Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1470–25K
3625–50K
2450–75K
2675–100K
32100–150K
3150K+
268 reports with mileage · 694 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 643 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 161 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports23 fire reports11 injury reports
What owners actually said
962 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2021
Engine
Even though my check engine light wasn’t on my vehicle began to stall while I was merging on a major highway. A mile later the car began to smoke from behind made a weird noise and it completely stopped. Me and my 7 yr old stayed stranded on the shoulder of a highway while semis whizzed by at 80 mph. Called roadside assistance …
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Even though my check engine light wasn’t on my vehicle began to stall while I was merging on a major highway. A mile later the car began to smoke from behind made a weird noise and it completely stopped. Me and my 7 yr old stayed stranded on the shoulder of a highway while semis whizzed by at 80 mph. Called roadside assistance but no longer covered so couldn’t be helped while me and my families life was in danger. Case manager at the national office rude unsympathetic and hung up on me. My car is still with the dealer even though it is under warranty and has been with the dealer since September 8,2021 every time I call they give me the run around as I pay $1200 for a rental because they refuse to provide me with one.
NHTSA ODI #11434327
80,000 miles · Sep 23, 2021
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle loss power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they confirmed the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was …
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The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle loss power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they confirmed the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #11434003
74,400 miles · Sep 15, 2021
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a knocking noise was present coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine bearings had failed, and metal particles were discovered in the engine. The contact was informed t…
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The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a knocking noise was present coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine bearings had failed, and metal particles were discovered in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V578000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 74,400.
NHTSA ODI #11433028
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2021
Engine
The engine warning light came on and Oil leak from engine, I have taken the vehicle to the dealership and they thought it was an oil cap plug not put in correctly, they put it back in back in July 2021. But oil leak still happen and the engine warning light keeps turn on. Every day i have to check oil level to make sure it not g…
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The engine warning light came on and Oil leak from engine, I have taken the vehicle to the dealership and they thought it was an oil cap plug not put in correctly, they put it back in back in July 2021. But oil leak still happen and the engine warning light keeps turn on. Every day i have to check oil level to make sure it not go below the minimum and I keep on adding oil. I have go to the dealership and they unable to help me. I made repair issues know to them, and schedule several appointments and they keep cancel it, they say at this time they do not take any serious engine issues. The last appointment was made on August for September 4, and the Huyndai auto repair center cancel the day before, say that i have to find other repair shop to work on my engine problem. My car buy in October 2016, and currently sit at under 41,000 miles. The Engine warning light came up back in June 2021.
NHTSA ODI #11431773
112,000 miles · Sep 3, 2021
EngineFire
The engine in our 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 3.3L V6 has always had problems with lag/ hesitation when accelerating from a stop from the very beginning of ownership (first owner). This was always dismissed by Hyundai's mechanics as not actually existing, although it did lag constantly. I know many other have reported similar issue…
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The engine in our 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 3.3L V6 has always had problems with lag/ hesitation when accelerating from a stop from the very beginning of ownership (first owner). This was always dismissed by Hyundai's mechanics as not actually existing, although it did lag constantly. I know many other have reported similar issues so, I include this only that it could potentially be an early sign of a manufacturers defect leading to larger problems later? Now, we regularly change the oil in our Santa Fe and have never seen a single warning light outside of tire pressure warnings. But on 7/29/21, with our vehicle just out of warranty at 112k miles, while accelerating to freeway speed from an on ramp at 60 mph multiple warning lights came and at the same time there was a very large bang from the engine and a large amount of smoke came from under the hood, enough to seriously affect the vision of drivers behind me. There was a very rapid lose of speed and I also observed things falling from the vehicle in the rearview. I luckily managed the vehicle to the shoulder and quickly got out. I thought vehicle was on fire, it may have been, the smoke kept up for 5-10 minutes. At this point the car would not start or run and a large pool of oil and or coolant formed underneath. It was towed to a Hyundai dealer and the prognosis was a broken connecting rod that had blew a large maybe 5" diameter hole through the bottom of the engine. And now, despite providing proof of recent oil changes, Hyundai has dismissed any manufacturing issues from causing the issue and sighting the problem was from lack of maintenance because of sludge in the engine. Although to my understanding sludge can also be produced rapidly when contaminants, like coolant, from bad valves or head gaskets, enter the oil. When I asked about this the technician literally just didn't answer. So, now we currently owe $7k on a vehicle needing repairs at the quoted price of $8-$14k and Hyundai has closed our case.
NHTSA ODI #11431571
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2021
Engine
The engine lite came on, there was a lost of acceleration, the vehicle stalled when slowing down for a stop light or stop sign, There was a ping noise evident with the engine. I didnt trust the vehicle had it towed to the mechanic. The mechanic noted you have only two quarts of oil in the engine. This mechanic performed all rout…
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The engine lite came on, there was a lost of acceleration, the vehicle stalled when slowing down for a stop light or stop sign, There was a ping noise evident with the engine. I didnt trust the vehicle had it towed to the mechanic. The mechanic noted you have only two quarts of oil in the engine. This mechanic performed all routine maintenance, rotations, oil changes, checking fluids etc. There were no signs of oil leaks and or burning of oil with the exhaust. I then sent the car to the dealership for their own review. They confirmed the engine failure and the ping noise was the rod due to lack of oil. The dealership files a claim with Hyundai #PA102790, the claim was denied and still has not provided a reason for the oil loss which was the reason for the failure of the engine. There were no indicator lights noting low oil pressure or the engine is overheating, the engine lite came on in the morning and just like in A MANNER OF COUPLE OF HRS the engine started the symptoms noted above. The dealer ship gave Hyundai's complaint line, but after reading the problems associated with the Engines with the sante fe what is the point to call them?
