How Long Can A Hyundai Santa Fe Last?

If you plan on buying a new or used Hyundai Santa Fe, then you may be wondering how long it will last. While several factors determine the life expectancy of a car, it is good to have a ballpark idea. So let's take a look at the average lifespan below.

The Hyundai Sante Fe can last 200,000 miles to 250,000 miles when taken care of. That means with an average of 15,000 miles driven a year, the Hyundai Sante Fe will last 13 to 16 years. That is taking into consideration proper maintenance schedule and needed repairs.

It is hard to know how long your vehicle will last without predicting the future. That is why in this article, we will discuss how to properly maintain your Hyundai Sante Fe to increase its life expectancy. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions about the Hyundai Sante Fe, so read on!

A white Hyundai Santa Fe at a Hyundai car show, How Long Can A Hyundai Santa Fe Last?

How Long Can A Hyundai Santa Fe Last?

Hyundai Sante Fe's are built to last 200,000 to 250,000 miles, but there are still factors that could make your car not last as long.

For example, you may be the type of driver who likes to gun it off the start while at a stoplight. If so, that short burst of acceleration will put more strain on the engine and likely cause it to need an engine replacement sooner.

In addition, if you continuously hit speed bumps or potholes at high speeds, you may need to spend more time and money on repairs.

To prolong the life of your car, take care of it and make sure that any needed repairs are taken care of promptly. Let's take a look at a proper maintenance routine for a Hyundai Santa Fe for every 6 months/7,500 miles (whichever comes first).

A white Hyundai Santa Fe at a apartment

Change the oil and oil filter

The first part in extending the lifespan of your Hyundai Santa Fe is doing minor maintenance. Every six months or 7,500 miles, you should change the oil and oil filter for synthetic oil.

However, Hyundai recommends changing the oil and oil filter every 3,000 to 5,000 miles if you use conventional oil. Changing the oil is vital to your engine health and ensuring you will get the most out of it.

Change your air and cabin filters

The next part of a proper Hyundai Santa Fe maintenance routine is changing the air and cabin filters. Once again, this should be done every six months or 7,500 miles to ensure you are getting the most out of your engine.

Inspect brakes

Inspecting your brakes can be done every six months or once a year. However, when doing this, be sure to check the brake pads, rotors, and calipers. If you or the mechanic notice any damage, you need to have the repairs done.

Rotate tires

Along with inspecting your brakes, rotating tires is vital in avoiding tire damage. Tire rotations should be done every six months or 7,500 miles to prevent the inside of your tires from wearing out faster than the outside of them.

Inspect battery condition

To ensure you are getting the most out of your battery, inspect it every six months or 7,500 miles. To do this, check if any fluid is leaking and ensure there is no corrosion on the terminals. In addition, make sure your battery cables are tightly secured onto the terminals.

Inspect vacuum hose

A vacuum hose is a hose that is used to create a vacuum. It is typically used in engines to help with the intake of air.

On your Hyundai Santa Fe, you should inspect the hose every six months or 7,500 miles to ensure that they are not cracked and leaking. Cracks can be found by touching them with a small amount of water. If there is a crack, then the hose will start to bubble.

Top off other fluids

The last part of a proper Hyundai Sante Fe maintenance routine is topping off other fluids. Topping off these fluids can be done every six months or 7,500 miles to make sure that your car is getting the most out of its engine. Those fluids include:

  • Transmission fluid
  • Coolant
  • Brake fluid
  • Windshield wiper fluid

By sticking to this maintenance routine, you will ensure that your Hyundai Santa Fe has a long and healthy life.

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe a reliable vehicle?

A white Hyundai Santa Fe at a car show

Hyundai used to get a lot of backlash from consumers stating it wasn't a reliable vehicle. However, times have changed, and consumers can rest assured that Santa Fe is a reliable vehicle with long-lasting durability.

The Hyundai Sante Fe has a reliability score of 4 out of 5. In addition, it ranks 2nd out of 26 mid-size SUVs. Also, the severity and frequency of repairs are lower than other comparable SUVs.

