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: other or unspecified
92 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Oct 5, 2019
OVER ONE MONTH AGO, MY GPS VIEWER SHOWED A WRONG TIME. I RESET THE CLOCK AND EXITED THE FEATURE. THE CLOCK QUIT APPEARING ON THE SCREEN. AT FIRST I DIDN'T NOTICE IT. THEN WHEN I DID, I WASN'T ABLE TO ENTER THE PROGRAM TO SET THE CLOCK: IT WAS ALL DARK ON THE CHOICES. I READ BOTH MY MANUALS AND NOTHING IN THEM TALKED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I HAD SEVERAL FRIENDS READ THE MANUAL AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY INFORMATION TO FIX THIS EITHER. WHEN I WENT FOR AN OIL CHANGE, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS ISSUE WAS AFFECTING LOTS OF VEHICLES AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A COUPLE OF THINGS THEY COULD DO TO ATTEMPT TO FIX IT. SOMETIMES IT WORKED AND SOMETIMES IT DIDN'T. MINE DIDN'T. NO ONE CONTACTED ME TO ALERT ME TO THE PROBLEM (SAID MAYBE A CELL TOWER ISSUE WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALERS). I HAVE TO ACCESS MY FITBIT TO GET THE TIME WHICH REQUIRES SQUEEZING THE SIDES OF IT AND SOMETIMES SCROLLING IT. NOT SUPPOSE TO USE YOUR CELL PHONE FOR SAFETY, BUT MESSING WITH MY FITBIT UNDER MY JACKET IS JUST AS BAD. WHY WEREN'T WE NOTIFIED. GOOGLE SHOWS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME NOW. I'M A SENIOR CITIZEN AND MAY NOT BE USING CORRECT TERMS FOR THE GPS STUFF. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOUR EYES AREN'T ON THE ROAD AS THEY SHOULD BE AND MESSING WITH YOUR FITBIT. YES I CAN INVEST IN A WATCH AGAIN, BUT WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO DO THIS? DOESN'T MATTER IF I AM DRIVING OR STATIONARY, IT DOESN'T WORK!!!!!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 24, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND STATED THAT THE FIRE INITIATED AROUND THE BATTERY AREA. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED A WEEK PRIOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2019
WHILE IN MOTION THE VEHICLE EITHER BRAKES OR BACKFIRES. THE JERKING MOTION IS SO HARD THAT I THOUGHT I WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. THE CAR CONTINUES TO DRIVE BUT ACCELERATION RATE SLOWS DRASTICALLY CAUSING NEAR MISSES AS WELL. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND DOWNHILL SHIFTING LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL YOU TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON. SO FAR THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES IN BOTH NORMAL AND ECONOMY DRIVE MODES WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE/HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND 70 MPH.
Other or unspecified, Jun 5, 2019
WHILE DRIVING WESTBOUND ON I-80 ON SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 2019, AT 2:33 PM THE FRONT PORTION OF THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH THE SOUND OF A 12 GAUGE SHOTGUN. THE GLASS WENT FLYING AND CAME INTO THE VEHICLE. NO PRIOR DAMAGE TO THE SUN ROOF AND THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS 64 DEGREES. WE WERE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH.
Other or unspecified, Feb 7, 2018
I WAS PULLING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND COMING UP TO SPEED, GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, LIKE A 'CRACK' OR A 'BOOM.' IT QUICKLY BECAME CLEAR THAT MY GLASS SUNROOF HAD BURST AND THERE WERE GLASS PIECES RAINING DOWN ON THE SUN SCREEN, WHICH THANKFULLY HAD BEEN CLOSED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED.
Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2017
THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF EXPLODED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKERD AND ENGINE RUNNINGTHE TEMPATURE WAS 77 DEGREES. AFTER SOME INTERNET FOLLOW UP IT SEEMS THIS IS THE #1 PROBLEM IN CANADA AND THERE HAS BEEN AND ON GOING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN THE USA FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND HUYNDAI KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND IT WAS FIX UNDER WARRANTY, 1YEAR OLD WITH 9000 MILES. HAD THIS HAPPENED A FREEWAY SPEED WE PROBALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED ALONG WITH OTHERS. THEY ARE REPLACING THE GLASS ROOFS WITH THE SAME GLASS ROOFS WITH NO FIXES DONE HYUNDAI AND SISTER COMPANY KIA HAVE KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE BEFORE THE CLASS ACTION SUIT STARTED IN 2012 AND HAVE SEND BULLITTENS TO DEALERSHIPS BUT NO RECALLS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFTEY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND NOT JUST COVERED UP BY THE CAR COMPANYS. I HAVE APROX 100 PHOTOS AND CAN NOT DOWN LOAD TO YOUR SITE FOR SOME REASON CURRENTLY I CAN TRY LATER OR MAYBE IF YOU HAVE A EMAIL OR SOMETHING I CAN DO THAT TOO, LET ME KNOW. THIS HAPPENED NOVEMBER 11, 2017 THE CAR WAS BOUGHT IN THE USA KEPT IN THE USA BY USA CITIZENS
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Oct 7, 2017
IT TRIES TO STALL OR HESITATE WHEN MAKING TURNS I LIVE IN CHICAGO AND DRIVE IN TRAFFIC WHEN TURNING INTO TRAFFIC IT SEEMS TO HESITATE FOR 2 OR 3 SEC BEFORE ACCELERATION II AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC FROM FEAR WHEN MAKING A TURN I WILL. CAUSE A CAR ACCIDENT
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 6, 2017
ON MAY 31ST I PURCHASE A NEW SANTA FE SPORT AWD 2017 - 21 DAYS AFTER DRVING THE CARD THE DASHBOARD LIGHT WHERE COMING ON FOR TRACKING CONTROL AND DOWNWARD SHIFTING - WHEN I ORIGINALLY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD MAYBE I WENT THROUGH A LARGE PUDDLE IF THEY COME ON AGAIN CALL THEM BACK - WITHIN THREE HOURS OF HANGING UP THE PHONE THE SAME PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN - I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP - AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR A MONTH STATING A MASTER TECHNICIAN FROM HYUNDAI WAS LOOKING INTO IT, BUT THEY SEE WHERE THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE SHIFT. BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO TELL ME THE ISSUE BUT IT SEEMED TO BE CURED FOR. WHILE I WAS DRIVING LAST WEEK ON THE HIGHWAY I HEAR A THUMPING SOUND, I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE - PULLED OVER NO FLAT - I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AND THE SOUND CAME BACK - I IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND AND BROUGHT IT BACK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP - THE MECHANIC SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE AND SHAFT JOINT WAS BROKEN AND THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE - I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO CONFIRMED THE SAME ISSUE AND REPLACED THE PARTS REQUIRED - THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS VERY POSSIBLE THAT WAS THE REASON WHY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE COMING ON ORIGINALLY - THE CARD IS BRANCH NEW AND DID NOT EVEN MAKE THREE MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP - I CONTACTED HYUNDAI ORIGINALLY AND MADE A COMPLAINT FOR THE DASHBOARD ,LIGHTS BUT NEVER RECEIVED A REPLY - I SENT AN ADDITIONAL EMAIL IN REGARDS TO THE NEW ISSUE AND INFORMED THEM THAT THEY SHOULD CHECK TO SEE IF PERHAPS THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF THE CARD IS ARE EXPERIENCING A MANUFACTURING DEFECT ----- I ALSO INFORMED THEM THAT I COULD HAVE DIED IF THIS AXLE FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. - I THINK THERE NEED TO AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE DOES END UP DYING
Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2017
WHEN THE CAR START AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND SLOWLY ACCELERATES WHILE DRIVING, THERE IS A SOUND IN THE CAR. I HEAD A SOUND FROM THE ENGINE OR MUFFLER.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2017
MY BRAND NEW 2017 SANTA FE LIMITED HESITATES BADLY WHEN COMING OUT OF TURNS AT A SLOW SPEED AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE...JUST SHORT OF COMING TO A STOP. IT ALSO OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A STOP THEN I STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE VEHICLE LAGS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER TRAFFIC OR THE VEHICLE COULD BE HIT FROM BEHIND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AND IT MOMENTARILY DOES NOT RESPOND. THIS OCCURS EACH TIME I DRIVE IT.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 16, 2017
CAR HAS SERIOUS, DANGEROUS ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. IT'S MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CAR APPEARS TO LOSE ALL POWER WHEN ACCELERATING - HANGING FOR SECONDS WHILE NOTHING HAPPENS. ENGINE HITS REDLINE ALL THE TIME AND IT BARELY GAINS SPEED. CALLED DEALER AND WAS FIRST TOLD "DUAL CLUTCH WILL LEARN DRIVING STYLE." AFTER NOTING CAR HAS 2K MILES WAS THEN TOLD "THE DELAY IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT CAR." THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. I'VE ALMOST BEEN T-BONED MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS. GOOGLING LED ME TO MANY OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.
Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2017
APPLE CARPLAY COMPLETELY DISABLES ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S NATIVE AUDIO WARNINGS AND ALERTS WHEN IT IS IN USE. IN OTHER WORDS, IF ONE IS LISTENING TO MUSIC, USING SIRI, OR MAKING A PHONE CALL THROUGH CARPLAY, NONE OF THE CAR'S BUILT-IN SAFETY FEATURES WORK AS DESIGNED; THE AUDIO IS SILENCED AND CARPLAY COMPLETELY TAKES OVER THE AUDIO SYSTEM. THIS WOULD INCLUDE BLIND SPOT MONITORING, LANE DEPARTURE MONITORING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, CROSS-TRAFFIC ALERT, ETC.. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WITH CARPLAY IN USE; IF HYUNDAI'S NATIVE SOFTWARE IS CONTROLLING THE SYSTEM AND THE PHONE IS ONLY CONNECTED THROUGH BLUETOOTH, THE SYSTEMS FUNCTION NORMALLY. HYUNDAI MAKES NO REFERENCE TO THIS IN THEIR MANUALS AND SEEMS TO BE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. APPLE DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY PRODUCT SUPPORT FOR CARPLAY WHATSOEVER. THIS IS A CASE OF A NONESSENTIAL ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM INTERFERING WITH SAFETY SYSTEMS. HYUNDAI AND APPLE SHOULD BE MADE TO CORRECT THIS, OR AT LEAST MAKE CONSUMERS AWARE OF IT.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 1, 2017
I HAVE A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ULTIMATE AND LIKE THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, THE CAR HAS HESITATION WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ESPECIALLY AFTER A STOP, BUMP IN ROAD, SLOWING DOWN, ETC. THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES TRYING DIFFERENT THINGS SUCH AS TRY A DIFFERENT MODE, RESET TRANSMISSION COMPUTER, ETC. I'VE CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FILED A COMPLIANT OPEN BUT I DON'T WANT THE CAR ANYMORE IT HESITATES TOO LONG/TOO MANY TIMES AND SCARES THE CRAP OUT OF ME. IT'S DANGEROUS AND NEEDS A RECALLED.
Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2017
MY VEHICLE WAS IN PARK ON A FLAT SURFACE. I REACHED IN AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF THE CAR BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS . I WAS DRAGGED BACKWARDS DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CAR STOPPED WHEN IT HIT THE NEIGHBORS CURB.I GOT IN THE CAR WAS OFF AND IN PARK.I THEN DROVE CAR INTO GARAGE AND PLACED IN PARK. I DIDI SUSTAIN A SEVER ANKLE SPRAIN AND WAS TREATED AT A HOSPITAL.THE CAR HAD 1900 MILES ON IT AND WAS A NEW CAR LEASE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE CAR ON MONDAY DECEMBER 5 AND FOUND NOTHING. I CONTACTED THE NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER . THEY SENT A THIRD PARTY TO INSPECT CAR AND ON FEBRUARY 3,2017. I RECIEVED AN EMAIL. IT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION,GEAR SHIFTER AND BRAKES ARE NORMAL IT NOTED THAT IN THIS CAR THE DRIVER ALWAYS MUST PLACE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON EVERY TIME IT IS PLACED IN PARK. THE SALESMAN DID NOT CONVEY THIS,NOR II IS LISTED ON THE INFORMATION CHECKLIST TO REVIEW BEFORE CUSTOMER TAKES CAR. ALSO WHEN I TEST DROVE THIS VEHICLE IT DID NOT HAVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. ALSO. WHEN TEST DRIVING THE CAR I COMMENTED THAT THE BRAKES SEEMED STRANGE. THE SALESMAN TOLD ME TO STOP AND WE RETURNED TO DEALER.HE INFORMED ME THAT RACCOONS ON THE PROPERTY WERE EATING THROUGH BRAKE LINES ON SEVERAL CARS. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD BE REPAIRED BEFORE I TOOK POSSESSION FOUR DAYS LATER. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I ASKED TO BE LET OUT OF THE LEASE BUT THAT WAS DENIED.
Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2017
WHILE TRAVELLING HOME FROM WORK EXPERIENCED AN AWFUL SHOTGUN SOUND FROM THE VEHICLE'S SUNROOF, IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND DISCOVER THAT THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED.
Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2016
VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN ENTERING FLOW OF TRAFFIC FROM A STOP OR A TURN.
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.