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 · Mar 7, 2022
EnginePower Train
I purchased a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe June 2021 Upon completion of my oil change 12/1 I was told there was a oil leak and the oil wasn't going to stay in, I drove home under 20mph because my engine wouldn't allow me to go any faster. The next day it was towed to a Hyundai dealership close to home, Hyundai denied the first claim be…
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I purchased a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe June 2021 Upon completion of my oil change 12/1 I was told there was a oil leak and the oil wasn't going to stay in, I drove home under 20mph because my engine wouldn't allow me to go any faster. The next day it was towed to a Hyundai dealership close to home, Hyundai denied the first claim because they said it was the oil change companies fault. I then called the warranty company and the adjuster came out examined the car he found out that wasn't the case, it was internal damage cause by the manufacturer. Botls came loose that cracked something and metal chips got into my engine. My extended warranty denied covering it because it wasn't basic engine failure it was cause by the production of the vehicle and the faulty bolts that internally damage itself. I resubmitted the claim to Hyundai for repairs since we know now it wasnt outside negligence and the extended warranty company wasn't going to cover it. The advisor told me the second claim was denied as well , after speaking to the consumer affairs department myself they still denied having any part and the faulty engine. I'm in a Facebook community group and these people are going through this daily with Hyundai they are putting bad engines in cars once the original owner finds out they're trading them in and the second owner buys them in the car fails we aren't covered under the powertrain warranty because it only applies to the first owner. Hyundai is ripping people off and stealing our hard worked for money and getting away with it! They're picking and choosing who the engine failure class action lawsuit applies to even though we all have bad failed engines! I have been stuck making payments on a car for 3 months that I cannot drive and I owe $18,000 on a totaled car and they care nothing about goodwill and helping their customers who have spent thousands on their cars.
NHTSA ODI #11455552
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineLane Departure
Engine failed within 3 years of having the car so did transmission. Always having other issues with this vehicle. Recently the alternator now the blind spot warning system. This vehicle was purchased new and has had so many problems.
NHTSA ODI #11455205
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2022
Engine
On 1/29/22 I was driving on the parkway going 60 mph when my vehicle began to fail. I could not accelerate and I had to put my car in neutral to get to the side of the busy parkway. My vehicle turned off and would not turn back on. My vehicle was towed to A Hyundai dealership where ultimately I was told I needed a new engine for…
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On 1/29/22 I was driving on the parkway going 60 mph when my vehicle began to fail. I could not accelerate and I had to put my car in neutral to get to the side of the busy parkway. My vehicle turned off and would not turn back on. My vehicle was towed to A Hyundai dealership where ultimately I was told I needed a new engine for almost $6000. Hyundai stated they won’t pay for it due to a recall that was never taken care of in the beginning of 2019. I bought my vehicle in November 2019 from a Chevrolet dealership where nothing about a recall was ever disclosed. I can’t seem to find anything about a 2019 recall but I do see there was on listed on 2/2/22. I’m at loss for what to do. I can’t afford to pay for this and I still owe 13,000 on it. The red battery signal lit up on the dashboard when the engine started to fail. That was the only warning signal. Yes available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA ODI #11454457
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2022
Engine
I was driving my Santa Fe in February 17, 2022 and while driving it completely shut down and wouldn’t start again. It has to be towed and Hyundai is not helping with anything. It only has 64k or 68k miles on it. No lights came on until it shut down while driving.
NHTSA ODI #11453504
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2022
Engine
I was on the highway going about 65mph when all of the lights on my dashboard came on, including the engine light. I received a warning on the screen to get service immediately. My car started slowing down and I was able to pull over before my engine completely seized up. I was lucky that the highway was not crowded and that I w…
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I was on the highway going about 65mph when all of the lights on my dashboard came on, including the engine light. I received a warning on the screen to get service immediately. My car started slowing down and I was able to pull over before my engine completely seized up. I was lucky that the highway was not crowded and that I was able to get over before it stopped in the middle of the highway!! I do not know why it failed! I had regular maintenance, oil changes, etc. None of the lights came on before this happened. I had no warning. I have been told by the dealership that I need a new engine. It only had 76K miles on it!
