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 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2025
Engine
Excessive engine oil consumption. The vehicle oil consumption is beyond my control, currently I am afraid to embark on vacation driving to friends or on vacation in other states. Low engine oil can result in engine overheating and fire, thus endangering life, family and property. I am currently adding oil every 14 days…
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Excessive engine oil consumption. The vehicle oil consumption is beyond my control, currently I am afraid to embark on vacation driving to friends or on vacation in other states. Low engine oil can result in engine overheating and fire, thus endangering life, family and property. I am currently adding oil every 14 days to ensure the engine is at a safe operating level for my own safety. I am requesting a one time manufacture's assistance to remedy this defective.
NHTSA ODI #11676913
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2025
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesUnknown Or Other
Engine or sometimes TPS brakes lights on
NHTSA ODI #11676866
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2025
Engine
Bought my vehicle as second owner and 1 1/2 years into financing I discovered the piston rings are failing which is causing to much oil consumption. It’s burning oil to fast - in three weeks my car has burned through three quarts of oil. I do my regular oil changes as recommended and already change the gasket. If I have not chec…
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Bought my vehicle as second owner and 1 1/2 years into financing I discovered the piston rings are failing which is causing to much oil consumption. It’s burning oil to fast - in three weeks my car has burned through three quarts of oil. I do my regular oil changes as recommended and already change the gasket. If I have not checked my oil I would never had a clue. I am currently doing my oil changes because the dealer shops were not nor even knew of the burning oil issue. How does one car burn that much oil in three weeks. My extended warranty has exited and now my engine is failing. My vehicle was not included in the class action settlement. I am a teacher with children and don’t have the money to buy a new car let alone fix the engine. The vehicle has rough idling at times and doesn’t have the power to go sometimes. It’s failing quicker than I could imagine.
NHTSA ODI #11676665
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2025
Engine
Car stopped running 4 months ago and had it towed to the shop and they did a Knock sensor update and sent us back with it. 4 months later check engine light comes on and take it in and they recommend a new engine and this car has a class action and they’re saying we don’t qualify. They’re saying it’s the piston rings. The car bu…
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Car stopped running 4 months ago and had it towed to the shop and they did a Knock sensor update and sent us back with it. 4 months later check engine light comes on and take it in and they recommend a new engine and this car has a class action and they’re saying we don’t qualify. They’re saying it’s the piston rings. The car burns oil like crazy. Over 5 quarts in 2,500 miles consistently and the oil light never comes on. I have 2 kids that ride in this car for it to just die or for the engine to start fire is a risk I am not willing to take.
NHTSA ODI #11675414
80,000 miles · Jul 15, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact used a personal handheld scanner to scan the vehicle and retrieved DTC: P1326 which indicated a …
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The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact used a personal handheld scanner to scan the vehicle and retrieved DTC: P1326 which indicated a failure with the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V578000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #11673641
141,000 miles · Jul 11, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated and lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The check engine warning light, the malfunction indicator light and two other unknown …
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The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated and lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The check engine warning light, the malfunction indicator light and two other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart, but failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine rod bearing failure. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced and submitted a claim to the manufacturer. The dealer later informed the contact that the manufacturer had denied the claim. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V578000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The contact filed an appeal claim with the manufacturer and was informed that the appeal claim was denied because the knock sensor detection system(KSDS) software update was not previously performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
NHTSA ODI #11672684
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2025
Engine
This model engine is a common complaint easily found by quick internet searches. They have recalled SOME models, but not all. This car uses EXTREME amounts of oil. It is not normal. I have not had a car in my 38 years of driving that used anything even close. I do not have any leaks. This car requires 1 quart of oil every 500-…
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This model engine is a common complaint easily found by quick internet searches. They have recalled SOME models, but not all. This car uses EXTREME amounts of oil. It is not normal. I have not had a car in my 38 years of driving that used anything even close. I do not have any leaks. This car requires 1 quart of oil every 500-700 miles. This is horrible for maintenance. It is very dangerous to an unsuspecting buyer. I found out about this when my engine light came on and to my surprise the oil was about empty after an oil change when I first purchased the car. This was only about 6 weeks in to having the vehicle! This is also horrible for the environment, expensive, and messy. Hyundai should be held accountable. The oil consumption is due to an engine defect that is not directly related to their current Lifetime limited warranty for connected bearing rods.
NHTSA ODI #11669749
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2025
EngineUnknown Or Other
While driving my vehicle, the check engine light came on, and the engine entered limp mode, severely reducing power and acceleration. This presented a significant safety risk while traveling on the highway, especially during lane changes and merges. The issue was later diagnosed by a certified Hyundai dealer as Diagnostic Troubl…
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While driving my vehicle, the check engine light came on, and the engine entered limp mode, severely reducing power and acceleration. This presented a significant safety risk while traveling on the highway, especially during lane changes and merges. The issue was later diagnosed by a certified Hyundai dealer as Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1326, which relates to the knock sensor detecting potential engine bearing wear. The dealer confirmed this issue and performed related inspection work under Hyundai’s Service Campaign T3G. No prior warning signs appeared before the incident. Hyundai has issued a known campaign for this issue, but no recall appeared under my VIN at the time. I incurred rental and rideshare costs due to the vehicle being held at the dealer for several days. This condition severely impacts the drivability and safety of the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11669740
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2025
Engine
I went to get my oil changed, and I've noticed that not even 2week after the oil change the truck is 2 or 2 1\2 quarts low on oil. So, I was wondering if you have any other problems with this truck and the oil. The Santa Fe isn't linking any fluids under it.
NHTSA ODI #11665896
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2025
Engine
I was driving to work when I heard a loud knocking noise in my engine shortly after beginning my trip. My vehicle then lost all acceleration power as I was making a left turn at a light. Then, the check engine and oil pressure warning lights activated simultaneously. Had the driver behind me not been maintaining a safe following…
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I was driving to work when I heard a loud knocking noise in my engine shortly after beginning my trip. My vehicle then lost all acceleration power as I was making a left turn at a light. Then, the check engine and oil pressure warning lights activated simultaneously. Had the driver behind me not been maintaining a safe following distance, I certainly would have been rear-ended. After having the vehicle towed to a mechanic approved by my insurance company, I was told that the issue was possible engine failure. There were no warning lights or symptoms before this issue arose, and I still had 400 miles before I was due for another oil change.
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.
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.
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.
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year