10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,776 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #40

Jun 092022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Just received another letter from Hyundai (First one in Feb./March this one in June) telling me about the same problem with the ABS System and how it might short out and cause an engine fire. STILL NO REMEDY! The letter said I'd receive a second notice...I guess they meant a third notice! What's taking so long to find a fix"?? I'm supposed to be confident taking this vehicle on a trip knowing it may short out and cause a fire at any time while driving or parked!?" This is not acceptable.

- Lake Orion, MI, USA

problem #39

May 092022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Engine light came on took it to the dealer they told me that it had been looked at when they pulled the vehicle up to inspect the bottom the vehicle showed melted parts from the vehicle that are on sure what caused

- Oak Lawn , IL, USA

problem #38

Apr 202022

Santa Fe

  • miles
There is no incident that happened, but I am very upset with Hyundai. I found out about a recall on the news back in February and all that was said was to not park your car in a garage because it might catch on fire. It took Hyundai until late March to tell me there was a recall on my car. My local dealership told me about the recall and to schedule a service appointment. I thought, great, there is a solution. Come to find out, there is not yet. I think it is disgraceful to have a car that could catch fire and all I am being told is that I shouldn't park it in the garage. However, the recall says that it could catch on fire while I am driving too, so should I not drive it" How long is this going to go on" I am extremely upset with Hyundai Corporation. This is a big safety risk. I am a single mom and this is my only form of transportation.

- La Plata, MD, USA

problem #37

Apr 052022

Santa Fe

  • miles
There was no incident. I was in a chat with an NHTSA agent regarding the fact that the manufacturer has not provided a resolution. Until recently, your site indicated a date of 4/5 to correct this problem. I rec'd my first notice from the manufacturer on 4/4. It merely advised that there was a recall. No fix was given. I came back to NHTSA's website to see if there was any update. There was none, except the 4/5 date was no longer given. I then started a chat. The agent on the chat said everything was left up to the manufacturer. This is listed as an "urgent" recall, yet the manufacturer has provided no intended resolution for over two months. I asked the agent how I could file a complaint. She gave me this web address. As i stated, there has been no incident, yet.

- Irmo, SC, USA

problem #36

Feb 112022

Santa Fe

  • miles
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.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #35

Dec 282021

Santa Fe

  • miles
My paint is peeling off in sheets.

- Lynn Haven, FL, USA

problem #34

Dec 212021

Santa Fe

  • miles
I bought the bait vehicle 8 months ago from my dealership. My car started driving rough. While it was in phase 2 of having a oil consumption test. My car has been using more oil than necessary. I took it to the dealership service department they said that the fuel injectors were bad and now it needs a new motor. They had to replace the fuel exhaust valves Austin valves but did not solve solve the issue of the car running rough running rough when it was running it would stall.

- Paducah, KY, USA

problem #33

Sep 152021

Santa Fe

  • miles
my car feels like it is going to stall when i am sitting at a stop light. the tack drops like the motor is dying out and then picks back up. it has been doing this for awhile. i have an appointment with my local dealer 2/17/22 to take my car

- Crawfordville, FL, USA

problem #32

Aug 042021

Santa Fe

  • miles
The engine had a catastrophic failure due to bearing failure with no advanced warning lights. The issue occurred while accelerating to merge into highway traffic. The engine had an immediate drop in power and produced a searing grinding noise. The drop in power forced my speed from 55 to 35 mph in a matter of secondS. I had to negotiate across 3 lanes of traffic in order to exit the highway to find a safe stop to contact roadside assistance. Some smoke was coming from the engine but no fire. Prior to the incident, the vehicle had been driven <3 miles in local stop/go traffic from a cold start. Roadside assistance towed to local Grayson Hyundai Dealer who inspected the engine and determined the bearing failure within two days. The check engine light came on at the same instance as the engine failure. There was no advanced warning even though Hyundai performed a recall that updated software to specifically detect and alert to potential failure. Car is still awaiting warranty repairs by dealer. Dealer will not provide any written details to me or provide any cost or timeline estimates for the repair. While the failure occurred within the manufacturer-€™s 5 year/60K mile warranty, the warranty has now expired in the 5 months it has been waiting to be repaired.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #31

Nov 012021

Santa Fe

  • miles
Car loses power when taking off and turning either direction, like when you are getting out into traffic. Very dangerous. Just when you need to accelerate it looses power for a few seconds. Traction control light comes on each time, very briefly. Happens at random times, so it is hard to duplicate and trouble shoot. Service Dept says even if it is a known problem, Hyundai will not fix (still in warranty) unless they can duplicate problem ON MY CAR! And they will charge $150 if it doesn't happen for them.

- Wildwood, MO, USA

problem #30

Jul 262021

Santa Fe

  • miles
When making a sharp right turn and accelerating the car hesitates then catches and accelerates suddenly. It can be very scary when trying to turn onto a busy road. The issue is repeatable.

- Corinth, MS, USA

problem #29

Jan 012020

Santa Fe

  • 1,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that upon turning the steering wheel in either direction, the steering wheel would remain seized in the turning position without warning. The contact stated that he manually adjusted the steering wheel to prevent the steering wheel from remaining seized in the turned position. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and an independent mechanic where the steering wheel was realigned; however, the failure returned after each repair. Brown-Daub Hyundai (3901 Hecktown Rd, Easton, PA 18045) was also notified of the failure but was unable to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

- Easton, PA, USA

problem #28

Aug 222021

Santa Fe

  • miles
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.

