NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
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.
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
On April 2, 2026, the engine in my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe failed catastrophically while my wife was driving. The vehicle lost power suddenly and completely. There was no warning and no prior symptoms. She was able to pull over safely in a residential area. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Hyundai dealer, where the service representative suspects connecting rod bearing failure—the same failure mode described in NHTSA recalls 17V226 and 17V578 affecting other 2017 Santa Fe vehicles with the Theta II 2.4L engine. The engine is available for inspection upon request. My VIN does not appear in the recall population, yet the failure is identical to the documented defect. This suggests the recall scope was insufficient. One week prior, we drove this vehicle on a 500 mile family road trip with our child. The failure that occurred could have happened at highway speed. We are lucky to be alive. No warning indicators appeared before the failure. The vehicle has been regularly maintained. The problem has been preliminarily confirmed by the dealer as suspected bearing failure, pending teardown.
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 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.
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 vehicle had five previous owners and there were several mileage discrepancies. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 46,000. However, it was discovered that the last known accurate mileage on the vehicle was 113,000.
Bottom brake lights will not work but top high brake light works. I was stopped by police three times. They state all three brake lights must operate.
Service Campaign Update 9C2 was installed. Since then erratic shifting occurs including up and down shifting without change in acceleration and deceleration or lag. This lasts between 1-5 minutes after initial vehicle start-up. This is dangerous when vehicle attempts to pull out into traffic. Hyundai has been aware of the issue as early as December 2025 but no notice of corrective action has been received.
On my Driver/passenger seat the recline switch with not go back only forward. The dealer explains to me that just diagnosing the issue is 250 then the switch is going to cost me over $800. If replace the Power Seat Switch for $49.99 and the Power Seat Switch Knob only cost $ 15 plus dollars, also to replace the motor $200-300 now my air bag light is on not sure if it's because of the seat functioning or not, my kid's car seats are right behind the seats so its concerning to me. Looking online they are hundreds of people complaining of this, but no action has been taken such as a recall.
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 re: 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. 552(B)(6)
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.
Dashboard cracking - not overly parked in sunlight.
The contact owned a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe equipped with a Rockland Electric Mobility Scooter Lifter, Part Number: 10101194. The contact stated that after the mobility scooter lifter was installed on the vehicle, the vehicle experienced electrical failures. The A/C became inoperable, and the hatch opened intermittently. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked approximately a month after the lifter installation, the alarm sounded intermittently during the day. The contact observed the vehicle from the residence, but did not notice any abnormality. The contact installed the mobility scooter on the vehicle in the evening. The contact stated that the vehicle alarm sounded at night, and the contact noticed that the vehicle had caught on fire and there were flames coming from underneath the hood by the engine and firewall location. The vehicle was significantly burned from the front end to the trunk. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A fire department report and a police report were filed. There was no property damage. There was no physical injury sustained. The contact sustained mental trauma, causing headaches and the right side of the lip to quiver. The contact had called Gregory Fox, an investigative reporter and anchor at WESH 2 News(NBC), who notified the manufacturer of the failure. The manufacturer followed up with the contact and informed the contact that a third-party investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the fire incident. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard, where a third-party investigation was conducted, and the manufacturer informed the contact that the fire was caused by the Rockland Electric Mobility Scooter Lifter. The vehicle was totaled. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
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.
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 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.
On November 28, 2025 at approximately 2:20am, I was involved in a multi-car pile up crash on Interstate 85 south near Durham NC. At least 5 vehicles were involved and significantly damaged. At least two drivers were taken by ambulance to local hospitals. Fortunately I was not one of them. I was driving in the left lane of the 2 lane southbound interstate. It happened right in front of me and I had no chance of completely avoiding it so I veered to my left onto the shoulder to attempt to avoid a direct hit on the large Nissan SUV that was now straddling both lanes. I hit the front of the Nissan and the guardrail almost simultaneously at somewhere around 50 to 60mph which caused considerable damage to the front right quadrant and the entire drivers side of my vehicle, but my airbags never deployed and I sustained moderate to significant injury to my arms, shoulders, chest and neck, most likely due to how I was gripping the steering wheel in anticipation of the impact and from the seat belt. I did not require medical treatment at the scene but have since received treatment at home. I believe the airbags should have deployed given my speed at impact and where my vehicle came in contact with both the Nissan SUV as well as the guardrail. I believe this was a clear failure of the airbag system in my vehicle, which has since been deemed to be totaled by my insurance company.
