2017 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 967 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 14 involved a crash and 23 involved a fire. 18 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideFeb 3, 2022
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.
Campaign 22V056000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineSep 20, 2017
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.
The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 168.
Campaign 17V578000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchJun 5, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
Campaign 17V358000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, pressure monitoring and regulating systemsMar 6, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that may not have been set in the correct mode during vehicle assembly, and therefore will not provide an appropriate warning in the event of an underinflated tire. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
An underinflated inflated tire can increase the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the TPMS sensors, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for the recall is 159.
Campaign 17V142000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringNov 21, 2016
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.
Campaign 16V842000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, warning light/devicesMar 10, 2016
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses may be damaged by the seat's height adjuster mechanism, resulting in a failure to provide an audible warning when front seat occupants do not fasten their seat belts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Without a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses to their proper locations, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 141.
Campaign 16V145000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
67 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 4, 2019
NAVIGATION SCREEN DOES NOT TURN OFF AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN AND CAR WILL NOT START
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 13, 2019
CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED TURNING RIGHT FROM A STOP SIGN, WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. ALL ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER SHUT DOWN, ENGINE CUT OFF. RESTARTED BUT ENGINE SPUTTERS, FEELS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO SHIFT GEARS WHILE STILL IN PARK. IT WAS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. WAS NOT ABLE TO GET STARTED TO DRIVE HOME. ONE WEEK EARLIER I NOTICED THE COMPUTER ACTING UP WHEN I FIRST STARTED UP, BUT RESTATED AND DROVE ANYWAY (NO PROBLEM THAT TIME WHILE DRIVING).
Electrical system, Feb 8, 2019
VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENT STARTING ISSUES. STARTS WHEN IT WANTS TOO. CAR IS ONLY 18 MONTHS OLD 17,100 MILES. 2 DAYS IN ROW CAR WOULDN'T TURN OVER BUT EVERYTHING IN THE CAR WORKED. LIGHTS, RADIO, POWER WINDOWS ETC. COMPUTER WASN'T DETECTING KEY THAT WAS IN MY HAND.
Electrical system, Aug 21, 2018
2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING OVER 45 MPH DURING COLD WEATHER. *LD *JS
Electrical system, Jul 27, 2018
THIS IS THE THIRD OCCASSION WHERE MY 2017 SANTA FE WILL NOT START. WHEN I TURN THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION THERE IS NO SOUND AT ALL, NO ELECTRICITY IS BEING SENT TO START THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, ALL MY LIGHTS AND RADIO FUNTIONS WORK JUST FINE. AFTER A WHILE THE IT WILL WORK AGAIN. MY BATTERY HAS BEEN TESTED AND SHOWN TO BE WORKING FINE. I LEAVE NO INTERIOR LIGHTS ON AND CANT FIGURE OUT WHAT CHANGES TO MAKE IT START WORKING .
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 30, 2018
VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENT STARTING ISSUES SIMILAR TO A LOW OR DEAD BATTERY. WILL ONLY START WHEN IT WANTS. USUALLY HAPPENS AT FIRST START OF THE DAY OR LATE AFTERNOON. PUTTING VEHICLE IN DRIVE IS HARDER THAN NORMAL. TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFTS HAVE HARD JERKING FEEL.
Vehicle speed control, Electrical system, Feb 17, 2018
THE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER DISAPPEARED AND THE SOFTWARE FUNCTIONALITY TO ENABLE IT ALSO DISAPPEARED WHILE DRIVING ON A STREET.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 13, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON DECEMBER 11, 2017 AFTER DARK, DOWN A MOUNTAIN PASS IN COLORADO, AT 55 MPH, ALL OF THE LIGHTS - INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR - FAILED (TURNED OFF) MOMENTARILY. WHEN MY HUSBAND HIT THE BRAKES, HE COULD SEE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ACTIVATE IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. AFTER PLAYING WITH THE HEADLIGHT CONTROLS FOR A FEW SECONDS, EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED AS MY HUSBAND WAS SWITCHING FROM THE HIGH BEAMS TO THE LOW BEAMS. EVEN THOUGH THE INTERIOR (DASHBOARD) LIGHTS WERE OFF, THE RADIO CONTINUED TO PLAY.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Seats, Dec 6, 2017
THE DRIVER SEAT MAKES SQUEAKING NOISES ALL THE TIME. I CANT MOVE IN MY SEAT WITHOUT THESE LOUD AND ANNOYING SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE SEAT
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Seats, Dec 6, 2017
## VIN PASSED ## ## THE LOW FUEL LIGHT ON MY 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE OR BEEP TO NOTIFY ME OF LOW FUEL. I WAS DOWN TO ALMOST 10 MILES LEFT BEFORE I REALIZED I WAS ALMOST ON EMPTY. DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED CODES AND TOLD ME THERE ARE NO FAULTY CODES. NOW INHAVE TONTAKE IT IN AGAIN AND LET THEM KNOW THAT IT STILL DOESNT WORK.. I AM LEAVING IT ON EMPTY SO THEY CAN SEE HOW THE LIGHT DOESNT TURN ON
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 13, 2017
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.
Electrical system, Jun 23, 2017
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.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 17, 2017
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.
Electrical system, Jan 13, 2017
TL* 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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jan 6, 2017
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. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Jul 12, 2016
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 $5,300.00 REPAIR BECAUSE THE OTHER WIRES INVOLVED THAT ARE BARE ARE FOR THE AIRBAGS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 16, 2016, fire
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.