Which Year Models of Used Hyundai Santa Fe Sport to Avoid
Hyundai DM Santa Fe Sport by Bull-Doser
In 2013, Hyundai unveiled the Santa Fe Sport: the short-wheelbase version of their original Santa Fe SUV. The Sport is only available in a two-row seat option in North America but comes equipped with a four-cylinder engine. Not every one of these SUVs will give you the safe, comfortable ride you’re looking for, so CoPilot is here to show you which year models to avoid!
Quick Answer: Avoid Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Year Models 2013, 2015, 2017, And 2018
You’ll want to avoid the 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport year models. A litany of engine problems undermines the value of these models. A 2013 or 2015 model is highly likely to have its engine fail at around 90,000 miles, while a 2017 is more likely to have a faulty transmission very early on. A 2018 Santa Fe Sport may be the worst one you can buy, as its engine troubles are just as severe as the 2013 and 2015, but may appear under 20,000 miles.
NOT JUST FOR CAR SHOPPING
The CoPilot app isn’t just for buying a car - our new CoPilot for Owning tool will help you keep track of recalls and gives you advice on which scheduled maintenance tasks are most important.
Which Year Models Of Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Are Safe To Buy Used?
A Hyundai Santa Fe Sport should ideally be a comfortable SUV with solid drive performance and great customization options. At its best, the Sport has entertainment features and a spacious interior for you and several passengers to cruise at your leisure. However, these features mean little if you don’t even feel safe driving your SUV. We recommend the following Hyundai Santa Fe Sport year models as safe to purchase.
- 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
- 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
- 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
- 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
If you opt for a 2016, 2019, or 2020 Sport, there’s little to warn you about. Remarkably, these three year models have had no complaints, so they’re good to go! We recommend the 2016 year model if you want a tried and tested Santa Fe Sport.
We don’t recommend the 2014 year model nearly as strongly as the previously mentioned ones due to its complaints, but if you’d instead purchase an older one or can’t find a 2016, 2019, or 2020 one, it’s still likely to satisfy you.
It’s worth mentioning that it has had a few complaints about the engine seizing around 55,000 miles and gears challenging to shift, but they’re rarely reported. There’s a slim chance that these issues will occur in your 2014 model, but be aware of these slight risks.
IS GAP INSURANCE WORTH IT?
Gap insurance can prevent you from making payments on an already-totalled car, but is gap insurance worth it? We break down what gap insurance is, if it’s worth it, and more - simply and with plenty of examples.
Which Year Models Of Hyundai Santa Fe Sport To Avoid:
You want a surefire way to travel in leisure when you purchase a Santa Fe Sport, not stress whether your engine can make the trip. While the Sport is a trustworthy SUV by design, about half of the year models released so far have had some concerning defects. For this reason, we don’t recommend the following year models.
- 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
- 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
- 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
- 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT
The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is an ideal family car and commuting vehicle for those who frequently drop their kids off at school. Finding the most reliable Hyundai Santa Fe Sport year available is key to buying the best used vehicle you can, so read on.
The Santa Fe Sports that Hyundai released in 2013 and 2015 both suffer from similar issues. Both have a high chance of engine failure when you approach the 90,000-mile mark. Additionally, the 2013 might have a frustrating clicking noise in its steering wheel knuckle, while the 2015 could accelerate sluggishly.
The most prominent issue with a 2017 Sport is its poor transmission. Reports have stated that the 2017 lags power after turning, the transmission slips when accelerating, and even the vehicle falls backward on hills, which is a huge safety concern. This year model’s problems are rounded out by wheels that ice up, making it too much of a hassle to deal with.
A 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport may be the worst year model you can buy because its engine issues are even more problematic than the 2013 and 2015 and occur much earlier. At an average of fewer than 16,000 miles, the 2018 has had multiple reports of a blown engine requiring a complete replacement. This defect is an absolute deal-breaker, and you should avoid this model at all costs.
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Problem Counts By Year
These are the most common problems owners report on platforms such as carproblems.com, carcomplaints.com, and Car Talk Community. Issues include engine failure, trouble shifting gears, and sluggish acceleration.
Common Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Problems
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a fairly reliable vehicle, and most models don’t have significant problems. However, the Santa Fe Sport still has several issues you should know about.
- Hesitation Issues – The 2017 Santa Fe Sport owners have reported hesitation issues with their vehicles. The frustrating part is that this problem has reared its ugly head at around 1,000 miles, practically a brand-new car. The hesitation issue becomes even worse while accelerating or coming out of turns.
- Faulty Speakers – Many Santa Fe models have struggled with faulty speakers, including the model years from 2011 to 2017. Santa Fe models with navigation features may abruptly stop playing audio from all speakers. According to the reports, people have encountered this issue at around 50,000 miles.
- Engine Stalls – Some models have experienced engine stalls due to a defective crankshaft position sensor. Reports claimed that they would suddenly stop driving at highway speeds, which is a scary situation.
- Transmission Stutters – Santa Fe models from 2001 to 2014 have reportedly struggled with transmission stutters. Owners stated that they would experience odd stutters as they shift from second to third gear.
The Easiest Way To Find A Reliable Hyundai Santa Fe Sport In Your Area
Want to easily find reliable Hyundai Santa Fe Sports in your area? Download the free CoPIlot car shopping app. Tell us what SUV you’re looking for and we’ll search every dealership in your area to create a personalized list of the best buys in your area. CoPilot is built using the same technology that car dealerships use to buy and sell their inventory, making it the smartest and easiest way to buy a used Hyundai Santa Fe Sport.
If you’d prefer newer, off-lease vehicles, look no further than CoPilot Compare, the search engine for nearly-new cars. We’ll only show you models that are 5 years or newer with low mileage, most with CPO availability. We’ll break down how much you save buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe Sport and where the best buys are in your area.
To top it all off, CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no ‘promoted’ or ‘sponsored’ listings - just the best cars in your area. Learn more about how CoPilot works on our About Us page.