For at least 14 months, the air bag light on the dash is on more often than not. The code that comes up on the OBD shows it's from the passenger side seat sensor. Occasionally, the seat belt indicator will flash when there is no occupant, as well. The car has never been in an accident, and the air bags have never been set off.
Sunroof exploded It sounded like a bomb went off and had my inside cover been opened I don’t know if I would’ve veered off the road been injured or injured someone else in the process. As it is I don’t know where the big huge piece of glass went. I do have pictures I reported it to my insurance company and also to corporate Hyundai. I was shaken up until the next day.
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.
At 70,000 miles the Santa Fe was consuming oil at 1.5 quarts per 1000 miles. It is a 2.4 engine. The Hyundai dealership did an oil consumption test and verified the consumption. They want to do a combustion chamber cleaning and have me run it 1000 miles. The vehicle is unsafe because this defective engine could seize up at any time. I am trying to have Hyundai USA replace the engine asap. I have all my maintenance records and two warranties.
My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe experienced a sudden and complete engine failure without any warning signs. There were no warning lights, no check engine light, and no unusual noise before the failure. The engine stalled while trying to start, ran very rough for a second, and then completely shut off. After that, the engine would not start again at all. A certified independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed the engine suffered a mechanical failure consistent with rod bearing wear or crankshaft damage, which is the same issue described in Hyundai’s known engine safety recalls. I later took the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership. They also confirmed that the engine had failed, but said it could not be repaired under Hyundai’s programs because my vehicle was not listed in the specific recall. 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 shutdown created a serious safety risk, especially because there was no warning before it failed. This failure matches the symptoms described in Hyundai’s Theta II engine defect investigations. 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.
It sounds like the rod inside are hitting need a new engine. Auto shop said need a new engine. Engine has 125000 that all no oil leak no other problems.
Engine went into limp mode and a knocking sound was heard. Had car inspected and oil changed but no improvements occurred. Took car to dealership and it failed engine test. Hyundai will not cover replacement under open extended warranty.
While driving on the highway at normal speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power with no prior warning lamps or messages, placing me and other road users at immediate risk. The engine rapidly began knocking, lost acceleration, then stalled completely. I had to coast to the shoulder, which was extremely dangerous in high-speed traffic. The failure appears consistent with bearing wear and debris circulation described in Hyundai Recall 168 and TSB 17-01-071, which warn that certain Hyundai 3.3L engines can suffer internal metallic debris contamination during manufacturing. This can restrict oil flow, damage the bearings, and lead to sudden engine seizure without warning — exactly what happened in this incident. After the failure, the engine was inspected by a Hyundai dealership, but no oil sample, no debris test, and no photo documentation were provided, even though the recall procedure requires these steps when symptoms match knock/no-start failure patterns. The cause was not reproduced or confirmed by any independent mechanical test; the vehicle simply failed suddenly and has remained inoperable since. The incident created a major safety risk because the sudden loss of power happened at highway speed with no safe way to maintain vehicle control or speed. Based on known recall documentation, the symptoms match the described safety-related engine defect. The vehicle remains available for inspection. There were no injuries or police reports, but the situation definitely could have resulted in a crash. In my assessment, this is a critical safety defect related to internal engine debris and bearing failure, consistent with the known Hyundai recall pattern for this engine family
# **NHTSA Complaint Answers** ### **1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?** The **engine** failed due to **sudden and extreme oil consumption** that resulted in the engine being completely dry of oil despite regular maintenance. This caused internal damage including **CVVT (Continuous Variable Valve Timing) system failure**, bearing damage, and a complete engine seizure. Yes, the failed engine is fully available for inspection upon request. The vehicle is currently located at Dick Smith Hyundai in Greenville, South Carolina, where the dealership diagnosed the failure and recommended a full engine long block replacement. ### **2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?** The engine failure occurred **suddenly and without warning**, causing the vehicle to lose power while operating. The loss of engine function created the risk of: * sudden deceleration in traffic, * inability to accelerate or maneuver, * potential rear-end collision, * complete engine stall in unsafe conditions. The vehicle had **no oil warning light** prior to the failure, meaning I had no indication that the engine was at risk until the failure occurred. ### **3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?