2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Life Expectancy – How Many Miles Will It Go?

We have been asked many times how many miles a Santa Fe will last. And this question is so hard to answer before we at least understand which generation and engine we are talking about. So, we decided to write a full article about the Santa Fe 2014 (the third-generation model) and give a detailed answer to this tricky question with a lot of factors to consider.

Today, we'll tell you how many miles a 2014 Santa Fe can last with its different engines and transmissions. We'll also tell you what you should do to prolong its life. The most important thing is that you will understand which used Santa Fe is good and which is bad for buying. We should immediately say that we love this car but it certainly has its flaws.

So, today, you will learn the following:

• What should you know about the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe?
• Which engine is the best in terms of durability in the third-gen Santa Fe?
• How many miles can a third-generation Santa Fe go?
• What are the common fatal problems with the vehicle?
• How can you prolong the life of your Santa Fe?

Let's get started!

What should you know about the 2014 Santa Fe?

So, the vehicle is still pretty up-to-date. It's filled up with modern electronics and feels quite comfortable on the road. Yes, you can't say it's the most modern SUV in the world, but for its money right now, this car doesn't seem so bad. Depending on the mileage and overall condition, you can expect it to cost $11,000 to $20,000. Buying the Santa Fe from a private owner will be even cheaper for you.

The third-gen Santa Fe was selling really well in the US. In 2014, the vehicle went over 100,000 sales a year in the US only. Then, the record-breaking years showed 140,000+ cars sold yearly. So, the number of cars available now on the market is pretty big.

Here are some facts you should know before we start:

• the Santa Fe 2014 was equipped with several types of engines, in the US they were the 2-liter turbo or the 2.4-liter GDI (both belonging to the Theta II series), also there was a 3.3-liter V6 engine;
• the vehicle was only sold in the US with the automatic transmission which is pretty good and can last long enough;
• speaking about the body of the car, it has no problems, no rust issues have been reported unless the vehicle was damaged in accidents;
• these cars offered next-level comfort in their interiors, they became much more spacious and convenient than the previous models of the Santa Fe;
• the quality of the ride is comparable to more expensive vehicles that would certainly go to the premium class;
• the Santa Fe 2014 is certainly not a problem-free vehicle, but this model doesn't have that many fatal issues.

Well, the Santa Fe 3rd gen wasn't that bad, and we really love this car as drivers. A couple of our team members had this vehicle for a year or two and had a lot of experience with them in different conditions to conclude that the vehicle is good and not going to let you down unless it's already about to die because of high mileage.

Now, the question is how many miles are too many for the 2014 Santa Fe? What should we understand under the high mileage? Let's dive in and see which versions are good and which aren't.

The longevity of different versions of the Santa Fe

We've already told you that most units of the vehicle are actually good. Body, engines, transmission, 4WD systems, and other parts are durable and don't lead to major problems usually. So, in terms of longevity, we'll look purely at the engines to recommend the best option for you or to warn those who already own a vehicle about a high mileage limit.

Here's what we think about this:

• 2.0-turbo GDIengine is not the best option at all. This is the only turbocharged engine in the model and it will certainly be the first to give up in this car. The GDI technology will throw some problems at you after 100,000 miles and all you will have to do is to throw your money back to cover the problems. Also, the longevity of the engine is not that good - up to 200,000 miles.
• 2.4 GDIengines are better. They don't have turbos, so this problem is solved automatically. But they are still direct-injection engines that will cause problems after 100K miles and will want a lot of investments. Though, these engines can go up to 300,000 miles and even more given they are maintained properly and regularly.
• 3.3 V6engines are absolutely different. They were offered with the long-base version only. The engine is also GDI (direct injection) but it's not going to cause a lot of problems because the system of injection is a little different. Also, it may go beyond 300,000 miles if maintained well. At the time when the Santa Fe 2014 was new, this was the most powerful engine in this class of SUVs with 290 horsepower.

Well, if we had to choose a used 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, we would do with the long-base 3.3-liter version. It's the most powerful and the most durable version of the SUV and it can surprise you with the most enjoyable ride quality.

Speaking about the transmissions, the only available option in the US was the 6-speed automatic transmission. This is a simple gearbox with nothing to talk about. If the fluid has been changed regularly, such a transmission can easily go over 200,000 miles and then, after a decent repair, another 150,000 miles before replacement.

So, the average durability of the 2014 Santa Fe should be 200,000 - 280,000 miles depending on the type of engine. But we've seen poorly maintained SUVs with only 100,000 miles on their dashes and they were just dying.

Some common problems you will experience with the 2014 Santa Fe

Engine problems. Unfortunately, the Theta II engines can't be overhauled or repaired after serious damage. So, you will have to replace them if you fail to change oil and filters when needed. Engine damage will be quick and not forgiving. But with proper maintenance, these engines will survive more than you want from the car.

Turbocharger issues. The turbocharger is only installed in one type of engine for your Santa Fe - the 2-liter unit. And it can cause a lot of problems starting with oiling and finishing with total loss of boost and low power. Repairing this turbocharger is costly enough, so, avoid high-mileage 2-liter Santa Fes.

ABS module problems. The braking assisting module works well and is not considered too problematic, but in some vehicles, including the 2014 models, it could lead to shortcuts which could cause fires. Replacing this block is the wise solution if you have one of those defective blocks still installed in your Santa Fe.

4WD issues. This is not the vehicle for off-roading although it was offered with an All-Wheel Drive option. If you try to go off-roading in your Santa Fe, you will probably have problems with the system and will have to repair it or replace expensive units.

How to prolong the life of your Santa Fe?

Every owner would want to drive their vehicle for more years and miles. And Santa Fe is not a bad car to own for a long time. It can go over 300K miles with no major problems if you know how to maintain it.

Here are some things you will need to do to avoid early fatal problems with the vehicle:

• regular oil and filter changes will certainly help you prolong the engine life;
• once-a-year-diagnosis at the dealership or at a specialized shop is very recommended;
• buy only high-quality parts and fluids, otherwise, the longevity is hard to estimate;
• avoid any damage to the body - after repainting, the body parts will rust rapidly;
• don't use your vehicle for things it's not made for (like off-roading or racing).

Also, take note of any problems that might show themselves as check-engine lights, dash messages, warnings, poor power, bad starting, etc. Once you notice something like this, just have your vehicle diagnosed and repair everything that needs to be repaired.

Final words

We still think that the 2014 Santa Fe is a very good SUV. We would certainly buy one if we could find it cheaper than $10K in a good condition. But the 3.3-liter version which we obviously love the most costs a fortune and it seems you can find something better for that money.

We can't see any special problems this Santa Fe will bother you with. Yes, it still has some flaws and common issues but we don't know any car that wouldn't have them. We can recommend this vehicle used up to 150,000 miles, but we would think of selling it immediately once it goes over 250,000 miles.