10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,119 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 #7

Jul 062017

Santa Fe

  • 3,400 miles
While driving at 25 mph, numerous warning lights illuminated, including low tires, steering, other codes consisting of letters. Power steering failed, power brakes failed. Engine was still running. We were able to pull the car off the road safely. Steering warning light still illuminated as were tire warnings. The tires were fully inflated, engine still running. We turned the engine off, raised the hood to check for thrown belt. Belts were intact. Tried to restart the engine, it made a clicking and a sizzling sound and would not start. Called dealer, dealer gave number for Hyundai assurance. They came and picked up the car. If we had been driving any faster, or in traffic, the automobile's failure could have caused an accident. If we had been on the highway, someone could have been hurt or killed. After a couple of days we were given a courtesy car. After a week, the car was repaired. The problem was reported as a fuse on the positive battery cable. Cable and battery were replaced. Vehicle was in motion on a city street at time of failure.

- Andalusia, AL, USA

problem #6

Jun 232017

Santa Fe

  • miles
Blinking airbag light on front panel and dashboard while car is moving. This occurs when there is a driver with or without a front passenger.

- Murphy, TX, USA

problem #5

Jan 112017

Santa Fe

  • 800 miles
When driving suddenly the car decelerates making it necessary to mash harder on the gas pedal to get the car to continue moving. The usb port does not charge which results in the phone losing battery life you can only use android and apple car onn that port so when traveling long distances you may be without directions. Its an ongoing issue.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #4

Dec 122016

Santa Fe

  • 1,200 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 2 mph, the vehicle lost power while turning right or left. The power returned within seconds. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a local dealer. The failure mileage was 1,200.

- Endicatt, NY, USA

problem #3

Jan 062017

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • 17,000 miles
Two issues: Severe problem - when driving at a rate of approximately 35mph today on a major city thoroughfare, our 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T ultimate suffered a sudden and complete loss of power (engine and all electrical systems including lighting). After coming to a stop, the vehicle was stranded in place until it was able to start up again many minutes later. Fortunately no one was physically harmed as the individual driving behind our vehicle was observant enough to identify the issue (despite a lack of brake lights or hazards) and stop in time. No visible engine light or fault code was triggered. Less severe problem: On a regular basis, the vehicle suffers abrupt and sustained loss of power in merging situations (especially when turning on city streets from a stop). This seems to be from an overactive or otherwise ineffective traction control system/programming. Despite even planning for the possible loss of power, this has still resulted in a number of "near miss" situations. A warranty visit has been scheduled for these issue and we will gladly provide the results and/or other updates upon request. We are, however, seriously considering selling the vehicle at a loss due to these two issues.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

problem #2

Jul 042016

Santa Fe

  • 2,700 miles
In the affected vehicle, the wires in the can wiring harness assembly and airbag wiring harness assembly may be damaged by the passenger seat's height adjuster mechanism. A metal 3rd party power inverter was positioned underneath the passenger seat. Prior seat adjustments caused the sheath around the harnesses to become bare, exposing the electrical wiring. The metal power inverter become lodged against the wiring causing a short in the wiring and causing the entire vehicle's electrical system to fail. The epb (electronic parking break) became engaged and it was impossible to drive the vehicle. Although acknowledge that the 3rd party power inverter was under the seat, the vehicle had been driven 4 times with it under it, totaling less than 800 miles. It is not known how long it would take for that box to rub against the sheath on the harness and bare the wiring, therefore it is suspected that the power seat adjuster caused the wires to become bare and that recall #141 safety campaign #16V145000 may not have been properly resolved. We believe the seat adjuster caused the wires to become bare, prior to the inverter being placed under the seat. The inverter was positioned such that it wasn't making contact with the bare wire, until the seat was adjusted on 7/2/2017. The car was not driven on 7/3/2016. The incident occurred on 7/4/216 as the vehicle was driven across railroad tracks. It is believed the inverter was then jarred against the bare wire, causing the short. The dealership has not validated this; they are suggesting it was the inverter that caused the wires to become bare. Our opinion is that the inverter was not there long enough to cause that wiring to become bare. It wasn't until I discovered this previous recall that everything started to make sense. It is a $5,300 repair because the other wires involved that are bare are for the airbags.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #1

Jun 022016

Santa Fe

  • 675 miles
I bought the vehicle on 5/7/16. On 6/2/16 I was driving on highway 395 when I noticed smoke coming out of the engine compartment. The car started losing power and eventually died. When I got it pulled over to the side of the road I noticed flames coming out from the front of the engine. I grabbed what I could and got out of the car. Within 5 min the front of the car was engulfed in flames. I had approximately 675 miles on it. I have contacted Hyundai but they have not responded to me. I ordered a copy of the police report but have not received it yet. I have pictures that I have attached. I am concerned about this happening to other people. Thankfully I didn't have grandkids in the car, I'm not sure I would have been able to get them out.

- Reno, NV, USA