HyundaiSanta Fe2015Overview/hyundai/santa-fe/2015/base/

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Santa Fe.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe is a midsize SUV equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission, requiring 6.0 quarts of oil with viscosities ranging from 5W-20 to 5W-30 API-certified grades, and achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. The model carries 253 owner complaints primarily centered on engine-related issues, with two safety recalls issued to date. Within the broader Santa Fe ownership history spanning 2001 to 2026, the 2015 model year falls between the peak complaint year of 2017 (941 complaints) and the more recent low of 2026 (28 complaints), suggesting moderate but not insignificant reliability concerns relative to the model's long-term track record.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tail / brake / turnINDOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Thermostat255003C150

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.6 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3459 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 24 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Santa Fe of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2013 Limited 3.3L V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2014Limited 3.3L V67.30 sec15.80 sec290 hpAWD
2013Limited 3.3L V67.10 sec15.80 sec290 hpFWD
2013GLS 3.3L V67.40 sec16.00 sec290 hpFWD
2013Limited 3.3L V67.50 sec15.90 sec290 hpAWD
2017Limited Ultimate 3.3L V67.30 sec15.80 sec290 hpAWD
2017Limited Ultimate 3.3L V67.30 sec15.80 sec290 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 25.3-32.5 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.0-10.2
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 qt
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity9.6
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts210-224 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.3-32.5 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15.0-17.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission36.2-50.6 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub203-217 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub203-217 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.56-0.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerHyundai
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque11-18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity20.32-22.09 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.72-4.40 oz

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)435.1-2175.6 (high pressure fuel line) psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)69.6-75.4(low pressure fuel line) psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)435.1-2175.6 (high pressure fuel line) psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)69.6-75.4(low pressure fuel line) psi
Engine CompressionPSI 128 - 149 / Max Variation 14 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0067-0.0009 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0105-0.0130 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 16-23 / 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-; Front: 58-; Rear: 47-
ABS Sensor Torque6.6 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.024; Rear: .370
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0002
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0009; Rear: .0012

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 68.0-72.020–23 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Apply a 3.50-4.50 mm bead of Hyundai sealant or equivalent RTV to the front cylinder head corners of the upper and lower head gasket. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

1Bolts 1-1024–27 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-10 88 degrees-92 degrees88 degrees
3Bolts 1-14118 degrees
411-1224.7–26.8 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inner bolts36 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect)
Every 37,500 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Federal data places the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe in a mid-generation lull between two higher-activity periods: complaints fell sharply from 604 in 2013 and 493 in 2014 to 253 in 2015, then stayed low at 235 in 2016, before a 2017 spike to 941 complaints and 6 recalls. The 2015 model's 2 recalls, 3 investigations, and 110 TSBs are the lowest or among the lowest in the 2013–2017 window, while its top complaint area is Engine with 121 reports, followed by Unknown or Other (14), Power Train/Engine (11), and Service Brakes (10). Compared with the 13 fire complaints and 9 crash complaints recorded for this year, the overall complaint volume remains elevated relative to older model years such as 2006 (106 complaints) or 2010 (256), but it is notably calmer than the 2013–2014 and 2017 peaks. Because 2015 sits on the descending side of the 2013–2014 problem cluster and ahead of the 2017 surge, it reads as a comparatively stable point in the generation. The data does not specify root causes, so a buyer should verify recall completion and review the engine-related complaints directly. On balance, 2015 is a relatively better year to buy within this generation, provided the documented federal complaints and any open recalls are addressed before purchase.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
110
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
253
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 13 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 253 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine121
Unknown Or Other14
Power Train,Engine11
Service Brakes10
Air Bags8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System6
Electrical System5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V358000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:LatchReported 05/06/2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at…

23V651000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModuleReported 22/09/2023

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013… Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 110 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
Z01 Letter2026-05-22Electrical SystemCertain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model…
26-BE-011H DN2026-04-25Electrical SystemSome vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s)…
26-BE-011H TSB2026-04-25Electrical SystemSome vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s)…
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Santa Fe. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 Santa Fe take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API certification, SL or SM-is preferred. Above 0 degreesF 10W-30 API certification, SL or SM, All temperatures 5W-20 or 5W-30 API certification, SL or SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Santa Fe have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Santa Fe get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.