Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 28 | 34% |
| Service brakes | 14 | 17% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 5% |
| Air bags | 3 | 4% |
| Power train | 3 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 2% |
| Power train | 2 | 2% |
| Engine | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The vehicle suffered a severe engine overheating failure that created an immediate fire risk and electrical safety signaling failure. A brand-new replacement engine was installed by an authorized dealership in April 2026
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
While I was driving my Theta engine got seized and Hyundai denied extended warranty of power train.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Today while driving to church we started hearing a ping noise ever so often. This just started then . After leaving church to go home the pinging noise got louder than the engine stalled and wouldn't start again. I had t
NHTSA complaint: Engine
For a few months- the ABS light, Downhill assist light, and Slippery road light have all been on. Read it could be due to a bad sensor. Then on Saturday July 4th, I turned the car on and the Ebrake light was on but my eb
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
On 4/25/2026 I lost power on business freeway an orange light flash on along with whining noise I had to steer to right side shoulder for safety. Had it towed to dealership on 4/27/2026 they informed me 3 days later on
NHTSA complaint: Engine
FHW Garage used car dealer [XXX], sold this Hyundai Santa fe 2015 knowing the vehicle is defective. It Stalls and stops in the middle of the road in High Traffic. This Hyundai Santa Fe 2015 Lock up the Steering Wheel, Lo
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the check engine warning light started flashing, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over t
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
Engine failed while driving down the road, car was looked at by two mechanics with no known reason for engine failure so car was took to Hyundai of murfreesboro for diagnostic testing and was there for a total of 12 days
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 vehic
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. H
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, and inspect and replace the ABS module, as ne
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Risk: If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside as a precaution until the recall repair is complete
| Reliability raw | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 28 of them (34%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2015 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.