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2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 179.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

156 reports with mileage · 192 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 200 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports7 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine complaints

200 reports
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8,500 miles · Mar 27, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

I HAVE A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT 2.0 WITH 8500 MILES ON IT. SINCE I TOOK POSSESSION OF THIS CAR, I HAVE BEEN HAVING REPEATED OCCURRENCES OF ENGINE STALLING COUPLED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT GOING ON. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I MAKE EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS INTO TRAFFIC: ACCELERATION STALLS COMPLETELY FOR 2-3 SECONDS, AND …

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I HAVE A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT 2.0 WITH 8500 MILES ON IT. SINCE I TOOK POSSESSION OF THIS CAR, I HAVE BEEN HAVING REPEATED OCCURRENCES OF ENGINE STALLING COUPLED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT GOING ON. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I MAKE EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS INTO TRAFFIC: ACCELERATION STALLS COMPLETELY FOR 2-3 SECONDS, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT FLASHES. I CANNOT GET THE CAR TO ACCELERATE AT ALL, EVEN WITH THE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE REVS EXTREMELY HARD, BUT THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENS ON COMPLETELY DRY PAVEMENT. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO BEING REAR ENDED MULTIPLE TIMES, AND I HAVE NEARLY BEEN T-BONED WHEN TAKING A TURN IN FRONT OF ON-COMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, AND IT IS WIDE SPREAD WITH HUNDREDS OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE DIES IN THE 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE.

NHTSA ODI #11081444

20,000 miles · Feb 23, 2018
Engine

AFTER 20,000 MILES ENGINE STILL BURNING OIL

NHTSA ODI #11074576

22,400 miles · Jan 23, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion System

INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STANDING START. IT APPEARS RELATED TO TURBO LAG, BUT TO THE EXTREME AND IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. MOST RECENTLY, AS I WENT TO TAKEOFF I WAS MOMENTARILY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AS I WAS PULLING INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS JUST THE OPPOSITE OF W…

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INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STANDING START. IT APPEARS RELATED TO TURBO LAG, BUT TO THE EXTREME AND IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. MOST RECENTLY, AS I WENT TO TAKEOFF I WAS MOMENTARILY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AS I WAS PULLING INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS JUST THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT A TURBO BOOST IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE. THIS ISSUE IS WELL-DOCUMENTED ON THE HYUNDAI AUTO FORUMS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. AGAIN, THIS NOT AN INCONVENIENCE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND HYUNDAI SEEMS UNCONCERNED ABOUT SOLVING THIS ISSUE. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE UNLESS YOU FORCE THEM TO FIX THIS ISSUE. AND IF YOU DON'T, THE BLOOD WILL BE ON THE NHTSA'S HANDS AS WELL. THIS IS ALSO NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS OCCURED, BUT THE MOST RECENT AND SERIOUS EXAMPLE SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11064353

8,500 miles · Dec 4, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP OR AT LOW SPEEDS THIS VEHICLE HESITATES TO GO FOR AT LEAST 3-4 SECONDS MAKING IT UNSAFE IF ANOTHER VEHICLE IS COMING AT YOU. WHEN TURNING FROM A DEAD STOP THE ANTI SLIP LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THIS OCCURS, THIS HAS HAPPENED DURING DRY WEATHER. THIS OCCURS MOST FREQUENTLY IN EITHER ECO OR REGULAR DRIVING M…

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STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP OR AT LOW SPEEDS THIS VEHICLE HESITATES TO GO FOR AT LEAST 3-4 SECONDS MAKING IT UNSAFE IF ANOTHER VEHICLE IS COMING AT YOU. WHEN TURNING FROM A DEAD STOP THE ANTI SLIP LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THIS OCCURS, THIS HAS HAPPENED DURING DRY WEATHER. THIS OCCURS MOST FREQUENTLY IN EITHER ECO OR REGULAR DRIVING MODE, NOT SO MUCH WITH SPORT MODE. I DON'T LIKE DRIVING IN SPORT MODE TOO MUCH AS IT WASTES FUEL. I'VE NOTED A WHOLE LOT OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE AND FEEL THAT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS! WE LEASED THIS VEHICLE IN DEC 2016 AND IT HAS LESS THAN 9000 MILES ON IT AS OF THIS DEC 2017.

NHTSA ODI #11052209

150 miles · Nov 10, 2017
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I BOUGHT MY CAR IN JULY OF 2016. SINCE THEN I HAD ISSUE WITH THE ACCELERATION. SOMETIMES CAR TAKES LONGER TO START FROM THE STOP POSITION AND WHEN IT STARTS, IT JUST ACCELERATES. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, THE CAR FEELS LIKE STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND THEN PICK UP THE SPEED AGAIN. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND I HAD BOUGHT TO THE SALES …

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I BOUGHT MY CAR IN JULY OF 2016. SINCE THEN I HAD ISSUE WITH THE ACCELERATION. SOMETIMES CAR TAKES LONGER TO START FROM THE STOP POSITION AND WHEN IT STARTS, IT JUST ACCELERATES. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, THE CAR FEELS LIKE STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND THEN PICK UP THE SPEED AGAIN. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND I HAD BOUGHT TO THE SALES PERSON'S KNOWLEDGE AT THE BEGINNING, WHEN HE DROVE AROUND TO FEEL ABOUT THE SAME, IT DIDN'T OCCUR AT THAT TIME. BUT, EVERY NOW AND THEN THIS SEEMS TO BE THE ISSUE WITH ME.