** Yes. The engine failure was confirmed by: • **Schwab’s Automotive** in Fayetteville, NC – determined the engine suffered catastrophic internal damage and was not repairable. • **Dick Smith Hyundai** dealership – confirmed **high oil consumption and CVVT damage**, and recommended a full **engine long block replacement** (estimate: $8,160.60). The problem has been fully verified by both an independent mechanic and an authorized Hyundai dealership. ## **4.Yes.The vehicle was formally inspected by Hyundai Motor America through the dealership’s diagnostic report. Hyundai reviewed the case (Case #XXX) after receiving the dealership findings.The engine remains intact avai. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming engine oil, and there was no indication of an oil leak. While a friend was driving, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The next day, while driving at unknown speeds with the hazard lights activated, the vehicle began making an abnormal sound and then stalled. The TPMS and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 17-01-047-1. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer submitted a claim. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
My vehicle has never missed an oil change or maintenance event yet at my last oil change my engine had burned through all its oil and no low oil light or check engine light came on. Hyundai is refusing to cover it under their warranty stating it occurred due to maintenance neglect even though all oil changes and maintenance events receipts were provided to Hyundai and are available in car fax.
SPONTANEOUS PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLOSION - SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT On October 12, 2025, at approximately 10:00 PM, while my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport was being driven on Interstate 85 near Greenville, South Carolina, the panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded without any external impact or warning. What Happened: - My son was traveling at highway speed in normal driving conditions and he said it sounded a shotgun being shot at close range. The explosion created a period of dangerous distraction. - There was NO impact from road debris, rocks, or any external object - The sunroof suddenly and violently shattered, making a loud explosive sound - A few tempered glass fragments entered the passenger cabin, by the vast majority blew out of the vehicle. - The incident created an immediate safety hazard for vehicle occupants and for other vehicles who may have been following. - Visibility was not compromised, but due to glass exploding, my son had to drive on the shoulder of the Interstate at a slow speed with his hazard lights on in order to make it safely to an exit. Safety Concerns: - Sudden Loss of Structural Integrity - The sunroof exploded outward without warning - Glass in Passenger Cabin - Tempered glass fragments fell into the vehicle, endangering occupants - Driver Distraction - The sudden explosion and noise created a dangerous distraction at highway speed - Visibility Impairment - Glass debris and the sudden opening affected visibility - Weather Exposure - Immediate exposure to wind and weather elements at highway speed - Ongoing Safety Risk - This defect affects thousands of vehicles still on the road What Did NOT Happen: - No collision or impact with another vehicle - No road debris struck the vehicle - No rocks or projectiles hit the sunroof - No hail or weather-related damage - No recent sunroof operation or manipulation - No aftermarket modifications or repairs This was a spontaneous failure of a defective component during normal vehicle operation.
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-consumption condition. Per the instructions provided by Hyundai Service Team, I was advised to “submit my own claim.” I later learned that, as a customer, I am not permitted to submit or appeal a claim directly, and that only the dealership has the ability to do so. I have since been informed by Customer Care that the claim submitted on my behalf was considered weak, which may have contributed to its denial. I was also advised that Hyundai and the dealership were already aware that I did not have the ability to submit or appeal the claim myself, despite being directed to do so. Throughout this process, I have made every good-faith effort to follow Hyundai’s guidance, yet I have experienced repeated misdirection and inconsistent information. This has caused unnecessary delays and frustration while the underlying issue remains unresolved. The vehicle has been properly maintained, with regular oil changes and servicing completed according to Hyundai’s recommended intervals. Despite this, the excessive oil consumption persists and poses a risk to engine longevity and overall safety. Due to the current condition of the engine, I no longer feel it is safe to continue driving the vehicle, which has left me without reliable transportation. Additionally, I have previously experienced the theft of this vehicle, for which I was not compensated, despite the well-documented safety concerns affecting Hyundai customers. Taken together, these issues have significantly impacted my confidence and ability to rely on this vehicle. Given Hyundai’s well-documented history of oil-consumptio
Engine failure with no prior warning, such as oil pressure gauge,oil indicator light, or check engine light. Vehicle was at dealership for maintenance and this happened as tech was test driving. Found all oil was lost with no indications of a leak.
