AFTER 20,000 MILES ENGINE STILL BURNING OIL
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
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.
What owners actually said
348 reportsWHILE TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP ONTO A STATE HIGHWAY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ALL ACCELERATIVE CAPABILITY WAS LOST WHEN THE VEHICLE CROSSED A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS AT AN ESTIMATED 5 MPH, MID-WAY THROUGH THE TURN. THE AWD VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4L NORMALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE 'ECO' DRIVING MODE AND THE AU…
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WHILE TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP ONTO A STATE HIGHWAY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ALL ACCELERATIVE CAPABILITY WAS LOST WHEN THE VEHICLE CROSSED A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS AT AN ESTIMATED 5 MPH, MID-WAY THROUGH THE TURN. THE AWD VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4L NORMALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE 'ECO' DRIVING MODE AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS IN THE 'D' RANGE. ATTEMPTS TO ADD POWER VIA THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE MET WITH NO INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM AND, CONSEQUENTLY, NO INCREASE IN VEHICLE SPEED. THE CONDITION PERSISTED FOR 10-12 SECONDS, DURING WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE TRAVELED ONLY 75-90 FEET WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NEARLY 'FLOORED.' THERE WAS NO SHOULDER AND ONLY ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION, WHICH PRECLUDED MOVING THE VEHICLE TO A PLACE OF RELATIVE SAFETY. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE SUNNY AND CLEAR, AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 55F. THE ROADWAY SURFACE WAS CLEAN DRY, AND FREE OF LOOSE MATERIAL OR CONTAMINANTS. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A TANGENT SECTION OF HIGHWAY WITH NO GRADE AND A CROWN SLOPE OF APPROXIMATELY 2-PERCENT.
SEVERE HESITATION OCCURS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FORM A STOP. HESITATION OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND HAPPENS WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN IF THE ROAD SURFACE THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING ON TO IS ROUGH. THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AND THEN LOSE ACCELERATION. ALTHOUGH PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR …
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SEVERE HESITATION OCCURS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FORM A STOP. HESITATION OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND HAPPENS WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN IF THE ROAD SURFACE THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING ON TO IS ROUGH. THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AND THEN LOSE ACCELERATION. ALTHOUGH PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR DOES NOT SPEED UP EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE REVS UP. AFTER ABOUT 3 SECONDS THE VEHICLE THEN RESPONDS AND BEGINS TO ACCELERATE. SITUATION MAY OCCUR 3 OR 4 TIMES A WEEK. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING.
INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STANDING START. IT APPEARS RELATED TO TURBO LAG, BUT TO THE EXTREME AND IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. MOST RECENTLY, AS I WENT TO TAKEOFF I WAS MOMENTARILY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AS I WAS PULLING INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS JUST THE OPPOSITE OF W…
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INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STANDING START. IT APPEARS RELATED TO TURBO LAG, BUT TO THE EXTREME AND IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. MOST RECENTLY, AS I WENT TO TAKEOFF I WAS MOMENTARILY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AS I WAS PULLING INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS JUST THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT A TURBO BOOST IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE. THIS ISSUE IS WELL-DOCUMENTED ON THE HYUNDAI AUTO FORUMS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. AGAIN, THIS NOT AN INCONVENIENCE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND HYUNDAI SEEMS UNCONCERNED ABOUT SOLVING THIS ISSUE. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE UNLESS YOU FORCE THEM TO FIX THIS ISSUE. AND IF YOU DON'T, THE BLOOD WILL BE ON THE NHTSA'S HANDS AS WELL. THIS IS ALSO NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS OCCURED, BUT THE MOST RECENT AND SERIOUS EXAMPLE SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE.