NHTSA ODI #11431383
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2021
Engine
Engine made a loud pinging noise. No warning lights appeared. I had it towed to dealer and they said that metal shavings were in the oil and the engine is shot and needs to be replaced. Car had 95,400 miles. Hyundai denied warranty because I was second owner after ignoring me for approximately one month and they never did re…
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Engine made a loud pinging noise. No warning lights appeared. I had it towed to dealer and they said that metal shavings were in the oil and the engine is shot and needs to be replaced. Car had 95,400 miles. Hyundai denied warranty because I was second owner after ignoring me for approximately one month and they never did reply to me directly, only to the dealer. How can so many Hyundai engines not last for over 100,000 miles?
NHTSA ODI #11430321
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2021
Engine
Took 2017 Sante Fe to dealer for a oil change and to look into an intermittent hard shift from a stop. During test drive dealer stated car engine warning light came on and vehicle stalled, mechanic was able to steer vehicle to side of road, vehicle would not restart, after several hours they informed me that engine had seized an…
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Took 2017 Sante Fe to dealer for a oil change and to look into an intermittent hard shift from a stop. During test drive dealer stated car engine warning light came on and vehicle stalled, mechanic was able to steer vehicle to side of road, vehicle would not restart, after several hours they informed me that engine had seized and would need to be replaced.
NHTSA ODI #11430153
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2021
Unknown Or Other
As I was driving on the freeway, I heard something that sounded like a bomb go off overhead. I safely pulled over and discovered that my panoramic sunroof had exploded. There were no other vehicles nearby that could have kicked up anything, especially because it was directly overhead. Thankfully I had the interior closed, but if…
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As I was driving on the freeway, I heard something that sounded like a bomb go off overhead. I safely pulled over and discovered that my panoramic sunroof had exploded. There were no other vehicles nearby that could have kicked up anything, especially because it was directly overhead. Thankfully I had the interior closed, but if it had been opened myself along with my 4 passengers (three who are young children) would have been covered in glass shards not to mention I could have ran into the wall or something else. Upon investigation, this is a known issue with Hyundai sunroofs. I have not yet been able to have anyone inspect it since it is Sunday. There were no warnings at all that this was going to happen.
NHTSA ODI #11430041
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2021
Visibility/wiper
We were driving on a highway at normal highway speeds around 10:15pm. There was some light rain and some lightning in the area. Out of nowhere our panoramic sunroof on our 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe just exploded. There were no cars/trucks in front of us that kicked up any debris that could have caused this. It just shattered and t…
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We were driving on a highway at normal highway speeds around 10:15pm. There was some light rain and some lightning in the area. Out of nowhere our panoramic sunroof on our 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe just exploded. There were no cars/trucks in front of us that kicked up any debris that could have caused this. It just shattered and the sound was deafening, it sounded like an explosion and for a quick second I thought we were getting shot at until I observed that no other glass in the car was broken so at that point I knew it was the panoramic sunroof.
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 2017 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The crankshaft assemblies may have been produced with surface irregularities in the crankshaft pin, causing engine bearing wear.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify all owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 168.
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. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that may not have been set in the correct mode during vehicle assembly, and therefore will not provide an appropriate warning in the event of an underinflated tire. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An underinflated inflated tire can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the TPMS sensors, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for the recall is 159.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Trailer Hitches
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.
Electrical System:wiring
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses may be damaged by the seat's height adjuster mechanism, resulting in a failure to provide an audible warning when front seat occupants do not fasten their seat belts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Without a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses to their proper locations, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 141.
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
3
DP24001 · 3.3L Engine Loss Of Motive Power (lomp)
Opened Feb 8, 2024 · Closed May 16, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on February 2, 2024, requesting a defect investigation into an alleged defect of the "engine" on the following vehicle model: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles equipped with the 3.3L V-Shaped GDI Lambda-II engines. The petition cites allegations of a loss of motive power, often resulting in an engine seizure. The stall is preceded by a knocking sound, decreased performance and no warning lights. An analysis of the subject vehicle population was undertaken using complaints submitted to ODI along with manufacturer data. It was determined that the frequency of events is low for the subject population, while those that specifically report a loss of motive power event have a high mileage at the time of incident. The 2017 Santa Fe is equipped with a service interval reminder for the consumer that must be set by the consumer themselves or at a dealership. A Technical Service Bulletin (19-EM-002H) instructs the dealership to set the maintenance reminder at the completion of routine maintenance service or anytime a repair is performed that requires new engine oil. This maintenance reminder will help reinforce the need for proper oil maintenance intervals. Additionally, the Santa Fe vehicles with 3.3L V-shaped Lambda-II engines will be added to Hyundai’s existing Technical Service Bulletin (23-EM-007H) related to combustion chamber cleaning. These actions will help limit negative consumer incidents related to loss of motive power. Lastly, Hyundai has extended the limited engine warranty for MY 2013-2019 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3.3L V-shaped Lambda-II engines included in the Petition. The updated coverage is 15 years, or 150,000 miles and details are contained in Technical Service Bulletin 24-EM-003H. In view of the service interval reminder, combustion chamber cleaning, and extended warranty actions being taken by Hyundai, ODI is denying this Defect Petition. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the report cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
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 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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