10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 12
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,115 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems

engine problem

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2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 19 of 26)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #154

Jul 212022

Santa Fe

  • 73,399 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power, then started jerking before independently accelerating. The contact also stated there were times when the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and stopped. The contact would then restart the vehicle and continue driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was diagnosed with no failure being found. The failure reoccurred often. The vehicle was also taken to another local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle but also found no failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,399.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #153

Jul 262022

Santa Fe

  • miles
This will be my second report to the NHTSA. I was originally told my car needed a new engine, but then it was confirmed that was not the issue since the car started and drove just fine, the recall for the ABS mod was brought up to two different Hyundai dealerships and their corporate office, I requested if it could not be fixed to buy back my car. It was denied. My car then caught fire while driving, resulting in my husband almost dying on the highway. Fire shot from the bottom of the car up into engulfed flames within seconds-??and then blew. Determined it was an electrical engine fire. All could have been avoided if Hyundai had just listened to my concerns and checked my ABS. However due their refusal to do so, and refusal to inspect my engine for the recall, my family, kids included were put at risk. It seems to be happening all over the world with these cars and NOTHING is being done.

- Ruther Glen, VA, USA

problem #152

Mar 012022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Sway bar and struts continuously malfunctioning causing brake system to fail quickly.Engine more than 5qts a biweekly causing the maintenance numbers to malfunction.Seat belt light keeps going on and off even when in use.These problems are causing a safety risk due to them failing and can cause harm to driver/drivers on the road.Electrical issue has the brake lights malfunctioning and cause harm to others as well.Vehicle has been inspected by Hyundai dealership.Seat belt light continuously come on and off.

- Hazel Crest, IL, USA

problem #151

Jul 062022

Santa Fe

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When accelerating onto the freeway the vehicle made a clunk sound and lost speed by going into limp mode when the check engine light flashed. Thankfully I was close to my exit and was able to safely get off the freeway. I called the Hyundai dealer service and they said to have it towed to them at my cost. The dealership looked it over and said I need a new engine due to oil spilling into all the cylinders. It has 87,000 miles on a 2017. Regular oil changes and just did the 80,000 miles service and spark plugs with this dealer a month before. Hyundai is refusing to pay for the remanufactured engine replacement of $7,000. No loaner car is available either. It has been 3 weeks and still isn't done.

- Airway Heights, WA, USA

problem #150

Jun 252022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Saturday June 25th: Driving on I-495 North in Middleboro, MA and heard a loud clunk. All dashboard lights went on and I immediately pulled off the exit. By the time I got off the ramp, my steering and brakes had locked up and I barely made it through the intersection and pulled to the side of the road. Immediately the car started smoking and a puddle of oil formed under my car. The car was towed to a local car lot. Saturday June 25th PM: I filed a claim with USAA Insurance. Monday June 27th - July 1st: USAA in touch and sending an adjuster to the lot. Tuesday July 5th: I signed a release for the car to be towed to Hyundai of Auburn, MA Wednesday July 6th: Car towed to Herb Chambers Hyundai in Auburn, MA Friday July 8th: Hyundai dealership calls and reports that accident was likely due to a rod being released from the engine and causing damage to the rest of the engine and oil pan. They report they have -??100 cars on the lot with the same problem and anticipate 4-5 months at least until the car is diagnosed and fixed.-?? They report they have no cars to loan or rent to me. They suggest I call Hyundai USA.

- Acton, MA, USA

problem #149

Feb 012022

Santa Fe

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the rod bearings replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called a second local dealer, Pearson Hyundai (11701 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23113: (804) 276-0300) and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

- Ruther Glen, VA, USA

problem #148

Sep 272021

Santa Fe

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Oil consumption excessively after every few hundred miles; caused engine to stall. Engine knock heard. Caused engine to fail.