YESTERDAY, WHILE DRIVING THE WARNING LIGHT SYMBOLS FOR THE ESC AND DBC CAME ON OUT OF THE BLUE. I WAS ON A LOCAL ROAD, NO INCLINE OR DECLINE, A STRAIGHT LEVEL ROAD WITH TRAFFIC MOVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH. IMMEDIATELY THE CAR SEEMED AS THOUGH IT DID NOT WANT TO GO FORWARD. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN AND THE WAR…
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YESTERDAY, WHILE DRIVING THE WARNING LIGHT SYMBOLS FOR THE ESC AND DBC CAME ON OUT OF THE BLUE. I WAS ON A LOCAL ROAD, NO INCLINE OR DECLINE, A STRAIGHT LEVEL ROAD WITH TRAFFIC MOVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH. IMMEDIATELY THE CAR SEEMED AS THOUGH IT DID NOT WANT TO GO FORWARD. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN AND THE WARNING SYMBOLS DISAPPEARED. I CONTINUED HOME AND PARKED THE CAR. WHILE IN PARK, THE TWO WARNING SYMBOLS ILLUMINATED AGAIN WITH AN ADDITIONAL WARNING OF MIL. THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN PARK AND A MESSAGE COMES ACROSS THE CONSOLE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING POSSIBLY WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE POWER. I TURNED IT OFF AND ON AGAIN AND ON THE 3RD TRY, THE WARNING SYMBOLS DISAPPEARED. I TOOK IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER THIS AFTERNOON FOR SERVICE AND ON THE INVOICE IT STATED THAT AN INHIBITOR SWITCH WAS INSTALLED / RECALL COMPLETED. NOW I NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE NOR CAN I FIND ANYTHING ONLINE REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISSUE.
PANORAMIC SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED AT 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND, NO OVERPASSES, NO EXISTING CRACKS. SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN AND STARTLED ME SO EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND I ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD. HAD THERE BEEN VEHICLES OR TRUCKS IN THE OTHER LANE I WOULD HAVE SWERVED INTO THEM. TEMPERED GLASS AND TINY S…
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PANORAMIC SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED AT 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND, NO OVERPASSES, NO EXISTING CRACKS. SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN AND STARTLED ME SO EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND I ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD. HAD THERE BEEN VEHICLES OR TRUCKS IN THE OTHER LANE I WOULD HAVE SWERVED INTO THEM. TEMPERED GLASS AND TINY SHARDS OF GLASS RAINED DOWN ON ME AND WERE COVERING THE CAR, AS WELL AS MY SKIN. COVERED IN GLASS AND A LITTLE BLOOD AND STILL SHAKING, I HAD TO DRIVE 40 MINUTES TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT OTHERWISE. THIS IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM AFTER RESEARCHING IT WITH HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR CASES. NICE WEATHER, NO CAUSE, OTHER THAN MANUFACTURER DEFECT. IF I HAD WRECKED OR MY CHILD HAD BEEN IN THE CAR, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. STILL FINDING PIECES OF GLASS IN THE CONSOLE AND UNDER HEAD RESTS MONTHS AFTER.
