Generations of drivers have trusted the Hyundai Santa Fe. Whether it’s for the daily commute or a weekend outing with the family, this Hyundai SUV has proved worthy of the task. Of course, like any vehicle, the Hyundai Santa Fe has its version of the most common problems. Let’s look at the top three issues and the overall Hyundai Santa Fe Reliability scores.

Most common Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Using the data collected by RepairPal, we see the top three problems faced by Santa Fe owners are:

• Engine performance problems due to crankshaft position sensor failure – reported by 420 owners
• Confirm the latest software for the transmission control module and correct fuel for proper shift quality – reported by 171 owners
• Rough idle due to faulty EGR switching valve – reported by 135 owners

How can owners correct the most common of the Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

The issue reported most often is an engine stall or failure. This sounds extremely problematic, and it’s typically caused by a failed crankshaft position sensor. If this sensor fails to operate, the Hyundai SUV could fail to start. Replacing the sensor is typically the correction to this problem, generally occurring after 103,000 miles or more.

What should owners do when their Santa Fe isn’t shifting properly?

Many vehicle owners don’t consider the automatic transmission fluid required to keep the transmission working properly. For those that don’t perform their own maintenance, this fluid is typically checked and filled at various service intervals. You may notice rough shifting if the fluid is worn or too low. Replacing or filling the fluid generally corrects this problem, which is known to occur after 110,000 miles of driving.

How do you fix a faulty EGR switching valve on this Hyundai SUV?

The 2.7-liter V6 and 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engines of the Hyundai Santa Fe can have defective exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) switching valves. This is one of the most common Hyundai Santa Fe problems, and it typically appears after 101,000 miles of driving. When this occurs, replacing the EGR switching valve will fix the problem.

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe a reliable midsize SUV?

The Hyundai Santa Fe receives a reliability score of 4.0 out of 5.0 from RepairPal. This places the Santa Fe second out of 26 models for the midsize SUV class. This ranking is based on three factors which are:

• Cost – The Hyundai Santa Fe’s average annual repair and maintenance costs are $515 compared to $573 for midsize SUVs.
• Frequency – Santa Fe owners bring their vehicles to the repair shop for unscheduled repairs 0.24 times per year compared to 0.4 for the class.
• Severity – The probability of severe repairs for the Hyundai Santa Fe is 10% compared to 13% for midsize SUVs.

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe a good midsize SUV?

For 2023, this Hyundai SUV earned the 2023 Best 2-Row SUV for the Money award from U.S. News & World Report. The Santa Fe delivers a long list of features at a low starting price, making it a value option in the midsize SUV class. Overall, U.S. News ranks the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe third in the midsize SUV class.

The only drawbacks of this current Hyundai SUV are the low-powered base engine and firm suspension.

Next, check out why you might be denied car insurance for the Santa Fe, or learn more about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe in this video below: