NHTSA (USA)CriticalPark Outside
At a glance
What can fail
The Anti-Lock Brake System module can malfunction and cause an electrical short in the engine compartment, potentially leading to a fire.
This page covers 6 recalls, 918 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe.
20–21 mpg combined
11.2–11.8 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
Engine complaints dominate the 2017 Santa Fe picture by a wide margin. The most common theme owners describe is excessive oil consumption, engines burning through oil between changes with no visible leaks, sometimes leading to engine failure or seizure. Several owners report the engine seizing without prior warning, often at highway speeds. A secondary pattern involves powertrain behavior after a software update, where the vehicle surges or hesitates noticeably when accelerating, particularly right after a cold start and easing somewhat once the engine warms up. Powertrain complaints more broadly include rough engagement and hesitation. Speed control complaints make up a smaller but notable share, with owners describing uneven throttle response. The oil consumption thread also ties into downstream issues, with some owners reporting catalytic converter damage they attribute to prolonged oil burning.
918
Total Complaints
14
Crash-Related
23
Fire-Related
11
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe has 6 recalls, the most serious being a hood latch cable that can corrode and leave the secondary latch disengaged, allowing the hood to fly open while driving, and an ABS module that can short-circuit and start an engine compartment fire while parked or in motion.
On the engine side, vehicles with the 3.3L engine have a crankshaft defect that accelerates bearing wear and can cause the engine to stall without warning. There is also a trailer hitch wiring issue where the brake lights on a towed trailer may stay on continuously, confusing drivers behind the vehicle. Two recalls affect specific trim configurations: the tire pressure monitoring system on certain Santa Fe Sport models may have been set incorrectly at the factory and will not warn the driver of an underinflated tire, and on some earlier-built models, wiring in the front seat belt buckle harness can be damaged by the seat height adjuster, silencing the unbuckled seat belt warning chime.
At a glance
What can fail
The Anti-Lock Brake System module can malfunction and cause an electrical short in the engine compartment, potentially leading to a fire.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse as needed at no cost to restore proper brake system function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The crankshaft in the engine may have surface irregularities that cause excessive wear on the engine bearings.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your engine and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The secondary hood latch cable can corrode and stick, leaving the secondary hood latch unlatched even when the hood is closed.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the secondary latch cable at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire pressure monitoring system may not be set correctly, so it won't alert you if a tire is underinflated.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the tire pressure monitoring system sensors at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tow hitch module may malfunction, causing trailer brake lights to stay on constantly instead of operating normally.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the accessory trailer hitch wiring harness at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wires in the front seat belt buckle may be damaged by the seat height adjuster, preventing the audible warning from sounding when front seat occupants don't fasten their seat belts.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and reroute the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses to their proper locations as needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.