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#BS-2017-HYUSAN-39C52017 Hyundai Santa FeProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 1,298 owners and 6 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 1,298 complaints, 20 crashes, 41 fires, and 6 recalls. Complaint rate is 2.4x the class average.
Top reported problems
hesitation
13 complaints • Severity 7.7/10
engine failure
6 complaints • Severity 8.7/10
loss of power during acceleration
6 complaints • Severity 9/10
drifts to one side
6 complaints • Severity 7.3/10
not accelerating properly while turning
5 complaints • Severity 8.4/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
672 owners reported engine issues — failures commonly reported around 17K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (228 reports) • Median: 17K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Engine (672 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 52% of all reports filed for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, with 672 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 17,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 17K-mile mark.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 13% of all reports filed for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, with 166 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, with 65 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Fuel System Issues
Fuel System complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, with 61 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to fuel system-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recent trend: stable.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (6 recalls)
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses may be damaged by the seat's height adjuster mechanism, resulting in a failure to provide an audible warning when front seat occupants do not fasten their seat belts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
TRAILER HITCHES
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that may not have been set in the correct mode during vehicle assembly, and therefore will not provide an appropriate warning in the event of an underinflated tire. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
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.
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.
+ 1 more recall in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
Not ratedFrontal crash
Not ratedSide crash
Not ratedRollover
Not ratedFrom NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (3)
1 investigation still open: NHTSA is examining whether a defect warrants a recall.
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Loss of Motive Power
ENGINE
3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)
ENGINE
The worst model year for the Hyundai Santa Fe is the 2012 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Class Average (Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD)
This vehicle
1,298
Class avg
549
2.4x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical small sport utility vehicle 2wd vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 1,298 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 6 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated . NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Hyundai Santa Fe Model Years
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 1,298 owner reports. Know before you buy.