The 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe lasts around 150,000 miles with serious engine and brake system problems. At $11,975 to $14,200 it’s cheaper than competitors, yet still not worth the money when it will cost thousands to fix.
Is the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 5/10 – 2014 is a bad year for the Santa Fe since there are widespread mechanical problems, giving it a low overall rating. Owner reviews complain about poor visibility, blown engines, and even winding up stranded on the side of the road.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are nice for a midsize SUV its price, the seats feel soft like a couch, however, the cargo area is small.
- Reliability 4/10 – Engine problems are widespread on the 2014 Santa Fe. We recommend avoiding models from 2007-2014. Santa Fe models from 2015–2020 are more reliable with engine improvements.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is good from the standard V6 engine, although the towing capacity is lower than average at only 5,000 pounds.
- Safety 7/10 – The Santa Fe is reasonably safe, earning a 5-star overall crash rating in government tests. It also offers a standard rearview camera along with BlueLink emergency assistance.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – The Santa Fe gets an average of 21 MPG, which should give owners 394 miles of range out of the 18.8 gallon tank. Gas prices are average, costing $235 per month.
- Value 6/10 – The 2014 Santa Fe is a cheap midsize SUV, yet it’s still not worth the money. The majority of used Santa Fe models for sale will have over 100,000 miles, making them out of warranty.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Hyundai Santa Fe?
- Consumer Reports says the Hyundai Santa Fe has a nice interior for the money, but owner satisfaction scores are low.
- Edmunds gives the 2013 Santa Fe a 3.3/5 praising the strong V6 engine, but doesn’t like the firm suspension.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Santa Fe 3.7/5 and enjoy the technology features for the price, but owners don’t’ like the low towing capacity.
What Common Problems Does the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Have?
Common problems found on the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe include blown engines, brake failures, and fuel system issues. Overall, these problems are more severe than other midsize SUVs from 2014, which leads to more expensive repair costs as well.
Blown engines are a widespread complaint from owners at around 95,000 miles. There are several reasons the engine can fail, but if it’s caused by a bearing failure then there’s a recall that will replace the engine for free. If your engine failure was not caused by a bearing issue, and it’s out of warranty, then a new engine costs over $7,000.
Brake failures are also reported by owners at around 13,000 miles. The brake calipers tend to wear out quickly. The only way to solve the problem is to replace the rotors along with the calipers. Changing out the parts costs around $1,300, depending on local labor rates.
Fuel system issues show up on some Santa Fe models at around every 40,000 miles. The fuel pump overheats, wears out, and has to be replaced. Changing out the fuel pump costs around $650, although if the entire fuel sending unit needs to be replaced it’s over $1,000.
There are 5 recalls on the Santa Fe, all of which are more serious than other midsize SUVs. The most serious is for the engine bearing failures. Other recalls include a high pressure fuel pump leak, and an ABS module which may short out. Hyundai dealerships will replace parts on all affected models for free.
How Long Will the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Last?
A well-maintained 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe may last around 150,000 miles, which is half as long as top-rated competitors like the Toyota Highlander. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than average, according to data from Repair Pal, at $504 per year.
Since nearly all 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe models will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace the starter for $500, the heater core costing $1,000, and the ignition lock cylinder which costs around $700.
Yes it is. No it has not had any issues since I have had it. The gas mileage is about average but really good for the highway.
Since we got the vehicle we had have no problems except for the fact that we needed it to change the tires
We have been lucky and with ours no issues so far. The only thing that’s hard to get used to is the steering. It has three settings that you can choose from.
So far it is very reliable. I haven't had one issue since buying it. Everything is working just as it should. So far so good thank god.
I feel it is very reliable so far. Other than regular maintenance checks and service, I have had no problems with this very. It is a pleasure to drive.
