IllustrationTHE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. IT WAS REAR-ENDED.THE DRIVER'S SEAT RELEASED BACKWARD ONTO THE REAR SEAT. SEE PHOTO ATTACHED.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Santa Fe Sport years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
650–25K
2125–50K
1450–75K
2475–100K
26100–150K
6150K+
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
What owners actually said
348 reportsTHE PAINT IS COMING OFF IN CHUNKS ON THE BONNET RIGHT AFTER THE PAINT WARRANTY EXPIRED, WHICH IS ONLY THREE YEARS. THE CAR IS PEARL WHITE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHAN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORT MILL HYUNDAI (805 GOLD HILL RD, FORT MILL, SC 29708 (855) 548-9524) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN SOFTWARE UPDATE NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID. *DT*JB
2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BAD WINDOW DESIGN. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDOWS WHEN REVERSING DUE TO SHAPE AND METAL MATERIAL. *JS
INVOLVED IN A CRASH ON 12/30 TOTALLY MY VEHICLE BEING HIT IN THE FRONT RIGHT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NOT HAPPY AT ALL , SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT LEASES A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RT 2 HYUNDAI (743 NORTH MAIN STREET, LEOMINSTE…
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TL* THE CONTACT LEASES A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RT 2 HYUNDAI (743 NORTH MAIN STREET, LEOMINSTER, MA 01453, (978)-534-9999). SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESUME DRIVING NO MORE THAN 40 MPH TO AVOID THE ENGINE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND FAILURE CODE: P1326. THE DEALER ALSO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 16313165. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,614.
APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AFTER HAVING THE CAR I BEGAN TO NOTICE ISSUES. (18000) I HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR MULTIPLE REPAIRS. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ISSUE IS THE TOE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT AND IS WEARING THE TIRES UNEVENLY CAUSING TIRES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED WAY TOO SOON. AFTER HAVING THE CAR ALIGNED I W…
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APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AFTER HAVING THE CAR I BEGAN TO NOTICE ISSUES. (18000) I HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR MULTIPLE REPAIRS. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ISSUE IS THE TOE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT AND IS WEARING THE TIRES UNEVENLY CAUSING TIRES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED WAY TOO SOON. AFTER HAVING THE CAR ALIGNED I WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK WITHIN A WEEK OR SO FOR ANOTHER ALIGNMENT. I TRAVEL BETWEEN HOUSTON AND AUSTIN FREQUENTLY AND THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY. AS YOU ARE AWARE REPLACING TIRES IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND POINTLESS IF THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO WEAR UNEVENLY. I HAVE SENT A CERTIFIED LETTER TO HYUNDAI BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE.
THERE'S ALWAYS A 2-3 SECONDS HESITATION IN SITUATIONS WHERE ACCELERATION IS NECESSARY. AFTER 2-3 SECONDS OF HESITATION AFTER STEPPING ON THE PEDAL FOR ACCELERATION, THE CAR REVS AND PRODUCES HIGH PITCHED AND LOUD SOUND WITH NO ACCELERATION OR ACCELERATES ABRUPTLY. QUICKLY MERGING INTO HIGHWAY, MAKING TURNS, CHANGING LANES FROM A…
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THERE'S ALWAYS A 2-3 SECONDS HESITATION IN SITUATIONS WHERE ACCELERATION IS NECESSARY. AFTER 2-3 SECONDS OF HESITATION AFTER STEPPING ON THE PEDAL FOR ACCELERATION, THE CAR REVS AND PRODUCES HIGH PITCHED AND LOUD SOUND WITH NO ACCELERATION OR ACCELERATES ABRUPTLY. QUICKLY MERGING INTO HIGHWAY, MAKING TURNS, CHANGING LANES FROM A FULL STOP AND SLOW MOVEMENT FEEL LIKE PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE. HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER ALWAYS CLAIMS THEY CANNOT REPLICATE MY COMPLAINT AND MY CONCERN IS IGNORED.
MY WIFE IS SHORT AND NEEDS TO SIT ON A CUSHION, WHILE RIDING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CAR INTERPRETS THIS CUSHION AS A CHILD RESTRAINING SEAT AND SHUTS OFF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THIS PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR HER. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2017. WE RECENTLY WERE GOING TO BUY A NEW HYUNDAI, BU…
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MY WIFE IS SHORT AND NEEDS TO SIT ON A CUSHION, WHILE RIDING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CAR INTERPRETS THIS CUSHION AS A CHILD RESTRAINING SEAT AND SHUTS OFF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THIS PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR HER. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2017. WE RECENTLY WERE GOING TO BUY A NEW HYUNDAI, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO SEVERAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS, BUT THEY HAVE NO SOLUTIONS. WE HAVE TESTED THIS SAME SITUATION ON NEW HYUNDAI CARS WITH THE SAME RESULTS.
ENGINE PERFORMANCE IS UNDER NORMAL SPECIFICATIONS 22 - 24 MPG, CAR IS GIVING 20 MPG ON HWY. BOTH FRONT SEAT ARE UNCONFORTABLES, THEY ARE TOO DEEP THA NEED TO BE FILLED UP WITH A LARGE CUSHION OR PILLOW IN ORDER TO KEEP THE BODY IN GOOD POSITION, OTHER WISE NECK HAS TO BE BENT FORWARD ALL TIMES CAUSING UNCONFORTABLE NECK PAIN.
Official recalls
322V056000 · 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
2AQ23002 · 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.