Named after the city of the same name in New Mexico, the Hyundai Santa Fe was the first SUV for the company. This vehicle helped the company enter a new market and continue to expand its offerings to its customers since being launched in the model year 2001. Today, we’re going to take a look at the history of this vehicle and common issues and reviews of the Hyundai Santa Fe. We’ll also share how you can extend the life of your vehicle by replacing the cylinder heads in the future.
History of the Honda Pilot
The Santa Fe was Hyundai’s first entry into the SUV market, so it was a milestone for the company and helped expand the range of cars. The South Korean company was going through a restructuring program in the late 1990s, and this new vehicle was ideal for the American market. From 2006 to 2012, the Santa Fe was offered as an in-between vehicle for people wanting something different from their smaller Tucson car and the bigger Veracruz vehicle. Since 2018, it’s been the middle option between the Tucson and the Palisade.
The company introduced the third generation of the vehicle in 2012, offering two different versions for customers. The long-wheelbase extended version was called the Santa Fe XL in Canada or the Hyundai Maxcruz in South Korea. In 2018, it was time to launch the fourth generation, which was a two-row SUV that replaced the previous short-wheelbase model.
North America Sales History for the Hyundai Santa Fe
The vehicle is offered in North America, Europe, and South Korea, with later launches in China and Australia. The sales figures have increased yearly in the U.S., starting at 10,000 units in 2000 and increasing to 101,000 units by 2003. While sales slowed down after 2005, they reached the 107,000 mark again in 2014. Last year, the vehicle sold 119,000 units, showing its popularity still so many years after its initial launch
What are the Engine Specs for the Hyundai Santa Fe?
The standard option for the Hyundai Santa Fe comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, offering up to 191 horsepower. However, if you want something a bit more powerful, there’s a turbocharged 2.5-liter option with 277 horsepower.
What is the towing capacity of the Hyundai Santa Fe?
Regarding its towing capacity, you can tow up to 3,500 pounds with this vehicle, allowing you to go out and explore with your loved ones or use it for business needs.
Driver Reviews Hyundai Santa Fe
Overall, drivers find the Hyundai Santa Fe to be an affordable midsize SUV that offers all of the features you would expect from this type of vehicle. It is easy to drive and maintain, making it a good choice for first-time SUV owners. The vehicle is commended for having excellent fuel efficiency and acceleration, as well as a very spacious cabin that makes being either a passenger or driver more comfortable. The smooth ride quality makes it an ideal option for long journeys for business or personal use.
Common Problems with the Hyundai Santa Fe
While most reviews are typically favorable for the Hyundai Santa Fe, you will find some negative reviews and problems that come up from time to time. Some of the models from 2012 and 2013 had engine failure problems at around 80,000 miles, which is unusually early for this type of concern. An issue like this engine problem could be very costly, but this issue is far less common nowadays. Some other models do note engine stalling or stopping issues, which often come as a result of crankshaft position sensor failure. Less common concerns include a faulty EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) switching valve or poor shift quality.
Hyundai Santa Fe Issues With Cylinder Misfire
As noted above, some of the issues with the Hyundai Santa Fe are related to the cylinder. A cylinder misfire is one concern you may find some owners report, and this misfire is when one of the engine cylinders doesn’t produce enough of a spark or compression, and there’s a lack of fuel. This type of incident could involve more than one cylinder, sometimes resulting from a faulty spark plug or a worn-out cylinder.
Replacing Hyundai Santa Fe Cylinder Heads
If you find that you have issues with a cylinder misfire or your cylinder heads are no longer functioning properly, then there’s the option of replacing your cylinder heads. You can either take your car to a machine or try to save money by DIYing this task at home. This video explains how to replace cylinder heads on a Hyundai Santa Fe, and this video is an example of a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.3 V6 cylinder head removal.
Don’t Buy a New Car – Extend the Life of Your Hyundai Santa Fe with New Cylinder Heads
You don’t have to resort to buying a new car just because the cylinder heads are no longer functioning. The good news is that you can buy new cylinder heads and replace the faulty ones. You’ll find they are readily available to buy online, so you can then go ahead with removing and replacing the old one. It can be costly if you leave this task to a professional, but you can save $1,000 – $2,000 on labor by tackling this job alone.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a very popular vehicle in North America and has been on the market for many years now with primarily positive reviews. It offers a reliable drive with a comfortable passenger and driver experience, making it ideal for various applications. While there are a few concerns with the engine over the years, you’ll find that replacing the cylinder head is a great option to extend the life of your current vehicle.
Refurbished and New Cylinder Heads from Clearwater Cylinder
If you are the owner of a Hyundai Santa Fe, then please call us so we can help you select the right heads for your specific Santa Fe model. Clearwater Cylinder Head offers both refurbished and new Santa Fe cylinder heads for sale online or by phone. The casting number on your Hyundai engine or existing cylinder head will help us to identify the best cylinder head(s) for your vehicle.