2014 Hyundai Santa Fe (DM) · Known Issue
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Theta II Engine Failure (Santa Fe Sport): What It Really Costs to Fix
Quick answer: 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe theta ii engine failure (santa fe sport) is free to fix on recall-covered VINs and up to $6,200 out of pocket otherwise.
Applies to: 2.4L and 2.0L turbo (Theta II) only. Other versions of the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe do not have this problem.
What the Issue Is
Santa Fe Sport models with the Theta II 2.4 GDI and 2.0T entered the recall record in 2017, when recall 17V-226 extended Hyundai's engine inspection to 2013 and 2014 Santa Fe Sports alongside 2013 and 2014 Sonatas. NHTSA's acknowledgement of the recall describes machining errors that can cause premature connecting rod bearing wear, with knocking, reduced power and an engine stall at speed as the risk. Dealers inspect the engine and replace the short block if it fails the check.
The 2019 Hyundai and Kia engine settlement goes further, covering 2013 to 2018 Santa Fe Sports and the 2019 Santa Fe that replaced them. On those cars, once the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update, Hyundai service campaign 953, is done, engine repairs caused by connecting rod bearing wear or damage carry a lifetime warranty that passes to later owners. Claims to reimburse past repairs closed on July 19, 2021. The three-row Santa Fe and Santa Fe XL of these years are not in the class.
Shopping discipline is Theta-standard: a VIN check for recall and KSDS completion, a careful listen for the knock, replacement-engine paperwork treated as a bonus, and skepticism toward any example whose seller cannot say what work has been done.
Symptoms to Watch For
- 1.Metallic knock rising with RPM
- 2.Check-engine light blinking with power cut back (KSDS limp mode)
- 3.Oil-pressure warnings or engine light
- 4.Glitter in the oil at changes
- 5.Stall or seizure under load (endgame)
Real Repair Costs
Recall inspections are free, and on a class car with the KSDS update done, rod-bearing engine repairs are covered for life. Out of coverage, engine replacement on this crossover costs a little more than on the Sonata.
| Repair | Typical Cost (installed) |
|---|---|
| Recall inspection or lifetime-warranty engine repairVIN verification is the whole game | Free |
| Used engine, installed | $3,200-$4,800 |
| Remanufactured engine, installed | $4,200-$6,200 |
Major issue: budget for it. Ranges are US independent-shop estimates with quality parts. Use them as negotiation grounding, not a quote.
Mechanic's Tip: Spot It Before You Buy
Confirm which Santa Fe you are looking at first: the two-row Santa Fe Sport (and the 2019 Santa Fe) carry the Theta II fours in the settlement, while the three-row Santa Fe and Santa Fe XL are not on its list. On a Sport, run the VIN for recall 17V-226 (2013 and 2014 models) and the KSDS update, then listen for the knock cold and warm, at idle and at 2,500 RPM, with the cabin quiet. Ask about any engine replacement under the recall (paperwork, please), oil-change habits, and any time the engine light blinked and power dropped, which is the KSDS limp mode doing its job.
The Bigger Ownership Picture
Beyond this specific issue, budget roughly $1,100-$1,700 per year for scheduled maintenance and repairs on a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. That is a typical US range from Avturo's ownership-cost table, an estimate rather than a quote, and it excludes insurance, fuel, and financing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are all Santa Fes affected by the engine problem?▼
No. The settlement covers 2013 to 2018 Santa Fe Sports and the 2019 Santa Fe with the Theta II 2.4 GDI or 2.0T, while the three-row Santa Fe and Santa Fe XL of those years are not in the class. Recall 17V-226 covered the narrower group of 2013 and 2014 Santa Fe Sports.
What does Theta II failure cost if not covered?▼
Engine-replacement money: about $3,200 to $4,800 for a used engine installed and $4,200 to $6,200 for a remanufactured one on this platform. On a class car with the KSDS update done, a rod-bearing failure is covered by the settlement's lifetime warranty, which is why the VIN check comes first.
How does the KSDS protection work?▼
Kia's bulletin on the system describes it this way: it listens for vibration from connecting rod bearings starting to wear, then blinks the check-engine light, stores code P1326 and puts the car in limp mode, holding the engine to roughly 1,800 to 2,000 RPM. On Hyundai's class cars, the update (campaign 953) is also what switches on the lifetime warranty.
Is a high-mileage Santa Fe Sport safe to buy?▼
It can be, if the VIN shows the recall and KSDS work complete, the engine is quiet from cold, and the records are there; one with an engine already replaced under the recall is better still. An undocumented example with any hint of knock is an engine invoice in disguise, and the VIN check sorts the two in minutes.
Sources
The facts on this page were last checked against these documents on October 10, 2026. Programs and their coverage end; check the car's VIN with a dealer for what still applies.
- Recall record: NHTSA recall 17V-226, Part 573 report (Theta II bearing wear, 2013-2014 models) (static.nhtsa.gov)
- Recall record: NHTSA acknowledgement of recall 17V-226 (2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport) (static.nhtsa.gov)
- Court or settlement record: McKenzie Lake: Hyundai and Kia 2.0L and 2.4L Theta II GDI engine class actions, class vehicles and terms (mckenzielake.com)
- Warranty program: Hyundai notice: lifetime warranty for rod-bearing engine repairs after the KSDS update, service campaign 953 (NHTSA file) (static.nhtsa.gov)
- Service bulletin: Kia bulletin on the Knock Sensor Detection System: blinking MIL, limp mode, code P1326 (NHTSA file) (static.nhtsa.gov)
- Manufacturer: Kia America and Hyundai Motor America resolve engine litigation (Kia media release, 2019) (kiamedia.com)
- Repair cost estimate: TP Auto Repair: how much to replace a Hyundai Sonata engine (tpautorepair.net)
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