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2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev
Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.
493 owner complaints · 3 recalls · data verified July 19, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Buy-rated alternatives from this era
Other 2012–2016 cars in the same rough price bracket with a clean, matured Buy verdict — worth cross-shopping before you commit to the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev.
Why caution?
Has a "park it / park outside" recall, the most serious kind. Verify the fix was done before buying.
Engine problems dominate (56% of complaints, typically reported near 81k miles).
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#213 of 377Among the 2014 models with a matured record, the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev ranks #213, scoring higher than 15% of them. See the 2014 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
7 open NHTSA defect investigations on file for this model year, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev, plotted where owners report it happening.
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
56%275 complaints · typically near 81k mi · 26 in the last 2 years
“Driving to work at 0730 on 20 may, i put my foot down to accelerate from 40mph and nothing happened, i tried again thinking foot placement and the engine died. All lig…”
Brakes
11%54 complaints · typically near 30k mi · 3 in the last 2 years
“My insurance company said I have an urgent Recall on my vehicle. Recall # 251 ABS fuse replacement. NHTSA# 23V651000. I would like this replaced.”
Steering
11%52 complaints · typically near 20k mi · 3 in the last 2 years
“This model of Santa Fe has a defective steering column. The car rattles at the base of the steering column at the base of the steering wheel in the floor by your feet.…”
Electrical system
10%49 complaints · typically near 26k mi · 4 in the last 2 years
“Loss of acceleration and stuttering when I was trying to get up to speed on the interstate going up a hill. Instantly blinking check engine light. Won't go above 2000r…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 4 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 493 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 48 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (3)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Park itService Brakes, Hydraulic · 23V651000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Latches/locks/linkages · 17V358000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Risk: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
Tires · 13V624000
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2014 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 5, 2013, through November 15, 2013, and equipped with P235/65R17 103T Continental Crosscontact LX tires. The tires may have a damaged sidewall.
Risk: The damaged sidewall may result in a separation between the belt edges which could cause tread detachment or rapid air loss, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai notified dealers to suspend sales of affected Santa Fe Sport vehicles equipped with the P235/65R17 103T tires, and replace them with alternative tires. All affected vehicles were remedied prior to retail sale. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Hyundai before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"? One is a "park it" / "park outside" order, the most serious kind, so I'd want that repair documented before I drive it.
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 81k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2014 Hyundai SANTA FE HYBRID HEV beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2014? See how every Santa Fe Hybrid Hev model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.