NHTSA ODI #11453373
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2022
Engine
Our Santa Fe is losing oil rapidly. This started around 73,000 miles. They have done an oil consumption test and then a combustion chamber cleaning, neither worked. It showed that our vehicle is consuming 1 quart of oil every 647 miles. This will cause the engine to dry out and eventuay fail. They told us we need an engine …
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Our Santa Fe is losing oil rapidly. This started around 73,000 miles. They have done an oil consumption test and then a combustion chamber cleaning, neither worked. It showed that our vehicle is consuming 1 quart of oil every 647 miles. This will cause the engine to dry out and eventuay fail. They told us we need an engine replacement, but Hyundai will not cover it. They told our local dealer to reach out to our extended warranty. They may not cover it. They need more tests run, but at our expense. After researching online, I found out this is a known problem with these engines. Others have complained and they even state that this problem occurs at about 74,500 miles. I cannot believe that Hyundai is not being he'd responsible for these repairs. This is a potential hazard, especially if someone doesn't realize they are losing oil. Most people don't regularly check their oil between changes, this is a huge hazard. We do check ours and found the problem. Hyundai is installing faulty engines and they should have to repair them, not the consumer.
NHTSA ODI #11453072
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2022
Unknown Or OtherFire
Vehicle caught fire while driving on highway. The vehicle started to decelerate & would not go over 70 MPH. Driver pulled off at the next exit and turned the car off. She waited about 5 minutes and turned the vehicle back on, Vehicle was now normal, but still would not go over 70 MPH. There were no warning light or anything…
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Vehicle caught fire while driving on highway. The vehicle started to decelerate & would not go over 70 MPH. Driver pulled off at the next exit and turned the car off. She waited about 5 minutes and turned the vehicle back on, Vehicle was now normal, but still would not go over 70 MPH. There were no warning light or anything. Operating the vehicle 70 MPH for about 20 mins and then heard a clicking & banging. Vehicle started to losing speed. Driver turned on the flashers and the vehicle went to just under 45 MPH. Driver decided to merge to the upcoming rest stop. Vehicle then stopped just before the exit and driver got out of the vehicle she felt the hood. The hood was not hot, but saw smoke. Driver then grabbed the latch to open the hood & flames burst out from side to side. Driver put the hood down ran to removed her belongings out. A passerby called the police and vehicle was engulfed with flames.
NHTSA ODI #11452512
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2022
Unknown Or Other
My paint is peeling off in sheets.
NHTSA ODI #11452404
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2022
Engine
On Saturday January 29, 2022 while getting off the 91 freeway in Corona, CA ; we heard a knocking noise coming from the engine; the oil light flashed once and went away. we arrived at our destination which was about 3-5 minutes from exit. We noticed the knocking got louder as we pressed the gas. We checked everything , we decide…
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On Saturday January 29, 2022 while getting off the 91 freeway in Corona, CA ; we heard a knocking noise coming from the engine; the oil light flashed once and went away. we arrived at our destination which was about 3-5 minutes from exit. We noticed the knocking got louder as we pressed the gas. We checked everything , we decided to check the Oil compartment due to the one flash we saw getting off the freeway, noticed the car had no oil. The vehicle NEVER notified us before this day on oil issues. According to our last oil change in September 10, 2021 we still had about 200 miles left for our next oil change. We took the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership, the car has been there since January 31, 2022. They said we need a new engine and they would file a claim with Hyundai, I've submitted my oil changes from Jiffy Lube; I have not received any information since. This is definitely a safety issue to myself, my daughters, other drivers if the engine had exploded /caught on fire due to the malfunctioning of the vehicle. I've always heard if a car ever needs oil, or it has an issue, it'll notify you. This car did not notify me, 0 messages, nothing lit up other than that flash on that day January 29, 2022, but it was obviously way too late. I had 0 oil. and now my engine is messed up. My car only has 78,620 miles on it.
NHTSA ODI #11451890
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2022
Engine
We were traveling 75mph on I-94 when the car completely stopped- the electrical was still on, but the engine seized. This was on Dec 30,2021. We had it towed to our mechanic- it was found that “the engine seized due to receiving no oil”. The dipstick was the first thing my husband checked on the side of the road. There was o…
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We were traveling 75mph on I-94 when the car completely stopped- the electrical was still on, but the engine seized. This was on Dec 30,2021. We had it towed to our mechanic- it was found that “the engine seized due to receiving no oil”. The dipstick was the first thing my husband checked on the side of the road. There was oil and there was never any leakage on the garage floor for 3 almost 2.5 years. No service or warning lights ever appeared at any time. We had to spend almost $7K to replace the engine. We’ve had it back 2 weeks and just left it again, dead at the mechanics. Electrical is good, battery is great (had it checked). I now see that we also need to park it outside so that our garage and house don’t catch on fire. I also read this “engine seizing” because of no oil has been reported by others. We’ve never received any recall notices from Hyundai.
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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