2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Report
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (6) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (897) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 35 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2018 | Compare against the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe with 105 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe before buying across this generation. |
Hyundai Santa Fe Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Hyundai Santa Fe years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe | 105 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe | 231 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe | 178 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe | 249 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe | 172 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe | 152 | 7 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
451 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Hyundai onlyPower Train
59 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Hyundai onlyPower Train,Engine
45 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Hyundai onlyUnknown Or Other
36 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Hyundai onlySteering
21 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Hyundai onlyService Brakes, Hydraulic
20 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes, Hydraulic issues Hyundai onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
Reliability Score
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe receives a reliability score of 72 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic Recall issued by Hyundai for certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe and 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport models due to issues with the service brakes, hydraulic control unit/module. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine And Engine Cooling Vehicles equipped with 3.3L engine have reported excessive oil consumption, with some consuming a quart every 250 miles. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Steering issues have been reported, though less frequently than other issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Wiring issues have been reported, though less frequently than other issues. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe:
Issues with the hydraulic control unit/module have been reported.
Excessive oil consumption has been reported.
Steering issues have been reported.
Wiring issues have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe by NHTSA:
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 168.
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Consequence: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that may not have been set in the correct mode during vehicle assembly, and therefore will not provide an appropriate warning in the event of an underinflated tire. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Consequence: An underinflated inflated tire can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the TPMS sensors, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for the recall is 159.
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal...
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses may be damaged by the seat's height adjuster mechanism, resulting in a failure to provide an audible warning when front seat occupants do not fasten their seat belts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMV...
Consequence: Without a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses to their proper locations, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 141.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
These vehicles are not suitable to be on the road, and you NHTSA and Hyundai are doing NOTHING ABOUT IT. These vehicles are EATING oil, a quart every 200 miles. My daughter(college) can't even go on a short road trip to another city without adding oil. The engines in these crap cars are blowing up left & right. There are numerous Facebook page groups for these and sister Kia vehicles with the sa...
After performing regular oil changes, and even a new fuel pump sensor, I experienced an issue. Last oil change was within the past two weeks. Driving home from the mountains, I heard a knocking sound from the engine bay. I narrowed it down to all gears above 2500RPM, increasing knocking with RPM speed. I took it easy on the engine, mostly coasting down the mountain. Suddenly during acceleration on...
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe on March 11, 2024, from a private dealer with approximately 46,000. The contact was informed that the vehicle had only one owner who had leased the vehicle. Recently, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The mechanic retrieved a Carfax report and discovered that the vehicl...
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate to 40 MPH. In addition, the Hill Descent Assist and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, an...
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...
Dashboard cracking - not overly parked in sunlight.
Engine failed at approximately 95000 miles.
My Hyundai Santa Fe has a major oil leak from the oil pressure light. I took the car to a non-Hyundai shop for repair and was told that the problem should be covered under recall campaign 168. Reference Number: 17-01-071, Date of issue: December 01, 2017. A quick check of internet complaints indicates this is a common problem with this type vehicle. My oil pressure light is on at idle after the ca...
Purchased this 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe from dealer with 86K miles. (second owner). Immediately noticed excessive oil consumption. Would take vehicle in for oil top off service, to ensure proper levels. At 99K miles (six months after purchase) lost compression in #2 cylinder while driving on the freeway. Per independent auto repair facility and a Hyundai service center, engine replacement is needed....
Current Mileage: ~94,000 miles Ownership: Second owner (purchased less than one year old at 17,035 miles) I purchased this vehicle in December 2018 when it had approximately 17,035 miles. Since purchase, the vehicle has been consistently and properly maintained, primarily at authorized Hyundai dealerships, with documented oil and filter changes throughout my ownership. All required Hyundai recall...
documented oil-consumption issue with my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, which currently has 98,876 miles. This concern was first formally reported in October 2025. Since that time, I have fully complied with all diagnostic and procedural requirements requested by the dealership, including inspections, documentation, and follow-up visits. The dealership has acknowledged that the vehicle has an ongoing oil...