- Oak Lawn , IL, USA

problem #147

Jul 152022

Santa Fe

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made loud knocking noises. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Punta Gorda, FL, USA

problem #146

Jul 092022

Santa Fe

  • miles
My vehicle has been consuming oil. I have had to put quarts of oil in my car weekly. The vehicle isn't leaking oil, but is burning oil. Contacted dealer and was informed that it's the type of engine and no redemdy. Car smells like it's burning. This has been an ongoing problem for the last two years.

- Elkridge, MD, USA

problem #145

May 012022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Engine burns oil.

- Cheltenham, MD, USA

problem #144

Jun 052022

Santa Fe

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine lost power while on freeway and a piston fired through the engine producing a hole and causing fire to travel through the exhaust system.

- Oak View, CA, USA

problem #143

May 122022

Santa Fe

  • miles
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving, the vehicle stopped accelerating. The vehicle operated appropriately until half way through the drive. At stops, it would take several seconds (30ish) for the car to go about 20 mph (rough estimate). The car would not go above 50mph, and this took a few minutes to reach with the gas pedal all the way down. I parked the car and had it towed. After approximately a month at the dealership, the dealership text that there was a hole in the valve cover and that the engine would also need to be replaced. They did not say what was wrong with the engine and later stated, also via text, that to do a diagnostic it would be $350. I purchased the car used with approximately 45000 miles 10 months prior. At the time of the incident, there were 62000 miles on the vehicle. They stated that it would not be covered under warranty because I was not the original owner. I purchased the extended warranty at the time of purchase. They then filed a claim with that policy and we are awaiting an inspector to look at the vehicle. There were no warning lights prior to the issue. My family, husband and 3 children were in the car and it was dangerous because we were on a busy road and the car would not go to the speed of traffic. We are awaiting an inspector to look at the vehicle. The vehicle is currently still at the dealership. If requested, I am willing to have the car inspected. The incident occurred 5/12/2022.

- Shelbyville, TN, USA

problem #142

Jun 162022

Santa Fe

  • miles
My wife was driving down Hwy 105 west in Montgomery, Texas on a 6 lane highway when all of a sudden our 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe lost power at 65mph. She could not accelerate or maintain speed and noticed several light quickly flash and then shut off. She steered into the center median and stopped in order to try and restart the car. There was no warning to this issue and the Santa Fe could not be restated and had to be towed to Weisner Hyundai in Conroe Texas to be diagnosed. It was revealed the knock sensor that was supposed to put the vehicle in safe mode so engine damage would not occur, failed with no warning which caused excessive bearing and rod wear causing the engine failure which could have caused an wreck on the road. The Weisner Hyundai in Conroe inspected the Santa Fe and mentioned the state of the engine showed it was well maintained and no signs of sludge in the engine. There were no warning lamps on the dash or symptoms with the engine leading up to this issue. This is a major safty risk is due to the immediate loss of engine power which other cars had to quickly swerve to miss my wife as she steered to the middle median. Weisner Hyundai elected to process a PA claim with Hyundai with photos and a full report. As of today, I have do not have the full report as the service center was still in the process to filing their report.

- Montgomery, TX, USA

problem #141

Jun 142022

Santa Fe

  • miles
My family was driving down the interstate at approximately 78mph when the engine light came on and the vehicle began to rumble intensely. After letting off the gas to approximately 50mph and touching the gas once more we realized the vehicle was not operable. We pulled to the side of an active interstate and awaited towing. We were in this spot for almost an hour hoping my wife and children were not struck by a vehicle. Additionally, as the vehicle broke we were concerned about being hit on the active interstate. Oil had been recently changed, maintenance was always kept up-to-date, no dash lights were on, and we had experienced no prior problems with the vehicle or engine. Vehicle has been inspected by a mechanic shop and a warranty representative, both of which stated the engine was dead. It now sits with a Hyundai dealership for further diagnostics testing.