NHTSA ODI #11045155

10,000 miles · Oct 17, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A STOP SIGN AND A STOP LIGHT, IT SHOOK AND VIBRATED SEVERELY. WHILE ACCELERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH, THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL TANK WOULD BE FULL AT 381 GALLONS AND WOULD DECREASE TO 360 GALLONS. THE DEALER (P…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A STOP SIGN AND A STOP LIGHT, IT SHOOK AND VIBRATED SEVERELY. WHILE ACCELERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH, THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL TANK WOULD BE FULL AT 381 GALLONS AND WOULD DECREASE TO 360 GALLONS. THE DEALER (PANTILI HYUNDAI, 720 OAKVALE RD, PRINCETON, WV 24740, (304) 425-8203) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ODI #11034102

2,000 miles · Sep 20, 2017
EnginePower Train

VEHICLE SHAKES AND JERKS AT 50 MPH ON A 30% UP GRADE. UNKNOWN ANSWER BY DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP HAS SEEN VEHICLE 3 TIMES FOR THIS AND ALL THEY SAID THEY DID WAS RESET SENSORS. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. I AM NOT PLEASED OR SATISFIED WITH RESULTS.

NHTSA ODI #11024622

37,000 miles · Sep 12, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE NATIONAL CENTRAL REGIONAL MANAGER FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY COLUMBIA HYUNDAI IN CINCINNATI, OHIO THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE NATIONAL CENTRAL REGIONAL MANAGER FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY COLUMBIA HYUNDAI IN CINCINNATI, OHIO THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER ANYMORE WITHOUT THE REGIONAL MANAGER'S CONSENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS: ONE TIME AT KERRY HYUNDAI IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND FOUR TIMES AT COLUMBIA HYUNDAI IN CINCINNATI, OHIO FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALERS COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 10446255. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 11/01/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE TAKEN IN TO DEALERS 6 TIMES. CONSUMER PURSUING THE LEMON LAW AS THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR 31 DAYS. UPDATED 9/7/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11022797

250 miles · Sep 5, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

VEHICLE HESITATES FOR A SECOND OR TWO WHEN ACCELERATING, BOTH FROM A FULLY STOPPED POSITION, OR WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. DID NOT TEST HIGH SPEEDS. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY ON A HIGHWAY. DEALER SERVICE SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE, BUT IT IS VERY REAL, AND VERY SCARY. I H…

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VEHICLE HESITATES FOR A SECOND OR TWO WHEN ACCELERATING, BOTH FROM A FULLY STOPPED POSITION, OR WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. DID NOT TEST HIGH SPEEDS. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY ON A HIGHWAY. DEALER SERVICE SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE, BUT IT IS VERY REAL, AND VERY SCARY. I HAD DOCUMENTED THIS ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES WITH HYUNDAI SUPPORT BUT THEY JUST KEEP CLOSING THE CASE WITHOUT ANY ACTION.

NHTSA ODI #11021457

2,900 miles · Aug 28, 2017
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

EXCESSIVE ENGINE BRAKING ON DOWNHILL ROLL WITH CRUISE ENGAGED, WILL DOWNSHIFT THEN DOWNSHIFT AGAIN. WHILE REDUCING THE SPEED THE CRUISE WILL CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO UP-SHIFT STILL ROLLING DOWN THE SAME HILL AT THIS POINT THE CRUISE REALIZES THE SPEED INCREASE AND DOES A DOUBLE DOWNSHIFT FROM WHERE IT WAS. AT THIS POINT THE RPM…

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EXCESSIVE ENGINE BRAKING ON DOWNHILL ROLL WITH CRUISE ENGAGED, WILL DOWNSHIFT THEN DOWNSHIFT AGAIN. WHILE REDUCING THE SPEED THE CRUISE WILL CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO UP-SHIFT STILL ROLLING DOWN THE SAME HILL AT THIS POINT THE CRUISE REALIZES THE SPEED INCREASE AND DOES A DOUBLE DOWNSHIFT FROM WHERE IT WAS. AT THIS POINT THE RPM HAS JUMPED TO JUST UNDER 5000 WITH THE ENGINE WHINING LIKE ITS IN PAIN. I LIVE IN AND TRAVEL, TO AND FROM WORK IN THE LOWER SAVANNAH RIVER AREA OF SOUTH CAROLINA. THE HILL THAT I WAS ON IS ABOUT THE LENGTH FOOTBALL FIELD AND THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55MPH UNSURE OF THE GRADE, BUT AS I EXPLAINED WHERE WE LIVE. THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED THIS ISSUE THE ODOMETER HAD JUST OVER A THOUSAND MILES AND JUST THOUGHT IT WAS AN ANOMALY BUT NOW IT HAS JUST UNDER THREE THOUSAND MILES AND IT STILL HAS THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AS A WEDDING GIFT FOR MY WIFE AND SHE'S SCARED TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL ISSUES. SHE WOULD RATHER DRIVE HER 2007 SANTA FE THE CRUISE CONTROL IN IT ACTS NORMAL AND FEELS DEPENDABLE, EVEN WITH 114,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE CONTACTED HYUNDAI MOTORS AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WITH NO RESULTS. HYUNDAI ASSIGNED ME CASE WORKER ANGELA GODBEY (714) 965-7049 SHE CLOSED THE CASE 8/23/17, BUT NOT WITHOUT GIVING INDICATION THAT THE PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURERS INSTALLED DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11020227

Official recalls

3

22V056000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Feb 3, 2022

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.

17V358000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Jun 5, 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 latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

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 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.

17V365000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Jun 5, 2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolt for the driver's seat belt anchor might not have been sufficiently tightened during assembly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the bolt was not sufficiently tightened, driver's seat belt may come unanchored in a collision, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will verify that the driver's seatbelt anchor is properly secured, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for the recall is 165.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.