10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 12
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,924 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 #265

Mar 042022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Excessive oil consumption. Add 1 quart about every 900 miles.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #264

May 232023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Oil pan leak

- Ardmore , OK, USA

problem #263

Apr 272023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Just had oil changed, and accelerating onto highway when the check engine light came on and a loud knocking in the engine, with no acceleration. A semi truck had to swerve to miss me due to lack of acceleration. Took it to my mechanic who said there were 6 recalls on this vehicle, one of which was a cam rod failure. Based on the codes the computer was showing, he said it was a manufacture issue on recall notice 17-01-071, for campaign 168 for 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. It only has 98000 miles. No engine, should ever fail with that many miles. I have had several vehicles, and not one has ever had any engine problems, and they all had 200000 + miles. This is clearly a manufacture defect, and I will be fighting this.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #262

Aug 012022

Santa Fe

  • miles
The car's engine oil indicator does not turn on. I noticed a drag in the engine while driving, checked the oil and it was really low. I got an oil change. I noticed it again and this time there was no oil left in the engine. No light had gone on at all. It has been only less than 3 months since the oil was changed, I added oil and called hyundai. It has been nearly impossible to get my car looked at by Hyundai or have them look at the issue as there are no appointments available when this happened. It happened again recently. I am concerned that this will cause my engine to have issues. Today, I looked this problem up on the internet and found that there is a recall for this exact issue by the manufacturer, but not on my model/year. How do I get protection? Yes my car is available for inspection if needed.

- Woodinville, WA, USA

problem #261

May 152023

Santa Fe

  • miles
I was traveling to work Monday (5/15/2023) morning when I noticed a knocking/vibrating sound coming from my front end. Within a minute my car had shut off/broken down. I was coming up to a red light and was breaking, before I could fully stop the light turned green and as I proceeded to put my foot back on the gas I realized my car was not accelerating, only coasting. I looked down and saw every light on the dashboard on and realized my car was -??off-??. Previous to the car breaking down there was no warning lights. I pulled over to the side of the road where I pressed my push start button and nothing happened. I then noticed the engine was smoking so I got out, popped the hood and noticed a burning smell. I immediately stepped away because I thought it was going to catch fire. I then called my insurance provider for a tow back to my home. Once home we checked the oil and noticed there was none in there, even with recent oil change. We poured oil in, in hopes that it would turn on, it did not. The engine is blown. Called Hyundai customer care that Tuesday to start the process of seeing if they-??ll replace the motor because this is an extremely common and dangerous issue with these engines. They told me I have to wait 6-8 weeks for someone to come out and even inspect my vehicle. That-??s where I-??m at now!

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #260

May 072023

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • miles
On May 7th 2023, engine failure occurred on my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe while accelerating up to speed on minor arterial roadway with speed limit of 55 miles per hour. Engine cut out at about 6,000 rpm and check engine light flashed on. After pulling over, the engine exhibited clunking sound when trying to slowly accelerate to move onto tow truck. No warning lights for low oil or otherwise appeared prior to the engine failure despite mechanic reporting after the fact only 1 quart of oil was in the vehicle at the time of engine failure (should have been 5 quarts). Mechanic (Allies Automotive) described the engine as irreparable as an interior rod "buckled". Vehicle was not leaking oil and was regularly maintained every 5-7k miles with synthetic oil changes and routine maintenance tune-up services completed at or prior to dealer-recommended maintenance schedules including latest 100k milestone tune-up. Vehicle only had 117k miles at the time of the incident and was in excellent condition inside and out with an estimated re-sale value of approximately $14k. I was VIN:[XXX] The closest recall information related i could find would be that of NHTSA campaign 17V578000 (Hyundai recall No. 168) which applied to 2017Hyundai Santa Fe Vehicles produced between Jan 26th 2017 and Feb 13th 2017. When i search by my VIN I don't see it recall 168 come up; despite the engine failure appearing to match the description. Hyundai stated would not replace engine. Summary 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. 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 [XXX]. Hyundai's number for this recall is 168. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #259

May 142023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Without any notification from a malfunction indicator light, there was a sudden knock followed by loss of power. Luckily I was on a country road and not on the highway 99 where congested traffic could have been a hazard. My mechanic said it was a rod bearing code causing catastrophic failure of the motor.

- Selma, CA, USA

problem #258

May 122023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Rod bearing failure causing rod knocking. Engine needs rebuilt or replaced!

- Hardinsburg, KY, USA

problem #257

Apr 192023

Santa Fe

  • miles
The engine is consuming oil excessively, I am burning through 1.5 quarts of oil every 500 miles this is excessive. The car only has 66,000 miles on it.

- Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA

problem #256

Apr 242023

Santa Fe

  • miles
At approximately 127,529 miles, our 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate AWD with the 3.3L V6 exhibited ticking sounds from the engine and a loss of power, while driving at non-highway speeds. As the vehicle decelerated to pull off the road, a catastrophic engine failure occurred with loss of all power and drivability. The vehicle was towed to our local Hyundai dealership, where a diagnostic revealed that a connecting rod had punched a hole through the engine block, necessitating a full engine replacement. Maintenance was regularly performed on the vehicle. Oil changes had been regularly performed with synthetic oil however, it was observed that oil consumption was a major issue with no check oil light being included in the vehicle. Incident has not been resolved by Hyundai as there is a backlog on when they can work on the vehicle and no service car has been provided.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #255

Jun 012022

Santa Fe

  • miles
I bought this vehicle and there was a complete break down malfunction due to the ABS module system! This lack of due diligence caused both myself and my 7 year old to unwillingly enter a vehicle that put our lives at risk and a near death experience that still traumatizes my daughter until this day who refuses to enter any vehicle! This is an unfortunate mistake on your end and there is no where near enough compensation that will ever withdraw the fear from my innocent child-??s eyes anytime I need to drive her to school, or basketball practice, or anywhere to run our daily errands and live a normal life! I have nothing else to add except I expect compensation for a safe vehicle and compensation necessary to help my child, my innocent child to get through this fear!

- Mundelein , IL, USA

problem #254

May 042023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Purchased with 56k miles. Had oil change at time of purchase. Changed oil at 60k and again at 65k. At 67k with no warning lights, no low engine oil light, no warning of any kind, the engine blew. Seems to be a very common problem and dealership told me not covered under warranty since I-??m not original owner. Seems to me to be a manufacturing issue if it-??s happening as much as I-??m seeing.

- Orwigsburg , PA, USA

problem #253

May 032022

Santa Fe

  • miles
I was driving on a back road limited cell service with my infant when the engine just cut out while I was driving.

- Newton, NJ, USA

problem #252

Apr 252023

Santa Fe

  • miles
I was driving my children to school on April 25th. When I heard a knock or clunk sound with the car. Once that happened it also caused a decrease in power to the car, causing those behind me to almost have an accident. After the loud noise there was a continual loud knocking sound. I immediately stopped at the closest auto center. They advised me that I would need a new engine. I had another mechanic look at it as well, and he confirmed needing a new engine. NO warning indicators came on, no oil pressure problem, Nothing! I have always maintained the oil and fluids on the car at regular intervals. I have been told by my mechanic that he had looked at the engine on several occasions for an oil leak because my car was using more oil than he though it should, but there was never any sign of any leaks. This car had about 97,000 miles at the time this happened last week.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #251

Apr 192023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Oil light flickers on and off once we are on empty. Oil light flickered on and off, car shook, and almost stalled while making a right hand turn. When we have gotten oil changes we have been told we should not be burning so much oil that quickly.

- Yucaipa , CA, USA

problem #250

Feb 152023

Santa Fe

  • 39,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated, with a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle also lost motive power while driving at undisclosed speeds. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that engine was faulty. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.

- Leesburg, VA, USA

problem #249

Nov 012022

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owned a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized, and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The failure nearly caused a collision. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact traded the vehicle. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the dealer previously performed an unknown repair after the engine was smoking, leaking oil, and making knocking sounds while driving. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered the contact a gift card. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. UPDATE 06/13/2023- Consumer is requesting reimbursement of $200 for the firestone evaluation, $1100 for repair cost, $600 for the rental, $50 for the tow, & $7000 for the loss in trade-in. (Consumer was given $11,000 deducting $7000 for the seized engine.) Copy of Hyundai claim form attached.

- Berkley, MA, USA

problem #248

Mar 012023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Vehicle engine used the engine oil and cause motor failure. One day after hearing the engine start reving and my gas pedal could be held to the floor without any acceleration I was on an interstate I panicked hit the breaks and started to glide over, to try to see if gas pedal would work I hit it and the car drove as normal this happened twice after I bought the car from vroom in February 2022 a year later the engine needs rebuilding as when you start the car you can here loud rattling. No dash lights are for warnings. Family of 5 still owe 16,000 dollars on the vehicle.

- Castalian Springs, TN, USA

problem #247

Apr 152023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Engine had power loss going up an overpass. No warning lights came on, and engine began to knock(maybe lifters?). There was a loud noise and we experienced critical engine failure, with a hole being blown through the block in at least 2 spots.

- North Richland Hills, TX, USA

problem #246

Apr 152023

Santa Fe

  • miles
I was driving about 20mph down a country road, having just pulled out from the driveway. The car sounded fine, had no trouble accelerating. There were no warning lights on. All of a sudden, the car just died. Everything shut down. The country road was very narrow and there was no shoulder, so all I could do was put on my hazard lights and hope I didn't get hit. The car would not turn back on. I had it towed to a Hyundai dealership and was told that the engine had failed and it would be close to 15-20k to replace it. There was no warning indication that something was wrong with the engine. The car has 108,000 miles on it, but should have lasted longer than this.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »