general problems of the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe - part 1

I was driving on a main road at 55-60 mph with my daughter and grandchildren in the car and had a sudden loss of power. I was almost hit from behind. The check engine light started blinking. And the car went into limp mode. I had to limp it to the nearest place to safely get off the road so as not to put my family in any other danger. There is not enough shoulder on the road to pull over safely. It was very stressful. Was able to get it in someone's driveway and then eventually towed to auburn,NY Hyundai/Chevrolet where it is currently. It would not turn over to start again. It does have battery power. I am waiting to hear from the service techs as to what they think is wrong. They advised me that there is a $199 per hour diagnostic fee. I also told them that we noticed metal flakes in the oil when we checked it. I feel I should mention that the vehicle went into limp mode a few weeks ago also and the dealership told me the knock sensor was bad. I had that replaced at that time.

Component failed: theta ii 2. 4l gdi engine connecting rod bearings. Vehicle has 95,000 miles. Engine available for inspection in [xxx] . Safety risk: engine knock + limp mode at 1500 rpm caused sudden loss of power on highway. Oil consumption 1l/700km risks catastrophic engine seizure while driving. Confirmed by dealer: independent service center confirmed dtc p0010 from metal debris. Hyundai motor America case #42623761 confirmed recall coverage but refuses remedy. Inspection: manufacturer aware via case #42623761. Local Hyundai dealers non-responsive. No police/insurance inspection. Warning symptoms: engine knock started at ~94,000 miles. Check engine light with dtc p0010. Progressive oil consumption. Limp mode activated at 95,000 miles. Hyundai violation: Hyundai confirmed via email they refuse to honor safety recall 162 / service campaign 966 lifetime warranty for VIN [xxx] despite all symptoms matching recall description. Request NHTSA compel Hyundai to authorize bearing clearance test and engine replacement. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Hair line creak in oil pan. Creak has caused excessive oil consumption and leaks on pavement. Issue was confirmed by antwerpen Hyundai and oil pan was replaced on 4/28/2026 at a cost of $520. 00. As above reported to dealer. Problem started, 1st. Noticed about 9 to 12 months.

While driving home on the highway from our sons hockey game at about 8:30 pm we were going about 60 mph when the car made a noise and began smoking and as we were trying to pull over on the side of the highway noticed by the reflection of a passing car that the engine on our vehicle was on fire under the vehicle. We had to evacuate the vehicle quickly and get our children out on the side of a busy highway with fire showing under the front end of the car.

On 4/17/26 mcdonalds Hyundai of [xxx] , dealership performed an ecu update for theta ii emissions logic improvement (Hyundai campaign number 9c2). Ever since that time the vehicle has been lurching during acceleration. This happens particularly when the vehicle has been sitting for several hours. I reported this to the dealership on 4/28/26 (scott, service manager) and to Hyundai on 4/29/26 (Hyundai case management #: 42610495). I noted to Hyundai that this same/similar problem has been reported by other owners ( see [xxx] ) information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Seem like there was a recall on the 3. 3l engines on the Hyundai Santa Fe starting January 26, 2017, for engine related knocking noise. My VIN is [xxx] according to the manufacturing plate it was made in korea released on January 04, 2017. I realize it is a 22-day window on the recall but after an oil change the motor has started knocking the oil is the right viscosity, full to capacity, and oil filter changed. I drove 200 miles after an oil change then the motor started knocking. Is there a certain stamp on the cam shafts to verify which of the 420 vehicles are affected by this recall? information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

My engine just died wont start has 121099 and Hyundai wont fix it.

My abs lights the triangle with the ! in the middle goes in and off the down hill control light and the sweet control light all go on when the abs light goes on my oil was completely dry had to add two quarts while the engine was ticking when started and when accelerating it was making a clicking noise I still had 3000 miles before needed an oil change but like I said it was bone dry and then the drivers seat was going back and not wanting to come back up I’ve only had the car 42 days and it’s having all kinds of problems.

