2011 Hyundai Santa FE Engine Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Apr 9, 2026 · 64 complaints analyzed

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.

At what mileage do engine problems happen?

Based on 50 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles5 · 10%
10k–25k miles10 · 20%
25k–50k miles10 · 20%
50k–75k miles9 · 18%
75k–100k miles1 · 2%
100k–150k miles13 · 26%
150k+ miles2 · 4%

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

Peak: 2017, with 650 complaints
2001: 720012002: 102003: 820032004: 162005: 1120052006: 32007: 5420072008: 602009: 6020092010: 372011: 6420112012: 2282013: 27320132014: 2742015: 16020152016: 1512017: 65020176502018: 542019: 7320192020: 802021: 3720212022: 542023: 3520232024: 132025: 1420252026: 2

n = 2,428 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearEngine complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 Santa FE25%5,100
2025 Santa FE1410%—
2024 Santa FE138%—
2023 Santa FE3517%1,108
2022 Santa FE5427%13,750
2021 Santa FE3722%28,000
2020 Santa FE8037%19,000
2019 Santa FE7336%16,000
2018 Santa FE5450%16,000
2017 Santa FE65067%45,000
2016 Santa FE15164%84,500
2015 Santa FE16063%88,000
2014 Santa FE27456%85,000
2013 Santa FE27345%89,163
2012 Santa FE22865%89,662
2011 Santa FE6435%47,506
2010 Santa FE3714%90,300
2009 Santa FE6017%89,780
2008 Santa FE6011%88,000
2007 Santa FE548%93,132
2006 Santa FE33%126,000
2005 Santa FE115%107,592
2004 Santa FE165%100,000
2003 Santa FE83%89,000
2002 Santa FE106%114,000
2001 Santa FE73%113,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2013, with 14 complaints
2012: 6201262013: 14142014: 9201492015: 442016: 2201622017: 442018: 5201852019: 662020: 5202052021: 112022: 2202222023: 222024: 1202412025: 222026: 120261

n = 64 complaints · Source: NHTSA

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…

Received Apr 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11730232

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…

Received Sep 26, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11689997

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…

Received Jan 31, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11639951
Hyundai Santa FE
2024_Hyundai_Santa_Fe_(MX5) in Böblingen. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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.