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 contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was jumping from left to right. The contact stated that the ESC and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side wheel speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. Additionally, the steering column housing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving, the steering wheel had extensive play. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 6,200.
The engine throttles while accelerating and leaks oil and a burning smell comes from under the hood. the smell passes through the air vents and fills the car. I am afraid it might catch fire under the hood. The suspension makes noise and can also feel on the steering wheel. I will appreciate the company if they take safety measures in fixing this issue.
While traveling at approximately 60mph I decelerated to make a left turn through a busy intersection (evening rush hour traffic). While decelerating, I felt the car give a "shudder" at which point I looked to the dash to see the check engine light blinking, then the battery light illuminated. At this point, while passing through the intersection turning left, the engine shut off, as well as the power steering. The car coasted through the intersection and came to a stop barely out of the crossing lane. It would not restart and I was forced to push the car with my family inside to a safer position. Prior to this event there had been no drivability issues, no other times that warning lights had come on. The only issue of note that I have had for this vehicle is a seemingly excessive amount of engine oil being consumed. …
The steering is sticky or notchy, it gets stuck like it moves around grooves instead of being linear. Since its not linear, every notchy movement requires a correction towards the opposite side and that results in over correction and this way the car is zig-zaggy. This becomes very prominent as speeds more than 40 mph, and quite significant on highways. Several time reporting to dealer, over the 6+ years of ownership, they have failed to recognize the issue and provide a fix. Several people have reported the same and can be viewed by searching for sticky steering problem and its not restricted to sante fe models. This is highly dangerous on the highways constantly having to correct and overcorrect and increases driver fatigue. Hyundai fails to recognize this hazardous steering issue and provide a voluntary fix or recall.
The steering left side electrical components quit working at the same time without warning. This is all related to the Air Bag clock spring a serious safety defect that disables the airbag and possibly horn. I have taken the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership for diagnostics and this is what was found. "Needs immediate attention [Primary]: SSD : STEERING OR SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS Air Bag - Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: CLOCK SPRING HAS SHORTED OUT CAUSING ALL THE BUTTONS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL NOT TO WORK This assembly consists of a clock spring, which is a coil that retracts and expands inside its housing as the steering wheel turns. Its function is to maintain electrical continuity for all the components on the drivers airbag.
While driving the steering wheel stutters and moves the vehicle all over the road. Does this at all speeds. Worse was on the interstate and I nearly ran off the road at 70 mph. Dealer says the vehicle needs a new steering column on March 3, 2022. Under 40,000 miles. This is not due to normal wear and tear or operator use. They claim this is not a warranty issue or recall. This vehicle is unsafe to drive.
The car has a steering defect. The defect causes the car to wonder from lane to lane requiring the driver to constantly make corrections. This is especially dangerous when you are between two vehicles. The car has been back to the dealer numerous times and they state that there is no problem with the steering. Hyundai National claims claims that the defect does not exist.
While driving the vehicle there is a noticeable "locking or sticking" in the the steering wheel while driving. This issue is most notable at a driving speed over 35 mph. Due to the vehicle not having a steering fluid reservoir, it is not possible to see if the power steering fluid is below the recommended levels.
Sticky steering wheel when traveling on straight roadways and highways above 40 MPH. I noticed a slight stick to the steering wheel while traveling on the freeway or on a straight road above 40 MPH. This problem started at 15,000 miles. The steering wheel tends to stick when trying to track straight which causes me to consistently swerve while trying to correct. We took it to the dealership where they were able to identify the issue as a bad mdps unit (steering column shaft assembly) part#56310-2w840. While at the shop, I decided to do some research on my own and found that this unit has been identified in other makes and models as a bad unit due to a rubber coupler inside the mdps and Hyundai has extended the warranty on these parts. I believe that there should be an extended warranty on this part beyond the factory warranty for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. …
While driving at 25 MPH, numerous warning lights illuminated, including low tires, steering, other codes consisting of letters. Power steering failed, power brakes failed. Engine was still running. We were able to pull the car off the road safely. Steering warning light still illuminated as were tire warnings. The tires were fully inflated, engine still running. We turned the engine off, raised the hood to check for thrown belt. Belts were intact. Tried to restart the engine, it made a clicking and a sizzling sound and would not start. Called dealer, dealer gave number for Hyundai assurance. They came and picked up the car. If we had been driving any faster, or in traffic, the automobile's failure could have caused an accident. If we had been on the highway, someone could have been hurt or killed. After a couple of days we were given a courtesy car. After a week, the car was repaired. …
Steering complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the steering of the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, 3% of the model year's 970 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles, and 69% before 25,000 miles.
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.