Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The engine in our 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 3.3L V6 has always had problems with lag/ hesitation when accelerating from a stop from the very beginning of ownership (first owner). This was always dismissed by Hyundai's mechanics as not actually existing, although it did lag constantly. I know many other have reported similar issues so, I include this only that it could potentially be an early sign of a manufacturers defect leading to larger problems later? Now, we regularly change the oil in our Santa Fe and have never seen a single warning light outside of tire pressure warnings. …
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, The vehicle stopped abruptly. The check engine warning light, the battery warning light and the low oil warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact stated while the towing company was jumpstarting the vehicle, they noticed smoke coming out of the engine compartment and the engine oil was leaking on the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the engine was locked; however, the independent mechanic could not replicate the failure. The vehicle was towed to a another independent mechanic who advised as the previous one. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine was locked due to the connecting rod bearing failure. …
My engine had been using oil at a very fast rate and I was just told that hyundai consume a lot of oil. I have had this car since 77k miles and have issues ever since I bought it. At first I had issues with it not accelerating on the interstate and then it would randomly stop while I was driving, almost like a car hiccup. I took it to the dealership, and other car shops and no one found anything wrong. Finally two weeks ago, I was on I85 and my car was driving really roughly and idling roughly as well. No lights came on until it started to decelerate on the interstate to 30 miles an hour and I had to pull off to the side of the road. Then a bunch of different lights came on and I turned it off and it wouldn't turn back on. …
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil after approximately 1,500 miles, 2 weeks after an oil change was performed. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle was sluggish while attempting to accelerate. The check engine warning light has been illuminated since purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with turbocharger failure. The contact was informed that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. There was no oil found on the dipstick when the oil level was checked. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The dealer determined that an oil consumption test was needed. Additionally, a cleaning of the oil system and an oil change were recommended. The vehicle was not repaired because it was not under recall. …
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled and hesitated to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine and check engine oil warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local O'Reilly's, where it was diagnosed with ignition coil #3 misfire. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to severe engine oil consumption. The vehicle was then to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with abnormal engine oil consumption, and the dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle required an engine oil refill 800-1,000 miles before an engine oil change was due. …
I had just had my inspection done 8/31/23 (96,759 miles), they checked all fluid levels as a curtesy and engine oil was fine. on 9/17/23 my vehicle went into safety mode and would not go over 40 mph. No engine oil lights or check engine lights came on. I pulled over and checked the oil and there was barely any. I added two quarts of oil and it started running fine immediately. The next morning, I checked the oil again and added another quart. On 9/19/23 I took it to have the oil changed (99,534 miles). On 9/22/23 the car started making a funny noise, pulled off the freeway and as we were trying to reach a safe spot to stop the engine blew a rod (100,004 miles). Again, no engine oil lights or check engine lights came on. This is a reoccurring theme in the research I have since done. This could have blown while driving 70 mph on a freeway! …
The contact owned a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized, and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The failure nearly caused a collision. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact traded the vehicle. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the dealer previously performed an unknown repair after the engine was smoking, leaking oil, and making knocking sounds while driving. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered the contact a gift card. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. UPDATE 06/13/2023- Consumer is requesting reimbursement of $200 for the firestone evaluation, $1100 for repair cost, $600 for the rental, $50 for the tow, & $7000 for the loss in trade-in. …
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the rod bearings replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called a second local dealer, Pearson Hyundai (11701 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23113: [phone]) and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH the vehicle had begun to make an abnormal banging and knocking sound from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over, turned the vehicle off, and checked under the hood for any debris or loose engine parts that could account for the banging sounds. The contact turned the vehicle back on normally and there was no engine noise, however when he placed the vehicle into drive (D) and depressed the accelerator the loud banging noise started. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to his residence and checked the oil and noted that the dip stick showed no oil at the tip. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. …
On November 14, 2022 at approximately 0800 while traveling 495N in Massachusetts from Cape Cod my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe with 109,000 miles experienced catastrophic engine failure. I was maintaining a speed of approximately 70 MPH when without waring the 3.3L V6 engine stalled and made loud clunking noises while smoke filled up the cabin of the vehicle causing me to cough and choke, my visibility was also diminished. I was fortunate enough to pull the vehicle to the right side of the highway and did cut someone off because I panicked and could not see almost causing a serious crash. The vehicle was then towed to a Hyundai dealership in Raynham, MA. …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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.
NHTSA investigations
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.
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.
Engine complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 670 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, 69% of the model year's 970 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › crankcase (pcv) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-578 (engine, Sep 20, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 13 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.