Engine seized up on the interstate. Vehicle has ~97,000 miles. Towed to dealership. Dealership wanted $8,000+ to replace engine. Hyundai refused to honor their warranty of 15 years/150,000 miles. Remains at the dealership, unrepaired.

Engine. It happened while I was driving. No it wasnt reproduced or confirmed by a dealer, but have been told by a couple and also me seeing that the engine wasnt able to manually be cranked at all. No inspection was done by manufacturr, police, or insurance, because it didnt cause a accident. Just engine light which have been reported to the dealership and was toled they couldnt fix it, but that was just staying on all the time for quite some time. No finally I would like to see if this can be investigated on to be a recall since the original miles are only about 68000 and shouldnt have these problem at this low mileage.

I purchase the 2017 Santa Fe sport in October of 2023 with just short of 80k miles. It was in great condition and had no issues. I have maintained it according to Hyundai specification and regular on schedule oil changes with recommended 5w-20 full synthetic. At approximately 100k miles, I experienced an oil pressure light on the dash, when checked, the engine was approximately 2 quarts low. From this point on, the engine started consuming oil at an increasing rate all while I maintained regular maintenance. First, 1 quart a month, or about 1200 to 1500 miles, then to 1 quart every 2 weeks or 800 miles. I maintained weekly checks on the oil level and on the evening of 3/24/2026, I had added a quart, bringing the level to the midway point between the high and low dipstick markings. On the afternoon of 3/24/26 while driving on the highway in heavy, but at speed limit, traffic on the highway, I experienced a loss of power and a check engine light. I was able to exit the highway but the car started to run very rough and unable to idle. Luckily, there was no traffic approaching when I turned off the exit and made a left into parking lot to shut off the vehicle. I will be having it towed to a dealership in the next few days for their analysis.

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 same 2. 4 engines. Thousands upon thousands of posts about engine oil and engines blowing up, no one doing anything about it. My daughter's car is beautiful, but worth nothing due to this issue, so we are out thousands of dollars on this. We are about to go to war with Hyundai on this and I'm sure we'll get nowhere. If we're lucky, they'll install a rebuilt engine. . . But it"s the same crap engine!!!!!!! so we are all back to square one and NHTSA is doing nothing. This is a well known flaw for years now.

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 an uphill, a pop sounded, and copious white smoke started coming from the engine bay. I pulled over despite having no power brakes but I was fortunate to be near an off ramp in a rural area. Trying to troubleshoot roadside, I noticed fluid on the tie rod, but I wasnt able to determine what kind of fluid it was. When I try to start the car, there is one single click, the engine wont even attempt to turn over. Oil, battery and check engine lights are all on. After towing, I found that the fluid leaking from the vehicle is oil. The vehicle is currently at a transmission shop, but from my research, this isnt a transmission issue but a blown rod bearing the Hyundai engines are know for. I will be contacting a dealership to see if they will at least confirm my diagnosis.

My vehicle had oil consumption problems that were fixed with a new replacement engine now my catalytic converter is going bad due to engine oil consumption problems and the dealer I deal with is refusing to help with this issue. There is only around 50k miles on the new engine. I would greatly appreciate your help with this thank you!.

My wife's 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe limited experienced a sudden crack in the engine and lost oil without any warning signs. There were no warning lights, no check engine light, and no unusual noise before the engice crack. A certified independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed the engine has no oil, whick it did a couple days before when I checked the oil and topped it off, which is the same issue described in Hyundai’s known engine safety recalls. I was never notified of any safety campaigns or recalls. I am not the first owner, so the required recall inspections and updates were never completed on this vehicle before I bought it. The sudden engine crack and loss of oil created a serious safety risk, especially because there was no warning before it happened and it almost left our family stranded two hours from home. This failure matches the symptoms described in Hyundai’s theta ii engine defect investigations. While at the mechanic shop, we were quoted $10,000 to get a new remanufactured engine put into this car. I certainly (and I know most families) don't have $10k sitting around waiting to be used for car repairs. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this vehicle should be included in the affected group, and whether this engine failure is part of the broader safety defect already identified in many Hyundai engines from the same model years. This vehicle is currently parked in our yard waiting to be repaired or sold. I would prefer it be repaired by Hyundai since one of the car plants is only 1 hour from our house. I was unaware of the current safety recall until I read it today.

