Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints (2017)

972 consumer complaints on file.

#11676101July 25, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Twice my car's gear shifter went from Drive to the right hand side of the gear box. 90% or more of the power cut out immediately creating a massive safety issue. In both instances, i was pulling into traffic after making complete stops at stop signs. The first time, i turned left, the second time I turned right. The shift was untouched by me as it is not a stick shift car. Hyundai charged me close to $400 for the privledge of telling me that I or something bumped the shifter to the right. Also they claim that the shifter is designed to go into low gear if it does go to the right. a low gear should provide more power not cut it out. They refuse to fix the issue, but wanted me to bring it in so they could duplicate a problem that has occurred twice in four months.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675275July 22, 2025
ENGINE
Excessive oil consumption from metal shaving left in engine during production. causes accelerated engine wear and failure. Rod bearing failure. piston ring failure, high chance of fire in engine compartment.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675190July 21, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
back up camera operates very erratically. some times it works properly, some of the time it is very slow to engage. other times it comes on after i have completed my rearward movement, and some times it comes on after shifting into drive. then there are times t never comes on. i spoke to a dealer tech and was told there are a lot of them like that. if i wanted to spend about $900, they might be able to fix it. this has been going on for a couple of years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674477July 18, 2025
ENGINE
Excessive oil consumption leading to p420 codes every 2000 miles. vehicle is consuming a half a quart of oil every 100 miles. could cause engine to seize while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674102July 16, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
Was driving on [XXX] (approximately 130 miles from home), when a loud clunking and metal on metal sound was heard, the causing power loss, slowing of vehicle and necessitated immediate pulling over to the side of the road. The was a catastrophic internal engine failure which caused the spark plugs to blow out. There were no warnings. The car was just inspected and had an oil change earlier in the month. The vehicle suffered sudden power loss and violent metal-on-metal destruction while transporting my child on [XXX] (130 miles from home). Certified diagnostics from Kennett Square Quick Lane Auto confirm: "Multiple spark plugs forcibly ejected due to severe internal engine damage – full replacement required". Quick Lane said they would not be able to replace the Engine. so the Vehicle was towed to Reliable Car Connection (West Chester, PA). I had tried to make an appointment at Piazza Hyundai, but the did not have appointments until Mid August. Result: Stranded overnight requiring hotel and towing/tolls at personal expense (receipts available). This traumatic event directly stems from Hyundai’s acknowledged Theta II defects. Hyundai’s Documented Failures: Recall Compliance: Recall 996 (Piazza Hyundai, 4/12/24) Recall 953 (1/31/19) Recall 163 (7/18/17) Maintenance: All services performed per Hyundai schedules (records available). Unresolved Defects: This failure matches: Recall 20VH4 (Lifetime Warranty Extension) Recall 20VH5 TSB 20-01-033H Current Status: Vehicle at Reliable Car Connection (West Chester, PA) after Piazza Hyundai’s unacceptable 6-week delay. INOPERABLE & UNSAFE – Cannot transport children. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673630July 15, 2025
ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The turbocharger failed on my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T. It is still on the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. The turbo failure caused a severe loss of engine power, making acceleration dangerously slow and unpredictable, especially when merging onto highways or passing vehicles. This sudden reduction in power could have caused a rear-end collision or made it impossible to avoid faster-moving traffic. Yes. The failure was confirmed by two independent service centers: Mavis Tires and Brakes, and Tires and Trust in Pensacola, FL. Both observed loss of turbo boost and excessive oil consumption consistent with turbocharger failure. Yes. The vehicle was also inspected by Allen Turner Hyundai in Pensacola, FL. They did not detect the failure during their inspection, but the issue persisted and was documented by the other two shops. The check engine light came on around 118,000–119,000 miles. After that, the turbocharger lost significant power, making the vehicle unable to accelerate normally. At the same time, the engine began consuming oil at an abnormally high rate, requiring frequent top-offs between oil changes. This suggests internal oil seal failure in the turbo or related component issues. These symptoms are consistent with failed turbocharger bearings or seals, oil starvation, or blocked oil lines causing overheating and damage. Such failures can release oil and metal debris into the intake and exhaust systems, risking further engine damage or even fire. Hyundai previously issued a software update (KSDS) to detect early bearing wear in these engines, which my vehicle received in 2019 (Service Campaign 953). Despite this, the turbo failure still occurred, suggesting the underlying design or manufacturing issue may not have been fully resolved. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this pattern of failures, given the safety risks of sudden power loss and potential fire hazard from oil leaks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672381July 9, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving on the highway at 65 MPH, the contact heard a loud bang coming from the engine. The contact stated that immediately afterwards the vehicle started losing motive power with smoke coming from the front and the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that additional diagnostic tests were needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 152,530.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671777July 7, 2025
ENGINE
engine oil excessive consumption. We bought (Sept 2024) this 2017 vehicle used at a Hyundia dealership, beautiful, loaded orange SUV, for my senior college student. We have to add quart after quart after quart of oil in-between oil changes. She hardly drives the car as she walks to class and works 1/2 mile from her Apt. We are scared for her to take even a 2hr road trip due to this issue. She is devasted and scared to drive it much and we are furious that we are stuck with this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670835July 2, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, POWER TRAIN
2017 Santa Fe, car had fire in 09/2024 and was with dealership until 05/2025. BSD, ABS, TRACTION, and Parking Brake lights on the dash when vehicle was picked up. Dealership not complaint to pay as the assume it is an Outside issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668637June 23, 2025
ENGINE
Engine is consuming large amounts of oil in little mileage. Hyundai case reported but they will not assist. This has been affecting other 2017 Aanta Fe Sports reported on this website! These cars need to be included in oil consumption recalls from Hyundai.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668086June 20, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
All of a sudden my liftgate in the back will not stay up. The pistons for the liftgate are no longer working on either side, so kind of strange as they don't usually go like that Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668013June 19, 2025
ENGINE
Driving home from work loss engine power. Got it towed to my local shop and they informed me that my engine was seized.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667415June 17, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The car started jerking and the check engine light came on. I had to have it towed to my house. We can't get the car to do anything now. We get it started for 5 seconds, the engine completely dies
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666917June 14, 2025
ENGINE
The car has been experiencing significant problems with oil consumption. During a routine oil change on 2/27/25 I was told my oil was significantly low and I had it refilled. When I checked the following weekend [XXX] it was significantly low again after only 500 miles. I took it to Take 5 in Lebanon, Tennessee, weekly for 3-4 weeks, near where I was working at the time, who topped off the oil again with 2 to 5 quarts weekly. On April 14, 2025, I brought the car to Hallmark Hyundai. They started an oil consumption test and a 20-point check when the mileage was 69,752. After 500 miles was driven, the oil tank was almost empty. Another check revealed the oil was leaking in 4 different places, that they (Hallmark Hyundai) reportedly fixed, including the valve cover gasket. On [XXX] while driving back to New Jersey from Nashville, I checked the oil after roughly 1000 miles of driving since the repair, and the dip stick was dry. (The service light did not go on.) Upon returning to New Jersey approximately 5/13/25, I took the car to Circle Hyundai in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, was told the valve cover gasket was still leaking, and replaced it again; I was charged a second time for this service. At another 500 miles I checked the oil, and it was again very low. Miguel at Circle Hyundai told me I needed to wait 500 more miles or when the service light comes on; I informed him the service light had stopped working (this was first noticed in Tennessee). On 6/2/25 I emailed Miguel again at 539 more miles and the dip stick registered oil halfway below the low line again. I was instructed to drop the car off and they would submit the claim to Hyundai; Hyundai reportedly responded that they were no longer responsible for a repair because the warranty had run out and I wasn't the original owner. I was told to continue to drive until an engine malfunction for my extended warranty with Assurance to cover repairs; I am concerned about the safety of the engine seizing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665674June 9, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I bought this vehicle at Enterprise car sales back in [XXX] and it's been having issues for a