2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Transmission Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  6176%
• 25k–50k
  911%
• 50k–75k
  56%
• 75k–100k
  45%
• 100k–150k
  11%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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. …

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle jerked and shuddered abnormally. Additionally, the transmission hesitated, and the vehicle almost stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was informed that the Service Campaign Number: 9C2 was completed. The contact was informed that the updated software was confusing the transmission and had caused the failure. The contact was informed that the remedy was not yet determined. In addition, the contact was informed that the dealer was waiting on instructions from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 63,036.

I was accelerating on the highway and my RMPS shot the whole way up over 7,000 then bottomed out. I lost speed so I pulled over. Another car pulled over to inform me my car was on fire. I turned the car off and the fire went out. The car was towed to Blaise Alexander (dealership) in Altoona, PA. The mechanic reported that a connector rod went through the oil pan, engine block, and brake starter. He kept repeating to me "I've never seen anything like this before". He reached out to Hyundai to ask if they would cover repairs (starting at $13,790). Hyundai said no. I believe this incident was more than mechanical, and is related to the open recall. I attempted twice to have my car repaired under the recall but the dealership "didn't have the part".

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle stalled with no warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle had been stalling from the time of purchase when making a right or left turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that during cold starts, the vehicle experienced hard shifting from first to second gear. After restarting the vehicle, the failure was corrected. The vehicle was taken to the local transmission specialist who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.

2017 Santa Fe, car had fire in 09/2024 and was with dealership until 05/2025. BSD, ABS, TRACTION, and Parking Brake lights on the dash when vehicle was picked up. Dealership not complaint to pay as the assume it is an Outside issue

On [redacted], I was driving southbound on the highway near Elizabeth City, NC when all of a sudden, my vehicle decelerated from 65 mph to 20 mph (limp mode) with no warning except for the sudden onset of a knocking noise in the engine compartment and the check engine light coming on immediately before entering limp mode. I was in the passing lane and thankfully was able to safely make it to the shoulder of the road. I had the vehicle towed to an independent engine and transmission shop where I was informed that the timing chain had caused severe damage to the engine, including metal shavings in the fluids. I had just had an oil change 3 days prior and am the second owner of the vehicle. It only has approximately 78,500 miles on it and I have only owned it for three months. …

I first brought my car into a Hyundai certified service center after my car shook violently and my check engine light started flashing at me. I had to pull over on the side of a busy highway which is a safety risk on it's own. the Hyundai service center "fixed" my car and I was on my way. this was In September of 2023. on February 14th 2024 the same thing happened leaving me stranded on the side of another busy highway during rush hour traffic. I got the car towed to a dealer and they are telling me I need to replace my engine since there is a malfunction with the exact same parts that they replaced in September. In September They pretty much rebuilt my engine and now, less then 6 months later, they are telling me my engine is shot and needs to be replaced. How could $6,000 worth of engine parts fail after less than 6 month? …

Oil compsumption noted and leakage noted by mechanic. Informed me could cause a fire in engine compartment. Unsafe to drive. I rented a car. . Engine burning oil, high oil consumption, oil leak. Reported to Hyundai. Took vehicle to Kerry Hyundai, Alexandria, Ky. Was informed that Hyundai won't take care of it. Filed a complaint. Mediation through The Better Business Burrau. Claim was denied. I was not driving the car for a couple weeks. I am guardian of 2 school age children transporting to and from school and activities and was concerned for our safety. Took vehicle to Superior Hyundai, Cincinnati, Ohio for an oil change and reported an oil leak. Was informed there was no oil leak. Had oil changes at Valvoline, Newport,Ky, No report of oil leak. Walmart, Ft Wright ,Ky pointed out leak from oil pan. Replaced oil pan. Check engine light came on. …

My wife was driving down the freeway to work during morning commute when her 2017 Santa Fe just lost power, was only able to go maybe 20mph which during an early morning Bay Area commute is very dangerous... No engine light or any warning lights, this lasted for a couple miles until the next exit she pulled off still no warning indicators showing, she turned off the car for a few minutes, then turned it back on to continue to work there was still almost no power but no indicators on the dash, finally after a few minutes started driving normal again. The next day when she was on her way to work, she started getting an oil light, I drove 45min to her job checked and oil level was fine, turns out oil pressure sensor was bad. …

Transmission complaints in other Santa Fe years