The Used Car Index

2017 Hyundai Santa FE problems

NHTSA lists 968 complaints for the 2017 Hyundai Santa FE, 14 of them mention a crash and 23 mention a fire. 11 complaints mention an injury, with 18 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as HYUNDAI SANTA FE.

At a glance

Complaints
968
With crash
14
With fire
23
With injury (complaints)
11
Injuries
18
Deaths
0
Recalls
6
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
1
Recall potential units (maximum)
437,400
Investigations
3
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
140

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. The available sales group does not match this vehicle variant.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ENGINE64967.0%
POWER TRAIN16517.0%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER929.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM687.0%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM606.2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL545.6%
SERVICE BRAKES343.5%
STEERING272.8%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC242.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING232.4%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY7
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING6
LANE DEPARTUREBLIND SPOT DETECTION4
VISIBILITYSUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCRUISE CONTROL2
BACK OVER PREVENTIONREARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMINSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure50251.9%0.85
loss of control24725.5%0.77
electrical electronic747.6%0.74
fluid or fuel leak343.5%0.78
unclear313.2%0.87
fire or overheating293.0%0.88
restraint or airbag242.5%0.85
noise or comfort121.2%0.79
structural or corrosion90.9%0.66
visibility or lighting60.6%0.82
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate68170.4%0.83
low23524.3%0.68
high363.7%0.85
critical111.1%0.85
none50.5%0.74

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 968 tagged complaints of 968 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

6 recalls.

22V056000

Date: 2022-02-03. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: Yes.

17V578000

Date: 2017-09-20. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 168.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V358000

Date: 2017-06-05. Systems: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V142000

Date: 2017-03-06. Systems: TIRES.

Defect: 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 Vehi (excerpt)

Consequence: An underinflated inflated tire can increase the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V842000

Date: 2016-11-21. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, TRAILER HITCHES.

Defect: 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 be (excerpt)

Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V145000

Date: 2016-03-10. Systems: SEAT BELTS.

Defect: 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, t (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 141. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

3 investigations; 1 open.

DP24001

Opened: 2024-02-08. Closed: 2024-05-16.

3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on February 2, 2024, requesting a defect investigation into an alleged defect of the "engine" on the following vehicle model: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles equipped with the 3.3L V-Shaped GDI Lambda-II engines. The petition cites allegations of a loss of motive power, often resulting in an engine seizure. The stall is preceded by a kno

Systems: ENGINE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

AQ23002

Opened: 2023-11-17. Closed: Not listed.

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect

Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

DP22003

Opened: 2022-09-12. Closed: 2023-12-12.

Loss of Motive Power

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints i

Systems: ENGINE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

140 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM54
EQUIPMENT26
POWER TRAIN20
STEERING15
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY11
ENGINE8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
AIR BAGS5

11033679

Date: 2026-05-23. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Certain 2012 a 2017 model year Accent, 2012 a 2017 model year Azera, 2013 a 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2013 a 2019 model year Santa Fe, and 2012 a 2017 model year Veloster vehicles may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may be set. At Hyun

11032525

Date: 2026-04-25. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s) B1763 (OCS ECU Defect), and/or B1764 (OCS Mat Defect) may be stored. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) / Occupant Detection System (ODS) to 18 ye

11032526

Date: 2026-04-25. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s) B1763 (OCS ECU Defect), and/or B1764 (OCS Mat Defect) may be stored. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) / Occupant Detection System (ODS) to 18 ye

11032522

Date: 2026-04-10. Type: Other. Systems: AIR BAGS.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit drivera side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prio

11032523

Date: 2026-04-10. Type: Other. Systems: AIR BAGS.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous drivera s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the ve

11028950

Date: 2026-02-11. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This service procedure describes to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize the flowcharts as a guide to ensure

11028951

Date: 2026-02-11. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize the flowcharts as a guide to en

11029907

Date: 2026-02-11. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 26-EM-002H describes the procedure to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize t

11026704

Date: 2025-12-19. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

In response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method and made it available to owners of eligible models free of charge at authorized Hyundai dealers since early 2023. In addition to the anti-theft software, wea ve developed a new zinc-reinforced

11027035

Date: 2025-12-15. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Upon customer's request ONLY, the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-01-089H provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front windows. This repair procedure is being provided in addition to the previous Anti-Th

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
SANTA FE968

Same model, other years

All model years | All Hyundai models

Other Hyundai models, 2017

Sources

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