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. The contact related the failure to several unknown Hyundai tsbs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

Immediately following the implementation of service campaign 9c2 and TSB 25-01-087h - ecu update for theta ii emissions logic improvement, the vehicle exhibits poor drivability (staggering/missing/hesitation) until the engine warms up. This is most noticeable just prior to the shift from first to second gear.

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was using an excessive amount of oil. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was no indication of a leak. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact the failure was related to combustion chamber cleaning. The manufacturer was contacted, who informed the diagnostic fees were at her expense and there was no coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 94,700.

The vehicle is burning oil even when oil changes are done routinely. Then all of a sudden I have total loss of power will not go over 35 miles an hour. And climbing hill would not go over 20. It just happened no warning lights on dash so now I have a car that is still owning 8 grand on. So now a lawn ornament. I have seen on different formats. That there is hundreds having the same issue. Hyundai is not fixing the issue for any of us.

My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe sport 2. 0t (theta ii 2. 0l gdi turbo engine) has been diagnosed with burned exhaust valves requiring a complete engine replacement. This is the second catastrophic powertrain failure on this vehicle in under two years. In July 2024, I paid $2,754 to replace the turbocharger at an authorized Hyundai dealership (wright Hyundai, [xxx] ). The burned valves are consistent with carbon buildup on intake valves, a widely documented and known deficiency of the gdi fuel delivery system used in the theta ii engine family. Carbon deposits restrict airflow, cause valve seating issues, and lead to valve failure. This is an inherent design characteristic of the engine, not a maintenance-related failure. At no point during my ownership — including during the turbocharger repair — was I informed of this known issue or advised of any preventive measures such as fuel system cleaning treatments. I am additionally concerned that the dealership's diagnostic process was incomplete. The service center diagnosed the burned valves and immediately recommended an engine replacement without performing a bearing clearance test or completing the full diagnostic flowchart. The dealership has refused to perform further diagnostics unless I pay additional fees, and has refused to share documentation from a tech line case opened with Hyundai corporate. Because diagnostics were halted at the burned valve finding, a connecting rod bearing failure — the specific defect covered under the theta ii class action settlement (in Hyundai and kia engine litigation, noxxx) — has not been ruled out as a contributing cause. Hyundai's national consumer affairs office (case #xxx) denied my goodwill request without addressing either the known gdi carbon buildup issue or the fact that this is the second catastrophic failure on this engine platform. This vehicle has approximately 86,000 miles. I purchased it as a second owner in August 2020 at 42,730 miles. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 5.

Engine failed at approximately 95000 miles.

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. Hyundai declined engine replacement. It appears oil consumption was an issue when the vehicle was traded in to the dealership, and they resold it anyway to an unsuspecting consumer.

My vehicle was serviced for an oil change at my dealership today. The mechanics are concerned about too much oil consumption in between oil changes. They have no evidence of a leak. Prior to getting my oil changed, a red oil light appeared when I brake. The dealership had mentioned of related recalls for this problem for this vehicle model.

