Used Hyundai Santa Fe Door Handle

The Santa Fe has run across four generations in the UK: the first generation (SM) ran from 2001 to 2006, the second generation (CM) from 2006 to 2012, the third generation (DM) from 2012 to 2018 with a facelift around 2015, and the fourth generation (TM) from 2018 onwards. Door handles are generation-specific, so a handle from a CM will not fit a DM without confirmation from a breaker. Always quote your registration to the breaker so they can identify your exact generation.

This question crosses the CM-to-DM generation boundary: 2012 marks the start of the third-generation DM, while a 2014 car sits within the DM range (pre-facelift). If both cars are DM models the handle is more likely compatible, but if your 2012 is a late CM the body style changed and the handles will differ. You should confirm the exact generation of both vehicles with the breaker against your registrations before ordering.

Yes, side matters — door handles are handed, so you need the correct nearside (NS, passenger/left) or offside (OS, driver/right) handle for your door. Fitting the wrong side will mean the handle mechanism runs the wrong way and will not operate the latch correctly. Always specify NS or OS when requesting a quote from a breaker.

Trim level — such as Classic, Premium, or Executive — does not affect the physical fitment of the door handle; the shell and mechanism are the same across the range for a given generation. The one cosmetic difference you may notice is that higher-spec cars sometimes have a chrome-effect or body-colour-painted handle surround rather than a plain black one, but this is a preference issue and the frame itself will fit regardless. Any colour or finish differences can be resprayed or swapped cosmetically, so confirm the generation and side with the breaker and do not worry about trim level for fitment.

Both the 2013 and 2016 cars sit within the third-generation DM range, with the facelift occurring around 2015. Whether the door handle crosses that facelift boundary without modification is not something that can be guaranteed here, as Hyundai sometimes updated exterior trim components at the facelift stage. Name both registrations to the breaker and ask them to confirm against their stock before purchasing.

Yes, the same key rules apply: you need to match the generation and specify the correct side (NS or OS). The Santa Fe is a five-door SUV, so all four main door positions are distinct and the rear handles are not interchangeable with the front ones either. Give the breaker your registration, specify front or rear and the side, and they can locate the correct unit from a matching vehicle.