2014 Hyundai Santa Fe · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 160owner reports
- 98,000median miles
- $6,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report May 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
273 of the 470 complaints on this car are about the engine. 160 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2014 Santa Fe.
Narrower sheets: Engine knocking or ticking (62 reports) · Engine seized (39 reports)
Tick what matches of 160 reports
Engine failure on other Santa Fe years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (151 reports) and the timing chain (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2014 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Santa Fe
3.3l engine loss of motive power (lomp). Closed may 16, 2024.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-226.
Engine seizure. Closed aug 12, 2002.
What owners paid
28 of the 160 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,600 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 72,600 and 115,000 miles, from the 88 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“While driving at 60 mph on the interstate, the engine shut down completely and lost all gas. We were able to coast to an exit, and with our two young children in tow, get a tow truck. Upon taking it to the repair shop, they stated the engine seized and needs an entire engine replacement. We are at 101,000 miles, just past the 100,000 mile warranty. Still waiting for paper documentation from repair shop.”
Filed Dec 6, 2023 · 101,000 miles
“Just under 80k miles with the 3.3 V6 and I was told the car had oil consumption and had the timing chains done and not even 24 hours later driving down the highway the connecting rod went through the block absolutely junking the whole motor”
Filed Jun 7, 2023 · 80,000 miles
“A worn connecting rod bearing which produced a knocking noise from the engine and engine warning light. Engine had 80 thousand miles with routine oil changes using 100% synthetic oil”
Filed Jun 5, 2022
“The engine seized while driving. It occurred while exiting a highway on the off ramp and the vehicle was safely removed from the road. Engine seizure was confirmed by inspection by a mechanic. It is available for inspection. No warning lamps or messages were received prior to the incident.”
Filed Apr 8, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 160 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 96 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 58 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 54 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 31 reports
- Vehicle fire 28 reports