MYRModel Year Report

2017 Hyundai Santa FE

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2017 Hyundai Santa FE
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Hyundai Santa FE Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2017 highlighted. 2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2003: 308 complaints 2004: 303 complaints 2005: 216 complaints 2005 2006: 106 complaints 2007: 681 complaints 2008: 541 complaints 2009: 357 complaints 2009 2010: 256 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 352 complaints 2013: 604 complaints 2013 2014: 492 complaints 2015: 253 complaints 2016: 235 complaints 2017: 937 complaints 2017 2018: 108 complaints 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 193 complaints 2021: 162 complaints 2021 2022: 187 complaints 2023: 199 complaints 2024: 130 complaints 2025: 116 complaints 2025 2026: 27 complaints 2026
2017: 937 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2001209
2002165
2003308
2004303
2005216
2006106
2007681
2008541
2009357
2010256
2011181
2012352
2013604
2014492
2015253
2016235
2017937
2018108
2019190
2020193
2021162
2022187
2023199
2024130
2025116
202627

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 67%

67% of complaints: engine — 626 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Engine seizure happened while driving and the engine caught on fire. The car was well maintained and had been up-to-date on all recalls.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240415

While I was stopped at a stoplight turn lane in my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe sport, smoke started to come out of my engine. I removed myself from the turn lane and got my car into a parking lot, and within a minute, flames appeared from the engine.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231114

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160616

POWER TRAIN 16%

16% of complaints: power train — 151 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I PARKED MY CAR PARALLEL TO THE CURB ON A CITY STREET. I MOVED THE SHIFTER FROM "DRIVE" TO "PARK".

NHTSA ODI report, 20190212

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 61 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160616

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 56 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A DEAD STOP OR NEARLY A DEAD STOP THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PAUSE AND THEN IT ACCELERATES QUICKLY, THIS CAUSED A FAMILY MEMBER TO HIT A CAR IN A PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181121

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 48 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20160427 — seat belts

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 16V145000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2017 — complaint volume: 937
R 20170113 — electrical system, trailer hitches

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 16V842000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170321 — tires

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles.

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170804 — latches/locks/linkages

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles.

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171106 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17V578000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220531 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 22V056000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20220912 — DP (closed 20231212)

Loss of Motive Power

I 20231117 — AQ (open)

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

I 20240208 — DP (closed 20240516)

3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2017 Hyundai Santa FE — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (626 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (151 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (61 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 16V145000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V842000 (electrical system, trailer hitches) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V142000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V358000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V578000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22V056000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2006 ▲ 2018 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2013 ■ 2008

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2017 Hyundai Santa FE reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2017 Hyundai Santa FE is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Hyundai Santa FE?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 67% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2017 Hyundai Santa FE have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.