- Prattville, AL, USA

problem #140

May 282022

Santa Fe

  • miles
The check engine light came on one day and then before I could take it in to be checked, about two days, the light had turned back off again so I thought it was fine. Then, I was driving 2 hours from my home and on the way back the engine started to make a terrible knocking and screeching noise. It seemed like it was going to break down. I was on a country road so I quickly turned around and made my way back to a truck stop about a mile away. I had to pay to get the car towed to my local dealership an hour away. While at the dealership, after inspection, I was told it was a Rod Bearing Failure in my engine. This absolutely put me at risk as I was driving a far distance and an hour from my home. The dealership then got my service records and gave them to my extended warranty carrier- Assurant. They agreed to cover the over $10,000 cost with just my $50 copay. The car now has a different, used motor in it. My concern now is that I have had the same problem that other Santa Fe's have had in prior years but this one doesn't have a recall. Now, I'm driving with another one of these motors with worries that I'll have the same problem as before and be responsible for the fix. I asked the dealership and Hyundai USA case manager if they would warranty this new to me, used motor AND reimburse me for the 40 days that I had to pay for a rental vehicle and was told NO.

- Milledgeville, GA, USA

problem #139

May 072022

Santa Fe

  • miles
While on a road trip, the engine light came on. A further check at a Hyundai authorized mechanic showed the engine had suffered from high oil consumption and ran low on oil. There was no obvious oil leak. As a result, I must replace the engine and I am unsure if Hyundai will cover the cost.

- Vienna, VA, USA

problem #138

May 272022

Santa Fe

  • miles
My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe with approximatelh 118,000 suffered a catastrophic engine failure. According to the dealer where the car was towed, CVVT on the camshaft caused further damage to the engine. Recommended solution is engine replacement. Dealer is quoting approximately $13,000 + taxes and fees for this replacement. I have opened a case with Hyundai and contacted my insurance company regarding possible recourse. The dealer has indicated the 10 year/100,000 mile Powertrain warranty will not cover the engine replacement as the care has 118,000 miles. There were no preliminary warning signs of engine failure. Just minutes before the car starting leaking a ton of oil, the Check Engine and Oil indicator lights went on. Car has been meticulauly maintained and serviced over the years. The car is currently at the dealer, and I have no replacement transportation provided for this vehicle. While there were no injuried, I can imagine that had I not been in a position to have the car towed, the engine failure may have resulted in dangerous driving conditions.

- Lisle, IL, USA

problem #137

May 262022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Losing about 1QT of oil every 1k miles. The local Hyundai dealer acknowledged the issue but has no remedy. Their suggestion is to add a QT of oil at every 3k and check the level every 1k mile. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle as the engine also makes loud noises

- Lake Orion, MI, USA

problem #136

May 292022

Santa Fe

  • miles
I was driving the vehicle at highway speeds, when I attempted to pass a vehicle, the engine started making a knocking sound. I had the vehicle towed to the Hyundai dealership. When they did their initial inspection, there was no oil in the engine. The engine oil had been changed by a reputable dealer within 3,000 miles. The vehicle is well maintained and regularly maintained. No warning lights came on to indicate low oil or any other warning light to indicate any problems with the engine at all. Manufacturer has 10yr 100,000 mile warranty for first vehicle owner, but the warranty for second owner is 5 yr 60,000 mile. There are known issues with this engine and other Hyundai GDI engines. Dealership gave me a repair bill for a used engine replacement with labor of $12,650. Manufacturer says they are not responsible for the engine since it is out of warranty (although within original manufacturer warranty). The GDI engine is faulty and dangerous. A 5 year old vehicle burning 4 quarts of oil within 3,000 miles is not user error, thats manufacturer fault and they should be held accountable for it.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #135

Jan 122022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Engine failure due to "rod failing". Car lost power and RPMs. Mileage was 119325. Car always serviced at dealership. Dealership recognized the issue and referred me to customer service. Case File #1959318 was files with Hyundai Customer Service. They rejected any assistance in replacing engine citing that it was more than 10% over 100,000 miles. Replaced used engine cost $10,146.04. Thomas Cumberland Invoice 6035219 (Mar 28, 2022)

- Frostburg, MD, USA

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