I currently owned an 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe FWD with the 3.3 V6 Engine with approximately about 136,000 Miles. We were driving into Vegas when we heard the knocking Engine Sounds. Immediately we called the Dealership in Vegas advising them we were going to TOW the vehicle in. Once we get the Vehicle towed over to the dealership, we waited till the following Monday where it was authorized to hav...
My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe began consuming oil at an excessive rate—approximately one quart every 250 miles. The vehicle had around 97,000 miles when I first became concerned. I brought it to the Hyundai dealership for evaluation, and they instructed me to continue driving the vehicle and return after 1,000 miles of driving so they could document the consumption. I returned after only 500 miles bec...
Vehicle: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe On June 9, 2024, when my wife started the vehicle, the engine was immediately knocking. Due to concern for safety and the risk of catastrophic engine failure, the vehicle was not driven and was towed to our home to prevent further damage. Hyundai was contacted shortly after discovery of the issue. During a phone call, we were told there were no active recalls appli...
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that after the completion of an unknown air bag recall repair, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the front passenger's side lower seat assembly needed to be replaced due to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) failure, Part Num...
I purchased my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport secondhand from CarMax and have maintained it regularly with timely oil changes and tune‑ups. Despite this, the vehicle is burning oil at an extreme rate—approximately 1 quart every 378 miles. My local Hyundai dealership confirmed this through three consecutive 1,000‑mile oil consumption tests, all showing excessive oil loss far beyond normal operating li...
Check engine code called issue for cam shaft position error. Replaced sensor, still failing. After reading online forums found that the smaller engine had oil consumption issues, I decided to check oil level, No low oil light, dip stick showed very low oil even though had been to service at Hyundai all correct service intervals. Filled oil to proper level numerous times over last year, monitor i...
Excessive oil leaks. When I fix an oil leak another pop up. Im fixing my 4th oil leak. You can smell the oil burning. Engine is making knocking sounds. Hood latch is not working. You have to hold the hood or it will come down.
I have a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe with ~88,000 miles. I noticed on 12/18/2025 that the oil lamp light came on briefly then turned off. So, I decided to take my car in to get serviced on 12/19/2025. I was told that there is an oil consumption issue with the engine and that Hyundai would need to do a combustion cleaning, and worst case scenario a full engine replacement. Hyundai refuses to cover us und...
Check engine light came on Oil Light came on then the vehicle shut off while I was driving. Safety was not good as I was driving the vehicle. I then had it towed to a shop to have it looked at. That is when I was told I would need a new motor due to a Crankshaft failure. The check engine light had come on the night before but when turning the vehicle on the next morning to take it to get looked at...
Showing 20 of 897 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine
Opened 2024-02-08 · Closed 2024-05-16
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. The stall is preceded by a knocking sound, decreased performance and no warning lights. An analysis of the subject vehicle populat...
Component: Engine
Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12
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. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug...
Component: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Opened 2023-11-17
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando....
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
Has the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has 6 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE have?
The 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has 897 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 14 involved crashes. 18 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
The 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE involve engine (451 complaints), power train (59 complaints), power train,engine (45 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, steering, service brakes, hydraulic.
How many crash reports does the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE have?
There are 14 crash reports associated with the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE out of 897 total complaints (1.6% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE have?
There are 21 fire reports for the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE out of 897 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
18 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE is extreme caution advised. It has 897 complaints, 6 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE are: 1. ENGINE (451 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (59 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (45 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (36 complaints), 5. STEERING (21 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 451 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
Be cautious of service brakes and engine oil consumption issues. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has 897 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
The 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE receives a reliability score of 72/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 897 owner complaints, 6 recalls, and 35 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Service brakes, hydraulic and Engine and engine cooling.
What are the known issues with the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
Known issues with the 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE include: Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Steering, Electrical system. These are based on patterns found across 897 NHTSA complaints. 6 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Yes, there are recalls for service brakes and engine oil consumption issues. Check for recalls and ensure regular maintenance.
What are the common issues with the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Common issues include service brakes, hydraulic control unit/module problems and excessive engine oil consumption.
How often should I check for oil consumption in my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Check for oil consumption regularly, especially if you notice a significant decrease in oil levels.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of service brakes and engine oil consumption issues. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The data includes 897 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 14 reported crashes, 21 fire incidents, 18 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16