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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 254 owner complaints, and gets about 20 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe

  • Engine 6-cyl 3.3L
  • Drive Front-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

Should you worry?

Look closer

Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

2 open

Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.

Caution

What do owners report?

10 injuries reported

10 of 254 reports (~4%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.

Unknown

How did it score in crash tests?

Not tested

No official 5-star crash-test score for this year and model.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2015.

  • 20133recalls
  • 20143recalls
  • 2015 · this car2recalls
  • 20163recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 28, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Not rated

Factory safety & driver-assist equipment

Stability control
Standard

Tested as: 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD · 2 versions tested

Open safety recalls

2 open

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

  1. Latches/Locks/Linkages

    05/06/2017

    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.

    How they fix it: 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.

  2. Service Brakes, Hydraulic

    22/09/2023

    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.

    How they fix it: 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.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 28, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2015.

  • 2013605reports
  • 2014494reports
  • 2015 · this car254reports
  • 2016235reports

254 owner reports on file

9 crash mentions 13 fire mentions 10 injury mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 254 total reports.

  • ENGINE 129 of 254

    Driving on highway no warning lights appeared the car made a loud pop noise and heavy smoke appeared from under the hood. Immediately pulled over and noticed all of the oil poured out and was nasty looking. The car was up to date on oil cha

  • SERVICE BRAKES 23 of 254

    The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was notified and

  • POWER TRAIN 22 of 254

    2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited, 3.3L Lambda II GDI V6, ~102,000 miles. In December 2022, an authorized Hyundai dealer replaced three specific parts under a Hyundai recall/campaign (records requested). On Sunday [DATE] at approximately [TIME]

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18 of 254

    The driver's door is stuck, it cannot be opened.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17 of 254

    The engine has basically come apart. There is a timing chain issue, the engine is not recalled and it is getting where the car cannot drive. There is a constant smell of burning electrical wires. There’s also issues with the heating and a

  • AIR BAGS 9 of 254

    Passenger airbag dash is cracked risking unpredictable deployment of air bag

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 28, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2015.

  • 201321mpg
  • 201421mpg
  • 2015 · this car20mpg
  • 201620mpg

$3,100

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 17 mpg
Highway driving 23 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 20 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to cost about $4,500 more on fuel.

Spends more Saves more

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 28, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

6-cyl 3.3L

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
6-cyl 3.3L
Cylinders
6
Displacement
3.3 L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S6)
Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 28, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Confirm the recalls were fixed

This model has 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

Have a mechanic check the engine

Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe listings

    Quick answers

    What is recalled on the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe? +

    NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe, including the latches/locks/linkages. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

    What gas mileage does the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe get? +

    The EPA rates the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe at 20 mpg combined (17 city / 23 highway), about $3,100 a year in fuel.

    What do owners complain about on the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe? +

    Owners have filed 254 complaints with NHTSA for the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe, including 9 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.

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