MYRModel Year Report

2017 Hyundai Santa FE

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2017 Hyundai Santa FE
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
968
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2017

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

67% of complaints

Complaints per year

2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2003: 308 complaints 2004: 303 complaints 2005: 216 complaints 2005 2006: 106 complaints 2007: 684 complaints 2008: 541 complaints 2009: 358 complaints 2009 2010: 259 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 353 complaints 2013: 605 complaints 2013 2014: 493 complaints 2015: 254 complaints 2016: 236 complaints 2017: 968 complaints 2017 968 2018: 109 complaints 2019: 202 complaints 2020: 213 complaints 2021: 166 complaints 2021 2022: 199 complaints 2023: 211 complaints 2024: 153 complaints 2025: 135 complaints 2025 2026: 38 complaints
2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2003: 308 complaints 2003 2004: 303 complaints 2005: 216 complaints 2005 2006: 106 complaints 2007: 684 complaints 2007 2008: 541 complaints 2009: 358 complaints 2009 2010: 259 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2011 2012: 353 complaints 2013: 605 complaints 2013 2014: 493 complaints 2015: 254 complaints 2015 2016: 236 complaints 2017: 968 complaints 2017 968 2018: 109 complaints 2019: 202 complaints 2019 2020: 213 complaints 2021: 166 complaints 2021 2022: 199 complaints 2023: 211 complaints 2023 2024: 153 complaints 2025: 135 complaints 2025 2026: 38 complaints
2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2003: 308 complaints 2003 2004: 303 complaints 2005: 216 complaints 2005 2006: 106 complaints 2007: 684 complaints 2007 2008: 541 complaints 2009: 358 complaints 2009 2010: 259 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2011 2012: 353 complaints 2013: 605 complaints 2013 2014: 493 complaints 2015: 254 complaints 2015 2016: 236 complaints 2017: 968 complaints 2017 968 2018: 109 complaints 2019: 202 complaints 2019 2020: 213 complaints 2021: 166 complaints 2021 2022: 199 complaints 2023: 211 complaints 2023 2024: 153 complaints 2025: 135 complaints 2025 2026: 38 complaints

2017: 968 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2001209
2002165
2003308
2004303
2005216
2006106
2007684
2008541
2009358
2010259
2011181
2012353
2013605
2014493
2015254
2016236
2017968
2018109
2019202
2020213
2021166
2022199
2023211
2024153
2025135
202638

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

67% · 649 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2024-04-15

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, 2023-11-14

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, 2016-06-16

Also filed under Electrical system

Power train

17% · 165 reports
FIREINJURY
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, 2019-02-12

The vehicle is in limp mode and is displaying a flashing check engine light with a P1326 powertrain code. The vehicle in question is a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport equipped with a Theta II 2.4L GDI engine at 118,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-10

Electrical system

7% · 68 reports

Most commonly citing software and speedometer/odometer.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Fuel/propulsion system

6% · 60 reports
CRASHFIRE
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, 2018-11-21

Service brakes

6% · 59 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2016-04-27Seat belts16V145000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2017Complaint volume 968 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2017-01-13Electrical system, trailer hitches16V842000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2017-03-21Tires17V142000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2017-08-04Latches/locks/linkages17V358000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2017-11-06Engine and engine cooling17V578000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2022-05-31Service brakes, hydraulic22V056000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2022-09-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-12-12 Loss of Motive Power
  9. I
    2023-11-17Audit queryOpen Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
  10. I
    2024-02-08Defect petitionClosed 2024-05-16 3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)

Buy-smart checklist

2017 Hyundai Santa FE — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 649 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 165 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 68 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 16V145000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 16V842000 · Electrical system, trailer hitches
  • Recall 17V142000 · Tires
  • Recall 17V358000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 17V578000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 22V056000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.