2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe ranks worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 100 and 966 complaints, mostly engine-related (73%). It carries 6 recalls, including a crankshaft-defect engine recall, earning an Avoid verdict.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 21 Santa Fe years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 966
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 14
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 23
- Injuries
- 18
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17.5 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 18 / 0
Top 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine701 (73%)
- Transmission & Powertrain163 (17%)
- Other95 (10%)
- Brakes69 (7%)
- Electrical System68 (7%)
- Fuel System61 (6%)
- Steering27 (3%)
- Airbags20 (2%)
- Structure & Body13 (1%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartment fires reported, with smoke and flames developing quickly, in some cases within minutes of noticing smoke.
- Sudden acceleration or failure to accelerate reported while turning or pulling out of a parking space, sometimes leading to a collision.
- Airbags failed to deploy in low-speed crashes, including one where the driver's head struck the windshield.
- Hesitation followed by unexpected surge reported during turns or from a stop, in one case ending in a crash into a house.
- Electrical fires reported starting at the rear or front of the vehicle, including one that ignited overnight while parked.
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls
6 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 17V578000Sep 20, 2017Engine420 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
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.
Risk: 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.
- 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.
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
- Among 21 model years of the Santa Fe, 2017 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst overall, so it is rated Avoid relative to other years.
- What problems does the 2017 Santa Fe have?
- NHTSA complaints are dominated by engine issues, which make up 73% of the 966 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 39,000 miles. Transmission & powertrain and brakes are the next most common problem areas.
- Does the 2017 Santa Fe have an engine recall?
- Yes. Recall 17V578000 covers 2017 Santa Fe vehicles with 3.3L engines whose crankshaft assemblies may have surface irregularities that can cause engine damage.
- How many recalls does the 2017 Santa Fe have?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2017 Santa Fe, covering brakes, engine, structure/body (twice), suspension/wheels/tires, and seat belts.
- What year Santa Fe should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2017, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2023, and 2025 are all rated Avoid, with 2017 having the highest complaint index of the group at 100.