EGR / DPF
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode, DPF light
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,500
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Hyundai Santa Fe III
2012–2018 · Hyundai Santa Fe 3
2
engines covered
8
known faults
18,699
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
5
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Hyundai Santa Fe III was built from 2012 to 2018.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 8 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Connecting rod bearing failure: it usually appears at 80,000–200,000 km and costs €0–6,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (10.5 %), brakes (7.5 %), tyres and wheels (7.3 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: steering. It fails less often than average on: suspension, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 / 2.2 CRDi (Hyundai-Kia R-engine) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · ACEA C3 · ~6.4 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 / 2.4 GDI (Theta II) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 · API SN · ~4.6 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
2.0 / 2.2 CRDi (Hyundai-Kia R-engine)
Injectors (piezo)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rough running
Fix: Replace injector
€400–1,200
Timing chain / tensioner
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rattle on start
Fix: Replace chain kit
€800–1,500
2.0 / 2.4 GDI (Theta II)
Connecting rod bearing failure
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Knocking, oil light (US 2011–2019)
Fix: Check recall / extended warranty
€0–6,000
Oil consumption
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Topping up between changes
Fix: Monitor
€0–1,500
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Dual-mass flywheel
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
€700–1,400
Automatic (torque converter)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 2.0 / 2.2 CRDi (Hyundai-Kia R-engine) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| DPF health check (soot / ash load)Emissions | every 20,000 km | €0–60 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 18,699 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.7 % | 4.8 % | 7.5 % | 10.8 % | 13.0 % |
| Suspension | 0.9 % | 1.9 % | 6.2 % | 14.1 % | 16.7 % |
| Steering | 1.2 % | 1.7 % | 4.3 % | 6.3 % | 8.0 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 2.2 % | 4.4 % | 7.3 % | 8.7 % | 9.8 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 3.9 % | 6.4 % | 10.5 % | 16.6 % | 23.8 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.1 % | 0.8 % | 2.0 % | 3.8 % | 5.8 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.4 % | 0.9 % | 1.3 % | 1.3 % | 1.3 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 1,543 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (5). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Fire risk A potential safety defect has been identified which could occur within the ABS control unit. The ABS control unit within the affected VIN range could experience an electrical short circuit.09/09/2024 · R/2024/309
- Brakes / ABS / ESP The ABS control unit within the affected VIN range could experience an electrical short01/06/2022 · R/2022/128
- Airbag Curtain air bag may not inflate correctly if deployed19/11/2018 · R/2018/299
- Steering Steering wheel may detach01/05/2018 · R/2018/104
- Doors / locks / lids Bonnet may open unexpectedly16/10/2017 · R/2017/250
Common questions
Does the Hyundai Santa Fe III have a timing chain or a timing belt?
2.0 / 2.2 CRDi (Hyundai-Kia R-engine): chain; 2.0 / 2.4 GDI (Theta II): chain.
What are the known problems with the Hyundai Santa Fe III?
The faults with the highest risk: connecting rod bearing failure (80,000–200,000 km, €0–6,000); EGR / DPF (120,000–200,000 km, €300–1,500); oil consumption (100,000–180,000 km, €0–1,500); dual-mass flywheel (150,000–220,000 km, €700–1,400). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Hyundai Santa Fe III most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (10.5 %), brakes (7.5 %), tyres and wheels (7.3 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: steering. It fails less often than average on: suspension, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
What should you check when buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe III?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (5 have been published for this model). On the test drive, watch for these signs: knocking, oil light (US 2011–2019); limp mode, DPF light. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Hyundai Santa Fe II 2006–2012Hyundai Santa Fe IV 2018–2023Hyundai Santa Fe V 2023–
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Kia Sportage (QL) 2015–2021Hyundai Tucson (TL) 2015–2020Kia Sportage (SL) 2010–2015Hyundai ix35 2009–2015Kia Sorento III 2014–2020Kia Sorento II 2009–2014Kia Optima (TF) 2010–2015
Other Hyundai models
Hyundai i30 (GD) 2012–2017Hyundai i10 II 2013–2019Hyundai i40 2011–2019Hyundai i20 II 2014–2020Hyundai ix20 2010–2019Hyundai i10 I 2008–2013Hyundai i20 I 2008–2014Hyundai Ioniq 2016–2022Hyundai i30 (FD) 2007–2012Hyundai i30 (N) 2017–
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026