10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,698 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems

engine problem

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2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #42

Jul 222023

Santa Fe

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

A knocking noise from the engine that increases in frequency as the engine rpm increases. Reduced power and/or hesitation and vibration. Illumination of the -??check engine-?? light in the instrument cluster. Illumination of the -??engine oil pressure-?? warning lamp. My car will drive up to maybe 37mph and then the engine will seize up and go into safety mode and it becomes inoperable. THIS is a death trap if we suddenly stall out on the highway or at a higher rate of speed!!!! The dealership is basically saying oh well, it is out of warranty. I just bought this car from Banister Nissan on 6/5/2023. Less than 60 days ago.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #41

Mar 182023

Santa Fe

  • 77,000 miles
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. I had it towed to the dealership, and they stated I had a bad engine, and Hyundai may replace it but it will take the shop 4-6 months to even take the engine apart to see whats happening. I'm out of a car for at least 4 months probably more, and there is nothing I can do. The mechanic is thinking there is an issue with the bearing.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #40

May 122022

Santa Fe

  • miles
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving, the vehicle stopped accelerating. The vehicle operated appropriately until half way through the drive. At stops, it would take several seconds (30ish) for the car to go about 20 mph (rough estimate). The car would not go above 50mph, and this took a few minutes to reach with the gas pedal all the way down. I parked the car and had it towed. After approximately a month at the dealership, the dealership text that there was a hole in the valve cover and that the engine would also need to be replaced. They did not say what was wrong with the engine and later stated, also via text, that to do a diagnostic it would be $350. I purchased the car used with approximately 45000 miles 10 months prior. At the time of the incident, there were 62000 miles on the vehicle. They stated that it would not be covered under warranty because I was not the original owner. I purchased the extended warranty at the time of purchase. They then filed a claim with that policy and we are awaiting an inspector to look at the vehicle. There were no warning lights prior to the issue. My family, husband and 3 children were in the car and it was dangerous because we were on a busy road and the car would not go to the speed of traffic. We are awaiting an inspector to look at the vehicle. The vehicle is currently still at the dealership. If requested, I am willing to have the car inspected. The incident occurred 5/12/2022.

- Shelbyville, TN, USA

problem #39

Feb 282020

Santa Fe

  • 3,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a Hyundai 2017 Santa Fe. I, my husband, and my daughter are experiencing (from the time of purchase & reported to the Hyundai dealer) a serious & dangerous lag with acceleration. This has happened numerous times, the car hesitates badly when coming out of turns and attempting to accelerate...just short of coming to a stop. It is very dangerous when pulling into traffic and appears to be getting more frequent. I have found several forums reporting the same issues. Will Hyundai fix this issue?

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #38

Nov 092020

Santa Fe

  • 48,500 miles
While driving my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe sport 2.0T to enter the freeway, the car would not accelerate normally. It started to shake and felt like the engine was "misfiring" after several minutes, I was able to get up to 60mph. I tried taking my foot off of the accelerator and pressing it again but it would only lose speed and then I'd have to work my way up to 60 mph. I was travelling straight and on a flat road. Engine light would come on when foot was on accelerator, then it went off. Once I was off the freeway and tried to make a right turn from a stop, car wouldn't accelerate going up the incline and the car behind me almost hit my tail end. Finally, I turned left to go up the hill toward my house, I could only get up to 15 mph but rpms were between 3500-4000. Luckily there was no traffic behind me but I was afraid I wasn't going to make it up the street or that some car would come up behind me and my car would stop. In order for a car to be safe it needs to be reliable in acceleration as much as braking and steering! I have an appointment at the dealership day after tomorrow.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #37

Sep 172020

Santa Fe

  • miles
During acceleration from a stop sign/red light or turning the engine hesitates for approximately 5 seconds after several tries before reaching desired speed. When using cruise control on freeways there is a 10 to 15 second delay when accelerating or passing another vehicle which in one instance caused a near accident on a high speed freeway. My vehicle slowed down causing other vehicles go around me passing from the right side lane. These hesitations have caused me several near accidents and makes me not feel confident when driving this car. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership on many occasions and they report no error codes show up and, the mechanic cannot duplicate the problem. However, the dealer replaced the transmission earlier this year. There has been no improvement. I have reviewed many other complaints of this hesitation problem. Will it take death reports to help us owners? my issue began in 2018 right after purchase and the problem is occurring more often now. No help is in sight when Hyundai and the dealership refuses to admit the problem and makes me and other owners feel like we don't know our vehicles or our own minds!! we need help before a death occurs not after!!

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #36

Mar 252019

Santa Fe

  • 29,792 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated independently and stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times and was towed to miller Hyundai located at (4455 vestal pkwy E, vestal, NY 13850) where unknown repairs were provided however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was repaired a total of 6 times by the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure and offered minimal monetary assistance. The failure mileage was 29,792.