We have never had a problem with it in the few years we've had it. We take it everywhere we go as a family
No major problems to date. Some minor recall items. I get it serviced regularly. The warranty was excellent
It's reliable. It is smooth-driving, and safe. There's no problems with anything. All the parts work, the tires have been replaced, etc. I wish it had heated seats, though.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is good in the Hyundai Santa Fe with a standard 4.3-inch screen, an optional 8-inch touchscreen, along with a powerful stereo. The safety technology is average for its age with a standard rearview camera, and BlueLink emergency assistance. Optional safety equipment includes blind spot monitoring as well as parking sensors.
Is the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe a Good Value?
No, the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe is not a good value since there are a lot of problems. Blue book prices range from $11,975 to $14,200, making it cheaper than a Honda Pilot or Jeep Grand Cherokee. When new, the price range was $29,800 to $35,450. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 15% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Hyundai Santa Fe?
There are two models of the Hyundai Santa Fe offered for 2014, including the base GLS along with the more luxurious Limited.
GLS is the entry-level model with:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Fog Lights
- Cruise Control
- Power Locks & Windows
- Heated Front Seats
- Rearview Camera
- Bluetooth
- 3-Inch Touchscreen Display
- 6-Speaker Stereo System
Limited is a step up, which adds:
- 19-Inch Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Second Row Captain’s Chairs
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Heated Second Row
- Xenon Headlights
- 12-Speaker Infinity Stereo System
What Engines Come In the Hyundai Santa Fe?
The engine found in the 2014 Santa Fe is a powerful 3.3L V6 making 291 horsepower while getting up to 21 MPG. Performance is good, taking 7.7 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH, which is reasonably fast for a midsize SUV.
What Colors Does the Hyundai Santa Fe Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe is a very comfortable midsize SUV offering high quality seats which are excellent for long drives. There’s seating for up to 7 people, and all of the interior materials are nice.
Passenger room is good in the first two rows, but the third row has limited legroom, making it best suited to smaller children. The available second row captain’s chairs are a great upgrade as well.
How Much Storage Space Does the Hyundai Santa Fe Have?
Cargo space is lower than average with enough room for 5-6 suitcases behind the second row, and 8-10 with the seats folded flat.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The third generation of the Hyundai Santa Fe was introduced in 2013, and replaced by the fourth generation in 2019.
2013: Fully redesigned for the third generation with new engines and interior.
2014: New features including ventilated seats and parking sensors.
2015: Upgraded hands-free power liftgate and suspension improvements.
2016: GLS model renamed to SE.
2017: Minor exterior refreshes, LED running lights, standard 7-inch touchscreen, 360 degree camera.
2018: Limited model removed from the lineup.
2019: Fully redesigned for the fourth generation with new interior and exterior features.
How Does the Hyundai Santa Fe Compare to the Competition?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the worst midsize SUVs from 2014 due to all of the widespread engine failures reported by owners.
The Honda Pilot is another midsize SUV which costs about $3,000 more. Passenger room is better in the third row of the Honda Pilot, although, the Hyundai Santa Fe has a more luxurious interior. We recommend the Honda Pilot since they have fewer mechanical problems reported by owners.
The Kia Sorento is a competitor available in the same price range. Both the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Elantra are built on the same platform, with a higher quality interior found in the Hyundai Elantra. We recommend avoiding both models since they suffer from the same engine problems.
Do Owners Recommend the Hyundai Santa Fe?
Yes it is awesome. I would not trade this vehicle for any. I have not had any issues with it at all.
It’s a good vehicle especially when you have family and for when you need to travel to another state
Yes. We love it! Plenty of room and lots of upgrades. The sunroof is great. All the safety features are excellent and makes us feel protected
Yes it is a very good vehicle. Handles well. Has good pickup speed. No complaints so far other than the gas mileage it gets
Yes. It has great visibility, and it is very comfortable. Gas mileage is also good. I feel very safe in this perfectly sized vehicle.
Yes very good. It drives extremely smooth, we've had no problems with it so far. It’s great for a family vehicle, the whole family sits comfortably in it.
Very reliable, excellent gas mileage and comfortable ride. It is the third Hyundai I have owned. I would recommend the brand highly
Yes, I have had no problems. It is large enough but not overly large, and it drives smoothly. I have had the car since 2014, and have had no issues so far.