Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints (2017)

972 consumer complaints on file.

#11703860December 8, 2025
ENGINE
At 70,000 miles the Santa Fe was consuming oil at 1.5 quarts per 1000 miles. It is a 2.4 engine. The Hyundai dealership did an oil consumption test and verified the consumption. They want to do a combustion chamber cleaning and have me run it 1000 miles. The vehicle is unsafe because this defective engine could seize up at any time. I am trying to have Hyundai USA replace the engine asap. I have all my maintenance records and two warranties.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702987December 4, 2025
ENGINE
My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe suffered a crankshaft/bearing failure identical to NHTSA Recall 17V578000. Hyundai states my VIN was not included in the recall, but the vehicle has the same 3.3L engine, the same failure, and the same symptoms described in the recall bulletin. The engine has never been replaced. The defect appears broader than the recall VIN range. They are refusing to replace the defective engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702606December 2, 2025
AIR BAGS
On November 28, 2025 at approximately 2:20am, I was involved in a multi-car pile up crash on Interstate 85 south near Durham NC. At least 5 vehicles were involved and significantly damaged. At least two drivers were taken by ambulance to local hospitals. Fortunately I was not one of them. I was driving in the left lane of the 2 lane southbound interstate. It happened right in front of me and I had no chance of completely avoiding it so I veered to my left onto the shoulder to attempt to avoid a direct hit on the large Nissan SUV that was now straddling both lanes. I hit the front of the Nissan and the guardrail almost simultaneously at somewhere around 50 to 60mph which caused considerable damage to the front right quadrant and the entire drivers side of my vehicle, but my airbags never deployed and I sustained moderate to significant injury to my arms, shoulders, chest and neck, most likely due to how I was gripping the steering wheel in anticipation of the impact and from the seat belt. I did not require medical treatment at the scene but have since received treatment at home. I believe the airbags should have deployed given my speed at impact and where my vehicle came in contact with both the Nissan SUV as well as the guardrail. I believe this was a clear failure of the airbag system in my vehicle, which has since been deemed to be totaled by my insurance company.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11701758November 26, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
While driving on the highway at normal speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power with no prior warning lamps or messages, placing me and other road users at immediate risk. The engine rapidly began knocking, lost acceleration, then stalled completely. I had to coast to the shoulder, which was extremely dangerous in high-speed traffic. The failure appears consistent with bearing wear and debris circulation described in Hyundai Recall 168 and TSB 17-01-071, which warn that certain Hyundai 3.3L engines can suffer internal metallic debris contamination during manufacturing. This can restrict oil flow, damage the bearings, and lead to sudden engine seizure without warning — exactly what happened in this incident. After the failure, the engine was inspected by a Hyundai dealership, but no oil sample, no debris test, and no photo documentation were provided, even though the recall procedure requires these steps when symptoms match knock/no-start failure patterns. The cause was not reproduced or confirmed by any independent mechanical test; the vehicle simply failed suddenly and has remained inoperable since. The incident created a major safety risk because the sudden loss of power happened at highway speed with no safe way to maintain vehicle control or speed. Based on known recall documentation, the symptoms match the described safety-related engine defect. The vehicle remains available for inspection. There were no injuries or police reports, but the situation definitely could have resulted in a crash. In my assessment, this is a critical safety defect related to internal engine debris and bearing failure, consistent with the known Hyundai recall pattern for this engine family
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700253November 19, 2025
ENGINE
It sounds like the rod inside are hitting need a new engine. Auto shop said need a new engine. Engine has 125000 that all no oil leak no other problems.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700175November 18, 2025
ENGINE
The engine seized back in August 2025. The engine stopped working while I was driving on a Main Street and almost caused an accident. Unfortunately I put other drivers at risk when this happened. The engine issue was confirmed and inspected by the victorville Hyundai dealership in California. There was not any warning lamps prior to this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700221November 18, 2025
ENGINE
My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe experienced a sudden and complete engine failure without any warning signs. There were no warning lights, no check engine light, and no unusual noise before the failure. The engine stalled while trying to start, ran very rough for a second, and then completely shut off. After that, the engine would not start again at all. A certified independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed the engine suffered a mechanical failure consistent with rod bearing wear or crankshaft damage, which is the same issue described in Hyundai’s known engine safety recalls. I later took the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership. They also confirmed that the engine had failed, but said it could not be repaired under Hyundai’s programs because my vehicle was not listed in the specific recall. I was never notified of any safety campaigns or recalls. I am not the first owner, so the required recall inspections and updates were never completed on this vehicle before I bought it. The sudden engine shutdown created a serious safety risk, especially because there was no warning before it failed. This failure matches the symptoms described in Hyundai’s Theta II engine defect investigations. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this vehicle should be included in the affected group, and whether this engine failure is part of the broader safety defect already identified in many Hyundai engines from the same model years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699797November 17, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof exploded It sounded like a bomb went off and had my inside cover been opened I don’t know if I would’ve veered off the road been injured or injured someone else in the process. As it is I don’t know where the big huge piece of glass went. I do have pictures I reported it to my insurance company and also to corporate Hyundai. I was shaken up until the next day.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699836November 17, 2025
AIR BAGS
For at least 14 months, the air bag light on the dash is on more often than not. The code that comes up on the OBD shows it's from the passenger side seat sensor. Occasionally, the seat belt indicator will flash when there is no occupant, as well. The car has never been in an accident, and the air bags have never been set off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699911November 17, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the tailgate and the hood unintendedly lowered after being raised and struck the contact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697875November 6, 2025
