2011 Hyundai Santa FE Engine Problems
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE, 35% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 47,506 miles.
- 64engine complaints
- 47,506median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 21%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 50 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 64 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 2 an injury.
Hyundai Santa FE engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Santa FE | 2 | 5% | 5,100 |
| 2025 Santa FE | 14 | 10% | — |
| 2024 Santa FE | 13 | 8% | — |
| 2023 Santa FE | 35 | 17% | 1,108 |
| 2022 Santa FE | 54 | 27% | 13,750 |
| 2021 Santa FE | 37 | 22% | 28,000 |
| 2020 Santa FE | 80 | 37% | 19,000 |
| 2019 Santa FE | 73 | 36% | 16,000 |
| 2018 Santa FE | 54 | 50% | 16,000 |
| 2017 Santa FE | 650 | 67% | 45,000 |
| 2016 Santa FE | 151 | 64% | 84,500 |
| 2015 Santa FE | 160 | 63% | 88,000 |
| 2014 Santa FE | 274 | 56% | 85,000 |
| 2013 Santa FE | 273 | 45% | 89,163 |
| 2012 Santa FE | 228 | 65% | 89,662 |
| 2011 Santa FE | 64 | 35% | 47,506 |
| 2010 Santa FE | 37 | 14% | 90,300 |
| 2009 Santa FE | 60 | 17% | 89,780 |
| 2008 Santa FE | 60 | 11% | 88,000 |
| 2007 Santa FE | 54 | 8% | 93,132 |
| 2006 Santa FE | 3 | 3% | 126,000 |
| 2005 Santa FE | 11 | 5% | 107,592 |
| 2004 Santa FE | 16 | 5% | 100,000 |
| 2003 Santa FE | 8 | 3% | 89,000 |
| 2002 Santa FE | 10 | 6% | 114,000 |
| 2001 Santa FE | 7 | 3% | 113,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists engine for the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe (approx. 153,000 miles) developed a new stalling and engine-dying-at-idle condition immediately following a knock sensor replacement performed by a Hyundai dealership. Prior to this repair, the vehicle ran normally with no stalling or idle issues. The vehicle was originally…
CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. With no prior indications, the engine seized while driving on side street at 25mph. Engine blew hole in block and dumped engine parts, including piston rod, piston and engine block remnants, and oil on street. Very dangerous as power steering stopped and was unable to…
The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a burning odor and the vehicle stalled. The contact idled the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and exited the vehicle. The vehicle burst into flames…

Frequently asked questions
Do all 2011 Hyundai Santa FEs have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 64 owner complaints about engine for the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE (35% of the 181 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE engine?
No recall currently lists engine for this vehicle.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 47,506 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
See all 2011 Hyundai Santa FE problems or engine problems across all Santa FE years.