2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

The engine on my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe sport was deemed defective according to Downey Hyundai. They ran a diagnostic test on it and it failed the test. They offered to replace it for me at no cost to me. On December 11, 2025 the engine caught fire while the service technician from Downey Hyundai was “test driving” it in a drive-thru of 7 Leaves. He was using my vehicle for personal use when the engine fire occurred. Both Downey Police Dept and Downey Fire Dept made reports. I did file a claim with my insurance company, AAA. On 12/8/25, the engine oil light blinked once very quickly on the dash and that was it. I took my vehicle to Downey Hyundai the very next day to have it inspected.

We have a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe with 130k miles on it. It has the 2.4 engine with known manufacturing defects. We are the 2nd owner and timely & proper maintenance was completed on it since it was new. My [XXX] driver was operating the vehicle on Interstate 75 in Middle Georgia when the vehicle started running very rough, slowed down dramatically and the check engine light started blinking. She was blessed that a large truck didn’t run her over as she tried to move to the side of the roadway. We called a tow truck to take it to the nearest Hyundai dealership- ALM Hyundai of Warner Robins, GA. They inspected the vehicle and stated that the engine had messed up and they wouldn’t replace it since the vehicle had 130k miles and outside their window for 120k mile replacement. We purchased the vehicle from the original owner in 2022. We verified that it had timely and proper maintenance on it. We were also aware of a potential engine issue but verified with a Hyundai service advisor at Five Star Hyundai in Macon, Ga that the vehicle would be eligible for engine replacement if it messed up due to a manufacturing defect as long as proper maintenance was completed. We noticed that the vehicle was significantly burning oil at around 110k miles and regularly had to put oil in it to make sure it would not run dry. We did have the safety recall performed on it for the engine knock issue that Hyundai mandated. These vehicles are a major safety hazard on the roadway and these effected engines should be replaced by the manufacturer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My vehicle was serviced for an oil change at my dealership today. The mechanics are concerned about too much oil consumption in between oil changes. They have no evidence of a leak. Prior to getting my oil changed, a red oil light appeared when I brake. The dealership had mentioned of related recalls for this problem for this vehicle model.

Component: Engine (Theta II 2.4L GDI) / connecting rod bearing-related failure risk with abnormal internal oil loss. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request (engine, oil level condition, diagnostic history, and dealer records). Safety risk: While driving on the highway (approx. 70 mph), the vehicle displayed a low oil warning, and I experienced concern for potential engine seizure/stalling and sudden loss of power, which could cause a crash. I reduced speed and sought service. This condition presents an ongoing safety risk because sudden engine failure can occur without adequate warning. Dealer confirmation: The problem was confirmed by a Hyundai dealer. After a routine oil change, the low oil warning appeared within ~1,700 miles. A Hyundai service center inspected the vehicle and documented the engine was approximately 3 quarts low with no external leaks, indicating internal loss/engine deterioration rather than a leak. Hyundai then required additional steps (combustion chamber cleaning and monitored mileage), and the abnormal internal oil loss condition persisted. Manufacturer inspection: The vehicle has been inspected by Hyundai dealerships, and Hyundai performed campaign-related actions, including KSDS/ECM update (T3G) and later knock sensor replacement. No police or insurance inspection. No crash or injury occurred. Warning lamps/symptoms prior to failure: Prior symptoms included a Check Engine Lamp with DTC P1326 (KSDS-related) documented by Hyundai service in 2025, followed by continued abnormal internal engine condition. The low oil warning occurred while the vehicle was in motion (highway speed). The issue remains unresolved, and I do not feel the vehicle is safe to operate due to seizure/stall risk. Additional: I reported this as a safety defect because similar Theta II engine issues are widely reported and can result in stalling, seizure, or engine fire. Hyundai denied engine replacement assistance despite the documented condition.