ENGINE
Engine failure with no prior warning, such as oil pressure gauge,oil indicator light, or check engine light. Vehicle was at dealership for maintenance and this happened as tech was test driving. Found all oil was lost with no indications of a leak.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697100November 3, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SPONTANEOUS PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLOSION - SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT On October 12, 2025, at approximately 10:00 PM, while my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport was being driven on Interstate 85 near Greenville, South Carolina, the panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded without any external impact or warning. What Happened: - My son was traveling at highway speed in normal driving conditions and he said it sounded a shotgun being shot at close range. The explosion created a period of dangerous distraction. - There was NO impact from road debris, rocks, or any external object - The sunroof suddenly and violently shattered, making a loud explosive sound - A few tempered glass fragments entered the passenger cabin, by the vast majority blew out of the vehicle. - The incident created an immediate safety hazard for vehicle occupants and for other vehicles who may have been following. - Visibility was not compromised, but due to glass exploding, my son had to drive on the shoulder of the Interstate at a slow speed with his hazard lights on in order to make it safely to an exit. Safety Concerns: - Sudden Loss of Structural Integrity - The sunroof exploded outward without warning - Glass in Passenger Cabin - Tempered glass fragments fell into the vehicle, endangering occupants - Driver Distraction - The sudden explosion and noise created a dangerous distraction at highway speed - Visibility Impairment - Glass debris and the sudden opening affected visibility - Weather Exposure - Immediate exposure to wind and weather elements at highway speed - Ongoing Safety Risk - This defect affects thousands of vehicles still on the road What Did NOT Happen: - No collision or impact with another vehicle - No road debris struck the vehicle - No rocks or projectiles hit the sunroof - No hail or weather-related damage - No recent sunroof operation or manipulation - No aftermarket modifications or repairs This was a spontaneous failure of a defective component during normal vehicle operation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696620October 30, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought this car a 2017 in December 2023. The first time I got the oil change they told me there’s no oil on a stick and then couple months later again no oil on the stick so I took it to my personal mechanic. He said there is an oil consumption problem so you advise me to take it where I bought it from. I had to go up there for 1000 mile test and then a 500 mile which I was low. Seems like every two weeks I had to put oil in it so where I brought the vehicle from told me to go to Hyundai. Hyundai only did one oil consumption test. I have a records of oil changes from Valvoline, my personal mechanic, Tradition Ford and one from Hyundai. Tradition Ford, where I got the car from with disappointment because I had a lot of proof that I was burning oil. There was no leak. There was no smoke at all. Besides it being under 10 years old, I was under 100,000 mile warranty and I had an extended warranty. tradition Ford where I bought it from took that one back however I lost $7000 from the down payment. I bought new tires for it, new battery, remote starter, spark, plugs, and rain guards. I still have all my papers from that vehicle 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe sport 2.4 engine liter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695967October 28, 2025
ENGINE
Engine excessively burns oil. Failed oil consumption test. Hyundai denied warranty claim, citing maintenance neglect, despite oil change maintenance records and documentation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695041October 22, 2025
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming engine oil, and there was no indication of an oil leak. While a friend was driving, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The next day, while driving at unknown speeds with the hazard lights activated, the vehicle began making an abnormal sound and then stalled. The TPMS and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 17-01-047-1. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer submitted a claim. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693804October 16, 2025
ENGINE
Engine failed at 114,000 miles. Burned 2 holes through 3rd cylinder. was almost struck crossing intersection making left hand turn when vehicle stalled and would not accelerate to get back into normal driving lane.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691832October 7, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the automatic power door locks failed to operate as needed. Due to the failure, the contact had to manually unlock and lock all doors inside the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the button to unlock the gas cap also failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691963October 7, 2025
ENGINE
Per our mechanic: Timing components blew a hole in the valve covers because they were so loose. It is burning massive amounts of oil. Could start with timing components and new valve covers, but it will most likely need a new engine because valve train damage is very likely.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691589October 6, 2025
ENGINE
We have continued to experience, over at least the past 6 months, and at least once a week and under all driving conditions, a stalling and unable-to-restart problem with this vehicle. Usually after waiting a short period of time it will restart, but in one case we had to have it towed to the dealer. The engine typically turns over just fine, so it's not a battery or starter issue. In a couple of instances it won't turn over. We've taken it to two different Hyundai dealerships and they haven't been able to diagnose the problem because they aren't able to replicate the problem when the vehicle is in their possession. The situation is becoming increasingly dangerous. The last time it stalled, my wife was in the middle of a very busy intersection. The problem doesn't produce any codes that the dealership can see; when it stalls and we attempt to restart, most of the dash lights that regularly come on when you start it are displayed. I am aware of a recall (uploaded PDF) for the make, model and year of my vehicle but apparently it only applies to certain VIN numbers. When I enter my VIN its shows no open recalls. However, the problem described in the recall is identical to the problem we are having.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690433September 29, 2025
ENGINE
At about 105,000 miles the oil ran dry after 800 miles of fresh oil change, it just started using oil no leaks no smoke from the tailpipe.now I have to add a qt every 200 miles and on start up the top of the engine rattles for a few seconds. A loud rattle. I have taken it to the dealership several times they did a engine cleaning and several other things but it didn’t help just cost about 800 bucks. Prior to that we changed oil every 5000 miles. Not always the same place, the dealership, Tess corners auto did quite a few of them. Some by jiffy lube. We don’t take the car on long trips anymore, afraid it will not make it. Karen n Chris
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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