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Expensive Hyundai Santa Fe repairs by problem area

Engine (37%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (13%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (34%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (12%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (0%)

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Chart based on 112 repairs.

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Hyundai Santa Fe repair cost distribution

$2500+ (24%)

$1000 - $2499 (76%)

$500 - $999 (0%)

$100 - $499 (0%)

< $100 (0%)

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Chart based on 66 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

12000 mi

US $1100

Replaced tie rod ends. Inadequate design and light weight material unable to handle normal street driving probable cause. Vaunted warranty useless. Have also had two windshields crack overnight without known cause. Probably due to internal stress or temperature variation. Cheap glass and poor construction. Again, warranty worthless. As reported before, Nav system is useless. Finds about half locations input so rely on smartphone.

52700 mi C $300	replace battery
57660 mi C $1000	Brake pads and rotors replaced due to wear. First brake job.
89900 mi C $450	ball joints

74000 mi US $900	Replaced worn struts
121000 mi US $1400	Struts

59520 mi C $500	Driver side auto door lock stopped working
90520 mi C $2000	Replaced parts [tie-rod ends]

65000 mi US $544	right rear wheel bearing started humming
75000 mi US $2800	Pinion bearing on drivers side shot. Tie rod ends replaced.
78000 mi US $235	lost rear main seal. Had left ball joint replaced and alignment

69440 mi C $1300	rear shock replaced
81560 mi C $290	replace both front fog light bulbs Replace left front control arm bushing (separated)
86800 mi C $500	Replace 2 front lower ball joints
99200 mi C $200	Check engine light diagnosed as exhaust leak. Smoke test revealed valve on gas cap not re-seating. Replaced with new gas cap.
94860 mi C $1500	Check engine light illuminated for large EVAP leak. Replaced cracked fuel pump housing
130200 mi C $1100	Replaced flex (exhaust) pipe.

80600 mi C $200	Clunking on rough roads only.
84320 mi C $547	Clunking on rough surfaces, sound and feel of something loose and about to drop off.
97340 mi C $804	Oil pressure sensor leak; replaced oil pressure sensor for the second time.
98040 mi C $1200	Both front springs/struts replaced (broken spring on right side) Control arm bushing replaced Right front wheel bearing replaced
112840 mi C $1700	Front pads and rotors, rear calipers Clunking on turns, right front lower balljoint replaced. Front brakes deemed needing service at time of repair.
186620 mi C $900	Engine not starting/running. Alternator and battery replaced. Battery discharged when parked for over 24 hours. Second new alternator and new battery installed. Might have fixed the battery drain issue.

62620 mi C $750	Control arms replaced. Must say technically work out of warranty by 400 km but the dealer called Hyundai to get them to pay for everything. I had brought in the vehicle earlier but they were too busy because of the Christmas season.
91140 mi C $150	Just did a wheel alignment. Way off.
93620 mi C $2500	Rack and pinion Struts. Axle. Boots.

69440 mi C $1200	Struts replaced due to wear
72540 mi C $100	Oil was slowly leaking from timing chain cover gasket. Took two separate visits to find the leak. Gave an estimate of $1500 to replace the gasket, includes 10hrs labour, and intake manifold and valve cover gaskets, too. Did not have repair done yet - $1500 buys lots of oil
73470 mi C $240	Windshield was irreparably cracked, replaced.

53000 mi US $1132	the rack and pinion assembly developed noises and was leaking power steering fluid. Steering was erratic, obviously not something to wait on.
75000 mi US $600	Replaced worn bushings and tie rod ends in front suspension.

65700 mi US $1400	Fuel sensor was working intermittently, causing the gas gauge to stop working and the check engine light to come one. Sensor was replaced. Oil leak from upper gaskest.
111000 mi US $945	Shocks and struts, front and rear

48360 mi C $250	Fuel guage level sensor in fuel tank . The driver side sensor failed. I replaced both sensors while I was at it.
49800 mi C $250	Post catalytic converter oxygen sensor failed
52080 mi C $105	right front sway link was loose . It was replaced
79360 mi C $1100	CV Joint boots torn so had both axles replaced ( including boots)

50000 mi US $113	engine light went on after service. dealer claimed I hit a rock cracked the evap sys. I took car to 2 other repair shops they found no crack. reset set computer fixed problem. dealer scam.
105600 mi US $1500	broken catalytic converter failed

78000 mi US $550	Fuel gauge sender failure
83000 mi US $270	Removed stereo system and sent to factory authorized service center to fix grinding noise with the 6-CD changer.
92000 mi US $1100	Replaced defective compressor
95000 mi US $1100	Replaced battery

51460 mi C $429	check engine light on, gas gauge wouldn't register after a fill-up. The right fuel sending unit was replaced.
53420 mi C $122	REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKET
55180 mi C $1159	lower ball joints worn, replaced both front struts were leaking corrosion on upper and lower rad hoses Thermostat corroded leaking timing cover. parts were not available ....repair rescheduled for later in October
56420 mi C $1439	broken timing cover replaced

