464 complaints reported

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
464
Crashes
1
Fires
5
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Nov 2024

Engine blew due to excessive oil consumption (at time of incident I had not a drop of oil left) with no warning. My safety was put at risk by my car stalling in the middle of driving with my kids in the car. My vehicle is now at a service shop, mechanic informing me I need a whole new engine. My dashboard never showed low oil light or service engine light, I never had black smoke or smell.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2024
Nov 2024

While traveling to work about 1 mile before my exit, my 2017 Santa Fe Sport Ultimate 2.0T started sputtering and losing speed. I was scared to death traveling on a major highway (Rt 1). I immediately put the emergency blinkers on while continuing to lose speed. I barely made it off the highway before the car just STOPPED DEAD on the curve. NO POWER STEERING-NOTHING! THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE! Terrified of tractor trailers and cars flying off the exit, I called the State Police to come as my protection from getting hit .While waiting, two Good Samaritans were concerned for my safety and stopped to help move the car partially out of the road (no steering). The state police arrived and waited while I got a tow truck seeing I was visibly upset. I later received a call from the auto shop telling me the engine was gone, The performed a compression test the next day, found no compression in cylinder 3. The mechanic suggested I tow the car to the dealer because it was a faulty engine and he knew of an extension on an extended warranty (from 100k-150K miles) Hyundai offered for this problem. I rented a car to go to work ($700) for the first 3 weeks because I couldn't get a loaner. I finally got a loaner after reaching out to Managers, and after 2 months they finally "worked" it in. Today, I get a message that it was indeed the engine and I would need to pay for the diagnostic test and new engine parts since the extended warranty I purchased when I bought my car was expired 9/8/23. I opened a case with Hyundai USA today 5/10/24, and will be speaking with the dealer on Monday but I'm at a loss. Hyundai should replace my engine considering these engines have a history of failing. It only has 103K miles on it. It was just in the shop a week before for the undercarriage coating, inspected and no major concerns. I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE WITH NO WARNING- ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! PLEASE HELP!!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Nov 2024
Nov 2024

The car started making a very loud knocking noise while driving and became un-drivable due to the engine knocking and sputtering. Safety was compromised due to not being able to safely drive the vehicle the appropriate speed as this began suddenly. The car was taken to the dealership where the determined that it had rod bearing failure and the engine needed replaced. There is a recall for the same make, model, and year of the car, but the VIN number is different. The recall that is out for other VIN of the same car and engine states that there is rod bearing failure due to a faulty crankshaft. This has been confirmed by the dealership. There were no warning lights or indications that the car was not in proper mechanical shape prior to the issue. The dealership and corporate are unwilling to work with us to have this issue repaired under the recall, even though it is the same issue, since it is 17,000 miles over the warranty and that the recall β€œdoes not affect our VIN number.” The engine that the car needs is not available unless it is a used engine as there are so many issues with said engine, which then makes the engine extremely expensive and difficult to locate.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2023
Nov 2024

I have always kept up on my oil changes. Driving down the road all of a sudden my engine turned off. No check engine lights or anything. Toed it to the dealer and the said the motor seized. Looking online this is a known problem. Vehicle no longer coverd by warranty.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Nov 2024
Nov 2024

The rod bearings went out in the engine causing engine failure.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2023
Oct 2024

I went for an oil engine and they told me that my engine didn't have any oil. I checked for oil leaks and the vehicle does not have any oil leaks. My car has 100,480 mileage and have never been in any sort of accident.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2024
Oct 2024

My car has 81,000 miles on it, I have had regular oil changes and after reading many recalls on here I see I am definitely not alone. My check engine light stays on, after paying $100. for dealer to check the codes I was told nothing in particular showed a problem even though I have to put oil in my car between oil changes and there are no leaks on drive. Apparently the 100K mile warranty is not being honored from the other reports I have read on here. Why ??? The price of new cars is beyond reach and if dealer is claiming there is a warranty there be should be way to make them honor it!!!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Feb 2019
Oct 2024

The engine seized. Driving at 55 mph on a 4 lane highway outside of city limits, the vehicle went into limp mode. Luckily, it was later in the evening with less traffic and I was fortunate enough to be able to turn into a left turn lane and coast into an office building parking lot. There was no shoulder available if I had been in the right lane and somewhat of a rural area. There were no sensors that alerted me prior to this happening. But, when it did happen the dash board lit up like a Christmas tree! It was 6:30 pm, I coasted into a parking spot in the lot and turned the car off. It would not start and I contacted a tow service. I had it towed to an automotive shop near my home. They confirmed the next morning, that there was no oil on the dip stick and the engine seized. They alerted me to the fact that this has become a common problem with this Hyundai engine. I then had the vehicle towed the Hyundai dealership where we purchased the vehicle. We are the original owner. The vehicle is sitting at Rosen Hyundai in Algonquin, IL and should be available for inspection. Monica at the dealership called me after the inspection and confirmed that this is a common issue with this vehicle. She at first used the word recall...and when I asked if there was a recall, she said not a recall, but Hyundai has issued a BULLETIN about this problem. At first, she stated that my maintenance records were in order and being the original owner I qualified to file a claim with Hyundai for engine replacement. 3 days later, she called and stated that Hyundai needed more proof of maintenance than what they could pull off Carfax or my claim was going to be denied. She sent me a picture of the engine and stated that the valves show neglect. I replied of course they do....the engine seized! There was never ever any low oil warning light, check engine or or any warning lights what so ever prior to the event! Hyundai admitted that there is no low oil sensor warning.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2024
Oct 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal ticking noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the noise was coming from cylinder #3 and the lifters. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer Service Center at Gurley Leep Hyundai (5302 Grape Rd Suite #3, Mishawaka, IN 46545); which determined that the cam shaft and pump electronic body sensor, ABS, and harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2021
Oct 2024

Since this vehicle reached about 75,000 miles, it has been burning oil like crazy. We have to add a quart every 7-10 days. It drives fine, there’s no oil leaks, no smoke from the tailpipe. We took the car to Hyundai and they did their oil consumption tests. They came to the conclusion that this was within the normal range and would do nothing for us. This needs to be fixed, Hyundai!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2020
Oct 2024

The engine consumed all of the oil and now has to be replaced

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2024
Oct 2024

Over the past year, the engine light continues to come on. The first time this happened, there was no oil in the reservoir even though it had recently had an oil change. They did another oil change and sent us on our way. The next time.[XXX], the check engine light came there was a loud clanking sound and low oil again. This was the code the dealership said it was: Code P0021 [XXX] . He suggested a tune-up at this time. He says the engine light should stay off. We just need to continue to check the oil. [XXX]. Check engine light came on again as my son was driving. He lost pressure is the gas pedal. When he pushed it, the vehicle would not accelerate. We has it towed to the same dealership On 10/2/24, they were finally able to tell us what Hyundai felt was wrong: Timing components will need to be replaced- the timing tensioner or chain has failed $4363.20. We pushed back because our personal mechanic said the following: We were told by our mechanic and some of the research that we did that the breaking of the timing chain is connected to the loss of oil pressure that has been happening because of the default in the engine which is part of the recall for that vehicle. What can they tell us about that? Those timing chains are supposed to last a long time and not go out at 130,000 miles or whatever the odometer reading is now. Can this be considered in the recall information for replacing the engine? It does not seem that they're really working with us or helping us on this. Our contact person went back to his shop foreman who went back to Hyundai to ask about this. He then said his shop foreman said it doesn't seem to be directly related to that warranty extension TXX8 - but we will submit all information to Hyundai prior approval and see what they say. It then took him until October 14 to say the following: Hyundai is asking my master technician to remove the valve valve cover and inspect timing parts closer. We took it to another INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2024
Sep 2024

Engine suddenly stopped working on the highway, we towed the car to the garage and they mentioned that the crankshaft was misaligned and that the engine must be replaced. We were good with our oil changes over the life of our ownership of the car. It only has 119K miles.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2024
Sep 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. The VIN was not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2024
Sep 2024

[XXX] this engine was replaced under the Hundai Theta Engine Settlement at 91,654 miles. I am the original owner. This problem first started when oil light was on and my regular mechanic sent me to Hyundai because engine required excessive amts of oil. Oil usage test conducted, engine replaced under the NATIONAL RECALL. I have maintained car with regular service before and since that time. 10-14/2024 Good Year Center did my routine oil change at 190,027 on this replacement engine. At time of service, this second engine had 91,463 miles since being replaced in 2022. I did service in readiness for upcoming Thanksgiving vaca. 11/29/29. on [XXX] [XXX] at Greenville, Ala...check engine light began flashing... car was vibrating, shaking, making noise...oil light also went on, I began losing power . I pulled off hwy at [XXX} exit..still making noise, slowing down.. got to bottom of ramp was able to coast into parking lot of station/rest. 189 miles from home. Checked oil...none on dipstick, still vibrating and making noise. man from station came to help and told me to shut it off. he checked oil, looked under car. nothing running out, filter on tight. He worked at restaurant was also a mechanic... Got his meter and read the codes...saying that spark plugs 3 &4 were bad. Spark plugs changed 1/18/24 at Good year service center. He put in 4 qts of oil. tried to start car, oil light and check engine light still flashing. When he removed 3 and 4 plug tips were burnt and singed black. replaced plugs, started car... both check in light (now steady on) and oil light still on. still idling very rough and vibrating with noise. checked spark plugs again.. when he removed plug, it was coated in oil. Car towed 189 miles. dealer said burnt valve, not related to oil all over engine. Engine cost at 7000-9000. Not warranty issue per dealer. reported to corporate, still no response INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Nov 2024
Sep 2024

Like many others, car consumed a quart of oil each 500-1,000 miles driven. Car received synthetic oil changes every other month along with additional quarts of oil in between oil changes. All service records maintained with receipts of additional oil quarts purchased. Car NEVER displayed any warning lights for low oil pressure or check engine lights. While driving on the highway at 65 MPH, engine seized. Was able to pull over safely and had car towed to the dealership. Service manager at dealer claims it will be over $20k to fix but Hyundai is only willing to cover 70% because it’s no longer covered under warranty and isn’t backed by their extended warranty offer. What a way to admit fault but gaslighting the consumer into believing it’s the consumer’s fault for a faulty product. Hyundai does not allow outside mechanics to look at vehicle or make repairs if you want them to take responsibility. So stuck with paying inflated dealer fees for repair and labor.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2024
Sep 2024