- Tempe, AZ, USA

problem #27

Jul 022021

Santa Fe

  • miles
Location: Apartment complex, driveway This morning I went to drop off my son at my parents place and when I made a U turn to turn around, the car accelerated on it-€™s own, I stepped on the brakes and it was too late, I hit the neighbors car on the corner and my right tire was on top of the sidewalk. Keep in mind the speed limit in the apartment complex is 5mph. I was going at 6mph and when the car accelerated it felt like if it was going 20mph! I bought my car last year on August 2020, since then my car has been giving signs of hesitations on the acceleration but never would of thought my car would actually drive off on its own. I have a 1yr old son and after this accident happen I don-€™t feel safe driving my car at all or even trust it at this point, I don-€™t want to be driving and it happens again and it could be worse.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #26

Jan 012021

Santa Fe

  • miles
I am having to get an oil consumption every 1000 miles which has me concerned.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #25

Dec 132020

Santa Fe

  • 45,000 miles
I was driving on the expressway and my oil light indicator light came on in the car and went off after I got off the expressway pulled over at a gas station. So I started driving again and again the oil light comes on so I recorded it on my cell phone.I just had my oil changed a week prior to this. Took my vehicle back to the Hyundai dealership in matteson Illinois where I purchased the vehicle from. And get all my oil changes done on the vehicle. They checked out my vehicle and said that they didn't get the coming on when they took my car on a test drive. So I show the mechanic the video I recorded on my phone. He looks at the video and says to me well if the oil light comes back on bring the vehicle back. And tells me the vehicle is ok to drive as it is. Two days later I'm running an arron in traffic on a busy city street and as I'm driving my car starts jerking and stalling and a flashing engine light on the dash board I put my hazard lights on and pull over to the side of the road. Called Hyundai service department. Because I was close by the dealership the service personnel told me to drive the my car to the dealership so I did. They told me my engine had to be replaced. For the second time mind you. 1st time was a year prior. So they kept my car for a week and 2days. Get my car back a week later I'm driving on my way to work and the flashing check engine light comes on again. So I take it back to the dealership and they said it was the knock sensor that needed to be replaced this time. They repair it the same day. Mean while waiting I find an video on you tube about the very problem I was having with my vehicle. But it's from the Hyundai manufactures about the 2014-2018 Santa Fe, sonata and tuson vehicle about known malfunctions and problems these vehicles are having and would have. So I don't understand why these are not recalls. Now again yesterday 1/16/21

- Markham, IL, USA

problem #24

Dec 102020

Santa Fe

  • miles
My vehicle will periodically stall when at a complete stop. VIN does not show recalls, but there are recalls for other 2017 Santa Fe vehicles with the same issue. My vehicle was made in 2017, the recall was in November 2017; therefore I do not understand why my VIN is not showing that a recall is warranted as the parts would have been used to make it. This can literally increase the risk of a crash. I will also be contacting Hyundai customer service.

- Sterrett, AL, USA

problem #23

Nov 092020

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
The V6 2017 Santa Fe SUV is advertised in many car magazines and by Hyundai to tow 5,000. Lbs. I told the sales manager the specs of my camper. He said it would not have a problem towing my camper that weighs 3,200. I said if you get it prepared for towing, meaning, hitch, brake box and wire for lights, I will buy it. The deal was made. I towed a few times then had a bad shaking in the rear. The service manager tried to tell me I was towing too much weight. Impossible. It's just me and a small dog. I argued with allen turner Hyundai in pensacola, fl and the corporate office. They believed what the dealership said. I told them I can go weigh it all on dot scales to prove it. So they ended up fixing it that time. I didn't tow for awhile because of covid. The first time I did, on the way home it started shaking. I go to the dealer. He told me the right rear passenger tire was separating inside. It would need alignment and struts. They were not going to pay for it even with the car with low miles still under warranty. They offered me something off their used lot. Which I considered if it had the safety features that I originally bought on my Santa Fe. No, they offered a basic small truck. I'm older and I have gotten used to the safety features. The salesman talked down to me, tried to intimidate me and practically called me stupid. I was supposed to see the service manager but he dismissed me. I've bought three cars from this dealer using the same salesman. Then when I have a problem they treat me like this. I have testimonies from other camper trailer haulers with the same car that even tow a higher weight camper. They have not had any problems. I will attach photos of theirs also. Thank you [xxx] when I'm towing it all sounds good and works good. I wouldn't know the camper was back there. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #22

Jan 192020

Santa Fe

  • 31,000 miles
On the interstate, pressed the gas pedal and the vehicle did not and would not accelerate. I tried multiple times. RPM went up to 5000 but shifting the transmission into sports mode and downshifting and upshifting made no difference in the speed of the vehicle. Speed remained the same, engine roared as if in neutral. I pulled off the interstate, cut off the vehicle for several minutes, restarted the vehicle, returned to the interstate and could accelerate. This happened multiple times in 2017 and 2018 both on the highway and city streets. In 2018, taken to pearson Hyundai and could not be fixed because no error codes. After a dangerous, identical incident on the interstate in May 2019, taken to pearson Hyundai. They performed a tcu and ECU software update May 21, 2019. This latest incident is a repeat of the May 2019 problem. The problem is random and unpredictable but occurs on both highway and street speeds. The inability to accelerate without warning will eventually cause an accident. We also own a 2016 Santa Fe sport turbo AWD that has not had any of these acceleration problems. Changes were made in the 2017 model year to the engine and transmission that are impacting acceleration.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #21

Jan 142020

Santa Fe

  • 30,700 miles
When I drive going straight at about 40 to 48 mph on eco mode or any drive mode the car jumps/ jerks like it shifts into a low gear and then goes back into a high gear with no heavy acceleration. If I have it on cruise control at 45mph it will kick back and forth occasionally as if I was slamming on the gas pedal then slightly on the break but quickly.

- Pingree Grove, IL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »