2017 Hyundai SANTA FE SPORT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
346 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
37,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 156 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 198 of 346 complaints (57.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 66 | 19.1% |
| Engine operation | 45 | 13.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 18 | 5.2% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 3.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 198 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 41 |
| Power Train | 39 |
| Unknown Or Other | 35 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 25 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 25 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 15 |
| Service Brakes | 13 |
Engine: 198; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 41; Power Train: 39; Unknown Or Other: 35; Fuel/Propulsion System: 25; Vehicle Speed Control: 25; Engine And Engine Cooling: 15; Service Brakes: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 65 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 21 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 24 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 26 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 65; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 24; 100,000 to 149,999: 26; 150,000 and above: 6
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (65). 190 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2018 | 22 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 74 |
| 2023 | 61 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2025 | 48 |
| 2026 | 34 |
2017: 33; 2018: 22; 2019: 18; 2020: 9; 2021: 12; 2022: 74; 2023: 61; 2024: 35; 2025: 48; 2026: 34
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 66 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 45 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 18 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10979387 · 2017-04-19 (April 19, 2017)
MY NEW HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS A HESITATION OR PAUSE PROBLEM. RANDOMLY THE ENGINE OR POWER TRAIN DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. IT IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN IT HAPPENS. IF YOU ARE ENTERING A HIGHWAY, SLOWING DOWN AND THEN RE ACCELERATING, ENTERING AN INTERSECTION FROM A STOP SIGN. THE CONDITION CAN LEAVE YOU IN A PANIC SITUATION WHEN THERE IS NO RESPONSE FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN THE ACCELERATION KICKS IN. YOUR DRIVING TIMING CONFUSES OTHERS APPROACHING YOU. THE CONDITION HAPPENS GOING STRAIGHT OR TURNING. YOU COULD BE C…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10979387 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10994424 · 2017-06-12 (June 12, 2017)
WITHIN DAYS OF TAKING DELIVERY, THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE 3-4 SECONDS TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, AND WOULD NOT FULLY ACCELERATE UNTIL ALMOST 10 SECONDS LATER, CREATING A HUGE SAFETY ISSUES FOR TIMES WHEN SPEEDY ACCELERATION (AT INTERSECTIONS, CLOSE CALLS, ETC.) WAS PARAMOUNT. FROM THERE, THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM GLITCHED OUT AND WOULD NOT TURN ON UNTIL I RESTARTED THE CAR, AND IT HAD ISSUES WITH VOICE COMMANDS INTERMITTENTLY, DEFEATING THE PURPOSE OF A HANDS-FREE DEVICE (ONCE AGAIN CREATING MORE SAFETY CONCERNS). MOST REGULARLY, THE VEHICLE WOUL…
Owner-reported narrative. 120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10994424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10995802 · 2017-06-19 (June 19, 2017)
THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATION WHEN TURNING SOMETIMES. IN SPORT MODE ITS FINE BUT ECO AND REG IT ACTS UP. I WAS ALMOST T-BONED CAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AT A INTERSECTION.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10995802 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10995823 · 2017-06-19 (June 19, 2017)
THERE IS SOMETIMES HESITATION AFTER COMING TO A STOP. THIS IS ESPECIALLY FRIGHTENING AT BUSY INTERSECTIONS. I PUSH ON THE GAS AND THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE. IT HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 20 TIMES, BUT IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AT A BUSY ROTARY. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS, BUT HYUNDAI HAS NO SOLUTION AS OF TODAY. I AM AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT EVENTUALLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10995823 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11003119 · 2017-07-05 (July 5, 2017)
2017 SANTA FE SPORT 2.0T ULTIMATE AWD - HESITATION OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEEDS, MOST FREQUENTLY OBSERVED WHEN MAKING TURNS. STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR CAUSES THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TO BLINK AND THE ENGINE TO EFFECTIVELY STALL OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS. WHEN THE THROTTLE DOES ENGAGE AFTER THE HESITATION, IT IS IN A VIOLENT MANNER. THIS HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY THAN NOT, AND IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER A YEAR AND HAVE 20,000+ MILES ON IT. THIS IS A REOCCURRING ISSUE. HAD I BEEN AWARE OF THIS SITE, I W…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11003119 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11005894 · 2017-07-17 (July 17, 2017)
WE BOUGHT OUR 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT USED; IT HAD ONLY 11,000 MILES ON IT. DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHUDDER VIOLENTLY WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, AND AS THE STEERING WHEEL RETURNED TO CENTER AFTER A TURN. THIS MAKES IT CLOSE TO IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL, AND NEARLY GOT ME INTO A FEW ACCIDENTS SINCE I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS SUGGESTS THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN OR WORSE; THE STEERING RACK. IF THERE IS SLIPPING GOING ON IN THE STEERING COLU…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11005894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11006704 · 2017-07-21 (July 21, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT DISENGAGED FROM THE BUCKLE, THE MORE THE CONTACT TRIED TO UNBUCKLE IT, THE TIGHTER IT GOT. FINALLY THE SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT IN ORDER FOR THE PASSENGER (9 YEAR OLD) TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CAR RENTAL COMPANY IN THE BRONX AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FA…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11006704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11010221 · 2017-07-24 (July 24, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 (NA) HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND A RED STEERING WHEEL AND EXCLAMATION MARK ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER (HYUNDAI OF NEW PORT RICHEY 3936 US-19, NEW PORT RICHEY, FL, 34652) DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSMITTING DATA TO THE STEERING MECHANISM; HOWEVER, THE STEERING MECHANISM WAS UNABLE TO READ AND CORRESPOND. THE STEERING MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE R…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11010221 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V358000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 2017-06-05 (June 5, 2017)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V365000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 2017-06-05 (June 5, 2017)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V056000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2022-02-03 (February 3, 2022)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