2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 Santa Fe Sport ranks worst of 6 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100, 350 complaints, and 3 recalls. Engine problems dominate at 65% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 62,521 miles, giving it an Avoid verdict.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 6 Santa Fe Sport years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 350
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine227 (65%)
- Brakes59 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain40 (11%)
- Other35 (10%)
- Fuel System27 (8%)
- Electrical System14 (4%)
- Structure & Body14 (4%)
- Airbags10 (3%)
- Steering9 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engines lose power suddenly at highway speed, sometimes preceded by an illuminated oil pressure or check engine light.
- Owners report engine smoke and flames coming from under the hood while driving in stop-and-go traffic or highway speeds.
- Some vehicles caught fire while parked or while attempting to start, with smoke seen before flames appeared.
- Front airbags failed to deploy in frontal or side-impact crashes even though door-mounted airbags deployed.
- Brakes and steering reportedly locked up simultaneously during a low-speed turn on dry pavement.
- A driver's seat back released rearward during a rear-end collision.
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V056000Feb 3, 2022Brakes357,348 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 17V358000Jun 5, 2017Structure & Body437,400 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 17V365000Jun 5, 2017Seat Belts17,160 vehicles
Seat belts:front:anchorage
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolt for the driver's seat belt anchor might not have been sufficiently tightened during assembly.
Risk: If the bolt was not sufficiently tightened, driver's seat belt may come unanchored in a collision, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will verify that the driver's seatbelt anchor is properly secured, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for the recall is 165.
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2017 compared with other Santa Fe Sport years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport reliable?
- NHTSA data shows it has the highest complaint index (100) and most complaints (350) of the six Santa Fe Sport/Santa Fe model years tracked, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
- Engine problems account for 65% of complaints (227 of 350), including reports of stalling and engine fires, with a median failure mileage of 62,521 miles.
- Does the 2017 Santa Fe Sport have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this year: an ABS module brake recall, a hood latch cable recall, and a driver's seat belt anchor bolt recall.
- How does the 2017 Santa Fe Sport compare to other years?
- It ranks worst of six years tracked, ahead of 2018 (complaint index 80, Avoid) and well above 2016, which has the lowest index at 20 and a Best verdict.