15000 mi US $100	rear disc brakes squealing. Mechanic cleaned and lubricated the calipers. Sound gone for about a month, but is starting again.
21000 mi US $450	Electronic Stability Control light came on. Brake sensor was replaced and problem is resolved. right rear heat shield loose and making a vibrating noise. Tightened and problem has been resolved. Rust on drivers rear caliper cause it to hang and drag. Needed rear pads, rotors cut and clean an lube everything. I'm a little concerned as the car has 21000 miles on it. However, it does sit outside. squeaking sound with engine running. rate increased as RPM's increased. Power steering idler pulley replaced.
28300 mi US $980	Throttle position sensor failed. Turned on check engine light. Covered under warranty Safety check revealed batter was close to failure.
52000 mi US $400	Knock sensor was bad causing Check engine light and retarded timing.
57000 mi US $1103	Drivers side strut spring broke. Took 4 days to get springs from Hyundai. Replaced struts, springs and did alignment.

123820 mi C $400	Replaced Front Lower control arms and ball joints, tie rod ends, Stabilizer Links
135160 mi C $4800	The transmission shifter stuck in Park. Then it stuck in neutral when released with disconnect. The transmission needs replacing.

66000 mi US $100	The purge control solenoid valve (PCSV) was replaced.
115000 mi US $1500	All spark plugs replaced, one spark coil replaced, Timing and service belts replaced, Transmission serviced, cooling system flushed and serviced, battery replaced, all recalls (airbags) and fuel tank sending units replaced.
116000 mi US $300	Replaced lower ball joints
147000 mi US $450	Replaced Front and Rear rotors and pads. Replaced brake fluid. changed oil, oil filter, air filter, cabin filter
187000 mi US $187	Replaced [stabilizer bar] bushings

89900 mi C $1000	massive pothole, stuck bearing check engine light on, due to gas tank sensor and a gage not working
99200 mi C $2000	multiple repairs bar joint, sway bar, suspension, alignment, etc
106020 mi C $600	car stalled , battery was already changed,I had it towed to garage and was as thought the alternator. It was changed at cost of 600. tax in.

37600 mi C $800	Oil leak on valve cover damaged alternator. Alternator replaced as well as valve gasket (passenger side of V6 engine).
53320 mi C $220	Oil leak coming from left side of transmission. (Driver side) Happened as a result of dealer flushing the trans fluid. Dealer quoted $2000 for repair of the leak. Took the car to independent shop and problem was solved.
39100 mi C $1000	water pump leaking coolant

39060 mi C $1500	Gas tank sensor replacement
138880 mi C $1000	gas throttle sensor

81100 mi C $800	noise from front wheels. Replace CV joint and wheel bearings.
86800 mi C $1000	Rear wheel bearing was replaced because the mechanics found some movement of the wheel after the car was hoisted up. Also there was oil leak from the engine seal.

77500 mi C $500	Front struts. Not sure if repair successful. Told that their bearings were worn. Under certain conditions a clunk could be heard - can still hear it.
89280 mi C $600	Replace ball joints plus alignment Windshield washer pump failed. Windshield washer pump replacement was not initially successful as new one also failed. Returned to dealer and discovered that one of the tubes had mysteriously disconnected.
93000 mi C $1800	Replace right rear wheel bearing Replace CV joint boot Replace two rotors, two calipers and four pads
99200 mi C $600	Engine warning light came on. Diagnosed as failed fuel sensor(s). Sensors replaced. After repair fuel gauge was inaccurate. Went back but they couldn't test because tank was full. Returned with low tank and repair is now OK.

143000 mi US $100	brake pads and rotors
146000 mi US $1100	new compressor and evaporator for AC replaced leaking radiator
149000 mi US $130	Replaced failed starter

36580 mi C $190	CD player would not release CD. The CD Assembly unit was replaced. I went to an independent electronic shop - it is where the dealers take their radio electronic problems. I paid for it myself, even though it is a warrenty item.
71300 mi C $1100	replace both front lower control arms; press out ball joints, press in new - replaced both ball joints. Replaced outer links,; repair & replaced inner sway bar bushing, etc.
79020 mi C $1147	Noticed slight oil leaking around valve covers - Re & Re engine cover and intake manifold cover gaskets and seals. Replaced spark plugs since access was created.
88040 mi C $900	Our parking brake cable was broken. Hyundai does not offer a simple replacement cable but you must purchase entire assembly. Expensive, it cost $470 Cdn. Garage charged 1.5 hours.
89280 mi C $800	to finish replacement and repair of parking bake assembly, etc.
94320 mi C $275	Replacement of parts were covered by warranty. Costs were labour and shops costs.
99820 mi C $1500	Right front shocks needed replacement. Both left and right shock absorbers were replaced.

