Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the oil warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who replaced the gasket, engine plug, and replenished the oil. After return of the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. Additionally, there was an abnormal odor of burning engine oil. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where metal shavings were discovered in the oil pan. Due to the failure, the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that she received an alert notification on her phone of an undisclosed recall. The contact then notified the dealer and confirmed that the VIN was included the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V810000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and scheduled an appointment. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed to the dealer, she noticed smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact then heard a loud explosion coming from under the hood and abruptly depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull off the roadway. The contact became aware of a trail of oil on the ground. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an internal combustion failure and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. …
The contact owned a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle in stop-and-go traffic, a burning odor was suddenly present inside the cabin of the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle smoke and flames were coming from under the hood and the fire department was called to the scene to extinguish the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed away. The manufacturer was contacted regarding the incident and later retrieved the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 162,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated and lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The check engine warning light, the malfunction indicator light and two other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart, but failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine rod bearing failure. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced and submitted a claim to the manufacturer. The dealer later informed the contact that the manufacturer had denied the claim. …
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sante Fe. The contact stated that after she purchased the vehicle while driving, she rear-ended another vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the engine was replaced however, the contact stated that two to three hours later while driving, the RPM's failed to increase over number two and the engine failed to engage at 45 MPH. The contact then stated that while driving or idling, she heard a rattling noise in the engine, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pressure sensor regulator and the camshaft timing belt failed. The contact then stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that two head gaskets failed and the engine needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH and attempting to overtake another vehicle, the vehicle lost automotive power and decelerated with the check engine, battery, and oil warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was parked on the shoulder of the highway, and smoke was coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that after parking on the shoulder, the brakes erroneously activated, and the vehicle failed to move forward. The contact stated that moments later there were flames and smoke was coming from under the hood. The contact exited the vehicle. The Fire Department was called to the scene, and the flames were extinguished by the firemen. The vehicle was destroyed in the fire. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. …
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. After replacing the engine, each time the vehicle was in for routine service the mechanic noted that the engine coolant was low. Later while driving there was a loud popping noise coming from the engine compartment before the engine was engulfed in flames. During the failure, the vehicle and camping equipment were destroyed. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.
The contact's daughter owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. While the owner was driving approximately 70 MPH, the engine started making a knocking sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver called the contact and was advised to pull over to the side of the road and turn off the vehicle. Once the vehicle was turned off, it was towed to a certified mechanic who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to another mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, who confirmed the failure and that the engine needed to be repaired. …
Related recalls (2)
Engine
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement…
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine, replacing the engine short block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151.
NHTSA investigations
Engine Fires
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Santa Fe Sport years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (221), 2018 (207), 2013 (119), 2014 (104) and 2015 (46) model years. Engine complaints make up 62% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Santa Fe Sport engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 18V-934 (engine, Dec 28, 2018); 17V-226 (engine, Mar 31, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Santa Fe Sport engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › oil/lubrication (4 mentions), followed by the cooling system (2).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.