VEHICLE HESITATES COMING OUT OF TURNS ESPECIALLY WHEN SURROUNDED BY OTHER CARS.(HEAVY TRAFFIC) THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE WHEN STEPPING ON GAS. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN ALL DRIVING MODES.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING IS ERRATIC. STUMBLES/SLAMS INTO GEAR 90% OF THE TIME. SHIFTING IS FELT THROUGHOUT ENTIRE CAR. TRANSMISSION UPSHIFTS WAY TO EARLY WHEN SLOWLY ACCELERATING OR DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. CAR COULD BE GOING 20 MPH AND HAS ALREADY PUT ITSELF IN 4TH OR 5TH GEAR. THEN WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR BUCKS AND …
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TRANSMISSION SHIFTING IS ERRATIC. STUMBLES/SLAMS INTO GEAR 90% OF THE TIME. SHIFTING IS FELT THROUGHOUT ENTIRE CAR. TRANSMISSION UPSHIFTS WAY TO EARLY WHEN SLOWLY ACCELERATING OR DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. CAR COULD BE GOING 20 MPH AND HAS ALREADY PUT ITSELF IN 4TH OR 5TH GEAR. THEN WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR BUCKS AND WILL EVENTUALLY SLAM INTO THE LOWER GEAR THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN. MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT AND UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. TRANSMISSION DOESN'T DOWNSHIFT PROPERLY EITHER. YOU MUST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE MAKING A TURN ONTO A STREET. IF NOT, THE CAR WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT TO THE CORRECT GEAR AND WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR WILL START BUCKING AND EVENTUALLY SLAMS INTO THE APPROPRIATE GEAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO SPRINGFIELD HYUNDAI IN SPRINGFIELD, PA TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AFTER WAITING THERE FOR 3 HOURS, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT, BUT PERFORMED A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" THAT MAY HELP. I'M STILL NOT SURE HOW A CAR THAT WAS PURCHASED ONLY A MONTH PRIOR, FROM A HYUNDAI DEALER, HAD A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" THAT WASN'T PERFORMED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. THE 14 YEAR OLD HONDA ELEMENT THAT I TRADED IN ON THIS CAR SHIFTED AND DROVE SMOOTHER.
STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP OR AT LOW SPEEDS THIS VEHICLE HESITATES TO GO FOR AT LEAST 3-4 SECONDS MAKING IT UNSAFE IF ANOTHER VEHICLE IS COMING AT YOU. WHEN TURNING FROM A DEAD STOP THE ANTI SLIP LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THIS OCCURS, THIS HAS HAPPENED DURING DRY WEATHER. THIS OCCURS MOST FREQUENTLY IN EITHER ECO OR REGULAR DRIVING M…
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STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP OR AT LOW SPEEDS THIS VEHICLE HESITATES TO GO FOR AT LEAST 3-4 SECONDS MAKING IT UNSAFE IF ANOTHER VEHICLE IS COMING AT YOU. WHEN TURNING FROM A DEAD STOP THE ANTI SLIP LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THIS OCCURS, THIS HAS HAPPENED DURING DRY WEATHER. THIS OCCURS MOST FREQUENTLY IN EITHER ECO OR REGULAR DRIVING MODE, NOT SO MUCH WITH SPORT MODE. I DON'T LIKE DRIVING IN SPORT MODE TOO MUCH AS IT WASTES FUEL. I'VE NOTED A WHOLE LOT OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE AND FEEL THAT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS! WE LEASED THIS VEHICLE IN DEC 2016 AND IT HAS LESS THAN 9000 MILES ON IT AS OF THIS DEC 2017.
I'M STOPPED AT A STREET, WAITING TO TURN ON A MAIN ROAD. I JUST HAVE A STOP SIGN, BUT THE CROSS TRAFFIC DOESN'T HAVE TO STOP. I START TO TURN OUT WHEN THERE'S AN OPENING, AND MY CAR STALLS FOR A FEW SECONDS. SOMETIMES IT'S LONGER, SOMETIMES IT'S SHORTER. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. IT MY CAR DOESN'T GO QUICK ENOUGH, I…
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I'M STOPPED AT A STREET, WAITING TO TURN ON A MAIN ROAD. I JUST HAVE A STOP SIGN, BUT THE CROSS TRAFFIC DOESN'T HAVE TO STOP. I START TO TURN OUT WHEN THERE'S AN OPENING, AND MY CAR STALLS FOR A FEW SECONDS. SOMETIMES IT'S LONGER, SOMETIMES IT'S SHORTER. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. IT MY CAR DOESN'T GO QUICK ENOUGH, I COULD GET HIT. I'VE NOTICED THIS IS THE WORST WHEN I HAVE IT IN ECO MODE. THIS EXACT THING HAPPENS WHEN I'M ALSO TRYING TO ACCELERATE ONCE I'VE MERGED ONTO A HIGHWAY. IT'S LIKE MY CAR IS STOPPING WHEN I'M TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO GET TO THE PACE OF THE TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY.
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.
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