Model year record

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport recalls & problems

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has 3 safety recalls and 356 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (207 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints356filed by owners

Crashes · fires5 · 7reported in complaints

NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

1 recall for this model year carries an NHTSA park outside advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 3, 2022

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

Recall 22V056000357,348 vehicles

NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from buildings until repaired (fire risk).

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Latches/locks/linkagesJun 5, 2017

Hood › Latch

Recall 17V358000437,400 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Seat beltsJun 5, 2017

Front › Anchorage

Recall 17V36500017,160 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	14.3%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	15.1%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Santa Fe Sport FWD

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Santa Fe Sport FWD

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Santa Fe Sport Ultimate FWD

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Santa Fe Sport AWD

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Santa Fe Sport AWD

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Santa Fe Sport Ultimate AWD

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine	207	0	4	1	62,082 mi
Power train	42	0	0	0	2,450 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	42	0	1	0	57,235 mi
Unknown or other	36	0	2	4	22,625 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	29	0	0	0	5,600 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	27	0	2	0	11,000 mi
Electrical systemSoftware; Ignition › Coil › High tension/spark plug wires	16	0	0	0	39,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Oil/lubrication	16	0	1	0	89,256 mi
Service brakes	13	1	1	0	24,300 mi
Air bagsSensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger	10	3	0	3	23,800 mi
Steering	9	1	1	0	24,300 mi
StructureBody	8	1	0	1	23,800 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Power train
After we had the Hyundai 9C2 recall completed a few weeks ago, we immediately had rough shifting in our Hyundai Santa Fe Sport driving off the lot. Problem has continued since, and is most notable after cold start/once the car has sat for an extended period of time. Hyundai has released a Drivability Information on 5/18/26 regarding the known issue, but our Dealership was unaware. The Dealership recommended replacement of the Transmission, despite my explanation that the issue began after the installation of the recall fix.
Sep 25, 2026
Engine
Started car to reverse out of parking space and it started jerking as I accelerated. Drove jerkily the few blocks I had to go to make it home. Did not drive again but upon starting it the check engine light came on. Contacted Hyundai customer care who told me my car was covered under two extended warranties for a well documented engine failure on this exact vehicle - Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2017. Iâve been researching and Hyundai knows about this problem and it had been through the courts after group legal action was taken. Hyundai refuses to pay for the car they know is a failure to be diagnosed. I cannot afford to have the car diagnosed especially not for a problem that Hyundai and half…
Sep 30, 2026
Engine
This is in reference to the Hyundai 9C2 ECU software update for Theta II engines that have caused my 2017 Santa Fe Sport to hesitate, surge and run poorly the first few minutes after a cold start! I contacted my dealership but they have not offered any resolution as of yet even though Hyundai Corporate is well aware of the problems caused by the 9C2 software upgrade!
May 12, 2026
Engine
I was driving my car and it showed no signs of any issue but the engine light came on and started blinking so I pulled over and got it towed to a mechanic. He told me that I would need a new engine that would cost me $8000. I looked into it and found that there was a defect with my vehicles engine and that if I took it to a dealership, I could possibly get it covered 100% so I did that and then they covered it and when I got the vehicle back, it had an issue every time I drove it where it was kind of speeding up and jerking when I drove it, I took it back after I told them what happened and then they told me that my catalytic converter was bad and needed to be replaced. I ended up paying…
Jul 1, 2026
Electrical system
harsh engagement or hesitation between gears 1 through 3 specifically during cold starts before the powertrain warms up. But also during driving in the highway.
Feb 1, 2026
Engine
Service Campaigh 9C2 Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe sport has severe loss of power and rough jerky transmission after the update. This condition will definately cause unsafe driving and vehicle engine and transmission damage. Hyundai corporate and local dealerships indicate no remedy for this situation. Dealer also indicated that Hyundai corporate may not release a new software update to fix the issue. This is unacceptable.
Jul 1, 2026
Engine
My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe was brought to a local Hyundai dealership for routine maintenance on July 1, 2026. The 9C2 software update was installed, without my knowledge or consent, during this service. Immediately after getting my car back, I noticed a problem starting the car (though no warning lights or alerts populated). The car seems to stall and then jerk during the first few minutes of driving, particularly after a cold start (car has been sitting for a few hours before starting). This has been a KNOWN issue by Hyundai for several months, yet this update continues to be installed. There is currently no fix, and Hyundai simply suggests letting the car "warm up" for 3-5 minutes before…
Jul 1, 2026
Engine
Campaign /Service Update 9C2 / TSB-25-01-087H broke my Hyundai. The car hesitates idling and on acceleration. Hyundai have no solution to this failed software update or acknowledging other issues it may be causing.
May 1, 2026

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresOpen
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kiaâs defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements;…
AQ23002 · opened Nov 17, 2023
Loss of Motive PowerClosed
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003)…
DP22003 · opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023