- Windsor, NY, USA

problem #35

Jan 192020

Santa Fe

  • 31,000 miles
On the interstate, pressed the gas pedal and the vehicle did not and would not accelerate. I tried multiple times. RPM went up to 5000 but shifting the transmission into sports mode and downshifting and upshifting made no difference in the speed of the vehicle. Speed remained the same, engine roared as if in neutral. I pulled off the interstate, cut off the vehicle for several minutes, restarted the vehicle, returned to the interstate and could accelerate. This happened multiple times in 2017 and 2018 both on the highway and city streets. In 2018, taken to pearson Hyundai and could not be fixed because no error codes. After a dangerous, identical incident on the interstate in May 2019, taken to pearson Hyundai. They performed a tcu and ECU software update May 21, 2019. This latest incident is a repeat of the May 2019 problem. The problem is random and unpredictable but occurs on both highway and street speeds. The inability to accelerate without warning will eventually cause an accident. We also own a 2016 Santa Fe sport turbo AWD that has not had any of these acceleration problems. Changes were made in the 2017 model year to the engine and transmission that are impacting acceleration.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #34

Jan 142020

Santa Fe

  • 30,700 miles
When I drive going straight at about 40 to 48 mph on eco mode or any drive mode the car jumps/ jerks like it shifts into a low gear and then goes back into a high gear with no heavy acceleration. If I have it on cruise control at 45mph it will kick back and forth occasionally as if I was slamming on the gas pedal then slightly on the break but quickly.

- Pingree Grove, IL, USA

problem #33

May 152019

Santa Fe

  • 30,000 miles
When making right turns, my car suddenly stops accelerating for a few seconds. This usually happens when either the car is stopped and then I go to turn, or turning at a very low rate of speed around a corner. When I push down on the gas pedal to go, it takes off abruptly or with a surge. This is concerning, especially if a car is following behind me. I also notice it when stopped at a light, going straight also but not nearly as much as when I am making a turn.

- Davenport, IA, USA

problem #32

Oct 092019

Santa Fe

  • 62,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While turning right out of a parking lot onto a two lane road, the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating for 3-5 seconds as a truck was bearing down on us. The position of the gas pedal made no difference. The engine was running at an idle with zero response from pedal input. When it did finally accelerate, it lurched forward as the pedal was pressed to the floor. We are also experiencing what could be described as a shudder when decelerating to a stop. It typically seems to occur between 20-12 mph. It feels as if the engine is stumbling or it is having trouble downshifting smoothly.

- Palatka, FL, USA

problem #31

Sep 162019

Santa Fe

  • 21,764 miles
I was driving from kellogg, mn to winona, mn and I stopped at lark toys. While joining mn highway 61, turning right I had to accelerate. I was in sport mode and vehicle accelerated and almost stopped. Luckily no accident occurred, I had my 17 month kid and my wife in the car. Car after that gave check engine light warning and it would not accelerate. I changed to eco mode and then it slowly started to accelerate, but at about 20 miles an hour it jerked again, but I pressed accelerate hard and it sustained speed. But it wont go over 65 miles an hour. I slowly made it home. But I tried to drive again and same issue. Called Hyundai customer support and they refused to rochester as it is 46 miles and they only support 20 miles or less tow. My car is still under manufacture warranty and yet worst service. I almost got killed today with my 17 month toddler

- Winona, MN, USA

problem #30

Apr 282019

Santa Fe

  • 9,000 miles
I was making a left turn on to a street going uphill and my 2017 Hyundai sante fe sport AWD ultimate hesitated for approximately 10 seconds. When I pressed the gas I could not get speed. My traction lights blinked on and off. I had to floor the gas to gain speed. This is extremely dangerous. I could have been T- boned or hit from behind if there was traffic on the street.

- West Orange, NJ, USA

problem #29

Oct 272018

Santa Fe

  • 18,000 miles
Vehicle almost stalled when accelerating from a slow speeds. This happened several times in the past especially when taking turns. Dangerous when trying to merge onto traffic lanes. This happened several times and fortunately didn't end up in accident. Happens in drive modes eco, normal..called dealer and they are not aware of such an issue but several incidents reported online.

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #28

Oct 172018

Santa Fe

  • 12,000 miles
I had my car for 12 months I bought bran new. It has staled and turn off on me at least 5 times. This is a safety issue especially on the freeway the car loses power and stops.than before it stops makes a knocking noise.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #27

Jul 072018

Santa Fe

  • 20,500 miles
Failure to accelerate from a stop position. Pulled off the highway onto the off ramp. Came to a stop then tried to turn left. Vehicle barely moved and had to accelerate to over 2500 RPM and several seconds later to get the vehicle barely moving. Pulled off the road, put the vehicle into manual shift mode to find the transmission is locked into 4th gear and cannot be downshifted to 1st. Vehicle continued to be locked into 4th gear after each stop. Turning off the vehicle and restarting temporarily corrects the problem. Potential major safety issue. Vehicle now with dealer to resolve

- Lake Wales, FL, USA

problem #26

Apr 012018

Santa Fe

  • 7,000 miles
Acceleration issues. On at least two separate occasions, acceleration from a stop resulted in the car staying at the same speed. Had to remove my foot from the gas pedal and reapply several times to get it moving. Normally, applying throttle pushes individuals back on their seats. Car was taken to laurel Hyundai and per the techs "unable to replicate customers concern on road test, no codes stored or present in system, no tab's for concern found". looking at getting rid of this vehicle due to this serious safety issue.

- Somerset, PA, USA

problem #25

Mar 282018

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,100 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle lost acceleration while making a left turn. The contact continually depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle would not accelerate forward. In addition, the traction control indicator illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure. Dealer made software update on 4/2/2018 and contact has had no issues since. The failure mileage was 1,100.

- Portsmouth, NH, USA

problem #24

Mar 012018

Santa Fe

  • 10 miles
The vehicle from time to time about once a week stalls while accelerating, it happened so far while doing a left turn on local streets. This is very dangerous and can cause an accident

- Spring Valley, NY, USA

problem #23

Feb 072018

Santa Fe

  • 4,500 miles
The digital speedometer disappeared and the software functionality to enable it also disappeared while driving on a street.

- Tampa, FL, USA

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