- Hyundai’s midsize Santa Fe SUV is generally regarded as a dependable vehicle. Owners often claim 150,000 to 200,000 miles on regular maintenance alone.
- Routinely servicing a Hyundai Santa Fe is the best way to up the odds of it lasting to 200,000 miles. This includes oil and filter changes every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
- First-generation Santa Fe’s are remarkably reliable. Later years struggled with reports of engine and transmission failure, specifically with the 2.4L motor.
- Santa Fe’s SUVs from 2013 to 2018 feature a new 2.0L turbocharged engine. However, a few too many reports mention failure before 100,000 miles.
- Latest Santa Fe’s starting in 2019 are the model’s most dependable yet. Limited powertrain complaints suggest a fourth-generation Santa Fe should have solid longevity.
How Long Will a Hyundai Santa Fe Last? Owner Reviews Across the Internet Claim Over 200,000 Miles on Little More than Regular Maintenance
Hyundai debuted its first-ever sport utility vehicle, the Santa Fe, for the 2001 model year. The midsize SUV recently enjoyed a mid-cycle refresh of its fourth generation and is now one of the brand’s best-selling models. In general, the Santa Fe holds a reputation for being affordable and reliable.
So, how long will a Hyundai Santa Fe last? One Edmunds Santa Fe forum shows many owners reaching over 200,000 miles on little more than routine maintenance. Driving 12,000 miles per year, that’s about 17 years of service. Some owners even boast over 300,000 miles, albeit usually requiring a few repairs.
One 2002 Santa Fe owner who reviewed her SUV on Vehicle History says, “I am heading for 300,000 miles, and the Santa Fe operates better than most cars I pass on the road.”
“Just crossed 250,000 miles on my Santa Fe,” reports another Vehicle History owner review. “Other than replacing the alternator, I’ve only done the suggested maintenance and have had no other problems.”
A nationwide search on Autotrader confirms, there’s no shortage of Hyundai Santa Fes for sale with over 200,000 miles.
Regularly Maintaining a Hyundai Santa Fe is Crucial to the Midsize SUV Lasting 200,000 Miles or More
Using the same logic as a car insurance company, consider a vehicle worth retiring when it requires a repair totaling about 75 percent of its value.
As an example, a 2010 Santa Fe GLS with around 128,500 miles has a starting Blue Book value of about $6,400. With an engine replacement costing about $3,000 to $4,500 with labor, you may be better off investing in a different vehicle than paying the shop bill.
Protecting these costly components by maintaining them is your best chance at reaching 200,000 miles or more in a Hyundai Santa Fe.
The most common services, and perhaps the most vital, are routine oil and filter changes. Over time, oil picks up contaminants, like dirt and rust, that can harm the engine’s internals and reduce longevity. The filter does a solid job of removing the grime but eventually needs replacing.
Hyundai recommends changing the oil and filter roughly every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for the best results.
Other essential routine services include:
- Changing the spark plugs
- Replacing the brake pads
- Rotating/balancing the tires
- Flushing the transmission fluid
- Replacing the timing belt/chain
A full service breakdown can be found on Hyundai’s official VIN search page. Regardless, before buying any used Hyundai Santa Fe, be sure to have a trusted mechanic inspect it for signs that it’s been properly maintained.
First-generation Hyundai Santa Fe is Reliable and Long-lasting, but 2007 Redesign Brings Several Worrying Powertrain Problems
Looking at reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the first-generation Santa Fe (2001–2006) has far fewer powertrain problems than many later models. Automotive site Car Complaints shows the occasional mention of squeaky belts or loss of power, but nothing about failed engines or transmissions.
The Santa Fe’s second generation (2007-2012) saw the 3.5L V6 engine replaced by a new 3.3L motor. Owners report oil leaks, misfiring, and stalling from the 3.3L, but failure is rare.
Transmission failure is more common in second-generation Santa Fes. Reports show failure happens around 92,000 miles on average, for a cost of roughly $3,000 to $4,000.
Hyundai brought the 3.5L engine back for 2010. While there have been mentions of stalling, clunking sounds, and even seizing/failure, the real problem with the second-generation Santa Fe is the 2.4L inline-four motor.
Dozens of reports of engine failure have been tied to the 2.4L engine. Hyundai recognized the issue as a fault caused during manufacturing and issued a recall to some 128,948 units across several models.
Third-generation Hyundai Santa Fe’s 2.0L Engine is Prone to Failure, while Latest Model Looks to Be SUV’s Best Yet
Hyundai offered the third generation of its popular midsize SUV (2013-2018) in short- and long-wheelbase variants dubbed the Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport, respectively.
The Santa Fe features a 3.3L V6 as its only engine option, whereas the Sport offers the same 2.4L or a new turbocharged 2.0L. While all have reports of seizing, the new 2.0L is the worst offender, with failure occurring as early as 65,000 miles and costing $5,000 to $7,000 to replace.
One owner mentions being told of metal flakes in the oil. This coincides with a recall Hyundai issued for 572,000 units due to worn bearings causing internal damage that can lead to engine seizure.
The Hyundai Santa Fe’s fourth-generation (2019-present) is the SUV’s most dependable yet. Engine options drop to just the 2.4L and 2.0L, paired to a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
So far, the latest Hyundai Santa Fe looks to be extremely reliable, with just a couple dozen powertrain complaints reported to the NHTSA, mostly about minor issues that don’t reduce the SUV’s longevity.
How Long Can a Hyundai Santa Fe Really Last? Expect Repair Bills to Rise Once the Odometer Passes 200,000 Miles
Other than a few rough years in the model’s second- and third-generation, the average unit can surely reach 150,000 miles without major problems.
Yes, you may hit 200,000 with proper maintenance. But, reaching a quarter of a million miles or more in a Hyundai Santa Fe without a pricey shop bill (or two) is exceptionally rare.
Photos: Hyundai