Vehicle: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Mileage at Failure: ~129,000 miles Issue Type: Engine Failure / Valve / PCV-Related Defect Manufacturer & Dealer Both Denied Repair My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe suffered a sudden engine failure at around 129,000 miles. The Hyundai dealer verbally told me the failure was caused by a faulty PCV valve, which is a known issue in Hyundai engines and can lead to severe oil loss, crankcase pressure problems, and ultimately engine failure. However, the printed diagnostic paperwork they provided listed a different reason for the failure, and the descriptions do not match what I was told verbally. This inconsistency makes me believe the cause is related to a known Hyundai engine defect that the manufacturer is not acknowledging. I contacted Hyundai Motor America directly, provided documentation, and requested warranty or goodwill repair assistance. They denied the claim even though the failure was due to a defective engine component and not misuse. This engine failure created a dangerous situation and appears to be consistent with Hyundai’s history of valve, oil system, and internal component defects. Given the mismatch between the verbal explanation and the written diagnosis, I am concerned the dealer and manufacturer are avoiding responsibility for a known defect. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate Hyundai for potential PCV-valve-related engine failures and inconsistent denial practices.

The engine of our 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has been significantly problematic since we first purchased the vehicle in 2017. These issues have been well documented by other Hyundai owners and have resulted in class action lawsuits. After purchasing our vehicle new from dealer, it began experiencing difficulties, consuming large amounts of oil, spewing smoke from the tailpipe, leaving metal shavings in the engine oil, failing to start, and at times going into a protection mode to keep the engine from further damage and restrict speed above 15 miles per hour. The vehicle had to be towed multiple times at our own expense. Hyundai delayed replacement of the engine for months resulting in thousands of additional miles being put on the vehicle under unsafe operating conditions. Hyundai reluctantly replaced the engine in February of 2024. What appears to not be well-documented in NHTSA complaints are the impacts of these engine issues to other Hyundai components and parts. Hyundai replaced our original engine but did not replace the engine’s catalytic converter. 20 months later, the check engine light has illuminated again as a direct result of oil sludge and buildup from accelerated oil consumption. In November 2025, the dealership identified the fault code P0420 for catalyst efficiency system below threshold. We have experienced a loss of acceleration, increased fumes, and decreased fuel efficiency as a result of the catalytic converter failure, and believe the vehicle is no longer safe to drive at high speeds on freeways. The dealership has confirmed damage to the catalytic converter and has quoted a replacement fee that is $5000, almost $1000 higher than other dealerships in our area. We asked for the dealership to submit a request to HMA for goodwill assistance and were denied on November 24th. We strongly believe that Hyundai is responsible for both the damage to the catalytic converter as well as the safety concerns caused by this issue.

The contact's mother owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while the owner was driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with loss of compression in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine failure was a known failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

We had the oil changed like always and shortly after I was checking the oil and it was not even on the dipstick so I added some and checked for leaks anywhere did not see any than we had problems with it barely accelerating so took it to dealership the performed the anti knock sensor upgrade for free and when I asked about the oil consumption they said that I needed to do a engine clean and all kinds of stuff came to like $400 so I had them do it because I can not have my wife stranded somewhere after all that they changed the oil again that was another $80 they said to bring it back at 1000 miles for them to check brought it back at 700 miles already used 1.5 qts they said engine is junk but cannot get anything done about because it had at the time 120000 miles

The vehicle’s engine is experiencing excessive internal oil consumption that poses a serious safety risk while driving. After a routine oil change performed by an authorized Hyundai dealer, the engine oil warning light illuminated within about 1,700 miles. Upon inspection by another Hyundai service center, technicians confirmed that the engine was burning oil abnormally and was three quarts low, with no external leaks. This issue was documented in the dealer’s repair order, which states “vehicle is burning excessive oil.” The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by a Hyundai dealer. The vehicle is equipped with the Theta II 2.4L GDI engine, which is already covered under Hyundai’s KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) extended engine warranty due to known internal mechanical defects such as bearing wear and oil consumption. Despite this, the manufacturer has declined to replace the engine. The excessive oil burning occurs rapidly and triggers the low-oil warning light while the vehicle is in motion, creating a risk of engine seizure and sudden loss of power that could lead to a crash. The defect remains unresolved. Warning lights for low oil level appeared multiple times beginning in 2025, shortly after the KSDS update and knock-sensor replacement.