On 7/24/24 I was driving off the expressway near my home when as I was switching lanes the vehicle made a loud clunk noise (it was like the sound of a lock turning but louder) and stopped accelerating, eventually coming to a full stop in the middle of the lane. Since I was blocking the lane, and it was during rush hour, I called the police to have them escort me out of the lane and into the middle divide. I had my vehicle towed to my home where my personal mechanic showed up to do an inspection. He tried turning on the car, but it only made a single-clicking noise. Next, he checked the oil and discovered that the dipstick was completely dry. He advised that the engine was seized due to no oil and suggested that I reach out to the location I had my last oil change at. An independent inspector completed a diagnostic on the vehicle and concluded the following: The top of this engine was dry and there were no oil stains on the underside of the hood or pooled in the engine compartment to suggest this engine leaked or displaced oil from the fill hole area. The oil fill cap was in the valve cover, tight and properly orientated. The oil pan drain plug was tight in the pan and not leaking. No torque seal or paint had been used on the drain plug or the oil pan. There was no impact damage to the oil pan. The inspector verified the oil filter housing and cover were dry with no signs of an active leak. The inspector verified the engine had been leaking oil to an active drip from the rear main engine oil seal, valve cover gaskets and from the oil pan gasket. There was also an excessive amount of soot and wetness in the tailpipes consistent with excessive oil consumption and the inspector observed a film of oil was present on the rear of the vehicle at both sides further indicating excessive oil consumption. The inspector attempted to start the engine and verified there was only a single clunk noise audible in the engine it could not be rotated indicating it was internally seized.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2024
Sep 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, the vehicle started shuddering and the stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the Emission System Fault warning light started blinking. The contact was able to safely take the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V578000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2024
Sep 2024

Vehicle stalled while driving and began knocking

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2024
Sep 2024

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe sport 2.0 purchased brand new on July 2016. A month ago with 73322km mileage, engine failure occurred on the highway. First, I heard a rattling sound, then car started to shake, engine light blinking, oil change light went off (which never) happens, and the car started to decelerate on the highway. Upon finding the next exit, as I was turning right at the lights, car shut off completely. Went to the nearest Hyundai dealership which was within 2kms. The car was moderately drivable up to the dealership, and was advised that it is unsafe for continuous use. The dealership's diagnostics were: piston or 2nd cylinder was not compressing and spark plug burned. Hyundai Streetsville, Mississauga advised me to pay $8000 for a new engine or sell them the car. Had the car towed from this dealership to my local dealership Schlueter Hyundai in Waterloo. Their diagnostics were: Vehicle has dead miss, cylinder #2 pulled plug and bore scoped cylinder found piston melted around the edge causing no compression. Hyundai Canada denied warranty as it is past 5 years despite low mileage and regular maintenance at their own dealership. Went to Hyundai Canada to determine if there is recall on this particular issue and now was filed. Another friend who owned a similar car with 140 000 mileage, engine caught on fire on the highway. My car is available for inspection. Thankfully, there were no accidents or injuries that occurred. My concern is the potential for accidents on the highway and other vehicles that have this issue & there is no recall on the Hyundai Canada website.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2024
Sep 2024

While driving in rush hour on interstate 75 on my way to work, my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe completely shut off without any warning lights or indication of any problems. I had to drift without power in my vehicle to the far right shoulder over 4 lanes of traffic. I was towed to a Hyundai dealership who confirmed my engine seized due to a rod bearing issue. A rod was thrown due to engine wearing bear.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2023
Aug 2024

Complete engine failure at 150,000. No check engine or warning lights prior to failure. I was traveling at 75 mph on the freeway when the engine lost power and locked up. I was barely able to make it safely to an exit before it fully shut down. After stopping, oil was profusely leaking out of the vehicle. When levels were checked it was completely empty. I know for a fact the oil was full before driving because I checked it and topped it off. Vehicle has been inspected by the dealership it was purchased from and they confirmed engine failure.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2024
Aug 2024

Engine failed due to metal shavings and oil consumption issue. CHeck engine light came on and I immediatley took for service. IT has been examined by car dealer who got approval for 90% of engine replacement. Feel it should be 100% and fall under 11006230 and be covered 100%

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2024
Aug 2024

car started doing a weird noise. car checked at dealership, mentioned that it was probably the engine but that there was no engine light on. Car released back to us since no warning light was on. Engine died about a week later while driving (luckily, we were in a parking lot and our kids were not in the car). vehicle has been at dealership for more than 3 months.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2024
Aug 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was making an abnormal sound and the RPM increased. In addition, the contact stated that every 2,000 miles engine oil needed to be added to the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a cracked valve cover and excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty due to the codes received per the diagnostic test. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 142,500.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2024

Trend Over Time

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Quick Summary

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe has 464 Engine complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.