Consumers can expect on average $515 in repairs per year. That is lower than other mid-size SUVs, with an average of $573 in repair bills per year.

So, If you steered clear of the Hyundai Sante Fe in the past, then it may be worth giving it another chance on your next test drive.

What goes wrong with Hyundai Santa Fe?

Like any vehicle, the Hyundai Santa Fe will have problems. However, there have been some that are reported more than others. Let's take a look at them:

Transmission hesitation

It seems that a lot of the 2017 Hyundai Sante Fe's have transmission hesitation problems. This happens when the engine is throttled, and the vehicle doesn't respond right away.

Engine stalling

Another common problem with the Hyundai Sante Fe is when the engine stalls. This can be caused by several things, including:

  • Ignition coil failure
  • Fuel injector failure
  • Sticking throttle valve
  • Failed crankshaft position sensor

No sound from speakers

No sound from speakers is a problem that can be an issue with Santa Fe's equipped with navigation. The speakers seem to work fine, and the radio is on, but no sound will come out. Usually, this issue is resolved by a factory to reset the dealer.

Engine failure

The 2012-2013 Hyundai Sante Fe has had some engine issues with engines failing. This can happen for several reasons, but some problems are severe enough to require an engine replacement.

Airbag failure

Another issue with the Hyundai Sante Fe is airbags not deploying. Several things can cause this:

  • Side impact sensor[s] faulting
  • Front-impact sensor[s] faulting
  • Faulty wiring

Does Hyundai Santa Fe have engine problems?

While anyone can get unlucky and have engine problems, the 2012-2013 Hyundai Santa Fe's were an exception. However, there were so many reported engine problems with this generation of the car, and with several reports of engines failing, it's worth mentioning.

The engine would stop unexpectedly, putting the driver in a dangerous situation. The issue would typically happen around 80,000 to 90,000 miles. However, the problem was so prominent that a class-action lawsuit was filed against Hyundai due to the continuous reports.

What years of Hyundai Santa Fe should you avoid?

As you can see, the 2012 and 2013 model years should be avoided at all costs. The last thing you want is to have your engine fail on the interstate in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Another year to avoid is the 2007 models. The year was plagued with fuel system issues, including failed gauge reading, troubles after fueling, and the gas cap sticking.

In addition, the 2007 Hyundai Sante Fe received several complaints about the brakes. There were complaints of the brakes not working correctly and parts failing, such as the hydraulic braking and electronic stability control.

The issues continued when the 2009 model came out. While it wasn't as bad as the engine failing, the paint would peel off, with the repair costing close to $3,000. In addition, the check engine light would come on and not turn off even after being reset.

Lastly, the 2017 model had several transmission problems, including rough shifting, transmission slipping, and transmission hesitation. Transmission issues aren't an inexpensive repair and can be frustrating for consumers.

If you are looking at a used Hyundai Santa Fe, not only should you avoid these years, but you should also always check a CarFax report.

A CarFax report will give you valuable information on the vehicle history. For example, if there are recalls, accidents, or salvage titles on the car - it'll show up on a CarFax report.

What are some questions to ask when buying a used vehicle?

You should ask several questions when buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe.

  • Is there anything I should know about the vehicle?
  • Has this vehicle ever been in an accident, or is there damage on it?
  • Does the car have any service history or maintenance documents?
  • What problems are you aware of?
  • Is the mileage within the average lifespan of the vehicle?
  • Are there any recalls on the vehicle?

It is a red flag if they won't answer these questions. It is better to be safe than sorry when buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe.

Final Thoughts

A white Hyundai Santa Fe at a Hyundai car show

While some older models didn't have the best reputation, consumers can still find some years worth considering.

In addition, the 2018 models and newer ones have done great on the market with a low amount of complaints. No matter which Sante Fe year you choose, be sure to stick to the regular maintenance schedule in this article to avoid future issues.

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