We have a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe with 130k miles on it. It has the 2. 4 engine with known manufacturing defects. We are the 2nd owner and timely & proper maintenance was completed on it since it was new. My [xxx] driver was operating the vehicle on interstate 75 in middle georgia when the vehicle started running very rough, slowed down dramatically and the check engine light started blinking. She was blessed that a large truck didn’t run her over as she tried to move to the side of the roadway. We called a tow truck to take it to the nearest Hyundai dealership- alm Hyundai of warner robins, GA. They inspected the vehicle and stated that the engine had messed up and they wouldn’t replace it since the vehicle had 130k miles and outside their window for 120k mile replacement. We purchased the vehicle from the original owner in 2022. We verified that it had timely and proper maintenance on it. We were also aware of a potential engine issue but verified with a Hyundai service advisor at five star Hyundai in macon, GA that the vehicle would be eligible for engine replacement if it messed up due to a manufacturing defect as long as proper maintenance was completed. We noticed that the vehicle was significantly burning oil at around 110k miles and regularly had to put oil in it to make sure it would not run dry. We did have the safety recall performed on it for the engine knock issue that Hyundai mandated. These vehicles are a major safety hazard on the roadway and these effected engines should be replaced by the manufacturer. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Component: engine (theta ii 2. 4l gdi) / connecting rod bearing-related failure risk with abnormal internal oil loss. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request (engine, oil level condition, diagnostic history, and dealer records). Safety risk: while driving on the highway (approx. 70 mph), the vehicle displayed a low oil warning, and I experienced concern for potential engine seizure/stalling and sudden loss of power, which could cause a crash. I reduced speed and sought service. This condition presents an ongoing safety risk because sudden engine failure can occur without adequate warning. Dealer confirmation: the problem was confirmed by a Hyundai dealer. After a routine oil change, the low oil warning appeared within ~1,700 miles. A Hyundai service center inspected the vehicle and documented the engine was approximately 3 quarts low with no external leaks, indicating internal loss/engine deterioration rather than a leak. Hyundai then required additional steps (combustion chamber cleaning and monitored mileage), and the abnormal internal oil loss condition persisted. Manufacturer inspection: the vehicle has been inspected by Hyundai dealerships, and Hyundai performed campaign-related actions, including ksds/ecm update (t3g) and later knock sensor replacement. No police or insurance inspection. No crash or injury occurred. Warning lamps/symptoms prior to failure: prior symptoms included a check engine lamp with dtc p1326 (ksds-related) documented by Hyundai service in 2025, followed by continued abnormal internal engine condition. The low oil warning occurred while the vehicle was in motion (highway speed). The issue remains unresolved, and I do not feel the vehicle is safe to operate due to seizure/stall risk. Additional: I reported this as a safety defect because similar theta ii engine issues are widely reported and can result in stalling, seizure, or engine fire. Hyundai denied engine replacement assistance despite the documented condition.

This is an update to existing NHTSA odi complaint #11735718 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe sport, txxi theta ii engine defect. Update: on may 7, 2026, Hyundai case manager acknowledged in writing "your case is important to us" and "2. 4l theta concerns" for case #42623761. This is written admission the vehicle has the txxi defect covered by warranty extension to 120,000 miles. I gave Hyundai 48 hours to provide written authorization for oil consumption test per their TSB 22-em-003h. After 3 days they are silent. They refuse email communication despite documented language barrier. Current vehicle status: - active dtc p0010 causing loss of power and stalling risk - oil consumption: 1 liter per 600km, which is 3x Hyundai failure threshold in TSB 22-em-003h - 95,772 miles, under txxi 120,000 mile warranty limit - u. S. Spec vehicle covered by txxi warranty extension Hyundai is violating magnuson-moss warranty act by refusing to honor written warranty for known safety defect. The p0010 defect causes sudden loss of power while driving. Requesting immediate NHTSA intervention to compel Hyundai to perform warranty repair.

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 have the engine replaced. We were so glad about that. The vehicle was going to be completed by early January and we got the news the vehicle was completed but now having misfiring issues due to faulty injectors. I was advised that this was not covered due to the mileage. This was an non issue when I turned in the vehicle to Hyundai. I made several attempts to contact my case manager and this was again denied due to the mileage. For a vehicle with less than 140k miles and being less than 10 years old, we are very upset with this process and for Hyundai knowing that there were concerning issues with both the fuel injectors and engine.

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 under warranty because we transferred the car from my mother-in-law's name to my wife's name. I want to file this as a complaint to the NHTSA because a car that isn't even 10-years old and has less than 90,000 miles should not be needing an engine replacement. Hyundai appears to be aware of the issue as my service advisor at the dealership has mentioned that several of their cars with this engine have the exact same issue. To me, this sounds like a defect and should have a recall.

While driving- in total movement- the car completely shut off. Without any prior warning or indication. Immediately after, the car restarted, drove a couple blocks over, continuing to shut off while driving. It was then towed. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? the warning lights did not appear until after the car quit. They all came on & flashed & quickly went back out. Uncertain which component misfired or is affected- possibly related to an engine or fuel/ cylinder failure. Car is at mechanic for inspection. Our safety & lives were in critical jeopardy as the vehicle stopped without warning while driving in traffic congested area. It is unknown if this is a known issue or if this situation has been replicated however the current mechanic facility has experienced the same issue with this vehicle. Also strong odor of gas was experienced during shutoff.

The engine on my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe sport was deemed defective according to downey Hyundai. They ran a diagnostic test on it and it failed the test. They offered to replace it for me at no cost to me. On December 11, 2025 the engine caught fire while the service technician from downey Hyundai was “test driving” it in a drive-thru of 7 leaves. He was using my vehicle for personal use when the engine fire occurred. Both downey police dept and downey fire dept made reports. I did file a claim with my insurance company, aaa. On 12/8/25, the engine oil light blinked once very quickly on the dash and that was it. I took my vehicle to downey Hyundai the very next day to have it inspected.

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 manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed to determine the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

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 it was no longer on. Was driving it too the shop to have it looked at when it shut off on me while driving.

The engine of our 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe sport has been significantly problematic since we first purchased the vehicle in 2017. These issues have been well documented by other Hyundai owners and have resulted in class action lawsuits. After purchasing our vehicle new from dealer, it began experiencing difficulties, consuming large amounts of oil, spewing smoke from the tailpipe, leaving metal shavings in the engine oil, failing to start, and at times going into a protection mode to keep the engine from further damage and restrict speed above 15 miles per hour. The vehicle had to be towed multiple times at our own expense. Hyundai delayed replacement of the engine for months resulting in thousands of additional miles being put on the vehicle under unsafe operating conditions. Hyundai reluctantly replaced the engine in February of 2024. What appears to not be well-documented in NHTSA complaints are the impacts of these engine issues to other Hyundai components and parts. Hyundai replaced our original engine but did not replace the engine’s catalytic converter. 20 months later, the check engine light has illuminated again as a direct result of oil sludge and buildup from accelerated oil consumption. In November 2025, the dealership identified the fault code p0420 for catalyst efficiency system below threshold. We have experienced a loss of acceleration, increased fumes, and decreased fuel efficiency as a result of the catalytic converter failure, and believe the vehicle is no longer safe to drive at high speeds on freeways. The dealership has confirmed damage to the catalytic converter and has quoted a replacement fee that is $5000, almost $1000 higher than other dealerships in our area. We asked for the dealership to submit a request to hma for goodwill assistance and were denied on November 24th. We strongly believe that Hyundai is responsible for both the damage to the catalytic converter as well as the safety concerns caused by this issue.

My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe suffered a crankshaft/bearing failure identical to NHTSA recall 17v578000. Hyundai states my VIN was not included in the recall, but the vehicle has the same 3. 3l engine, the same failure, and the same symptoms described in the recall bulletin. The engine has never been replaced. The defect appears broader than the recall VIN range. They are refusing to replace the defective engine.

The vehicle’s engine is experiencing excessive internal oil consumption that poses a serious safety risk while driving. After a routine oil change performed by an authorized Hyundai dealer, the engine oil warning light illuminated within about 1,700 miles. Upon inspection by another Hyundai service center, technicians confirmed that the engine was burning oil abnormally and was three quarts low, with no external leaks. This issue was documented in the dealer’s repair order, which states “vehicle is burning excessive oil. ” the problem has been reproduced and confirmed by a Hyundai dealer. The vehicle is equipped with the theta ii 2. 4l gdi engine, which is already covered under Hyundai’s ksds (knock sensor detection system) extended engine warranty due to known internal mechanical defects such as bearing wear and oil consumption. Despite this, the manufacturer has declined to replace the engine. The excessive oil burning occurs rapidly and triggers the low-oil warning light while the vehicle is in motion, creating a risk of engine seizure and sudden loss of power that could lead to a crash. The defect remains unresolved. Warning lights for low oil level appeared multiple times beginning in 2025, shortly after the ksds update and knock-sensor replacement.