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 · Mar 26, 2024
Power Train
I was pulling onto I75 at 6:00am when my car started shuttering, making a clicking/ knocking noise and slowing way down. Thankfully I was able to make it onto the shoulder before causing an accident. I was unable to accelerate enough to go anywhere so I called a tow truck. My car is burning oil at an extremely fast rate. I have …
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I was pulling onto I75 at 6:00am when my car started shuttering, making a clicking/ knocking noise and slowing way down. Thankfully I was able to make it onto the shoulder before causing an accident. I was unable to accelerate enough to go anywhere so I called a tow truck. My car is burning oil at an extremely fast rate. I have to get my oil refilled about every 7-10 days with the only warning of low oil being a flicker of my oil light. Continue to be shut down by Hyundai when we mention it. Everyone I know with this engine has had to have it replaced or get a new car. But Hyundai doesn’t want to do anything about mine. Currently sitting in their lot and they said it would be about a month before they would even look at it.
NHTSA ODI #11579612
44,000 miles · Mar 7, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the engine was extremely low on engine oil, even though oil had been added 1,000 miles before …
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The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the engine was extremely low on engine oil, even though oil had been added 1,000 miles before the failure. The contact was informed that the engine was consuming oil abnormally fast. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 44,000.
NHTSA ODI #11575993
66,000 miles · Mar 5, 2024
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud abnormal popping sound. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. In addition, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact drove the vehicle to a safe locati…
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The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud abnormal popping sound. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. In addition, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact drove the vehicle to a safe location. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine knock and that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
NHTSA ODI #11575544
35,203 miles · Feb 15, 2024
Latches/locks/linkages
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the liftgate would not release using the key fob or the gate release button in the vehicle. The contact stated that the liftgate had to be manually opened and closed. No warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but a diagnostic te…
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The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the liftgate would not release using the key fob or the gate release button in the vehicle. The contact stated that the liftgate had to be manually opened and closed. No warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but a diagnostic test was not performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,203.
NHTSA ODI #11572131
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2024
Unknown Or Other
Oil consumes so much oil. Goes through an entire oil change worth in 3 weeks with normal drive around town. Got oil change done 12/6 and by 12/25 there was no oil left in vehicle
NHTSA ODI #11568918
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2024
EnginePower Train
Driving down a 4 lane highway my car refused to accelerate and started shaking vigorously. My vehicles check engine light began to flask on and off. Had to pull off the high way and take the back roads the rest of the way home in fear that it would stop in the middle of the street. As we drove home, every time we would slow dow…
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Driving down a 4 lane highway my car refused to accelerate and started shaking vigorously. My vehicles check engine light began to flask on and off. Had to pull off the high way and take the back roads the rest of the way home in fear that it would stop in the middle of the street. As we drove home, every time we would slow down or had to come to a stop the car would continue to shake and rattle with the check engine going and and off the rest of the way home. Took this to the dealership and they stated that I have a burnt exhaust valve on cylinder #2 along with needing a new catalytic converter and told me I should just replace the entire engine. I have 67k miles on a 2017 hyundai Santa Fe.
NHTSA ODI #11568913
89,000 miles · Jan 23, 2024
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that an oil change was performed on the vehicle; however, after driving less than 1,200 miles, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Firestone, and the contact was informed that the engine was experiencing abnormal oil consumpti…
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The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that an oil change was performed on the vehicle; however, after driving less than 1,200 miles, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Firestone, and the contact was informed that the engine was experiencing abnormal oil consumption. The mechanic added oil to the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked two weeks later, she noticed that oil had leaked underneath the vehicle onto the ground. Additionally, the contact stated that while the vehicle was turned on and parked, she smelled an abnormal burning oil odor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an oil consumption test; however, the dealer performed a complete inspection of the vehicle and informed the contact that they could not perform the oil consumption test unless she paid a repair fee for the sparks plugs, the air filter, and two tires replacements. The contact declined to pay for the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
NHTSA ODI #11567340
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2024
EngineSeat Belts
Engine died at 48k miles. Using a lot of oil. Driver seat belt not working properly. Waiting time for diagnostic 3-12 weeks.
NHTSA ODI #11564342
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2024
Engine
Engine is consuming so much oil. I have to fill up ever 4-5 days. Vehicle only has 80k miles.
NHTSA ODI #11563923
146,000 miles · Dec 26, 2023
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure, and determined that the engine n…
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The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure, and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.
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
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