while now recall after recall I bought this vehicle at 7745 Indiana avenue Riverside California 92504 I actually bought this vehicle without realizing that this car had a recall prior to buying it off the lot therefore in California law this company should have not sold the vehicle with a recall as Hyundai has warned me about this as he advised they cannot sell a vehicle with a recall on it. When I had to Google search my recall as I have not received a letter Enterprise car sales gained the letter for the recall prior to my buy and did not mention anything as this recall was sent out on the letter way prior to buying ever since buying this vehicle I have had numerous recalls as to now there is a GDI issue with the engines as I have made many complaints through the financing company Santander consumer USA, Hyundai, Enterprise car sales, and it seems like no one has listened to me on the lemon I have gained as I'm sure it sounds just like a complaining customer. I pay a very high interest rate and very high monthly payments 523 a month is expensive let alone expensive to pay for a vehicle that I constantly have to put in maintenance and now my engine is gone my VIN number somehow is not on regards to the recall but yet my VIN number has been on every recall Hyundai has ever given out when it comes to my vehicle as the GDI 3.3 l should be really considered on regards to a recall as well as the 2.4. I'm not very happy as I would like to have a voice on to what is fair I am sick of this vehicle having issues after issues as I do take care of my vehicles with good maintenance routine all I can ask for is to have someone here my voice and to take action either from Enterprise car sales to Hyundai which I believe Enterprise car sales is more reliable at this point than Hyundai since Hyundai let me be aware of the California law they cannot sell a vehicle with recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665504June 7, 2025
ENGINE
The engine is experiencing excessive oil consumption. A Hyundai dealership performed an oil consumption test 8 months ago and confirmed the vehicle is burning around 2 quarts of oil every 500 miles, which is far beyond normal operating limits. The engine is still installed in the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. This level of oil consumption puts the engine at high risk of failure while driving, which could result in a sudden loss of power, stalling, or even engine fire. The need to constantly monitor and refill oil creates an ongoing stressor and safety concern. There was no warning light or indicator before the oil levels dropped dangerously low. The Hyundai dealership that inspected the vehicle (Maguire Hyundai in Ithaca, NY) verified that the engine is burning oil at a rate consistent with known defects in Theta II engines, but stated the vehicle does not qualify for engine replacement under current recall or warranty guidelines because I am the second owner — despite the fact that I purchased it Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) through Hyundai in 2019 and I'm still under 100,000 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665072June 5, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
From the day we purchased this used vehicle, the check engine light came on. We had to have the catalytic converter replaced next. Now we’re having oil leak issues. Multiple oil leaks have been repaired, and I’ve most recently paid over $700 to have this issue resolved. A week after the Hyundai dealership repaired it, the vehicle is leaking oil again. We have to add oil about every 5-7 days. Today we were told that my [XXX] daughter needs to drive it until the engine goes out, and not to add any oil. This is not only unacceptable, it’s also unsafe! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663224May 27, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The engine had no oil. No indication was given by the dashboard lights. I heard a ticking noise soon after I started my car. My husband checked the oil; it was bone dry. I still had 200 more miles before my next oil change. Needless to say, the engine would have blown up if I hadn’t payed attention to the noise coming from the vehicle. In fact, this happened about a year ago, I just thought it was a fluke. Since this is the second incident, this is not a fluke and something needs to be done. We can’t afford to have a vehicle blow up on us. There was no sign of leaking on the driveway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663016May 25, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The act is consuming all the engine oil only after 500-700 miles. It has been recored and tested at Town Hyudnia dealership in Danville, NJ after it failed 2 engine oil composition tests but the dealership did not replace the engine nor put in a. request to Corporate Hyundai to replace the engine as it should be covered by the 2.4L engine lawsuit a fe years ago.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659712May 8, 2025
ENGINE
Engine failed and yes available for inspection. Car stalled and stuttered while driving. Problem was confirmed by an independent service center. Vehicle component has not been inspected yet. Check engine light came on two days ago
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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