ABS doesn't work, traction control doesn't work, while it was raining the sensor lights came on and I began to hydroplane almost causing a wreck while driving on the highway. The sensors go off and on the emergency brake won't engage while this sensor is on also. Acceleration stall pulling out in traffic. I'm scared to even drive the suv
The engine suddenly seized up on me. Was told by my mechanic that that year and make once they get to a certain mileage gets premature engine failure. I looked it up and that year has a huge problem with this issue.
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 recalls and updates have been completed. As confirmed by Hyundai service records, my vehicle is eligible for extended warranty protections under the Theta II Engine Settlement, which explicitly applies to subsequent owners and is not limited to the original purchaser. Engine Failure & Repair History Beginning in mid-2025, my vehicle began to exhibit progressive and excessive oil consumption, despite regular maintenance. Hyundai dealerships performed multiple Hyundai-directed corrective actions, including: PCV valve replacement Multiple oil consumption tests Combustion chamber cleaning (paid out of pocket after Hyundai Motors denied goodwill) These measures failed to resolve the issue. Hyundai’s own oil consumption testing confirmed: 1.2 quarts consumed, followed by 1.4 quarts consumed, indicating worsening internal engine failure West Houston Hyundai has subsequently advised that engine replacement is required, yet Hyundai Motor America has refused coverage, and I was quoted $5,872 for engine replacement and labor at my expense. Engine failure requiring replacement at 94,000 miles is not normal wear and tear and is inconsistent with reasonable consumer expectations or Hyundai’s powertrain representations. Importantly: The vehicle has never been cited for neglect, sludge, or improper maintenance,Oil consumption worsened after Hyundai-directed repairs Hyundai has not identified any misuse or disqualifying condition The failure pattern is consistent with known Theta II piston/ring defects
Approximately six weeks after purchase, my daughter drove the vehicle to a school event and back without issue—no warning lights, noises, or drivability concerns. Shortly thereafter, when attempting to leave for another event, the Santa Fe failed to start. I attempted a jump-start, only to discover that the engine had seized suddenly and without prior warning. It is available for inspection if needed. This sudden and unexpected malfunction could have happened while driving down the road and who knows what might have happened to include my daughter being seriously injured. The vehicle was towed to our local Hyundai dealer. where the service team confirmed catastrophic engine failure. The Engine has only been inspected by the local dealer. There were no warning lights, noises, or drivability issues prior to the engine failure. This engine failure happened on Aug. 16, 2025 References for Review NHTSA Recall Report 17V-578 – notes crankshaft pin and bearing wear issues leading to potential stall. NHTSA Federal Register (DP24-001) – acknowledges Hyundai’s 15-year/150,000-mile warranty extension via TSB 24-EM-003H. Hyundai KSDS Campaign Info & TSBs – detail warranty extension language for rod-bearing failures. Hyundai TSB 22-EM-006H-2 (TXXM) – illustrates Hyundai’s approach to extending coverage for engine failures. Consumer Reports/NHTSA Records – document similar sudden failures without warning lights in the 3.3L Lambda-II engine.
The engine seized back in August 2025. The engine stopped working while I was driving on a Main Street and almost caused an accident. Unfortunately I put other drivers at risk when this happened. The engine issue was confirmed and inspected by the victorville Hyundai dealership in California. There was not any warning lamps prior to this.