Expensive Hyundai Santa Fe repairs by problem area

Hyundai Santa Fe repair cost distribution

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2011 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2011 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2011 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2005 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2005 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

Hyundai Santa Fe Expensive Problems

48960 mi C $300	Replace front right CV joint boot (had a hole in it)
50500 mi C $1600	The valve cover gasket (driver's right side) leaked oil onto the alternator which took it out, which left only the battery to operate the vehicle which took the battery out. $1,600 later (entirely at owner's cost), these were all replaced.
55180 mi C $500	Left front tie rod end replaced. This firmed up the front suspension quite well.
60140 mi C $5645	Seal leaking on timing cover Rack & pinion leaking (was replaced) Right front strut leaking (was replaced) Fuel sending units in gas tank had failed (were replaced) Both fuel vapor purge valves failed (both were replaced) Replaced timing belt cover Replaced rack & pinion assembly Replaced right front strut
68200 mi C $250	Right tie rod end replaced
71920 mi C $600	Replace left rear wheel bearing/hub assembly
78740 mi C $175	Replace rear sway bar bushings

97840 mi C $1200	Leaky gasket.
122760 mi C $1000	Both headlights stopped working.

179800 mi €1400	2 mass flywheel and clutch exchange
210800 mi €500	Turbo broke filling the chambers with oil. Complete loss of engine oil within minutes during a Spain trip. Because of high transport costs and a highly incompetent mechanic, I gave up on that car and bought the same model again.

66800 mi US $620	During timing belt replacement, hydraulic-activated belt tensioner was found to be leaking fluid and was replaced.
84000 mi US $255	Belt slippage. Replaced belt tension adjuster and drive belt. Damage to drive belt was, per shop, caused by the failed tensioner.
86000 mi US $300	Initial diagnosis was jumped timing. Engine seized and had to be replaced with remanufactured engine. Failure of the input/output speed sensors on the transmission. Happened on departure from prior service visit, but counting it as a separate trip.

106000 mi US $2500	Leaks in low & high pressure lines. Also replace rack & pinion.
128000 mi US $3500	After repeatedly having the vehicle in for evaluation for a transmission "thunk" when cold, it finally failed. AFTER the warranty ran out.
142000 mi US $230	Pressure valve in fuel tank.
153000 mi US $500	The car starts then stalls. They replaced several parts but I think it was more of a "let's see if this helps." The problem eventually seemed to go away.

103000 mi US $1800	lost 4and 5th gear,plus reverse,dealer wouldnt warranty.replaced with used tranny from 2005 santa fe with 20,000miles.
104000 mi US $600	loud clunking noise in drivetrain,hyundai dealer said was tranny just replaced,used tran under warranty.took 2nd shop,replaced transfer case.still not fixed.unplugged rear differential myself.runs fine in front drve.

60500 mi US $860	Our Santa Fe is a 6 cylinder engine, one was misfiring, car sounded like a motor boat.
67500 mi US $327	Car sounds like motorboat again. gaskets, engine, tune electronic ignition, remove/replace intake manifold-upper. spark plug wires, platinum plug, ignition wires, coil, pcv valve, positive crankcase valve. cruise control still not working! engine light on, stalls out. Pressure test on cooling system, H/C coolant leak, possible antifreeze leak as well.
70000 mi US $280	antifreeze problem, leaking. Leak found in car. Replaced pan.
86000 mi US $260	Antifreeze still leaking, ended up having to replace hose that connects from engine to antifreeze

67000 mi US $250	Rack and pinion, Power steering pump and lines. Front end alignment
79500 mi US $4500	Some seals leaked into system
97000 mi US $800	Power steering pump
102300 mi US $890	Ignition coil

133000 mi US $1700	huge power steering fluid leak - ended up having to replace rack and pinion steering assemly and pump. Can't complain though as this is the first major repair I've had on the car - ever.
140000 mi US $1600	part of cam shaft alignment, timing belt, water pump and oil pan replacement/repairs - total of all $1600

65100 mi C $500	Alternator replacement
79360 mi C $388	Alternator under lifetime warranty, battery replaced.
83080 mi C $135	Replace alternator for 3rd time (4th alternator)
90200 mi C $898	Master Brake Cylinder was shot. Required either rebuild or new. Couldn't get a good rebuild, had to go with new. Found during replacement of rotors and pads, front and back.
96080 mi C $251	Power Steering cooling pipe sprung a leak and had to be replaced. Most of the amount was labour
96600 mi C $821	Replacement of pulleys for timing belt, both matched sets were damaged and had to be replaced
102920 mi C $3000	front Calipers replaced Fuel Tank rusted and leaking Driver's side tie rod Ball joint had play, needs to be replaced Oil pan leaking and needs to be replaced