Model year guide

2025 Hyundai Santa FE

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2025 Hyundai Santa FE is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 27 on record.

2025 Hyundai Santa FE — representative photo
Representative photo

2025 Hyundai Santa FE at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints134
Overall safety4 / 5 ★
Combined22–36 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2025 Hyundai Santa FE recalls 5

Seat Belts:front:anchorage NHTSA Campaign #26V218000 · manufacturer #298-032G · 06/04/2026

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2026 Genesis G90, 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and reinforce or replace the seat belt anchors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning May 29, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 and Genesis customer service at 844-340-9741. Hyundai's numbers for this re…

Back Over Prevention:display Function NHTSA Campaign #25V808000 · manufacturer #288 · 20/11/2025

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The rearview camera may not have been installed properly, which can damage the wiring harness and cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Fix: Dealers will replace the camera wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning January 15, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 288. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall be…

Air Bags:side/window:curtain NHTSA Campaign #25V809000 · manufacturer #289 (H); 029G (G) · 20/11/2025

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.

Fix: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 289 and 029G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in …

Electrical System:starter Assembly NHTSA Campaign #25V659000 · manufacturer #285 · 02/10/2025

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe vehicles. The B+ positive terminal cover on the starter motor assembly may be improperly installed, which can cause an electrical short during a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the starter motor terminal cover, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 285. Vehicle Identification Number…

Engine And Engine Cooling:critical Fasteners NHTSA Campaign #25V549000 · manufacturer #281 · 25/08/2025

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power and engine damage, possibly resulting in an oil leak.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 281.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2025 Hyundai Santa FE common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2025 Hyundai Santa FE safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★

Rollover risk: 17.4% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).

Frontal crash test — 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV  AWDFrontal crash test
Side barrier test — 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV  AWDSide barrier test
Side pole test — 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV  AWDSide pole test

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2025 Hyundai Santa FE MPG & running costs

Combined22–36 mpg
City26 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,510
EPA size classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S6) or Automatic (AM-S8)
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Engine start-stopYes
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$550 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2025 Hyundai Santa FE costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,550
Fuel only$12,550
Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
190.2 in
Width
74.8 in
Height
67.7 in
Wheelbase
110.6 in
Curb weight
4,343–4,486 lb
Front track
64.6 in
Rear track
64.6 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2025 Hyundai Santa FE — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 40

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 40.

Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. All internal combustion engines consum…

Bulletin 26-EM-016H TSB · Engine · Oct 2026

Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. All internal combustion engines consume engi…

Bulletin 26-EM-015H TSB · Engine · Oct 2026

Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles may exhibit a 12-volt battery drain due to the passive entry feature of the Digital Key 2 premium causing repeated wakeup of the vehicle. This bulletin provides instructions to perform software updat…

Bulletin 26-BE-026H TSB · Electrical System · Aug 2026

Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles equipped with natural leather or Nappa leather seating surfaces may exhibit wrinkling on the first or second row seat cushions or seat backs, or tearing along the perforation holes due to the stiffne…

Bulletin 26-BD-008H TSB · Seats · Aug 2026

Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles equipped with power seats with or without Integrated Memory System (IMS) may produce buzz, squeak, rattle noises when the driver’s front seat is adjusted forward or backwards due to friction within t…

Bulletin 26-BE-015H TSB · Seats · Jun 2026

This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. Refer to the 2026 1st Navig…

Bulletin 26-GI-002H TSB · Electrical System · May 2026

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not suppl…

Bulletin DTN DL · Air Bags · Apr 2026

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been iden…

Bulletin DTN DCS · Air Bags · Apr 2026

Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink functions. This may be due to an occasional disconnection on Verizon’s communication network. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to verify Bluelink Data Commu…

Bulletin 26-01-035H TSB · Electrical System · Apr 2026

Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles equipped with 2nd row captain’s chairs have an armrest cap that may detach. This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the armrest cap on the 2nd row captain’s chairs with a revised part.

Bulletin 26-BD-001H TSB · Seats · Mar 2026

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the SANTA FE FWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 3

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2025 Hyundai Santa FE. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Seats And Restraints

Issue: On certain vehicles, the lower anchor for the front seat belt(s) may have been damaged during service. As a result, the seat belt(s) could detach in a crash. Note: For the 2026 model year Santa Fe, this recall only affects the Santa Fe hybrid (HEV) model. Safety Risk: A seat belt that detaches in a crash could increase the risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company…

Transport Canada #2026170 · Apr 2026

Visual System

Issue: On certain vehicles, the wiring harness for the rearview camera may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the wiring could become damaged and cause the rearview camera image not to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while bac…

Transport Canada #2025648 · Nov 2025

Electrical

Issue: On certain vehicles, the starter motor's terminal cover may not have been installed properly. As a result, the positive terminal could be exposed and contact nearby components in a crash. If this happens, there could be a short circuit. Safety Risk: A short circuit could create the risk of a fire and/or injury. Corrective Actions: Hyundai will notify owners by mail and a…

Transport Canada #2025529 · Oct 2025

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Hyundai Santa FE

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a series of crossover SUVs produced across five generations by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 2000. It is named after the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and was introduced for the 2001 model year as Hyundai's first SUV. The Santa Fe was a milestone in the company's restructuring program of the late 1990s because the SUV was a hit with American buyers.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2025 Hyundai Santa FE vehicles on record

Other Hyundai Santa FE model years

2025 Hyundai Santa FE — frequently asked questions

Does the 2025 Hyundai Santa FE have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2025 Hyundai Santa FE. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2025 Hyundai Santa FE?

Across all 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, power train, forward collision avoidance.

What is the 2025 Hyundai Santa FE safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2025 Hyundai Santa FE an overall crash-test rating of 4 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2025 Hyundai Santa FE get?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa FE has U.S. EPA estimates of 22–36 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (5 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.