My engine failed. Dealership put it through an oil consumption test which it failed. They ended up keeping my car for 3 weeks to build a new engine, add new belts, new spark plugs and new filters to go with the repair. After completing this repair they told me they noticed my air bag light on. They recommended a new sensor to fix it. Which I was to pay $600 for. I agreed to this and had it done. I picked up the car and had it for 3 weeks before the airbag light came back on. I brought it back to dealership. They assessed it and told me the problem actually came from the seat and the total.to repair the whole seat would be $2500+ I am the only owner of this car. It has never been in an accident where the airbag deployed. It is in it's original state. I feel this is a huge safety concern that should be looked into.
Subject: Urgent Safety & Warranty Concern – 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (TSB #21-01-002H) Dear Hyundai Customer Care and NHTSA, I am reporting a serious safety and warranty concern regarding my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (VIN: [XXX] , mileage:97,320). The vehicle is exhibiting excessive oil consumption after an initial Consumption test burning 3quarts of oil in 725 miles as well as causing damage to the intake manifold requiring it to be repaired and is consistent with the connecting rod bearing defect covered under Hyundai TSB #21-01-002H. This TSB extends engine coverage to 10 years/120,000 miles for precisely this issue. Despite this, my authorized dealer, Premier Hyundai of Moreno Valley has refused to take immediate corrective action and is requiring me to drive an additional 1,000 miles before performing the repair — a delay that increases the risk of catastrophic engine failure and endangers vehicle occupants and other motorists. Key points: This is a documented defect with a known history of sudden engine failure. TSB coverage and my warranty should apply immediately, without dangerous delay. The dealership’s requirement to continue driving the vehicle is unreasonable and unsafe. I am requesting: Immediate authorization for the engine diagnostic and replacement under TSB #21-01-002H. Confirmation from Hyundai that I am not required to continue operating a defective engine to “prove” the defect. NHTSA to log this complaint as part of the ongoing safety concerns regarding Hyundai Theta II engines. Please respond within 5 business days with next steps. I am prepared to provide full maintenance history, documentation, and dealership correspondence. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am reporting a sudden engine failure involving my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T. At just 68,000 miles, the vehicle experienced catastrophic loss of power due to zero compression in Cylinder 1. The vehicle is equipped with the Theta II turbocharged engine, which has been the subject of previous investigations and safety recalls due to premature failure risks, including stalling and fire hazards. This failure occurred on [XXX], while I was driving on the highway. There was no warning. It put all drivers near me at risk as I had no power, was traveling in the left lane and had to navigate through 3 lanes of traffic to reach the breakdown lane. I request that this case be investigated further as a potential safety risk and recurrence of known issues with this engine type. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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 car is warmed up. Reno Hyundai dealer informs me that it is not covered by recall. I believe that this problem should be covered based on the volume of complaints from other owners. Can your organization help me in getting some kind of an cost adjustment for getting this repaired. Thank you.
My vehicle is a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD with a GDI Theta II 2.4L 4 cylinder engine. We purchased it in Feb. 2024 with 120,310 miles. Since then we have only put approximately 8,000 miles on it in 17 months. On Aug. 1st 2025 while driving up a hill out in the country the engine suddenly quit. Of course the steering and the brakes failed to operate. However I was able to coast to the next road and barely able to turn the wheel but made the corner and coasted to a stop. Without a nearby corner I would have been stuck on a state highway with many semi-trucks traveling on it. Could have been much more dangerous for my wife and I especially since we had to have the car put on a flatbed to be hauled home. The person who came to haul it checked the battery which was fine. You could hear the starter engage and try to turn the engine but it would not turn one bit. Once home we had a mechanic with many years experience have a look and listen to it. He could not get the engine to move even when trying to turn it by grabbing the engine belts and pullies. By all appearances the engine is seized. No warning lights were one and the oil was checked that very morning before leaving home. The vehicle was using about 1 qt of oil every 200 miles or so. Always used a high quality oil of proper weight/viscosity. Had no visible oil leaks on ground where it was parked every night. Hesitate to spend hauling fees to take it to the dealer 40 miles away if they are not going to do anything but offer to replace it for many thousands of dollars. For a couple living on social security this can absolutely turn things upside down as we only own one car (which we still owe on).
Engine excessively burns oil. Failed oil consumption test. Hyundai denied warranty claim, citing maintenance neglect, despite oil change maintenance records and documentation.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026